Crypto

Fed Chair Powell: Bitcoin Is 'Like Gold, It's Just Virtual And Digital'

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2024

Fed Chair Powell: Bitcoin Is 'Like Gold, It's Just Virtual And Digital'

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell addressed the perception of Bitcoin BTC/USD at the DealBook Summit on Wednesday, asserting that the cryptocurrency is more akin to gold than the U.S. dollar.

“People use Bitcoin as a speculative asset. It’s like gold—it’s just virtual and digital,” Powell said during the discussion.

Powell dispelled notions that Bitcoin undermines the Federal Reserve or the strength of the U.S. dollar and highlighted that Bitcoin is not being used as a primary form of payment or as a reliable store of value due to its high volatility.

“It’s not a competitor for the dollar. It’s really a competitor for gold,” he added.

Asked about a potential national Bitcoin reserve, Powell stressed the Federal Reserve’s objective of keeping the banking system “safe and sound.”

Possible interaction between the cryptocurrency ecosystem and the traditional financial banking system should not threaten the latter’s health, Powell said.

He further pointed out that it isn’t the Federal Reserve’s responsibility to regulate the cryptocurrency industry.

Asked whether he owns any Bitcoin himself, Powell said “he is not allowed” to own it.

Also Read: Michael Saylor Says Microsoft Could Add $4 Trillion In Valuation By Investing In Bitcoin

Powell also discussed the state of the U.S. economy, saying it “is in remarkably good shape.”

Powell attributed this strength to stable growth and decreasing inflation.

He noted that the economy is growing at approximately 2.5% annually, while inflation has decreased from over 7% to around 2.3%, all while maintaining steady unemployment rates.

This economic stability allows the Federal Reserve the flexibility to adopt a cautious approach towards reaching a “neutral” interest rate level.

This methodical approach aims to minimize risks; moving too quickly might reverse progress on inflation, while a slow approach might hurt the labor market.

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Crypto

Nancy Guthrie disappearance highlights cryptocurrency’s role in criminal activity

Published

5 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Press Room

Nancy Guthrie disappearance highlights cryptocurrency’s role in criminal activity

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has brought new attention to the world of cryptocurrency, with multiple ransom notes sent to media outlets demanding payment in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy Guthrie or her whereabouts.

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is digital money that only exists online. It operates on a network or blockchain rather than being controlled by a bank. It allows person-to-person transactions and uses a public ledger to record transactions. Crypto is most frequently used for online payments or investments.

Crypto expert Robert Hockensmith said every transaction is tracked and verified.

“Any time you buy it, any time you sell it, any time you use it to buy a product or service, any time you connect it or take it to another place, it is identified as you touching it. That’s how it works,” said Hockensmith, who works with AZ Money Guy.

Why criminals use cryptocurrency

Despite the tracking capabilities, criminals use crypto because it’s not that simple to trace. A cybersecurity expert said a lot of criminals have found creative ways to avoid being traced.

They’ll use multiple crypto wallets and addresses to obscure their identity. Funds can be transferred globally almost instantly, and if some IP addresses are hidden, they can be harder to locate. Once a transaction is confirmed, it’s extremely difficult to reverse.

“If you think about, for example, ID theft, cybercriminals might literally steal someone’s identity and that might include their access to something like Coinbase and then use that victim’s Coinbase to receive stolen funds and move it somewhere else, same way they used to do it with wire transfers,” said Eric Foster, cybersecurity and crypto expert and CEO of Tenex.AI.

Another crypto expert said criminals will keep moving their crypto over and over again, making it harder and harder to trace. He calls crypto the modern way of transporting large sums of money and said it has become the currency of choice for criminals.

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Crypto

White House Convenes Crypto Leaders, Banks, Policymakers for Market Structure Talks

Published

17 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Press Room

Bipartisan momentum is building behind U.S. crypto legislation as the White House intensifies talks with industry, banks, and lawmakers, signaling renewed efforts to break a regulatory stalemate and advance long-awaited market structure rules.

Crypto

Perry and Jackson police partner to investigate cryptocurrency crimes

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2026

Press Room

Perry and Jackson police partner to investigate cryptocurrency crimes

Perry and Jackson township police are partnering to investigate crimes related to cryptocurrency. The cooperation has already resulted in the recovery of stolen assets, police say.

Perry Township Police Chief Bryan D. Taylor announced Feb. 10 that as part of the collaboration, Jackson Township police will provide certified cryptocurrency investigative support for cases originating in Perry.

He wrote in a social media post that the partnership allows Perry police to leverage specialized expertise in an evolving area of financial crime, ensuring more thorough investigations and improved outcomes for victims.

“This partnership has already produced positive results,” Taylor wrote. “In a recent case originating in Perry Township, investigative efforts led by Jackson Township Police Department resulted in the successful recovery of cryptocurrency funds, which were returned to the victim. Recovering stolen digital assets is often complex and challenging, making this outcome especially meaningful for the victim and the community.”

He extended appreciation to the Jackson Township Police Department and Jackson Detective Jeffrey Aynes “for their professionalism, technical expertise and dedication throughout the investigation. Their commitment to collaborative law enforcement, and victim-focused outcomes exemplifies the strength of regional partnerships.

“Cryptocurrency crimes present unique challenges that require specialized training and expertise,” he said. “This partnership strengthens our ability to pursue these cases effectively and reinforces our shared commitment to serving and protecting our communities.”

He wrote that the Perry Township Police Department remains committed to adapting to emerging crime trends, using partnerships and pursuing justice for victims of financial crimes.