House Republicans Warn of Bitcoin Regulation Lapses Aiding China

At the recent The Bitcoin 2026 Conference in Las Vegas, three members of the House Republican caucus spoke about the significance of digital asset regulation in the context of national security and economic competition.

Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) participated in a panel discussion on 'The Bitcoin Bloc: A New Force in American Politics,' moderated by Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase.

Miller-Meeks described Bitcoin as an instrument of 'financial democracy' and linked cryptocurrency adoption to America's 250th anniversary. She framed support for digital assets as a patriotic endeavor, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity in the sector. The Iowa congresswoman shared her background working through medical school and highlighted Bitcoin's potential to protect women experiencing domestic abuse or violence.

Nunn emphasized competition with China as a driver for U.S. crypto policy. He warned that failing to advance American leadership in Bitcoin and digital assets creates national security risks, urging lawmakers to hold China accountable. Lawler referenced the GENIUS Act as a positive step but stressed that Congress must establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework.

The panel discussion reflected a shift in congressional Republican attitudes toward digital assets, with lawmakers focusing on individual financial freedom and geopolitical competition rather than consumer protection or financial stability concerns.