The views and opinions expressed in this editorial article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Salina Post or Eagle Media. The editorial is intended to stimulate critical thinking and debate on issues of public interest and should be read with an open mind. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources of information and to form their own informed opinions.
By: JAY VANIER
Kansas has always understood that progress and responsibility are not opposites. Our farmers embrace new tools; our businesses adapt to changing markets; and our universities prepare young people for opportunities that did not exist just decades ago.
But through all that change, one principle remains constant: if something is worth building, it is worth building the right way.
That same principle should guide Congress as it debates new rules for crypto.
Digital assets present real possibility as another new tool for Kansans, and all Americans, to leverage for generational success. They allow for faster transactions, broader access to capital, and new ways to invest—all of which could strengthen America’s economy. This is an opportunity for all Americans to thrive, which is why the United States should absolutely lead in this space.
But trust is the foundation of all leadership, and trust is not built by lowering standards and handing out exemptions.
As an attorney, I have spent a lifetime seeing what happens when rules are vague, unevenly applied, or full of loopholes. Those with the most resources find ways to benefit first while everyone else pays later. This is true in business disputes, in contracts, and certainly in finance. I expect lawmakers to understand these risks.
Congress is currently considering market structure legislation that would shape the future of digital assets in America, yet some proposals would create shortcuts for crypto developers to completely bypass the safeguards that protect investors from scams, fraud, and abuse in our established markets.
This could be a devastating decision.
Kansas knows that confidence is earned. No family in Salina, Wichita, Dodge City, or Manhattan puts savings at risk simply because something is new or fashionable. People invest when they know their money is safe and that the system is transparent, fair, and accountable. They participate when they know fraud is punished and the rules apply equally.
The same standards should apply to digital assets. Clear registration requirements, strong anti-fraud protections, fair execution of customer trades, and sensible oversight are crucial to building trust in the market.
Too often, this debate is framed as a choice between innovation and regulation, but that is a false choice. We do not ask established financial institutions to earn public trust without rules, and we should not ask Americans to place confidence in digital asset markets without the same basic accountability.
If anything, emerging markets need trust even more.
Without clear guardrails, we risk creating a two-tiered system: one market with standards and another operating in the shadows. That is where scams flourish, manipulation spreads, and ordinary investors are left holding the bag after insiders move on. The potential for these crimes undermines investor trust in the market, and without that trust, widespread adoption of digital assets and lasting innovation will be impossible to achieve.
Kansas knows the difference between durable growth and fleeting achievements. Our outstanding aerospace industry, reputation as part of the “breadbasket of America” and academic powerhouses like Kansas State University were built upon generations of hard work, discipline, and a strong foundation. The same must be true in finance.
Kansans have never feared the future, we simply expect honesty from those who want to shape it. Congress has a chance to modernize our financial framework without abandoning American trust and the principles that made America the global standard. I hope – for the sake of our financial future—that they rise to the occasion.
You can send us your opinions/letters to the editor, along with your name, city and or county location to newstips@salinapost.com