- Warren warns unchecked crypto growth may trigger a financial crisis like in 2008.
- She argues tech giants using stablecoins could bypass SEC and risk market stability.
- Rising costs and deregulation are deepening economic inequality despite strong indicators.
Senator Elizabeth Warren is raising urgent concerns over the emerging role of cryptocurrency and deregulation in destabilizing the U.S. economy. During her speech at the Exchequer Club, she warned that unchecked crypto expansion and weakened financial oversight could repeat the mistakes of 2008.
She argued that digital assets and proposed legislation could allow major corporations like Amazon, Meta, or GM to bypass essential regulatory systems. This, she believes, could severely undermine the value of the NYSE and pose systemic risks across the broader financial market.
Warren’s warning comes at a time when many Americans feel left behind despite strong economic indicators. While the stock market has surged and unemployment remains low, millions are burdened with rising living costs and stagnant wages. According to her, the U.S. economy appears stable on the surface but suffers from deep structural flaws threatening long-term security.
Crypto’s Disruptive Potential and Changpeng Zhao
A key part of Warren’s concern lies with cryptocurrency’s growing influence. She criticized current legislative efforts such as the GENIUS Act which aim to integrate stablecoins into traditional finance without strong safeguards. This could permit tech giants to digitize themselves, evading SEC oversight.
Binance’s CZ commented that such restrictions are framed as protecting the economy, but in reality, they aim to keep U.S. companies under NYSE control. He argues that the NYSE, owned by ICE and valued at $100 billion, does not represent the entire economy, especially when compared to Amazon’s $2.4 trillion valuation.
She wants to limit US companies (Amazon, Meta, GE) to protect the "US economy" / NYSE?
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) July 17, 2025
Not against NYSE, but it's just one company, fully owned by ICE, market cap: ~$100 billion.
Amazon market cap: $2.40 trillion.
NYSE ≠ economy.
All companies = economy. https://t.co/6Xo6QVgL1p
Warren, however, insists that allowing companies to operate outside regulated markets creates a backdoor to financial chaos. By sidelining agencies like the SEC, proposed crypto reforms could weaken investor protection, destabilize markets, and invite manipulation. She emphasized that promoting fraud-prone systems under the banner of innovation echoes the risky decisions that preceded the 2008 crash.
Soaring Costs and Economic Polarization
Besides crypto concerns, Warren spotlighted how inflation, high-interest rates, and excessive debt are crushing American families. Health care, child care, and housing costs have soared, while wages for most workers remain flat. Meanwhile, the wealthiest 10% now dominate nearly half of all consumer spending.
She also denounced Trump-era tariffs and tax cuts that, she claims, inflated deficits without delivering real economic benefits. Deregulation has further emboldened big banks and corporations to sidestep consumer protections and financial accountability.
A Path Forward
Warren called for bold, targeted investments in housing, education, and child care. She urged restoring regulatory power to agencies and building resilient supply chains through smart trade policies.
Her central message: the economy cannot serve working families if Washington continues prioritizing corporations over communities. Her speech echoed a stark but clear message without immediate reform, the U.S. risks walking into another preventable economic collapse.
