Home / News / Crypto / News / JPMorgan’s Crypto Double Standard: Dimon Rails Against Bitcoin While Using Blockchain for Billions
News
5 min read

JPMorgan’s Crypto Double Standard: Dimon Rails Against Bitcoin While Using Blockchain for Billions

Last Updated
Teuta Franjkovic
Last Updated

Key Takeaways

  • Dimon remains staunchly opposed to cryptocurrencies.
  • JPMorgan’s embrace of blockchain technology creates a dichotomy.
  • Regulatory uncertainty casts a shadow over the future of crypto.

Amid the ongoing fervor surrounding cryptocurrency that has captivated both seasoned and novice investors, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has once more underscored his steadfast opposition to the digital asset space. Notwithstanding the persistent cryptocurrency mania, Dimon has maintained his anti-crypto stance, expressing his disapproval in a manner that is both subtle and perhaps characterized by a hint of hypocrisy.

During a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Wednesday, December 6, Dimon stated  that he would “close crypto down” if he were in charge.

Dimon Renews Crypto Criticism Despite Bank’s Blockchain Push

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, a long-standing critic of cryptocurrency, has called for a government ban  on the digital currency.

“I’ve always been deeply opposed to crypto, Bitcoin, etc. The only true use case for it is criminals, drug traffickers … money laundering, tax avoidance. If I was the government, I’d close it down,” he added .

Dimon has been vocal in his opposition to cryptocurrencies for several years. In 2017, he famously compared Bitcoin to “tulip bulbs” and threatened to fire any of his employees who traded it. Earlier this year, he labeled Bitcoin a “hyped-up fraud” and likened it to a pet rock .

The Latest Anti-Crypto Tirade

As mentioned, Dimon also argued that crypto has no legitimate use and is primarily used by criminals for drug trafficking, money laundering, and tax avoidance. This perspective was shared with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, another vocal critic of the cryptocurrency sector.

Warren, in turn, highlighted the existing systems in big banks designed to screen for terrorists. She made the claim that entities like Hamas and Iran had turned to crypto to subvert the Bank Secrecy Act—a contention that the crypto industry vehemently argues is exaggerated.

The Senate Banking Committee hearing, which featured CEOs from major banks like Goldman Sachs and CitiGroup, was a scheduled event titled “Annual Oversight of Wall Street Firms.”

It’s worth noting the irony in Dimon’s strong anti-crypto position, considering that under his leadership, JPMorgan has quietly emerged as a leading innovator on Wall Street in the realm of blockchain technology. JPMorgan’s innovations include the introduction of “JPM Coin,” a digital token operating on the Ethereum blockchain since 2017.

This coin has gained popularity among corporate clients , including FedEx and Siemens, as a fast, secure, and cost-effective means of transferring large sums. In a recent disclosure, the bank revealed that the daily transaction value involving JPM Coin has now surpassed $1 billion.

Crypto Skepticism Meets Blockchain Embrace

Despite ongoing discussions about regulating the cryptocurrency space, policymakers in Washington appear no closer to formulating comprehensive rules for the crypto ecosystem.

The recent surge in Bitcoin’s value is driven by optimism surrounding the potential approval of a spot-based Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This approval could represent a significant triumph for companies like BlackRock and Fidelity, both eager to venture into the crypto realm through regulated products such as ETFs.

While bank CEOs advocate for cryptocurrency to adhere to the same regulatory framework as traditional financial entities, the likelihood of major legislation passing through Congress in the short term remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, companies like Coinbase face a more immediate concern—whether they can successfully resist a potential crackdown by the SEC under existing rules. In June, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Coinbase, accusing it of operating as an unregistered securities exchange. Coinbase is actively contesting the lawsuit, and the oral arguments to determine the case’s progression are scheduled for January 17.

Historically, the crypto market has demonstrated resilience in the face of uncertainty. As of now, a legal cloud is expected to persist over the industry, creating an environment where regulatory clarity remains elusive for the foreseeable future.

Jamie Dimon’s call for a ban on cryptocurrencies is likely to reignite the debate over the future of digital assets. While some share Dimon’s position, others believe that crypto has the potential to revolutionize the financial system. Only time will tell whether Dimon’s prediction of a government ban on crypto comes to fruition.

Was this Article helpful? Yes No

Teuta Franjkovic

Teuta is a seasoned writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has expertise in covering macroeconomics and technology as well as the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. She has worked for several publications as a journalist and editor, including Forbes, Bloomberg, CoinTelegraph, Coin Rivet, CoinSpeaker, VRWorld and Arcane Bear. Teuta began her professional career in 2005, working as a lifestyle writer at Cosmopolitan in Croatia. From there, she branched out to several other publications, covering mainly business and the economy. She then turned her attention to the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, believing that crypto is among the most important inventions in the history of humanity. Her involvement in fintech began in 2014 and she has since lent her expertise in writing, editing and gathering information about the world of crypto, blockchain, NFTs and Web3. An all-round news hound, mentor, editor, and writer, Teuta enjoys teamwork and good communication. She holds a WSET2 diploma and has a thing for chablis, punkrock music and shoes. She also holds a double MA in Political science and Entrepreneurship.
See more