The Decentralized Finance Education Fund urges the Senate to strengthen protections in the draft legislation. The Crypto Assets lobbying group, Decentralized Finance Education Fund, has urged the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to reconsider its plans for regulating the Decentralized Finance industry. The group calls on the Senate to draft a key Crypto Assets bill in a technology-neutral manner and to enhance protections for Crypto Assets developers. The Decentralized Finance Education Fund has requested the Senate to revise the Crypto Assets legislation. The fund has asked the U.S. Senate Banking Committee to reconsider its regulatory plans for the Decentralized Finance industry, following the review of its discussion draft on the critical Crypto Assets market structure bill. The organization's response represents other members of the Decentralized Finance Education Fund, including a16z Crypto, Uniswap Labs, and Paradigm. The response notes that the 2025 Responsible Financial Innovation Act (RFA) must be drafted in a more technology-neutral manner. It also calls on the committee to protect developers from "improper regulation targeting intermediaries" and adds that self-custody is essential. The response states, "Decentralized Finance developers and technologies should be protected from improper regulation targeting intermediaries. Self-custody protections for all Americans are crucial. Legislation should address illegal financial issues but should not impose unfair burdens on Decentralized Finance innovation and should uphold consumer protection and privacy rights." According to the response, a dynamic and flexible regulatory framework will ensure that decentralized technologies and their creators thrive in the U.S. "Through thoughtful market structure legislation, the U.S. is poised to establish its global leadership in the digital asset market and innovation space... A dynamic, forward-looking, and flexible regulatory framework will ensure that the builders of decentralized technologies can thrive in the U.S." The Senate Banking Committee welcomes feedback as it will drive the development of the 2025 Digital Asset Market Clarity Act to promote innovation in the Decentralized Finance industry. Developer protection is a priority. The Decentralized Finance Education Fund calls on lawmakers to update FinCEN guidance in response to the trial of Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm. "Rulemaking should reflect that technology composed entirely of non-custodial, non-controlled software should not be regulated as a financial institution or financial intermediary. It also calls for federal law to take precedence over state law to ensure consistent protections for Crypto Assets developers. "Well-resourced TradFi institutions may exploit a fragmented regulatory environment by funding or encouraging state-level enforcement actions against Decentralized Finance developers—not to protect consumers, but to stifle competition." a16z submits an independent response. a16z crypto, the cryptocurrency division of venture capital firm a16z, submitted a separate response to the Senate Banking Committee. The firm criticized the bill, stating that its treatment of "affiliate assets" poses a risk of undermining investor protection and creates dangerous loopholes. It argues that redefining these assets in the absence of significant changes is incompatible with existing U.S. securities law, particularly the Howey Test. Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not provide or intend to serve as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.