By RTTNews Staff Writer | Published: 9/24/2020 10:17 AM ET
Phil Anderson is again challenging the state regulators by accepting election campaign donations in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Anderson is a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly, District 47. He is a real estate broker, entrepreneur, business owner, and US Army Veteran.
Anderson had accepted cryptocurrency donations during his 2018 campaign for Governor of Wisconsin, which the Wisconsin Ethics Commission (WEC) found to be a serious challenge to compliance with state law.
Anderson is again challenging the WEC by accepting bitcoin donation for his 2020 Assembly campaign as the WEC had failed to arrive at a decision on its legality in 2018. He had challenged the WEC by accepting bitcoin donations in 2018.
"Cryptocurrency is money, and as such, is a legitimate way to make campaign donations. The WEC declined to interpret its own rules competently, and the Wisconsin Assembly refused to take up the issue," says Anderson.
WEC had in 2018 said that they would wait for the Wisconsin Legislature to make a law allowing or disallowing donations in cryptocurrency.
Anderson cited many other campaigns nationally, including Senator Rand Paul, to have accepted donations in cryptocurrency. Federal Elections Commission rules allow cryptocurrency donations, but many states have not caught up, he added.
"I refuse to give in to ignorance and bureaucratic incompetence," continues Anderson. If my opponent or the Ethics Commission are interested in challenging me, I'm ready for a fight."
Anderson is using crypto payment processor BitPay's donation platform, which, like other donation platforms, can require the donor submit the contact information necessary to conform with state regulations.
Cryptocurrency donations are converted to dollars and deposited directly into the bank account registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission.
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Article written by an RTT News Staff Writer, and posted on the RTT News.com website.
Article reposted on Markethive by Jeffrey Sloe