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As the virtual asset market continues to face downward pressure, controversy over ethics and conflicts of interest has resurfaced after reports revealed that a U.S. House lawmaker directly involved in cryptocurrency regulatory policy engaged in buying the dip.
According to crypto-focused media outlet Finbold on February 14 (local time), U.S. Representative Byron Donalds disclosed in a recent financial filing that he purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of Bitcoin (BTC). The transaction took place on January 8, when Bitcoin had fallen below $70,000 and was struggling to hold key support levels, and was made public on February 12. Alongside the Bitcoin purchase, Donalds also reported selling portions of traditional stocks in late January, including Howmet Aerospace, Parker-Hannifin, and The Trade Desk.
This latest transaction has once again raised questions about congressional ethics, given that Donalds serves on the House Financial Services Committee. It is not the first time he has faced scrutiny over cryptocurrency and stock trades during his tenure.
In late 2025, Donalds and his spouse reportedly purchased Bitcoin on the same day they sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service urging changes to cryptocurrency tax regulations, sparking significant controversy. As a lawmaker deeply involved in digital asset policy, his timing in trading coins around policy actions made it difficult to avoid suspicions surrounding the transaction.
His past trades in traditional equities have also been subject to thorough review. A bipartisan watchdog group filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee, alleging that Donalds and his spouse violated the STOCK Act by failing to report more than 100 stock trades worth up to approximately $1.6 million in 2022 and 2023 within the required 45-day period. Notably, many of the unreported trades were connected to companies overseen by the House Financial Services Committee, intensifying concerns that he invested directly in sectors under his regulatory authority.
To date, no official legal action or disciplinary measures have been taken in connection with Donalds’ Bitcoin or stock trades. However, the conspicuous pattern of trading linked to his legislative activities, along with prior ethics complaints, continues to subject his investment activities to sharp public scrutiny and market attention.
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