As cryptocurrency makes its way into the investing mainstream, investors have lots of questions. In today's episode, Nate Peterson, director of derivatives analysis at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, joins host Mike Townsend for a timely discussion that covers cryptocurrency basics, how this technology could evolve, and how Washington is taking notice by moving forward on the first-ever crypto legislation. Nate explains cryptocurrency, stablecoins, the blockchain, and the opportunities for crypto to become a mainstream form of payment. Nate and Mike then discuss the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape in Washington, where Congress is considering multiple bills to create a regulatory framework that will provide clarity for the industry and increase confidence for investors. Finally, Nate shares his thoughts on how investors can get more educated on this rapidly evolving technology.

Mike also shares his thoughts on the "One Big Beautiful Bill" now that it is the law of the land and provides updates on the next fiscal fights looming in Congress.

WashingtonWise is an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit Schwab.com/WashingtonWise.

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Digital currencies [such as bitcoin] are highly volatile and not backed by any central bank or government. Digital currencies lack many of the regulations and consumer protections that legal-tender currencies and regulated securities have. Due to the high level of risk, investors should view digital currencies as a purely speculative instrument.

Cryptocurrency-related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended.

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Crypto Goes Mainstream: What Investors Should Know