AFR Tracks Crypto Legislation Amid Growing Fraud Complaints

Americans for Financial Reform (AFR) has been tracking congressional activity related to financial deregulation and consumer protection. The organization has filed a second-quarter 2026 lobbying report, which shows they are monitoring legislative efforts that could reshape banking oversight. According to the report, AFR spent $100,000 on lobbying in the second quarter, a decrease from the previous quarter's amended filing of $120,000.

Over the four quarters from the third quarter of 2025 through the second quarter of 2026, AFR has spent a total of $520,000 on lobbying. The organization has been tracking cryptocurrency regulatory legislation, particularly in response to significant levels of fraud complaints. In 2025, there were 181,565 cryptocurrency fraud complaints totaling more than $11 billion in losses.

AFR uses two in-house lobbyists: Rukmani Bhatia, Advocacy and Legislative Director, and Mark Hays, Associate Director, Cryptocurrency and Financial Technology. The organization's focus on cryptocurrency regulation reflects growing concerns about the lack of oversight in the space.