Federal Preemption Debate

Definition ∞ The federal preemption debate concerns whether federal law overrides conflicting state laws in specific areas. This legal argument addresses the hierarchy of governmental authority. It questions the extent to which national legislation limits state regulatory power. The outcome determines which level of government holds primary authority.
Context ∞ In the context of digital asset regulation, the federal preemption debate is highly significant for establishing a consistent legal framework across the United States. States have enacted varied crypto laws, leading to calls for a unified federal approach. The discussion focuses on whether a federal law should supersede these state-level regulations to provide nationwide clarity.