A growing number of U.S. policymakers are weighing in on the legal status of cryptocurrency developers. The push centers on a fundamental question: should writing code for blockchain applications face criminal penalties? Supporters argue that open-source development and protocol innovation shouldn't be criminalized. They're calling for protection of software developers working in the crypto space. This debate touches on broader issues around developer rights, regulatory clarity, and how governments should approach cryptocurrency innovation. As the landscape evolves, more voices from both policy and tech communities are advocating for frameworks that distinguish between legitimate development work and actual misconduct.