Regulation
Coinbase CEO Blames Gensler & Warren for Costing Kamala Harris the US Election
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has called out SEC Chairman Gary Gensler and Senator Elizabeth Warren as the reason for Democratic ticket hopeful, Kamala Harris losing the 2024 US presidential election.
Brian Armstrong’s comments indicate that the Biden administration’s regulation of cryptocurrency, spearheaded by Gensler and Warren, damaged the Democratic Party’s chances at the polls.
Coinbase CEO Stance on Gary Gensler & Senator Warren
In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong highlighted how the actions of SEC chair Gary Gensler and Senator Elizabeth Warren negatively affected the crypto space which was backed by tech industry and young people. Armstrong stated that the rigidity of the stance on cryptocurrency especially the regulation environment under Gensler made many innovators and tech supporters turn against the Biden administration.
Armstrong said that Senator Warren and Chairman Gensler attempted to “unlawfully kill our entire industry” claiming that there has been a clear effort to undermine the operations of crypto businesses and by extension technological advancement. He noted that the very crackdown on Ripple and other firms eroded the support of the voters who voted for cryptocurrency as a tool for economic growth and freedom especially among the young people and technology influencers.
The discussion escalated when personalities like Marc Andreessen, founder of Mosaic web browser, and Elon Musk expressed similar opinions. Andreessen mentioned the issue of debanking which affects many tech and crypto business people, pointing out that about 30 tech founders have been barred from banking services otherwise related to their business activities. Elon Musk, who has made numerous statements on various political topics, shared his thoughts on the matter on Twitter, pointing at the possible involvement of financial institutions and regulatory authorities in aiming at innovative industries such as cryptocurrencies.
Role of Elizabeth Warren in Crypto Regulation
Cryptocurrency has always been a subject of concern for Senator Elizabeth Warren. She has called for more stringent measures in the industry due to concerns over customer protection and sustainability.
Nevertheless, according to Brian Armstrong and others, her policies have been detrimental for the overall tech industry. They accused Warren of creating a culture of regulation overreach that hampered innovation and discouraged investment from young entrepreneurs and tech startups that were crucial to the party.
Some of the critics of Warren have accused her of being against the growth of decentralized cryptocurrencies, especially among those who view it as a means of advancing financial inclusion and economic freedom. From Armstrong’s perspective, the adverse impacts of this regulatory environment seem to have potentially influenced a shift in voter perception, and therefore affected the Democratic Party in the election that led to the victory of Donald Trump.
Armstrong’s social media posts also included a warning for the Democratic Party:
“The Democratic Party should realize Warren is a liability and further distance themselves if they want to have any hope of rebuilding.”
Meanwhile, with SEC Chair Gary Gensler stepping down from his position on January 20, 2025, and Trump’s administration planning to create a dedicated position to oversee crypto policy, hopes of better crypto regulations have risen significantly.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
Regulation
Pro-XRP Lawyer John Deaton Endorses Paul Atkins as Potential SEC Chair
Pro-XRP lawyer John Deaton has endorsed Paul Atkins as a potential candidate to succeed the current U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler. John Deaton, a leading voice for crypto regulation change, has accused the SEC under Gensler of abuse of power and impropriety, especially in the application of crypto laws. He called for an immediate change to address issues that would help the agency to be accountable and ethical.
John Deaton Calls for SEC Reforms, Supports Paul Atkins for Top Leadership Role
John Deaton has urged the SEC to change, saying that SEC has been oppressive to the crypto industry and startups under Gensler. He also claimed the SEC was using rather hostile measures and offered little guidance to firms operating in the crypto space. This has created a problem and hindered innovation in the industry..
As part of his recommendations for reform, the Pro-XRP lawyer endorsed Paul Atkins, a former SEC commissioner known for his pro-digital assets stance. Deaton expressed confidence that Atkins, if appointed, will steer the SEC toward a more balanced and transparent regulatory framework.
The Pro-XRP lawyer added,
“Paul Atkins is great and I’ll certainly welcome and support him if selected. He’s light years ahead of Gary Gensler – who’s, without question, the worst SEC Chair in modern history.”
This follows Donald Trump’s election victory and his pledge to fire Gary Gensler on his first day in office. Gensler will officially step down as SEC Chair on January 20, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration.
Accountability and Ethical Overhauls At the SEC
John Deaton has urged the next SEC chair to investigate alleged misconduct by agency staff and take decisive action against those involved in unethical practices. He criticized the SEC’s handling of regulatory decisions. Earlier on, Deaton questioned the close relationship between Gensler and Bankman-Fried, referencing private meetings and political contributions tied to FTX.
Deaton emphasized the need for new leadership to address these issues transparently, ensuring the SEC operates within ethical and legal boundaries. He suggested that the incoming chair should immediately implement changes to restore credibility, including terminating staff involved in past misconduct.
Deaton emphasized,
“Whoever’s the Chair, he/she goes into the SEC with a blow torch and chainsaw and fires anyone who participated in the gross overreach and misconduct during the last four years.”
According to reports, Paul Atkins is a leading contender to replace Gary Gensler, whose tenure as SEC Chair ends in January 2025. Atkins has previously advocated for reducing regulatory burdens and restructuring the SEC to improve efficiency. His approach aligns with calls from industry leaders for a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
Regulation
Vancouver mayor proposes Bitcoin as city reserve asset for stability
- Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim proposes Bitcoin as a reserve asset to protect purchasing power.
- Jeff Booth supports Ken Sim’s proposal, recognizing Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic asset.
- Former USA CFTC Chairman Giancarlo advocates for Bitcoin reserves, likening it to gold.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has introduced a bold proposal to explore Bitcoin as a reserve asset for the city, aiming to diversify its financial resources and safeguard its purchasing power.
The motion, titled “Preserving the city’s purchasing power through diversification of financial resources: Becoming a Bitcoin-friendly city,” is scheduled to be officially presented to the Vancouver City Council on December 11, 2024. The proposal marks a significant shift toward cryptocurrency adoption by a major city government.
Protecting Vancouver from economic shocks using Bitcoin
In his motion, Mayor Sim seeks to investigate how Bitcoin could help protect Vancouver from economic volatility and inflation by adding it to the city’s reserves.
It comes amid growing interest in Bitcoin as a reserve asset at the government level, particularly in the United States. Several US lawmakers have recently proposed holding Bitcoin in public financial reserves, highlighting the increasing consideration of cryptocurrency in national economic strategies.
Although the full text of the proposal has not yet been made available, Bitcoin advocate Jeff Booth voiced support for Mayor Sim’s plan during a discussion on X Spaces on November 26, 2024. Booth described the motion as an important step in recognizing Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic financial asset for the city.
Former CFTC chairman supports a Bitcoin reserve in the USA
Meanwhile, Christopher Giancarlo, the former Chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been vocal about the potential for Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset for the US.
In a recent interview, Giancarlo referred to Bitcoin as the “world’s first digital commodity,” noting its similarities to traditional commodities such as gold, oil, and copper, which nations have historically hoarded. He praised the idea of a national Bitcoin reserve, emphasizing its potential to provide long-term financial stability in an increasingly digital economy.
Giancarlo also acknowledged concerns about Bitcoin’s speculative nature but drew parallels to the dot-com bubble, where early-stage speculation gave way to technological breakthroughs that revolutionized industries. He believes the same evolution could occur with blockchain and Bitcoin technology, making it a forward-looking move for governments and financial institutions.
Regulation
US Court Rules Tornado Cash Smart Contracts Not Property, Lifts Ban
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) exceeded its authority by sanctioning Tornado Cash’s immutable smart contracts. This decision overturns earlier actions taken by OFAC and removes Tornado Cash’s smart contracts from the sanctions list, allowing U.S. citizens to resume their use of the protocol.
US Court Rules Tornado Cash Smart Contracts Not Property
On November 26, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a key ruling on the legality of sanctions imposed on Tornado Cash by OFAC. The court found that the sanctions were unlawful because Tornado Cash’s smart contracts, as immutable open-source code, cannot be owned or controlled by any entity or individual.
“We hold that Tornado Cash’s immutable smart contracts (the lines of privacy-enabling software code) are not the ‘property’ of a foreign national or entity,” the three-judge panel stated in its decision. The court explained that under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), OFAC is only authorized to sanction property owned or controlled by foreign persons, which does not apply to the autonomous smart contracts.
The court directed a Texas district court to grant a motion for partial summary judgment filed by the plaintiffs, led by Joseph Van Loon, challenging the sanctions.
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Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
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