Regulation
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev Gives Take on Bitcoin Rally and Donald Trump’s Impact
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev gave his opinion on the recent Bitcoin price rally to as high as $90,000 and how US President-elect Donald Trump has contributed to this development. Tenev also suggested that the crypto industry in the US could begin to thrive now with Trump as the next president.
Robinhood CEO Comments On Bitcoin Rally And Trump’s Impact
During a CNBC interview, Vlad Tenev mentioned that the Bitcoin rally is simply what many have referred to as the ‘Trump Pump.’ He opined that the market is reacting to the widespread optimism that the Donald Trump administration will take a more positive approach to the crypto industry since the US President-elect has promised to embrace cryptocurrencies and make the US the center of crypto innovation.
The BTC price has risen over 24% in the last seven days, and Donald Trump has undoubtedly contributed to this rally, given that he took a pro-crypto stance right from the beginning of his campaign. The Robinhood CEO further explained how Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance could matter.
He cited the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) regulation-by-enforcement approach over the last four years and how that could change under Trump. Vlad Tenev noted how this stifled crypto innovation in the US and forced several crypto firms offshore.
He remarked that the idea is that the US SEC’s regulation-by-enforcement approach will stop under the Donald Trump administration and that there will be legislation that provides regulatory clarity. The Robinhood CEO remarked that this innovation could come through since the Republicans control the executive and legislative branches.
Potential Game-Changing Changes Under Donald Trump
The Robinhood CEO mentioned asset tokenization could become more feasible in the US under Donald Trump. He hinted at the possibility of traditional finance (TradFi) being more integrated into the decentralized finance (DeFi) space under the next administration.
Tenev used his company, Robinhood, as a case study of why such a move could matter. According to him, they spend less managing their crypto business due to the cost-effectiveness of blockchain technology. He cited an instance of how TradFi could benefit from the 24/7 trading services that the blockchain provides.
Interestingly, Robinhood Chief Legal Officer (CLO) Dan Gallagher has emerged as one of the potential candidates to replace US SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Meanwhile, a Donald Trump administration will undoubtedly be a welcome development for the Robinhood CEO and his team, considering that the US SEC warned them earlier in the year about their crypto business.
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
Coinbase CEO Slams DOJ For Alleged Political Polymarket Probe
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its recent investigation into Polymarket, a cryptocurrency-based prediction market platform. Armstrong expressed frustration on social media, suggesting that the DOJ’s actions are politically motivated and could inadvertently strengthen Polymarket’s influence.
The ongoing probe, which involved a search of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan’s devices, has sparked widespread debate in the cryptocurrency and technology sectors.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong Criticizes DOJ
In a post on X (formely Twitter), the Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, has given his two cents on the Polymarket probe. Amid an FBI raid, Polymarket is said to have violated the terms of its earlier settlements with U.S. regulators by permitting U.S.-based users to place bets, the DOJ probe of the platform suggests.
A 2022 consent order with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) limited Polymarket’s access to US-based traders and the company paid a $1.4 million penalty. But latest findings suggest that US users might still be using the platform hence raising compliance issues.
The probe has picked up pace after a surge in election-related trades on Polymarket particularly those in favour of Donald Trump’s re-election. Critics, however, despite the Coinbase CEO comments, have expressed fears that such big bets can manipulate the general opinion.
Polymarket has however said it takes steps to ensure that its services are not used by those based in the United States, but the DoJ’s investigation indicates that the company remains concerned about potential violations.
Polymarket Denies Political Motivations, Defends Its Operations
In reaction to the DOJ’s actions, Polymarket has come forward to explain that its platform is a tool that aids people in gaining information about the world, including elections.
The company called the DOJ’s actions politically motivated and said that the company would fight for “itself and its community.” Polymarket’s CEO Shayne Coplan commented on the matter stating that it was a disappointing “last-ditch effort” by the current administration to go after companies they feel are linked to political opponents.
He highlighted that Polymarket does not take sides, saying that regulators should instead concentrate on creating a favorable climate for business and startups.
“Polymarket has helped hundreds of millions of people during this election cycle and has not hurt anyone,” Coplan said in a tweet.
The management of Polymarket also emphasized the openness of the platform and the unwillingingness to violate current legislation. Since the CFTC settlement, the company has put in place further measures to check the location of users and to limit the access of suspected US participants.
French Regulators Also Scrutinize Operations
However, there are more regulatory concerns for Polymarket than just the US ones. In France, the country’s gambling regulator, the ANJ, is reportedly mulling over the possibilities of banning Polymarket due to unlicensed gambling services. The French authorities have taken notice of the company after recording a surge in the number of bets placed during the US presidential election.
In particular, the response of Coinbase CEO, to the DOJ investigation has been popular among the cryptocurrency community who consider the probe as a threat to free speech.
Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko also came out in support of Polymarket, saying that data markets are a form of “political speech” covered by the First Amendment. This view is supported by a number of crypto industry executives who claim that banning platforms like Polymarket hampers people’s ability to discuss political events.
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 Crypto Matt Gaetz Nominated As Donald Trump’s Attorney General
Pro-crypto Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been nominated by US President Donald Trump to serve as the Attorney General of the United States. Gaetz, a Republican representative known for his strong stance on justice reform and cryptocurrency advocacy, has garnered attention in recent years for his outspoken views on federal oversight and digital currency policies.
Donald Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz underscores his commitment to reshaping the Department of Justice (DOJ) and pushing back against what he calls “weaponized government.”
Matt Gaetz Nominated As Donald Trump’s Attorney General
In a statement, US President Donald Trump described Gaetz as a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney who has dedicated his efforts in Congress to the reform of the Department of Justice. Gaetz has been outspoken in his efforts to reduce what he perceives to be political motivations within the Justice Department and has accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the justice system.
If confirmed, Gaetz will focus on rebuilding the reputation of the DOJ and restoring its credibility by ensuring the department is more transparent and acts within the law.
President Trump noted that Florida Congressman, Gaetz has been focusing on justice issues while serving in the House Judiciary Committee and overseeing the DOJ. Trump called Gaetz a champion for the Constitution who will ensure the rule of law while working to introduce the changes that are needed.
Advocacy for Cryptocurrency and Blockchain in Government
In addition to his stance on DOJ reform, Matt Gaetz has recently emerged as an advocate for cryptocurrency, proposing legislation to allow federal income taxes to be paid with Bitcoin. His bill was submitted in June and seeks to modify the Internal Revenue Code to allow the U.S. Treasury to accept Bitcoin as a form of tax payment.
In Gaetz’s opinion, this could ‘lead to more innovation, better efficiencies, and provide more options for Americans.’
The bill would mandate the Treasury secretary to come up with rules for the processing of Bitcoin payments for specific federal taxes. The law outlines that any Bitcoin received would be converted into US dollar as soon as the payment is made.
His actions are in line with recent trends promoted by Trump to encourage the use of cryptocurrencies and reduce the level of restrictions on the activities of crypto companies.
Trump’s Pro-Crypto Agenda Gains Momentum
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz nomination is part of a wider trend within Trump’s insider circle of supporting cryptocurrency within the United States. Trump has earlier vowed to put an end to Biden’s war on crypto and make cryptocurrencies an essential part of the US economy. To this end, Trump has proposed filling key posts in his administration with crypto supporters, as well as working on the creation of conditions under which the crypto business will be more comfortable.
More pro-crypto figures are said to be under consideration for positions in Trump’s transition team including Howard Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald as a potential treasury secretary. Crypto advocates see these appointments as an opportunity to end regulatory crackdowns on the industry and establish the U.S. as a global leader in digital finance.
Concurrently, Donald Trump has created a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to be led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
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
Former SEC Official Asks Gary Gensler To Resign, Here’s Why
Gary Gensler, the current Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has recently come under renewed scrutiny. Former SEC official John Reed Stark publicly suggested that Gensler should step down to allow for a new direction regarding cryptocurrency regulation. Stark’s comments follow Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory, with some analysts speculating that a leadership change may soon take place.
Ex-SEC Official John Reed Stark Calls for Gensler’s Resignation
John Reed Stark, who formerly served with the SEC, has urged Chair Gary Gensler to resign. The former SEC official emphasized the need to halt ongoing crypto-related investigations and policy initiatives. Stark proposed that SEC staff compile a comprehensive list of all active cryptocurrency cases to ease the transition for any incoming chair.
This recommendation aligns with a perceived shift in public sentiment regarding regulatory practices, John Reed Stark added,
“Like it or not, the people have spoken and their will must be respected.”
Stark’s statement comes amid heightened debate over the SEC’s stance on digital assets. Over the past few years, the agency has implemented stringent measures on various cryptocurrency entities and has frequently engaged in litigation to enforce compliance. Stark’s call reflects a growing sentiment among industry stakeholders who seek a balanced regulation approach under new leadership.
Will Gary Gensler Resign This Week? Who’s Next Chair?
In light of the recent concerns, XRP attorney James Murphy has also predicted that Gary Gensler may step down soon. Murphy pointed out a historical pattern where SEC chairs often resign following a new presidential administration. For instance, Mary Jo White’s departure in 2016 after Trump’s first election and Jay Clayton’s exit in 2020 after Biden’s win.
Murphy’s observations suggest that Gary Gensler may follow suit as the new administration begins.
Richard Farley, a Wall Street lawyer with extensive experience in finance, has emerged as a potential candidate for SEC Chair under the incoming administration. Farley is known for his work with financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and UBS. More so, his legal expertise aligns with a potential shift towards a more crypto-friendly SEC. Farley’s appointment would signal a policy shift, with a likely emphasis on fostering balanced approach to crypto regulation.
This potential appointment underscores Trump’s intention to take a different approach to digital assets.
In addition, as Trump assembles his new administration, insiders reveal that the President-elect is inclined to let Jerome Powell complete his term as Federal Reserve Chair, which runs until May 2026. Although Trump has previously criticized Powell, his decision to retain Powell would ensure continuity in monetary policy.
In recent reports, another pro-crypto figure, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick, is considered a leading candidate for the role of U.S. Treasury Secretary under President-elect Donald Trump. Known for his support of Tether, Lutnick is actively lobbying for the position, intensifying speculation about Trump’s pro-Bitcoin administration.
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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