The gloves are off. Emboldened by Donald Trump’s presidential win, crypto leaders are demanding a radical shift in regulatory approach, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle over the future of finance. From Coinbaseās C-suite to billionaire investors, the message reverberating across the industry is clear: cease the lawsuits, initiate dialogue, and embrace the transformative potential of cryptocurrency.
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal issued a direct challenge to the SEC on X, just hours after the election results. “I hope @SECGov understands what has happened tonight,” Grewal wrote. “On many, many issues, the voters said loud and clear that they want change. Crypto is no exception. Stop suing crypto. Start talking to crypto. Initiate rulemaking now. There’s no reason to wait.”
This sentiment echoed across the crypto landscape. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, also on X, offered Trump a āfirst 100-day checklist,ā including firing SEC Chair Gary Gensler, appointing a pro-crypto successor, and clarifying the regulatory status of Ether. Billionaire Mike Novogratz observed a āsubstantial shift in the energyā of the crypto industry following Trumpās victory.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, in a comprehensive X post, declared the election a āhuge win for crypto.ā He cited several contributing factors, including the crypto-backed victory of Bernie Moreno over Senator Sherrod Brown, Trumpās open support for the industry, and the perceived rejection of Senator Elizabeth Warren and Gary Genslerās regulatory approach.Ā
Related: Crypto Titans Bunker Down Now: Vitalik’s Austerity Vow, Binance $1B Bitcoin Shield
Armstrong predicted a decidedly pro-crypto Congress, asserting that āDC received a clear message that being anti-crypto is a good way to end your career.ā He underscored the industryās non-partisan stance, stating, āCrypto should be supported by both sides⦠What we wonāt tolerate are politicians trying to unlawfully destroy our industry.ā
The Gemini co-founders, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, also celebrated on X. Cameron posted, āThey ignored you. They laughed at you. They fought you. You voted Trump. We won.ā Tyler added, āCrypto just became a bipartisan issue overnight.ā
Related: Crypto Industry Now Mobilizes Against Perceived Quantum Threat
This wave of jubilation reflects the crypto industryās deep frustration with the current regulatory environment, particularly the SECās aggressive enforcement actions. The election results are being interpreted as a mandate for change, with industry leaders pushing for a more collaborative and innovation-friendly approach.
While the long-term impact of Trumpās presidency on crypto policy remains uncertain, the industry is clearly energized. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this newfound optimism translates into concrete policy changes and a more welcoming regulatory landscape for digital assets.
