Readers of this newsletter are likely aware that the US Congress has been debating market structure legislation for the past few months. However, crypto policy discussions encompass a wide range of issues beyond this, including taxes, decentralized finance regulations, the upcoming midterm election, and more. CoinDesk's Consensus Miami conference will delve into each of these topics in depth. The intersection of cryptocurrency and government is a key area of focus for this newsletter.
To stay up-to-date on future editions, click here to sign up. The conversations in Miami will center around significant policy changes in the digital asset space. Last year, US President Donald Trump signed the first substantial crypto-specific legislation, and regulators have since shifted their approach to enforcement actions.
Congress has been debating the finer details of issues like stablecoin yield treatment. In essence, the crypto industry has established itself as a major player. Following its electoral wins in 2024, the industry experienced a surge in bitcoin prices, reaching over $120,000, and legislation seemed imminent. Although crypto prices have been stagnant this year amidst broader economic stresses, and time is running out for Congress to pass market structure legislation in its current form, there are still positive developments.
Regulators have begun proposing rules for stablecoin companies based on the GENIUS Act, lawmakers are considering reforms to US crypto tax policy, and the industry has solidified its position to the point where it can no longer be dismissed. Looking ahead, the industry is seeking tax reform, including a de minimis exemption for crypto transactions, and hopes that the market structure bill will become law without overly burdening the industry. The US will also be selecting its next Congress in November. These topics will be explored in more depth at Consensus Miami, which will bring together leading lawmakers, regulators, and industry experts.
The conference will feature discussions with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Ashley Moody, regulators like CFTC Chairman Mike Selig, and the White House's Patrick Witt. Congressman Steven Horsford, who recently introduced a new version of the Parity Act to address crypto taxation, will also participate in a discussion. The Policy & Regulation Summit will be a key part of the conference, with an entire day dedicated to exploring key policy and regulatory issues.
This will include sessions on decentralized finance compliance with anti-money laundering rules, taxes in the 1099-DA era, and the Clarity Act. The summit will also examine how states are approaching the crypto sector and feature a series of sessions focused on the 2026 midterm election. The conference will conclude with a debate on prediction markets, which are likely to be a major topic in the US Supreme Court. The debate will explore whether prediction markets are a form of gambling or a novel financial instrument and who should regulate these products.
For more information and to join the conversation, click here. If you have thoughts or questions on what to discuss next week or any other feedback, feel free to email nik@coindesk.com or find me on Bluesky @nikhileshde.bsky.social. You can also join the group conversation on Telegram.