Crypto's Pivotal Moment Has Arrived, and Collective Action Is Crucial

As I begin my tenure as CEO of the Blockchain Association, I recognize that we are at a critical juncture in the history of crypto policymaking. Following years of regulatory ambiguity and stringent enforcement, we now have a unique chance to establish clear, innovation-friendly guidelines that will shape the digital asset landscape for the next decade and beyond. A combination of factors has created this opportunity, including a pro-crypto administration, bipartisan support in Congress for comprehensive stablecoin and market structure legislation, and recent court victories that validate the industry's long-held positions. The growing adoption of digital assets by institutional investors has also created an urgent need for regulatory clarity. However, the window for seizing this opportunity is brief, and success will depend on the crypto ecosystem's ability to present a unified voice. I have witnessed firsthand, during my time as a CFTC Commissioner, how regulators respond to a fractured industry with restrictive approaches, but also how they engage constructively with sophisticated, unified positions. The Blockchain Association exists to facilitate this unity, and our past successes, such as developing consensus market structure principles and opposing overreaching regulatory proposals, demonstrate the power of collective action. As we face our biggest challenge yet, it is essential that we prioritize collective progress over individual interests and recognize that the regulatory challenges facing the industry are bigger than any single company or protocol. The temptation to fragment will intensify as policy momentum builds, but we must resist this temptation and work towards comprehensive legislation that provides regulatory clarity, encourages regulator understanding of the technology, and maintains consumer protections and financial stability safeguards. These goals are not competing priorities but complementary elements of a coherent vision for American leadership in digital assets. As I take on this responsibility, I am committed to ensuring that the Blockchain Association recommits to its founding purpose, hosts difficult conversations to build consensus, elevates shared priorities, and approaches our work with the seriousness and sophistication required. The crypto industry has matured beyond its startup phase, and we are now negotiating the terms of regulation that will enable further growth. This evolution demands not only technological maturity but also political maturity, which will be tested over the next 18 months. The stakes are high, but the opportunity is greater, and I believe that together, we can seize it.