Chris Larsen, chair and co-founder of Ripple Labs, expressed hope that the United States legal system is set to renew the cryptocurrency business following what he called the Biden administration’s errors in crypto policy in a recent interview with Bloomberg on September 7.
Larsen emphasized his firm’s partial triumph over the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in July, claiming that the regulatory body had suffered substantial losses in controlling the cryptocurrency industry. “The United States messed up on crypto and blockchain policy here,” Larsen asserted. He emphasized that the route forward for industry clarity would likely be through the courts rather than regulators.
According to Larsen, the recent court judgment in favor of Grayscale’s attempt to convert its Bitcoin trust into a spot Bitcoin ETF emphasized the ambiguity surrounding crypto rules. He noted that the decision unusually chastised the SEC, putting doubt on the regulator’s comprehension of crypto rules and implying a preference for imprecise restrictions allowing arbitrary actions.
Larsen voiced concern about SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s attitude, implying that Gensler preferred ambiguity to wield power arbitrarily, which is opposed to the principles of clear legislative regulations. He attacked the crypto landscape’s reliance on unelected decision-makers.
In contrast, Gensler has previously underlined the importance of SEC regulations to combat fraud and Ponzi schemes in the cryptocurrency market, claiming that such steps will protect investors.
Larsen also lamented the influence of the Biden administration on San Francisco’s ambitions to be the “blockchain capital of the world.” He claimed that the administration’s policies have stifled the city’s progress by driving the cryptocurrency business offshore. Larsen expressed sadness for the squandered opportunity and the resulting harm to the city.
Larsen noted the clear and consumer-protective policies that stimulate innovation in other global blockchain centers such as London, Singapore, and Dubai. He questioned why the United States, famed for its innovative leadership, needed to take the lead.
As the crypto sector seeks clarity and regulatory stability, Chris Larsen’s viewpoint implies that the United States legal system may play a critical role in altering the industry’s future, moving away from the ambiguity that has prevailed thus far.
