During the Bitcoin 2023 event in Miami, a panel discussion titled “Fighting the Anti-Crypto Army” aimed to debunk the notion of treating regulatory engagement as a fight. The panel, moderated by David Zell from the Bitcoin Policy Institute, featured Perianne Boring (founder and CEO at the Chamber of Digital Commerce), Mina Khattak (senior director of crypto and Web3 at Worldpay), and Dana Syracuse (partner at Perkins Coie law firm).
The panel acknowledged the challenging regulatory landscape and negative discourse surrounding cryptocurrency due to recent scandals. Boring expressed concerns about regulators cracking down on the industry, driven by politicians who see crypto as a threat to their control. However, she remained confident that the challenges could be overcome, highlighting how Bitcoin aligns with American values by enabling ownership and control of digital assets.
Syracuse, echoing Boring’s sentiments, emphasized the importance of collaboration and acknowledged the existing cooperation between the industry and regulators. Khattak pointed out the need for clarity in the ever-evolving regulatory environment, highlighting the reputational risks faced by companies partnering with entities under regulatory scrutiny.
Despite recognizing the significance of regulatory issues, all panelists rejected the notion of engaging in a fight with regulators. Syracuse stated that such rhetoric was counterproductive, emphasizing the dangers of framing the dialogue antagonistically. Khattak concluded by emphasizing education and collaboration as the key approaches to effectively engage with regulators and move the industry forward.
