Former Lawmakers Join Coinbase Advisory Council to Shape Crypto Regulation

Overview

• Three former US lawmakers have joined Coinbase’s newly launched Global Advisory Council to guide its leadership team.
• The council includes Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., Tim Ryan, D-Ohio., and Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y.
• Chris Lehane and John Anzalone have also been appointed to the council in order to provide insight and expertise into the crypto space.

The Former Lawmakers

Former US lawmakers Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., Tim Ryan, D-Ohio., and Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y are part of Coinbase’s newly launched Global Advisory Council that is aimed at guiding its leadership team in navigating an increasingly complex landscape in the US and internationally. During their time in Congress, these legislators were active in introducing crypto legislation such as a bill to regulate stablecoins by Toomey who used to sit on the Senate Banking Committee; a House version of the Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act (DCCPA) introduced by Maloney who used to be in the House Agriculture Committee; and a bill introduced alongside now House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry, R- N.C. by Ryan to clarify a crypto provision in an infrastructure bill.

Expertise from Other Fields

In addition to the former lawmakers joining Coinbase’s advisory council, Chris Lehane was appointed as chief strategy officer at venture capital firm Haun Ventures while John Anzalone was appointed as founder of Impact Research Polling . These appointments bring expertise from other fields that will help provide insight for Coinbase’s leadership team about navigating various regulatory issues related to cryptocurrency trading.

Coinbase’s Response

Coinbase released a statement saying that “the creation of the Advisory Council is a significant step for Coinbase as we navigate an increasingly complex and evolving landscape in the US and internationally.” CEO Brian Armstrong welcomed the council on Twitter saying he was excited “to work with [them] to update the financial system and get regulatory clarity for crypto.”

Outcome

The new advisory council will play an integral role in helping Coinbase work with regulators towards achieving their goal of providing regulatory clarity on cryptocurrencies while working towards updating America’s financial system through embracing blockchain technology.