In a recent Q1 earnings call, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong addressed concerns surrounding the company’s operations in the United States and reassured investors that they have no plans to move out of the country. Despite regulatory uncertainty, Armstrong remains “100% committed” to the U.S. market and is confident that the rule of law in the country will continue to prevail.
Armstrong’s optimism stems from his belief that Congress will soon pass a clear set of rules for crypto companies to follow. According to Armstrong, there is strong bipartisan support in Washington for such legislation. He stated, “When I go visit DC, there is strong bipartisan support for Congress to come in and create new legislation that would create a clear rule book in the U.S. and I think it’s really important for America to get this right.”
However, Armstrong’s outlook isn’t without concerns. In particular, he addressed the issue of the unpredictable enforcement action by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). In light of Coinbase receiving a Wells Notice from the SEC in March, Armstrong expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity from the regulator, saying, “Despite our ongoing engagement with the commission, they have not been as clear about what their specific concerns are with Coinbase as we might like, and so I have to refrain from speculating too much.”
The uncertainty surrounding the SEC’s actions led Coinbase to seek answers through the U.S. federal court system. The timing of these events coincided with the launch of Coinbase International Exchange (CIE) on May 2, which fueled speculation that the company was seeking an escape from U.S. regulation. However, Armstrong’s commitment to the U.S. market seems to quell those rumors.
During the call, Armstrong also highlighted the progress of crypto regulation in the European Union, which is on track to implement its comprehensive Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) legislation by mid-2024 or early 2025. This development creates a single clear rule book for the entire region, and Armstrong believes that other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Brazil, are also moving in this direction.
Overall, Armstrong’s comments emphasize the importance of clear and fair regulation for the crypto industry, while also voicing his concerns about the uncertainty created by regulatory authorities like the SEC. As Coinbase continues to navigate the changing landscape, its commitment to operating within the U.S. is evident, as is the importance of a reliable rule book for crypto companies to ensure the industry’s stability and growth.
Source: Cointelegraph
