Armstrong Spearheads Crypto’s Stand Against the SEC
Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Coinbase, stands as one of the few remaining major players in the industry that has endured a series of high-profile closures and regulatory challenges.
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Defying the odds
Unlike other industry giants like FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao, Armstrong has managed to keep his venture thriving amid the industry's challenges.
Coinbase's 2023 milestones include:
- Launching eight spot crypto ETFs, establishing itself as a major custodian of digital assets globally.
- Expanding its global market footprint and forming strategic alliances with Wall Street asset managers.
- Securing a minority stake in Circle Internet Financial.
- Earning around $50 million from its custodial business in the first three quarters of 2023.
- Allocating $2.2 million to advocate for cryptocurrency legislation in the U.S.
- Leading a campaign for transparent regulation in the U.S., bringing together over 50 crypto entrepreneurs to Washington D.C.
Armstrong, often described as a “tank on rubber tracks”, actively lobbies in Washington D.C. He steadfastly champions the need for clear regulatory frameworks in the cryptocurrency industry and has formed Coinbase's Global Advisory Council with experienced lawmakers, including:
- Patrick Joseph Toomey (former Republican Senator for Pennsylvania);
- Mark Thomas Esper (former U.S. Secretary of Defense);
- Frances Mary Townsend (Homeland Security Advisor to President George Bush);
- Timothy John Ryan (Democratic representative for Ohio, member of the U.S. House of Representatives);
- Sean Patrick Maloney (Democrat for New York),
- Christopher Stephen Lehane (former Democratic Party strategist and White House spokesperson);
- Jay Clayton (former chairman of the SEC);
- Jono Anzalone, a Democratic sociologist.
While the costs of these consultations and gaining such influential support may be considerable, they are channeled towards a worthy cause – crafting transparent legislation for the crypto market.
Armstrong's Stand Against the SEC
Brian Armstrong's leadership at Coinbase comes with its share of challenges. He's currently navigating the company through legal waters stirred by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which has accused Coinbase of issuing and listing unregistered securities. Distinctly, unlike Changpeng Zhao and Sam Bankman-Fried, Armstrong isn’t a defendant in the SEC lawsuit against Coinbase, nor is he accused of misusing client funds.
Armstrong has publicly contested the SEC's allegations led by Gary Gensler, asserting that the tokens listed on Coinbase are not securities.
Amid a relative calm in this regulatory battle, Armstrong, who notably backed Ripple during their legal entanglement with the SEC, is aware that the proceedings could be protracted and have far-reaching consequences for Coinbase.
Adopting a proactive approach, Armstrong is fighting back using strategies similar to his adversaries. This includes filing counter-lawsuits, engaging lobbyists from government circles, and openly communicating each step through major media channels to avoid misinformation.
Despite the legal hurdles, Armstrong remains a steadfast optimist about the digital finance industry's future, continuing to champion cryptocurrencies as the future of money.
Coinbase's CFO, Alesia Haas, a close associate of Armstrong, affirms that the company is operating as usual while maintaining its stance against the SEC.
“We prepare the company for any scenario, we invest in the future,” she said.
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