The cryptocurrency business was on observe to hit a brand new document for federal lobbying spending, after a yr in which corporations scrambled to restore their reputations and advance pleasant laws, based on knowledge supplied to Reuters by nonprofit analysis group OpenSecrets.
Crypto firms spent $18.96 million (roughly Rs. 158 crore) in the primary three quarters of 2023 on lobbying, in contrast with $16.1 million (roughly Rs. 134 crore) throughout the identical interval in 2022. That was regardless of final yr’s spectacular meltdown of crypto alternate FTX, which had been a top-ten spender. Last yr, firms together with FTX spent practically $22 million (roughly Rs. 183 crore) on lobbying in whole.
Coinbase, the biggest US crypto alternate, led the pack once more, spending $2.16 million (roughly Rs. 18 crore), adopted by Foris DAX, which operates Crypto.com, the Blockchain Association and Binance Holdings.
“Our aim is to interact instantly with policymakers, construct relationships and bridge the training hole to construct a commonsense regulatory framework,” said Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, in a statement.
Crypto companies have been expanding in Washington, in part to try to mend their reputations following a string of scandals last year, including the collapse of FTX, whose former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried had been a familiar presence in Washington. He was found guilty of fraud last month by a jury in a Manhattan federal court.
Crypto firms have also been trying to combat growing regulatory scrutiny, especially from the US Securities and Exchange Commission which says the industry has been flouting its rules. Lobbying escalated after the SEC sued Coinbase and Binance in June for allegedly failing to register tokens, claims they deny.
The industry has also been pushing the SEC to approve a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF), which would open up the world’s largest cryptocurrency to millions more investors. Optimism that the agency will green-light the product after losing to a key court on the matter in the summer helped drive bitcoin to a 20-month high on Monday.
Crypto companies have also been trying to advance friendly legislation in the House of Representatives and scored a victory in July when a congressional committee in that chamber passed two major bills that lobbyists say would help provide clarity over which existing financial rules apply to crypto companies.
Although those bills have yet to advance further, crypto lobbyists are not letting up. Coinbase, which in September launched a grassroots advocacy campaign, is continuing its push with more lawmaker meetings in coming weeks, a spokesperson said.
Binance and Crypto.com did not respond to requests for comment.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
