Ad
News
Winklevoss slams Harris for not showing up to virtual roundtable Winklevoss slams Harris for not showing up to virtual roundtable

Winklevoss slams Harris for not showing up to virtual roundtable

The virtual meeting, attended by high-ranking government officials and industry leaders, was seen as pivotal for shaping the future of crypto regulation in the US.

Winklevoss slams Harris for not showing up to virtual roundtable

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of the Gemini crypto exchange, expressed bewilderment over US Vice President Kamala Harris’ absence from a crucial crypto roundtable meeting held on Aug. 8.

The virtual meeting, attended by high-ranking government officials and industry leaders, was seen as pivotal for shaping the future of crypto regulation in the US.

Winklevoss questioned Harris’ decision to skip the virtual event in a social media post on Aug. 9, saying:

“All she needed was an internet connection,”

The remark was pointed, given the accessibility of the event and the mounting expectations for Harris to clarify her stance on crypto as she campaigns for the presidency.

Harris’ unclear stance

Harris, who is the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 election, is facing increased scrutiny over her position on digital assets. However, recent reports claim she is looking to “reset” her relationship with the industry.

Her main rival, former President Donald Trump, has made his pro-crypto stance a cornerstone of his campaign. He vows to end President Joe Biden’s “war on crypto” and support policies that would bolster the US as a global leader in blockchain innovation.

Biden, who endorsed Harris after announcing he would not seek re-election, has maintained a cautious approach to crypto, a stance that some in the industry have criticized as stifling innovation. Harris’ failure to attend the roundtable, coupled with her silence on crypto-related issues, has left many in the sector questioning whether she will continue Biden’s policies or chart a new course.

The Aug. 8 roundtable featured several key players in the crypto and blockchain industry, including Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, and Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal.

Senior White House officials, such as Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard, and Harris’ Director of Legislative Affairs Kristine Lucius, also participated.

Endorsing Trump

The Winklevoss twins have openly endorsed Trump for his supportive stance and criticized the current administration’s historical actions toward the industry. They have also expressed skepticism about Democrats pivoting away from their anti-crypto stance.

Harris’ absence from the roundtable is particularly notable given crypto’s growing influence in the US With approximately 50 million Americans holding digital assets, the industry is eager for clear regulatory direction and assurances that the US will remain a competitive environment for blockchain innovation.

As the election draws nearer, the crypto community is watching closely to see how Harris will address these concerns and whether her administration will support or hinder the sector’s growth.

In contrast, Trump has been clear about his intentions. He has pledged to never sell the US government’s Bitcoin holdings, to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and to back policies aimed at establishing a Bitcoin reserve.

Mentioned in this article
People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
39min
CryptoSlate SlateCast
Noelle Acheson on how crypto is shaping global macroeconomics
In a recent SlateCast episode, Noelle Acheson, author of the "Crypto Is Macro Now" newsletter, joined host Liam "Akiba" Wright and CryptoSlate CEO Nate Whitehill to discuss the growing influence of cryptocurrency on global macroeconomics and financial systems.Crypto's Impact on Monetary Policy: Acheson emphasized that crypto, particularly Bitcoin and stablecoins, is increasingly affecting monetary policy and capital flows worldwide. She noted:"There is an alternative now to the central bank currency, to the commercial bank currency, to the fiat currency. There is an alternative that the authorities are struggling to control. And that is important for monetary policy."The discussion highlighted how cryptocurrencies provide options for individuals in countries with unstable currencies or restrictive financial policies.Stablecoins and Global FinanceThe conversation turned to the significant role of stablecoins, particularly Tether (USDT), in the global financial ecosystem. Acheson pointed out:"Tether is a very key macro and crypto force. Crypto because of its size of its stablecoin and the spread of its use around the world, except the United States, and macro because of the amount it holds of U.S. government debt."The panelists discussed how Tether's large holdings of U.S. Treasuries could potentially influence macro-economic policies.Regulatory Landscape and U.S. ElectionsAcheson shared her thoughts on the potential impact of the 2024 U.S. presidential election on crypto regulations:"A Trump victory would be better for crypto. A Kamala victory, we don't know. This is just still the very big unknown."She suggested that a change in SEC leadership could significantly shift the regulatory approach to cryptocurrencies, regardless of which party wins.Crypto and Economic TransparencyAcheson highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of crypto adoption"That crypto is not all about risk. That it is actually relatively safe. That, this is especially overlooked, it enhances transpa
CryptoSlate SlateCast
Markus Maier unveils the power of reallocation in crypto ecosystems
The latest episode of CryptoSlate's SlateCast podcast welcomed Markus Maier, CEO and Founder of Nudge, and CryptoSlate's Editor-in-Chief Liam “Akiba” Wright and CEO Nate Whitehill. The episode highlighted Nudge's unique approach to decentralizing and optimizing liquidity reallocation across multiple DeFi protocols. With a focus on user-centric incentives and cross-chain liquidity, Nudge aims to transform the traditional airdrop model, offering a more efficient and purposeful method for incentivizing users.What is Nudge?Nudge introduces an innovative approach to liquidity management in decentralized finance (DeFi) through reallocation-based incentives. Unlike traditional airdrops, which often result in minimal user engagement and "mercenary" behavior, Nudge's reallocation model rewards users for meaningful, on-chain actions.Markus Maier described Nudge as a system that’s focused on "driving liquidity where it's needed most". By encouraging users to reallocate their assets to protocols that require liquidity, Nudge aims to create a more active and dynamic DeFi ecosystem."Instead of airdrops rewarding passive holders, we’re rewarding users who actively engage with protocols in a way that benefits the entire system," Maier explained.This shift represents a fundamental departure from the status quo. Rather than distributing tokens broadly to anyone holding an address, Nudge's system ensures that only users who take productive, measurable actions receive incentives.The Flaws of Traditional AirdropsTraditional airdrops have long been a controversial mechanism in DeFi. While they aim to attract users and build loyalty, the outcome often falls short. Recipients of airdropped tokens frequently sell them immediately, causing price volatility and minimal engagement with the underlying protocol.Addressing this issue, Maier stated,“Airdrops are a blunt tool. They're expensive and largely ineffective at driving long-term engagement.”This inefficiency led to the development of Nudg
CryptoSlate SlateCast
Bill Miller IV shares his insights on value investing and Bitcoin
In a recent episode of SlateCast IRL, CryptoSlate Senior Analyst James Van Straten sat down with Bill Miller IV, the Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager of Miller Value Partners. The discussion touched upon a variety of topics, from the principles of value investing to the burgeoning world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.The Legacy of Value InvestingBill Miller IV provided insights into the principles of value investing that his family has long championed. He explained:“We look for undervalued companies or ideas and try and buy them in an effort to outperform an index. We’ve been doing this as a family for a very, very long time.”Miller highlighted his father’s remarkable achievement of beating the market for 15 consecutive years, a record he aspires to emulate. This long-term approach focuses on identifying stocks trading at a discount to their intrinsic value, a philosophy that extends to Miller’s views on Bitcoin.Bitcoin’s Unique PositionWhen discussing Bitcoin, Miller highlighted several key aspects that distinguish Bitcoin from other cryptocurrencies:“I think when you just take a step back and think about the technology objectively within the landscape of crypto, the asset has several things that really set it apart from the rest of the crypto landscape.”He emphasized three key aspects that differentiate Bitcoin:Causal Ambiguity: The unknown creator adds to its mystique and wide acceptance.First Mover Advantage: Bitcoin’s early establishment has created a robust ecosystem around it.Proof of Work Mechanism: This secures Bitcoin uniquely compared to other assets.Investment Strategies and ETFsMiller Value Partners has been at the forefront of integrating Bitcoin into its investment strategies. Although they do not offer a Bitcoin-specific ETF, their broad mandate, ETF includes substantial investments in Bitcoin-related stocks. Miller elaborated:“One of the reasons we are doing as well as we are right now is because we have been investing in Bitcoin-relate
CryptoSlate SlateCast
Alexander Sudeykin talks building DeFi access for Telegram’s global audience
Alexander Sudeykin, Co-Founder of EVAA Protocol, joined CryptoSlate’s Editor-in-Chief Liam “Akiba” Wright and CEO Nate Whitehill in a recent SlateCast episode. The discussion centered around EVAA Protocol, its integration with the Telegram ecosystem, and the transformative potential of the TON blockchain in decentralized finance (DeFi). EVAA stands out as a decentralized lending platform, leveraging Telegram to simplify user engagement with DeFi tools.Revolutionizing DeFi Through Telegram IntegrationSudeykin highlighted EVAA Protocol’s unique positioning as a bridge between the TON blockchain and Telegram users. By creating a Telegram mini-app, EVAA allows users to access its lending and borrowing features directly from the messaging platform.“Telegram provides a seamless interface,” Sudeykin explained. “Users don’t need external wallets or complicated setups to start using the lending protocol. With Telegram wallets, we’ve significantly reduced the steps required to engage with DeFi.”The mini-app incorporates features like real-time notifications, ensuring users are alerted about critical activities, such as liquidations, making DeFi more user-friendly for newcomers.DeFi Growth on the TON BlockchainWhen asked about the TON ecosystem, Sudeykin detailed its evolution and potential for growth.“The TON blockchain is still in its early stages, with only about 20 protocols currently active. Compare that to hundreds on Solana, and you realize the opportunity for expansion,” he noted.He emphasized that utility projects, particularly in DeFi, will drive the next wave of growth on TON. EVAA aims to lead this transformation by offering robust tools for developers and users alike, fostering a thriving DeFi ecosystem.Innovative Tokenomics and GovernanceAlthough EVAA’s native token has yet to launch, Sudeykin shared insights into its planned utilities.“The EVAA token will serve as the governance backbone of our DAO, enabling token holders to vote on key decisions,” he said.In ad

Hide All Glossary Terms