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.
2 min read
Updated: Aug. 9, 2024 at 10:46 pm UTC
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
Bitcoin 
Gemini 
Circle 
Ripple 
Coinbase 
Donald Trump 
Cameron Winklevoss 
Kamala Harris 
Joe Biden 
Tyler Winklevoss 
Jeremy Allaire 
Brad Garlinghouse 
Gary Gensler 
Paul Grewal Author 
Assad Jafri
AJ, a passionate journalist since Yemen's 2011 Arab Spring, has honed his skills worldwide for over a decade. Specializing in financial journalism, he now focuses on crypto reporting.
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In this article
Bitcoin, a decentralized currency that defies the sway of central banks or administrators, transacts electronically, circumventing intermediaries via a peer-to-peer network.
Gemini
Gemini is a regulated digital asset exchange and custodian that allows customers to buy, sell, store, and stake digital assets in a regulated, secure, and compliant manner.
Circle
Circle Internet Financial Ltd is a global internet finance company, built on blockchain technology and powered by crypto assets.
Ripple
Ripple is a US-based technology company which develops the Ripple payment protocol and exchange network using XRP, the digital asset native to the XRP Ledger.
Coinbase
Coinbase is a digital currency exchange and wallet service that allows individuals to buy, sell, and store digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
A businessman, politician, and media personality, Donald John Trump served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Cameron Winklevoss, a renowned figure in the cryptocurrency sector, is a Harvard University graduate with a degree in Economics and holds an MBA from Oxford University.
Kamala Devi Harris (born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 49th Vice President of the United States.
Joe Biden, byname of Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., is an American politician and the 46th and current president of the United States.
Tyler Winklevoss, known for his pioneering role in the cryptocurrency realm, is a Harvard University alumnus with a degree in Economics and holds an MBA from Oxford University.
Jeremy Allaire stands as the founder, chairman, and CEO of Circle, a trailblazing consumer Internet company.
Brad Garlinghouse stands at the forefront of financial technology as the CEO of Ripple.
Gary Gensler is an American government official and former investment banker who President Joseph Biden nominated to chair the U.S.
Paul Grewal is the Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase where he is responsible for Coinbase’s legal, compliance, global intelligence, risk management and government relations groups.