Coinbase Bolsters Crypto Regulatory Muscle with Trump Ally and Political Heavyweights

Coinbase, a leading U.S. cryptocurrency exchange, has bolstered its regulatory approach by adding four experts from finance and politics to its Global Advisory Council. The move comes as President Donald Trump's administration takes office, signaling a potential shift in regulatory sentiment for the crypto industry.

The exchange announced on Jan. 29 that it has welcomed new members to its advisory council, including Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Trump's 2024 campaign, former Senator Kyrsten Sinema, former Federal Reserve Bank of New York President Bill Dudley, and former Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno. Coinbase noted that these additions will help the exchange navigate "new political and regulatory realities" by leveraging their experience in politics and financial markets.

The quartet joins a list of political powerhouses already on Coinbase's Global Advisory Council, which includes former Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey and former Florida Representative Stephanie Murphy. The exchange's chief policy officer, Faryar Shirzad, stated that the new members represent "some of the brightest minds across finance, tech, and politics," who will help guide Coinbase's direction as "the world enters a new era for crypto."

Crypto businesses are strengthening their personnel as President Trump's return to the White House signals the possibility of more flexible regulations for the industry. The prevailing perception among digital asset proponents is that pro-crypto policies are likely, although former Senator Sinema emphasized the need to rally behind industry leaders and intensify policy-making efforts.

Speaking to Semafor, LaCivita and Sinema expressed optimism based on sentiment from Trump's inner circle. The pair noted that the President wants to stay informed on crypto developments and legislative agendas. So far, President Trump has assembled a team of pro-crypto officials in key positions, including former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Paul Atkins and former PayPal COO David Sacks, who have been selected for SEC chair and the first White House, respectively.