Coinbase is reinforcing its political and regulatory strategy by bringing in a mix of seasoned leaders, including former US Senator Kyrsten Sinema, a strong advocate for crypto-friendly policies.
Alongside her, Chris LaCivita, a key strategist from Trump’s 2024 campaign, Bill Dudley, has joined the council.
Coinbase, the first publicly traded company exchange has made a major move to strengthen its regulatory and policy influence, bringing on a heavyweight team of advisors, including former Senator Kyrsten Sinema, former Federal Reserve Bank of New York President Bill Dudley, Trump’s 2024 co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita, and former Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno.
The appointments come at a crucial time for the crypto exchange, which continues to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape in the United States. The advisory council, which already includes notable figures such as former Senator Pat Toomey and ex-Representative Stephanie Murphy, is expected to provide strategic guidance on regulatory and legislative matters.
Bridging Politics and Crypto Policy
Sinema’s appointment signals Coinbase’s intent to engage more directly with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The former senator, who played a key role in shaping cryptocurrency-related provisions during her tenure, emphasized the need for continued legislative efforts.
“Some people assume that with a pro-crypto Trump administration, regulation is no longer a pressing issue. That is incorrect. Without clear legislation, consumers and businesses are left navigating uncertainty,” Sinema told the Wall Street Journal.
“Some people assume that with a pro-crypto Trump administration, regulation is no longer a pressing issue. That is incorrect. Without clear legislation, consumers and businesses are left navigating uncertainty,” Sinema the Wall Street Journal.
Sinema, who represented Arizona in the US Senate before joining Coinbase has been an active proponent of crypto legislation. In collaboration with Senator Pat Toomey, she introduced a bipartisan bill seeking to exempt small crypto transactions from capital gains taxes.
The proposed legislation aimed to facilitate everyday use of digital assets by eliminating tax burdens on transactions under $50. The former senator is expected to bring her legislative knowledge to Coinbase.
Her co-advisors LaCivita and Dudley also come with a wealth of knowledge on both finance and political matters. According to a company on January 28, LaCivita, who played a pivotal role in Trump’s successful 2024 campaign, is expected to help Coinbase build political alliances.
His appointment also underscores the growing influence of crypto within conservative circles, particularly given Trump’s increasing engagement with the industry. LaCivita noted that Trump’s interest in digital assets has been influenced by personal discussions, including conversations with his son, Barron Trump.
“The boss was very much into learning about as much of this as possible. The president made it perfectly clear he wants to be on the forefront,” LaCivita told Semafor.
“The boss was very much into learning about as much of this as possible. The president made it perfectly clear he wants to be on the forefront,” LaCivita Semafor.
Financial Leadership to Navigate Crypto’s Next Chapter
Beyond political strategy, Coinbase is also leaning on the expertise of financial veterans. Dudley, a former Federal Reserve Bank of New York president, will provide insights on monetary policy and financial stability as the industry moves toward greater institutional adoption.
Meanwhile, Moreno’s background at the Inter-American Development Bank brings international economic expertise, particularly in emerging markets where crypto adoption is surging. Dudley sees this as a defining moment for crypto’s integration into the broader financial system.
“We’ve reached a pivotal point where smart political leadership and trusted business counterparts like Coinbase can ensure crypto’s role in a safe and beneficial way for Americans,” Dudley said in a statement.
“We’ve reached a pivotal point where smart political leadership and trusted business counterparts like Coinbase can ensure crypto’s role in a safe and beneficial way for Americans,” Dudley said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Coinbase’s latest appointments align with its broader strategy of influencing crypto policy through lobbying and political contributions. The exchange has been a major to Fairshake, a crypto-focused political action committee (PAC) that raised $78 million to support pro-innovation candidates in the 2024 elections.
