7 Policy Shifts the U.S. Can Make Today to Embrace Web3—No Matter Who Wins the Election
Why Washington’s Web3 Policy Needs an Upgrade
Having spent years analyzing on-chain data, I’ve seen how regulatory uncertainty stifles DeFi protocols more effectively than any smart contract bug. That’s why a16z crypto’s policy chief Brian Quintenz (former CFTC commissioner) recently outlined seven non-legislative actions federal agencies could take today to support decentralized tech—regardless of November’s electoral outcome.
1. Mandate Competition & Innovation Across Agencies
The SEC isn’t the only regulator that should prioritize startup growth. When legacy corporations weaponize regulation as a moat (looking at you, banking lobby), agencies must actively counterbalance this. As Quintenz notes, America’s competitive edge stems from its “band of brave misfits”—Edison, Jobs, Musk—who reshaped industries against institutional inertia.
2. SEC: End Regulation-by-Enforcement
Imagine trying to trade tokens when even SEC staff debate what constitutes a security. The solution? Formal rulemaking clarifying digital asset classifications—something the SEC has avoided since 2019 while racking up $2.6B in crypto enforcement actions. Clarity = functioning markets. It’s not rocket science (though some Ethereum upgrades come close).
3. Kill Zombie Intermediary Requirements
Here’s where my Python scripts weep: Regulators still force blockchain transactions into legacy frameworks requiring brokers, custodians, and other middlemen. But as Quintenz argues, “When code replaces custodians, regulations shouldn’t mandate paper pushers.” This isn’t anti-regulation—it’s pro-efficiency.
4. Transparent Policymaking with Industry Input
The CFTC’s recent public hearings on DeFi exemplify how transparency prevents regulatory capture. Agencies should host open forums without fear of “educating=endorsing” backlash. After all, you wouldn’t design seatbelt laws without consulting automakers (though maybe consult them less on emissions…).
5. Let Regulators Actually Use Crypto
A 2022 ethics rule bars federal employees involved in crypto policy from holding any digital assets—even Bitcoin for their kid’s college fund. Quintenz’s analogy hits hard: “This is like banning DOT officials from riding cars.” Hands-on experience drives sound policy.
6. Blockchain Bootcamp for Bureaucrats
Most senators still think NFTs are JPEGs sold by bored apes. Structured training on concepts like ZKPs and DAOs could transform policymakers from skeptics to informed stewards. Bonus: It might reduce those cringe-worthy congressional hearings.
7. Fund Private-Sector ZKP Research
With China/Russia developing state-backed chains, America risks losing the privacy-tech arms race. Investing in zero-knowledge proofs—which verify data without exposing it—could secure sensitive information while maintaining transparency where it matters.
The Bottom Line: These aren’t partisan issues but practical upgrades for an archaic system. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check if writing this article violated any SEC guidance on crypto commentary.
BlockchainNomad
Hot comment (24)
Wayang Kulit Bertemu Blockchain
Kalo regulator AS bisa setanggap ini, mungkin harga BTC udah nyentuh bulan pakai rocket Elon Musk! 7 langkah praktis dari mantan komisaris CFTC ini bener-bener kayak jurus ampuh buat ngubah kebijakan Web3:
- SEC disuruh berhenti main “tebak-tebakan token” kayak nenek-nenek baca daun teh
- Aturan jadul soal perantaran dihapus - masa iya blockchain pake makelar kayak pasar tradisional? 😂
Yang paling lucu: pegawai pemerintah dilarang pegang crypto sampe buat dana kuliah anak sendiri! Ini mah kayak melarang dokter gigi sikat gigi!
Eh kalian setuju nggak nih kalo regulator kita harus ikut bootcamp blockchain dulu sebelum bikin aturan?
Wenn Regulierung Innovation killt
Die SEC hat mal wieder bewiesen: Sie reguliert Krypto wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladen – mit der Feinheit einer Dampfwalze! Dass Beamte nicht mal Bitcoin für die Kinderuni besitzen dürfen, ist so logisch wie Autoverbote für Verkehrsminister.
Die sieben Todsünden der Bürokratie:
- ‘Regulation-by-Enforcement’ – weil nichts so effektiv ist wie unklare Regeln und willkürliche Strafen
- Mittelalterliche Zwischenhändler-Pflichten (Blockchain braucht Buchhalter wie Fahrräder Fallschirme)
Lustigste Ironie? China forscht an ZKPs während US-Senatoren NFTs für Affenbilder halten. Da hilft nur eins: Blockchain-Crashkurs für Politiker – mit Prüfung in ‘Wie erkenne ich einen Smart Contract?’
Was meint ihr? Sollen wir den Beamten lieber Ethereum oder Bier erklären? 🍻
Quand la régulation tue l’innovation
Après avoir lu ces 7 propositions pour le Web3, je me demande si les régulateurs américains ont déjà utilisé une crypto… ou un ordinateur. L’idée d’interdire aux fonctionnaires de détenir du Bitcoin est aussi logique qu’interdire à un boulanger de manger du pain!
Le saviez-vous? La SEC a dépensé 2,6 milliards en poursuites crypto - assez pour acheter tous les Bored Apes… et leur apprendre à remplir des formulaires fiscaux.
Et vous, pensez-vous que nos chers bureaucrates français sont prêts pour les DAO? (Spoiler: non.)
Quando o regulador dança samba com o blockchain
Depois de analisar on-chain data por anos, digo que a SEC parece meu tio no churrasco: fala muito mas não explica as regras do jogo! Essas 7 ideias da a16z são como um tutorial de como não estragar a festa:
1. SEC precisa de aula de ETH 101 Se nem eles sabem o que é security, como vamos operar? Pior que congresso brasileiro discutindo TikTok!
2. Intermediários zombies Querem colocar corretor até em smart contract… É tipo botar catraca na praia de Copacabana!
E vocês? Topariam um curso “NFTs não são macacos” para os políticos? #Web3SemDrama
Finalmente soluções práticas!
Depois de ver tantas discussões intermináveis sobre regulamentação de cripto, essas 7 ideias da a16z são como um banho de água fria na politicagem - especialmente aquela sobre treinar políticos em blockchain (imagina os memes que virão dessas aulas!).
O meu favorito? Deixar reguladores usarem criptomoedas! Pelo menos assim eles vão entender na pele quando uma transação levar 3 dias e custar $50 em fees… Quem sabe não aceleram as soluções? 😂
E vocês? Qual proposta seria mais revolucionária no Brasil?
เมื่อ SEC คิดว่า Ethereum คือหุ้น 😂
อ่านแล้วอยากให้ผู้ใหญ่บ้านเราเอาไปImplement บ้าง! สมมติว่าคุณต้องซื้อขายโทเค็นในวันที่แม้แต่เจ้าหน้าที่ SEC ยังเถียงกันเองว่า”อันนี้เป็นหลักทรัพย์ป่าว?” แถมยึดทรัพย์นักลงทุนไป 2.6 พันล้านดอลลาร์แบบไม่มีกฎหมายชัดเจน
เคล็ดลับเด็ด: ถ้ารัฐบาลไทยอยากได้ส่วนแบ่งตลาด Crypto ASEAN นี่คือสูตรสำเร็จจากอเมริกา - ให้ข้าราชการเล่น Binance เป็นก่อนออกนโยบาย! (อย่าบอกใครนะว่าผมเขียนคอมเม้นต์นี้ตอนที่กำลัง Staking ETH อยู่)
#Web3สไตล์ปลาใหญ่ #ฟังหูไว้หู
Quand la SEC rencontre Satoshi…
Après avoir analysé ces propositions pour le Web3, je me demande si les régulateurs américains ont déjà utilisé une clé privée… ou s’ils pensent encore que Bitcoin est une monnaie extraterrestre!
L’idée de former les bureaucrates aux ZKP? Excellente! Comme disait mon script Python en pleurant : ‘Si seulement ils comprenaient la différence entre un NFT et leur badge d’accès au Congrès.’
Et cette règle éthique qui interdit aux régulateurs de détenir des crypto… C’est comme interdire à un sommelier de goûter son vin! #IronieRegulatoire
Alors, prêts à parier combien de temps avant qu’ils n’appliquent la suggestion N°5? Moi je mise 2 ETH sur ‘jamais’.
Chính sách Web3 của Mỹ cần nâng cấp gấp!
Tôi đã xem dữ liệu on-chain nhiều năm và thấy rằng sự không rõ ràng trong quy định đang bóp nghẹt DeFi hơn cả lỗi smart contract. Bài viết này đề xuất 7 hành động phi lập pháp mà các cơ quan Mỹ có thể làm ngay để hỗ trợ công nghệ phi tập trung.
1. SEC nên ngừng ‘quản lý bằng cách phạt’ Họ đã thu về 2.6 tỷ USD từ các vụ phạt crypto nhưng vẫn không chịu làm rõ phân loại tài sản số. Rõ ràng = thị trường hoạt động tốt, không phải khoa học tên lửa (dù một số bản nâng cấp Ethereum gần như vậy).
5. Để nhân viên chính phủ dùng crypto đi! Quy định năm 2022 cấm họ nắm giữ bất kỳ tài sản số nào - giống như cấm nhân viên Bộ Giao thông lái xe vậy.
Bạn nghĩ sao? Liệu Mỹ có ‘thức thời’ kịp không hay lại để Trung Quốc dẫn đầu?
