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A new pro-crypto stance in Washington has sparked optimism across the digital asset landscape.

Roundtable anchor, Rob Nelson, and Johann Kerbrat, Head of Crypto at Robinhood, discussed how the incoming administration, with leaders supportive of cryptocurrency, could reshape the regulatory framework for the industry.

Kerbrat highlighted the challenges of the past four years, noting that “regulation by enforcement” has been a persistent roadblock for the industry. He expressed hope that the new administration's pro-crypto messaging signals a shift toward collaborative regulation.

“I think what is going to happen is instead of driving the crypto companies out of the U.S., we are going to start seeing an influx bag of people coming back from outside of the U.S. to build within the U.S.,” he said.

Nelson emphasized the need for clear guidelines, agreeing with Kerbrat that the lack of a defined framework has been detrimental. “Tell us what the framework is, don’t decide after the fact,” Nelson urged, pointing to the necessity of proactive rather than reactive regulation.

Kerbrat underscored the importance of customer protection in any regulatory approach. He pointed to past crypto scandals like Mt. Gox and FTX, arguing that clearer rules could have mitigated such crises. “Having a framework that says you cannot custody assets without having multiple people involved for any fund movement, or you cannot commingle funds between firm and customer assets” would be instrumental, he explained.

Kerbrat also noted Robinhood’s experience navigating regulation, saying, “We’re not against regulators or regulations. Robinhood is regulated by multiple regulators.” He emphasized the importance of a well-defined framework to foster innovation while ensuring compliance.

As the industry anticipates the incoming administration , both speakers agree that constructive regulation could be transformative. “We are really at the disposition of the regulatory and the administration to help draft any bill or anything that can help the industry move forward,” Kerbrat concluded, signaling optimism for a new era of crypto regulation in the United States.