Crypto Titans Unite: New Nonprofit Pushes to Reshape Washington’s Stance on Blockchain & AI

Power players across crypto and tech just launched a major lobbying force—aiming to rewrite the rulebook on emerging tech in DC.

Why it matters: Regulatory uncertainty has long haunted both blockchain and artificial intelligence. This move signals industry leaders won't wait around for outdated policies to catch up.

The strategy: Deploy top talent and serious capital to educate lawmakers, counter misinformation, and draft model legislation that actually understands how these technologies work.

Between the lines: It's not just about defense anymore. This coalition wants to go on offense—framing crypto and AI as essential to national competitiveness rather than just risks to manage.

The bottom line: While DC bureaucrats debate filing procedures, billion-dollar industries keep evolving at lightspeed. Maybe this time they'll actually read the briefing memos before the next market meltdown—or miracle.

Mission and Structure of the American Innovation Project

Kristin Smith, president of the solana Policy Institute, will lead AIP as president. In a statement, Smith explained that the nonprofit’s objective is to provide legislators with “the knowledge, context, and tools they need as they consider timely rules and regulations that meet the moment.”

She emphasized that the group intends to promote bipartisan dialogue, bridging political divides to ensure regulatory decisions keep pace with rapid technological change.

AIP plans to host a series of events, including workshops and roundtable discussions, designed to translate complex technological developments into accessible policy discussions.

These gatherings will cover a broad range of topics, from the regulatory treatment of stablecoins to the implications of AI in financial services and national competitiveness. By engaging experts across sectors, AIP hopes to position itself as a central resource for government officials.

The organization has secured seed funding from the Cedar Innovation Foundation, along with a $1 million contribution from Digital Currency Group.

Mark Murphy, president of DCG, highlighted the initiative’s importance, stating that “the future of the U.S. economy will be shaped by the choices we make today in developing emerging technologies.”

Policy Context and Industry Backing

The launch of AIP comes at a moment of heightened activity in Washington regarding digital asset regulation. In recent months, lawmakers have advanced significant bills addressing cryptocurrency oversight.

Last month, President Donald signed legislation establishing a federal framework for stablecoins, while the House of Representatives passed a comprehensive measure to regulate the crypto industry more broadly.

Meanwhile, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has begun “Project Crypto,” an initiative to update the agency’s rules governing custody, trading, and token distributions.

Against this backdrop, AIP’s efforts to improve dialogue between the private sector and policymakers highlight the growing recognition that effective regulation requires technical fluency.

Its founding supporters represent a cross-section of the digital asset ecosystem, from exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken to venture firms such as Paradigm, as well as associations like the National Cryptocurrency Association.

Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView