Coinbase CEO Declares Crypto Legislation an Unstoppable ’Freight Train’ Momentum

Crypto's regulatory dam is breaking—and Coinbase's chief sees a tidal wave coming.

Legislation Gains Steam

Brian Armstrong isn't just optimistic; he's calling it. Regulatory frameworks for digital assets are charging ahead with freight train intensity, bypassing traditional bureaucratic gridlock. The push isn't slowing down—it's accelerating.

Market Impact

Clear rules mean institutional money stops hesitating and starts flowing. Wall Street's favorite excuse—'regulatory uncertainty'—gets bulldozed. Suddenly, crypto's not the wild west anymore; it's the new frontier with signposts.

Finance's Ironic Twist

Banks that once dismissed crypto now scramble to draft legislation that—surprise—favors their own digital asset desks. Because nothing says innovation like legacy players writing the rulebook. Classic finance move: if you can't beat 'em, regulate 'em.

Bottom line: legislation isn't just coming; it's already left the station. And this train isn't making stops for skeptics.

Kraken CEO urges bill to protect crypto builders

Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi emphasized the need to prioritize developers and innovators in the bill’s framework. During the talks, Sethi advocated for protections that extend to protocols, blockchains, memes, tokenized equities, and other utilities. 

“Thank you to everyone in DC fighting for crypto’s future. But the real fight is bigger: protecting the right to build protocols, chains, memes, tokenized equities, commodities, utilities, etc., and ensuring incentives stay with the builders, not just incumbents,” he posted on X.

Momentum builds for bitcoin reserve 

Separately, momentum is building around a proposed national Bitcoin reserve. On Tuesday, August 16, 2025, 18 crypto leaders, including MicroStrategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, met U.S. lawmakers and had a productive meeting to talk about creating a national Bitcoin reserve backed by the Trump administration at Capitol Hill. 

They discussed the bitcoin Act, a proposal from Senator Cynthia Lummis, which aims to have the U.S. government buy one million Bitcoin over five years without adding to the national budget. 

To fund this, they suggested ideas like revaluing the Treasury’s Gold certificates or using money from tariffs. These efforts indicate the crypto industry’s push to grow in the U.S. while competing globally. 

Lawmakers are working more closely with the industry, which is a positive change, but the bill still needs to pass through committees and votes to become law. For now, crypto leaders see these discussions as an important step forward.

Also Read: UK FCA to Relax Crypto Rules, Boost Cyber Laws: FT