How Coinme Cracks the Code: Non-Regulated Web3 Firms Legally Conquer the U.S. Market

Web3 startups face a brutal reality: the U.S. regulatory gauntlet can crush innovation before it begins. Coinme’s legal framework tosses those roadblocks aside—letting decentralized projects tap into the world’s largest economy without bending to archaic rules.

Breaking Down the Barrier

Most crypto firms hit a wall when targeting U.S. users. SEC scrutiny, money transmitter licenses, state-by-state compliance—it’s a minefield. Coinme’s solution? A compliant gateway that lets non-regulated Web3 companies operate legally, no bureaucratic gymnastics required.

The Fine Print (That Actually Works)

Forget vague promises. Coinme’s model hinges on strategic partnerships with fully licensed entities, wrapping decentralized projects in regulatory armor. It’s not a loophole—it’s a bridge. And Wall Street’s compliance officers are already sweating over it.

Why This Changes Everything

The U.S. crypto market isn’t just big—it’s the golden goose. Projects that bypass the legal headache gain instant access to liquidity, users, and credibility. Meanwhile, traditional finance keeps playing catch-up, clinging to paperwork like it’s still the 1980s.

Final Take: Coinme didn’t just open a door. They blew a hole in the regulatory firewall—and Web3 companies are storming through. The suits won’t like it, but innovation doesn’t wait for permission.

The Licensing Labyrinth Web3 Companies Face

Money transmitter regulations create a particularly acute challenge for Web3 companies because each state maintains its own definitions and requirements. Each state has its own definitions and regulations. For example, some states don’t regulate transactions if they only involve digital assets, while others do. This fragmented approach forces companies to navigate 50 different regulatory frameworks simultaneously.

Activities such as exchanging, transferring, or holding cryptocurrencies on behalf of others may classify a company as a money transmitter under US law. The scope extends beyond traditional exchanges to include decentralized finance platforms, custodial wallet services, and payment processors that handle cryptocurrency transactions. Companies must register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) at the federal level while obtaining individual state licenses, each requiring surety bonds ranging from $50,000 to several million dollars.

The timeline compounds the complexity. Obtaining a money transmitter license is a multistep process that can take several months or longer to complete. During this period, companies cannot legally operate, creating a catch-22 where businesses need revenue to fund compliance costs but cannot generate revenue without compliance approval.

Coinme’s Compliance Infrastructure Solution

Neil Bergquist recognized this regulatory challenge from the beginning when he co-founded Coinme in 2014. “Coinme has always prioritized regulatory compliance — we’ve never believed in the ethos of tech companies like Facebook and Uber, which is to break things and fix them later,” Neil Bergquist said during a recent interview. “From day one, we’ve worked with regulators to ensure that our business complies with state and federal regulations.”

Coinme operates in 48 states, creating a comprehensive compliance infrastructure that other companies can access through its Crypto-as-a-Service platform. This approach allows Web3 companies to offer cryptocurrency buying, selling, and cash integration without building their own regulatory framework from scratch. The model transforms Coinme from a direct competitor into an enabler of the broader ecosystem.

The company’s API infrastructure handles the complex regulatory requirements while providing customizable crypto on and off-ramp solutions to partners. Rather than each Web3 company spending months or years obtaining licenses, they can integrate with Coinme’s existing infrastructure and begin operating immediately under established compliance protocols. This approach particularly benefits international companies seeking U.S. market access and domestic startups lacking the capital for comprehensive licensing.

“We see ourselves as having all the ingredients to let the partner make whatever amazing dish they want to create for their customer,” Neil Bergquist explained during a Status Labs interview. The infrastructure covers know-your-customer (KYC) compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) monitoring, and transaction reporting requirements that money transmitters must maintain.

Regulatory Momentum Under New Administration

The regulatory environment has shifted dramatically in 2025 under the TRUMP administration’s pro-cryptocurrency policies. President Trump signed an executive order to “establish regulatory clarity” for crypto assets, creating a Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets tasked with developing comprehensive federal frameworks.

The working group, which will include the Treasury secretary, chairs of the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission, along with other agency heads, is tasked with developing a regulatory framework for digital assets. This federal coordination could reduce the current state-by-state licensing complexity that creates barriers for Web3 companies.

The administration has also addressed banking access challenges that have historically plagued cryptocurrency companies. The order also ordered that banking services for crypto companies be protected, alluding to industry claims that U.S. regulators have directed lenders to cut crypto companies off from banking services. This development could significantly reduce operational costs for companies operating in the space.

Neil Bergquist’s compliance-first approach positions Coinme advantageously in this changing regulatory landscape. The company’s existing licenses and established regulatory relationships provide immediate benefits to partners while the federal framework develops. As regulatory clarity increases, Coinme’s infrastructure becomes increasingly valuable for companies seeking rapid, compliant market entry.

Coinme’s model demonstrates how an established compliance infrastructure can accelerate innovation by removing regulatory barriers. Rather than each company rebuilding the same compliance systems, they can focus resources on product development and user experience while leveraging proven regulatory frameworks. This approach could accelerate mainstream Web3 adoption by making regulatory compliance accessible rather than prohibitive.

The combination of Coinme’s comprehensive licensing, the Trump administration’s regulatory reforms, and growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency creates an unprecedented opportunity for Web3 companies to access the U.S. market through established compliance channels rather than managing the complex licensing process independently. Neil Bergquist’s decade-long focus on regulatory cooperation has positioned his company as a crucial bridge between innovative Web3 technologies and U.S. market access.