Jillian Friedman, chief operating officer at Symbiotic, believes the biggest obstacle to crypto regulation has been political decision-making rather than a shortage of expertise among regulators. In a statement, Friedman highlighted that while technical knowledge exists, the lack of political will has stalled meaningful progress.
As cryptocurrencies become increasingly viewed as assets that can generate long-term value—as evidenced by the holdings of companies like Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ: MSTR)—regulation could evolve to catch up to these changing perspectives. Friedman noted that the growing institutional adoption signals a shift in perception, yet regulatory frameworks remain fragmented.
Friedman's comments come amid ongoing debates in the U.S. and globally about how to regulate digital assets. She emphasized that regulators have access to ample expertise from industry participants, but political inertia prevents the implementation of clear rules. "The technology is complex, but the solutions are not beyond our reach. What's missing is the courage to act," she said.
The Symbiotic COO also pointed to the recent moves by major corporations to hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets as a sign that the market is maturing. However, she warned that without regulatory clarity, innovation could migrate to more favorable jurisdictions. "We risk losing our competitive edge if we continue to drag our feet," Friedman added.
This perspective aligns with broader industry calls for regulatory clarity, which many argue would protect investors and foster innovation. The lack of a unified framework in the U.S., for example, has led to a patchwork of state-level regulations and conflicting guidance from federal agencies.
Friedman's remarks underscore a growing frustration within the crypto sector, where companies often face uncertainty when launching products or services. She urged policymakers to prioritize crypto regulation, noting that the window of opportunity may be closing as other countries move ahead with comprehensive legislation.
For more on the regulatory landscape, the full press release is available at CryptoCurrencyWire. The site, powered by IBN, provides ongoing coverage of blockchain and cryptocurrency developments.
