Solana Co-Founder Urges Congress: Regulate Crypto To Retain America’s Rising Innovators

In a recent interview with Fortune Magazine, Anatoly Yakovenko, renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of Solana, emphasized the urgent need for regulatory clarity in the blockchain industry to attract and retain top talent in the United States. 

Yakovenko, who experienced the stark contrast between limited opportunities under Soviet rule and other possibilities in America, believes that a well-functioning economy should not penalize an entire industry for the actions of a few bad actors.

Solana Co-founder Demands US Congress To Take Action

Per the report, Yakovenko’s passion for fostering innovation led him to co-found Solana, a blockchain platform designed for global accessibility and decentralization. He envisions a future where everyone has equal access to an open and interoperable global network, free from the control of any single entity. 

However, Yakovenko highlights the challenges aspiring blockchain entrepreneurs face who struggle to navigate the complex legal landscape to make their companies compliant.

Unlike traditional startups that can incorporate for a modest fee, blockchain companies invest significant time, energy, and financial resources to structure their businesses compliantly. 

The absence of clear rules and the daunting legal uncertainties deter young entrepreneurs, who witness even large, established companies grappling with regulatory complexities. 

As a result, more founders are choosing to leave the United States, seeking jurisdictions with more favorable regulatory environments.

According to Fortune Magazine, the US saw a decline from hosting 42% of the world’s open-source blockchain developers in 2018 to 29% by 2022—a concerning trend that threatens America’s technological leadership. 

Given these developments, Solana’s co-founder urges Congress to provide a coherent regulatory framework that protects consumers, encourages entrepreneurship, and aligns with American values. Yakovenko further claimed:

The bills aren’t perfect. No legislation is. As a country and industry, we cannot let perfect be the enemy of the good. Congress must continue stewarding these efforts to protect American technological leadership, provide important market protections, and promote a free and open internet.

Yakovenko commends the bipartisan efforts of Congressional committees in advancing key legislation to establish regulatory frameworks for digital assets and stablecoins. 

Although these bills may not be perfect, he emphasizes the importance of not letting perfection become the enemy of progress. Yakovenko calls for legislators from both chambers to take these proposals seriously, collaborate to improve them and enact them into law.

Yakovenko Calls For Blockchain Adoption And Investment

Beyond legislation, Solana’s co-founder advocates for government investment in blockchain research and development, drawing inspiration from historical examples where the US government initially nurtured transformative technologies like GPS, rockets, and the internet. 

Yakovenko urges policymakers to familiarize themselves with blockchain technology by experimenting with it and exploring its potential applications, even suggesting leveraging the speed and cost-effectiveness of cryptocurrencies for humanitarian relief efforts and decentralized communication networks.

Yakovenko invites policymakers to engage in an open conversation about web3, its immense potential, and its challenges. 

Overall, by providing regulatory clarity, promoting research and development, and supporting blockchain entrepreneurs, Solana co-founder believes that the US government can ensure that builders continue to innovate and thrive on American soil, safeguarding the country’s technological leadership in the digital age.

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView.com