Yuval Rooz, co-founder and CEO of Digital Asset, wants the crypto industry to move fast while conditions are favorable. His argument is that if blockchain becomes widely used enough, a future administration will struggle to undo it.
Build Now, Before 2028
Speaking at Token2049 in Singapore, Rooz said the industry should push blockchain adoption so far that, whatever happens in 2028, “there is no going back.” The next US presidential election, which could change the administration and its regulatory priorities, is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2028. His point is that the current environment is a window, and institutional adoption is the way to take advantage of it.
The Uber and Airbnb Playbook
Rooz compared the opportunity to Uber and Airbnb. In his view, both services became entrenched before lawmakers could effectively restrict them. “By the time people got their act together and decided, OK, we wanna legislate against those companies, it was too late,” he said. The implication is that deep integration into everyday financial activity is a stronger defense than any single law.
CLARITY Act Stalls in the Senate
The remarks follow a setback in Washington. The CLARITY Act failed to advance in a Senate procedural vote in September. Regulators have kept going without it. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have pushed ahead with crypto rules under their existing authority.
Panelists Split on the Role of Legislation
Others on the same panel were less willing to give up on the bill. Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said he still hopes the CLARITY Act becomes law. He argued that legislation could prevent regulatory backtracking and encourage institutions to enter the market. He called the possibility of reversing current progress “the biggest fear” for the industry.
Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson took a more cautious line. She agreed that legislation would offer greater certainty, but said the industry should not count on the bill passing. In her view, the SEC and CFTC are already working to provide clarity, which lets innovation and institutional adoption continue.
What to Watch
The three executives agree on the goal of keeping institutional momentum going, but they disagree on how much to rely on Congress. The first test is whether the SEC and CFTC can deliver durable rules without new law. The second is whether adoption grows fast enough by 2028 to make a policy reversal costly. Rules written by agencies can be changed by a new administration more easily than statutes, which is the risk Teng pointed to.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
