- Top crypto CEOs (Coinbase, Ripple, Uniswap, etc.) will meet with pro-crypto Senate Democrats.
- Talks follow industry pushback against a leaked Democratic proposal.
- While no breakthroughs are expected, the meeting is seen as a key step in resetting U.S. crypto regulation talks.
A group of prominent crypto industry executives is set to meet with pro-crypto Senate Democrats this Wednesday in a closed-door roundtable aimed at discussing long-awaited market structure legislation and the path forward for digital asset regulation.
The meeting, led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), comes at a critical time as bipartisan negotiations appear to have stalled following backlash over a leaked Democratic proposal focused on decentralized finance (DeFi).
Who’s Attending: A Cross-Section of Crypto Leadership
According to journalist Eleanor Terrett, formerly of Fox Business, the attendee list includes several high-profile figures from the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector:
- Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase
- Sergey Nazarov, CEO of Chainlink
- Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital
- David Ripley, CEO of Kraken
- Hayden Adams, CEO of Uniswap
- Kristin Smith, President of the Solana Policy Institute
- Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer at Circle
- Stuart Alderoty, Chief Legal Officer of Ripple
- Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal Officer of Jito
- Miles Jennings, General Counsel at a16z Crypto
Terrett notes that additional participants may be added as the meeting draws near.
Also Read: Pundit: ‘Institutions are Fighting Over XRP, Not Enough to Go Round’
🚨SCOOP: These crypto C-suites are expected to attend a roundtable with pro-crypto Senate Democrats on Wednesday to discuss market structure legislation and the path forward:
📌Coinbase CEO @brian_armstrong
📌Chainlink CEO @SergeyNazarov
📌Galaxy CEO @novogratz
📌Kraken CEO…
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) October 20, 2025
DeFi Proposal Sparks Industry Pushback
The roundtable follows a tense period in Capitol Hill negotiations, where Democratic lawmakers are seeking to revive talks on comprehensive crypto legislation. However, progress has been hindered by industry criticism over a recently leaked draft proposal that would give U.S. regulators broad oversight of DeFi protocols.
Sources close to the discussions suggest that the backlash from both crypto advocates and Republican lawmakers has complicated efforts to find common ground on market structure reforms, a key priority for many in the industry seeking clarity and stability in U.S. regulation.
A Potential Reset in the Regulatory Dialogue
The upcoming meeting signals an attempt by pro-crypto Democrats to re-engage with the industry and reset the tone of legislative discussions.
With leaders from centralized exchanges, DeFi platforms, stablecoin issuers, venture firms, and blockchain foundations expected in attendance, the roundtable represents one of the most comprehensive public-private crypto policy conversations in recent months.
Observers say the presence of figures like Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong and Ripple’s Stuart Alderoty underscores how seriously the industry is taking the current regulatory moment.
With the 2026 midterms approaching and increasing global competition in digital asset innovation, U.S. lawmakers face mounting pressure to finalize a regulatory framework that supports growth while addressing risks in the crypto economy.
The outcome of this roundtable could help shape the trajectory of legislative efforts for the remainder of the congressional session.
Final Thoughts
While no immediate legislative breakthroughs are expected from Wednesday’s roundtable, the gathering marks a crucial step in reopening dialogue between policymakers and the crypto industry. Whether this leads to tangible progress or further political gridlock remains to be seen.
Also Read: XRP Holders Urged to Secure Assets as Analyst Issues Critical Warning
