- Coinbase adds ex-Senator Sinema and Trump strategist to boost crypto political clout amid SEC battles.
- Coinbase leverages new advisors to counter offshore rivals, blending regulatory expertise with election-year strategy.
Coinbase appointed four new members to its Global Advisory Council: former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, political strategist Chris LaCivita, ex-New York Fed President Bill Dudley, and international finance leader Luis Alberto Moreno.
The council advises Coinbase executives on regulatory, political, and economic challenges. These additions expand the group to 16 members, including former UK Chancellor George Osborne and former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Kyrsten Sinema, who helped draft bipartisan laws on infrastructure and semiconductor funding, stated her focus on modernizing finance through crypto. Chris LaCivita, co-campaign manager for Donald Trump’s 2025 bid, linked his role to advancing U.S. crypto leadership under a “pro-crypto administration.”
Bill Dudley emphasized integrating crypto into traditional finance with regulatory oversight. Luis Alberto Moreno highlighted crypto’s potential to lower financial access barriers globally.
“Crypto removes burdensome financial barriers for people across the globe. I’m looking forward to working with Coinbase to unlock crypto’s potential and help increase economic freedom for all,” Moreno said.
Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad said the council provides insights to address shifting regulations. The group collaborates with Coinbase’s academic advisory panel, which includes former regulators. The expansion follows Coinbase’s ongoing legal disputes with the SEC over crypto asset classifications.
The company cited a survey claiming 90% of Americans support financial system updates, aligning with its advocacy for clearer crypto rules. Sinema’s legislative experience includes election reform and gun safety laws.
LaCivita serves as Chief of Staff for the Republican National Committee, blending political strategy with crypto policy goals.
“The crypto industry deserves better than what it received from the previous administration. I look forward to working with Coinbase as our country transitions into a new political era–led by the first-ever pro-crypto president, and most pro-crypto administration and Congress in history–to help make America a crypto leader on the world stage,” said LaCivita.
Dudley’s tenure at the New York Fed and Moreno’s 15-year leadership at the InterAmerican Development Bank add economic and global perspectives.
“I believe we’ve reached a pivotal moment in crypto’s evolution where smart political leadership and trusted, thoughtful business counterparts like Coinbase can ensure it is integrated into our financial system in a safe and beneficial way for Americans,” Dudley said.
Coinbase faces competition from offshore exchanges operating under less stringent regulations. The advisory council’s bipartisan makeup reflects efforts to engage U.S. lawmakers across party lines, mirroring strategies by rivals like Binance. U.S. crypto legislation remains stalled in Congress, increasing reliance on industry-led policy input.