Ex-Obama Solicitor Accuses Regulators of Intentional Crypto Debanking

As an experienced analyst, I find Donald B. Verrilli’s perspective on the current state of crypto regulation in the United States particularly insightful. Having served as Solicitor General during the Obama Administration, Verrilli brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. His recent comments regarding the ongoing regulatory challenges facing the crypto industry are worth paying close attention to.


Donald B. Verrilli, who served as the Solicitor General during the Obama Administration and now works with Grayscale Investments, has shared his perspective on the current state of cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S. With a rich background in regulations, Verrilli’s insights, based on his extensive experience, could prove valuable as the regulatory landscape for crypto continues to evolve and grow more complex in the United States.

Eleanor Terrett of Fox Business reported on the views expressed by Neal Katyal (Verrilli), focusing on the ongoing controversy between Custodia Bank and the Federal Reserve. This disagreement revolves around the Federal Reserve’s denial to grant a Master Account to Custodia Bank, an action that could significantly impact the crypto sector as a whole. While the initial verdict favored the Federal Reserve, the legal battle is far from resolved.

Allegations of Deliberate Debanking of Crypto by Regulators

Expressing his apprehensions, Verrilli indicates that the United States Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) could have significantly contributed to the regulatory impasse regarding banks and cryptocurrencies. In a joint statement released with Paul Clement, who served as Solicitor General during the Bush administration, they disclosed that the OCC provided unofficial advice that substantially restricts banks from interacting with crypto companies. Labeled as informal, this guidance imposes demanding conditions for financial institutions seeking to enter the burgeoning crypto sector.

As a researcher studying the evolving political landscape surrounding cryptocurrency regulation, I’ve observed an intriguing development: The intervention by Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. and Paul Clement in a recent Supreme Court case serves as a notable sign that perspectives are shifting. These two legal heavyweights, who have previously found themselves on opposing sides in various Supreme Court disputes, now find common ground in their criticism of the current regulatory framework.

Due to increasing concerns over regulation, market analysts warn that the US may lose ground in the global cryptocurrency market if it fails to adopt more progressive regulatory policies.

Crypto Industry Unites

The SEC’s regulatory grip on the digital currency market remains firm due to ongoing legal battles between the commission and various parties involved.

Verrilli and Clement pointed out that major cryptocurrency exchanges continue to encounter legal hurdles. They specifically mentioned the notable case where Coinbase is suing both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Although Coinbase has shown significant resistance, the SEC remains unyielding in their pursuit of lawsuits against major players in the cryptocurrency sector, such as Ripple Labs, Uniswap, and ConsenSys. This regulatory clash has produced an unexpected sense of solidarity within the crypto community, with companies and supporters joining forces to safeguard the industry’s future.

One intriguing aspect of this story is that the cryptocurrency sector may be gearing up politically. A burgeoning alliance within the crypto community is making moves to impact the upcoming US elections. By backing politicians who have been supportive of cryptocurrencies, they hope to increase the number of pro-crypto representatives in Washington D.C. This calculated effort aims to pave the way for more lenient regulatory environments in the future.

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2024-07-05 11:54