Uniswap, Kraken and other crypto companies are hiring well-connected Washington lobbyists or policy experts

Odaily Planet Daily News More and more cryptocurrency companies are looking for well-connected lobbyists or policy experts to strengthen their influence in Washington and keep in touch with the new digital asset-friendly government. Sam Geduldig, managing partner of Republican lobbying firm CGCN, said: "We had several conversations with cryptocurrency companies last year, but the number has risen sharply since the election. We are talking to companies who want to understand access and strategy every day." Cryptocurrency companies that have recently expressed interest in hiring lobbyists or policy experts include Uniswap, IOHK, Kraken, Jump Trading and Solana Foundation, according to people familiar with the matter. Many cryptocurrency companies are looking for candidates who can take advantage of their relationships with Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Riot Platforms Inc., a leading Bitcoin mining company, is recruiting public policy directors and managers, who will work under the leadership of Brian Morgenstern, the company's current head of Washington public policy. Morgenstern said: "We are looking for the person who knows the policy and the institutions or players on Capitol Hill the most. We just want to make sure we communicate with as many legislators as possible and meet with as many Trump administration officials as possible, while working with relevant committees in Congress and executive agencies, such as the presidential task force led by David Sacks." He added that Riot's policy priorities with the new administration include preventing debanking, developing market structure bills, and establishing strategic Bitcoin reserves, saying: "We want to leave no stone unturned." Some companies, such as decentralized cryptocurrency startup Ondo Finance, are hiring for their first policy positions. The responsibilities of the chief policy officer position at Ondo Finance include "building and maintaining relationships with government regulators, including regulators from agencies such as the SEC, CFTC, and the Treasury Department." Crypto wallet company Exodus recently hired Tim Hite as its first policy director, who served as a senior advisor to the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion. Other companies are also building their own teams. Last October, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken hired Michael Lukso as director of policy and government relations for the Americas, while stablecoin issuer Circle recently posted a position for a senior manager of global policy and government affairs. The job description specifically states that the position's responsibilities include building and maintaining "strong relationships with Republican lawmakers and key staff." (Bloomberg)