In under 50 days since the inauguration of the Trump administration, the cryptocurrency market has seen notable changes driven by Bitcoin price fluctuations and shifting narratives in the industry. Crypto.news engaged with prominent women leaders in blockchain and cryptocurrency firms to gather their insights on these developments, diving deeper into their perspectives.
Rachel Conlan, Global CMO, Binance
Rachel Conlan began by highlighting Binance’s remarkable growth trajectory, fueled by an increase in cryptocurrency adoption and heightened institutional interest in the U.S. She reported that in Latin America, Binance experienced an astonishing 116% surge in crypto adoption in 2024, totaling 55 million users.
It is expected that 95% of these users will increase their holdings in 2025, as Binance aims to surpass 250 million registered users. The exchange is optimistic about attracting 1 billion users, anticipating favorable regulatory changes and more institutional participation in the U.S.
During the interview, Conlan mentioned:
“The pro-crypto position of U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked renewed global interest, potentially acting as a catalyst for improved adoption and regulatory clarity. The approval of Bitcoin ETFs is likely to boost investor confidence, placing Binance in a strong position to meet the growing demand in the market and reinforce its reputation as a preferred platform for retail and institutional users.”
Regarding the present Bitcoin price cycle and the notable discussion surrounding memecoins, Conlan stated:
“Memecoins have undoubtedly lowered the barriers for newcomers to crypto trading, attracting a varied audience through their viral nature and community-driven stories. While certain memecoins may disappear with market shifts, the industry has moved beyond being merely a trend.”
The CMO pointed out that only a select few memecoin projects have diversified their ecosystems, implementing features such as staking and decentralized exchanges, suggesting a shift towards sustainability. With an increase in institutional interest, these assets could soon gain recognition as a legitimate asset class, she proposed.
“Memecoins could continue to serve a crucial role in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, acting as both a gateway for new investors and a driver for heightened crypto adoption.”
When asked about ETF approvals for 2025 and the likelihood of Dogecoin, Cardano, XRP, and Solana ETFs being approved in the first half of this year, Conlan conveyed optimism.
“With increasing institutional interest and clearer regulations, there exists a positive sentiment within the industry regarding the potential expansion of ETF offerings to include other major digital assets like Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), XRP, and Cardano (ADA). The approval of such ETFs would represent a significant advancement in the broader institutional acceptance of crypto, increasing liquidity and trust for these assets. However, these approvals will likely depend on the evolving SEC policies and current market conditions.”
According to Binance’s CMO, Trump’s Strategic Crypto Reserve and related executive actions have ignited important discussions about the future roles of digital assets in finance. She emphasized that this initiative demonstrates a developing recognition of cryptocurrencies as a strategic asset class and highlighted the necessity for the U.S. to retain its leadership in blockchain technology advancement.
“Although the proposal for establishing a Strategic Crypto Reserve is the subject of significant discussions in Congress, we are hopeful for constructive dialogue among policymakers, regulators, and industry representatives. Collaborative efforts could help to cultivate a framework that ensures security, stability, and economic benefits for all.
As global interest in digital assets continues to grow, nations are assessing regulatory frameworks that align best with their markets. We look forward to policies that support technological progress while balancing market needs and regulation, thereby fostering a more stable and healthy environment for the entire sector,” she remarked.
Expanding on her views regarding the Strategic Crypto Reserve, Rachel shared with Crypto.news:
“If successfully implemented, such a measure could boost both institutional and retail engagement, further solidifying crypto’s status as a mainstream financial asset. Binance is prepared to facilitate this evolution by ensuring liquidity, security, and accessibility for traders globally.
This could signify a pivotal moment for the sector, and Binance is enthusiastic about leveraging its expertise to foster crypto adoption. A clear regulatory framework, engagement with governmental entities, and increased confidence from institutions will be crucial in shaping the future landscape of digital assets, and Binance stands ready to assist this transition on a global scale.”
Chrissy Hill, Chief Counsel/Interim COO, Parity Technologies
Crypto.news engaged Chrissy Hill from Parity.io, a significant player in blockchain infrastructure known for developing Polkadot. Hill shared her insights on the landmark White House Crypto Summit event, U.S. regulatory frameworks, Polkadot’s activities, and the rise in institutional crypto adoption.
Hill views Trump’s White House Crypto Summit as “the highest level of political support for the crypto sector.” Discussing the Strategic Crypto Reserve, she explained how centralization versus decentralization profoundly impacts token choices, describing the announcement as a “Geopolitical driver.”
Hill remarked:
“The U.S. positions itself as a forward-thinking leader in the digital space, with the initial token selections (like Cardano and Solana) reflecting the ‘Made in USA’ idea. The door remains open for other tokens to be included in the strategic reserve.”
When asked about the upcoming SEC crypto roundtable and the changes in the regulator’s approach to litigation against crypto companies and exchanges, Hill emphasized the important contributions of all three branches of government—the executive, legislative, and judicial—in shaping crypto policy.
“The timeline for crypto legislation (such as the Genius Act and Fit 21) has been postponed until year-end. It is critical to educate lawmakers on the fundamentals of digital assets, and the Polkadot Blockchain Academy will pilot a program in the UK in April, with aspirations for a global rollout.”
In discussing SEC guidance regarding memecoins, Parity’s Chief Counsel mentioned that while it provides some clarity, it does not address the speculative nature of these tokens. Hill advises investors to conduct thorough research before investing in memecoins.
Hill concluded the interview by delving into Polkadot’s technology and roadmap for 2025, stating, “The focus is on creating a multi-chain ecosystem that prioritizes interoperability, scalability, and security. The project’s long-term vision centers on innovation and Web3 principles, aiming to attract a diverse range of stakeholders, including builders, users, institutions, and governments.”
Hill is confident that altcoins could garner institutional attention similar to that directed toward Bitcoin treasury holdings and ETF investments. Parity’s interim COO regards the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly appointments (such as Jonathan Gould to OCC) as significant factors in potentially setting global standards in jurisdictions like the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, which are currently reviewing crypto regulations.
Chrissy encourages women in the crypto sector to approach new fields with curiosity and open-mindedness. She quoted Sun Tzu during her dialogue with Crypto.news, stating,
“Opportunities multiply as you seize them – Sun Tzu.”
Hill motivates women to acknowledge the abundant opportunities available in the digital landscape (such as blockchain, AI, robotics, IoT) and to fearlessly explore new territories, noting that we are all beginning at a similar baseline.
Kyla Curley, Certified Cryptocurrency Forensic Investigator and Partner, StoneTurn
Kyla Curley, a specialist in crypto forensic investigation, has over twenty years of experience in financial investigations and business litigation. She discussed her expectations for the upcoming SEC crypto roundtable, U.S. crypto regulations, memecoins, and institutional interest in crypto with Crypto.news.
Curley does not foresee a considerable decrease in litigation against crypto firms, even as the SEC softens its stance towards exchanges and withdraws lawsuits. She commented:
“There is no doubt that the Trump Administration, with the SEC acting as its ally, has adopted a welcoming strategy toward the crypto sector from the beginning. The Administration has suspended certain enforcement actions and policies; however, the core problem remains: fraud undermines businesses, and the industry wants to work with the Administration to ensure a conducive business atmosphere. As such, the SEC is likely to support innovation, enabling crypto to progress in the financial ecosystem. Nevertheless, significant declines in litigation will probably not occur if legitimate enforcement is necessary.
Ultimately, trust in market security heavily influences U.S. consumer and investor demand for crypto. A poorly regulated market lacking protective mechanisms will compel consumers and investors towards safer, more regulated alternatives.”
Reflecting on the pace of crypto regulation and litigation from the U.S. financial regulator, the StoneTurn partner stated:
“The previous SEC Chair adopted a ‘regulation by enforcement’ approach, which might have aimed to establish industry standards but resulted in increased litigation, ultimately driving some crypto investments away from the U.S. The Trump Administration expresses a desire to strike a balance in crypto regulation.
We have already witnessed movement with SEC guidance in January, specifically Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 122, which removed a significant barrier preventing widespread adoption of crypto and digital assets. SAB 122 repealed a widely criticized reporting requirement set forth in SAB 121 that imposed significant and often impractical standards on financial institutions aiming to custody digital assets for their clients.”
Curley sees no intrinsic value in memecoins, advising traders about these speculative tokens and the latest SEC guidance:
“Generally speaking, memecoins lack intrinsic value, so those initiating these projects should be aware of entering a highly volatile landscape that can easily sway with public opinion, making it more susceptible to market manipulation. A single social media post can affect prices, with larger audiences causing more pronounced impacts on the token.”
As traditional financial institutions begin to adopt crypto, Curley added:
“As I mentioned earlier, businesses are not fans of fraud. I believe traditional financial ‘gatekeepers’ recognize crypto’s inherent value, yet have historically been cautious due to poor business practices prevailing in the sector.
If a balance between innovation and regulation is achieved, major financial entities are poised to further engage with crypto in 2025 and beyond.”
Agne Linge, Head of Growth, WeFi
Linge acknowledges the volatility pervasive in the crypto market, contemplating traders’ sentiments and unmet expectations regarding the U.S. Strategic Crypto Reserve. Linge shared with Crypto.news:
“The existing tariff and trade disputes have continued to challenge the U.S. stock market, thereby affecting high-risk assets like Bitcoin. Despite President Trump’s deferral of tariffs on Mexico, investors still perceive the market as excessively risky.
The suboptimal Strategic Bitcoin Reserve initiative has created uncertainty within the crypto market. With the Executive Order requiring the consolidation of seized Bitcoin to form the reserve, crypto investors regard this move as suspect since no new BTC acquisitions have been revealed.”
Linge underscores that despite initial investor reactions, the Bitcoin reserve initiative permits the purchase of BTC through avenues that will not financially burden taxpayers.
She elaborated:
“Possible strategies include Bitcoin bonds and liquidating a portion of gold reserves to fund further purchases. In the long run, the realignment of the Bitcoin reserve may yield benefits for the asset. This hypothesis rests on the potential for a competitive race that may encourage other sovereign nations to adopt similar strategies.
Rather than attempting to predict long-term pricing, investors are currently focused on the non-farm payroll report, which will provide critical insights into the Federal Reserve’s future monetary policies, significantly influencing investor confidence.”
Well-versed in the cryptocurrency market, Linge has navigated previous cycles of significant volatility. She notes that the recent wave of crypto liquidations and the Bitcoin flash crash have highlighted the evident market uncertainty:
“Despite the price swings, confidence in sustainable growth for the near term remains weak, as profound challenges are present. Regardless of the market’s long-term perspective, the pressures from this week’s events, tariff announcements, the Crypto Summit, and the upcoming FTX repayments should not be overlooked and could incite further volatility in the days to come,” she commented.
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not represent the views and opinions of crypto.news’ editorial.
