a16z's Brian Quintenz: Congress must provide clarity where the SEC won't

Regulation • July 21, 2023, 9:01AM EDT
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Quick Take

  • Former CFTC Commissioner and a16z crypto’s Global Head of Policy, Brian Quintenz, says now is the time for Congress to develop a clear crypto legislative framework in response to the SEC’s inaction.

Episode 67 of Season 5 of The Scoop was recorded with The Block's Frank Chaparro, and a16z crypto's Global Head of Policy Brian Quintenz

Listen below, and subscribe to The Scoop on Youtube, Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please send feedback and revision requests to [email protected].

Brian Quintenz is the Global Head of Policy at a16z crypto and a former commissioner at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

In this episode, Quintenz explains how the SEC's failure to issue updated guidance for the crypto industry has created a legislative opportunity for clarity.

According to Quintenz, "Congress needs to show the way by creating the framework that the SEC is refusing to contemplate."

Outline:

0:36 Policy & regulation overview

2:43 Securities v. commodities

06:37 Registered securities

11:58 Special Purpose Broker-Dealers

14:49 a16z’s policy uutlook

18:34 Ponzi schemes

21:31 CeFi regulation

27:16 Lummis x Gillibrand’s crypto bill

30:30 Token decentralization

32:32 Legislative hurdles


© 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

AUTHOR

Davis Quinton profile picture Davis Quinton

Davis Quinton is the Director of Podcasts at The Block and runs our flagship podcast called The Scoop, hosted by Frank Chaparro. Since joining The Block as an 'intern' in early 2022, he has worked closely with leaders across departments to translate The Block's written content into engaging multimedia formats. He holds a degree in Social Research & Public Policy from New York University in Abu Dhabi and is based in Sydney, Australia.

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AUTHOR

Frank Chaparro profile picture Frank Chaparro

Frank Chaparro is Host of The Scoop podcast and Director of Special Projects. He also writes a biweekly newsletter. Chaparro started his career at Business Insider, where he specialized in the intersection of digital assets and Wall Street, market structure, and financial technology. Soon after joining Business Insider out of Fordham University, Chaparro was interviewing top finance and tech executives, including billionaire Mark Cuban, “Flash Boys” star Brad Katsuyama, Cboe Global Markets CEO Ed Tilly, and New York Stock Exchange President Tom Farley. In 2018, he become a sought after reporter in the crypto world, interviewing luminaries such as Tyler Winklevoss, the cofounder of Gemini, Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of Circle, and Fundstrat head Tom Lee. For inquiries or tips, email [email protected].

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Editor

To contact the editor of this story: Adam James at [email protected]

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