CoinDesk Podcast Network Sen. Gillibrand: Lawmakers Issuing Crypto Is ‘Against the Constitution’
May 8, 2026
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a U.S. senator active on digital asset policy and co-author of major crypto bills, argues for ethics limits on officials issuing or promoting crypto. She discusses stablecoin rulemaking, market-structure optimism before midterms, a new prediction markets bill, and balancing developer protections with illicit finance enforcement.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Ban Officials From Issuing Or Promoting Crypto
- Lawmakers and senior officials must be banned from issuing or promoting crypto to avoid conflicts of interest and misuse of power.
- Kirsten Gillibrand argues such participation violates ethics, campaign finance laws, and the Constitution because officials have disproportionate influence and inside information.
Balance Developer Protections With Illicit Finance Tools
- Protect builders and coders while ensuring tools exist to combat illicit finance and terror financing in crypto regulation.
- Gillibrand says clarity in law and coordination with FinCEN will let developers innovate while preventing misuse, citing Tornado Cash and Samurai Wallet concerns.
Voter Backlash Drives Bipartisan Ethics Push
- Voters across parties strongly oppose administration officials holding crypto while making crypto policy, creating bipartisan pressure for ethics rules.
- Gillibrand cites a CoinDesk poll showing >70% of voters don't want officials holding crypto and plans to meet the White House to press the issue.