Jillian Friedman, chief operating officer at Symbiotic, believes the biggest obstacle to crypto regulation has been political decision-making rather than a shortage of expertise among regulators.
Friedman noted that many government agencies have spent years developing a strong understanding of blockchain technology, decentralized finance, and digital assets. Even so, she noted that adoption by major financial institutions has advanced far more slowly than many early industry participants predicted, despite increasing legal certainty.
Friedman entered the cryptocurrency sector in 2014 after launching a law firm dedicated to serving blockchain businesses. At that time, Bitcoin dominated the market, while legal frameworks and regulatory guidance were still in their infancy. Many believed that once governments established clear rules, banks and other large financial organizations would quickly begin building products and services based on blockchain technology.
Instead, that anticipated surge never fully arrived. Early concerns that blockchain would rapidly disrupt existing financial business models also failed to unfold as many had expected.
Friedman dismissed the idea that policymakers have delayed action because they lack technical knowledge. According to her, regulators across multiple jurisdictions possess considerable expertise, which often becomes evident when changes in political leadership result in swift policy shifts.
She argued that such transitions demonstrate governments already have the necessary understanding, but political priorities ultimately determine how quickly new rules are introduced.
Beyond regulation, Friedman also highlighted a broader change taking place within the cryptocurrency market.
She contrasted today’s emphasis on long-term business models with previous cycles, when investors frequently moved funds between projects to earn rewards, qualify for token distributions, or benefit from token launches before selling those assets and shifting to the next opportunity. She described that approach as short-term capital that offered limited lasting value.
Symbiotic, she explained, is focused on supporting investment opportunities backed by genuine economic activity rather than incentives tied primarily to token issuance. Whether those businesses operate on blockchain networks or through more traditional structures, the priority is creating sustainable sources of value.
Drawing on her previous work at Ether Capital, Friedman said staking remains an important foundation for blockchain finance, as it demonstrated how capital could be committed to secure networks while managing risk. She views Symbiotic’s platform as an extension of that concept, allowing capital to be allocated against different obligations while remaining separated by individual risk categories.
According to Friedman, blockchain technology and smart contracts make it possible to reassign committed capital more efficiently than traditional financial systems. She said the company’s long-term objective is to provide infrastructure that supports a wider range of investment opportunities while enabling capital to be deployed across multiple use cases without sacrificing risk management.
As cryptos become increasingly viewed as assets that can generate long-term value as evidenced by the holdings of companies like Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ: MSTR), regulation could evolve to catch up to these changing perspectives within the market.
About CryptoCurrencyWire
CryptoCurrencyWire (“CCW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on blockchain and the cryptocurrency sector. It is one of 75+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CCW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, CCW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CCW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from CryptoCurrencyWire, text “CRYPTO” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.CryptoCurrencyWire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CryptoCurrencyWire website applicable to all content provided by CCW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CryptoCurrencyWire.com/Disclaimer
CryptoCurrencyWire
Austin, Texas
www.CryptoCurrencyWire.com
512.354.7000 Office
Editor@CryptoCurrencyWire.com
CryptoCurrencyWire is powered by IBN
