Canton CEO Urges Crypto to Lock In Adoption Before 2028 Election

Digital Asset co-founder and CEO Yuval Rooz has called on the crypto industry to accelerate institutional adoption while the current US regulatory environment remains favorable, warning that widespread blockchain integration could be the best defense against future policy reversals. Speaking at Token2049 in Singapore, Rooz compared the industry's current window to the early growth of Uber and Airbnb, arguing that both became deeply entrenched before lawmakers could effectively regulate them. "By the time people got their act together and decided, OK, we wanna legislate against those companies, it was too late," he said, framing adoption as a one-way ratchet for the industry.

Rooz's remarks come amid uncertainty over the future of US crypto legislation. The CLARITY Act, a market structure framework that would have clarified the jurisdictional boundaries between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, failed to advance in a Senate procedural vote in September. With the next US presidential election set for Nov. 7, 2028, Rooz said the industry should focus on making blockchain infrastructure so embedded that whatever administration takes power, "there is no going back."

Other industry leaders echoed concerns about regulatory fragility. Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said he hoped the CLARITY Act would still become law, calling the possibility of reversing current progress "the biggest fear" for the industry and arguing legislation could encourage institutional entry. Franklin Templeton CEO Jenny Johnson struck a more cautious note, saying legislation would provide greater certainty but warning the industry not to depend on the bill passing. She noted that the SEC and CFTC are already advancing crypto regulations under their existing authority, providing enough clarity for innovation to continue regardless of congressional action.