In this episode of the SNCJ Legislative Deep Dive, host Rich Ehisen welcomes Alexandra Barrage, a partner with Davis Wright Tremaine LLC in Washington D.C. to discuss the state of cryptocurrencies in the midst of the so-called "crypto winter," and more specifically to talk about state and federal efforts to create some form of regulatory framework for a marketplace that has often been described as the digital wild west. 

Barrage co-leads DWT's Crypto Working Group and counsels clients on resolution planning, regulatory risk, third-party risk management, digital assets, and bankruptcy matters. Previous to that, she was with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, where she was the Associate Director of Policy for the Division of Complex Institution Supervision and Resolution. 

While crypto is down, it is hardly out. The industry is still raising billions of dollars in venture capital, and is in fact poised this year to top last year’s record total of $26.9 billion. 

States are also getting into the act, with many working to grease the wheels for crypto in their jurisdictions. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 37 states this year collectively introduced around 150 bills dealing with cryptocurrency and digital assets.  Meanwhile, governors like California Gov. Gavin Newsom are also jumping into the fray via executive order. And after years of taking a hands-off approach, there are now a handful of bills in Congress as well.