Jerry Brito Steps Down as Coin Center Director, Peter Van Valkenburgh Takes Over

As a seasoned analyst with years of experience in the crypto industry, I find myself deeply moved by the recent announcement from Jerry Brito and Robin Weisman, key figures at Coin Center since its inception in 2014. Their decision to step down, though bittersweet, is a testament to their unwavering commitment to the crypto community and its future.


According to a report by Jesse Hamilton for CoinDesk, Jerry Brito, who is the founding executive director of the well-known crypto advocacy group Coin Center, has announced his intention to leave his position by the end of the year. In a post on the Coin Center’s official website, he mentioned that although he will no longer be the executive director, he intends to stay engaged as a member of the board.

Robin Weisman, Coin Center’s senior policy advisor, will follow Brito by stepping down and taking on a board position. Both have been key figures at Coin Center since its establishment in 2014. While it’s often called a “think tank,” the organization has significantly influenced cryptocurrency policies in Washington. The details of Brito’s and Weisman’s future professional plans remain undisclosed at this time.

In a shift at Coin Center, Peter Van Valkenburgh, the current Research Director, is set to assume the role of Executive Director. Meanwhile, Landon Zinda, an expert in policy matters, will take over from Van Valkenburgh as the new Research Director. Brito, expressing faith in Van Valkenburgh, highlighted his comprehensive knowledge of Coin Center’s objectives and his proficiency in both cryptocurrency and constitutional law.

Over the years, Brito pondered over Coin Center’s purpose, recognizing their initial aim was to provide Bitcoin with a chance to flourish and build its foundation. Yet, he admitted that the struggle for the future of cryptocurrencies remains unfinished.

He wrote:

As a former member of Coin Center, I’m incredibly proud of the strides we made over the past decade. When we embarked on this journey in 2014, it was uncertain whether governments would embrace Bitcoin. Despite its inherent resilience and potential, Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies were vulnerable to harm in the short term, with many attempting to inflict such damage. Our initial mission was to provide Bitcoin the necessary time to achieve ‘escape velocity,’ and I firmly believe we achieved that goal.

The struggle is not over yet, though. We must remain vigilant and continue to fight for our rights to make and use crypto software, and to do so privately. So I’m glad there’s a strong and venerable institution, soon with new energetic leadership, purpose-built and perfectly matched for that challenge. I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring.

The CoinDesk report also mentioned that Coin Center remains engaged in a legal battle with the IRS over crypto tax reporting requirements introduced by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act of 2021. The organization argues that the law’s demand for the personal information of crypto users is unconstitutional and excessive. The case was initially dismissed but was given a second chance by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit last month.

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2024-10-01 08:23