Navigating the Complexities of US Crypto Legislation | Lewis Cohen, NYC Crypto Lawyer

Summary

In this episode of the Canonical Pod, hosts Fahad Saleh and Brad Bachu engage with Lewis Cohen, a prominent crypto lawyer, to discuss the evolving landscape of crypto legislation in the United States. The conversation delves into the complexities of the market structure legislation currently being deliberated in Congress, The conversation especially provides insight regarding the Clarity Act (passed by the House of Representatives in July 2025), and contrasts it with the Senate's approach. Beyond discussing active legislation, the conversation provides various background content including the transition from state to federal regulation, the role of the SEC, and the implications of maturity and decentralization in crypto assets.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Crypto Legislation and Guest Introduction

02:35 Understanding Market Structure Legislation

06:46 Transition from State to Federal Regulation

11:25 The Role of the SEC in Crypto Regulation

13:14 Overview of the Clarity Act

19:48 House vs. Senate Approaches to Regulation

24:07 Defining Digital Assets and Securities

26:56 Understanding Layer Two and Digital Commodities

31:44 The Clarity Act: Definitions and Regulations

38:06 Maturity vs. Decentralization in Blockchain

46:42 Final Thoughts on Crypto Regulation