Thomas Daniels
London-based algorithmic trading firm Wintermute has inaugurated its U.S. headquarters in New York City, marking a strategic expansion into the American market. The move aligns with the company’s assessment of a more favorable regulatory environment for digital assets in the United States.
Announced on May 15, Wintermute’s CEO, Evgeny Gaevoy, emphasized the firm’s commitment to contributing to the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. “As the U.S. adopts a more constructive stance on digital assets and institutional adoption accelerates, we swiftly established our presence in New York City,” Gaevoy stated. He further noted that Wintermute’s expertise positions it to offer valuable insights to policymakers on Capitol Hill.
In conjunction with its U.S. expansion, Wintermute appointed Ron Hammond as Head of Policy and Advocacy. Hammond brings nearly a decade of experience in crypto policy, having served as the Senior Director of Government Relations at the Blockchain Association and as a policy lead for U.S. Representative Warren Davidson. Notably, he authored the Token Taxonomy Act of 2021, a bipartisan effort to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets.
Hammond expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “With the regulatory climate in the U.S. becoming more constructive, we see tremendous opportunity to foster responsible innovation and deepen engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders.”
Wintermute’s U.S. expansion comes amid a broader industry trend, with at least eight major crypto firms, including Binance.US, eToro, OKX, Nexo, Circle, Crypto.com, and a16z, announcing U.S. growth initiatives in 2025. These moves are largely attributed to the anticipation of clearer regulatory guidelines under the current administration.
The firm’s engagement with U.S. regulators is already underway. Wintermute has met with the SEC’s Crypto Task Force to provide technical input on emerging legislative efforts, underscoring its proactive approach to shaping the future of digital asset regulation.
Meanwhile, the legislative landscape for stablecoins in the U.S. remains dynamic. The Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy (STABLE) Act, which aims to establish a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, passed the House Financial Services Committee in April with a 32–17 vote and awaits a full House vote.
Conversely, the Senate’s Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act faced a setback on May 8, failing to secure the necessary votes to advance. The bill’s progress was impeded by concerns over potential conflicts of interest, particularly related to President Donald Trump’s involvement in various crypto ventures, including the launch of a meme coin and a stablecoin through World Liberty Financial.
Despite these challenges, bipartisan efforts continue to refine the GENIUS Act, with Senators Gillibrand and Lummis expressing optimism about reaching a consensus that addresses ethical considerations and strengthens consumer protections.
Wintermute’s strategic expansion and active policy engagement reflect a broader industry momentum toward integrating into the U.S. market, driven by evolving regulatory clarity and institutional interest in digital assets.
