In this special bonus episode of The Get Down, Cleve Mesidor interviews Rashan Colbert, Head of Policy at dYdX Trading, live at Consensus by CoinDesk. They discuss the current regulatory landscape of crypto and the challenges of achieving bipartisanship in the industry. He emphasizes the need for education and a shift in the narrative beyond just store of value.

Rashan also delves into the role of DeFi and the need for a workable regulatory framework that aligns with the unique nature of decentralized finance. He shares his personal journey into the crypto industry and highlights the importance of understanding the blind spots and motivations of policymakers.

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Rashan Colbert is the Head of Policy at dYdX Trading, where he leads the company’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and beyond. dYdX Trading’s mission is to democratize access to financial opportunity through DeFi. Before joining dYdX Trading, Rashan worked on Capitol Hill in the office of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker (D). Rashan concentrated on the Senator’s work in the Senate Commerce Committee, including Technology and Telecommunications, as well as efforts on the Senate Agriculture Committee, specifically on Digital Assets. Rashan also has campaigning experience as a previous staffer for Gov. Martin O'Malley's PAC, O'Say Can You See, as well as in congressional races and two presidential campaigns–the Cory Booker (2020) and Martin O'Malley (2016) campaigns.

We discuss:

• The current regulatory landscape of crypto is evolving, and achieving bipartisanship in the industry is a challenge.
• Education and a shift in the narrative beyond just store of value are essential for policymakers to understand the broader implications of blockchain technology.
• DeFi requires a workable regulatory framework that aligns with its unique nature, and a thoughtful approach is necessary to address the risks and tradeoffs involved.
• Understanding the blind spots and motivations of policymakers is crucial for advocating for a fair and balanced regulatory and policy framework in the crypto industry.

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