PakGazette – With the U.S. political climate changing, the cryptocurrency landscape is poised for transformative changes under President-elect Trump’s administration.
Once labeled the Wild West of finance, the cryptocurrency market is now on the brink of mainstream acceptance, driven by a sea change in regulatory and institutional attitudes.
In a recent conversation with PakGazette, Alex Konanykhin, founder of Unicoin, a US-registered asset-backed cryptocurrency, shared his thoughts on how this new approach could shape the industry for years to come.
The United States has historically had a contentious relationship with cryptocurrencies, with the SEC often leading a “war on cryptocurrencies.”
“Many cryptocurrency companies were forced to leave the United States and become expatriates in cryptocurrency-friendly jurisdictions, such as Crypto Valley in Switzerland or work in the United Arab Emirates,” Konanykhin said.
However, this narrative is about to change dramatically. Over the next week, the anti-crypto leadership at the SEC will resign, paving the way for a pro-crypto majority on the commission.
This regulatory shift is expected to generate a wave of institutional investment and spur mass adoption.
Konanykhin said fear of SEC scrutiny has kept institutional players on the sidelines. Now, as barriers are lifted, he predicts a flood of institutional and government funding into the cryptocurrency market.
This transformation could make cryptocurrencies a key part of both individual and corporate financial systems, further boosting their integration into everyday life.
Accessibility is one of the most promising aspects of the new crypto era. Today, digital money is evolving to become as simple and intuitive as paying with a smartwatch, Konanykhin said.
Payment systems will undergo a transformation as a result of this move from a niche to a necessity. The market valuation has already reached $3.4 trillion thanks to early adopters, but now the focus is on allowing everyone to participate.
“Now they are talking about mass adoption, where it is not about enthusiasm, but about efficiency and convenience,” Konaykhin explained.
“Digital money is changing to blockchain technology, to cryptocurrencies, because it is a more efficient and more secure type of digital money than the initial ledger technology used by banks,” he added.
However, Konanykhin also talked about the limitations of , the cryptocurrency that launched the entire trend. Its lack of scalability (processing only seven transactions per second) and inefficiency in energy consumption make Bitcoin unsuitable for everyday use.
“It’s very inefficient, because it consumes more energy than Finland or Ukraine,” he said, adding that its transaction costs, which average $8, make it impractical for routine payments. Recognizing these challenges, Konanykhin launched Unicoin as a superior alternative.
Launched as a response to Bitcoin’s inefficiencies, Unicoin aims to provide a regulated, scalable and energy-efficient cryptocurrency.
Konanykhin said Unicoin is uniquely positioned as a registered, audited and regulated cryptocurrency in the US, aligning with President-elect Trump’s vision of making the United States the “crypto capital of the planet.”
“We launched Unicoin to offer a new, superior version of Bitcoin,” Konanykhin explained. It is designed to meet the demands of modern users while complying with US regulations.
This asset-backed model ensures stability in a volatile market, making it an attractive option for both experienced investors and newcomers.
“We are now waiting for the new SEC commission to take over so we can become the first publicly traded cryptocurrency company in the United States, and also list Unicoin on cryptocurrency exchanges around the world,” Konanykhin added.
For those intimidated by the complexity of cryptocurrencies, Konanykhin offered practical advice. He recommended starting with well-established, regulated platforms like Coinbase (NASDAQ:) or cryptocurrencies like Unicoin.
“I would recommend avoiding permitted but unproven companies, because the crypto industry still has its share of companies that are not going to survive in the long term,” he said.
As the market moves toward mass adoption, Konanykhin believes now is an excellent time to cautiously but confidently explore the space.
Cryptocurrency is not just a trend but a leap forward in financial evolution. Konanykhin illustrated how transactions that previously required physical assets and extensive logistical coordination can now be executed with a few keystrokes.
This change promises to revolutionize global finance by enabling faster, cheaper and more secure transactions.
He recounted a visit to Credit Suisse’s gold storage facility in Zurich, reflecting on the immense cost and effort required to secure and transport physical wealth.
In contrast, Bitcoin and other digital currencies eliminate such inefficiencies, allowing for seamless, large-scale transactions with minimal overhead.
This benefits not only individuals but also entire companies and industries by streamlining operations and fostering innovation.
As the new administration’s pro-crypto stance takes hold, the future of digital currencies looks brighter than ever.
Konanykhin expressed optimism about the introduction of a national cryptocurrency reserve and legislative support for US-based audited cryptocurrencies like Unicoin.
He believes these measures will increase trust and credibility in the industry, helping it transition from initial asset-less experiments to robust, regulated financial instruments.
“Fifteen years is a long time in Internet technologies,” Konanykhin noted, noting the need for innovation to keep pace with growing demand.