Law of Code #146 - What’s new in U.S. crypto law, with Justin Wales
In this episode, Jacob Robinson is joined by Justin Wales (@bitcoin_wales), Head of Legal (Americas) at Crypto.com and author of The Crypto Legal Handbook.
Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Day One Law — a boutique law firm helping crypto startups navigate complex legal challenges. Visit https://www.dayonelaw.xyz/ to get in touch.
With the release of the book’s second edition, Justin shares what’s new: from stablecoin legislation and state-level licensing regimes to AI’s intersection with crypto and the shifting regulatory tone under a new administration. We also discuss how legal frameworks are evolving, the risks of regulatory whiplash, and why meme coins, AI agents, and decentralized settlement are at the center of today’s legal debates.
Timestamps:
➡️ 00:00 Intro
➡️ 00:46 Sponsor: Day One Law
➡️ 02:00 Second Edition Highlights & Historical Context
➡️ 04:00 State-Level Developments & Money Transmission Rules
➡️ 06:00 Outlook on Stablecoin and Market Structure Legislation
➡️ 08:00 How to Read the New Edition
➡️ 10:00 Operation Chokepoint, Debanking & Tax Updates
➡️ 11:30 The Rise of Meme Coins & Industry Disincentives
➡️ 14:30 SEC Enforcement, Risk Appetite & Innovation
➡️ 17:00 AI x Crypto: Communication, Trust & Open Protocols
➡️ 20:00 Crypto's Place in Financial Infrastructure
➡️ 22:30 Jurisdictional Competition & Market Pressure
➡️ 25:00 The Cost of Fitting Crypto Into Legacy Systems
➡️ 27:00 Global Posture Shift & Optimism for the Future
➡️ 29:00 Final Thoughts
The Crypto Legal Handbook: You can find it online for $30, here: https://thecryptolegalhandbook.com/
Disclaimer: Jacob Robinson and his guests are not your lawyer. Nothing herein or mentioned on the Law of Code podcast should be construed as legal advice. The material published is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Please seek the advice of counsel, and do not apply any of the generalized material to your individual facts or circumstances without speaking to an attorney.