U.S. Regulatory Pressure Drives Crypto Builders Overseas

Uniswap founder Hayden Adams says U.S. regulatory pressure is driving crypto builders overseas, where they can build their businesses faster and with more clarity.

Adams made the remarks after participating in a CFTC roundtable discussion on decentralized finance (DeFi). The meeting highlighted the growing uncertainty surrounding digital assets in the U.S.

The current approach, characterized by enforcement actions rather than clear rulemaking, has created an environment where founders face significant legal risks and operational hurdles. This contrasts sharply with jurisdictions like the European Union, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, which have introduced tailored frameworks for crypto and DeFi.

Adams noted that the CFTC meeting itself was a positive step, but stressed that meaningful progress requires concrete rulemaking, not just dialogue.