Vladimir Tenev, the CEO of Robinhood, has announced that the U.S. is beginning to create a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency.

After years of strict regulations and vagueness surrounding rules, the outlook for crypto companies is improving. In an interview with Crypto in America, Tenev described this moment as a “rebirth,” indicating a shift in fortunes for U.S. firms that had previously fallen behind their international counterparts.

This change, according to Tenev, stems from evolving political attitudes and the current approach of regulators towards cryptocurrency issues.

Rise in Trading As Regulations Ease

Robinhood reported that its crypto-related revenue surged by 100% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Tenev highlighted that this growth was anticipated and linked it to a more cooperative stance from regulators.

Many crypto firms, including Robinhood, faced prolonged uncertainty as the government scrutinized digital assets. However, Tenev believes that this pressure is now diminishing.

The new administration is reducing enforcement actions, allowing crypto companies more flexibility to develop without the threat of sudden legal challenges.

SEC Dismisses Action Against Robinhood

A clear sign of this shift occurred in February 2025, when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) informed Robinhood that it would not pursue enforcement following a lengthy investigation.

This investigation had been initiated after the SEC issued a Wells Notice in May 2024 regarding potential violations concerning Robinhood’s cryptocurrency services.

—YEAR 2 DAY 292—

Robinhood’s CEO remarked that the previous administration intentionally hindered American crypto growth and that we are now in a “rebirth” phase.

The next phase is for institutions to “catch up” and ultimately “surpass” other markets.

— Chad Steingraber (@ChadSteingraber) May 7, 2025

Robinhood asserted that it has always attempted to comply with regulations and sought guidance from the SEC, but felt that their inquiries went unnoticed. Eventually, the SEC closed the case without any fines.

Call for Clear Legislation in the Crypto Sector

Even amidst this encouraging shift, Tenev stresses the need for clear legal frameworks in the crypto industry. He acknowledges the improved tone from Washington but highlights the continued ambiguity due to a lack of definitive legislation.

According to Tenev, while many companies are familiar with the landscape, having concrete legal guidelines would significantly boost confidence among investors and firms.

He notes that the more inviting atmosphere is encouraging some hesitant businesses to re-enter the market. However, the absence of formal rules leaves room for potential future shifts in regulatory approach.

Support for U.S. Digital Currency Growth

President Donald Trump has also expressed his views, stating that cryptocurrency is crucial for the U.S. economy and warning that the nation could fall behind China if action is not taken promptly.

He pointed out Bitcoin’s strong performance during recent global financial challenges, noting that it sometimes outperformed American stocks.

Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView