Investing.com -- With the U.S. political climate shifting, the cryptocurrency landscape is poised for transformative changes under President-elect Trump’s administration.
Once labeled as the Wild West of finance, the crypto market is now on the verge of mainstream acceptance, driven by a radical change in regulatory and institutional attitudes.
In a recent conversation with Investing.com, Alex Konanykhin, founder of Unicoin, a U.S.-registered, asset-backed cryptocurrency shared his insights on how this new approach could shape the industry for years to come.
The United States has historically had a contentious relationship with cryptocurrency, with the SEC often leading a "war on crypto."
“Many crypto companies were forced to leave the United States and become expats in crypto-friendly jurisdictions, like Crypto Valley in Switzerland or working out of the United Arab Emirates,” Konanykhin said.
However, this narrative is about to shift dramatically. Within the next week, anti-crypto leadership at the SEC will step down, paving the way for a pro-crypto majority in the commission.
This regulatory pivot is expected to invite a wave of institutional investment and stimulate mass adoption.
Konanykhin said that fear of SEC scrutiny has kept institutional players on the sidelines. Now, as barriers are lifted, he predicts a flood of institutional and government funds into the crypto market.
This transformation could make cryptocurrency a key part of both individual and corporate financial systems, further driving its integration into everyday life.
Accessibility is one of the most promising aspects of the new crypto era. Currently, 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 shift from niche to necessity. Market valuation has already reached $3.4 trillion due to early adopters, but the focus is now on enabling everybody to participate.
“Now, they're talking about mass adoption, where it's not about excitement, but about efficiencies and convenience,” Konaykhin explained.
“Digital money is shifting to blockchain technology, to crypto, because it's more efficient and more secure type of digital money than initial single ledger technology used by banks,” he added.
Nevertheless, Konanykhin also discussed the limitations of Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that launched the whole 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 pointed out, adding that its transaction costs, averaging $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 scalable, energy-efficient, and regulated cryptocurrency.
Konanykhin said that Unicoin is uniquely positioned as a U.S.-registered, U.S.-audited, and U.S.-regulated cryptocurrency, aligning with President-elect Trump’s vision of making America the "Crypto Capital of the Planet."
"We launched Unicoin to provide a new superior version of Bitcoin," Konanykhin explained. It’s designed to meet the demands of modern users while adhering to U.S. regulations.
This asset-backed model ensures stability in a volatile market, making it a compelling choice for both seasoned investors and newcomers.
“We are now waiting for the new SEC commission to take over so we could become the first publicly traded cryptocurrency company in the United States, also listing Unicoin on crypto exchanges around the world,” Konanykhin added.
For those intimidated by the complexity of cryptocurrency, Konanykhin offered practical advice. He recommended starting with well-established, regulated platforms like Coinbase (NASDAQ:COIN) or cryptocurrencies like Unicoin.
“I would recommend avoiding allowed but unproven companies, because crypto industry still has its share of companies which are not going to survive long-term,” he said.
As the market moves toward mass adoption, Konanykhin believes now is an excellent time to explore the space cautiously but confidently.
Cryptocurrency is not just a trend but a leap forward in financial evolution. Konanykhin illustrated how transactions that once required physical assets and extensive logistical coordination can now be executed with a few keystrokes.
This shift promises to revolutionize global finance by enabling faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions.
He recounted a visit to Credit Suisse’s gold storage facilities 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 businesses and entire 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 crypto stockpile and legislative support for the U.S.-based, audited cryptocurrencies like Unicoin.
He believes these measures will boost trust and credibility in the industry, helping it transition from early, asset-less experiments to robust, regulated financial instruments.
"15 years is a long time in internet technologies," Konanykhin remarked, flagging the need for innovation to keep pace with growing demand.