PK Press Club — With the U.S. political climate evolving, the cryptocurrency landscape is poised for transformative changes under President-elect Trump’s administration.
Once referred to as the Wild West of finance, the crypto market is now on the cusp of mainstream acceptance, driven by a sea change in regulatory and institutional attitudes.
In a recent conversation with PK Press Club, Alex Konanykhin, founder of Unicoin, a US-registered, asset-backed cryptocurrency, shared his ideas on how this new approach could shape the industry to the years to come.
The United States has historically had a contentious relationship with cryptocurrency, with the SEC often waging a “war on cryptocurrency.”
“Many crypto companies have been forced to leave the United States and relocate to crypto-friendly jurisdictions, such as Crypto Valley in Switzerland or working in the United Arab Emirates,” Konanykhin said.
However, this narrative is about to change dramatically. Over the next week, anti-crypto leaders at the SEC will step down, paving the way for a pro-crypto majority on the commission.
This regulatory pivot is expected to spark a wave of institutional investment and drive mass adoption.
Konanykhin said fear of SEC scrutiny has kept institutional players away. Now, as barriers are lifted, he predicts an influx of institutional and government funds into the crypto market.
This transformation could make cryptocurrency a key element of the financial systems of individuals and businesses, thus promoting its integration into daily 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 smart watch, Konanykhin said.
Payment systems will undergo a transformation due to this shift from niche to necessity. The market valuation has already reached $3.4 trillion thanks to early adopters, but the focus now is on everyone participating.
“Now they’re talking about mass adoption, where it’s not about enthusiasm, but about efficiency and convenience,” Konaykhin explained.
“Digital currency is moving towards blockchain technology, towards cryptography, because it is a more efficient and more secure type of digital currency than the initial single ledger technology used by banks,” he said. added.
Nevertheless, Konanykhin also discussed the limitations of , the cryptocurrency that started the whole trend. Its lack of scalability – processing only seven transactions per second – and inefficiency in power consumption make Bitcoin unsuitable for everyday use.
“It is very inefficient, because it consumes more energy than Finland or Ukraine,” he stressed, adding that its transaction costs, averaging $8, make it impractical for routine payments. Recognizing these challenges, Konanykhin launched Unicoin as a superior alternative.
Launched in response to the inefficiencies of Bitcoin, Unicoin aims to provide a scalable, energy-efficient and regulated cryptocurrency.
Konanykhin said Unicoin is uniquely positioned as a registered, audited and regulated cryptocurrency in the United States, which aligns with President-elect Trump’s vision of making America the “crypto capital of planet.”
“We launched Unicoin to provide a new, higher version of Bitcoin,” explained Konanykhin. 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 a compelling choice for seasoned investors and newcomers alike.
“We are now waiting for the new SEC commission to take over so that we can become the first publicly traded cryptocurrency company in the United States, also listing Unicoin on cryptocurrency exchanges around the world,” Konanykhin added .
For those intimidated by the complexity of cryptocurrency, Konanykhin offered some practical advice. He recommended starting with well-established and regulated platforms like Coinbase (NASDAQ:) or cryptocurrencies like Unicoin.
“I would recommend avoiding licensed but unproven companies, as the crypto industry still has its share of companies that will not survive in the long term,” he said.
As the market moves towards mass adoption, Konanykhin believes it is the ideal time to explore the space cautiously but confidently.
Cryptocurrency is not just a trend but a quantum leap in financial evolution. Konanykhin illustrated how transactions that once required physical assets and extensive logistical coordination can now be executed with just 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 facilities in Zurich, reflecting on the immense costs and effort required to secure and transport physical wealth.
In contrast, Bitcoin and other digital currencies eliminate these inefficiencies, enabling transparent transactions at scale with minimal overhead.
This not only benefits individuals but also businesses and entire industries by streamlining operations and driving 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 stock and legislative support for audited US-based cryptocurrencies like Unicoin.
He believes these measures will strengthen the confidence and credibility of the sector, helping it move from early experiments without assets to robust and regulated financial instruments.
“15 years is a long time in the field of Internet technologies,” Konanykhin remarked, emphasizing the need to innovate to keep pace with growing demand.