Fran Velasquez

Fran is CoinDesk's TV writer and reporter. He is an alum of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, where he earned his master's in business and economic reporting. In the past, he has written for Borderless Magazine, CNBC Make It, and Inc. He owns no crypto holdings.

Fran Velasquez

Latest from Fran Velasquez


Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Was a ‘Pathological Liar’: Congressman

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) discusses how the disgraced former CEO “misled the public,” and what he did with Bankman-Fried’s $2,900 political donation.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Tech

Chelsea Manning: Crypto’s Privacy Problem Depends on Improving Its Technology

The whistleblower turned security consultant at blockchain startup Nym discusses why the issue of privacy is rooted in the underlying technology of crypto and why regulation is on the horizon.

Chelsea Manning in 2019 (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Policy

FTX Debacle Could Lead to Crypto Legislation ‘Momentum’: Blockchain Association’s Kristin Smith

The executive director discusses why the fall of FTX was a “massive setback” for the industry but not the end for crypto, and what likely happened to the $73 million in political donations from Sam Bankman-Fried.

Blockchain Association Executive Director Kristin Smith (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)

Web3

Polygon Studios CEO: Our Company Is a ‘Funnel’ for Big Brand Partnerships

Ryan Wyatt discusses why “Web2-esque” consumer brands looking to jump into Web3 are flocking to his company.

Ryan Wyatt (Will Ess for Pixelmind.ai/CoinDesk)

Finance

Crypto Layoffs: Amber Group, Bybit, Kraken, Lemon Cash, Among Firms Forced to Make Mass Job Cuts

As the bear market sweeps the crypto industry, CoinDesk is keeping a running list of industry players that have been forced to cut back on staff.

(@tmirzo via Unsplash)

Policy

Former White House Adviser: Biden's Executive Order on Crypto Is 'Balanced' but ‘Gaps’ Remain

Carole House, co-author of President Biden’s executive order on crypto, discusses why the framework is “balanced” in mitigating risks but still has existing gaps.

Carole House, when she spoke at Consensus 2022 (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)

Policy

US Sen. Cynthia Lummis: Ether Is Now a Security; My Bill Might Have Stopped FTX

The Wyoming Republican says the second-largest cryptocurrency was transformed by the Ethereum Merge.

U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (Marco Bello/Getty Images)

Web3

Hoops Legend Scottie Pippen Shoots a 'Web3' With Virtual Sneakers

The six-time NBA champion is working with Web3-based entertainment company Orange Comet to produce a new collection of NFT-based kicks.

Scottie Pippen is entering the Web3 game with a collection of virtual sneakers. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Finance

Bankman-Fried Is a ‘Master of Deflection,’ Securities Lawyer Says

James Murphy said the FTX founder has used his interviews with the media to say falsely that his actions weren't intentional.

Securities lawyer James A. Murphy says FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried will soon be facing criminal charges. (Murphy & McGonigle, P.C.)

Policy

Crypto Is at ‘Brick Wall Stage' and Needs ‘Right Balance’ of Regulation, Says Legal Expert

Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law Professor Tonya Evans discusses why the ecosystem is in need of thoughtful regulation from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Professor Tonya M. Evans (MD Photography)