Jesse Hamilton

Jesse Hamilton is CoinDesk's deputy managing editor on the Global Policy and Regulation team, based in Washington, D.C. Before joining CoinDesk in 2022, he worked for more than a decade covering Wall Street regulation at Bloomberg News and Businessweek, writing about the early whisperings among federal agencies trying to decide what to do about crypto. He’s won several national honors in his reporting career, including from his time as a war correspondent in Iraq and as a police reporter for newspapers. Jesse is a graduate of Western Washington University, where he studied journalism and history. He has no crypto holdings.

Jesse Hamilton

Latest from Jesse Hamilton


Policy

Another SEC Democrat to Drop Out, Leaving Republicans Running Agency by February

Commissioner Jaime Lizárraga, a Democrat, said he'll join Chair Gary Gensler in exiting the U.S. securities regulator, which will leave two Republicans and a single Democrat.

The sudden resignation announcement of another Democrat from the Securities and Exchange Commission, Jaime Lizárraga, could give Republicans a boost as they weigh policy shifts there. (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)

Policy

U.S. SEC Loses Crypto Lawsuit Over 'Dealer' Definition That Pushed Into Crypto

A Texas federal court ruled that the regulator's new dealer definition that roped in crypto entities was "untethered" to U.S. securities law.

A U.S. court in Texas ordered the SEC to yank a rule that it says unlawfully roped in crypto firms. (Hans Watson/Flickr)

Policy

Crypto Foe and SEC Chair Gary Gensler Will Quit When Trump Takes Office

Gensler's plan to fully leave the commission — not just step down as chairman — on Jan. 20 answers the major question of whether he'd stick around to defend his policies until his term ends in 2026.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Bitfinex Hack Launderer Heather 'Razzlekhan' Morgan Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

In the theft of bitcoin from Bitfinex — worth about $9 billion in today's prices — Morgan's 18 months followed the five-year sentencing of her husband last week.

Heather "Razzlekhan" Morgan, from her video "Rap Anthem for Misfits & Weirdos: Versace Bedouin Music Video (2019)" (Razzlekhan on YouTube)

Policy

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren Rises Into Role Where Crypto Sector Won't Shake Her

Warren will be the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee that crypto legislation must clear – the most senior role for the opposition party on digital assets matters.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congress' most dedicated critic of the crypto sector, will have a prominent role with crypto legislation. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Policy

Crypto Is a Clear Winner With Trump as GOP Takes Senate, Sherrod Brown Loses and Gensler Likely Heading for Door

Even before Donald Trump secured the U.S. presidency, the industry had already scored huge, getting many new allies in Congress and a serious Senate hurdle removed.

Whether or not former U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House, crypto already won big in this election.  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Policy

Live Updates: Trump Wins 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Up-to-the-minute coverage on the presidential and congressional races and how they stand to shape crypto legislation and regulation.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Policy

Plan a Crypto Mine Near a U.S. Military Base? Expect a Bigger Hassle Now.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a rule promising extra scrutiny for businesses near military sites, having already targeted a Chinese-backed crypto operation by a Wyoming missile base.

Chinese-owned MineOne is said to have built a crypto mining operation within a mile of a U.S. missile base. (Warren Air Force Base)

News Analysis

Industry-Funded Polls Back Crypto Message: They Have Enough Voters to Make a Splash

While these voter surveys are paid for with an ultimate aim of getting policy-makers' attention, the data shared by industry groups makes a case some voters seem to feel strongly.

The latest crypto poll seeks to make the case that some voters have single-issue love for crypto as the race for the White House and Congress near an end. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)