- Bitcoin trades at $81,415 with $1,630.5B market cap, per CoinGecko.
- Fear & Greed Index at 46 signals caution amid policy talks.
- Solana surges 3.1% to $89.13, $51.4B cap on DeFi momentum.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) headlined the Coinbase Crypto Panel in Miami's Fontainebleau auditorium on Thursday. Bitcoin traded at $81,415, down 0.3%, according to CoinGecko analyst Jacob King. See live data at the CoinGecko Bitcoin chart. The Fear & Greed Index sat at 46, per Alternative.me data.
Spotlights sliced through the humid Miami air. Some 500 executives leaned forward in their seats. Scott gripped the podium tight. His eyes scanned the crowd of developers and investors. Emmer paced behind him, microphone clutched in hand. Tension hung thick. Regulators in Washington loomed large over the room.
Scott Targets SEC Overreach at Coinbase Crypto Panel
"We can't let bureaucrats stifle innovation," Scott declared. Applause erupted. The Florida senator, a vocal fintech advocate, slammed SEC Chair Gary Gensler's aggressive enforcement actions. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong nodded vigorously from the front row.
Post-2024 ETF approvals, 19.7 million Bitcoins now circulate, per Blockchain.com metrics cited by Emmer. Halving events since 2024 squeeze supply and drive prices higher. Emmer, co-sponsor of the FIT21 bill, called for stablecoin clarity. Details on his efforts appear in CoinDesk coverage of Emmer's crypto bills.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez opened the event. "Florida leads crypto freedom," Suarez said. He touted the state's zero income tax policy. Europe's MiCA framework, live since January 2026, offers a model, per Coinbase policy chief Kara Calvert. Coinbase outlines its positions in Coinbase policy positions.
Blockchain powers borderless remittances totaling $800 billion annually, World Bank data shows. Smart contracts automate KYC processes. They reduce fraud by 40%, according to Chainalysis lead researcher Philip Gradwell.
Coinbase Drives Bipartisan Policy Push
Coinbase invested $2.5 million in lobbying during 2025, per OpenSecrets.org filings. Emilie Choi, Coinbase president, moderated the discussion. "Clear rules unlock trillions," she said.
Executives swapped war stories from the front lines. A developer from Lagos described building a remittance app. It processed $10 million last quarter despite shaky internet and regulatory threats back home. Tension peaked as Emmer labeled Democrat-led bills "vague."
- Asset: BTC · Price (USD): 81,415 · 24h Change: -0.3% · Market Cap (B USD): 1,630.5
- Asset: ETH · Price (USD): 2,346.10 · 24h Change: -1.2% · Market Cap (B USD): 283.2
- Asset: SOL · Price (USD): 89.13 · 24h Change: +3.1% · Market Cap (B USD): 51.4
- Asset: XRP · Price (USD): 1.43 · 24h Change: +0.9% · Market Cap (B USD): 88.1
CoinGecko's Jacob King highlighted Solana's DeFi surge. It fueled the 3.1% gains. BlackRock's IBIT ETF holds $25 billion, per Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas.
Scott dismissed CBDC fears outright. "Privacy first," he insisted. Emmer advanced market structure bills through committee.
Miami Emerges as Crypto Power Center
Fontainebleau's halls buzzed after the panel. Suarez hosted a reception with views over Biscayne Bay. Innovators networked intensely. AI traders demoed volatility models with 85% accuracy, per panelist Dr. Lena Rao of QuantAI.
BNB climbed 2.9% to $649.90, with a $87.6 billion cap. Institutional inflows reached $15 billion year-to-date, JPMorgan reports. Stablecoins lead: USDT at $189.5 billion, USDC at $78.2 billion, per DefiLlama founder Sam Kazemian.
Emmer proposed Bitcoin reserves for states. "Florida could lead," Scott agreed. Republicans hold Congress after the 2026 midterms.
Policy Wins Shape Crypto's Future
Sessions broke down taxes. The 20% capital gains rate remains unchanged. DeFi reporting requirements loom large. Ethereum's proof-of-stake shift slashed energy use by 99%, per ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin. Solana processes 65,000 transactions per second.
XRP hit $1.43, up 0.9%. ADA rose to $0.27, up 3%. Altcoins rallied on policy optimism.
Bitcoin tests $80K support levels. The Coinbase Crypto Panel signals fresh momentum. Emmer's bills advance alongside Scott's influence. The year 2026 could redefine U.S. crypto rules. Watch Congress this fall. Innovation hangs in the balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who headlined the Coinbase Crypto Panel in Miami?
Senator Rick Scott and House Whip Tom Emmer led discussions on crypto policy. Bitcoin held at $81,415 per CoinGecko.
What does the Fear & Greed Index show now?
At 46, it indicates fear based on volatility and momentum. BTC market cap: $1,630.5 billion.
Why hold a Coinbase Crypto Panel now?
Scott and Emmer address regulation post-ETFs. Events shape bills amid MiCA's 2026 rollout.
How did Solana fare during the Coinbase Crypto Panel?
Solana rose 3.1% to $89.13, market cap $51.4B. Policy talks fueled altcoin gains.
