WATCH: A FinTech Lawyer Breaks Down Libra's Legality

Joel Telpner, chair of the Fintech and Blockchain Practice Group at Sullivan & Worcester LLP, sees Libra's creation as setting a fascinating - and treacherous - precedent.

AccessTimeIconJul 18, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 11:35 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to1yzowaVJE

Joel Telpner, Chair of Fintech and Blockchain Practice Group at Sullivan & Worcester LLP, isn't surprised that Facebook is getting a grilling on Capitol Hill. In fact, he's pleased.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • "These are attacks on Facebook itself that really has nothing to do with crypto has nothing to with Libra it's just Facebook being bad boys you know [they're] concerned about [their] privacy policies," he said.

    His point, quite simply, is that any scrutiny of crypto in DC is vital.

    "Parts of the hearing so far where they've actually been able to get into conversations about Libra and about crypto have been interesting because on that side of it you've seen some Senators that have been skeptical," he said. "But overall it's kind of it's been encouraging to hear some of the senators talking about 'Hey, this is a good thing.'"

    Telpner joined CoinDesk editor Pete Rizzo in a wide-ranging conversation about the legality of Libra and, in the end, what Facebook and the Government will have to do to come to terms with the future of crypto.

    You can read our complete Libra coverage here and watch our CoinDesk LIVE interviews here.

    watchmore

    Telpner image via The Tokenist

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.