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


Finance

Crypto Exchange BitMEX's Acting CEO: We Have Gone Through the ‘Valley of Death’

But Stephan Lutz says the trading platform is now reaping the benefits of the current crypto market.

(Shutterstock)

Policy

It’s ‘Critical’ Crypto Innovation Stays in U.S., Former White House Adviser Says

Carole House, co-author of President Biden’s executive order on crypto, said keeping crypto in the country is a matter of national security.

Former White House aide Carole House is now leading a CFTC committee tasked with helping form crypto regulations. (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)

Consensus Magazine

Animoca Brands Co-Founder: Royalties Make It Possible for NFT Projects to Flourish

The computer gaming firm supports royalties. Removing them would only "send the industry backwards," said Yat Siu.

Yat Siu (Kevin Abosch)

Policy

Former NY Regulator: Crypto Isn't the Reason Why Signature Bank Was Closed

The bank did not provide reliable and consistent data, said Maria Vullo, a former superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Maria Vullo (NYDFS)

Policy

Former FDIC Regulator: Friendliness Toward Crypto 'Does Not Exist'

Efforts to keep crypto companies from the U.S. banking system may have been taking place even before the recent bank collapses, Jason Brett told CoinDesk TV's "First Mover."

(Midjourney/CoinDesk)

Policy

Brian Brooks: U.S. Government Using Crisis to Choke Off Crypto Access to Banks

The former acting head of the OCC said federal regulators are working together to keep crypto assets out of the U.S. banking system.

Brian Brooks in 2021 (CoinDesk TV)

Policy

Ether a Security? That Could Have Huge Ramifications for Crypto, Legal Expert Says

The outcome of the New York Attorney General's lawsuit against KuCoin could prompt federal regulatory action against the second-largest crypto asset, says Penn State University Dickinson Law professor Tonya Evans.

Tonya Evans (ProfTonyaEvans.com)

Finance

Silvergate Bank 'Had to Be Perfect' but Now Pays a Heavy Price: Strategist

Crypto adoption by TradFi companies “got just that much harder in the last 24 hours,” said Jim Bianco, president of Bianco Research LLC.

Jim Bianco, president of Bianco Research (Getty Images)

Policy

Grayscale Chief Legal Officer: A Spot Bitcoin ETF Will Protect U.S. Investors, Consumers

Craig Salm discusses what happens next after a court acts on its lawsuit against the SEC, and whether this regulator should even be involved with bitcoin products.

(Grayscale Investments Chief Legal Officer Craig Salm/CoinDesk TV)

Web3

Yuga Labs Co-Founder Says First Bitcoin NFT Auction Doesn’t Open Door to Scammers

Greg Solano said the company’s use of the Bitcoin blockchain and its strategic bidding process could only be done because Yuga Labs is a “trusted party.”

TwelveFold (Yuga Labs)