The number of cryptocurrency companies lobbying their interests in Washington has tripled in 2018

In the fourth quarter of 2017, only a dozen cryptocurrency and blockchain companies paid for lobbying their interests in Washington. During 2018, their number has almost tripled to 33 organizations, according to Politico.

So, the venture division of the retail giant Overstock.com -Medici Ventures-hired three firms (Thompson Coburn, Venable and Scrivner Leon Group) to defend their interests and develop comfortable regulation of the new technology. In particular, the company wants to see a clearer position of the securities and exchange Commission (SEC) on a number of issues.

"The growth of efforts in this direction is due to the existing regulation in the field of securities," said Jerry Brito, Executive Director of the non — profit organization Coin Center.

It should be noted that Coin Center has been lobbying the interests of the industry since 2014. Now the organization is working with congressmen Warren Davidson and Darren Soto to create legislation for digital tokens.

The company Klein/Johnson Group, representing the interests of the organization Securing America's Internet of Value Coalition led by Ripple, is also engaged in attracting the attention of members of the us Congress to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

Recall, a similar activity is engaged in the Blockchain Association, which was launched in September last year. It includes such industry giants as Coinbase, Digital Currency Group, Polychain Capital and Protocol Labs.