In the Media

New Role: Michael Mosier, general counsel of Espresso Systems and a former top official at FinCEN, has joined the steering committee of the DeFi Education Fund. Mosier is also a co-founder of Arktouros, which describes itself as a “law and advisory boutique dedicated to civil society and emergent technology.” He’s been active in the crypto policy space, and has questioned the government’s effort to sanction the digital token platform Tornado Cash – a big issue in decentralized finance. “Opportunity for self-determination is foundational to democracy, and that principle is core to both public service and web3,” Mosier said in a statement. “I am honored to contribute to DeFi Education Fund’s mission of advancing informed appreciation for democratization, resilience, and accessibility of the financial system.”

Politico: Jobs Report

February 2023

Espresso Systems’ Michael Mosier has joined the steering committee at the DeFi Education Fund.

Politico: Crypto isn’t getting a new U.S. rulebook

February 2023

It’s also unclear how lawmakers like Brown and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) — who also sees little use for digital currency — would ever align with innovation-loving Republicans like House Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Majority Whip Tom Emmer. “I don’t know if the Overton window of those individuals overlap at all on crypto,” DeFi Education Fund policy director Miller Whitehouse-Levine told MM.

Captiol Account: A Crypto Moratorium? Firms Worry SEC Plan Could Close Market Off to Big Investors

February 2023

However, Miller Whitehouse-Levine, policy director of the DeFi Education Fund, had a very different take that focused on Gensler’s oft-repeated request that digital asset firms register with the agency and follow its rules: “This should end any doubt that ‘come in and register’ is a fig leaf for the SEC usurping Congress to block crypto in the U.S. [The agency’s proposal] requires investment advisers to custody all assets with qualified custodians, while saying it’s unlikely that crypto can be custodied in compliance with the rule.”

Reuters: Wall St watchdog shortens time-frame for stock trades, proposes new investment adviser rules

February 2023

However Miller Whitehouse-Levine, policy director at DeFi Education Fund, described Gensler's position as an attempt to cut off digital assets from the traditional financial system. "This should end any doubt that 'come in and register' is a fig leaf for the SEC usurping Congress to block crypto in the U.S.," he said.

NYT Dealbook: Investors Await a Momentous Inflation Report

February 2023

The left-right divisions run deep. Despite a shared sense of urgency, the gulf between party leaders on the details of any approach to crypto regulation is wide, said Miller Whitehouse-Levine, policy director of the DeFi Education Fund, a crypto lobbying group. “It’ll be a lot of work to get consensus,” he said, and he doesn’t foresee legislation passing any time soon.

Capitol Account: Calling SEC Investor Rule Discriminatory, House Republicans Plot Fresh Push to Open Up PE and Hedge Funds to the Masses

February 2023

Here’s a response from Miller Whitehouse-Levine, the DeFi Education Fund’s policy director: “The blog post is mistitled. The potential (further) broad decline in digital asset prices, the potential composition of custodial stablecoin reserves, and the potential mass use of a digital asset for payments are not DeFi issues.”

Coin Edition: Policy Experts Warn SEC Could Possibly Get More Ferocious

February 2023

When asked about the FTX collapse affecting how Congress viewed crypto legislations, Whitehouse-Levine says, “Everybody felt burnt. No matter whether an average crypto user or a member of congress, everyone got burnt, because it was fraudulent.” However, he does not believe in the conspiracy theories revolving Bankman-Fried’s hold on the government.

Capitol Account: Crypto Turf Fight: a Progressive Attack on CFTC’s Behnam Gets Personal – and Ugly

January 2023

A DeFi Welcome to Washington: As the head of the DeFi Education Fund, Miller Whitehouse-Levine often notes that he spends much of his time explaining to confused lawmakers what his industry does. Toward that end, the group isn’t wasting any time getting its education efforts going with the new Congress. Today, it sent a letter to every senator and House member that included a “DeFi FAQ,” and encourages them to pass legislation that recognizes the benefits of decentralized finance. You can read the note here.

Cointelegraph: Blockchain privacy groups urge new US Congress to protect privacy rights

January 2023

At the time of writing, the letter had 36 signatories, including industry players such as the Blockchain Association, DeFi Education Fund, Ledger, Nillion Network, Protocol Labs and Proton.

Decrypt: Crypto Crystal Ball: Biggest Trends to Watch in 2023

January 2023

“I am less bullish on regulatory clarity,” Miller Whitehouse-Levine, policy director of crypto lobbying group DeFi Education Fund, told Decrypt about 2023’s prospects.

Podcasts

The Delphi Podcast: The Definitive Conversation on The Government's Regulatory Assault on Crypto

February 2023

Miller Whitenhouse-Levine the CEO of DeFi Education Fund, Marisa T Coppel Policy Counsel at Blockchain Association and Sarah Brennan GC of Delphi Ventures join host Tommy for the definitive episode on crypto regulations.

Unchained Podcast: Did FTX Ruin Crypto’s Image on Capitol Hill? Two DC Insiders Discuss

January 2023

Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, and Miller Whitehouse-Levine, Policy Director of the DeFi Education Fund, offer insider takes on how lawmakers and regulators are viewing crypto after FTX’s catastrophic failure. Both expect heightened activity in the U.S. from what they’re calling the “Crypto Congress.” Will this be the year for stablecoin regulation? Is DeFi still in the crosshairs? What about Ripple’s fight with the SEC? The two crypto policy experts look to the U.S. and beyond for what regulatory battles lie ahead in 2023.

Token Terminal: DeFi Education Fund – Policy education and advocacy to help DeFi

December 2022

Miller Whitehouse-Levine, Policy Director at DeFi Education Fund (DEF) – a non-profit organisation that explains decentralized finance to policymakers around the world and advocates for policies welcoming of decentralized financial infrastructure – joined us for an interview to walk through the basics of DEF and the important role that Policy work plays within crypto.

The Breakdown: The Fight for DeFi in Washington, D.C., With Miller Whitehouse-Levine

November 2022

On today’s “Breakdown” interview, NLW is joined by Miller Whitehouse-Levine, policy director at the DeFi Education Fund. They discuss the state of regulatory discourse in Washington, D.C., along with key recent events including Treasury Department sanctions.

The Lexcon Crypto Show: Was the CFTC right to sue Ooki Dao? Hear from Miller Whitehouse-Levine of DEF

October 2022

Miller Whitehouse-Levine of the Defi Education Fund joins Andrew in the studio today to discuss the latest news and activity of the DEF.

ReFi DeFi: DeFi Education Fund

October 2022

It's clear that US regulators are shining a spotlight on DeFi. It's essential that we have a group that is dedicated to educating policymakers and shaping the future of DeFi. In this episode, we had the honour to speak to Miller Whitehouse-Levine, Policy Director at the DEF.

Law of Code: Tornado Cash Sanctions w/ DeFi Education Fund Director Miller Whitehouse-Levine

September 2022

Miller Whitehouse-Levine (@millercwl) is the Policy Director at the DeFi Education Fund (@fund_defi). With oversight from the DeFi Education Fund’s grants committee, Miller has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the execution of the Education Fund’s mission and goals. Prior to joining the fund, Miller led the Blockchain Association’s policy operation and worked at Goldstein Policy Solutions on a range of public policy issues, including crypto. In this conversation, we cover all aspects of the Tornado Cash saga, how the DeFi Education Fund works, and outline the interplay between the various government and international agencies governing crypto.

BBC: Business Daily

September 2021

Regulators are taking a close look at new crypto-trading environments, known collectively as Decentralised Finance, or DeFi. advocates say the technologies underlying DeFi offer an inclusive and democratic approach to finance, while critics say it is a potential hotbed for money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activity. The BBC's Ed Butler dives into the world of DeFi, speaking with Laura Shin, crypto journalist and host of the Unchained podcast, to hear about DeFi, and the kinds of entrepreneurs attracted to it. We also hear from Miller Whitehouse-Levine from the DeFi Education Fund, who argues the potential benefits of DeFi, and digital forensics expert Paul Sibenik of CipherBlade explains what tools are out there for tracking criminal activity across dentralised finance platforms. And veteran crypto investor Jamie Burke of Outlier Ventures explains why he has got so much of his own portfolio in DeFi.