Michelle Bond has made a bold move by unveiling a new crypto-focused think tank in Washington, DC, just 70 days before her partner’s imprisonment due to the downfall of FTX. In a notice dated June 20, Bond announced the launch of Digital Future, a think tank aimed at creating a conducive regulatory environment for financial technology, digital assets, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. This initiative comes after her partner, Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, was sentenced, with the charges against him being linked to contributions made to Bond’s 2022 campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Describing the think tank’s objectives, Bond emphasized the need for impactful legislation on crypto and AI, expressing that U.S. lawmakers have yet to pass significant laws in this area. Prior to the collapse of FTX, Bond held the position of CEO at the Association for Digital Asset Markets. She also founded Capitol Advisory, a consulting firm offering regulatory, legal, and public policy advice to fintech firms, and worked as counsel for the U.S. Senate Banking Committee from 2011 to 2012.
The timeline for the launch of the crypto think tank remains unclear, especially with the upcoming U.S. presidential election and various states holding primaries in June. Digital Future was contacted for comment by Cointelegraph but did not respond at the time of publication.
In a related development, Salame, who pleaded guilty to unlawful political contributions and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison. His charges were directly linked to Bond’s failed congressional campaign, where he allegedly made illegal contributions on behalf of a corporation. Since his sentencing, Salame has resumed activity on his X account, sharing his thoughts on the crypto market and the U.S. political landscape before reporting to prison. He shares a seven-month-old child with Bond.
The launch of the crypto think tank and the legal issues surrounding Salame’s sentencing are already disrupting the 2024 election, with the impact set to continue.