In this Voice of Web3 podcast, crypto policy expert and New York Attorney General candidate Khurram Dhara breaks down why 2026 could be a defining year for crypto. He explains why the biggest risks may now come from U.S. states, not the federal government.
Dhara explains that while federal regulators and lawmakers are finally moving toward clarity through stablecoin legislation, market-structure bills, and a shift away from enforcement-first tactics, some state attorneys general are attempting to reassert control by filing lawsuits that mirror cases already dropped at the federal level.
Using Oregon’s lawsuit against Coinbase as an example, Dhara warns that state AGs could undermine national progress by acting as “shadow regulators,” even when voters and Congress are signaling support for innovation. If elected, he says he would refuse to join partisan multi-state litigation and would refocus the New York AG’s office on its core mandate.
Dhara also criticizes New York’s BitLicense regime, calling it unlawful, duplicative, and harmful to innovation, and pledges to audit such regulations. He highlights positive shifts at the SEC, including dropped cases, clearer guidance, and higher thresholds for investigations, which together restore predictability for builders. Watch the full podcast to know more!
