Wintermute, a London-based algorithmic crypto trading and market-making firm, has expanded into the US market by opening an office in New York. The move comes in response to improved regulatory conditions in the US, with Wintermute citing the country’s friendlier stance on digital assets and accelerating institutional adoption as key factors. The company sees its new New York office as a strategic step towards contributing to the future regulatory framework in the US. Wintermute’s CEO, Evgeny Gaevoy, expressed eagerness to play an integral role in the US market and lend expertise on Capitol Hill. As part of its expansion, Wintermute has appointed Ron Hammond as its head of policy and advocacy, bringing ten years of experience in shaping crypto policy on Capitol Hill. Hammond, previously with the Blockchain Association and as policy lead for US Representative Warren Davidson, authored the Token Taxonomy Act of 2021, the first bipartisan-supported crypto regulatory bill in the US. The move by Wintermute is part of a broader trend of crypto firms expanding into the US following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, signaling a focus on crypto policy as a national priority. Notably, eight large crypto firms have announced their expansion in the US this year, including Binance.US, eToro, OKX exchange, Nexo, Circle, Crypto.com, and a16z. Wintermute has already engaged with the SEC Crypto Task Force and aims to contribute to the emerging regulatory framework critical for institutional participation. Meanwhile, industry watchers are awaiting progress on the STABLE Act and the GENIUS Act, two key pieces of stablecoin legislation with implications for the crypto industry. Despite challenges, momentum towards regulatory clarity in the crypto space remains active in both chambers of the US government, according to Nexo dispatch analyst Iliya Kalchev.