Cryptopols

Methodology


Sentiment Assessment Parameters

Cryptopols has established evaluation criteria used to assess the sentiment by US politicians towards the crypto industry, web3 ecosystem and blockchain technology. This website uses a variety of sources to get information of US politicians to evaluate their crypto sentiment, most notably legislative actions (i.e. sponsoring a crypto-related bill), press releases, news articles as well as direct statements on the topic of crypto, such as social media posts. Every event is assessed individually and a politician's overall sentiment constitutes the aggregate of past assessments. The same methodology is also applied to bills and resolutions introduced by members of Congress.

Cryptopols relies on its user base to conduct holistic, transparent and equitable assessments. Your opinion on the assessment paramaters and sources used to evaluate are important to us, as we are aiming to establish a methodology with broad consensus. Feel free to provide any feedback via the contact form.


Pro-Crypto Parameters

The following classifications are interpreted as pro-crypto sentiment, which includes statements, opinions and actions taken by a politician where he/she:

  • Views crypto, web3 and blockchain technology as an innovative segment with future growth potential.
  • Engages in meaningful regulation of the crypto industry, which includes making crypto a more secure place for citizens to perform crypto transactions with reduced risks of economic attacks by malicious actors.
  • Discourages punitive regulatory enforcement actions taken on the basis of frameworks that may not clearly apply to (parts of) the crypto industry.
  • Recognizes the need for privacy in crypto for its citizens, where government restrains itself from taking advantage of blockchain technology features to implement programs aimed to surveil and control its people.
  • Expresses opposition against the idea of implementing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), arguing that CBDCs open the door for governments to enact tighter controls over financial transactions of their people and are therefore against the spirit of freedom, liberty and universal access to finance that crypto aims to accomplish, among other things.
  • Shows support for investments into decentralized crypto infrastructure and applications, both in the public and private sector.
  • Demonstrates a constructive and positive approach in communicating messages and legislative actions that aim to gain broader consensus around the benefits of crypto.

Anti-Crypto Parameters

The following classifications are interpreted as anti-crypto sentiment, which includes statements, opinions and actions taken by a politician where he/she:

  • Believes that crypto does not produce any value for society.
  • Expresses that crypto is predominantly used by malicious actors, such as money launderers, terrorist groups and pariah states.
  • Supports implementing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
  • Promotes restricting access to crypto via regulations that limit the ability of citizens to perform financial crypto transactions, work in web3 or otherwise engage in doing business in crypto.
  • Encourages broad and punitive regulatory enforcement actions towards the crypto industry without regards for nuanced applicability of existing laws and regulations, and without regards for its impact on innovation and all stakeholders in the crypto ecosystem.
  • Supports shutting down the crypto industry.
  • Demonstrates an adversarial and negative mindset towards the benefits of crypto and towards supporters of web3 and blockchain technology.

Legislation Categories

Cryptopols organizes crypto bills and resolutions by category which represents the topic(s) that a specific legislation covers, such as CBDC or DeFi. This allows users to get a quick overall understanding of the scope of a legislation and enables them to search for specific topics of interest. The categories are explained in more detail below.

CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency)

Legislation concerning the development, regulation, or prohibition of digital currencies issued by the Federal Reserve Bank, including aspects related to their implementation, privacy, and economic impact.

Consumer Protection

Proposals aimed at safeguarding consumers participating in digital asset markets, including measures to prevent fraud, ensure fair practices, and provide clear disclosures.

Crime Prevention

Legislation focused on preventing, detecting, and prosecuting criminal activities related to digital assets, such as money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit uses.

Custody

Proposals addressing the secure storage and handling of digital assets, including regulatory requirements for custodial services and protection against theft and loss.

DeFi (Decentralized Finance)

Legislation related to the regulation, development, and oversight of decentralized financial protocols and platforms that operate without traditional intermediaries.

Investor Access

Legislation pertaining to the accessibility of digital asset markets for investors, including barriers to entry, equity, and the democratization of finance.

Innovation Support

Proposals that aim to foster innovation within the blockchain and digital currency spaces, possibly through funding, regulatory sandboxes, or supportive legal frameworks.

Privacy

Legislation that deals with the right to privacy for individuals and businesses within the digital asset ecosystem, including data protection and anonymity concerns.

Research

Proposals that call for or fund research into various aspects of digital currencies and blockchain technology, aiming to inform policymakers and guide future regulation.

Sanctions Enforcement

Legislation that addresses the role of digital currencies in enforcing economic sanctions, including measures to prevent evasion through digital asset transactions.

Taxation and Reporting

Proposals that outline the taxation regime for digital assets and the reporting requirements for individuals and entities engaged in digital asset transactions.

Other

Catch-all category which includes legislation that doesn't neatly fit into any of the categories above but is related to digital currencies and blockchain technology.