Corey Frayer
@csfrayer.bsky.social
Michael Lewis called me "...a faceless minion in a blue suit..."
Director of Investor Protection - Consumer Federation of America. Former: Crypto Adviser to Gensler SEC. House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committees.
Director of Investor Protection - Consumer Federation of America. Former: Crypto Adviser to Gensler SEC. House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committees.
Congress passed a stablecoin bill to bolster US Treasury demand and for some reason I'm still not bullish on the probability of an eight trillion dollar USDC market.
January 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Congress passed a stablecoin bill to bolster US Treasury demand and for some reason I'm still not bullish on the probability of an eight trillion dollar USDC market.
The last refuge of free market maximalism was "but we've never *really* tried it."
Crypto gave us the perfect real world experiment in government by market forces. The only surprising outcome was that the experiment managed to outlive FTX.
Crypto gave us the perfect real world experiment in government by market forces. The only surprising outcome was that the experiment managed to outlive FTX.
I think we all must admit that the markets seem not to care whether the Fed is independent or not. (At least until they do care.)
Which should make us all realize that markets are not some deus ex machina that can save us from ourselves.
If we want democracy, the people must assert themselves.
Which should make us all realize that markets are not some deus ex machina that can save us from ourselves.
If we want democracy, the people must assert themselves.
The Secretary suggests maybe the markets *want* a more politicized central bank.
January 18, 2026 at 6:52 PM
The last refuge of free market maximalism was "but we've never *really* tried it."
Crypto gave us the perfect real world experiment in government by market forces. The only surprising outcome was that the experiment managed to outlive FTX.
Crypto gave us the perfect real world experiment in government by market forces. The only surprising outcome was that the experiment managed to outlive FTX.
Yet another crypto 'entrepreneur' who had a run-in with the SEC before crypto even existed.
www.reddit.com/r/MSTR/comme...
www.reddit.com/r/MSTR/comme...
From the MSTR community on Reddit: The New York Times: "Michael Saylor’s Creative Bitcoin Strategy Isn’t Working"
Explore this post and more from the MSTR community
www.reddit.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Yet another crypto 'entrepreneur' who had a run-in with the SEC before crypto even existed.
www.reddit.com/r/MSTR/comme...
www.reddit.com/r/MSTR/comme...
Great episode of @cryptocriticscorner.com with @nitishpahwa.com breaking down the actual politics of crypto. And I learned that I haunt Cas's nightmares.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFH...
The Mythical Crypto Swing Voter (feat. Nitish Pahwa) - Episode 175
YouTube video by Crypto Critics' Corner
www.youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Great episode of @cryptocriticscorner.com with @nitishpahwa.com breaking down the actual politics of crypto. And I learned that I haunt Cas's nightmares.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFH...
Still hard to understand why Armstrong has risked losing a 95% giveaway crypto bill.
His outburst suggests an SBF-like God complex that could justify terrible business practices to himself. Maybe attracting new customers via high yield is covering up some big infirmity at Coinbase? Something's off.
His outburst suggests an SBF-like God complex that could justify terrible business practices to himself. Maybe attracting new customers via high yield is covering up some big infirmity at Coinbase? Something's off.
January 18, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Still hard to understand why Armstrong has risked losing a 95% giveaway crypto bill.
His outburst suggests an SBF-like God complex that could justify terrible business practices to himself. Maybe attracting new customers via high yield is covering up some big infirmity at Coinbase? Something's off.
His outburst suggests an SBF-like God complex that could justify terrible business practices to himself. Maybe attracting new customers via high yield is covering up some big infirmity at Coinbase? Something's off.
Trump's crypto czar blaming Dems for the bill being pulled. Also saying Coinbase needs to get in line because it's "Trump's bill." Dems are still courting industry which requires *more* deregulation and favors.
Why work so hard to pass "Trump's bill"? Especially with his corrupt crypto businesses?
Why work so hard to pass "Trump's bill"? Especially with his corrupt crypto businesses?
January 17, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Trump's crypto czar blaming Dems for the bill being pulled. Also saying Coinbase needs to get in line because it's "Trump's bill." Dems are still courting industry which requires *more* deregulation and favors.
Why work so hard to pass "Trump's bill"? Especially with his corrupt crypto businesses?
Why work so hard to pass "Trump's bill"? Especially with his corrupt crypto businesses?
Trump's crypto corruption remains legal under the bipartisan crypto industry giveaway.
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Exclusive: Pakistan to partner with affiliate of Trump family's World Liberty Financial on USD1 stablecoin
Pakistan said on Wednesday it had signed an agreement with a firm connected to World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business of U.S. President Donald Trump's family, to explore using World Libert...
www.reuters.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:07 AM
Trump's crypto corruption remains legal under the bipartisan crypto industry giveaway.
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Minneapolis is under attack, Trump is fomenting wars, and Democrats led by Mark Warner are locking themselves in a room with cryptobros who spit in their face yesterday because the handouts weren't generous enough.
What a debasement of Congress.
www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/...
What a debasement of Congress.
www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/...
Senate Democrats pursuing a Friday call with crypto industry on market structure bill
A call is being planned to discuss the state of the legislation that's now been postponed in the Senate Banking Committee, sources say.
www.coindesk.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Minneapolis is under attack, Trump is fomenting wars, and Democrats led by Mark Warner are locking themselves in a room with cryptobros who spit in their face yesterday because the handouts weren't generous enough.
What a debasement of Congress.
www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/...
What a debasement of Congress.
www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/...
Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, dramatically torpedoed the crypto bill he basically drafted. Still he has Republicans and Democrats begging for his approval. And he's convinced most of crypto that it was a strategy, not a tantrum.
SBF levels of Machiavellian - this will end the same way.
SBF levels of Machiavellian - this will end the same way.
January 16, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO, dramatically torpedoed the crypto bill he basically drafted. Still he has Republicans and Democrats begging for his approval. And he's convinced most of crypto that it was a strategy, not a tantrum.
SBF levels of Machiavellian - this will end the same way.
SBF levels of Machiavellian - this will end the same way.
Reposted by Corey Frayer
Yesterday, Coinbase withdrew its support for the crypto market structure bill. Hours later, the Senate Banking Committee canceled the markup hearing. They’re not even trying to pretend anymore that this bill isn’t written by the industry, for the industry.
January 15, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Yesterday, Coinbase withdrew its support for the crypto market structure bill. Hours later, the Senate Banking Committee canceled the markup hearing. They’re not even trying to pretend anymore that this bill isn’t written by the industry, for the industry.
Reposted by Corey Frayer
“‘Frivolous litigation’ is a decades-old euphemism for denying working Americans their day in court.” @csfrayer.bsky.social
SEC War on ‘Frivolous’ Litigation Upends Wall Street Cop’s Role
SEC Chairman Paul Atkins’ bid to curb “frivolous” shareholder complaints signals a new level of hostility toward investors and lawyers typically viewed as the Wall Street cop’s allies, and the effort ...
news.bgov.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:55 PM
“‘Frivolous litigation’ is a decades-old euphemism for denying working Americans their day in court.” @csfrayer.bsky.social
Because a crypto CEO threw a tantrum on social media, the Senate Banking Committee has officially canceled tomorrow's vote on a bill giving his multi-trillion dollar industry almost everything they wanted.
With enemies like these, who needs friends?
With enemies like these, who needs friends?
January 15, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Because a crypto CEO threw a tantrum on social media, the Senate Banking Committee has officially canceled tomorrow's vote on a bill giving his multi-trillion dollar industry almost everything they wanted.
With enemies like these, who needs friends?
With enemies like these, who needs friends?
Reposted by Corey Frayer
I want to talk about a dystopian world we are entering - where every moment, event, and crisis just become commodities.
Life stops being something we live, but something we sell and trade. It will breed both corruption & emptiness.
1/ A 🧵on why our politics can't ignore this.
Life stops being something we live, but something we sell and trade. It will breed both corruption & emptiness.
1/ A 🧵on why our politics can't ignore this.
January 14, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I want to talk about a dystopian world we are entering - where every moment, event, and crisis just become commodities.
Life stops being something we live, but something we sell and trade. It will breed both corruption & emptiness.
1/ A 🧵on why our politics can't ignore this.
Life stops being something we live, but something we sell and trade. It will breed both corruption & emptiness.
1/ A 🧵on why our politics can't ignore this.
The most effective anti-crypto lobbyist is the President. The second most effective anti-crypto lobbyist is the crypto lobby.
January 14, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The most effective anti-crypto lobbyist is the President. The second most effective anti-crypto lobbyist is the crypto lobby.
13+ million cryptocurrencies have failed since 2021 per CoinGecko research. 11 million of those were last year
www.coingecko.com/research/pub...
In about the same time period 1,858 public companies went through a bankruptcy. 446 in 2025 (as of August '25 per S&P)
www.spglobal.com/market-intel...
www.coingecko.com/research/pub...
In about the same time period 1,858 public companies went through a bankruptcy. 446 in 2025 (as of August '25 per S&P)
www.spglobal.com/market-intel...
January 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM
13+ million cryptocurrencies have failed since 2021 per CoinGecko research. 11 million of those were last year
www.coingecko.com/research/pub...
In about the same time period 1,858 public companies went through a bankruptcy. 446 in 2025 (as of August '25 per S&P)
www.spglobal.com/market-intel...
www.coingecko.com/research/pub...
In about the same time period 1,858 public companies went through a bankruptcy. 446 in 2025 (as of August '25 per S&P)
www.spglobal.com/market-intel...
I'm having trouble squaring the August 2025 Executive Order to 'Make Federal Architecture Marble Columns Again' with the DoJ accusations against the Fed Chair. This was about two months before Pirro says the investigation began.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
January 14, 2026 at 5:15 AM
I'm having trouble squaring the August 2025 Executive Order to 'Make Federal Architecture Marble Columns Again' with the DoJ accusations against the Fed Chair. This was about two months before Pirro says the investigation began.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Making TJ the first union worker in history who'll be able to afford a case of 3Floyds Dark Lord.
We kicked in $5K to help buy some beer for the Ford autoworker 😉🍻! Thank you TJ! Link we were sent for the GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/tj-sabula-...
Donate to TJ Sabula is a patriot!!, organized by Sean Williams
Please help us raise funds for patriot TJ Sabula!! TJ was suspended from his job at the Ford Au… Sean Williams needs your support for TJ Sabula is a patriot!!
www.gofundme.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Making TJ the first union worker in history who'll be able to afford a case of 3Floyds Dark Lord.
True or not, I will refuse to add "I was better for crypto than Trump" to my CV.
I've mentioned this before, but one thing I've been closely watching for is when crypto people begin to distance themselves from Trump.
November 2024 vs. January 2026
November 2024 vs. January 2026
![ Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has also clearly been trying to woo Trump, claiming very shortly after the election that he was “going to be spending quite a bit of time working with lawmakers in Washington DC and quite a bit of time with members of the administration to help foster and facilitate with other key leaders in industry the crypto policy”.6 While he has continued to boast vaguely about meetings with various influential figures, winkingly describing a “VIP dinner” where “diet coke will certainly be on [the menu]”, there’s been little outside confirmation that he’s had much access to the Trump administration. ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:exrxvyu6bpoym6mbnctke5tn/bafkreibwu7nnfjdr7icvg2bzdh6ug5tbaza5hcut2q5lmerpqalj2cxiwy@jpeg)
January 14, 2026 at 3:47 AM
True or not, I will refuse to add "I was better for crypto than Trump" to my CV.
Extending an olive branch to give the crypto industry some free lobbying advice - don't give quotes to media that admit the language you got in the last piece of legislation is, in fact, bad.
www.coindesk.com/news-analysi...
www.coindesk.com/news-analysi...
January 14, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Extending an olive branch to give the crypto industry some free lobbying advice - don't give quotes to media that admit the language you got in the last piece of legislation is, in fact, bad.
www.coindesk.com/news-analysi...
www.coindesk.com/news-analysi...
Because Bill Watterson is Mr. Rogers for adolescents.
why did so many millennials read so many newspaper comics? easily 60 percent of my reading diet in elementary/middle school was collected editions of calvin and hobbes, farside, dilbert, peanuts, doonesbury (!), foxtrot (?!?) and i know im not alone. historically unique phenomenon
rather than talk about Scott Adams I want to talk about something weirder (me). Who else was really into Dilbert when you were 12. Who else was like, boy, I can't wait to work a cubicle job
January 14, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Because Bill Watterson is Mr. Rogers for adolescents.
This is a great example of "two things can be true at the same time."
Is it right for Powell - even laudable - to stand up now? Unequivocally.
Did he fail his duty to protect the institution when the attacks started by leaving his fellow governor in the cold?
Absolutely.
Is it right for Powell - even laudable - to stand up now? Unequivocally.
Did he fail his duty to protect the institution when the attacks started by leaving his fellow governor in the cold?
Absolutely.
Worth pointing out: while Fed Chair Powell has called the DOJ criminal probe a “pretext” for a president who wants lower rates, he has largely declined to comment on the proceedings against Gov Cook. Many have called her firing similarly pre-textual. His comments on Sunday failed to mention Cook.
January 13, 2026 at 8:39 PM
This is a great example of "two things can be true at the same time."
Is it right for Powell - even laudable - to stand up now? Unequivocally.
Did he fail his duty to protect the institution when the attacks started by leaving his fellow governor in the cold?
Absolutely.
Is it right for Powell - even laudable - to stand up now? Unequivocally.
Did he fail his duty to protect the institution when the attacks started by leaving his fellow governor in the cold?
Absolutely.
Reposted by Corey Frayer
Worth pointing out: while Fed Chair Powell has called the DOJ criminal probe a “pretext” for a president who wants lower rates, he has largely declined to comment on the proceedings against Gov Cook. Many have called her firing similarly pre-textual. His comments on Sunday failed to mention Cook.
January 13, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Worth pointing out: while Fed Chair Powell has called the DOJ criminal probe a “pretext” for a president who wants lower rates, he has largely declined to comment on the proceedings against Gov Cook. Many have called her firing similarly pre-textual. His comments on Sunday failed to mention Cook.
This is such an incredibly important point and it's no surprise Nathan is so on top of it.
The time to protect the institution was when the attacks started not when they become a personal problem for the Chair.
The time to protect the institution was when the attacks started not when they become a personal problem for the Chair.
A more forceful response was indeed warranted, as I said at the time.
www.crisesnotes.com/powell-will-...
www.crisesnotes.com/powell-will-...
January 13, 2026 at 8:24 PM
This is such an incredibly important point and it's no surprise Nathan is so on top of it.
The time to protect the institution was when the attacks started not when they become a personal problem for the Chair.
The time to protect the institution was when the attacks started not when they become a personal problem for the Chair.
Even the Hudson Institute says the crypto bill is a boon for money laundering and sanctions evasion.
us.transparency.org/resource/jan...
us.transparency.org/resource/jan...
January Coalition Letter: Congress Must Address Illicit Finance Gaps in Crypto Legislation Before Committee Markup - Transparency International
us.transparency.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Even the Hudson Institute says the crypto bill is a boon for money laundering and sanctions evasion.
us.transparency.org/resource/jan...
us.transparency.org/resource/jan...
Monetary policy analysis shouldn't be the issue. There's a case to be made that current policy should ease to address slowing job growth. Powell is not infallible in his analysis. He's been wrong before.
The point is executive overreach and independent decision-making.
Full stop.
The point is executive overreach and independent decision-making.
Full stop.
Just to be clear, Trump is asking here for a Fed response to positive economic indicators that could lead to hyperinflation, which is what Powell has refused to do and why Trump is targeting him.
The Trump Put: "When the market goes up, they should lower [interest] rates."
January 13, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Monetary policy analysis shouldn't be the issue. There's a case to be made that current policy should ease to address slowing job growth. Powell is not infallible in his analysis. He's been wrong before.
The point is executive overreach and independent decision-making.
Full stop.
The point is executive overreach and independent decision-making.
Full stop.