As Washington moves closer to building a formal regulatory framework for digital assets, crypto investors are searching for early signals that could reveal how the landscape is likely to change.
According to Lee Schneider, general counsel at Ava Labs , those signals will not come quietly or behind closed doors.
Instead, they will appear in plain sight through the US regulatory rulemaking process — for those paying attention.
In an interview with TheStreet Roundtable , Schneider said the most important markers will not be sweeping legislation passed by Congress, but proposed rules issued by regulators.
Related: Ava Labs founder explains why speed and security can coexist in blockchain
"For me the big marker is when will we see proposed rules out of the SEC and the CFTC," Schneider said.
Once those proposals are published, they typically offer the first meaningful indication of how the final regulatory framework may take shape. Even as companies formally submit comments, many will already be adjusting business strategies based on the direction regulators appear to be heading.
Congress vs. agencies
While Congress will ultimately play a central role in shaping long-term crypto policy, Schneider said federal agencies are likely to have a more immediate impact on market expectations.
Ava Labs, he said, is actively engaging in the regulatory process, both directly and through industry groups.
"We will probably submit some comment letters or at least work on comment letters that are being submitted by the Blockchain Association, the Digital Chamber, Crypto Council for Innovation and the DeFi Education Fund," Schneider said.
Legislation must pass both the House and Senate before reaching President Donald Trump's desk, a process that can take months or even years.
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By contrast, agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission can move more quickly by issuing rules that guide how businesses and investors operate in the near term.
How businesses will react
Inside Ava Labs, Schneider said the focus will be on understanding how proposed rules affect specific lines of business rather than the crypto industry as a whole.
The company plans to closely examine the potential impact on its self-custody wallet, blockchain-as-a-service offerings and custody-related initiatives.
"We will be taking a deep dive into the rules to see how they might affect the different businesses we have at Ava Labs," Schneider said.
Preparation, he added, is likely to begin well before any rules are finalized.
"We may even start taking some steps to build whatever is necessary from a compliance standpoint a risk management standpoint or a business standpoint," Schneider said.
Related: What is Crypto? Cryptocurrency explained
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Policy section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
