Part 5/16:
The panelists expressed skepticism toward increasing restrictions—such as limiting investments to accredited investors—which they view as regressive. They championed crypto's permissionless ethos, emphasizing its inclusive potential and warning against a future where retail investors are barred from participation, potentially returning markets to a privatized, securitized model that stifles innovation.
Mando and CTO concurred that such regulatory moves are often driven by entrenched financial interests, such as big asset managers like BlackRock, which benefit from control over traditional investment channels. They highlighted that regulation often follows regulatory capture, favoring existing financial giants while restricting the normal retail access that crypto otherwise offers.