Crypto Firms Eye U.S. Expansion Amid Regulatory Easing

In a significant development for the cryptocurrency industry, several major crypto firms, including Nexo, Deribit, OKX, Wintermute, and DWF Labs, are considering expanding their operations into the United States. This potential move is largely attributed to the easing of regulations under the Trump administration, which has been perceived as more crypto-friendly. According to a report from Coincu.com, these firms are reassessing their strategies to capitalize on the favorable regulatory environment in the U.S.

Deribit’s Strategic Considerations

Deribit, the world’s largest crypto options exchange, is particularly focused on entering the U.S. market. The Dubai-based exchange, which processed $1.3 trillion in notional volume last year, is actively exploring opportunities in the U.S. due to the recent regulatory shifts. CEO Luuk Strijers highlighted the “recent shift toward a more favorable regulatory stance on crypto in the US” as a key motivator for this strategic move. This comes at a time when Coinbase is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Deribit, a move that would require transferring the platform’s license from Dubai to Coinbase if finalized.

Crypto Adoption in Cannes

In another development, the French city of Cannes is set to become a pioneer in crypto payments, with an ambitious goal of having 90% of its shops accept cryptocurrencies by summer 2025. Artem Shaginyan, founder of Lunu Pay, a Web3 payment company, shared that the Cannes municipal government is pushing for widespread crypto acceptance among local merchants. This initiative is part of Cannes’ broader strategy to position itself as a global hub for crypto tourism, especially in anticipation of the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in 2025. Mayor David Lisnard has been a vocal advocate for this modernization effort, emphasizing the practical benefits of crypto payments for attracting high-net-worth individuals and tech-savvy travelers.

Nexo’s Market Position

Amid these developments, Nexo, a prominent player in the crypto lending space, continues to maintain a strong market presence. As of May 1, 2025, Nexo’s close price stood at $1.25557, with a 52-week high of $1.54808 and a low of $0.824402. The company’s market capitalization is reported at approximately $808.54 million, reflecting its significant role in the cryptocurrency market.

These developments underscore a growing trend of crypto firms expanding their reach and the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies in mainstream commerce, signaling a maturing market poised for further growth and integration.