Wintermute expands to NYC and taps policy veteran Ron Hammond amid a friendlier regulatory shift in the US

Crypto market maker Wintermute is bringing on policy veteran Ron Hammond as it positions itself amid a more favorable regulatory environment in the U.S.

Additionally, Wintermute announced on Thursday that it is establishing its U.S. headquarters in New York City, marking its first location in the country. The office will open on June 1 and will be in downtown Manhattan, according to a spokesperson.

“As the U.S. policy towards digital assets and blockchain innovation has become friendlier, we were determined to act fast and establish roots in the financial capital of the world, New York City,” Wintermute CEO Evgeny Gaevoy said in a statement. “We’re eager to continue our growth and play an integral role in the U.S. market.”

Other firms have also begun expanding in the U.S., including Seychelles-based OKX and Nexo, which left after receiving regulatory scrutiny over one of its products. Under a new presidential administration, President Donald Trump has taken a supportive approach to the crypto industry in part through appointing friendlier heads of key agencies, including at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Hammond was previously the senior director of government relations at the Blockchain Association. Before, he was a financial services policy lead for Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio and has also worked on bills to regulate the industry.

“I am thrilled to join Wintermute, a global powerhouse in digital asset markets, as it establishes a U.S. presence at this critical moment for the digital asset industry,” said Ron Hammond, head of policy and advocacy, in the statement. “With the regulatory climate in the U.S. becoming more constructive, we see tremendous opportunity to foster responsible innovation and deepen engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders.”