Jito Foundation, a major validator on the Solana network, is set to return to the US following improvements in the crypto industry’s regulatory framework within the region, according to Jito Labs CEO, Lucas Bruder.
In his latest post on X, Bruder stated that the foundation is bringing its core operations back home after over a year of “in-the-trenches” policy work and a decade of lobbying and education from industry allies.
Bruder cited the debanking of the crypto industry as a major reason for the exodus of several operators, including his organization, from the U.S. He further noted that unclear rules, alongside hostile enforcement, forced his firm to leave, with regulatory restrictions making it impossible for banks and vendors to interact with the establishment.
It is worth noting that “Operation Checkpoint 2.0” captured a period when many U.S. counterparties avoided direct exposure because of regulatory complications. It also coincided with the infamous FTX collapse, which deepened skepticism toward Solana-linked projects during the 2022-2023 downturn.
In the meantime, Jito has set January 8, 2026, as its official return date to the U.S., which it will mark with an event in Washington, D.C. It will be a relaunch and reset program in relationship-building with policy, industry, and institutional audiences. Meanwhile, Bruder expressed delight in the passing of the GENIUS Act, stating that it has moved the U.S. toward clearer rules. This development is encouraging for projects around the crypto industry.
Besides Jito, other top crypto industry participants, such as Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken, reacted to the unclear regulation of the past years by expanding abroad. Ripple’s case was exceptional following the Fintech company’s extended battle with the SEC, which significantly affected XRP’s growth.
Bruder believes the current situation will trigger a trend reversal, leading the U.S. to recover its share of global blockchain developers and high-income technical jobs that have left its shores.
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