--- title: "Bitcoin Exchange Hops Aboard Internet Association" id: "27599" type: "post" slug: "bitcoin-exchange-hops-aboard-internet-association" published_at: "2015-03-16T22:00:29+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T17:52:09+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/03/16/bitcoin-exchange-hops-aboard-internet-association/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/03/16/bitcoin-exchange-hops-aboard-internet-association.md" excerpt: "Coinbase, a company that has managed to maintain a good reputation in a space where others have struggled, is the first member of the Internet Association focused squarely on bitcoin." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Bitcoin" - "Business" - "Internet Association" - "Regulations" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Industry Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Bitcoin Exchange Hops Aboard Internet Association Slowly but surely, bitcoin is gaining in prominence in Washington, DC, and beyond. Last week, the bitcoin company Coinbase announced that it would join the Internet Association, which has gained outsized clout in Washington in the short time [since its launch in 2012](http://associationsnow.com/2012/09/internet-titans-form-new-association-to-combat-regulations/) . IA President and CEO Michael Beckerman said Coinbase’s interests match those of the association’s high-profile members, such as eBay, Google, and Netflix. “The idea [that] an emerging internet technology would be discriminated against or couldn’t compete because of policy or regulatory issues, that is something all of our companies care about,” [Beckerman told CoinDesk (opens in a new tab)](http://www.coindesk.com/coinbase-joins-airbnb-facebook-and-uber-in-internet-lobbying-group/) . John Collins, head of government affairs for Coinbase, was equally bullish on the relationship. “As the trusted brand in the bitcoin ecosystem, we are thrilled to join the Internet Association and serve as a voice for the growing community of consumers, merchants, and developers building on the bitcoin protocol,” [Collins said in a statement (opens in a new tab)](http://internetassociation.org/031115coinbase/) . “Our vision for bitcoin as a free and open, global payments system aligns with IA’s own commitment to online freedom and innovation, and we look forward to furthering that mission as a member.” Coinbase, a wallet platform that was founded in 2012, has advantages over some of its competitors—particularly on the reputation front. Some prominent industry figures [have been arrested](http://associationsnow.com/2014/01/charlie-shrem-bitcoin-board-member-arrest/) in recent years and currency exchanges [have dramatically folded](http://associationsnow.com/2014/02/bitcoin-crisis-trade-group-defended-currency-fire/) , so it means something that Coinbase can count mainstream venture-capital firms like Union Square Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz among its backers. But Coinbase hasn’t been able to completely shake off controversy. The firm [has faced criticism in some quarters (opens in a new tab)](http://freebeacon.com/national-security/bitcoin-exchange-highlights-to-investors-currencys-ability-to-evade-sanctions/) for reportedly making false claims that it was the first regulated bitcoin exchange. And last week, the company’s chief compliance officer, Martine Niejadlik, [resigned (opens in a new tab)](http://www.insidesources.com/niejadlik-resigns-coinbase-company-faces-increased-scrutiny/) , though a spokesperson told *InsideSources* it was because Nidjadlik wants to “spend more time with her family.” But the Internet Association, [representing a disruptive space](http://associationsnow.com/2013/07/open-source-internet-association-website-connects-users-policymakers/) , doesn’t seem afraid to have members with some rough edges. Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb—all companies that have taken heat for flouting regulatory standards at state and local levels—are prominent members of the group. (iStock Editorial/Thinkstock) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#Bitcoin](https://associationsnow.com/tag/bitcoin/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Internet Association](https://associationsnow.com/tag/internet-association/) [#Regulations](https://associationsnow.com/tag/regulations/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoNCRA: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget ThreatsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/ncra-safeguarding-cancer-surveillance-an-advocacy-response-to-fy26-budget-threats/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: All for the Love of Chicago: Rethinking the Destination ExperienceSeptember 10, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/10/associations-now-presents-all-for-the-love-of-chicago-rethinking-the-destination-experience/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F03%2F16%2Fbitcoin-exchange-hops-aboard-internet-association%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !