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Ayse Karaman
Written by Ayse Karaman,Staff Writer
Erhan Kahraman
Reviewed by Erhan Kahraman,Staff Editor

Layer-1 blockchain returns to the US as regulators move toward clarity

After years abroad, the blockchain foundation returns to home soil by reestablishing its headquarters in Delaware.

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Layer-1 blockchain returns to the US as regulators move toward clarity
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Cryptocurrencies, Delaware, United States, Algorand

Layer-1 blockchain Algorand announced its return to the US, citing improving regulatory and political conditions.

Cryptocurrencies have faced serious opposition from US regulators and politicians for years. Lawmakers put minimal effort into clarifying rules around blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and regulatory bodies claimed conflicting authority by applying existing laws to crypto under different interpretations.

The industry had grown accustomed to lawsuits filed against blockchain companies by US regulators. This period also witnessed many industry leaders serving jail time.

The situation has changed in recent years with the new government taking office. The stance has softened, and policymakers have begun working to bring regulatory clarity to the space by introducing laws like the GENIUS Act, a comprehensive framework for stablecoins.

As the wind of change blows, many projects in the crypto space are returning to the country. Quantum resilient, Layer-1 blockchain Algorand is among them.

Blockchain foundation returns home

The US is where it all started for Algorand. The blockchain is the product of academics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that were trying to solve some of blockchain's earliest structural challenges, particularly around security, scalability and decentralization.

The mainnet was launched in 2019 after two years of research and development, with a mission to support financial empowerment through real-world, enterprise-grade applications available to everyone.

Algorand gained significant support from US-based investors. The country’s innovation ecosystem has always played an integral role in core development activities.

Yet, during the years when crypto was received rather negatively in the US, Singapore served as the base for the foundation. Algorand recently announced that it is returning to the US by incorporating in Delaware.

Algorand is officially back in the United States as of Jan. 4, 2026. With the homecoming, the Algorand Foundation aims to draw on one of the most innovative blockchain markets and prepare for its next phase of growth.

As part of this transition phase, the foundation appointed a new board consisting of blockchain and finance leaders and regulators. The board includes Bill Barhydt, founder of Abra; Alex Holmes, executive vice chairman of United Texas Bank Dallas and former CEO of MoneyGram; Michael Mosier, co-founder of Arktouros PLLC and former acting director at US Treasury FinCEN; Rebecca Rettig, chief legal officer of Jito Labs as well as Staci Warden, CEO of the Algorand Foundation.

The new board is expected to use its diverse background and experience to manage expansion efforts in the US and initiatives in areas like tokenization and payments.

High time to be in the US

The shift in stance on cryptocurrencies in the US prompted regulators to clarify rules around blockchain and effectively integrate decentralized infrastructure into existing financial rails. Algorand believes this requires close collaboration between regulators and industry participants.

Operating in the US ensures this proximity to regulators, financial institutions and technology partners, and positions Algorand as a player in the new wave of policy formation in the country.

A foundational layer for onchain economy

Algorand is a blockchain ecosystem that is home to diverse projects. Prominent projects include Lofty, a real estate tokenization platform; HesabPay, a payment rail for the unbanked; and Folks Finance, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform.

In the near term, Algorand plans to expand use cases, especially in DeFi, payments and tokenization, with solutions that provide clear, real-world value.

Over the long term, the aim is to go beyond individual solutions and become a foundational infrastructure for a fully onchain economy. “With our operations now centered in the US, we are doubling down on making these complex technologies ‘invisible’ to the end-user,” says an Algorand spokesperson.

By combining institutional-grade compliance with tools that provide ease to developers, Algorand strives to ensure that the next generation of financial tools will empower the individual as much as the institution.

Disclaimer.This content is part of a paid partnership. The text below is a sponsored article that is not part of Cointelegraph.com editorial content. The material is written by our advertorial team and has undergone editorial review to ensure clarity and relevance, it may not reflect the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.com. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Disclosure.