Latest news with #PI
Politico
2 days ago
- Business
- Politico
The lobbyist who rejected Harvard
FIRST IN PI — MILLER DECLINED TO HELP HARVARD: Top GOP fundraiser Jeff Miller turned down an offer to represent Harvard University in February as the institution took on heavy fire from the Trump administration, two people familiar with the matter told your PI host and Daniel. Miller's decision deprived the Ivy League school of a second lobbyist with strong connections to the White House ahead of its rapidly escalating standoff with President Donald Trump. — A month earlier, in January, another Trump-connected firm, Ballard Partners, signed up Harvard for a retainer of $90,000 per quarter to provide 'advocacy supporting education and educational research.' The firm's founder, Brian Ballard, found himself in the crosshairs of Trump White House officials in recent weeks before scoring an Oval Office sitdown with Trump. — Altogether, Harvard dropped $230,000 on federal lobbying during the first quarter of this year, up from $170,000 during the last three months of 2024 and $130,000 during the same time a year ago. The university also retains O'Neill, Athy & Casey. A spokesperson for Harvard didn't respond to a request for comment. — Ballard signed Harvard in early January, weeks before Trump's new administration began its broader crackdown on college campuses. Ballard also represents the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt University. — In this administration, lobbyists and lawyers need to pay attention to how potential or existing clients are viewed by the president. Trump wasn't pleased, for example, when he learned that Quinn Emanuel lawyer Bill Burck was representing Harvard as a client at the same time he was working for the Trump Organization. — In short order, Burck was fired by the Trump Organization. An attorney whom the Trump Org had hailed months earlier as 'one of the nation's finest and most respected lawyers' was dismissed by Trump in April as 'not that good, anyway.' — Ballard dropped POLITICO parent company Axel Springer earlier this month, but the firm still represents PBS, for which Trump has moved to revoke federal funds. And both Ballard and Miller represent Big Law firms that cut deals with the president earlier this year in order to avoid being targeted by executive orders. Miller also represents several other universities punished by Trump, including Cornell, Northwestern and Johns Hopkins. Happy Wednesday and welcome to PI. Send K Street tips and gossip. You can add me on Signal, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. NEW BUSINESS: AHIP, which represents major health insurers, has brought on its sixth outside lobbying firm — and its second new outside firm so far this year. — According to a disclosure filing, the insurance lobby retained Whitmer & Worrall last week to lobby on prescription drug prices, following the passage of House Republicans' reconciliation bill, which included a number of provisions aimed at reining in pharmacy benefit managers — the biggest of which are owned by insurance companies that are members of AHIP. — Last month, AHIP hired Scott Raab, longtime top aide to former Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell. — Newly filed disclosures also show that a top manufacturer of treatments for rare diseases and a major trade group representing the sector brought on new lobbying help ahead of a major win for so-called orphan drugs in the reconciliation bill. Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical hired veteran health care lobbyist Max Bronstein of MGB Consulting, while the Rare Disease Company Coalition, which counts Ultragenyx as a member, retained Ferox Strategies. — The Inflation Reduction Act included an exclusion from its drug pricing provisions for products approved to treat a single rare disease. Orphan drugmakers, who argued the exemption would disincentivize development of drugs that could treat more than one condition, successfully pushed for an expansion in the House-passed measure. WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU LEMONS: 'The head of the world's largest aircraft leasing company has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to renegotiate and expand a duty-free trade agreement for the aircraft industry to include newcomers like China in a new lobbying twist to the trade war,' Reuters' Tim Hepher and David Shepardson report. — 'The aerospace industry has for weeks been pushing for exemptions to tariffs introduced by Trump, or to any foreign retaliation, and wants a return to the status quo represented by a 1979 deal between some 30 nations to ban tariffs on jetliners. But Aengus Kelly, chief executive of AerCap, said the current trade crisis also represented a chance to expand and improve the decades-old pact to ensure a level playing field under what he termed a 'Trump trade accord' for aviation.' — 'The call for a Trump-led renegotiation marks a shift of emphasis by the aviation industry, which has so far focused mainly on restoring the existing tariff-free regime. … The call for an expanded pact comes as China is increasing production of a home-grown competitor to Boeing and Airbus' and as Boeing appears poised to become collateral in an extended trade war. TALES FROM THE CRYPTO: 'Washington's most powerful cryptocurrency champion is starting to become a headache for the industry,' POLITICO's Declan Harty writes. Trump's web of family businesses 'is quickly establishing itself as a new crypto empire,' triggering alarm from Democrats, ethics hawks and, increasingly, industry itself. — 'With critical legislation advancing on Capitol Hill, several lobbyists and executives say they are worried that the president could undermine their policy agenda and even jeopardize his own efforts to establish the U.S. as the world's crypto capital.' — 'The industry's brewing concerns present a new front in the pushback in Washington over Trump's increasing footprint within the industry, which critics have warned could become a new means for corporate actors and foreign entities to influence the administration.' WATCHING THE WATCHDOGS: 'After firing inspectors general at 19 agencies in an unprecedented purge, Trump has named six replacements in recent weeks, including three with clearly partisan backgrounds. Two of those have controversial histories and two have ties to the agency they would be responsible for investigating,' per the Washington Post's Meryl Kornfield and Lisa Rein. — They include Labor IG pick Anthony D'Esposito, the former Republican congressman 'who lost his New York seat after he was accused of putting his mistress and his fiancée's daughter on his payroll.' — There's also HHS IG nominee Thomas March Bell, who 'resigned from a government job over an allegation of mishandling taxpayers' money and has pursued cases against abortion clinics as a GOP attorney,' and Cheryl Mason, who said in paperwork related to her nomination as the IG at the Department of Veterans Affairs that she continued advising VA Secretary Doug Collins even after her nomination to oversee his agency. Jobs report — The Blockchain Association has promoted Allie Page to chief operating officer, Curtis Kincaid to chief marketing and communications officer, Dan Spuller to executive vice president of industry affairs and Sarah Milby to chief policy officer. — James Allan has joined APCO's financial advisory and communications practice as a senior director in the New York office. He was most recently a senior vice president at Rubenstein and is a Mercer Wealth, Brunswick Group and Edelman alum. — 314 Action has added Bri Gillis as a campaign adviser for federal and statewide candidates, Eden Giagnorio as comms director and Tara Saye as deputy development director. — Cheyenne Hunt is now executive director of Gen-Z for Change. She previously was a big tech accountability advocate at Public Citizen and is an Amy Klobuchar alum. — Chris Crawford will be senior director of civil strategies at Interfaith America. He currently is a policy strategist of free and fair elections at Protect Democracy. — Emma Mears is now head of membership development at Ned's Club. She previously was membership and community manager. And Jenna Groesch is now head of membership at Ned's Club. She previously was membership executive at the club's New York location. — The Heritage Foundation has promoted EJ Antoni to chief economist. Antoni was previously a research fellow and the Richard Aster fellow at the think tank's Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget. — Emily Domenech has been tapped to lead the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. She most recently was a senior vice president at Boundary Stone Partners, and is a Mike Johnson and Kevin McCarthy alum. — Matthew Christiansen is now a partner in Wilson Sonsini's energy and climate solutions practice. He previously was general counsel at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. — Alex Rosenwald is now a director at DCI Group. He previously was senior director of comms at The Hill. — Laura Akowuah is now special counsel at Cooley. She previously was acting director of the office of enforcement in the FDA's Human Foods Program. — Stephen Gallagher is now an associate at Watchtower Strategy. He previously was staff assistant/press assistant for Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.). New Joint Fundraisers TEAM KLACIK (Kim Klacik for Congress, Red Renaissance, Inc.) New PACs Congressional Republican Organization of Illinois PAC (PAC) Protect Their Future PAC (Super PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Georgia Hospital Association, Inc. Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: Atomic Machines, Inc. Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: Cirrus Design Corporation Elevate Government Affairs, LLC: Spokane Airport Board First Day Pr: Blue State Action, Inc. S2R, LLC: Stillwater Mining Co. (D/B/A Sibanye-Stillwater) Turbovets, Inc.: Turbovets, Inc. Whitmer & Worrall, LLC: Ahip Williamson Law + Policy Pllc: Coalition For The Use Of Safe And Efficient Refrigerants New Lobbying Terminations None.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
BTCC Exchange Launches Hot Coins Trading Week Campaign Series Ahead of 14th Anniversary Celebration
A Media Snippet available here. VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC , the world's longest-serving crypto exchange, is excited to announce the launch of its Hot Coins Trading Week campaign series, marking the beginning of pre-anniversary celebrations leading up to the platform's 14th milestone in June. The first round of the campaign focuses on carefully selected spot and futures pairs that have gained significant traction among the exchange's user base of over 7 million. The first round, which runs from May 26 to June 2, 2025, features a diverse selection of trending pairs including TRUMP, PI, and AI16Z. The campaign offers substantial rewards totaling 50,000 USDT across two prize pools, including exclusive benefits for new users and trading volume-based rewards for active participants: 'These selected pairs not only reflect current market trends, but also align with our users' trading behavior observed over the past quarter,' said Alex, Head of Operations at BTCC. 'After 14 years, we know what our community wants to trade. This campaign gives our traders straightforward spot trading on the assets they're most excited about, with more rounds featuring different coins coming as we build up to our June anniversary.' The timing of this campaign series strategically positions BTCC as it approaches its 14th anniversary milestone in June. The exchange has built a reputation for longevity and stability in the volatile cryptocurrency market, making it one of the industry's most established platforms. Users can participate in the current round through BTCC's platform , with additional rounds to be announced in the coming weeks. The exchange encourages traders to stay updated on campaign developments and anniversary celebrations through BTCC's official X account . About BTCC Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world's longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. Website: X: Contact: press@
Politico
19-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
Pulling back the curtain on McCarthy's Boeing digs
FIRST IN PI — MCCARTHY BLASTS RIVAL OF SECRET CLIENT: Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy harshly criticized Boeing last week for its delays on providing a new Air Force One, saying in a CBS News interview 'the problem is really with Boeing' and that 'they didn't do the job,' Daniel reports. — But he didn't disclose in the interview that one of the clients of his new public affairs firm, Watchtower Strategy, is top Boeing rival Lockheed Martin, two people familiar with the matter told PI. The firm, which McCarthy chairs, does 'general consulting' for Lockheed, according to one of the people. — While it's unclear how much Watchtower charges Lockheed for this contract, the firm has approached at least one major company with a contract of several hundred thousand dollars a month, according to the second person. — When asked about Qatar's offer to give a new presidential plane to Trump, McCarthy said that Boeing had taken 'too long' to abide by a contract it has to build a new Air Force One and that the company 'should lease the plane, fix it, and provide an Air Force One, new one, for the president.' — Boeing and Lockheed have been bitter rivals for several decades and compete on almost every major program in the defense space, including missiles, satellites, weapons systems and fighter jets. Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet is pushing a new version of the F-35 as an alternative to Boeing's new F-47, a next-generation fighter jet that Trump awarded Boeing a $20 billion contract for in March. — Watchtower Strategy launched in January and also includes top Trump-connected operatives Jeff Miller, Dan Conston, Arthur Schwartz, Cliff Sims and Brian O. Walsh. — 'I don't do any work for Lockheed but I'm sure Boeing would love to use whatever they can to distract from their inability to deliver Air Force One on time,' McCarthy said in a text message. Watchtower Strategy didn't respond to a request for comment. — Asked about Watchtower's work for the company, a Lockheed spokesperson said in a statement: 'We routinely work with a variety of companies in support of our business interests.' Happy Monday and welcome to PI. Send lobbying tips. You can add me on Signal, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. AUTO SUPPLIER PICKS UP NEW LOBBYISTS: Lear Corporation has brought on its first federal lobbyists in 15 years as the auto part supplier seeks to navigate President Donald Trump's tariff regime. — The auto seating and electrical manufacturer last month retained McLarty Inbound's Kate Kalutkiewicz, a veteran trade lobbyist who served as a top adviser to Trump during his first administration, as well as a team of lobbyists at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck that includes a former chief of staff to Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), according to disclosure filings. — This is the first time Lear has retained lobbyists in Washington since 2009, according to PI's analysis of disclosures. On an earnings call earlier this month, Lear President Ray Scott said that the company imports $2.8 billion worth of components from Mexico each year and another $625 million in parts from Honduras each year. — While Trump has granted the auto industry some reprieve from his administration's litany of tariffs, Lear has been engaging administration officials to defend its supply chain and 'rationale for sourcing certain labor-intensive products from Mexico and Honduras,' Scott said, which 'ultimately ensures our customers can produce and sell vehicles at competitive prices in the U.S. market and globally.' MORE NEW BUSINESS: Brownstein has registered to lobby for nearly a dozen new clients, including PIM Brands, the parent company of Welch's Fruit Snacks. The firm began working for the snack food conglomerate last month on 'health care-related matters affecting the food industry,' according to a disclosure filing. — Weeks earlier, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had warned major food conglomerates that one of his key priorities in office would be getting companies to eliminate artificial food dyes from their products. — At the end of April, Kennedy followed through by outlining a plan to phase out several synthetic food dyes. He urged industry to voluntarily eliminate commonly used colorings like Red No. 40 and Blue No. 1, which are listed as ingredients in Welch's Fruit Snacks. FLYING IN: A coalition of left-leaning advocacy groups will head to the Hill tomorrow for a fly-in led by Color of Change to rally opposition to House Republicans' reconciliation bill by highlighting the effects of the bill's proposed cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid on Black people. The event also includes the National Urban League, Americans for Tax Fairness, Center for Budget Policies and Priorities and Families Over Billionaires. — The American Cleaning Institute will kick off its fly-in with a Congressional Chemistry Caucus reception on Tuesday before holding meetings with Hill offices to push for the removal of roadblocks to speedy chemical reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Members will also advocate for the Safer Choice certification program for chemical products to remain under EPA, rather than being moved into the private sector, as the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint called for. MUSK'S DISAPPEARING ACT: 'Elon Musk and Donald Trump were the main characters on the internet and across Washington day after day. Then the world's richest man started to fade away,' our Jessica Piper and Holly Otterbein report. — 'On Truth Social, where Trump is known for sharing his unfiltered thoughts, the president used to mention Musk every few days but now has not posted about him in more than a month. Trump's fundraising operation has largely ceased sending emails that name-check the Tesla CEO. The billionaire's name, once a staple of White House briefings, now hardly gets mentioned at all. Even members of Congress have essentially dropped him from their newsletters.' FAMILY MATTERS: 'From its New York headquarters on Trump Tower's 22nd floor, Dominari Holdings Inc. operates a tiny investment bank that, less than three years ago, pivoted from developing cancer therapies into finance. Since then it has lost about $70 million. One of its senior executives was named in a now-settled complaint alleging 'Boiler Room' style business practices at an earlier employer. And it has been stockpiling Bitcoin,' Bloomberg's Annie Massa, Bailey Lipschultz and Dylan Sloan write. — 'For years its shifting priorities and tribulations remained largely out of the spotlight. That changed when it gained two recognizable backers: Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.' — 'The announcement in February that they were joining Dominari as advisers promptly sent shares soaring more than 80% — a windfall for the brothers, at least on paper, because they received hundreds of thousands of shares beforehand. While the stock is down from its peak, Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have already amassed stakes they could potentially sell for about $8 million each, according to a Bloomberg analysis.' WHO'S COMING TO DINNER: 'When the creators of President Donald Trump's meme coin announced last month that its top 220 buyers could join him for dinner at his private golf club outside Washington, the mostly anonymous investors of the Singapore-based crypto collective MemeCore raced to capitalize on the opportunity,' per The Washington Post's Drew Harwell, Jeremy B. Merrill, Chris Dehghanpoor and Carol D. Leonnig. — 'The group of roughly 60 members, many of whom live in China and Southeast Asia, quickly amassed $18 million worth of the coin,' scoring a seat at this week's dinner party and, in the process, 'contributing a share of millions of dollars in crypto transaction fees the Trump venture has collected since the contest was announced.' — 'The gala dinner at the Trump National Golf Club on Thursday will link the president to an unusual collection of deep-pocketed crypto players from around the world, some of whom have told The Washington Post they hope to influence his views on how their industry is regulated or otherwise capitalize on the presidential access.' — 'The identities of the vast majority of the coin holders who were invited to the dinner after the contest ended Monday remain unknown to the public, with many using untraceable crypto wallets fueled by money from unknown sources. And when they meet the president, they may be able to stay that way, with one crypto investor saying he was told by the event's organizers that no cameras or journalists would be allowed in the room.' Jobs report — Sean Sweeney has joined the technology and competition practice at Invariant. He previously was deputy director of legislative affairs in the CHIPS for America office at Commerce and is a Mark Warner, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Accenture and Ralph Northam alum. — Preston Cory has launched 45 North Strategies, a strategic advisory firm helping businesses and investors navigate policy risk and the rapidly evolving global regulatory environment. She most recently was senior director of government affairs at TotalEnergies and is a John Hoeven and EPA alum. — Brian Romick will be the next president and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, and former Rep. Kathy Manning will chair DMFI's board of directors. Romnick is currently chief of staff for Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) — Jon Lang is joining APCO as senior director and head of economic security policy. He most recently served as practice head for trade and supply chains at Eurasia Group and is a Trump administration alum. — Cheryl Cotterell has been appointed president of government affairs firm Westmoreland160. She previously served as senior director of government relations for Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, where she led the defense and space portfolio and is a BAE Systems and General Atomics alum. — SIFMA has promoted Lucas West to managing director on the federal advocacy team. — Media Research Center founder and President L. Brent Bozell III is stepping down after 38 years. David Bozell, the media watchdog's vice president for growth and development, will assume the role of president later this month. — The Congressional Management Foundation has added Karsen Bailey as director of congressional outreach and Colin Driscoll as senior manager of congressional events. Bailey previously was director of operations for Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) and is a Bob Casey alum. Driscoll previously was scheduler and operations manager for Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and is a Joe Courtney and David Cicilline alum. — The Economic Security Project is bringing on four new fellows from the Biden administration: Jamie Keene, Anisha Steephen, Vaishant Sharma and Merici Vinton. Keene previously was special assistant to the president for equality and opportunity. Steephen was the first senior policy adviser for racial equity at the Treasury Department. Sharma was director of economic policy at the National Economic Council. Vinton was a senior adviser to the IRS commissioner in the U.S. Digital Service. — Mark DeVito is now managing director and head of brand strategy at SKDK. He most recently was chief strategy officer at Yes& Agency. — Colleen Roh Sinzdak is now a partner at Milbank's Supreme Court and appellate practice. She previously was assistant to the solicitor general at DOJ. New Joint Fundraisers Jersey Freedom Coalition (Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, New Jersey Democratic State Committee) McDowell Victory Fund (Rep. Addison McDowell, NRCC, American Dream Delivered) New PACs Robotic Research OpCo LLC- Forterra Political Action Committee (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld: American Drone Data Protection Coalition Ankura Advocacy LLC: Jindalee Lithium Ankura Advocacy LLC: Metals Innovation Initiative, LLC Ankura Advocacy LLC: Wieland Chase, LLC Ankura Advocacy LLC: Wieland North America Atlas Advisers LLC: Glass Aviation Holdings Inc Ballard Partners: The McEntee Group, LLC Bighorn Public Affairs Group: Advocates For Multi-Use Of Public Lands Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Deacon Health Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Denver Water Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Eliant Trade Finance, Lp Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: First Nation Group, LLC Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Lear Corporation Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Nuro Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Pim Brands Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Tulane University Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: USA Rare Earth Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Yale University Cfm Strategic Communications (Conkling Fiskum & Mccormick): The Bus Coalition Checkmate Government Relations: Alexander Von Furstenberg Clark Hill Public Strategies LLC: U.S. Beet Sugar Association Clark Street Associates: Pacific Fusion Corporation Cornerstone Government Affairs, Inc.: Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Broad Institute Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Coalition For 1099-K Fairness Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Defense Credit Union Council Crossroads Strategies, LLC: Klasko Immigration Law Partners, LLP On Behalf Of Intealth Dga Group Government Relations LLC (Formerly Dentons Global Advisors Government: Vitro Packaging LLC Diroma Eck & Co. LLP: Trm Labs Hartwell Capitol Consulting: Joint Opportunity Enlistment Interstate Gas Supply, LLC: Interstate Gas Supply, LLC Jhs Consulting, Inc: Lyten, Inc. Platform Government Strategies: The Healthcare Alliance, dba The Coalition For Healthcare Innovation Ridgeline Advocacy Group LLC: Linde Inc. Ridgeline Advocacy Group LLC: St Engineering North America, Inc Ridgeline Advocacy Group LLC: Tether Operations, S.A. De C.V. Steptoe LLP: The Common Application Sweeney & Associates: Bakelite US Holdco Inc Tholos Government Relations: The Tibet Fund Tiber Creek Group: International Society Of Optics And Photonics Velocity Government Relations, LLC: Cognitive Space Velocity Government Relations, LLC: Savit New Lobbying Terminations Federal Strategies Group, Inc.: Mission Produce Nvg, LLC: Environmental Working Group Ridgeline Advocacy Group LLC: Fti Consulting On Behalf Of St Engineering Ridgeline Advocacy Group LLC: Fti Consulting On Behalf Of Tether Operations, S.A. De C.V.
Business Mayor
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Pi Network goes open-source next week, but there's still one catch
Pi Network shuts down its central node and preps open-source code, citing decentralization goals. Big announcements teased could redefine Pi's future — or deepen the decentralization debate. Just as the crypto crowd descends on Toronto for Consensus 2025, Pi Network [PI] has decided to steal a bit of the spotlight, shutting down its central node and open-sourcing its code in one bold move. Add to this an announcement wrapped in mystery, and we've got all the ingredients for a stunner. But is this a real step toward decentralization, or just a well-timed flex? Either way, the Pi community has reason to stay tuned – because the next chapter might just be the most telling yet. A central node no more Pi Network's core team has officially shut down its central node. The announcement was paired with a network diagram that visually confirmed the node's removal. Source: X The shift is in line with Pi's mission to evolve into a decentralized blockchain, secured by its proprietary improved proof of stake (IPoS) mechanism. With the source code soon to be released, the Pi community awaits developments that bring in a new era of transparency. But while enthusiasts celebrate, critics remain unconvinced. The network's referral-based mining model and notably opaque governance still raise eyebrows. Notably, the core team's continued control over supernode selection — and its reported hold on 82.8 billion PI — have fueled ongoing concerns about the project's decentralization claims. All eyes on Consensus The timing couldn't be better. Just as the crypto world swarms to Consensus 2025, Pi Network is hyping the community up with a series of not-so-subtle teasers. First up: a major announcement slated for the 14th of May. Source: X Then? Promises of something 'GREAT/GOOD' on the 15th, capped off by a speech from Pi co-founder Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis on the 16th. Source: X This is a three-day show that has the world talking — and the stakes have never been higher. Read More XRP: Bulls and bears locked in struggle – What of prices? The decentralization debate Even with the central node gone and open-source code on the horizon, Pi Network hasn't fully shaken off the criticism. Its mainnet remains closed, coin transfers are still off-limits, and basic access features like 'lightning' often require VPNs in some regions. For a project that champions decentralization, these roadblocks feel at odds with the message. The upcoming announcements may bring about a change, but until the network becomes truly open and borderless, nothing's for certain.
Politico
15-05-2025
- Business
- Politico
A look at the Qatari lobby
With help from Daniel Lippman WHO'S ON QATAR'S PAYROLL: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said this week there's 'absolutely nothing' Qatar might be expecting in return for the $400 million luxury jet it's poised to gift President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One and then be transferred to his presidential library once he leaves office. — But Qatar, where the president touched down today, has plenty at stake in Trump's presidency. That's especially true after his first term in office, when Trump declined to intervene in a diplomatic blockade against Qatar led by regional rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Doha has also endured years of attacks from conservatives for serving as the home base of Hamas' political leadership amid the war between Israel and Gaza. — The Qatari government has built up an army of lobbyists and PR gurus in the U.S. in recent years in an effort to turn its reputation around. That group once even included Attorney General Pam Bondi, who signed off on the legality of Trump accepting the plane, triggering scrutiny from congressional Democrats. — Doha has further supplemented its influence operation in recent months with allies of the president, according to a PI analysis of DOJ filings. The Qatari government currently has about three dozen lobbying and PR firms on its payroll, including Mercury Public Affairs, the former K Street home of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles (though Wiles herself never lobbied for Qatar). There are several former members of Congress on Qatar's roster of lobbyists, too, including Republican Tom Davis, who's now at Holland & Knight, and Democrat Jim Moran, who now runs his own lobbying firm. Other top K Street shops working for Qatar include BGR Group and Venable. — Over the past year, Qatar has also paid GOP strategist Garrett Ventry more than $500,000 for work that has included highlighting Doha's role as the chief mediator of ceasefires and hostage releases between Israel and Hamas, according to DOJ filings. — In March, the Qatari Embassy inked a deal with Cornerstone Government Affairs. The team of lobbyists working on the account includes David Planning, a former special assistant to Trump, and Chris Hodgson, a former aide to former Vice President Mike Pence and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. — The following month, the embassy hired a firm founded by former New York police chief Bernard Kerik, a Trump ally whom Trump pardoned at the end of his first term. The yearlong contract is worth nearly $1 million, according to a copy filed with the Justice Department, and stipulates that Kerik 'shall be personally and substantially engaged in performance of the Services.' Trump announced plans to stop in Qatar during his Middle East swing weeks later. RELATED READ: 'Trump's Trip Lays Bare a Stark Advantage Some Arab States Have Over Israel,' by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi. Happy Wednesday and welcome to PI. Send lobbying tips. You can add me on Signal, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. IN MEMORIAM: Kit Bond, the former senator and governor of Missouri who went on to found KBS Group, died on Tuesday. He was 86. 'In Washington, Kit was known for his signature smile and colorful 'Kit-isms'—likening policymaking to 'herding cats' or keeping 'frogs in a wheelbarrow,'' the firm said in a post on its website. 'Amid committee hearings, legislative markups, and writing thank-you notes, he was often accompanied by his dog, Tiger—named in honor of Mizzou.' WHO TURNED OUT FOR BROWNSTEIN ANNIVERSARY: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck celebrated 30 years in Washington, and the top-earning lobbying shop on K Street drew a crowd that included some of the most powerful players in Washington at a reception on Tuesday at its new offices on Massachusetts Avenue. SPOTTED at the celebration, per a tipster: Founder and chair Norm Brownstein; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer; Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.); House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Jeff Hurd (R-Texas), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.); Hill staff, administration officials, clients and friends of the firm. BLOCKCHAIN ASSOCIATION'S NEW BOSS: 'CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger is joining a leading cryptocurrency lobbying group as CEO, a major hire for the industry as it faces new headwinds on Capitol Hill,' POLITICO's Declan Harty reports. — Mersinger will take the helm of the Blockchain Association next month, the trade group announced, following the departure of longtime CEO Kristin Smith, who is leaving to join a new industry venture called the Solana Policy Institute. — 'Mersinger, a former top staffer to now-Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, became a commissioner at the derivatives regulator three years ago. She regularly argued that the CFTC needs to craft clearer rules for crypto. She has also often spoken out against the CFTC's enforcement actions and, in a speech last year, touted the benefit of 'responsible regulation.'' — 'She is set to take over as the Blockchain Association's leader at a critical moment for the increasingly influential industry,' which is eager to capitalize on a new wave of industry allies taking control in the White House and on the Hill 'after four years of investigations and lawsuits aimed at the industry.' — 'But last week, Senate Democrats, along with a pair of Republicans, tanked a procedural vote on a landmark bill proposing how to regulate a type of crypto token known as stablecoins, handing the industry a significant defeat and sparking concern about the fate of its policy wish-list.' NEW BUSINESS: The Biotechnology Innovation Organization has added a former senior aide to the top Senate Republican to the trade group's bench of hired guns. The biopharmaceutical lobby last month retained HillNorth's Doug Schwartz, a former Thune chief of staff, to lobby on issues related to the biotech industry, according to a disclosure filing. — Tariffs continue to drive business downtown as the Trump administration ratchets down pressure in hopes of securing new trade deals. The National Pork Producers Council last week brought on Milne, Wiener & Shofe Global Strategies to lobby for 'favorable agriculture, tax, and trade policies' for the pork industry. The Consortium for the Protection of Pecorino Romano Cheese, meanwhile, retained Michael DeLoreto of the law firm Gibbons to work on issues related to tariffs and the 'recognition of Pecorino Romano,' disclosure filings show. — And a new firm started by former Americans for Prosperity chief Tim Phillips and Republican operative Stuart Jolly has signed up a slew of clients for tariff work, according to disclosure filings. They include Instant Pot Brands, the dinnerware purveyor Lenox Corporation, wholesalers Live Comfortably and Soho Apparel Group and laminate packaging manufacturers LLFlex. — Former House Energy & Commerce Chair Greg Walden has registered to lobby for the Solana Policy Institute, according to a disclosure. Walden and five others from the Alpine Group began working for the institute — which aims to provide a new perspective centered around the Solana blockchain — last month. ANNALS OF ETHICS: 'The Trump administration official overseeing the Treasury Department's massive financial operations reported owning stock in many of the large banks and companies that do business with the department,' POLITICO's Michael Stratford reports. — 'Tom Krause, who is also the lead official for Treasury's DOGE team, reported hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of shares in a wide range of financial companies, including those that provide services to the unit Krause oversees.' — 'He and two other Treasury DOGE team members — Todd Newnam and Linda Whitridge — also reported owning shares of Intuit, the parent company of TurboTax, which has lobbied heavily against IRS Direct File, a program targeted for elimination by Elon Musk and DOGE.' TRUMP GETS THE ROYAL TREATMENT … FROM CORPORATE BOSSES: 'When President Donald Trump, flanked by Arabian horses, entered the Saudi Arabian Royal Court for an opulent state visit on Tuesday, he was met by an entourage of American business leaders representing a strikingly high-profile cross-section of the economy,' POLITICO's Irie Sentner reports. — 'Dozens of CEOs of the world's largest banks, hedge funds, defense contractors, tech firms and energy companies flew thousands of miles to Riyadh, where they descended on a lavish lunch with the president and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Elon Musk was there, as was his restaurateur brother, Kimbal. So were the CEOs of Google, OpenAI, Nvidia, Uber, BlackRock, Blackstone and dozens of other moguls representing Fortune 500 companies or their own family offices.' — 'It was an unusually large, and unusually VIP, cadre of guests for a presidential foreign trip — the latest instance in which the American elite, once reproachful of Trump, has swiftly moved to impress him.' The business leaders on hand were there at the invitation of the Saudi government, Irie reports, 'showing the extent to which a foreign government is trying to curry favor with the American president.' — 'Trump and his advisers have said expanding American business would be the primary goal of his first major foreign trip. And the kingdom, which has invested billions of dollars in Trump's family businesses, was eager to help him make good on that vow.' TECH WATCHDOGS PROTEST AI LANGUAGE: A coalition of more than four dozen youth advocacy and tech watchdog groups is pressing congressional leaders to strip out the House reconciliation bill's 10-year moratorium on enforcing state AI laws and regulations. — Without any federal guardrails in place, the language approved by House Republicans overnight would hamstring state legislators, effectively 'sidelining policymakers and leaving families on their own as they face risks and harms that emerge with this fast-evolving technology in the years to come,' the groups wrote in a letter on Tuesday. — The letter was led by child safety groups Encode, Fairplay, Common Sense Media and the Young People's Alliance, and its signatories include the NAACP, the Tech Oversight Project, American Association for Justice, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and more. — 'By wiping out all existing and future state AI laws without putting new federal protections in place, AI companies would get exactly what they want: no rules, no accountability, and total control,' the coalition wrote, adding that 'blanket federal preemption — especially in the absence of federal standards — would upend well-established principles of federalism.' Jobs report — Jared Stout was promoted to chief global policy officer at Axiom Space. He served as the company's chief government relations and communications officer and as vice president of government and external relations. — Shawnda Turner is now regional finance director for the NRSC. She previously was senior fundraising associate at Fundraising Inc. — Paul Ray is now of counsel at Covington & Burling. He most recently was director of the Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation, and is a former administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in Trump's first term. — Seth Williford is joining the Business Roundtable as senior director for policy. He previously was general counsel for Tillis. — Carli Kientzle is joining NP Agency as senior vice president. She previously was a vice president at Conexion. — Laszlo Baksay is joining DHS/ICE as deputy assistant director for media affairs. He previously was managing director at DCI Group. — Patrick Clifton is joining Fierce Government Relations. He most recently was vice president of corporate affairs at LG, where he helped build out the conglomerate's first full-time Washington operation and led U.S. public affairs, policy and government relations activities. He's a Trump White House and Rob Portman alum. — Sam Lane has joined the energy infrastructure giant Williams as legislative and federal affairs director. He most recently served as a Democratic staffer for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is a Prime Policy Group alum. — Reservoir Communications Group has added Casey Stavropoulos as an executive vice president, Anthony DiFlorio as a manager and Kaylin Hewitt as an associate. — Artealia Gilliard is joining the American Clean Power Association as chief communications officer. She was most recently head of environmental and sustainability communications and advocacy at Ford Motor Company and is a Columbia University and DOT alum. — Alex Przybelski is now vice president of digital communications and strategy at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. He was previously director of digital strategy at the National Association of Manufacturers. New Joint Fundraisers None. New PACs Fight for Us PAC (Hybrid PAC) Freedom Above All (Super PAC) GREATER LOWCOUNTRY REGIONAL CONSERVATIVES (Super PAC) IGS Ventures, Inc. PAC (PAC) Reveal Technology, Inc. PAC (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS A10 Associates, LLC: Erd Metal Inc. A10 Associates, LLC: Expion 360 Inc. Agf Advocacy LLC: Porter & Korvick, P.A. Anchor & Arrow Strategies: Icebreaker Strategies LLC On Behalf Of Neros Technologies Armory Hill Advocates (Formerly Known As Rawlson Policy Group): North Walton Doctors Hospital Atlas Crossing LLC: Air Space Intelligence Atlas Crossing LLC: Deterrence Defense Inc. Atlas Crossing LLC: Indotronix International Corporation Ballard Partners: Traxys North America LLC Blank Rome Government Relations: American Commercial Barge Line Capitol Counsel LLC: Exelon Business Services Company, LLC Capitol Counsel LLC: Patients For Patients Safety U.S. Civitas Resources, Inc.: Civitas Resources, Inc. Dentons US LLP: Scholarship America Fierce Government Relations: Cleaner Economy Coalition Fierce Government Relations: Popout, Inc Dba Shippo H.A. Cumber & Company, Inc.: Cb Bancshares Corp H.A. Cumber & Company, Inc.: Ftai Chr Jv Holdings LLC H.A. Cumber & Company, Inc.: Ftai Infrastructure Inc. H.A. Cumber & Company, Inc.: New Fortress Energy Inc. Holland & Knight LLP: Chainsentry Inc. Holland & Knight LLP: Covenant Industries, Inc. Holland & Knight LLP: National Ocean Industries Association Ibex2 Solutions, LLC: Oceaneering International, Inc. Invoke LLC: Bigid Inc. Invoke LLC: King & Spalding LLP: Moleculight Corporation Advocates For Wild Equines Lsn Partners, LLC: Notal Vision Mcguirewoods Consulting (A Subsidiary Of Mcguirewoods LLP): Ge Vernova International LLC Monument Advocacy: Schellman Compliance, LLC Nestpoint Associates LLC: Foodservices Brand Group LLC Nestpoint Associates LLC: Llflex LLC Penn Avenue Partners: Florida Fruit And Vegetable Association (Ffva) Penn Avenue Partners: Juniper Networks S-3 Group: Pnc Financial Inc. Synchronicity Strategies LLC: Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC On Behalf Of Animal Legal Defense Fund Synchronicity Strategies LLC: Tai Ginsberg & Associates, LLC On Behalf Of Environmental Investigation Agency The Bridge Advisory Group: Skysafe The Vogel Group: Artanis Emergency Communities H-1 Nc, LLC The Vogel Group: Border Patrol Supervisors Association Tremont Strategies Group LLC: National Ambulance Tremont Strategies Group LLC: National Grid Tremont Strategies Group LLC: Third Eye Health, Inc. New Lobbying Terminations Ballard Partners: Axel Springer USA Inc. Capitol Energy Advocacy, LLC: Chugach Electric Association Last Energy Inc: Last Energy Inc Mr. Matthew R. Simmons: Caredx The Rox Group LLC: Allen Control Systems
