Facing the Heat of Crypto Twitter
Irina Heaver, a prominent crypto lawyer based in Dubai and Switzerland, has been on the receiving end of numerous online threats, primarily from altcoin enthusiasts. She attributes this hostility to memecoin founders who, she believes, incite their followers to intimidate and threaten others. With a significant following of 41,200 on Twitter, Heaver’s influence is undeniable. Despite not being as renowned as some crypto giants, her carefree approach to social media is commendable. “Even if they cancel me on Twitter, I’ll continue on LinkedIn,” she confidently states.
A Staunch Bitcoin Advocate
Self-identifying as a Bitcoin maximalist, Heaver frequently speaks at global crypto conferences. She believes that many of the threats she receives stem from her warnings about dubious altcoins. Whenever a token founder faces legal repercussions, Heaver deciphers the legal intricacies for her followers. A recent example was her coverage of the lawsuit against Hex’s founder, Richard Heart, which led to severe threats against her and her family.
From Oil and Gas to Crypto
Before her crypto journey began in 2016, Heaver spent 13 years as a lawyer in the oil and gas sector. She recalls her time as the general counsel for the world’s largest shipping group, growing tired of the corporate rhetoric. Her transition to crypto was met with skepticism from peers, who believed the industry was riddled with “money launderers and drug dealers.”
The Rise to Twitter Prominence
Heaver’s Twitter account, although created in 2014, only became active about a year ago. She decided to post daily, not anticipating the growth in followers. While she is deeply committed to her crypto collaborations with Middle Eastern and Eastern European governments, she views Twitter as a light-hearted platform. This nonchalant attitude towards online threats perhaps infuriates her detractors even more.
Content Preferences and Insights
Heaver observes that the crypto community gravitates more towards fun and relaxed content. While her in-depth legal analyses might garner minimal attention, her personal anecdotes and humorous posts resonate more. Her Twitter feed is a mix of “Bitcoin-only” accounts and political commentators, with the latter holding more appeal. She believes broader political decisions have a more significant impact than transient crypto price surges.
Predictions for Major Exchanges
Regarding the ongoing SEC lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase, Heaver predicts both will settle without admitting any wrongdoing. Drawing from her “inside knowledge” of the SEC, acquired during her tenure in the oil and gas domain, she recalls a similar situation with a Swiss company. The company eventually settled for $250 million without accepting any fault, a move she believes benefits the regulators financially.
