Congressional Leaders, Regulators, and Industry Experts Chart Path Forward for Crypto Policy
Washington, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2024) – Blockchain Association concluded its third annual member-only Policy Summit, bringing together Congressional leaders, federal and state regulators, and industry experts to discuss the future of digital asset policy and regulation in the United States.
Over the two-day conference, distinguished policymakers, private sector entrepreneurs, elected officials, and Blockchain Association members engaged in crucial discussions on market structure, stablecoin legislation, privacy technology, and the intersection of crypto with national security and artificial intelligence.
A selection of highlights from the Summit:
Superintendent Adrienne Harris of NYDFS shared updates on state-level crypto regulation and discussed the evolution of the BitLicense framework, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rigorous standards while fostering innovation.
Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Rep. French Hill (R-AR) discussed the House Financial Services Committee’s work on crypto legislation and outlined priorities for the upcoming congressional session, particularly focusing on market structure reform and stablecoin regulation.
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, shared his vision for banking policy and digital asset regulation in the upcoming congressional term, emphasizing the need for clear regulatory frameworks that promote innovation while protecting consumers. He noted that he would create the first-ever digital assets subcommittee for the Senate Banking Committee in the upcoming Congressional session.
Outgoing FBI Chief of Staff Jon Lenzner addressed the critical intersection of cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and national security.
Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith delivered a keynote address outlining the organization’s 2025 roadmap, emphasizing the industry’s impact in the 2024 election and the need to maximize this moment of opportunity to pass fit-for-purpose regulation under the incoming pro-crypto Congress and Trump administration.
Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE) and Wiley Nickel (D-NC) discussed bipartisan approaches to market structure reform and stablecoin regulation, demonstrating growing congressional consensus on key digital asset policies.
Complete roster of Summit speakers included members of Congress, regulatory officials, and industry leaders:
Members of Congress
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Rep. French Hill (R-AR)
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE)
Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC)
Rep.-elect Addison McDowell (R-NC)
Rep.-elect Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA)
Regulatory Officials
Adrienne Harris, Superintendent, New York State Department of Financial Services
Hester Peirce, Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission
Mark Uyeda, Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission
Summer Mersinger, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee, Executive Director of Office of Digital Asset Initiative, Internal Revenue Service
Jon Lenzner, Former Chief of Staff, FBI
Industry Leaders & Legal Experts
Kristin Smith, CEO, Blockchain Association
Christopher Giancarlo, General Counsel, Wilkie Farr & Gallagher LLP; Former Chairman, CFTC
Shayne Coplan, Founder and CEO, Polymarket
Michael Mosier, Co-Founder, Arktouros PLLC; Former Acting Director, FinCEN
Marta Belcher, President & Chair, Filecoin Foundation
Marco Santori, Chief Legal Officer, Kraken
Julie Stitzel, Vice President of Public Policy, Digital Currency Group
Amanda Tuminelli, Chief Legal Officer, DeFi Education Fund
Katherine Minarik, Chief Legal Officer, Uniswap Labs
Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal & Policy Officer, Polygon Labs
Lauren Belive, Head of U.S. Policy, Ripple
Bill Hughes, Senior Counsel and Director of Global Regulatory Matters, Consensys
Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer, Hedera
Kara Calvert, VP of US Policy, Coinbase
Candace Kelly, Chief Legal Officer, Stellar Development Foundation
Seth Hertlein, Global Head of Policy, Ledger
Jason Somensatto, Head of Policy for North America, Chainalysis
Nikhil Raghuveera, Co-Founder and CEO, Predicate
Colin McLaren, Engagement Director, Cedar Innovation Foundation
Jennifer Schulp, Director of Financial Regulation Studies, Cato Institute
Jack Solowey, Policy Analyst, Cato Institute
Dritan Nesho, CEO, HarrisX
Jason Gottlieb, Partner & Chair, Digital Assets; Chair, White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement, Morrison Cohen
Judd Littleton, Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell
Jeff Hetzel, Associate, Consovoy McCarthy
Aaron Mackey, Free Speech and Transparency Litigator, Electronic Frontier Foundation
Joshua Rivera, Operating Partner and General Counsel, Blockchain Capital
Miles Jennings, General Counsel, a16z crypto
Vy Le, General Counsel, Anchorage Digital
Policy Summit videos will be available by the end of the week.
Save the date for the 2025 Policy Summit, taking place Dec. 8-9, 2025, at the same location, the Intercontinental–The Wharf in Washington, D.C.
About Blockchain Association: Blockchain Association is the collective voice of the cryptocurrency industry. Our members include the sector’s leading investors, companies, and projects, working together to support a future-forward, pro-innovation national policy and regulatory framework for the crypto economy. Find us at theblockchainassociation.org. Follow us @BlockchainAssn.
