Lawmakers, industry leaders and blockchain innovators gathered this week to discuss the future of crypto policies and their impact on national security.
The Blockchain Association hosted its third annual policy summit in Washington, DC, on December 16-17, 2024. Attended by top U.S. lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and representatives from the decentralized infrastructure sector, the event is focused on aligning blockchain innovation with regulatory clarity. and national security priorities, according to Denis Serikov, CEO of crypto PR firm ThronePR.
Serikov attended the summit and shared his observations in a note to crypto.news.
American decision-makers were present at the event
The summit brought together policymakers, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Congressman Mike Flood, and Congressman Wiley Nickel, to address the challenges and opportunities related to the regulation of digital assets. Discussions covered stablecoin regulation, securities laws, and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approach to digital asset oversight.
“The response from members of Congress, the administration and regulatory agencies has increased significantly,” said Dave Grimaldi, executive vice president and head of government relations at the Blockchain Association. “This speaks to a complete 180-degree shift that this industry has seen in the perception of crypto and blockchain technology.”
Mike Flood emphasized the need for state and federal cooperation to avoid overregulation, expressing optimism about future collaborations between the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
In a video address, President-elect Donald Trump welcomed the summit, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting blockchain innovation while addressing national security concerns.
The Blockchain Association previously called on President-elect Donald Trump and Congress to prioritize five key crypto actions during the administration’s first 100 days.
Blockchain’s Role in National Security and Calls for Regulatory Clarity
One of the main themes of the event was the role of decentralized physical infrastructure networks in strengthening national security. Representatives from blockchain projects such as CESS, Filecoin and Helium explained how decentralized data solutions can address vulnerabilities in centralized systems, including protecting sensitive information and user privacy.
At the summit, industry representatives also urged regulators to adopt practical policies. Concerns have been raised about the SEC’s expansion of the Dealer Rule and its potential to stifle innovation.
“There is a lot of collaboration between the government and the private sector to drive adoption of blockchain technology faster than we could imagine,” said Joseph Li, co-founder of CESS. “Just recently, we went to Capitol Hill to educate U.S. Representatives and Senators about our technology. »
