+ Background

The United States needs a coordinated approach to be a leader in the adoption and promotion of blockchain technology.

Blockchain technology offers immense possibilities for business, government, and consumers. These include the opportunity for extraordinary economic growth and a safer and more secure Internet. Its ability to improve processes, increase cost-efficiency, and promote transparency in numerous industries is reforming the ways in which companies conduct business.

While technological progress is clear, it does not automatically follow that the United States will maintain its lead in technological advancement. While U.S. agencies determine how to regulate activities involving blockchain technology, other nations are rolling out the red carpet to attract U.S. innovators. Already, major industrialized nations are making significant advances in promoting and adopting this technology, making a hard run to surpass the United States and obtain the economic value this industry offers. Meanwhile, the United States risks missing out on blockchain’s enormous potential for innovation and economic growth. For example…

Xi Jinping

President of the People’s Republic of China

Stated in October 2019 that China should “seize the opportunity” and “take the blockchain as an important breakthrough for independent innovation of core technologies.”

Christine Lagarde

President of the European Central Bank

Stated that while she was the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, “we should consider the possibility to issue digital currency. There may be a role for the state to supply money to the digital economy.” Since she began leading the European Central Bank, the Bank has accelerated its research on central bank-issued digital currency. President Lagarde also stated, “My personal conviction on the issue of stable coins is that we better be ahead of the curve. There is clearly demand out there that we have to respond to.”

Matt Carney

President of the European Central Bank

Discussed in August 2019 how a “synthetic hegemonic currency” may be developed “through a network of central bank digital currencies” to serve as a global reserve currency.

+ Our Strategy

We issued a call to action for the U.S. government to adopt our two-part plan.

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Based on its early stance regarding the Internet, the U.S. government should:

  • Issue a clear statement of support for the development of the blockchain industry in the United States, including its ability and need to grow blockchain technology for the benefit of government, business, and consumers.
  • Convene official forums including both public and private stakeholders to consider pressing issues.
  • Establish an office that coordinates a national blockchain strategy.
  • Issue an Executive Order declaring that government agencies must coordinate on policy and take into consideration the need to develop this technology when developing guidance, regulations, and regulatory actions.

When considering this technology, the U.S. government should adhere to such principles:

  • Adopt a light-touch regulatory approach while the industry established key innovations. If necessary, regulate the function performed, not the technology. Develop clear regulations and laws that provide for a predictable legal environment and are developed with future innovations in mind, prior to enforcement.
  • Encourage development by the private sector. Understand the unique attributes of blockchain technology and digital tokens.
  • Prevent a regulatory patchwork among regulators.

+ ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Advocated to Congress and the Administration that the United States needs to promote blockchain technology from the highest levels. A bi-partisan group of Members of Congress agreed with us and sent a letter to the Larry Kudlow of the National Economic Council to promote these messages.

+ RESOURCES & LINKS

+ QUOTES & TESTIMONIALS

U.S Rep. Tom Emmer

“As the Chamber of Digital Commerce has outlined, before we stifle, we must encourage the private sector to develop these technologies. The National Action Plan also provides a needed call for clear regulation prior to enforcement.”

Valerie Szczepanik Senior Advisor for Digital Assets and Innovation, U.S. SEC

“Internally, government policy and regulatory professional are seriously thinking about blockchain and, as regulators, we are seeking input from industry. Where there is rapid evolution, we don’t want to prescribe regulations and we want to provide for flexibility.”

Manisha Singh Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, U.S. Dept. of State

“Blockchain can improve data collection for the census and other valuable applications for the public. We are watching how other nations are utilizing these technologies. We would like to see humanitarian assistance work more effectively and we want to see other countries adopt a light tough regulatory approach. As government, sometimes the best thing we can do is stay out of the way and let innovators innovate.”

Matthew Roszak Chairman and Co-Founder, Bloq

“Blockchain-based systems and cryptocurrencies are redefining concepts of ownership, transparency, and financial inclusion. To participate more fully in this rapidly developing global ecosystem, the Unites States government requires a strong action plan for this foundational, generational shift in technology, finance, and the intersection between the two. It is time that the Unites States government made a strong statement in support of financial technology innovation and inclusion by reviewing and seriously considering the Chamber’s National Action Plan and the guiding principles it recommends.”

Tal Cohen Senior Vice President & Head of North American Equities, Nasdaq

“Nasdaq believes there is great potential across the financial services industry to leverage blockchain technology. Ideal for tracking and tracing, blockchain technology improves the audit function and regulatory reporting both from a quality and efficiency standpoint. These benefits can be realized if we coordinate and have a strategy. We support the Chamber’s Nation Action Plan for Blockchain.”

Anoop Nannra Head of Blockchain, Cisco

“Advancement of Distributed Ledger Technologies represents an opportunity to drive efficiencies and automation of accountability in mission critical networks and ecosystems. Programs backed by a National Action Plan will help ensure leadership in this space on a global scale as others around the world look to accelerate their own local ecosystems.”

Jerry Cuomo Vice President of Blockchain, IBM

“While blockchain technology will continue to be studied and enhanced for years to come, now is the right time to encourage thoughtful adoption through public and private partnership. The National Action Plan for Blockchain offers important and much needed recommendations for ways the U.S. government can foster understanding and expand access to one of the most groundbreaking technologies of this era in business and computing.”

Jeffrey Maron Managing Director - HIS Market

“Blockchain revenues are projected to reach $462 billion globally by 2030 and 10 percent of global GDP is expected to be stored on blockchains by 2025. This technology can be utilized across multiple industries. Governments must recognize the importance of this technology and provide the necessary regulatory clarity for the private sector to innovate and compete at a global scale.”

Wendy Henry Managing Director, GPS Blockchain Lead, Deloitte

“The Chamber’s call for the US government to develop and launch a framework defining and advocating a blockchain national strategy is an important step forward. As the internet opened the door to information globalization, blockchain creates new transnational business models that US companies and citizens will have to participate in to remain viable, let alone competitive. The US government has an important opportunity to provide the guidance and support that will help protect our interests and support the business models needed for blockchain success. The US has always been a global leader. This technology is a game changer. If the US government wants to continue to be a global technology leader, then devising a national blockchain strategy is a critical prioirity.”

Jonathan Johnson President, Medici Ventures

“As blockchain technology matures and blockchain-based products go into production, these products are transforming business processes by making it easier for people to transact with each other without intermediary institutions. Blockchain technology and products are expected to add trillions of dollars to the global economy and create millions of new jobs. The Chamber’s National Action Plan for Blockchain is an important step forward to advance our technologic and economic leadership globally.”

Bill Shihara CEO, Bittrex

“Bittrex supports building a secure, fully-compliant environment for blockchain that encourages innovation, economic growth, and U.S. leadership in the industry. That’s why we’re continuing to engage regulators in proactive discussions, and working with the Chamber, on how this may be accomplished in the near future with thoughtful policymaking.”

Vinny Lingham CEO and Co-Founder, Civic

“Blockchain is the key to solving challenges that we face every day, like proving and verifying identity. The Chamber’s National Action Plan for Blockchain is critical to embracing the potential of emerging technologies and help business explore the solutions that blockchain makes possible. It is important for our nation to embrace emerging technologies and explore the opportunities that blockchain makes possible. As a global leader in digital identity, we believe that blockchain technology can improve access to goods and services through digital identity, and we’re happy to support the Chamber’s effort to make blockchain technology a national priority.”

+ IN THE MEDIA