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Editors

IJBL is an open access online journal written and edited by lawyers, that is designed to help business and non-legal communities better understand the world of blockchain and digital assets. 

International Journal of Blockchain Law (IJBL) - GBBC

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Team: Sandra Ro 

Sandra Ro

Sandra is a proponent for ‘human-centric tech’. From investment banking and currency markets to blockchain technology.

Sandra Ro -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Emma Joyce 

Emma Joyce

Emma is the Chief Executive Officer of GBBC Digital Finance (GDF), the UK-based financial services division of GBBC.

Emma Joyce -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Diana Barrero Zalles

Diana Barrero Zalles

Diana Barrero Zalles is Director of Research at the Global Blockchain Business Council. She is also co-author of the book Transparency in ESG and the Circular Economy.

Diana Barrero Zalles -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Philip Gant

Philip Gant

Philip Gant serves as the Executive Director, APAC Policy and Partnerships for Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC).

Philip Gant - Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC)

Team: David Treat

David Treat

Dave Treat is a Senior Managing Director, Global Lead of Accenture’s Blockchain Business, Global Capital Markets Technology Lead, and Accenture Lead of the NY Fintech Innovation Lab.

David Treat -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Yuval Rooz

Yuval Rooz

Yuval is one of the Founders of Digital Asset. Previously, he served as both the CFO and COO. In this capacity, Yuval hired the majority of the company’s executive leadership.

Yuval Rooz -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Staci Warden

Staci Warden

Staci Warden sits on the Board of the Global Blockchain Business Council and is the CEO of the Algorand Foundation.

Staci Warden -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: John Lee

Headshot: John Lee

John is a Managing Director and part of the Tech Innovation Leadership Team. He currently leads the Digital Assets, Digital Currency campaign globally for the Capital Markets Practice as well as Technology Innovation. An accomplished senior executive and driver of innovative change, he was formally the Managing Director, Enterprise Innovation & Product Development for TMX Group where he led various Innovation and product development efforts. 

He was appointed to the Fintech Advisory Committee (FAC) with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) in 2018. During his 25+ year career in Canada’s capital markets, John has built a strong track record of success in spearheading the development and implementation of world class software solutions in trading, clearing and market data. His vast industry experience also includes positions in equities and derivatives trading along with technology leadership supporting foreign exchange trading, investment banking, global payments, prime brokerage and securities lending.


John Lee, Accenture

Team: John deVadoss

John deVadoss

John is a co-founder and the CEO of NeuralFabric Corp., a Seattle-based seed-funded AI start-up.

John deVadoss -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Dr. Reto Luthiger

MLL-Luthiger-Reto-02-L

Luthiger is an experienced lawyer, who co-heads MLL’s Fintech, DLT, and Blockchain industry group.

Dr. Reto Luthiger - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Tanvi Singh

Tanvi Singh

Tanvi Singh is a distinguished corporate entrepreneur with a remarkable track record in the banking industry. With over 20 years of corporate experience.

Tanvi Singh - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Jeff Bandman 

Jeff Bandman

Bandman is an expert in navigating strategic innovation and regulatory challenges and advises governments and private companies.

Jeff Bandman - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Dimitrios Psarrakis

Dimitrios Psarrakis

Dimitris Psarrakis is Financial Economist with 20 years of experience in corporate finance, banking and financial regulation.

Dimitrios Psarrakis - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Hernando de Soto

Hernando de Soto

Mr. de Soto is presidential candidate in Peru for Avanza Pais. Mr. de Soto is currently President of the ILD headquartered in Lima, Peru considered by The Economist as one of the two most important think tanks in the world.

Hernando de Soto - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Sierra Lewis

Sierra Lewis

Sierra Lewis is a seasoned program and project management professional with experience spanning the last decade and a half. 

Sierra Lewis - Global Blockchain Business Council

Chika Phiri

Team: Jackson Ross

Jackson Ross

Jackson Ross currently serves as a Director of Technical Programs and Head of InterWork Alliance (IWA) for the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC).

Jackson Ross -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Alfredo Oballos

Alfredo Oballos Diaz

Alfredo Oballos Diaz serves as the Chief of Staff for the EMEA region for Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC).

Alfredo Oballos Diaz - Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC)

Team: Riley Fay

Riley Fay

Riley Fay is the Digital Content and Media Lead at the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC). After graduating in 2020 with a B.S. in Business and Marketing, Riley enrolled in the Business Blockchain Graduate Certificate Program at Portland State University.

Riley Fay -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Tristen Dague

Tristen Dague

Tristen Dague is the Executive Administrator and Events Coordinator at Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC). With over 20 years’ experience in Corporate Events, Marketing, and Sales Management in both the financial and retail industries.

Tristen Dague - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Jack Williams

Headshot: Jack Williams

Jack Williams is a U.S. Analyst at the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) – USA. He draws on his background in local government, legal operations, and compliance to support policy research, communications, and event coordination. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Government and Politics, Jack is passionate about leveraging blockchain and other emerging technologies to foster transparency, efficiency, and innovation across industries.

Jack Williams

Team: Steve Vallas

Headshot: Steve Vallas

Steve has played a longstanding role in shaping the Australian digital assets landscape by engaging with Australian regulators, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Commonwealth Treasury, ACCC, AUSTRAC, and the Reserve Bank of Australia. He has contributed insights to Australian Senate hearings and advisory panels, as well as worked with New Zealand authorities such as the Financial Services Council, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. 

Steve Vallas

Team: Dina Ellis Rochkind

Dina Ellis Rochkind

Dina Ellis Rochkind is Counsel, Government Affairs and Strategy in the Paul Hastings Fintech practice and is based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Dina Ellis Rochkind - Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Nilixa Devlukia

Nilixa Devlukia

Nilixa DevlukiaNilixa Devlukia is an experienced policy maker and regulatory expert and founder and CEO of Payments Solved a regulatory consultancy advising on the regulatory frameworks for digital assets, payment services, and smart data and open finance both in the UK and globally. Nilixa is a qualified lawyer holding a Masters in European Competition Law and has extensive knowledge of banking, payments and payment systems gained from her time in industry and with the UK and EU regulators. Nilixa has worked extensively with UK Government, the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), and EU regulators. Nilixa has been appointed to various strategic European level committees including the ECB SecurePay Forum, ECB Digital Euro Market Advisory Group, the EU API Evaluation Group, the UK Payment Strategy Forum, the EU Payments Systems Market Expert Group and the EU Data Expert Group. Nilixa started her financial services career as an in-house lawyer with Barclays before moving to lead payment policy at the Financial Conduct Authority. Nilixa has also held roles with the European Banking Authority, the Open Banking Implementation Entity and Mastercard.
Nilixa is a well-known public speaker and works with industry, regulators, and legislators to influence and drive changes in the digital assets, banking and payments ecosystem for a financial services landscape that is secure, transparent, and inclusive.


Nilixa Devlukia - GBBC

Team: Emily Parker

Emily Parker Headshot

Emily Parker is a writer and public speaker about technology, business and regulatory trends in the US and Asia. She is currently the China and Japan Advisor at the Global Blockchain Business Council. She was executive director of global strategy at CoinDesk, where she led the company's global expansion. She was also an anchor on CoinDesk's flagship TV show, “First Mover" and has appeared regularly on CNBC. She is the co-founder of LongHash, a blockchain startup that focuses on Asian markets. Previously, Emily was a member of the Policy Planning staff at the U.S. State Department, where she worked on Internet freedom and digital diplomacy. Emily was a staff writer/editor at The Wall Street Journal and an editor at The New York Times.

She is the author of "Now I Know Who My Comrades Are: Voices From the Internet Underground" (Farrar, Straus & Giroux). The book tells the stories of Internet activists in China, Cuba and Russia. Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, called it "a rigorously researched and reported account that reads like a thriller." Emily's book has been assigned at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Tufts, UCSD and other schools.

Emily has been awarded fellowships at the Council on Foreign Relations, New America, Asia Society and the Carnegie Moscow Center. She was the China advisor at the Markle Foundation, where she focused on how Chinese demand could create jobs in the United States. She was chief strategy officer at Silicon Valley social media startup Parlio, which was acquired by Quora.
She has done public speaking all over the world, and has been interviewed on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, BBC and many other television and radio shows. She has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, CNN, Politico, Reuters, MIT Technology Review, Foreign Affairs, WIRED and other publications.

Emily has lived in Mainland China, Japan and Hong Kong. She speaks Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, French and Spanish. She graduated with Honors from Brown University and has a Masters from Harvard in East Asian Studies. 


Emily Parker

Team: Matt Hoffmann

Image: Matt Hoffmann

Matt Hoffmann is a Capitol Hill veteran and fiscal policy expert who helps lead BGR’s Financial Services practice. Matt is a leader in the financial services space with extensive government and private sector experience. He helps clients navigate policy challenges ranging from tax to digital assets to the regulation of the crypto industry.Matt previously served as a Principal at BGR Group from 2018 to 2021 when he worked across multiple practice groups including Health and Life Sciences and Financial Services. Most recently, he was the Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs at Digital Asset, a leading blockchain software company.
Matt has also served in several high-profile positions on Capitol Hill including as Staff Director for the House Financial Services Committee and as a senior advisor in the Office of the Speaker of the House. As the Staff Director for the House Financial Services Committee, he was the chief advisor to Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and helped manage committee business including its response to the 2023 banking crisis, advancement of capital market reforms, and creation of the first-ever Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion Subcommittee. Matt was also instrumental in the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), and other legislation including the Expanding Access to Capital Act, and the Middle Class Borrower Protection Act. Matt also served as Policy Director at the Senate Finance Committee and as a senior advisor to former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) during his service on the House Budget and Ways and Means Committees, and eventually in the Speaker’s office.


U.S. Policy Advisor

Team: Amanda Wick

Amanda Wick

Amanda Wick served as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice for nearly a decade, specializing in money laundering and cryptocurrency.

Amanda Wick -  Global Blockchain Business Council

Team: Anne-Marie Kelley

Image: Anne-Marie Kelley

Anne-Marie Kelley is a Partner at Mercury Strategies, a consulting firm located in Washington, D.C. Ms. Kelley possesses more than 20 years of extensive and diverse experience within the executive and legislative branches of the United States government. Before starting at Mercury Strategies in 2021, she distinguished herself as a political appointee at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Notably unique among her peers, Ms. Kelley's career at the SEC extended across five Administrations and encompassed the tenures of nine Chairs and Acting Chairs, reflecting her exceptional ability to foster bipartisan relationships. Throughout her 14-year tenure at the SEC, she played a pivotal role in nearly all significant financial regulatory initiatives, rulemakings, and legislative efforts. Her roles at the SEC included Deputy Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Senior Advisor to Chair Mary Jo White. Ms. Kelley has adeptly facilitated the confirmation of 19 SEC Commissioners and overseen the preparation for numerous congressional hearings, totaling in the hundreds. Her comprehensive understanding of the SEC’s internal mechanisms, its distinctive rulemaking processes, and her skill in identifying key procedural opportunities have proven instrumental in advancing strategic goals. Prior to her service at the SEC, Ms. Kelley held positions at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and served on the staff of Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky. With her profound expertise in government regulation and legislation pertinent to the SEC’s jurisdiction and beyond, as well as her thorough command of related substantive domains, including digital assets and blockchain technology, Ms. Kelley is exceptionally qualified to offer authoritative guidance on regulatory initiatives, legislative measures, and political strategies to support the achievement of client objectives.

Anne-Marie Kelley

Team: Adrian Matak

Adrian Matak is an analyst for GBBC, with a focus on Policy. He works closely with the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) team to support policy engagements.

Adrian Matak - Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC)

Team: Justin Legesse

Justin Legesse

Justin Legesse is a U.S. Policy Analyst at the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC). He is currently pursuing his education at St. John’s University, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Business Administration. His academic excellence is recognized through his membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, which celebrates outstanding scholarship in the field of political science. Throughout his academic journey, Justin has accumulated experience conducting research focused on regulatory bodies and states, enhancing his expertise in navigating the intricate dynamics of policy-making and regulation in the digital age. His work and contributions are informed by a deep understanding of both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. 

Team: Karen Hughes

Karen Hughes

Karen Hughes is a Benefits and Personnel Specialist, with a Bachelor of Arts in History from King University, and brings over 15 years of administrative, communication, and executive support to the GBBC team. Hughes combines a strong analytical mindset, exceptional organizational skills, and a solid work ethic to deliver high-quality outputs and functions to every team she’s a part of. 
Karen’s most recent experience includes her work at Regions Bank and Regions Affordable Housing, with accomplishments such as booking over $300MM in loans, streamlining onboarding processes, leading compliance training initiatives and supporting over 70 associates at once.
A dedicated professional driven by curiosity and internal bar for excellence, Karen thrives in any work environment and leaves each better than where she found it. 


Team: Chika Phiri

Chika Phiri is a Legal Officer at the Securities and Exchange Commission – Zambia (SEC Zambia) and currently apart of Milken's Scholarship and Capital Markets Program.

Chika Phiri - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Roya Mahboob

Roya Mahboob

Roya Mahboob is a serial entrepreneur, president of Digital Citizen Fund, Digital Citizen Brew ( Coffee& Tea) and EdyEdy. She focused on building #Digital Literacy for women and children in developing countries

Roya Mahboob - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Alexander Brunner

Alex Brunner

Alexander E. Brunner studied at the University of St. Gallen HSG in Switzerland before working for many years in alternative investments and hedge funds.


Alexander Brunner - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Michael Casey

Michael Casey

Michael J. Casey works as a Senior Advisor at MIT's Media Lab on the Digital Currency Initiative

Michael Casey - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Jenny Cieplak

Jenny Cieplak

Jenny E. Cieplak is a partner at the New York office of global law firm Latham & Watkins.  She provides counsel to financial institutions, investors, startups, and newly created consortiums on the corporate, intellectual property, and regulatory issues arising in the deployment of new technologies in the financial industry.

Jenny Cieplak - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Tony Erwin

Tony Erwin

Tony Erwin has over 20 years of experience in Silicon Valley working with advanced networking solutions, specifically in wireless, IoT, machine learning, AI, 5G, and security.

Tony Erwin - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Paola Valencia

Paula Valencia

As the Director of the Home of Blockchain.swiss, a public-private partnership, she actively promotes the Swiss blockchain ecosystem internationally

Paola Valencia - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Xiaochen Zhang

Xiaochen Zhang Photo

Xiaochen is the Executive Director & Chief AI Officer of AI 2030, where he drives initiatives to harness AI's transformative power for the benefit of humanity while mitigating its potential risks. As CEO of FinTech4Good, he leads a global network that collaborates with startups, corporates, and investors to create, scale, and invest in sustainable and inclusive ventures.

Xiaochen Zhang, GBBC Ambassador to AI Convergence

Ambassadors: Carlos Salinas

Carlos Salinas

Carlos Salinas is a distinguished Financial Services professional and an authoritative voice in the Digital Assets and Fintech sectors.

Carlos Salinas - Carlos Salinas

Ambassadors: Andrew August Piscione 

Andrew Piscione

Andrew is a US-born, Argentina-raised Angel Investor, Engineer and advisor specialized in Fintech, Defi and Web3 applications

Andrew August Piscione  - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Lia Kizilián

Lia Kizilián

Lia Kizilián is the Founding Partner of Protocol Investments, an advisory and investment firm with $1.6B in executed contracts. 

Lia Kizilián - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Travis Cloyd

Travis Cloyd Headshot

Travis Cloyd is an award winning producer and visionary tech entrepreneur. He is the inaugural Futurist in Residence and the Director of iSTAR (Immersive Studio for Altered Reality) at Florida International University

Travis Cloyd - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Matt Sorum

Matt Sorum 

Matt Sorum - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Bob (Weihai) He

Bob (Weihai) He

Bob (Weihai) is the Founder of Veritas Tech.

Bob (Weihai) He - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Paula Taylor

Paula Taylor

Passionate about empowering women and young girls, Paula advocates for girls to pursue education in STEM fields and is co-designing an accelerator program for indigenous, female founders

Paula Taylor - Global Blockchain Business Council

Ambassadors: Karen Worrall

Karen Worrall

Karen Worrall, Co-Founder of Nature Wired, is a tested business leader with experience in international marketing, business expansion, strategic positioning, and brand development. 

Karen Worrall, GBBC Ambassador to Australia

Kamlesh Nagware photo

Ambassadors: Michael Clare

Michael Clare

Michael Clare is currently employed as the Head of Digital Assets and Fintech Operations at Liongate Bahamas Limited and formerly an Economist at the Ministry of Finance for the Bahamas.

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Submission Guidelines

Legal & Regulatory Webinars

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Legal & Regulatory Webinars

Editors

Dr. Matthias Artzt (Editor-in-Chief)

Senior Legal Counsel; Co-Editor and Co-Author of ‘Handbook of Blockchain Law’ Deutsche Bank AG

Professor Locknie Hsu

Professor Singapore Management University

Elçin Karatay

Managing Partner Solak & Partners

Nina Moffatt

Partner, Corporate Department, Paul Hastings

Dr. Matthias Artzt (Editor-in-Chief)

Senior Legal Counsel; Co-Editor and Co-Author of ‘Handbook of Blockchain Law’ Deutsche Bank AG

Professor Locknie Hsu

Professor Singapore Management University

Elçin Karatay

Managing Partner Solak & Partners

Nina Moffatt

Partner, Corporate Department, Paul Hastings

Stephen Palley

Partner Brown Rudnick

Thiago Luís Sombra

Partner Mattos Filho

Jake van der Laan

Co-Author, ‘Handbook of Blockchain Law’; Barrister and Solicitor, New Brunswick, Canada

Gary D. Weingarden

Privacy Officer and Director of IT Security Compliance Tufts University

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