Roundtable Recap: GBBC USA's Blockchain Central DC
Published
During Blockchain Central DC, GBBC USA hosted roundtables bringing together key stakeholders to advance meaningful conversations on digital innovation. Held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, the sessions convened leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to explore pressing topics at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and financial infrastructure. We are especially grateful to Senator Cynthia Lummis, Chris Land, and the entire team for their support in securing such a distinguished venue and for their ongoing commitment to fostering thoughtful dialogue.
Across seven roundtables, GBBC convened public and private sector leaders, academics, and regulators for high-level discussions on the future of blockchain, AI, digital assets, and compliance. View the summaries below.
1) AI, Changing Nature of Work, and Education - Access the Summary Co-Chairs: John deVadoss, Providentia Capital; Xiaochen Zhang, AI 2030
Participants emphasized the need to redesign work and education systems to reflect AI integration. Key topics included workforce displacement, digital divides, and AI literacy. The group called for new national strategies and noted how blockchain could support content verification and micro credentialing.
2) Reimagining Compliance, and KYC/AML: Better Ways to Catch Bad Actors - Access the Summary Co-Chairs: Michelle O’Connor, Taxbit; Shih Yun Chia, VerifyVASP
Discussion focused on the systemic limitations of traditional compliance frameworks. Participants advocated for risk-based, context-aware approaches and greater clarity in digital identity. Industry-led experimentation, modular identity models, and enabling innovation were major themes.
3) Tokenization and DeFi: Regulatory Implications - Access the Summary Co-Chairs: Manoj Ramia, Digital Asset; Stephen Wink, Latham & Watkins
Examined the unique challenges of regulating DeFi and tokenized systems, including classification uncertainty, market manipulation, and enforcement in peer-to-peer environments. Participants emphasized the need for agile frameworks that distinguish between use cases rather than asset labels.
4) Supply Chain Leadership in the USA - Access the Summary Led by BITA Standards Council (BITA)
Highlighted the need for harmonized data standards to increase traceability, transparency, and efficiency in global supply chains. Stakeholders discussed how the U.S. could lead in digital trade infrastructure, including blockchain-backed logistics and payment streamlining.
5) Capital Markets Standards: Risk Framework and Digital Money - Access the Summary Co-Chairs: Michael Wagner, Oliver Wyman; Gregg Bell, Hedera Foundation; Fernando Vazquez, Chainlink
Driven by GBBC and Oliver Wyman, members of an industry-leading working group, representing Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs), Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and cryptonative infrastructure providers (L1s), have come together to develop a unified framework (“The Risk and Mitigation Framework” or “RMF”) for managing the non-financial risks associated with utilizing public blockchain infrastructures for digital asset and other use cases.
6) Crypto Investing and Trading - Access the Summary Co-Chairs: Joe Castelluccio, Mayer Brown; Michael Piracci, OKX USA
Participants assessed market infrastructure, stablecoin use, and evolving investor behavior. Topics included 24/7 trading, wallet design, fraud risk, and the implications of rapid innovation on retail and institutional participation.
7) States Rights Discussion - Access the Summary Co-Chairs: Dr. Brigitte Piniewski, Oregon; Robert Rueter, Nevada
Explored how U.S. states can act as testbeds for blockchain and AI policy. The group reviewed active and stalled sandbox initiatives, called for better coordination across academic, regulatory, and industry actors, and emphasized the value of public-private collaboration.
A sincere thank you to the Roundtable Co-chairs and all who joined us in Washington. We look forward to continued engagement and to sharing the full outputs of these sessions soon.