Blockchain Innovation Center Opens in Washington, DC

September 27, 2016 by Chamber

Newsroom

Blockchain Innovation Center Opens in
Washington, DC

Washington, DC – September 27, 2016 — The Chamber of Digital Commerce and technology incubator 1776 have partnered to launch the DC Blockchain Center to serve as Washington, DC’s entrepreneurial resource for technology providers and governments investing and innovating in blockchain-based technologies.

The DC Blockchain Center at 1776 is the first blockchain incubator in Washington, DC. It’s focused on helping regulators and government agencies, including state, federal and international, understand the potential benefits of blockchain technology and public sector use cases, and to provide a forum for the public and private sectors to collaborate.

“We strongly believe that one of the most effective forms of advocacy is for the government to utilize and implement blockchain technology, and to experience the benefits first hand,” says Perianne Boring, Founder and President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce.

The DC Blockchain Center has already received requests from government agencies looking for blockchain technology resources, and anticipates further inquiries around issues like cybersecurity, identity management and asset registry.

“FinTech is a challenging space for governments and their constituents,” said Evan Burnfield, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of 1776. “We’re thrilled to welcome the DC Blockchain Center and its community of innovators to 1776. It’s uniquely positioned to connect the dots for government agencies and drive massive scale success through our connections, resources and mentoring programs.”

This incubator is one of many efforts being undertaken at 1776 to foster innovation around financial technology.

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About the Chamber of Digital Commerce
The Chamber of Digital Commerce is the world’s leading trade association dedicated to promoting the understanding, acceptance and use of digital assets and blockchain-based technologies. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Chamber is the founder of the Smart Contracts Alliance, the Blockchain Alliance, the Global Blockchain Forum and many other key industry initiatives. For more information, please visit DigitalChamber.org or follow us on Twitter: @ChamberDigital.

About 1776
1776 is a public benefit corporation that scouts and funds high-growth startups around the world focused on solving society’s most fundamental challenges in sectors like education, energy, transportation and financial services. Launched by co-CEOs Donna Harris and Evan Burfield and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with additional campuses in Dubai and San Francisco, 1776 serves
hundreds of startups and institutions worldwide through its innovation curriculum, mentorship, investment and programming. It hosts more than 500 international events per year that attract heads of state, Fortune 500 CEOs, influential investors and global press. For more information, please visit www.1776.vc and follow @1776 on Twitter and @1776vc on Instagram.

Chamber Media Contact:
Patrick Sutton
Paragon Public Relations
patrick@paragonpr.co
+1.646.558.6226

Cognizant Joins Chamber of Digital Commerce

September 8, 2016 by Chamber

Newsroom

Cognizant Joins Chamber of Digital Commerce

Global Consulting, Technology and Business Services Leader to Participate in Blockchain Trade Group

Washington, D.C., September 8, 2016 — Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process services, has joined the Executive Committee of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. The Chamber is the world’s leading trade association representing the blockchain industry and works closely with policymakers, regulators and industry to develop a pro-growth legal environment that fosters innovation, jobs and investment.

Cognizant is engaged in an array of initiatives to test the potential of blockchain; including the creation of accelerators that design, prototype and test solutions for digital asset issuance and transfer, secure document exchange, digital identity, and many others. Earlier this year, Cognizant announced its work with Mizuho Financial Group to develop a blockchain solution for secure record keeping of documents across the Group’s global companies.

“Blockchain technology is poised to change the face of the banking and financial services industry, providing the opportunity to create new digital business models, streamline business processes, and modernize existing IT systems,” said Prasad Chintamaneni, President, Global Industries and Consulting at Cognizant. “Cognizant was one of the early movers in the blockchain space and we continue to significantly invest in our capabilities to develop enterprise-ready solutions to help clients navigate this shift and become digital enterprises. We’re excited to be working with the Chamber of Digital Commerce to further the adoption and progression of blockchain technology and accelerate its implementation across industries.”

“Cognizant is yet another example of an established industry leader realizing the transformative potential of blockchain technology, and the importance of collaboration,” said Perianne Boring, Founder and President of the Chamber. “For blockchain to reach its maximum potential leaders across every industry will need to contribute to the policy efforts to help shape the future of this new and transformative technology.”

The Chamber of Digital Commerce represents the world’s leading innovators, operators and investors in the digital asset and blockchain technology ecosystem, including start-ups, software companies, global IT consultancies, financial institutions and investment firms. Membership is open to all those committed to supporting and growing this thriving community.

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About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process services, dedicated to helping the world’s leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 100 development and delivery centers worldwide and approximately 244,300 employees as of June 30, 2016, Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at https://www.cognizant.com or follow us on Twitter: Cognizant.

Chamber Media Contact:
Patrick Sutton
Paragon Public Relations
Patrick@paragonpr.com
+1.646.558.6226

Chamber Submits Industry Comments to European Securities and Markets Authority

September 2, 2016 by Chamber

Newsroom

Chamber Submits Industry Comments to European Securities and Markets Authority

Washington, D.C. September 2, 2016 –The Chamber of Digital Commerce has submitted comments to the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”), in response to its discussion paper titled “The Distributed Ledger Technology Applied to Securities Markets,” in which it asks market participants various questions regarding distributed ledger technology (“DLT”) in the securities markets.

ESMA is an independent European authority that was established to protect investors and promote stable and orderly financial markets. ESMA is developing EU-wide Technical Standards that will become the framework for any anticipated regulations.

Given the impact regulation applied to DLT in the EU will have on the development of DLT at a global level, the Chamber submitted comprehensive comments to ESMA. Over a dozen Chamber member companies provided input and interviews for the Chamber’s comments, which were prepared with guidance from Kari Larsen, counsel at Reed Smith LLP.

“Blockchain technology has the potential to significantly improve many business processes within the global securities market,” said Perianne Boring, Founder and President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. “Regulators should not be too quick to act individually to respond with prescriptive legislation that could stifle innovation.”

Instead the Chamber urges ESMA to coordinate efforts with other regulators to understand the new technology, and develop international standards and best practices as the technology matures. With global standards in place, national regulators will have a basis to develop local legislation and legal treatment.

The Chamber also raised industry-wide concerns about the EU’s data privacy regulations. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)’s “right of access” and the “right to be forgotten,” for example, may impact the deployment of permission-less DLT networks. Regulatory flexibility that enables differing methods of compliance will be critical for the uptake of blockchain technology in the EU.

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About the Chamber of Digital Commerce

The Chamber of Digital Commerce is the world’s leading trade association dedicated to promoting the understanding, acceptance and use of digital assets and blockchain-based technologies. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Chamber is the founder of the Smart Contracts Alliance, the Blockchain Alliance, the Global Blockchain Forum and many other key industry initiatives. For more information, please visit DigitalChamber.org or follow us on Twitter: @ChamberDigital.

Chamber Media Contact:
Erin Tye
Paragon Public Relations
Erin@paragonpr.com
+1.646.558.6226