Chamber of Digital Commerce Announces Inaugural DC Blockchain Summit – Registration Now Open for Event Exploring Blockchain Technology and Economic Policy With Keynote Don Tapscott

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Chamber of Digital Commerce Announces Inaugural DC Blockchain Summit – Registration Now Open for Event Exploring Blockchain Technology and Economic Policy With Keynote Don Tapscott

WASHINGTON, DC–(Marketwired – Jan 14, 2016) – The Chamber of Digital Commerce today announced that the first D.C. Blockchain Summit (digitalchamber.org/DCSummit) will take place on March 3, 2016 at Georgetown University, providing the DC community, government, technologists, finance experts, nonprofits, and students a chance to explore opportunities and challenges surrounding blockchain technology in the nation’s capital.

Headlining the conference with a keynote address will be Don Tapscott, one of the world’s leading authorities on the economic and social impact of technology. Tapscott will discuss the new generation of digital interaction emerging based on blockchain technology. His keynote will explain how blockchain technology enables secure and direct communication of value and money without a trusted intermediary to authenticate and settle transactions.

Additional speakers include: John Beccia (Circle), Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Jeff Garzik (Bloq), Marley Gray (Microsoft), Brian Kelly (CNBC), C. Alden Pelker (FBI), Matthew Roszak (Tally Capital), and Jason Weinstein (Steptoe & Johnson, Blockchain Alliance). Presentations and discussions will explore how blockchain technology and distributed ledgers hold the key to solving many economic problems and help create the conditions for a more prosperous world.

“We are bringing together key thought leaders from industry, technology and government in order to create a unique and focused dialogue on blockchain public policy and industry standards,” said Perianne Boring, president and founder of the Chamber of Digital Commerce.

Registration is now open for the DC Blockchain Summit, with special rates available for government employees and members of nonprofit organizations. The first 100 individuals to register will receive a copy of Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott’s new book, “Blockchain Revolution.”

For more information and to register for the conference, visit: (DC Summit)

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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

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BTCS Executives Donate Personal Shares to Benefit the Chamber of Digital Commerce

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Chamber of Digital Commerce Releases Smart Contracts White Paper

ARLINGTON, VA–(Marketwired – Jan 4, 2016) – BTCS Inc. ( OTCQB : BTCS ) (“BTCS” or the “Company”), a blockchain technology focused company which secures the blockchain through its transaction verification services business, announced its CEO and COO have donated shares of BTCS common stock from their personal holdings, currently valued at 50,000, to the educational affiliate of the Chamber of Digital Commerce (https://www.digitalchamber.org/).

Charles Allen, chief executive officer of BTCS, stated, “The support the Chamber provides to our industry is invaluable, and we’re pleased to be in a position to give back to support their mission. As our success continues, we hope to help the work of other qualified non-profit organizations that back the burgeoning blockchain technology and digital currency industries.” Allen further stated “We are thrilled with the Chamber’s efforts in North Carolina and the recent guidance provided by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks which clearly exempts our transaction verification service business from requiring a money transmitter license.”

The Chamber of Digital Commerce is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing the digital asset industry. Its mission is to promote the acceptance and use of digital assets and related technologies. Through education, advocacy, and working closely with policymakers, regulatory agencies and industry, the Chamber of Digital Commerce’s goal is to develop a pro-growth legal environment that fosters innovation, jobs and investment.

Perianne Boring, founder and president of the Chamber stated, “Regulatory risk continues to be one of the greatest hurdles to widespread adoption of blockchain-based technologies. With the support of BTCS and our members, the Chamber helps facilitate the enactment of responsible, prudent legislation and regulation, which helps support the vitality of the industry. The Chamber is grateful for the generous gift from Mr. Allen and Mr. Handerhan, and for their partnership in helping to advance the public-private sector dialogue.”

“With the recent successful closing of our financing, BTCS is now well-positioned for continued growth,” stated Michal Handerhan, chief operating officer of BTCS. “Charles and I believe this share donation is a way for the Chamber to share in our success as we move forward.”

About BTCS:
BTCS secures the blockchain through its rapidly growing transaction verification services business and plans to build a broader ecosystem to capitalize on opportunities in this fast growing industry. The blockchain is a decentralized public ledger and has the ability to fundamentally impact all industries on a global basis that rely on or utilize record keeping and require trust. BTCS continues to evaluate and build additional blockchain technology consumer solutions. BTCS also actively partners and integrates with strategic digital currency and blockchain technology companies who provide products or services that are complementary to its business strategy. For more information visit: www.btcs.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this press release, including those related to an anticipated merger, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its digital currency business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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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

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North Carolina Embraces Blockchain Technology

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North Carolina Embraces Blockchain Technology

Multi-sig, Non-hosted wallets, and Blockchain 2.0 Excluded From Onerous Regulation

In response to the Chamber of Digital Commerce’s efforts in North Carolina, the Commissioner of Banks has provided clarification through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the applicability of the current Money Transmitters Act (Act) to virtual currency businesses in the State. Perianne Boring, President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, noted: “North Carolina has taken a leadership role in state-level virtual currency debates and is setting an example to other states to take a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to regulating this nascent industry.” This guidance is relevant to all companies in the virtual currency industry regardless of location because North Carolina requires that entities that engage in money transmission obtain a money transmission license to offer such services in North Carolina.

The recently issued FAQs addresses concerns raised by the Chamber regarding scope and regulatory overreach under the current Act. The FAQs clearly state that virtual currency miners, blockchain 2.0 entities (including smart contracts platforms, colored coins, and smart property), multi-signature software, and non-hosted, non-custodial wallets, fall outside the scope of the Act – further clarifying that these business models will not require a money transmitter license in the State.

The Chamber commends the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks for its leadership in providing clarity to the blockchain and virtual currency industry by excluding certain business models from money transmission regulation and promoting business in the State. As Amy Kim, counsel at BuckleySandler LLP noted, “these FAQs are quite remarkable as they define specific activities as falling outside the scope of the regulation, which very well may serve as a template for other state interpretations.”

Arika Pierce, Principal at Gide, also states, “as virtual currency continues to evolve as an industry it’s great to see North Carolina’s willingness to work with industry stakeholders to ensure that innovative companies can operate in the state. Our hope is that other states will follow North Carolina’s lead in being collaborative and thoughtful in their approach to overseeing this industry.”

As background, the North Carolina legislature is considering a bill, at the request of the Commissioner of Banks, that would update the state’s existing Money Transmitter Act to expressly include virtual currency businesses. The Chamber has been actively involved in this process, expressing concern over the proposed legislation’s broad language that could potentially be interpreted to capture certain virtual currency business models that are clearly not engaged in money transmission and should not be regulated as such. The Chamber believes that taking a broad interpretation of money transmission would subject small businesses, startups, and technology companies to onerous reporting requirements and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees and bonding requirements.

The Chamber would like to thank Buckley Sandler and Gide for their assistance in the Chamber’s efforts in North Carolina.

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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.

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Blockchain Alliance Forms in Washington, DC

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Blockchain Alliance Forms in Washington, DC

A public-private forum to combat criminal activity on the blockchain

logo-blockchain-alliance-horizontal

October 22, 2015 – Washington, D.C. – Today a public-private forum has been formed by the Bitcoin community to help combat criminal activity involving bitcoin and the blockchain. Founded by the Chamber of Digital Commerce and Coin Center, the Blockchain Alliance is comprised of a broad coalition of companies and other institutions that have come together to address public safety concerns about digital currencies and the blockchain.

The Blockchain Alliance will serve as a resource for law enforcement to benefit from the expertise of some of the brightest minds in the blockchain industry for technical assistance in response to challenges faced during investigations. The Alliance will also serve as a forum for open dialogue between law enforcement and the Bitcoin community about issues of concern to make the blockchain more secure and to deter its use for unlawful purposes.

Jason Weinstein, Partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP and the former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in charge of cybercrime investigations at the Department of Justice and a member of the strategic advisory boards of the Chamber, Coin Center, and BitFury, will serve as Director of the Blockchain Alliance.

Industry participants include the Chamber of Digital Commerce, Coin Center, MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative and developer Gavin Andresen, BitFinex, BitFury, BitGo, Bitnet, BitPay, BitStamp, Blockchain, Bloq, Circle, CoinBase, CoinX, ItBit, Kraken, Noble Markets, and Xapo.

The Blockchain Alliance is engaged with the Department of Justice, including the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and plans to engage with other U.S. and foreign agencies as well.

Perianne Boring, President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, said, “It’s no secret that Bitcoin has perception issues, which is a roadblock to mainstream adoption. Having an open dialogue with law enforcement and policymakers will help reduce anxiety about this transformative technology. This initiative goes hand-in-hand with the Chamber’s mission of promoting a regulatory approach that supports innovation, jobs and investment. Getting criminals off the blockchain is not only good for public safety — it’s good for business.”

Jerry Brito, Executive Director of Coin Center, said, “We look forward to partnering with the other participating companies and organizations to ensure that the capacity of Bitcoin and the blockchain to benefit so many is not overshadowed by the potential for misuse by a few. Working together, we can promote an approach to enforcement and regulation that supports, rather than stifles, innovation.”

Valery Vavilov, BitFury CEO, said: “Like the Internet 20 years ago, blockchain is a technological phenomenon that opens many possibilities. Just like with the Internet, some have used this innovative technology in illegal ways. We fully understand the importance of combating the criminal activity around bitcoin blockchain. The Blockchain Alliance is an important initiative that will add transparency and help improve public perception of bitcoin blockchain. BitFury is privileged to be part of this collective effort.”

Jason Weinstein, Director of the Blockchain Alliance and Partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, said, “This is an industry-driven effort, and we are proud to be a part of it. The companies participating in this initiative are not only good companies, but they are also good corporate citizens. For the blockchain to thrive, the industry must work together to correct the misperception of bitcoin as the ‘currency of criminals.’ By helping law enforcement agencies address public safety concerns about bitcoin and other digital currencies, we can foster an environment in which the full potential of the blockchain can be realized. Thanks to the Chamber of Digital Commerce and Coin Center for their leadership in this important effort.”

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About the Blockchain Alliance

The Blockchain Alliance is a nonprofit organization formed to serve as a public-private forum for the Bitcoin community and federal law enforcement agencies. The Blockchain Alliance serves as a resource to help combat criminal activity on the blockchain. For more information please visit: blockchainalliance.org.

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Chamber of Digital Commerce and ONC to Host “Blockchain in Health Care Code-A-Thon”

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CME Group Executive Joins Chamber of Digital Commerce Board of Advisors

December 7, 2016 – Washington, D.C. – The Chamber of Digital Commerce proudly announces the appointment of Rumi Morales to its distinguished Board of Advisors.

Morales leads CME Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace. CME Ventures makes minority stake investments in early stage companies that may impact the financial services industry, including digital asset and distributed ledger technologies.

Before joining CME Group in 2010, Morales led the APAC business of Goldman Sachs’ Global Markets Institute in Hong Kong. She was named to Crain’s Chicago Business 2014 Tech 50, Institutional Investor’s 2015 and 2016 Fintech Finance 35, and Crain’s Chicago Business 2015 40 Under 40 lists.

“Blockchain technology is beginning to transform the way financial markets operate and holds the same potential for risk management,” said Morales. “The Chamber of Digital Commerce is securing the future of this technology by driving appropriate policy, and CME Group is committed to advancing this shared vision and encouraging innovation in fintech.”

“The Chamber made great strides in increasing the public-private dialogue since our inception just 30 months ago, however there is much work to do to promote the advancement of blockchain-based technologies,” said Perianne Boring, Founder & President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. “Rumi brings a wealth of energy and experience and we are excited to have her on our team.”

“To foster institutional adoption of blockchain-based technologies, established financial leaders like CME Group are critical for the transition from promise to reality,” said Matthew Roszak, Chairman of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. “We are honored to welcome Rumi Morales to our advisory board, as the Chamber will greatly benefit from her leadership and expertise.”

The Chamber represents the world’s leading innovators, operators and investors in the digital asset and blockchain technology ecosystem, including start-ups, sofware 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 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:
Patrick Sutton
patrick@paragonpr.com
+1.609.489.1781

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Crypto For Congress Op-Ed

Why Every Member of Congress Just Received Bitcoin

Op-Ed by Perianne Boring, Founder & President, Chamber of Digital Commerce

Learning by doing is the most effective way to learn something new, especially when it comes to technology. Our brains respond and adapt through experiential learning. Think of the first time you sent an instant message, made your first call on a mobile phone, downloaded your first app on a smart phone, or set up your first social media account. Receiving your first cryptocurrency is a teachable moment. 

Many Americans have already experienced their first digital currency transaction and are rapidly embracing the technology.  According to a study by Coin Metrics, 15% of all American adults – and 27% of Millennials – own some form of cryptocurrency. In addition, more than 33%. of small and medium-size businesses in America are now accepting cryptocurrencies as payment for goods and services.

Since Bitcoin’s inception in 2009, the idea and promise of blockchain technology has seized the imagination of engineers, scientists and technologists around the world. These nascent and evolving innovations offer immense possibilities for business, government, and consumers. The United States has a unique opportunity to catalyze rapid economic growth, while fostering and encouraging innovation towards a new digital economy for the whole world to use.

Elected officials alike must understand that the United States’ technical preeminence is at risk if we fail to acknowledge the role blockchain technology will play in the global economy for many generations to come, similar to the Internet. Technology providers estimate that 10 percent of global GDP will likely be stored on blockchain technology by 2025 to 2027.     

Education is the first step we must take to bring policymakers together to gain widespread support for a successful path forward for digital assets and ensure the benefits of blockchain technology are realized in the United States.   The Chamber of Digital Commerce exists in part to offer education and hands-on learning to Members of Congress that will empower them to receive and send cryptocurrencies and use blockchain technology.

While cryptocurrency is another way to pay for something digitally, there  is much, much more going on beneath the surface. Blockchain technology, the technology underpinning cryptocurrencies, doesn’t just keep track of financial transactions, it can also serve as a timestamping method akin to a digital notary, enabling new forms of corporate and social organization, and improving the way we transact digitally.  

Additionally, blockchain’s open, public ledger technology enables transactions to be traceable for law enforcement purposes and has been successful in protecting financial systems and the public from bad actors. 

Today, many small and medium-sized businesses accept cryptocurrency as payment for goods and services. It’s time for Congressional campaigns to do the same.

One of the biggest challenges campaigns face is fundraising. Most Members of Congress spend hours a day on fundraising efforts alone, oftentimes asking the same pool of long-time supporters for ever more money. It’s a necessary, but time-consuming distraction from governing, with an imperfect and unpredictable return on investment.

Just think of the ‘first-to-market’ benefit past candidates had who embraced websites, email, and social media. These forward-thinkers gained a strategic advantage because of their ability to understand and leverage the new technology before their competitors.

The United States has one of the lowest rates of youth voter turnout in the world. If politicians want to appeal to younger voters, they need to speak their language and reach them in ways that resonate.  More than 89 million Millennials who hold some form of cryptocurrency today are passionate about this new system of money and are likely to support candidates who embrace its possibilities.

Just as campaigns use social media to target different demographics, campaigns rely on a variety of different payment methods to solicit donations from different communities. Imagine if campaigns told direct mail donors that they could give only by credit card, or donors over the phone they had to go to a website. If you don’t let donors give and engage how they want to, they won’t.

Every day, cryptocurrency takes another step toward mainstream use. Investors are allocating more of their portfolios to it, entrepreneurs are pivoting their businesses towards it, and, perhaps most importantly, young people are drawn to it. Embracing cryptocurrency signals to those who believe in it that Members of Congress are in tune with the latest, cutting-edge technology.

Perhaps most importantly, for the U.S. to maintain its global leadership, we must remain at the forefront of advanced technologies. Blockchain might soon be considered ‘critical infrastructure’ within the new digital economy. China and the E.U. understand this and are already well ahead of the curve. Separately, each has publicly declared they want to be the global leader of developing blockchain technology and have strategic national initiatives underway. This would be a significant challenge to both our national security and economic security to have foreign actors controlling the systems and governance that will power the digital economy. 

Accepting cryptocurrency campaign contributions is one small yet impactful way Members of Congress can demonstrate their commitment to helping the U.S. maintain its technological leadership.

We at the Chamber are ready to help all Members who are ready to learn about blockchain technology and better understand its enormous potential for innovation and economic growth.

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Perianne Boring is the Founder and President of the Chamber of Digital Commerce, the largest trade association dedicated to supporting the blockchain industry and educating policymakers on how the technology works while addressing regulatory concerns.