Smart Financial Regulation Roundtable: Implications of Cryptocurrencies

The Institute for Financial Markets and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University co-hosted an educational event on the financial regulation of cryptocurrencies. This timely conversation discusses the regulation of crypto-assets within the securities and futures markets.

Leading experts discuss the current state of play in cryptocurrencies. How are they being used and what problems can they potentially solve? How are cryptocurrencies currently regulated and does that regulation make sense? Hear from scholars, regulators, and industry experts as they debate whether digital assets pose unique risks and how regulators should adapt to the new technology.

This meaningful study discusses what structural, procedural, or substantive regulatory changes might need to be addressed and what policymakers and regulators might do to help cryptocurrencies achieve their potential while minimizing risk.

Opening Remarks

• Trish Foshée, President, The Institute for Financial Markets
• Brian Knight, Director of the Program on Financial Regulation and Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Panel I: The State of Play in Cryptocurrencies What are cryptocurrencies and how are they being used and regulated?

• Paul Atkins, Chief Executive Officer, Patomak Global Partners, LLC
• Joseph Brady, Executive Director, North American Securities Administrators Association
• Chris Brummer, Professor, Georgetown University Law Center Sara Hanks, CEO, CrowdCheck
• Moderated by J.W. Verret, Senior Affiliated Scholar, Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Panel II: The Regulatory Response to Cryptocurrencies What should regulators and policymakers do to help cryptocurrencies achieve their potential while minimizing risk?

• Jerry Brito, Executive Director, Coin Center
• Ryne Miller, Associate, Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP
• Brian Trackman, Counsel on FinTech and Innovation, ‎Commodity Futures Trading Commission
• Angela Walch, Associate Professor, St. Mary's University School of Law
• Moderated by Gary DeWaal, Special Counsel, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Fireside Chat: Rostin Behnam, Commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission