Regulators, FinTech Innovators, and Congressional Leaders Debate Digital Identity, Stablecoin Risk, and the Critical Nexus of AI and Decentralization.
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2025 – The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) and The Edge of Company have concluded their 5th annual flagship Future of Money, Governance, and the Law (FoMGL) event, bringing together regulators, members of Congress, global policymakers, and financial technology innovators to discuss the profound implications of blockchain, digital assets, and artificial intelligence on the global economy.
The well-attended and highly successful conference in the nation’s capital solidified its role as a critical, non-partisan global platform for high-level dialogue on regulations and policy implementation.
A highlight of the day was a keynote from U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), a leading voice on blockchain technology in Congress who offered a rare blend of technical and political perspectives.
“I’m probably the only member of Congress who has designed and built a 100,000-ampere superconducting power transmission line, and also coded blockchain clients with my son,” he said before emphasizing the mainstream of decentralized technology and the critical need for robust digital identity.
“The trend toward major financial players adopting permissioned blockchains for tokenizing real-world assets signals that blockchain technology has gone mainstream … Identity is everything in the digital asset journey; getting secure, trusted digital identity right is a necessary step for mass mainstream use.”
The event featured a series of high-impact panel discussions addressing the most pressing topics in the digital economy.
The Intersection of AI & Blockchain: From Infrastructure to Policy featured Joshua Kriger (Co-Host of The Edge Of Show), Josh Lawler (Partner, Zuber Lawler LLP), Cathy Hackl (Futurist in residence, Nokia), Nicholas Zaldastani (Co-Founder | Chairman, CESS Network), and Janet Adams (Board Director, Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) Alliance).
“This year’s event clearly demonstrated that the future of finance and governance is being built at the intersection of AI and decentralized technology,” said Joshua Kriger, Co-Host of The Edge Of Show. “The caliber of discussion was unparalleled, moving beyond theoretical concepts to concrete policy and infrastructure solutions that are shaping the next decade.”
From left to right: Nadya Rousseau, Vincent Kadar, Kevin Jackson, Andrew Durgee, Terry Culver
The Race to Modernize Finance: How New Blockchain FinTech Products Play an Increasingly Critical Role included Eleanor Terrett (Host & Journalist, Crypto in America podcast), Marcus Veith (National Industry Leader – Blockchain, Digital Assets & Web3 Solutions; Partner, Audit Services at Grant Thornton LLP), Wee Kee Toh (Executive Director & Global Head of Business Architecture, Kinexys Digital Payments at J.P. Morgan), and Paul Dowding (Co-Founder & Head of Design at L4S Corporation).
Regulating the Future: New Frontiers in FinTech and Blockchain featured insights from Craig Salm (Chief Legal Officer, Grayscale Investments), Ryan VanGrack (Vice President Legal & Global Head of Litigation, Coinbase), Kyle Hauptman (Chairman, National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)), and Jon Ungerland (Chief Information Officer / Chief Operating Officer at DaLand CUSO).
Government Policy in the Age of Decentralization: Crafting Rules for a Borderless Economy included Daniel Spuller (Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs, Blockchain Association), Lisa Cameron (President, The Financial Club), Baroness Manzila Uddin (Member, U.K. House of Lords), and Bill Huizenga (Member, U.S. House of Representatives).
FoMGL also recognized exceptional leaders driving positive change in the ecosystem with its Annual Achievement Awards, with honorees including:
The EASE Protocol Award for LEADERSHIP: Alejandro Mandujano
The Constellation Network Award for INNOVATION: Tony Dai
The EazyBot Award for SOCIAL IMPACT: Ndifreke Ikokpu
The AlphaTON Award for COURAGE: Mariana de la Roche Wills
The Animoca BRANDS Award for ORGANIZATION: EazyBot
“FoMGL continues to serve as the critical bridge connecting innovators in tech with policymakers in Washington,” stated Gerard Dache, Executive Director of GBA. “The dialogue, particularly around Rep. Foster’s insights on digital identity and Digital Assets, is essential for crafting a sustainable regulatory framework that champions both security and innovation.”
About The Future of Money, Governance, and the Law (FoMGL) Initiative
The FoMGL Initiative is a leading research and educational program dedicated to the comprehensive study of how digital currency, blockchain technology, and AI will transform financial systems, legal structures, and global governance. It fosters rigorous, non-partisan dialogue among policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to guide responsible innovation.
About GBA
The Government Blockchain Association (GBA) has members in over 500 governments around the world, with over 50 working groups, it is the premier organization focusing on the adoption of blockchain technology in government. The GBA develops standards including the Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM) and helps the public and private sector connect, communicate and collaborate to solve problems typically faced by government entities.
About The Edge Of Company
The Edge Of Company, a global media ecosystem with an audience of over 250,000 blockchain enthusiasts, has produced over 35 events and over 450 episodes of its worldwide syndicated blockchain podcast called The Edge of Show, featured in over 50 countries, on over 10 platforms, including iHeart Radio, Defiance Media, iTunes, Spotify, and Rumble.
Media Contact
Bob Miko
bmiko@pacificdialogue.com
GBA – Media Relations
Media@GBAglobal.org
203-378-2803
