Consensus Festival Guide: The Future of Crypto Regulation

The collapse of an algorithmic stablecoin has dominated headlines in recent weeks, and will continue to be a key focus for regulators for some time to come. Current and former regulators as well as policy and legal experts will discuss the varied approaches to regulation, as well as how regulation can support financial innovation.

This guide is part of CoinDesk's Road to Consensus series.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission – a key U.S. regulatory agency overseeing crypto derivatives markets – will kick off the conference on Thursday, June 9, at 10:05 a.m. CT, with Chair Rostin Behnam and former Commissioner Dawn Stump explaining their agency’s approach to the sector.

Advocates for different approaches to central bank digital currencies will take the stage at the Fairmont Hotel to try and find an answer to the question “Who should be allowed to issue digital dollars?” Hear from Dante Disparte, the chief strategy officer at stablecoin issuer Circle; Rohan Grey, an academic who advised on the ECASH Act; and Caitlin Long, the founder and CEO of Wyoming’s Custodia Bank.

On Friday, June 10 we’ll host a Q&A session with Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo at 10:45 a.m. CT on the Main Stage at the Austin Convention Center. The Treasury Department has been active in crypto over the past 18 months, looking at issues ranging from ransomware payments to stablecoin regulation.

The “Regulation” exploration, taking place in the ACC Ballroom A on Friday, June 10 at 1:00 p.m. CT, will feature three panels with representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, industry associations and law firms steeped in cryptocurrency issues. Panelists will discuss finding a regulatory “sweet spot” to support novel projects while still mitigating the chances of another project collapsing in a dramatic fashion and harming investors.

On the same day, at 2:30 p.m. CT, we’ll host several lawmakers on our Main Stage to discuss crypto legislation, the likelihood of any specific legislation passing and what issues Congress sees as the most vital in the cryptocurrency sector.

We’ll continue the discussion on crypto policy and borders on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. CT in the Convention Center, with White House Director for Cybersecurity Carole House, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis, Monetary Authority of Singapore Chief FinTech Officer Sopnendu Mohanty and European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili.

Read more: Consensus 2022 Visitor Guide: CBDCs and Public Money