The DC Blockchain Summit 2025, held in Washington, D.C., brought together Jacqueline Cooper, CEO of the Blockchain Legal Institute and Digital Asset Regulatory Authority, with global leaders and blockchain innovators. Cooper met such prominent figures, including Michael Terpin (Bitcoin Supercycle), Joyce Chow (TokenizeCon), Landon Gardner (Web3Toronto), Anthony Howell, (Government of Bermuda), Ken Chapman (Head of US – XDC Network), Andrew Bohn (National Security Advisor), Adam Gale (BakerHostetler), Jamal El-Hindi (Clifford Chance), Ari Redbord (TRM Labs), Keith Lawhorn (Stable Token Commission), Vijay Dhanasckaran (Blocknetics), Omri Gross, a blockchain entrepreneur, Anthony Apollo (Executive Director, Stable Token Commission), Ahmad Sikandar (Chizle AI), Benjamin Diggles (Constellation), Lauren Leman (Wiley Rein), Enzo Villani (Alpha Liquid Terminal), Gilberto Nazaro (Web3DC), Ebony Thompson (City of Baltimore), Gerard Dache (Government Blockchain Association), Sunny Oller, Larry Lipka (CoinFlip) and so many others. These meetings underscored the collaborative nature of the summit, fostering dialogue between policymakers, legal experts, and industry leaders to shape the future of blockchain technology.
The summit featured a stellar lineup of speakers who explored critical topics shaping the blockchain ecosystem. Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) emphasized Wyoming’s leadership in blockchain innovation, announcing the testing phase of the Wyoming Stable Token (WYST)—the first state-backed stablecoin in the U.S.—set for launch in July 2025. Sergey Nazarov, Co-Founder of Chainlink, delivered a keynote titled “U.S. Financial System 3.0,” focusing on tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), compliance automation, and global distribution as essential steps for U.S. leadership in blockchain-based finance. Donald Trump Jr., Web3 Ambassador for World Liberty Financial, presented a keynote titled “Digital Liberty: Expanding Global Access to Digital Assets and DeFi,” advocating for decentralized finance as a tool for financial inclusion.
Other notable speakers included Michael Saylor, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy, who discussed institutional adoption of blockchain technology and Bitcoin’s role in modernizing financial systems. Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, shared insights on Binance’s vision for global blockchain adoption and emphasized regulatory frameworks to foster innovation. U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) advocated for clear stablecoin legislation while highlighting Wyoming’s proactive approach as a model for other states. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce addressed balancing innovation with consumer protection in digital asset regulation. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke about fostering blockchain innovation within the U.S., particularly in energy applications like Bitcoin mining. Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, highlighted Tether’s role in stablecoin adoption globally and its potential to drive financial inclusion. Stani Kulechov, Founder of Aave Labs, explored innovations in decentralized finance and their implications for traditional banking systems.
The summit highlighted several key themes, including the testing phase of the Wyoming Stable Token, the need for regulatory clarity, and the growing role of tokenized assets in institutional finance. Discussions centered on creating clear legal frameworks to support blockchain innovation while addressing risks. Leaders emphasized international cooperation to standardize regulations and promote adoption. The DC Blockchain Summit 2025 reinforced its role as a premier platform for shaping blockchain policy and fostering collaboration between government leaders and industry innovators. With discussions on regulatory clarity, stablecoin development, decentralized finance, and cross-border partnerships, the event provided actionable insights to drive progress in digital assets.