Blockchain Association crafts ‘consensus position’ on market structure policy

The 12 points are nothing new, but they may be helpful to lawmakers and regulators needing a refresher on priorities

article-image

Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith | Permissionless III by Mike Lawrence for Blockworks

share

This is a segment from the Forward Guidance newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe.


Blockchain Association published its “consensus position” on digital market structure policies amid optimism of legislative/regulatory progress from a pro-crypto Congress and revamped SEC. 

The advocacy group crafted these with help from its 100-plus member companies.

The 12 points are not exactly groundbreaking; we’ve heard most or all of them before. But I could see it being helpful to lawmakers and regulators needing a refresher on priorities. 

One bullet calls for a regulatory framework that positions the US as the “preferred hub” for investment and technological advancement. Another seeks to safeguard the right to self-custody digital assets using non-custodial wallets.

Further down: “Policies should be carefully designed to avoid favoring specific solutions and focus on regulating specific activities rather than foundational infrastructure.”

Loading Tweet..

Then there’s one stressing that developers of open-source software should be protected from liability when the software’s used by separate, bad actors. Does that remind anyone else of the Tornado Cash saga?

Another point with a clear link to the past is making sure there’re clear classifications for tokens — “delineating securities, commodities, and other asset types with precision.”

You might remember Gary Gensler not giving a straight answer to whether ETH is a commodity or a security. Or the SEC lawsuits against Coinbase and Binance for alleged securities violations. The agency earlier this month moved ahead with an appeal in its case against Ripple … and the list goes on.

The new SEC crypto task force appears to be a step toward change, but what Congress-crafted crypto legislation ends up looking like will be key. The bottom line: lawmakers might want to give these principles a read.

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (1).jpg

Research

As AI supercharges surveillance, privacy becomes a prerequisite and the winning stack will combine confidentiality with selective disclosure. Zcash’s Tachyon, composable standards on Ethereum/Solana, and compliance-aware pools aim to make private rails the new norm.

article-image

The derivatives giant will extend futures and options access to round-the-clock trading in early 2026

by Blockworks /
article-image

Global fiber network goes live as SEC clears 2Z token for utility use

by Blockworks /
article-image

The SPAC transaction positions Avalanche Treasury Co. as a Nasdaq-listed vehicle for institutional AVAX exposure by 2026

by Blockworks /
article-image

The collaboration brings regulated money market fund exposure to Polygon, with custody provided by Standard Chartered

by Blockworks /
article-image

FG Nexus teams with Securitize to bring its Nasdaq-listed equity onchain, offering tokenized stock trading through Ethereum

by Blockworks /
article-image

Sponsored

Taiko launches binding onchain governance and appoints three directors with expertise in global regulation, business strategy and blockchain tech

by Sponsored /