Casey Wagner

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 <li>Regulation can bring clarity and security to the industry, especially for newcomers who have concerns </li>
 <li>Regulated financial institutions tend to consider regulatory concerns prior to product launch, which can slow the process but will exchange client trust</li>
 </ul>
 
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Digital Asset Summit 2021, New York City — Banks and regulated financial institutions may be slower to bring products to market due to their regulatory requirements, but it helps to bolster client trust, Ziad Iskandar, senior lead, advanced solutions and digital assets unit at BNY Mellon, said during a panel at the <a href="https://cms.blockworks.co/events/digital-asset-summit-2021-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital Asset Summit</a> Tuesday. 



“Because we are regulated, that doesn’t always make life so easy, and it does influence product design,” said Iskandar. “We have continuous discussions about safety and soundness of what we are doing and if you are a client, those are questions you want answered.”&nbsp;



Taking a conservative regulatory approach may not be the fastest way to give clients exposure to cryptocurrencies, but it is never time wasted, Iskandar said.&nbsp;



In terms of bringing sound products to market, regulated institutions are more familiar with the process and framework, Ben Reynolds, chief strategy officer at Silvergate Bank, said during the panel. 



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="599" height="356" src="https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg" alt="DAS panel" class="wp-image-7905" srcset="https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg?w=599 599w, https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg?w=428 428w, https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg?w=439 439w, https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg?w=368 368w, https://blockworks-co.imgix.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3415.jpeg?w=80 80w" sizes="(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px" /><figcaption>The Future of Financial Services and Digital Assets Panel at Digital Asset Summit 2021.</figcaption></figure></div>



“When you are a regulated institution, there is a clear path for launching products and defined standards that need to be met and maintained,” He said.



When it comes to new projects and protocols, these players often do not have the same considerations in mind. Project launch comes before regulatory considerations, Reynolds said.&nbsp;



The panelists agreed that <a href="https://cms.blockworks.co/gensler-investors-are-not-protected-when-it-comes-to-crypto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regulatory</a> clarity in the space will help to advance the digital asset industry and give investors a greater sense of security. 



“There is money on the sidelines that’s waiting for the space to be more regulated,” said Reynolds. “​​As regulation comes in and as some of these questions start to get figured out, I think that more capital will come into the space, and a rising tide lifts all boats.”



Are you a UK or EU reader that can’t get enough investor-focused content on digital assets?<a target="_blank" href="https://cms.blockworks.co/events/das-london/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Join us</a> in London on November 15th and 16th for the Digital Asset Summit (DAS) London. Use code ARTICLE for £75 off your ticket. <a target="_blank" href="https://cms.blockworks.co/events/das-london/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy it now</a>.

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