Two-Day Blockchain Symposium Explored ‘The Future of Money’

More than 200 representatives from the growing fields of blockchain and cryptocurrency—including policymakers, industry executives, and academic leaders—attended a weekend-long conference at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus on September 14-15 to hear 57 speakers and panelists discussing “The Future of Money, Governance, and the Law.” The two-day event was hosted by the Government Blockchain Association (GBA), the Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis Center (CINA), and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.  

Mason and the Schar School were ideal co-hosts for the GBA’s 2019 symposium, said event organizers. In addition to leading the academic consortium of CINA, which develops strategies and solutions for law enforcement for the Department of Homeland Security, the school is situated in “a high-technology hub” on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., said Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell in his opening remarks on Saturday.

“Emerging technology poses unique challenges,” he said. “For instance, in the advent of digital currency, what would be the role of the Central Bank? George Mason and the Schar School are the right place to convene such a symposium...Mason is multidisciplinary and uniquely positioned to hold a symposium on cross-cutting emerging technologies and their policy implications.” 

“Mason is the right place,” Michelle Marks, vice president for academic innovation and new ventures at Mason, said, adding that the school “is a trailblazer and is a top school in Virginia for innovation and ideas.” 

“Mason offers a fertile ground to tackle challenges posed by disruptive technologies,” said Schar School Professor Maurice Kugler, who helped organize the event. He added that “for blockchain to fulfill its promise to enhance market processes, we must use other technology—such as machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and others—to reduce the criminal abuse of cryptocurrencies that overshadows the positive contributions of blockchain.”

In his own comments, Gerard Dache, president of the GBA, thanked the university and the Schar School, recognizing it as “an ideal” school to work with in this growing field.

“When it comes to blockchain technology, Mason is ideal to work with as they have rich resources and are in a good geographic location,” he said.

The dozens of speakers and panelists explored the latest developments in financial systems, cybersecurity, intelligence, energy, and environment, as well as tackled the policy issues that confront governments around the globe, including regulation, competitiveness, national interests, local governance, healthcare, taxation, and law enforcement.

The conference included an expansive exhibit of new blockchain technologies demonstrated by award-winning innovators.