Not unlike the Internet’s historic impact, blockchain and digital asset technologies have the power to engender greater financial inclusion and economic growth. To realize the full potential of these technologies though, industry leaders must come together to educate policymakers on the global impact.

With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce that Ripple has expanded our global regulatory team and is the first major blockchain company with a dedicated GR office in Washington D.C. In addition, Craig Phillips, former Counselor to the Secretary at the U.S. Treasury Department, has joined Ripple’s Board of Directors and will provide depth to Ripple’s policy leadership bench. Finally, to help advance trust and innovation in blockchain and digital asset technologies, we are now a member of the Blockchain Association, and Michelle Bond, Ripple’s Global Head of Government Relations, will sit on the board.

In the U.S. and abroad, it’s important for policymakers to be armed with industry knowledge to help them shape conditions that will enable technological innovation to thrive. At Ripple, we look forward to continued conversations with policymakers and are building a team that brings a wealth of legislative and policy experience.

In his new capacity as a Ripple Board of Directors member, Craig Phillips will provide counsel to Ripple’s leadership team and advise on strategic regulatory opportunities as Ripple expands its global network. Most recently, he oversaw regulatory framework development for the financial system under Executive Order 13772 as well as efforts to enhance the financial sector’s cybersecurity through the Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Compliance Policy.

Led by Michelle Bond, who has served as the Global Head of Policy at Blockchain and Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy at Bloomberg, as well as Senior Counsel at both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, the expanded global regulatory team will be vital advocates and voices as we continue to engage with policymakers worldwide.

We have expanded our global regulatory bench to include Susan Friedman as International Policy Counsel and Ron Hammond as Manager of Government Relations. Prior to Ripple, Friedman was the Senior Advisor to CFTC Chairman Heath Tarbert in his previous capacity as Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for International Markets. In this role, she regularly advised and collaborated with Treasury officials on matters including international financial services regulation, investment security, and trade. In addition, Hammond joins Ripple having previously served as the Legislative Assistant to Representative Warren Davidson where he brought policymakers from both sides of the aisle together to revitalize the Token Taxonomy Act—a policy that initiated the conversation around the need for regulatory clarity.

Yet, we understand that change doesn’t happen alone.

We are excited to be included as members of the Blockchain Association—an association playing a key role in shaping our shared digital future. The Blockchain Association provides a unified voice committed to building deep partnerships between technology leaders and policymakers.

The members involved with the association advocate for advanced trust, transparency, safety and innovation of blockchain and digital asset technology. The goal is to share knowledge, identify opportunities and co-create a more transparent future in partnership with policymakers.

All countries, governments and businesses rise together with regulatory clarity. To support the ecosystem together it’s important for continued efforts like the Blockchain Association and the collaborative discussions being held today in D.C. and abroad.

Let’s come together and realize the global impact of these technologies.