Hong Kong-based digital financial services startup Diginex has become the first firm in Asia to join the Blockchain Alliance led by the law firm Steptoe & Johnson.

Over 100 members in 19 countries

Diginex — which previously announced a reverse merger that will make it the “first fully-diversified blockchain player on Nasdaq” — has officially joined the Blockchain Alliance, a public-private forum of firms and organizations promoting the secure development of blockchain, the firm announced Oct. 9.

Co-founded in 2015 by the Chamber of Digital Commerce and Coin Center and led by international law firm Steptoe & Johnson, the alliance now has more than 100 industry and government agencies in 19 countries, Diginex stated.

The association reportedly includes major international regulatory entities such as Interpol and Europol. Crypto companies Coinbase and Kraken, as well as payments firms Ripple and Circle are also among industry members, according to the organization’s website.

Dialogue between the industry and regulators

Diginex CEO Richard Byworth pointed out the important role of the Blockchain Alliance, emphasizing that the organization fosters communication between blockchain-focused firms and government authorities to minimize risks in the industry. Byworth added:

“We are delighted to be the first firm in Asia to join this strong forum of experts, where we intend to be a key voice in driving dialogue between law enforcement, regulators and industry.”

The Blockchain Alliance is not the first blockchain-related industry body joined by Diginex. As Cointelegraph reported, the startup is also a member of the Global Digital Finance, a major industry association developing a global code of conduct for cryptocurrencies.