Ripple, the worldwide-known blockchain payments ecosystem, is trying to ensure that the technology keeps spreading around the planet and, in an effort to strengthen its advocacy towards the distributed ledger and cryptocurrencies, it announced that it opened a new office in the United States’ capital city, Washington, D.C.

“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. 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,” the firm stated.

Getting to Know the Blockchain Association

The Blockchain Association is an industry institution that aims to promote the blockchain tech and is tasked with building relationships between companies through the development of distributed solutions.

“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 policy makers,” the firm explained.

The announcement came in recent hours. Ripple said that being on the nation’s capital will help it expand its global regulatory staff in their quest of providing guidance and education to regulators and lawmakers about the benefits of applying the blockchain technology.

New Faces, New Horizons

Somewhat lost in the whirlwind of news and the opening of the Washington office was the fact that Ripple will have a new face in its board of directors. Craig Phillips, who used to help the U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, has joined Ripple’s high hierarchy.

According to the firm, the newcomer will bring “depth” to the policy leadership staff and will also be an important advisor when it comes to “strategic regulatory opportunities”
in the company’s never-ending growing process.

“In his new capacity as a Ripple Board of Directors member, 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,” Ripple wrote.

Another Experienced Newcomer

Ripple’s regulatory department will also have Susan Friedman, who was a senior adviser to Heath Tarbert (the CFTC Chairman) when he was working for International Markets at the Treasury, and Ron Hammond, who used to be a legislative assistant to Rep. Warren Davidson.

Ripple said that “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.”

By Andres Chavez

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here