Digital asset innovation is creating new ways to conduct financial and economic activity, including new systems to transfer value efficiently and instantly; replacing centralized intermediaries with more distributed systems; providing more accessible and inclusive services; digitizing property rights and information; and automating financial transactions and functions. In these and other ways, this innovation may significantly disrupt traditional industries and reshape markets.
The Digital Assets Policy Project explores the challenging public policy issues raised by this innovation. How should we balance the value of encouraging innovation and realizing potential economic and social benefits with the need to protect public welfare and minimize undesirable risks? What are the potential effects of these technologies on financial stability, efficiency of financial markets, competition, consumer welfare and access to financial services? What are the implications of these technologies for the economic, foreign policy, security and strategic interests of the United States? Can our existing regulatory framework respond to these challenges adequately?
Upcoming Events
New events will be posted here as they are scheduled.
The Basics of Blockchain Workshop: From Zero to Token Trading in one Class
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025
6:00-8:30PM
ALLISON DINING ROOM (TAUBMAN 520)
The Digital Assets Policy Project is pleased to once again sponsor a hands-on workshop covering the basics of Web3. This was extremely popular when offered in 2023 and 2024.
No previous background knowledge or use of blockchain, crypto or Web3 is required. This is the workshop to attend not only if you want to learn the basics of blockchain, but also learn how to mint your own token and create your own decentralized autonomous organization or DAO.
The workshop will explain the basics of Web3, blockchain and crypto. Participants should bring their laptops as they will be guided through the steps to create a crypto wallet, buy and sell crypto assets and explore the Web3 world, including how to access different blockchains and understand the data that is available.
Then, participants will learn how to mint their own token, offer it for sale and begin trading live. They will also learn how to create their own DAO, the vehicle for launching a Web3 business.
Instructors: The lead instructor is Steve Derezinski, who has taught Blockchain Ventures at MIT Media Lab, Babson and MIT Bitcoin club, and has been involved in blockchain since 2016. Steve will be assisted by Colfax Selby, a software developer who has also been involved in blockchain for several years. He currently works with Privy, which provides tools for developers to authenticate and onboard users to Web3 applications, including creating and funding wallets.
Are Stablecoins the Future of Money?
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024
4:00 PM
RUBENSTEIN 414ab DEMOCRACY LAB
Stablecoins are arguably the most important and successful crypto innovation, and Jeremy Allaire is arguably the most important person driving their acceptance into mainstream finance and everyday usage. With dollar-based stablecoins like USDC, each token represents one dollar, has far greater price stability than bitcoin, and can be transferred as easily as an email. As the co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Circle, the issuer of USDC (the second most popular stablecoin), Allaire believes USDC will one day be owned by billions of people and used to support trillions of dollars of economic activity. Allaire discussed his vision and how USDC is being used today, including by millions of people who might otherwise lack access to the dollar, and to further financial inclusion and humanitarian aid. He was joined by Timothy Massad, director of the M-RCBG Digital Assets Policy Project, and Harvard Law School Professor Howell Jackson.
Allaire has more than two decades of experience building and leading global internet software platforms, including founder and CEO of Brightcove, technologist and entrepreneur in residence at General Catalyst, CTO of Macromedia, and co-founder and CTO of Allaire Corporation.
Co-Chairs
Lawrence H. Summers
Robin Greenwood
George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking
Anne and James F. Rothenberg Faculty Fellow
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research
Harvard Business School (HBS)
Howell Jackson
James S. Reid, Jr. Professor of Law
Harvard Law School (HLS)
Director
Tim Massad
Research Fellow - Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government