Ensuring the sustainable growth and maturity of our industry

Kia ora,

In light of recent industry events globally, the Executive Council of BlockchainNZ issues the following announcement:

BlockchainNZ recognises that recent events affecting a number of offshore cryptocurrency-related businesses are leading to our members in Aotearoa New Zealand facing many questions regarding their own business models, practices and ethics. Some members may also be (or have been) customers of these offshore businesses.

Blockchain and Web3 technology is a relatively new and fast-developing technology with multiple applications. We are proud of our members’ ongoing contribution to the industry both at a strategic and practical level. As with many new technologies, and the business models that emerge from their application, we also recognise that there are multiple complexities that must be addressed at a governmental, industry, regulatory, and individual business level. As an organisation, we are committed to working with multiple stakeholders to ensure the sustainable growth and maturity of our industry.

It is our firm and collective opinion that Web3 and its associated technologies – including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, NFTs, and DeFi – have the potential to make major positive contributions to the future of New Zealand. It is also our belief that recent events, rather than highlighting an issue with these technologies, demonstrate the importance of an ethical approach to business and the application of good practice standards to the way businesses are run.

BlockchainNZ is here to support our members, and to represent the local industry through this challenging time.

From our Executive Director:

It has been an incredible month here at BlockchainNZ. We recently hosted our first executive workshop on blockchain fundamentals in partnership with Tech Futures Lab. Thank you to Jade Tang-Taylor, Stephen Macaskill, Bryan Ventura, Jeff Nijsse, the wider NZTech team and Tech Futures Lab for developing a sold out event.

Our law and regulations working group also met with Hon. Judith Collins to discuss the future of blockchain and Web3 and how New Zealand can become a hub for innovation. We will be publishing a briefing paper from our meeting and will circulate to our members for commentary.

In other exciting news, I’m about to board a plane to Melbourne this week to speak at NFT Fest Aus on building communities in Web3. I’m excited to further develop our relationship with Australia and the wider APAC blockchain organisations and show off all the great things we’re doing in Web3 in New Zealand!

Ngā mihi nui,

Alison Mackie
BlockchainNZ Executive Director