U.S. Chamber of Digital Commerce Unites with Blockchain Association of Canada

February 6, 2019

A large part of adopting new technology is simply advocacy—make sure enough industries and leaders are aware of its benefits, and adoption will follow.

Blockchain may soon see a boost in its overall use as the Chamber of Digital Commerce is joining forces with the Blockchain Association of Canada (BAC), which will now change its name to the Chamber of Digital Commerce Canada. The overall purpose will be to increase the acceptance of digital assets and blockchain through education and close work with influential policymakers.

Canada is seen as a leader in the blockchain space, as several leading minds and founders call the country home. Vitalik Buterin, the inventor of ethereum, is a Canadian, while companies such as Aion, Cryptokitties, and Decentral continually push the technology in new directions.

Tanya Woods, the executive director of the BAC, will now become the executive director of the new Chamber of Digital Commerce Canada, which is based in Ottawa. Woods has previously worked with the Government of Canada, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Woods is hoping that this new move will bring blockchain to the forefront of high-level decision-making, akin to how new laws and policies are strongly considering AI and data privacy right now.

“Canada is a leader when it comes to driving innovation, entrepreneurship and the digital economy,” said Woods. “Canada’s blockchain leaders and government would like to see a strong and coordinated blockchain ecosystem that is ready and able to effectively collaborate with policymakers to ensure the industry in Canada will thrive.”

The Chamber of Digital Commerce is a well-known name in the U.S. with over 200 companies represented, all looking to utilize and invest in blockchain. Microsoft, Overstock, IBM and Bitpay are all members, and with this new partnership, Canada will hope to see representation in the country from these large tech innovators.

“Bringing our two organizations under the same banner sends a powerful message to our respective members, blockchain ecosystem participants, and policymakers,” said Perianne Boring, founder and president of the Chamber of Digital Commerce. “Tanya brings more than a decade of strategic advocacy experience and is a trusted advisor to the blockchain community and the Canadian Government at the highest levels. She is a strong advocate for the Canadian blockchain community.”

There are already a handful of exciting initiatives happening in Canada regarding blockchain adoption. The Bank of Canada has said blockchain can help automate securities settlements and RBC is testing a credit scoring system using the technology.