US Should Prioritize National Blockchain Summit Beyond Crypto Assets
By Jon Southurst, March 5, 2025
While the focus on digital assets is welcome, SmartLedger Solutions argues the U.S. should broaden its scope and host a National Blockchain Summit to explore the technology’s full potential for national infrastructure and economic security.
SmartLedger’s Founding President, Bryan Daugherty, recently advocated for this summit in an X post, emphasizing the need to strengthen America’s infrastructure through scalable blockchain technology. His vision centers on scalable proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain technology, which could form the bedrock of a robust national digital infrastructure.
Such a network could underpin distributed applications, foster new economic opportunities, and safeguard sensitive data and information systems. A dedicated website for the National Blockchain Summit Initiative has also been launched, including a petition for industry support and guidance on promotional efforts. The site’s aim is to help establish a comprehensive U.S. blockchain strategy.
Hosting a broader Blockchain Summit would show the United States’ commitment to leadership in the next digital revolution, Daugherty said.
This concept builds on existing blockchain events and ‘demo days’ at the U.S. and state capitols, which allow industry leaders to engage directly with policymakers.
In related news, the Trump Administration is planning an inaugural ‘White House Crypto Summit’ for March 7, 2025. This event, outlined in Executive Order 14178, will concentrate on the digital asset side of blockchain and explore ways to encourage responsible growth in the wider economy.
Tech entrepreneur and White House ‘Crypto Czar’ David Sacks will chair the summit, which aims to provide regulatory clarity for the industry. The administration is also considering a national ‘crypto strategic reserve’ containing popular digital assets, including BTC, ETH, Solana, Ripple (XRP), and Cardano (ADA).
This announcement has sparked debate. Some question the asset selection, with criticism coming from BTC ‘maxis’ who believe their preferred blockchain should be the only one recognized. While the exact amounts of each asset and the specific goals of the reserve remain unreleased, the initial market reaction was a brief price spike for the five assets mentioned, followed by a return to pre-announcement levels. The list of five is likely not final, meaning proponents of other blockchains will be lobbying hard to gain the Administration’s attention over the coming weeks.
For example, Dogecoin enthusiasts are hoping its popularity with Elon Musk will lead to official recognition. Still others would prefer a more in-depth examination of the technology and capabilities of each network.
Blockchain’s potential extends far beyond the headlines focused on digital assets and speculative trading. The public often reduces blockchain to discussions about Bitcoin prices and whether to ‘buy in.’ Even discussions about scalability or proof-of-work versus proof-of-stake can be met with a glazed-over stare.
Blockchain is a powerful tool for data ownership and privacy in the digital age. Micropayment economies combined with automation can create new economic opportunities. Digital records must become truly tamper-proof and secure. Assets, contracts, tickets, and permissions can be tokenized with specific rules.
Blockchain can solve these problems, leading to a more stable and trustworthy digital world. The focus shouldn’t be solely on which country is the ‘digital assets leader,’ nor on the value of a national stash.
These crucial issues need widespread discussion and attention at the highest levels. A National Blockchain Summit would serve as an excellent starting point.
