At Washington, DC fly-in, NJITA Executive Director Meets With Representatives from New Jersey and New York

Hackensack, NJ – Carlos Iván Merino, executive director of the New Jersey Innovation & Technology Alliance, traveled to Washington last week to meet with lawmakers and express the need for clear federal rules around digital assets and blockchain technology. Only with regulatory clarity, can the next generation of digital technologies – known as web3 – thrive, he says.

“The region’s talent pool, investment climate, and legacy of innovation make New Jersey and New York uniquely positioned to lead the web3 revolution,” said Carlos Iván Merino, executive director of the New Jersey Innovation & Technology Alliance. “Blockchain companies are already making an impact on the tri-state area’s world leading innovation ecosystem, and the right policies will ensure they succeed and maintain that leadership. We need clarity, not confusion to keep this industry growing.”

Merino met with the offices of:
Rep. Herb Conaway (NJ-3)
Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10)
Rep. Grace Meng (NY-6)
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-7)
Rep. George Latimer (NY-16)
Rep. John Mannion (NY-22)

The advocacy meetings were led by Stand With Crypto, a national initiative aimed at mobilizing cryptocurrency owners and blockchain developers to advocate for common sense measures that will ensure the United States continues to lead in this revolutionary technology. In those meetings, Merino highlighted the uncertainty developers face due to the lack of clear and consistent regulations, and the chilling effect of unpredictable enforcement on innovation.

NJITA voiced strong support for the GENIUS Act, which would help provide structure and clear definitions, giving U.S. developers the confidence to build the next generation of blockchain applications and digital asset-enabled solutions.

NJITA also emphasized the need for:
Clear, consistent rules across agencies
Focused enforcement that targets criminal activity, not the underlying technology itself
Protection for open-source and decentralized tools
Regulatory clarity before enforcement actions are filed and penalties are sought

New Jersey is home to hundreds of blockchain startups and has drawn billions in private investment. However, that momentum is at risk without updated federal guidance.

The New Jersey Innovation & Technology Alliance continues to work with lawmakers to support policies that protect consumers while keeping the U.S. at the forefront of emerging technologies.