Executive Director @TheDRC_ | web3, fintech, natsec
Washington, DC
Joined April 2013
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Kyle Bligen retweeted
"If you want change, you have to advocate for it.”
In this guest thread, @KyleBligen, Executive Director of @TheDRC_, explains how the Decentralization Research Center is working with policymakers to support a safe and competitive decentralized future.
If you want change, you have to advocate for it.
Grateful for the opportunity to share how @TheDRC_ is putting that approach into practice: advocating for decentralization across AI and privacy, while working to ensure policy supports decentralized technologies like @ethereum.
Much more work to do. Onward.
"If you want change, you have to advocate for it.”
In this guest thread, @KyleBligen, Executive Director of @TheDRC_, explains how the Decentralization Research Center is working with policymakers to support a safe and competitive decentralized future.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
This Thursday in Washington, our Executive Director, @KyleBligen, takes the stage at the DC Privacy Summit 2026.
With the CLARITY Act’s path through the Senate still unsettled, Kyle will look at where the industry stands in this political moment, and where it goes from here.
SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT: We're incredibly lucky to have @KyleBligen from @TheDRC_ speaking about the onchain future on our DCPS stage next week.
🎟️ Grab a ticket and join us on October 15: luma.com/p60o9q3i
Concentration in AI is not inevitable.
Over the past year, @TheDRC_ set out to understand what credible alternatives are actually being built across the AI stack. What we found matters for policymakers.
Policy should reflect the full range of what is technically possible, not assume that today’s market structure is the only one available to us.
Our new report maps those alternatives and makes the case for ensuring that decentralization is part of the conversation about the future of AI.
Proud to have co-authored this with @SamuelVanceLaw, and deeply grateful to the developers, researchers, academics, and organizations around the world who contributed their time, expertise, and perspectives to this work.
Much more to come.
1/ Today, the Decentralization Research Center published "Alternatives to Concentrated AI: A Layer-by-Layer Map of What Is Being Built," authored by our head of research, @samuelvancelaw, and our executive director, @KyleBligen.
Over the past year, we talked to people building AI at frontier labs, universities, startups, and open-source nonprofits on five continents.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
Tomorrow in Cambridge, our Executive Director, @kylebligen, joins a Cambridge Union-style debate at the C:>DIR Summit 2026, moderated by @gilliantett.
The motion: “This House Believes That Institutions, not Code, Should Govern Money.”
Kyle will debate alongside Bénédicte Nolens of the @BIS_org Innovation Hub, Jessica Renier of @IIF, Citi’s @ronitA380, Usman Ahmad of @EuroclearGroup, and former Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu.
As digital assets, decentralized networks, and increasingly autonomous technologies reshape how value can be exchanged, they’ll consider a fundamental question for the future of finance: What role should institutions, code, and decentralized networks each play in governing money?
Decentralized technologies will continue to evolve regardless of the legislative calendar. The task now is to ensure that our regulatory frameworks evolve with them.
@TheDRC_ is already at work.
More to come on our efforts soon. Onward.
Tuesday's Senate vote on the motion to proceed to the CLARITY Act fell short of the 60-vote threshold.
The outcome does not change the need for clear rules. Developers and entrepreneurs need greater legal certainty, consumers need strong and appropriately tailored protections, and law enforcement and industry need effective mechanisms for public-private collaboration to combat illicit activity.
Decentralized, permissionless technologies will keep evolving regardless of the legislative calendar. The work now is to ensure that American policy evolves with them. DRC will continue that work with Congress and regulators.
I’m excited to share that I’ve been named Executive Director of @TheDRC_ .
It’s an important moment for technology policy. Congress and federal regulators are shaping the rules for digital asset markets, while advances in AI, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies are rapidly changing how we live, work, and interact.
As these technologies develop, I believe decentralization must be part of the conversation about how we build and govern them. The decisions made today will have lasting implications for innovators and consumers.
I’m grateful to our co-founders @c_spelliscy and @dao_officer, our team, and everyone who has supported DRC’s work.
There is a tremendous amount of work ahead, and we’re just getting started.
The Decentralization Research Center has named @kylebligen as Executive Director, effective Sept. 14, 2026.
Kyle joined DRC in September 2025 as Head of Policy and Public Affairs and has led our engagement on the CLARITY Act while expanding our work with Congress, the White House, and regulators.
Co-founders @c_spelliscy and @dao_officer will transition to the Board of Directors, where they will continue to provide strategic guidance and support DRC’s long-term mission.
Under Kyle’s leadership, DRC will continue advancing the mission it was built to serve: bridging the gap between policymakers and builders and producing objective research that helps policymakers understand emerging technologies and develop thoughtful, appropriately tailored policy frameworks.
There's a new version of this post
Last week, I had the honor of joining the @FBI's Virtual Asset Technical Exchange in San Antonio, alongside law enforcement, intelligence & national security professionals from 25+ countries.
I was encouraged by the serious engagement around permissionless technologies and the evolving digital threat landscape.
At @TheDRC_ , our work remains focused on advancing policies that strengthen protocol resilience, improve operational security & build public-private partnerships to combat nation-state and criminal threats, while preserving the openness and innovation that make permissionless technologies valuable.
Grateful to the @FBICyberDiv and the many industry colleagues working toward a more secure and resilient digital asset ecosystem.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
DEF’s Senior Counsel @_ayanadow is moderating a policy panel about the future of finance this week at Block Voices’ 2026 Thought Leadership Summit, featuring @KyleBligen from @TheDRC_ and NYS Assemblyman @clydevanel👇
Kyle Bligen retweeted
Must-read insight for the latest on the Clarity Act by @banamlas in the below thread.
For anyone wondering what might be included in these long-debated "ethics" provisions, @KyleBligen explains it in less than two minutes here.
This quoted post is unavailable.
Had a great time joining @JacobRobinsonJD on @LawofCodeFM to talk about the politics behind financial ethics rules for public officials and why robust conflict of interest provisions remain critical to securing bipartisan support for the CLARITY Act.
We also praised the important work Senate offices are doing to strengthen the bill’s consumer protection and national security safeguards, key steps toward getting comprehensive crypto market structure legislation signed into law.
What is the CLARITY Act?
How does it protect the 70 million Americans who hold crypto? What does it change about how projects operate?
This @LawofCodeFM podcast explains the history of U.S. digital asset regulation, why regulation-by-enforcement failed and what CLARITY solves, plus remaining steps for this to become law.
Featured: @NYcryptolawyer, @milesjennings, @SH_Brennan, @KyleBligen, @millercwl, Dugan Bliss and snippets from @BillHughesDC, @thatgerald.
By the end of this episode, I promise you'll be in the 99th percentile for understanding the CLARITY Act, regardless of whether you're a lawyer, builder or operator.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
4:46 Explaining market structure
6:05 @milesjennings on regulatory distortion
10:43 Predecessor bills (RFIA, FIT21)
13:35 Senate Banking markup takeaways @millercwl
15:46 SEC & CFTC
20:37 The Securities Act of 1933
23:07 The Howey Test
25:26 @NYcryptolawyer's Ineluctable Modality of Securities Law
28:51 SEC enforcement
32:32 Why SEC rulemaking isn't enough
37:36 Titles of CLARITY
40:00 Digital commodities
47:29 Howey principles @NYcryptolawyer
54:10 Promoters: originators
58:18 Promoters: related persons
1:04:13 Token taxonomy @milesjennings
1:11:02 Ancillary asset requirements
1:19:34 The certification process
1:28:32 Remaining hurdles for CLARITY
1:34:50 Stablecoin yield
1:38:45 Ethics @KyleBligen
1:45:50 Tax consequences @CryptoTaxGuyETH
1:48:54 Thanking people working on the bill, such as @SenLummis, @gillibrandny, @SenatorTimScott, @SenatorHagerty, @SenThomTillis, @MarkWarner, @SenRubenGallego, f , their staffs & many, many others.
Nothing in this podcast is legal or investment advice.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
Episode 201: The CLARITY Act
ft @NYcryptolawyer, @milesjennings, @SH_Brennan, @KyleBligen, @millercwl.
This is the most comprehensive explainer on the draft bill available on the internet.
What is the CLARITY Act?
How does it protect the 70 million Americans who hold crypto? What does it change about how projects operate?
This @LawofCodeFM podcast explains the history of U.S. digital asset regulation, why regulation-by-enforcement failed and what CLARITY solves, plus remaining steps for this to become law.
Featured: @NYcryptolawyer, @milesjennings, @SH_Brennan, @KyleBligen, @millercwl, Dugan Bliss and snippets from @BillHughesDC, @thatgerald.
By the end of this episode, I promise you'll be in the 99th percentile for understanding the CLARITY Act, regardless of whether you're a lawyer, builder or operator.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
4:46 Explaining market structure
6:05 @milesjennings on regulatory distortion
10:43 Predecessor bills (RFIA, FIT21)
13:35 Senate Banking markup takeaways @millercwl
15:46 SEC & CFTC
20:37 The Securities Act of 1933
23:07 The Howey Test
25:26 @NYcryptolawyer's Ineluctable Modality of Securities Law
28:51 SEC enforcement
32:32 Why SEC rulemaking isn't enough
37:36 Titles of CLARITY
40:00 Digital commodities
47:29 Howey principles @NYcryptolawyer
54:10 Promoters: originators
58:18 Promoters: related persons
1:04:13 Token taxonomy @milesjennings
1:11:02 Ancillary asset requirements
1:19:34 The certification process
1:28:32 Remaining hurdles for CLARITY
1:34:50 Stablecoin yield
1:38:45 Ethics @KyleBligen
1:45:50 Tax consequences @CryptoTaxGuyETH
1:48:54 Thanking people working on the bill, such as @SenLummis, @gillibrandny, @SenatorTimScott, @SenatorHagerty, @SenThomTillis, @MarkWarner, @SenRubenGallego, f , their staffs & many, many others.
Nothing in this podcast is legal or investment advice.
Last week, @TheDRC_ hosted Policy Day at @EYnews 10th Annual Global Blockchain Summit, and the takeaway was clear: digital asset policy is entering a consequential phase.
The conversation is no longer about whether digital assets are here to stay. It’s about whether policymakers and regulators can deliver rules that provide clarity, support innovation, and preserve the core benefits of decentralized technologies.
Grateful to join @_jikim, @Advocate4Web3, and @SH_Brennan to discuss the latest on the CLARITY Act and what meaningful market structure legislation could unlock.
We also heard strong insights from @syelderman and @fundstrat on institutional adoption, @MarinaMarkezic on EU regulatory developments, and @dao_officer and @kkirkbos on the barriers facing L2s and their critical role in the ecosystem.
I was especially glad to host Taylor Lindman for his first public engagement since becoming Chief Counsel of the @SECGov's Crypto Task Force, where we discussed the SEC’s new interpretive guidance and regulatory agenda.
Just getting back to D.C. and I can’t stop thinking about the incredible time the @TheDRC_ team had at @EthereumDenver last week.
Huge credit to @PallerJohn, @howdai27, and @wadepreston for organizing such an impactful event. The energy in the room was undeniable: builders, innovators, and entrepreneurs heads down, focused on shipping real infrastructure and real use cases.
I left more bullish than ever on DeFi, AI, and the future of this industry.
It was also a powerful reminder: our advocacy work in Washington must reflect and support the innovation happening on the ground. Policy should enable builders, not slow them down.
I had the opportunity to speak on a few panels about DRC’s policy efforts:
At @SEAL_Org’s darkMode event, we discussed advancing targeted proposals in CLARITY that go after illicit actors, without overburdening developers or undermining decentralized infrastructure. Thanks to @mikeorcut for moderating a great conversation alongside @LewellenMichael and @lindsayfraser0.
On the mainstage, we talked about the importance of protecting developers and previewed our policy work on emerging AI issues. Grateful to @PallerJohn for moderating and to share the stage with my friend @c_spelliscy, @JWigginton13, and Chris Land from @SenLummis' office.
Looking forward to continuing to advocate for protocols, developers, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of Web3 and decentralized technologies.
CLARITY: What’s in It for Web3 by:
- @JWigginton13 from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Chris Land - General Counsel for US Senator Cynthia M. Lummis
- @KyleBligen from @TheDRC_
- @c_spelliscy from @ethereumfndn
- @PallerJohn from @EthereumDenver, @opolis, @BufficornV & @SporkDao
Web3 promises an economy where everyone has a stake, but it's been hard making this dream a reality. Outdated securities laws are the hurdle. The Blockchain Cooperative Coalition aims to lower this hurdle using Regulation Membership, a law allowing people to turn businesses into community assets.
Full video below 👇🧵
Proud to partner with the Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance to advance sound policy for decentralized, permissionless infrastructure.
Together with @aave, @AragonProject, @CurveFinance, @LidoFinance, @sparkfinance, @graphprotocol, and @UniswapFND, we’re working to:
- Protect the neutrality of the protocol layer
- Advance transparency as a path to compliance
- Preserve flexibility for protocol innovation
- Uphold global, permissionless access
At the @TheDRC_ , we’re committed to ensuring that the foundational layers of Web3 remain open, secure, and censorship-resistant; empowering innovation and self-sovereignty for all.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
If your blockchain is still running while AWS is down, congrats you have passed the “decentralization” test
Amazing first week @TheDRC_
From @CoinDesk and @BlockchainAssn conferences to briefing Canadian officials on U.S. digital asset legislation, one thing is clear:
Politics may be local, but U.S. policy has global impact.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
Honored to have @kylebligen join the team as Head of Policy and Public Affairs!
Kyle was on the Hill and instrumental in negotiating and building bipartisan support for all major crypto legislation to date, including GENIUS and CLARITY.
In his new role, Kyle will play a critical part in advancing policy that incentivizes decentralization and unlocks crypto’s potential.
We’re excited to welcome @KyleBligen as Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the @TheDRC_.
Kyle will lead the organization’s advocacy before Congress and federal regulators on blockchain, digital asset, and artificial intelligence policy.
Kyle previously served as Senior Director of Financial Policy at the Chamber of Progress, advising leading fintech, cryptocurrency, and web3 firms on legislative and regulatory strategy.
Earlier in his career, Kyle was Policy Advisor to a U.S. Representative on the House Financial Services Committee and the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus. He has also held roles at Cornerstone Government Affairs, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the House Homeland Security Committee.
Join us and ED @c_spelliscy in welcoming him to the team.
Kyle Bligen retweeted
We’re excited to welcome @KyleBligen as Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the @TheDRC_.
Kyle will lead the organization’s advocacy before Congress and federal regulators on blockchain, digital asset, and artificial intelligence policy.
Kyle previously served as Senior Director of Financial Policy at the Chamber of Progress, advising leading fintech, cryptocurrency, and web3 firms on legislative and regulatory strategy.
Earlier in his career, Kyle was Policy Advisor to a U.S. Representative on the House Financial Services Committee and the Congressional Sustainable Investment Caucus. He has also held roles at Cornerstone Government Affairs, the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the House Homeland Security Committee.
Join us and ED @c_spelliscy in welcoming him to the team.