On this episode of Koji Conversations, Soph chats to Senator Andrew Bragg. Senator Bragg has been the flagship Senator for crypto in Australia. Putting aside mainstream assumptions about crypto as a fad, scam, and or haven for criminals, Senator Bragg has been steadfast in putting the underlying technology front and centre. In this chat, he covers: Australia as a world leader so far The US’ approach and his discussions with Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis An appropriately dynamic and light touch framework that welcomes innovation and protects consumers The need for Labor to come to the table and have a bi-partisan approach The current race for Australian listed ETFs and why we need to ensure Australian companies can provide to Australian consumers The possibilities that blockchain tech and DeFi will unleash a stronger, and more efficient economy. “Australia is a nation of Oligopolies. This technology is our best chance to break some of these down.” Join the conversation for a chat about how appropriate regulation will allow Australians to access competitive financial products with low risk and how this could drastically benefit our economy. JOIN SENATOR BRAGG’S COMMUNITY Andrew’s twitter: @ajamesbragg Site: https://www.andrewbragg.com/ (https://www.andrewbragg.com/) TIME STAMP OF QUESTIONS 0:51 - Take me back to early 2021 when you’re the chair of the Senate Select Committee for Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre and you say to the Government I want to tackle an enquiry on crypto among other things. What did that process look like and why did you want to do it? 2:25 - What did you learn from the committee process and talking to industry and what in your view should be the governments priorities for a dynamic and prosperous approach to crypto policy and regulation? 4:07 - Would you also say its relevant that payments and the approach to regulation of crypto and digital assets needs to remain separate because there are those technological idiosyncrasies surrounding smart contracts, DeFi and this trustless infrastructure that is blockchain? 6:21 - When you had that call with Senator Lummis, can you shed some more light on the US or she as a senator is thinking about Crypto regulation in Wyoming? 8:11 - Recently you have advocated for a specifically enshrined digital services act, what are you laying out there and why do you think it’s important that it could resemble something entirely different? 10:28 - What are the big partisan tussles that are shaping up between the two major parties when it comes to regulation or policy settings for digital assets? 12:04 - What are the biggest road blocks that industry needs to help government solve? or founders of projects need to solve to get this over the line? 18:18 - you just alluded to having a flexible or light touch approach, do you think there’s a world in which this evolves in more of a sandbox spot for 12 -24 months, or if pending an election if the government can see this through, they are going to lock in an agenda pretty soon? 20:25 - In terms of where you think the general public is as well as the political class, what are the general conversations you are having with your colleagues compared to a year ago? 23:15 - Can you lay out for our listeners what your top four priorities in how we should approach this? 25:15 - 10-17% of Australians now hold Crypto in some form or another, do you think there is a relative comparison in the house of representatives that are thinking about this? Or whether they're interested in learning about it on behalf of their constituents which they claim to represent? JOIN THE KOJI COMMUNITY Twitter: Koji_capital Email us: hello@koji.capital Discord: https://discord.gg/nZP2AqXD (https://discord.gg/nZP2AqXD) Website: http://koji.capital (koji.capital) Portfolio: http://koji.capital/portfolio (koji.capital/portfolio) It's important to...
