Why Crypto Is Still Relevant: Understanding the Basics, Current Uses, and Outlook

On October 6, Winston & Strawn co-hosted a reception and panel discussion with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce’s Inter-American Chapter in Miami. The panel, titled “Why Crypto is Still Relevant: Understanding the Basics, Current Uses, and Outlook,” drew from Winston’s combined experience in Latin America, including Mexico, along with our highly recognized Digital Assets & Blockchain Technology Practice. Carl Fornaris provided welcome remarks and Daniel Stabile moderated the panel.

The panel discussed the many types of digital assets and their different characteristics and properties, such as stablecoins, NFTs, and security tokens. They also discussed how to buy the assets, including fundraising, tokenization of assets, DAOs, staking, and crypto lending. Additionally, the panel provided an overview of the basics of blockchain and how the technology can be used for seamless cross-border payments.

Key Takeaways

• Concerns related to the risk of digital assets are wearing off. Advancements in the traceability of these assets, such as third parties like Chainalysis, are helping to fight the stigma around digital assets and the misconception that they are used for money laundering and terrorist financing.
• In the United States, the legal and regulatory environment ranges from securities regulation related to fundraising; the regulatory turf war between the SEC, the CFTC, and other regulators; and the complexities with tax treatment.

View a summary of the event.