On June 8th, 2021, Brane Capital President Jerome Dwight participated in a panel discussion as part of the Global Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Association’s Crypto Connection 2021 conference.

In addition to Dwight, conference speakers including prominent crypto investors and thought leaders Mark Cuban and Mike Novogratz.

Key insights shared during the discussion and conference include:

  • Retail and institutional demand for crypto is at an all-time high, as exemplified by the success of Canada’s first Bitcoin ETF, the emergence of fiat loans backed by crypto, and other innovative products.
  • As the cryptocurrency space develops, the role of independent, unconflicted custodians is a critical component of the institutional marketplace – creating confidence, stability, and standardization of operating procedures.
  • The technological complexity of crypto custody underlines the importance of purpose-built, independent custodians whose technology and risk management practices can evolve as new products emerge.
  • The development of purpose-built custody technology and procedures for digital assets resolves one of the remaining barriers to widespread institutional adoption of crypto.
  • US regulatory agencies, notably the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under new Chairman Gary Gensler, are taking on an increasingly active role in regulating the blockchain sector. Crypto exchanges may soon fall under the same regulatory umbrella as investment dealers, as is occurring in Canada.
  • A proactive, collaborative approach to regulation is needed to facilitate innovation and unlock the economic opportunities of crypto while protecting investors and other market participants.
  • Nearly all major US financial institutions are now engaged in crypto to some degree, and that trend will accelerate in the coming months and years.
  • Large banks are increasingly grappling with the disruptions brought about by blockchain-enabled decentralized finance (DeFI), a sector that will continue to grow as Know Your Customer (KYC) regulatory hurdles are addressed.
  • Fluctuations in the market cap of cryptocurrencies, while painful for some investors in the short term, have limited implications for the ongoing development and adoption of blockchain technology – which will continue to gather momentum.

One June 2nd, Dwight spoke alongside Purpose Investments CEO Som Seif on a virtual event for Canadas’s Top 40 Under 40 Leaders Series, focused on emerging trends in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.

Recent milestones announced by Brane include: