At the Atlanta Blockchain Center, we’ve spent years building a strong, inclusive community—one where the next generation of developers, founders, and creators can thrive. We’ve hosted events, mentored talent, and helped turn Atlanta into one of the most exciting hubs for blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation in the country.

As proud as I am of what we’ve accomplished in Atlanta, the future of this industry is being shaped in Washington D.C. Without clear policies and smart regulation, even the best ideas are unable to break through the uncertainties that are holding crypto back. 

That is why I joined Stand With Crypto—a nationwide grassroots movement dedicated to protecting digital assets like crypto and supporting policies that create innovation, ownership, and opportunity for digital assets. Since joining, we’ve been to state capitols and D.C. to meet with lawmakers, mobilizing the crypto vote, and making sure all Americans understand what’s really at stake.

This summer, after years of building, organizing, and advocating, we have reached a pivotal moment marked by two major victories. 

First, the GENIUS Act was signed into law. The GENIUS Act creates the first legal structure for stablecoins (cryptocurrencies backed by the US dollar), requires full reserve backing of those currencies, requires monthly disclosures for stablecoins, and enhances consumer protections. This new set of laws sends a message to the country—and the world—that the United States is finally taking blockchain and cryptocurrency seriously. 

Second, for the first time ever a sitting U.S. president released a national policy roadmap for digital assets. The new roadmap outlines a long-term national strategy to regulate digital assets, support stablecoin integration, and expand cryptocurrency access through clear rules and strong consumer protections. It aims to foster innovation while safeguarding financial stability and national security.

These victories prove what we’ve known all along: when the crypto community comes together, we can move mountains. But we’re not done yet.

The next critical step is passing market structure legislation for cryptocurrency. For years, developers and entrepreneurs have operated in a regulatory gray zone—where the rules shift depending on who you ask, and no one agrees on who’s in charge. Legislation like the CLARITY Act will finally bring order to this chaotic system.  Market structure legislation would draw clear lines around which federal agencies regulate which digital assets, ending the turf war that has slowed progress and confused the entire industry.

The CLARITY Act also gives exchanges and brokers a path to register and operate legally with a full set of consumer protections and industry guidelines. It clarifies how digital assets are defined under the law, reducing the fear of regulation-by-enforcement that has driven too many innovators overseas. And most importantly, it protects consumers without punishing the responsible people trying to build the future.

This is what progress looks like.

None of this would be possible without the members of Congress who have taken the time to listen, learn, and lead. That includes several lawmakers from right here in Georgia. They understand what this industry means for the future of our economy—especially in a state like ours, where fintech, cybersecurity, and logistics are already driving innovation and job creation.

Georgia has everything it needs to lead in the blockchain space. We’ve got the talent. We’ve got the vision. And we’ve got the momentum. Now we need a federal framework that gives us the clarity to keep growing—and ensures that growth stays right here at home.

To the lawmakers already working to get crypto market structure: thank you. Your leadership matters. To the rest: the time to act is now. The groundwork is laid. The policy is sound. The support is real.

We didn’t get here by accident. We got here by showing up, organizing, and believing in what’s possible. We built this movement. Now it’s time to win.

Let’s get this done.

Anthony Mathis, President of Stand With Crypto – Georgia & Business Development Lead, Atlanta Blockchain Center