IGF 2018 WS #177
Cryptoassets and blockchain: the regulatory conundrum?

Organizer 1: ARNO PONS, Digital New Deal Foundation
Organizer 2: Carole Ulmer, Digital new deal Foundation
Organizer 3: Philippe Mabille, La Tribune
Organizer 4: Clément Jeanneau, Blockchain Partner

Speaker 1: Clément Jeanneau, Private Sector, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Primavera De Filippi, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Jean-Pierre Landau, Intergovernmental Organization, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Moderator

Philippe Mabille, La Tribune

Online Moderator

Arno Pons, Digital new deal Foundation

Rapporteur

Carole Ulmer, Digital New Deal Foundation

Format

Panel - 60 Min

Interventions

Clément Jeanneau has developped an original point of view on the debate stating that we are at the eve of a new age of decentralised web.The blockchain and tokens make it possible to decentralize the value, by offering everyone a new power: that of creating and exchanging value instantaneously with any other user, without requiring third parties or permission. According to him, the major objective that must guide public policy is to attract and attract talent from this nascent sector, through flexible regulation, incentive taxation and a benevolent speech on cryptoactives.

Primavera De Filippi s investigating the new opportunities for these technologies to enable new governance models and participatory decision-making through the concept of governance-by-design.

Jean-Pierre Landau was assigned a special Mission by the French Ministry of Economics on cryptocurrencies, in the context of the G20 discussions.

Diversity

Clément Jeanneau is a young entrepreneur (under 30), co-founder of his consulting firm specialised in cryptoassets and blockchain (private sector group). He has developped an original point of view on the debate stating that we are at the eve of a new age of decentralised web. He is a first-time participant to IGF.

Primavera De Filippi is a reknown female international expert and researcher (academic group ) on that matter (espacially through the COALA project).

Jean-Pierre Landau an reknown economist, with a solid experience in public monetary institutions (Banque de France, Bank for International Settlements...). He could bring into the debate the perspective of economists, and more preciselly of public institutions.

Virtual currencies, especially cryptocurrencies, first and foremost bitcoin launched in 2009, have experienced an unexpected expansion over the last few years, but they have not yet been used as an alternative exchange or alternative value tool as this was envisioned by their designers. In recent years, these currencies have become known as vectors of speculation or tools for circumventing international regulations or even laundering criminal activities. However, given strong societal tendencies - individuals and groups are more and more seeking anonymity, organizing themselves into communities to carry out the most everyday activities in the context of a sharing economy- the many uses of cryptocurrencies and blockchain infrastructures remain to be explored.

Therefore, beyond the risks associated with cryptocurrencies – that are now well-know - and thinking about the multiple uses that could emerge from cryptocurrencies and blockchain infrastructures, how should policymakers build their regulation to discourage wrongful activities, but at the same time, allow innovation to flourish? At a time where policymakers are focused on regulating the web as it is, how could we think regulation in the prospect of a future possible decentralised web ?

10 minutes INTRODUCTION
-Welcoming words and introduction by the moderator. Presentation of the topic
-Presentation of the Slido app for onsite and online attendees
-First pool on a general question to launch the discussion ("Cryptoassets: threats or opportunitities?")

SPEAKERS INTRODUCTION (10 min)
-Short intervention panelist 1 (2 min)
-Short intervention panelist 2 (2 min)
-Short intervention panelist 3 (2 min)
-Short intervention panelist 4 (2 min) - panelist 4 to be defined still

DISCUSSION (30 Min)
3 to 4 questions or comments are taken from the audience and from online attendees and speakers are invited to comment on 1 or 2 each
Several rounds are taken
In the middle, the online moderator intervenes to give its analysis on the discussion going on the social networks

CONCLUSION ( 10 min)
a final pool is organised on the major topic of the discussion
the speakers are invited to give a concluding remarks (2 min each)

How policymakers should regulate cryptoassets and accompany the rise of "clean" cryptoassets ? Threats and weaknesses of cryptoassets are now well-know, How could policymakers help the rise and foster a clean use of cryptoassets?

In the context of the G20 reflection on this topic (recommendations on that matter are to be expected during the Summer), the topic will remain high on the agenda of international policymakers.

Online Participation

Online participation will be made possible through the organisation of the webstreaming of the discussion.
Interaction both for the onsite attendees and the online attendees will be made possible throught the use of the Slido App.
It will allow us to crowdsource the best questions (both online and on site) and to organize live pools to measure audience opinion and get the panelists to comment the results.
Online attendees will therefore have the same room for participation as the onsite ones.
Twitter and social media will also be followed byt the online moderator through a dedicated #