ZUG, Switzerland – April 14, 2021 – Bitcoin Association, the Switzerland-based global industry organisation that works to advance business with the Bitcoin SV blockchain, today announces that it has appointed Marcin Zarakowski as its first internal legal counsel & public policy manager. Zarakowski will be based out of the Association’s headquarters office in Zug, Switzerland.
Zarakowski’s hire is the latest addition to a growing roster of experienced professionals at Bitcoin Association working towards establishing a regulation-friendly global ecosystem for blockchain technologies and digital assets. In his new role, Zarakowski will handle both Bitcoin Association’s day-to-day legal matters, as well as contribute to its quickly expanding public policy agenda, with a focus on the European Union and surrounding territories.
Bitcoin Association continues to increase its engagement with policymakers around the world, working to educate government agencies about how they can support and implement innovations emerging in the blockchain space. The Association and its supporters have advised on the application of legal & regulatory frameworks for both digital assets and blockchain technologies around the world, including during the drafting phase of the Digital Assets Business Act 2020 in Antigua & Barbuda. In addition to its first-hand work in the space, Bitcoin Association has strived to raise awareness of these issues amongst the general public, including the creation of Blockchain Policy Matters – a legal and regulatory focused online web series that has welcomed guests including U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-North Carolina 10) and U.S. Securities & Exchange Commissioner Hester Peirce. Recently, the Association’s new Blockchain for Government Initiative made a trip to Khartoum, Sudan to lead the first-ever Sudan Blockchain Summit and Workshop, in addition to conducting meetings to educate both government and business leaders about how blockchain technology can advance Sudan’s digital transformation as the country rebuilds.
Zarakowski joins Bitcoin Association as an experienced hand in the blockchain space, making the move from the Lisk Foundation – another Zug-based non-profit operating in the blockchain technology and digital asset sector. He has particular experience with legal issues involving blockchain, data privacy, anti-money laundering (AML) compliance and intellectual property. Zarakowski has proactively contributed to regulation and legislation pertaining to blockchain technologies, both as co-chair of the privacy working group at the International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications and as a member of the working group on DLT and blockchain as part of the Ministry of Digital Affairs of Poland. In addition to his legal experience, Zarakowski is a Certified Information Privacy Professional – Europe (CIPP/E).
