Blockchain advocacy group launches in Melbourne

The Blockchain Association of Australia wants to help blockchain startups reach global audiences

Blockchain Association of Australia launches, hoping to make blockchain "second nature" in financial services. 

Australian blockchain companies have a new advocacy group, which began hosting events last week.

The Blockchain Association of Australia, which has been launched as a not-for-profit, aims to widen the nation's understanding of distributed ledger technology and help blockchain businesses grow.

It is the third Aussie blockchain group to launch, after the Blockchain Centre and the Australian Digital Currency Commerce Association, which were kicked off in 2014.

At the BAA’s helm is Chami Akmeemana, the head of ConsenSys, a blockchain software company. Board members include Michael Hendricks of ME Bank and Paul Xuereb from AustralianSuper. Steven Marshall, leader of the South Australian state Liberal Party, is on as an advisor.

 “[We want to lift] the blockchain ecosystem and community and to address the critical skills gap in Australia with respect to blockchain technology,” said the BAA in a press release.

“The association aims to educate, develop and empower the blockchain community of Australia and connect with both global leaders and best practice.”

As part of the launch, BAA has set out an ambitious series of goals. They include helping blockchain start-ups reach global audiences by 2018. It also hopes to make blockchain “second nature” to the financial services industry on the same timeframe.

As well as meetings, the group will also run hackathons and education programmes.

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Are you interested in the BAA? Chami Akmeemana’s LinkedIn can be found here.