Crypto Council For Innovation
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Membership
    • Careers
    • CCI News
    • Contact
    • Events
    • Press Releases
  • Analysis
    • All Analysis
    • Crypto in Action
    • News Analysis
    • Explainer
  • POSA
  • Comment Letters
  • Policy Briefs
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Financial Literacy
  • Policy
  • EU Elections
  • Crypto in Action
  • Explainer
    • Defi
    • NFTs
    • DAOs
    • Layer 1s
    • Layer 2s
    • Government
    • Infrastructure
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Membership
    • Careers
    • CCI News
    • Contact
    • Events
    • Press Releases
  • Analysis
    • All Analysis
    • Crypto in Action
    • News Analysis
    • Explainer
  • POSA
  • Comment Letters
  • Policy Briefs
  • Reports
No Result
View All Result
Crypto Council For Innovation
No Result
View All Result

Home » What are Crypto-backed Mortgages?

What are Crypto-backed Mortgages?

byCCI
September 6, 2023
in Explainers
Crypto-backed mortgage example image

Summary

  • In crypto-backed mortgages, the loan amount is based on the cryptocurrency’s value, and the digital assets are kept as security until the loan is paid back.
  • The procedure to obtain a crypto-backed mortgage starts with the borrower giving their cryptocurrency to the lender as security, with the lender calculating the maximum loan amount depending on the value of the collateral.
  • Crypto collateralized loans enable cryptocurrency owners to access their digital assets without selling them, potentially saving them from paying capital gains tax.
  • A version of this article first appeared on CoinTelegraph. Check out the Crypto Council’s resources for all your explainer needs.

Crypto-backed mortgages, explained

Using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) or other digital assets as collateral to get a standard mortgage loan is known as a crypto-backed mortgage.

The idea of using cryptocurrencies as loan collateral surfaced as the cryptocurrency market gained popularity. The extreme volatility and potential for significant value appreciation in the crypto market inspired the notion of leveraging these digital assets to secure conventional loans.

In crypto-backed mortgages, the loan amount is based on the cryptocurrency’s value, and the digital assets are kept as security until the loan is paid back. To enable safe and open transactions, these organizations use blockchain technology and smart contracts to facilitate cryptocurrency-collateralized loans, which utilize digital assets as security to obtain loans.

When a decentralized lending platform called Salt Lending was introduced in 2018, it became the first notable instance of cryptocurrencies-backed mortgages. Borrowers could use their cryptocurrency holdings as security for loans through Salt lending. Though the idea ran into legal and regulatory issues, the business later altered its offers.

Types of crypto-backed mortgages

The common type of crypto-backed mortgages include:

  • Purchase mortgages: These mortgages are used for real estate financing and are secured using cryptocurrency as a security by borrowers.
  • Cash-out refinancing: Homeowners with existing mortgages may refinance their properties using their cryptocurrency holdings as security to acquire funds for various uses.
  • Bridge loans: Borrowers use cryptocurrency collateral to secure a short-term bridge loan to cover the gap between buying a new property and selling an existing one.
What is cryptography and how is it crypto’s foundation?

How do crypto mortgages work?

Crypto mortgages entail utilizing cryptocurrency holdings as security to bind a conventional mortgage or loan. 

The procedure to obtain a crypto-backed mortgage starts with the borrower giving their cryptocurrency to the lender as security, with the lender calculating the maximum loan amount depending on the value of the collateral.

The acceptability of the cryptocurrency is assessed before interest rates, payback terms and term length are decided. The borrower deposits the agreed cryptocurrency sum into the lender’s escrow account once the terms are agreed. In the escrow account, a third party keeps and manages funds, property or documents on behalf of both parties to a transaction until certain criteria are satisfied.

This collateral is kept locked up for the duration of the loan, and to control volatility risks, borrowers frequently need to have a specific buffer between the value of the collateral and the loan balance.

Payments are typically made in fiat money. After repayment is complete, the borrower receives the collateral back. However, a margin call (demand for additional collateral due to fluctuation in collateral value) might happen if the value of the cryptocurrency falls dramatically, in which case the borrower would have to restore the necessary margin.

When referring to loans with cryptocurrency as collateral, a buffer is a predetermined percentage difference between the loan balance and the collateral value (cryptocurrency). For instance, if a borrower’s cryptocurrency collateral is valued at 1 BTC and the lender stipulates a 20% buffer, the borrower needs to provide the collateral equivalent to 1.2 BTC (1 BTC 20% of 1 BTC), effectively creating a buffer against potential volatility risks throughout the loan tenure. 

How buffer works in crypto-backed mortgages

This buffer serves as a safety cushion for both the borrower and the lender by preventing changes in the value of the cryptocurrency from instantly resulting in margin calls or the liquidation of collateral.

Crypto-backed mortgages and products

Crypto-backed mortgage products, such as crypto collateral loans and decentralized finance (DeFi) mortgages, offer cryptocurrency owners an opportunity to access liquidity without selling their digital assets. 

Examples of crypto-backed mortgage products include:

Crypto collateral loans

Borrowers use their cryptocurrency holdings as security to obtain a loan. The worth of the collateralized assets establishes the loan’s value. In accordance with the nature of the collateral, certain crypto-backed mortgages permit borrowers to pay back the loan plus interest in cryptocurrency. However, the lender may sell the collateral if the borrower defaults. 

Stablecoin mortgages

Borrowers pledge stablecoins as collateral, which are digital currencies anchored to a stable asset like a fiat currency. This preserves access to funds while reducing the volatility linked to conventional cryptocurrencies. 

DeFi mortgages

DeFi mortgages are issued using blockchain technology and smart contracts. DeFi protocols operate autonomously on the blockchain, enabling trustless borrowing and lending without intermediaries. For instance, platforms like Aave and Compound allow users to pledge their crypto assets as loan collateral.

Cross-collateralization

To secure a loan, borrowers may utilize a variety of cryptocurrencies as security. Distributing collateral among several assets can offer flexibility and reduce risks.

Fractional ownership mortgages

Using blockchain technology, borrowers can tokenize their real estate and offer fractional ownership, giving investors a new option to get involved in real estate ventures.

How to buy a house using crypto-backed loans

People who want to buy a house using crypto-backed loans should research lending platforms, choose their collateral, submit loan applications and consider potential legal ramifications.

To buy a house using crypto-backed loans, an individual must look into reputable lending companies that provide such mortgages. After deciding on an appropriate platform, the user can choose a cryptocurrency for collateral.

The next step is to file a loan application via the platform of choice, including necessary information, such as ownership evidence for the collateral. The lending institution then assesses the collateral’s worth to calculate the practical loan amount.

Once the lender approves, the borrower reads and accepts the loan’s terms, which cover items like interest rates, payback terms and collateral requirements. Following acceptance, the borrower receives the loan amount (in fiat money, cryptocurrencies or stablecoins), which can subsequently be used to buy a property.

To reduce the risks related to changes in the value of the collateral, it is essential to be diligent in monitoring potential market volatility. Furthermore, to ensure compliance with applicable laws in their area, individuals should also consider the legal and tax implications of using cryptocurrencies for real estate transactions.

Crypto-backed mortgage benefits

Crypto-backed loans provide cryptocurrency holders access to assets without selling, avoiding taxes and enabling traditional investments. They also promote financial inclusion and control over exposure to digital assets.

Crypto collateralized loans enable cryptocurrency owners to access their digital assets without selling them, potentially saving them from paying capital gains tax. These mortgages also offer a way to get traditional financing, making investing in real estate or other businesses possible.

Financing options may be available through cryptocurrency-backed mortgages for those without access to conventional banking institutions, promoting financial inclusion. Borrowers can use these mortgages to control their exposure to cryptocurrencies and possibly hedge against significant price changes.

Moreover, borrowers continue to be exposed to possible cryptocurrency value growth while using funds for useful purposes. Additionally, by bridging the traditional financial and digital worlds, these mortgages increase the utility of cryptocurrencies in regular transactions.

Cryptocurrency owners can diversify their investment portfolio by securing traditional finance for projects like real estate with their digital assets. Borrowers can utilize their assets directly as collateral instead of selling cryptocurrency on exchanges, avoiding potential trading complexities.

Risks concerned with crypto-backed mortgages

The volatility of crypto collateral, uncertain regulations, security risks and the need to evaluate risk-reward ratios all highlight the complexity of considering crypto-backed mortgages.

The volatility of cryptocurrencies, which can cause significant swings in the value of the collateral during the loan term, is one fundamental cause for concern. These market fluctuations could result in margin calls, forcing borrowers to increase their collateral or risk liquidation. 

Additionally, the regulatory framework for financial products based on cryptocurrencies is still in its infancy, with different implications depending on the jurisdiction. This uncertainty might impact the stability and legality of these agreements. 

Moreover, security breaches could endanger the security of the digital assets used as collateral. The borrower must fully understand the terms and conditions, including the interest rates, costs and potential tax repercussions. 

Individuals should consider the total risk-to-reward ratio while determining whether obtaining a mortgage is a wise decision given their current situation. The risk-reward ratio compares an investment’s potential profit against its potential loss. It is determined by dividing the expected gain by the expected loss, and it aids investors in determining if a business opportunity is worthwhile to pursue based on the ratio between prospective returns and potential risks.

Tags: cryptocryptocurrencyEconomyexplainerGeneral ExplainermortgagePolicyspotlight
Tweet

Related Posts

Photo of the White House illustrating crypto policy during the first 100 days of the Trump presidency.
Explainers

Trump, Crypto, and the First 100 Days 

May 17, 2025
Solana Staking Mechanics: A Step-by-Step Explanation
Explainers

Solana Staking Mechanics: A Step-by-Step Explanation

May 16, 2025
Load More
Next Post
Anti-money-laundering-paradigm is needed for digital wallets

Anti-money-laundering-paradigm is needed for digital wallets

By Categories

  • CCI News
  • Comment Letters
  • Congressional Testimony
  • Crypto in Action
  • Data
  • Explainers
  • Letter
  • News Analysis
  • Pinned Event
  • Policy Briefs
  • Press Releases
  • Previous Events
  • Recent Coverage
  • Report
  • Uncategorized
  • Upcoming Events
  • About
  • Contact

© 2025 Crypto Council For Innovation.

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Membership
    • Careers
    • CCI News
    • Contact
    • Events
    • Press Release
    • Recent Coverage
  • Analysis
    • All Analysis
    • Crypto in Action
    • Explainer
      • All Explainers
      • DeFi
      • NFT
      • DAO
      • Layer 1s
      • Layer 2s
      • Government
      • Infrastructure
    • News Analysis
  • Recent Coverage
  • Comment Letters
  • Policy Briefs
  • Reports
  • Security
  • Financial Literacy
  • Policy
  • EU Elections
  • In Action
  • Explainer
    • All Explainers
    • DeFi
    • NFT
    • DAO
    • Layer 1s
    • Layer 2s
    • Government
    • Infrastructure

© 2025 Crypto Council For Innovation.

Saskia Seidel

Policy Fellow

Saskia Seidel is the Policy Fellow at CCI, conducting legal and policy analysis on crypto regulations and legislative developments across key jurisdictions. She examines bills and regulatory proposals as well as case decisions, providing insights into the evolving landscape of digital assets policy.

Saskia holds a Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University Law Center. Originally from Germany, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Law and Economics and passed the First German State Exam in Law to qualify in the legal system.

Before joining CCI, Saskia worked at various law firms specializing in corporate and international tax law, where she developed a strong understanding of how businesses navigate legal and regulatory challenges in a cross-border context and advising on complex legal matters.

Krisina Antonio

Office Manager / Administrative Assistant

Krisina Antonio is the Executive Assistant to the CEO and DC Office Manager at CCI. Prior to joining CCI, Krisina has led executive offices in education and finance. She also worked within the pro-sports sales and marketing space for teams within the NFL, MLS, and Minor League Baseball

Emily Ekshian

Communications Specialist

Emily Ekshian is the Communications Lead at CCI, working closely with the communications team on branding, marketing and publicity efforts. She holds a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, with concentrations in Finance, Technology, and Human Rights.

She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy and Media Studies, with a Minor in Human Rights, from the University of California, Berkeley. Emily is passionate about the intersection of blockchain, digital assets, and global policy, focusing on how emerging technologies can support climate resilience, financial inclusion, and freedom of expression.

Through her work, she explores the transformative potential of Web3 in addressing global challenges and advancing positive social impact.

Renee Barton

Director, Impact Research

Renée leads Impact Research at CCI, documenting real world Web3 use cases to create shared understandings of how Web3 technologies are shaping the future for people and communities. She has ten years of experience examining the policy, economic, and community development implications of technology deployments.

She previously led primary ethnographic research at the Crypto Research and Design Lab (CRADL), where her research helped policymakers and business leaders understand why people are turning to crypto through evidenced-based insights.

Prior to her work at CRADL, Renée advised public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients at the intersection of technology, economic development and community-building.

Giles Swan

European Public Police Advisor

Giles has been a regulator, policymaker, the policy lead of a major digital asset service provider and the global policy director of a leading investment fund trade association. Giles advises trade associations, investment funds and asset managers, and web3 and crypto firms, on public policy, licensing, regulation and advocacy. During his time as a policymaker,

Giles was a national expert on the Investment Management Standing Committee of the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA), a national representative on the Standing Committee on Investment Management of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and a member of the European Union’s Council of Ministers Financial Services Working Party.

Giles holds a BA in Banking and Finance, first class, from London Guildhall University, an MSc in Finance and Investment from CASS Business School and professional certificates in teaching and learning, and blockchain strategy.

Peter Herzog

Associate Director, State Government Affairs

Peter Herzog is a dedicated government affairs professional, specializing in issues impacting emerging financial technologies. As the Associate Director of State and Local Government Affairs at the Crypto Council for Innovation, Peter oversees initiatives to advance responsible regulation for the digital asset industry across state and local governments.

He has developed a pragmatic approach to building relationships with key decision makers and navigating nuanced policy issues. Before joining CCI, Peter served on the government relations team at the digital mortgage startup Better.com, where he led the organization’s state government relations strategy. He began his career at the Health and Medicine Counsel, a boutique healthcare lobbying firm on Capitol Hill,

where he was one of the youngest registered lobbyists in Washington, DC. His former clients include patient advocacy organizations, trade societies, and pharmaceutical companies. Peter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and International Politics from George Mason University.

Ryan Eagan

Associate Director, Federal Affairs

With nearly 10 years of experience working for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Ryan advised the Leader on a wide array of banking policies and housing priorities. He worked with members in the House and Senate and the relevant Committees to advance legislative priorities.

This includes federal responses to COVID such as the American Rescue Plan,statutory changes to securities law, ESG rulemaking, cryptocurrency policy, and certain appropriations topics.

He graduated Williams College with a BA in both Political Science and History.

Rashan Colbert

Director, U.S. Policy

Rashan A. Colbert is the US Policy Director for the Crypto Council for Innovation. A seasoned policy leader with extensive experience in government, politics, and the crypto industry, he has served as a senior legislative advisor in the U.S. Senate, led policy efforts for a cutting-edge DeFi protocol, and has amassed a high-powered network across the public and private sectors. As Head of Policy at dYdX Trading, Rashan took the firm’s advocacy strategy and effort from zero to one.

His work involved educating policymakers, advising company leadership on policy risks, and ensuring DeFi’s importance to the future of the United States was well understood in Washington. Before transitioning to the private sector, he spent seven years in Senator Cory Booker’s office, where he led on technology, telecommunications, and commerce issues, with work focused on AI, big tech, social media regulation, and digital assets.

As Booker’s lead staffer on crypto policy for the Senate Agriculture Committee, he developed a deep understanding of fi nancial regulation and the legislative vehicles that will be used to shape it.

Patrick Kirby

Policy Counsel

Patrick is joining CCI as Policy Counsel, and brings considerable experience engaging with policymakers on emerging technology and financial services issues. Before joining CCI, he worked as an attorney in the US Policy & Government Relations group at the law firms Dentons and Squire Patton Boggs.

In those roles, he advised domestic and international clients on a variety of legal, policy, and regulatory issues related to technology, financial services, and digital assets. He assisted clients in developing and executing government relations strategies to further their legislative and regulatory interests before Congress and the Executive Branch.

In prior roles, he served as a legal intern at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Yele Bademosi

Africa Advisor

Yele Bademosi is the co-creator of Onboard, a community-first onchain neobank designed for creators and builders. Onboard's goal is to expand the onchain economy, making it accessible to anyone, anywhere, and empowering people to live radically better lives.

Throughout his career, Yele has invested in close to 100 startups globally, primarily in the financial services and onchain sectors. His purpose extends beyond geographical borders, aiming to leverage innovation, capital, and policy to create sustainable economic opportunities worldwide.

Sean Lee

Senior APAC Advisor

Sean is an advisor and entrepreneur in Web3 and FinTech, and has been frequently quoted in Reuters, Forbes, Bloomberg, CoinDesk, among others. Sean was previously the CEO of the Algorand Foundation, an MIT incubated Layer-1 blockchain protocol that reached top-10 by network valuation during his tenure.

He is currently leading the efforts at VSFG, a global financial services platform and the first licensed virtual asset manager in Hong Kong, to develop the regulated HKD stablecoin for programmable payment and cross border use cases across Asia and beyond. Before entering into crypto and blockchain, Sean spent 10 years and held global leadership positions in cloud computing and open source software development companies.

Sean also advises crypto startups and engages in mentorship and advocacy programs including the MIT Entrepreneurship & FinTech Innovation Node, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School, and the Hong Kong FinTech Association.

Matt Homer

Senior Advisor

Matthew Homer is the Founder & General Partner of The Venture Dept. Previously, he was an investor at Nyca Partners, a $1B+ AUM fintech VC firm, where he remains involved as an Operating Partner in an advisory capacity.

Before venture investing, he was Executive Deputy Superintendent at the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), where he oversaw the licensing and supervision of major digital asset firms, including some of the largest exchanges, custodians, and stablecoin issuers in the U.S.

Earlier in his career, he worked as a federal regulator at the FDIC, focusing on policy development and new technologies. Matt has also held operating roles in fintech startups, starting at Quovo and continuing at Plaid after its acquisition.

Laura Navaratnam

UK Policy Lead

Laura is a digital assets policy expert, and serves as the UK Policy Lead for CCI. Laura is a fintech policy expert, specializing in digital assets. Laura has worked in financial services policy for over 15 years. She worked at the UK Financial Conduct Authority for 7 years where she ultimately served as the Head of the FCA’s Innovate function,

which included all aspects of cryptoasset policy and fintech (sandbox, firm support, international engagement and strategy). She is also a Director at bespoke fintech consultancy Gattaca Horizons, supporting a broad range of US and UK based fintech clients and leveraging her experience to provide policy, regulatory and strategy advice.

She is also a Non-Executive Director for Zero Hash UK, a leading crypto-as-a-service provider.

Cameron Jones

Director, Strategic Initiatives

Cameron has over 30 years of experience in technology, philanthropy, and civil society sectors. She worked in the nonprofit and private sectors in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

She developed and scaled strategic social good programs for leading tech companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, Adobe, Intuit, and VMware, leading the development of program delivery and marketing strategies.

At CCI she leads strategic initiatives, manages new partnerships and current members.

Amanda Russo

Director, Communications

She led C-suite media relations and content for IHS Markit research divisions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a strategic communications advisor to CEOs, heads of state, and policymakers, Amanda worked on the World Economic Forum’s Public Engagement leadership team as Head of Media Content. Amanda started her career as a terrorism and intelligence analyst.

Yaya J. Fanusie

Director, Policy, AML & Cyber Risk

He spent seven years as an economic and counterterrorism analyst in the CIA, briefing federal law enforcement, military personnel, White House-level policy makers and the President. After government service, he joined the think tank world and as Director of Analysis at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance led research on sanctions evasion and terrorist financing threats.

In 2016 he began tracking the illicit use of crypto and wrote some of the first public analysis on a terrorist crypto crowdfunding campaign. He later published a major study on efforts by Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and China to build national blockchain infrastructure. Yaya is currently an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) and Visiting Fellow at Georgetown's Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy.

He is a frequent media commentator and has testified before Congress multiple times on illicit financing issues. He is considered a leading expert on China’s CBDC.

Annie Dizon

Chief Operating Officer

With more than 20 years of tech, operations, and marketing experience, Annie has held several senior executive positions at the global social impact nonprofit TechSoup; most recently serving as Vice President of Customer Experience. Prior to TechSoup, she led marketing communications programs for leading Fortune 500 companies in the financial and professional services sectors.

Ji Kim

President and Acting Chief Executive Officer

Ji Kim is the President and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Crypto Council for Innovation - the premier global alliance for advancing the promise of this new technology through research, education and advocacy. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Legal & Policy Officer for CCI. Before joining CCI, he was General Counsel and Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs at Gemini, a global digital asset exchange and custodian.

In his role, Ji led the legal, policy, and regulatory affairs teams and also set and implemented Gemini’s global strategy for engaging with regulators, policymakers, and the government. Prior to that, he was a senior attorney at Kraken, another global digital asset exchange. In prior roles, he was an attorney at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and served as Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert D. Drain of the Southern District of New York, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

In prior roles, he was an attorney at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and served as Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert D. Drain of the Southern District of New York, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Sheila Warren

Senior Global Policy Advisor

In 2023, Sheila was voted one of the most influential women in DC by the Washingtonian. Prior to the Crypto Council, she founded the World Economic Forum’s blockchain and digital assets team and was a member of the Executive Leadership Team. She oversaw tech policy strategy across 14 countries and regularly briefed ministers, CEOs of the Fortune 100 and Heads of State.

She spent significant time as a lawyer and executive in the nonprofit sector helping companies work with emerging technology to solve problems and increase efficiency. She was on the leadership team at TechSoup and built NGOsource, an online service that helps US foundations reduce costs on cross-border grants.

Sheila began her career as a Wall Street attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP after earning her J.D. at Harvard Law School. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in Economics. She is the co-host of Money Reimagined, a CoinDesk podcast.

Senator Cory Gardner

Senior Political Advisor

Senator Gardner honorably represented the state of Colorado from 2015 to 2021 after two terms in the United States House of Representatives. During his tenure, Cory was consistently recognized as one of the most bi-partisan members of the Senate, sponsoring and passing milestone legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act,

America COMPETES Act, the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act and the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline. He served on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Mark Foster

EU Policy Lead

Mark has over 20 years of experience advising public and private sector entities on EU policy and politics. He started his career in Brussels as a European Parliamentary Assistant from 2003 to 2007. He later developed expertise in EU financial services as a Senior Official in the UK Permanent Representation.

In 2011, he moved to Kreab, a global public affairs and consultancy firm, where he became Partner in the financial services practice. He has held elected roles in trade associations including vice-chair at the financial services committee of AmCham EU and he retains a role as vice-chair for the EU/UK task force at the British Chamber of Commerce to the EU.

Mark was VP of Government Relations at Barclays from 2019-2021 before establishing his own business – Strategic Advisory Management - at the start of 2022.

Alison Mangiero

Senior Director, Staking Coalition & Industry Affairs

Alison Mangiero is the Executive Director of Proof of Stake Alliance (POSA), a CCI project that advocates for clear and forward-thinking public policies that foster innovation in the rapidly growing, sustainable, multi-billion dollar staking industry.

Alison began working in the industry in 2018, when she founded the Tocqueville Group (“TQ”), an entity that created open-source software and other public goods for Tezos, one of the first proof-of-stake blockchains to launch. Before founding TQ, she spent a decade in public policy and academia, and has broad experience fundraising and growing membership associations.

A passionate advocate of the liberal arts, Alison also teaches courses on leadership at the College of the Holy Cross and is on the Executive Board of Advisors for the University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies.An alum of the University of Richmond and Boston College, Alison lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband and two young daughters.