Detroit aims to drive digital asset innovation on day three of the America Loves Crypto Tour

Crypto natives and fans of Detroit rapper Big Sean flocked to Lager House, just outside of downtown Detroit, for the third stop on the America Loves Crypto Tour. The event provided both an evening of live entertainment and a call to action to get the crypto vote out in the upcoming 2024 election, following previous stops in Arizona and Nevada.

Michigan is considered a battleground state, and the Stand With Crypto Alliance sees the state’s 940,000 bipartisan Bitcoin and cryptocurrency owners — 25,000 of whom are Stand With Crypto members — as potentially crucial to the upcoming presidential election. The margin for the 2020 Michigan election was only about 156,000 voters, meaning that crypto-voters could very well sway the election results in 2024.

Local startup founders, college blockchain clubs, former state Rep. Ryan Berman (R) and Stand With Crypto Alliance agents took the stage for the third stop of the state roadshow to the battlefield to communicate a simple message : Digital asset owners and entrepreneurs have leverage, and it’s time to make their political voices heard.

Over the past few years, inconsistent regulatory actions by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have had a chilling effect on the industry. Adam Zientarski, co-founder of Detroit Ledger Technologies, noted that he would like to see this change so that “startups can actually focus on growth and not on moving the company to another country.” On behalf of the state’s contractors, he simply asks regulators to “let them build.”

In an interview with Bitcoin magazine, former Michigan state representative and attorney general candidate Ryan Berman echoed similar thoughts about the role of regulation.

“You can’t predict what’s going to happen in this technology space, but we want to make sure people can innovate and have the tools they need without the government blocking them,” Berrman said. “Detroit has been on a comeback for the last two decades. It would be beneficial to put Michigan on the map to say, “Hey, we want to welcome these types of companies, we want innovation.”

Berrman went on to emphasize the economic importance of promoting innovation in the state:

“Here at this event, we heard from these entrepreneurs at the University of Michigan, (which) has half of their student body from out of state. The other half are kids from our big schools – our students are currently leaving the state in search of work. What can we do to keep our students here? Technology is at the fore.

Crypto education: not just for elected officials

Technological innovation took the driver’s seat during America Loves Crypto’s stop in The Motor City, and what stood out was the cultural interest in Bitcoin and crypto mixed with the pride many Detroiters, especially students, have for the state their place of residence. University of Michigan Blockchain Club President Evan Solomon received thunderous applause from the crowd when he called out his alma mater.

Students and educational institutions, a particular point of pride for Michigan, seem to be paying close attention to Bitcoin and crypto during this election season. Speaking to Bitcoin Magazine, Solomon proudly said that his campus club received support from the prestigious Ross School of Business to host an event attended by 25 visiting organizations.

However, Solomon also noted that clear regulation is “the most important thing” when it comes to fostering talent and strengthening industry in the state. When students are considering what careers or companies to pursue after college, the stigma of over-regulation is a major factor. But the tide is turning, and Solmon is optimistic about a 2023 meeting with U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D), saying, “I thought the reception was great, they wanted to listen to us and they wanted to hear about the requests.”

Code and Law: Constitutional Battles for Developers

Bitcoin and crypto are in the state of Michigan not only a matter of revenue and economic development, but also important constitutional considerations for the more than 940,000 cryptocurrency owners in Michigan.

Berman, who has a background in law, explained that overlapping considerations of the First, Second and Fourth Amendments informed his perspective on crypto. Specifically, he argued that 3D printing files for creating firearms is a constitutional right under the Second Amendment as much as free speech and privacy issues are, and he sees them overlapping with cryptocurrency in this regard. see now that developers of open source privacy tools are also being prosecuted. .

“Freedom of speech is what our founding fathers were all about. Publishing a manual can be bad if someone uses it for a bad purpose, but (in the case of 3D printed weapons) there are plenty of legitimate purposes as well. But even if there isn’t, it doesn’t matter what the purpose is, it’s all about freedom, it’s all about the First Amendment. I’m a total supporter of not only the Second and First Amendments, but the Fourth Amendment especially when you’re talking about encrypted communications.”

America Loves Crypto continues its road show this week, with upcoming ones in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Washington DC Attendees can RSVP to these free events where they’ll be able to register to vote while connecting with like-minded people before election day in November.