Crypto Council for Innovation

Introduction

Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) is a global policy alliance representing companies and organisations in the crypto and digital asset sector. Launched in 2021, it advances responsible crypto policy through research, education and advocacy with policymakers, regulators and the public. CCI’s work focuses on digital asset regulation, consumer protection, financial inclusion, market structure, stablecoins, compliance and the role of blockchain technology in the financial system.

What is CCI and who does it represent

CCI brings together leading crypto innovators, digital asset firms, infrastructure providers, investors and ecosystem organisations. Its members and partners are typically involved in areas such as crypto exchanges, wallets, custody, stablecoins, blockchain infrastructure, venture investment, payments, compliance, tokenisation and Web3 technology.

The council represents the policy interests of the digital asset sector rather than one narrow crypto vertical. Its role is to help explain crypto technology to policymakers, support evidence-based regulation and advocate for frameworks that allow innovation while addressing risk, consumer protection and financial integrity.

Mission and advocacy focus

CCI works to unlock the promise of crypto and digital assets through responsible public policy. Its mission combines advocacy, education and research, with a focus on helping governments and institutions understand how blockchain-based technologies can support economic growth, financial inclusion, privacy, security and innovation.

The council is especially relevant where crypto policy intersects with financial regulation, market structure, stablecoins, custody, payments, sanctions, anti-money laundering, consumer protection, decentralised finance, tokenisation and cross-border digital asset activity. CCI’s advocacy is aimed at creating clear, proportionate and innovation-supportive rules for the sector.

Policy domains

• Digital asset regulation and market structure — Advocacy on legal frameworks for crypto markets, exchanges, custody, trading, token classification and supervisory responsibilities.
• Stablecoins and crypto payments — Relevance for stablecoin issuers, payment firms, wallets, on/off-ramp providers and companies building blockchain-based payment services.
• Consumer protection and responsible innovation — Work connected to disclosures, safeguards, financial education, fraud prevention and trustworthy digital asset services.
• Financial crime, sanctions and compliance — Engagement on AML, sanctions, Travel Rule implementation, illicit finance controls and transaction monitoring.
• DeFi and decentralised infrastructure — Policy discussion around decentralised protocols, smart contracts, governance, risk and regulatory treatment.
• Tokenisation and financial infrastructure — Relevance for tokenised assets, blockchain settlement, digital securities, real-world assets and new financial market infrastructure.
• Global policy coordination — Engagement with policy developments in the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other jurisdictions shaping digital asset regulation.

Geographic scope and cross-border reach

CCI operates globally, with strong policy relevance in the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. It engages with regulators, policymakers, institutions and industry stakeholders in markets where digital asset regulation is actively developing.

The council’s work is relevant to companies operating across borders because crypto policy is fragmented and fast-moving. Issues such as MiCA, U.S. digital asset legislation, stablecoin regulation, sanctions compliance, Travel Rule requirements and APAC policy developments can affect digital asset firms and payment companies in multiple jurisdictions.

Why CCI matters for payments operators

CCI matters for PSPs, stablecoin issuers, wallet providers, crypto on/off-ramp companies, merchant crypto payment providers, remittance firms, custody providers and blockchain payment infrastructure companies. Its policy work can affect how digital asset payment models are regulated, supervised and integrated into the wider financial system.

For payment operators, CCI is especially relevant where crypto intersects with stablecoin payments, cross-border transfers, fiat-to-crypto rails, merchant acceptance, custody, sanctions screening, fraud controls, transaction monitoring, consumer disclosure and settlement infrastructure. Clearer digital asset policy can reduce uncertainty for firms building compliant crypto-enabled payment products.

The teams most likely to follow CCI include policy, legal, compliance, government affairs, product, risk, sanctions, fraud, partnerships, strategy and senior leadership teams.

Who runs CCI and who are the members

CCI operates as a policy-focused industry alliance with leadership, policy experts, member organisations, research activity, advocacy initiatives and international engagement. Its team includes professionals with experience in government, financial services, law, technology and public policy.

The council’s member base is concentrated in crypto and digital asset innovation rather than traditional banking or card-network representation. It includes companies and organisations involved in blockchain infrastructure, crypto markets, payments, investment, custody and digital asset services.

Members and participant categories

CCI’s network is best described by digital asset activity rather than by a broad financial-sector member table.

Working groups and policy activity

CCI supports member engagement through policy work, regulatory analysis, research, comment letters, education, events and international collaboration. Its activity may cover stablecoins, market structure, DeFi, MiCA, U.S. legislation, APAC policy, financial crime, sanctions, consumer protection and digital asset innovation.

Members may contribute expertise, coordinate policy positions, participate in advocacy activity and support research or education initiatives designed to inform policymakers and the public.

What does CCI publish and who does it influence

Policy and regulatory engagement

CCI engages with policymakers, regulators, legislators and international institutions on crypto and digital asset policy. Its work is relevant to bodies considering market structure, stablecoin rules, consumer protection, illicit finance controls, tokenisation, custody and decentralised finance.

Its influence is strongest where the crypto sector needs a coordinated voice to explain technology, identify policy trade-offs and advocate for rules that support innovation while addressing legitimate risks.

Research, explainers and policy resources

CCI publishes research, policy analysis, educational resources, comment letters, consultation responses, explainers and public statements. These materials help policymakers, companies and the public understand digital asset technology, regulatory developments and policy choices.

For PSPs and payment companies, useful themes include stablecoins, crypto payments, sanctions, Travel Rule, market structure, consumer protection, digital asset custody, tokenisation and cross-border regulatory alignment.

Events and convenings

CCI participates in and supports policy-focused discussions, roundtables, webinars and industry convenings involving digital asset companies, regulators, policymakers, academics and financial-sector leaders. Its events and public engagement are designed to inform regulation and improve understanding of crypto’s role in the financial system.

The council should not be described as owning a specific annual flagship summit unless confirmed through current CCI materials.

How to join CCI

Companies interested in CCI should contact the council through its official membership channels and confirm whether their organisation aligns with CCI’s digital asset policy focus. The strongest fit is for companies involved in crypto markets, stablecoins, blockchain infrastructure, digital asset payments, custody, compliance, analytics, investment or Web3 technology.

Prospective members should expect a policy-oriented association rather than a market-entry service. CCI membership is most useful for organisations that want to engage in digital asset advocacy, research, regulatory education and coordinated public policy work.

Membership routes and fees

CCI does not publish a simple universal public membership fee table. Costs, eligibility and participation benefits may vary depending on organisation type, role in the digital asset ecosystem and level of involvement.

Companies should confirm current membership conditions, benefits and fees directly with CCI before budgeting for participation.

What members commit to

Members typically contribute to policy discussions, research, education, advocacy and industry engagement. Participation may involve sharing expertise, supporting consultation responses, joining policy discussions and helping develop evidence-based positions on digital asset regulation.

FAQ

Is CCI a crypto regulator?

No. CCI is not a regulator or supervisory authority. It is a policy-focused industry alliance that advocates for responsible digital asset regulation, educates policymakers and publishes research on crypto, blockchain and Web3 policy issues.

When was CCI launched?

CCI launched in 2021 with founding member organisations from the crypto, investment and digital asset sectors. Its launch reflected the growing need for a coordinated policy voice as governments began developing more detailed rules for crypto markets, stablecoins and digital asset services.

Is CCI only focused on the United States?

No. CCI has strong U.S. policy relevance, but it operates globally and follows regulatory developments in Europe, Asia-Pacific and other markets. Its work covers issues such as MiCA, U.S. digital asset legislation, stablecoin regulation, sanctions compliance and international policy coordination.

Why is CCI relevant to stablecoin and crypto payment companies?

CCI is relevant because stablecoin and crypto payment models depend on clear rules for issuance, custody, reserves, AML controls, sanctions screening, consumer protection and cross-border transfers. CCI’s policy work helps shape the environment in which these products can be built and adopted.

What types of companies are connected to CCI?

CCI’s network includes crypto exchanges, stablecoin companies, blockchain infrastructure firms, custody providers, digital asset investors, compliance and analytics companies, Web3 organisations and ecosystem foundations. Its membership is centred on digital asset innovation and related policy issues.

Does CCI help companies enter new markets?

CCI should not be treated as a market-entry consultancy. It can help members understand policy debates and contribute to regulatory advocacy, but companies entering a new market still need separate legal, compliance, licensing, banking and commercial advice.

What does CCI publish?

CCI publishes policy analysis, research, explainers, consultation responses, comment letters and public statements on digital asset regulation. Its materials are useful for tracking issues such as market structure, stablecoins, DeFi, consumer protection, sanctions, AML and international crypto policy.