Transatlantic Blockchain Summit in New York

A group of 14 doctoral students together with the two co-directors of the institute, Profes. Dres. Sebastian Omlor and Florian Möslein, attended the central conference 'Transatlantic Blockchain Law', which was organised and held in close cooperation with the City University of New York (CUNY). A total of 28 speakers from both sides of the Atlantic gave presentations on various topics related to blockchain and token law. Of particular note was the high-level participation of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, represented by SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce. The two 'inventors' of blockchain technology, W. Scott Stornetta and Stuart Haber, also attended the conference. Professor Omlor spoke on the classification of tokens under private law and Professor Möslein on the regulation of blockchain technology under financial market law. Aurelia Birne from the Marburg delegation also gave a presentation on digital central bank money in the Eurozone.

The programme also included numerous panels and bilateral meetings with academics and consultants on blockchain issues. The visit to Cornell Tech, which opened its new campus on New York's Roosevelt Island a few years ago, is representative of the academic exchange. There was an intensive exchange with the Dean on subject-specific topics, but also on the courses offered there for German students. A panel discussion took place in the New York offices of the major US law firm Goodwin Procter, which is also a member of the Marburg Institute's support association. Exciting insights into the firm's extensive blockchain practice were provided. Finally, in addition to blockchain technology, general FinTech topics were discussed with Noerr's New York team, particularly in relation to capital markets law.