Overview of Global Crypto and Blockchain Industry Associations

Prominent crypto companies such as Coinbase, eToro, CryptoCompare, and CEX.IO, along with BlockEx, CoinShares, and CommerceBlock, have announced the creation of CryptoUK, a self‑regulatory industry association aimed at raising behavioural standards and lobbying the UK government on behalf of its members.

CryptoUK’s primary goal is to represent its members’ interests to the British government and influence market regulation.

The combined trading volume of participating exchanges is sizable, with CEX.IO handling over $34 million daily, though this is modest compared with market leaders like Binance, which processes around $2 billion per day. By uniting exchanges, hedge funds, community hubs, and other services under a single policy framework, the association can exert broader influence across the crypto ecosystem.

As UK Treasury official Stephen Barclay noted, the government is negotiating amendments to anti‑money‑laundering directives that will affect the crypto sector, making a coordinated industry voice potentially more impactful.

Similar trends are emerging elsewhere; for example, Blackmoon is preparing a comparable association with major US market leaders.

The article then outlines several other crypto‑related associations and their objectives.

Crypto Valley Association was founded in 2017 with support from the Canton of Zug, Switzerland, aiming to build a world‑leading blockchain ecosystem, support startups, conduct research, and host events. Members include Bitcoin Suisse, Bussmann Advisory, iProTus, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Luxoft, Monetas, and Thomson Reuters, with KPMG as a partner and PwC collaborating on a joint report.

Russian Crypto Union and Blockchain (RUS) was established in 2017 with Russian government backing, focusing on drafting legislative proposals for the Russian Federation. It was initiated by Herman Krimenko of the Russian Internet Issues Union and includes senior figures from major IT firms such as Mail.Ru Group and the Wave platform.

The union actively promotes blockchain initiatives and seeks to influence government decisions, exemplified by proposals to provide free cryptocurrency from state‑owned power plants.

Blockchain Research Institute , a Canadian organization founded by Don and Alex Tapscott in 2017, researches blockchain’s impact on business, government, and society, funded by members like IBM, Microsoft, and Deloitte, and supported by various Canadian governmental bodies.

Digital Chamber of Commerce , founded in 2014, lobbies for digital assets and blockchain technology, influencing policymakers and regulators. It has engaged with U.S. officials to propose electronic signature legislation and participates in events such as the DC Blockchain Summit.

The U.S. Congress has begun to take notice of the Digital Chamber’s positions, addressing issues like monitoring extremist organizations.

Coin Center , based in Washington, D.C., aims to educate decision‑makers, engage regulators, and advocate for blockchain solutions. Its research reports cover topics such as federal funding transfer licensing, and its CEO has testified before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s advisory committee.

Visit Singapore , established in 2014, facilitates dialogue between the crypto community, enterprises, and regulators, hosting workshops and seminars on blockchain and cryptocurrency, with board members including founders of CoinPip and JEDTrade, and providing recommendations to the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Bitcoin Association Switzerland showcases a literary quote on its homepage and unites members like EY, Bosch, and Crypto Finance to address cryptocurrency regulation, sharing public‑relations resources and organizing Q&A sessions for community engagement.