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Adam Vaziri
CEO Blockpass
Professional Background
Adam Vaziri is an eminent figure in the intersection of law and cryptocurrency, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the development and regulation of digital assets. As the founder and CEO of Blockpass, Adam has spearheaded the creation of a revolutionary reshareable KYC (Know Your Customer) application that is transforming how the crypto industry handles identity verification and compliance. His career trajectory showcases a commitment not only to innovation but also to ensuring that the crypto landscape operates within a framework of legal and regulatory compliance.
Before establishing Blockpass, Adam made history as the first bitcoin lawyer in London, paving the way for many crypto legal experts to follow. In 2013, he founded Diacle, a regulatory consultancy dedicated to helping cryptocurrency projects navigate the complexities of compliance and licensing. With a firm belief in the necessity of robust regulation in the burgeoning field of cryptocurrency, Adam has dedicated his career to developing and influencing policies that shape the industry.
A thought leader in the crypto space, Adam played an instrumental role in the establishment of the UK Digital Currency Association and was pivotal in advocating for the removal of VAT on cryptocurrency transactions in both the UK and EU. Collaborating closely with Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT), he was integral in formulating financial regulations that align with modern technological advancements in finance and trade.
Education and Achievements
Adam’s academic background is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. He studied the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, solidifying his understanding of legal principles that underpin corporate and financial legislation. His education also includes notable studies abroad; at the Université libre de Bruxelles, he broadened his knowledge in International and Commercial Law through an ERASMUS exchange program. He later attained a Master of Laws (LLM) with Distinction in EU Law, Common Market, and EU Constitutional Law at the University of Sussex, followed by a Master’s degree in European Studies and Law at Université Robert Schuman (Strasbourg III).
Beyond his formal education, Adam has contributed significantly to the legal frameworks surrounding blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Notably, he served as the Technical Author for the British Standards Institution standard on security tokens, PAS19668:2020. This standard reinforces his status as a leading voice in the establishment of secure and standardized practices in the emergent world of digital currencies.
Adam's initiatives include co-founding bitlegal.io, which emerged as a highly regarded tracker for the legal status of bitcoin, earning recognition from major global news outlets such as CNN and The Washington Post. His innovative spirit also led to organizing the first bitcoin hackathon in both the UK and India, aptly named HackCoin, which served as a platform for young developers and entrepreneurs to explore and innovate within the crypto space.
Furthermore, he co-founded QRC, a fund dedicated to investing in regtech solutions for the crypto industry and advancing international legal standards regarding crypto-assets. This venture highlighted his dedication to fostering growth and compliance in the regulatory landscape of digital currencies, collaborating with esteemed institutions like the University of Malaya to contribute to legal research in this vital area.
Achievements
Key Contributions:
- Blockpass: Founded a pioneering KYC platform serving the cryptocurrency industry.
- Diacle: Established a regulatory consultancy that has guided numerous crypto projects through licensing and compliance challenges.
- UK Digital Currency Association: Co-founded an influential organization dedicated to promoting the growth and regulation of cryptocurrency in the UK.
- Regulatory Advocacy: Instrumental in removing VAT on crypto in the UK and EU, directly impacting the viability and accessibility of digital assets.
- PAS19668:2020: Served as the Technical Author for a crucial standard governing the security of digital tokens.
- HackCoin: Organized the first significant hackathon focused on bitcoin in both the UK and India, encouraging innovation in the crypto tech space.
- bitlegal.io: Co-founded one of the most recognized platforms for tracking the legal status of bitcoin, garnering extensive media coverage.
- QRC and Academic Contributions: Founded a funding initiative that collaborates with academic institutions to further legal research and regulatory frameworks for crypto.
Adam Vaziri’s remarkable contributions to the field of cryptocurrency law and regulation have paved the way for a more secure and compliant digital asset landscape. His thought leadership, coupled with a unique blend of academic prowess and hands-on experience, places him at the forefro
Highlights
NFC stablecoin payments is a gamechanger. That said there are some interesting details to be worked out:
- If a transaction is directly on the phone with Face ID for authentication then is there a guarantee against a fraud claim?
- What happens in genuine instances of fraud (theft of phone and change of faceID)?
- There would be no general charge-back scheme available unless the stablecoin issuer acts to provide a private dispute resolution process like PayPal does - that a significant opex to take on.
If there is no charge-back scheme then the system is unlikely to take off for mass merchant payments, as it is charge-back protection that provides minimal comfort for in-person and remote transactions.
Stablecoins re-banks the un-banked. Add self custodied stablecoins in a permissionless wallet and a virtual debit card and you equalise basic financial services for 7 bn people. I’ve been in crypto for over a decade and really the journey is only starting now.
