Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) is excited to announce its selection by the Washington State Department of Commerce to grow an Advanced Technology Council, which by design brings together five key stakeholder groups of startups, academia, corporations, investors, and government in support of an industry-led growth strategy.

The WTIA Advanced Technology Council will focus on quantum computing and blockchain technologies.

The Advanced Technology Council

The Advanced Technology Council will build on the ongoing activities of the Cascadia Blockchain Council, which is comprised of entrepreneurs, technology leaders, companies, and other diverse stakeholders across the Cascadia region of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. In its first four years, the Cascadia Blockchain Council took on an expansive industry and policymaker educational effort. Today, it is working to build partnerships with key state executive agencies and legislators on identifying public policy levers to help grow the blockchain sector.

The goal of the Advanced Technology Council is to promote cooperation and advance coordination between stakeholders in the blockchain and quantum computing space, with the long-term ambition of further elevating Washington into a global leader on these advanced technologies. WTIA is excited to lead the effort and is in the first month of launching the Advanced Technology Council.

You can learn more about the Advanced Technology Council here, and please reach out if you are interested in participating.

Blockchain Priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session

Complementing the goals and focus of the Advanced Technology Council, WTIA is actively supporting two key pieces of blockchain-related legislation during Washington’s ongoing legislative session.

Creation of a blockchain workgroup: Two companion bills – Senate Bill 5544 and House Bill 1729 – would create a blockchain working group. The working group would examine various applications of blockchain technology and submit a report to the Legislature with recommendations for growing the industry in Washington. This is a foundational step for a strategic growth strategy for the blockchain sector and represents strong government support and participation in that effort.

Creation of a trust framework for verifiable credentials: Senate Bill 5534 calls for the creation of a trust framework for verifiable credentials, which would promote the growth of verifiable credential technologies in Washington state.

A verifiable credential is a qualification, identification, achievement, or certification that can be cryptographically verified, often with the use of blockchain technology. The use of such a system provides a more secure, less burdensome way to issue and track licenses, certificates, and other forms of identification without having to carry a physical card or piece of paper.

The creation of a digital equivalency for credentials is essential for efficient economic operation and saves thousands of hours in paperwork each year. Other jurisdictions have or are creating these frameworks, and Washington should implement one to remain competitive.

Adoption of verifiable credentials can also increase the safety, security, and efficiency in global supply chains, particularly as international trade partners like Canada and the United Kingdom are increasingly using verifiable credentials in the trade of lumber, minerals, and other goods.

The creation of a trust framework for verifiable credentials in Washington would encourage a comprehensive, interoperable standard, rather than requiring each government agency to create their own standards and definitions on an ad-hoc basis.

Next Steps

WTIA is working with policymakers through the legislative session on these bills, which are foundational steps forward to expedite the growth of the sector and propel Washington into a global leader on blockchain technologies.

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The Advanced Technology Council is supported by Grant No. 07 79 07630 awarded by the Economic Development Administration. Points of view in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Economic Development Administration. Grant funds are administered by the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, Washington State Department of Commerce.