American University Washington College of Law’s Business Law Program, Digital Asset Law Project, and the AU Business Law Review will host a timely discussion on the rapidly evolving market structure, legal landscape, and regulatory compliance issues shaping digital‑asset activities. The program will examine emerging policy developments under the Trump administration, as well as key legislative and consumer‑protection considerations. Featured speakers include The Honorable Hester M. Peirce, Commissioner, U.S Securities and Exchange Commission and The Honorable Christy Goldsmith Romero, Distinguished Visitor from Practice at Georgetown University Law Center and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. The program will also highlight AUWCL alumni recognized as leaders in law, regulation, and policy, alongside other distinguished practitioners.

8:00–8:45 a.m.

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:45–9:30 a.m.

Welcome & Opening Remarks
·    Professor David V. Snyder  Director, Business Law Program, AUWCL
·    Professor V. Gerard Comizio Associate Director, Business Law Program, AUWCL 

Fireside Chat

The Honorable Hester M. Peirce  Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Moderator: Professor V. Gerard Comizio, Associate Director, Business Law Program, AUWCL

9:30–10:15 a.m.

The Trump Administration and the New Regulatory Era: Key Current and Potential Changes in Policy, Regulation, and Enforcement

Moderator:
·    Elizabeth S. Boison, Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP

Panelists:
·    Patrick J. McCarty, Founder and President, McCarty Financial, LLC
·    Joshua D. Smeltzer, Partner, Gray Reed LLP
·    Ryan Dusseault, Managing Director, FTI Consulting, Inc.
·    Kari Larsen, Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
 
10:15–10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30–11:15 a.m.

Congress and State Legislatures Chart a New Digital Asset Market Structure and Legal and Regulatory Framework

Moderator:
·      Andrew Siegel, Senior Counsel, Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Panelists:
·    Sahel A. Assar, Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
·    Stephen Aschettino, Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
·      Brian Nistler, Head of Policy/AGC Protocol Growth, Uniswap Labs
 
11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

How Wall Street Firms and the Crypto Industry Build Comprehensive and Coherent Compliance Programs in an Era of Rapid Regulatory Change

Moderator:
·     Lee A. Schneider, General Counsel, Ava Labs, Inc.

Panelists:
·    David Brill, Managing Director, FTI Consulting, Inc.
·    Sandra Ro, CEO, Global Blockchain Business Council
·     Alex Yastremski, Partner, Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP
·    Michael Wagner, Partner, Oliver Wyman, LLC
 
Break & Lunch
 
12:00–12:15 p.m.
 
12:15–1:15 p.m.

Keynote Luncheon

Speaker:

The Honorable Christy Goldsmith Romero

Distinguished Visitor from Practice at Georgetown University Law Center and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council