Wanchain, the distributed financial infrastructure powered by cross-blockchain smart contracts, on Thursday announced it has teamed with multiple Austin companies to form the Austin Blockchain Collective (ABC). With a mission to advance blockchain-based education to the local community and grow the ecosystem, ABC plans to engage with policymakers to advance Austin as a hub for blockchain innovation.
According to the announcement, initial participants of the ABC include Wanchain, Multicoin Capital, Capital Factory, Lighthouse Partners, Factom, Decred, Steemit, TEN Capital Group, DecentraNet, AMSYS Blockchain, Austin.city, Algebraix Data, Laurence Ventures, Williams Technology Group, SeriesX, UlaHealth, Kilroy Blockchain, Chain Business Insights, GovernanceChain, Hatch Crypto and Windmill Enterprise.
Less than a year ago, there were approximately a dozen blockchain companies in Austin. Today that number is more than 50 and growing, according to the announcement. Austin boasts a diversified tech ecosystem, a business-friendly environment, a socially-conscious government and excellent transport links. The University of Texas at Austin recently added blockchain content to its graduate programs with plans to host a conference in April 2018.
“The founding participants of the Austin Blockchain Collective recognize the value of a thriving local blockchain ecosystem,” said Dustin Byington, President of Wanchain and Executive Committee Member of ABC, in a statement. “Bringing Austin’s blockchain builders and businesses together is a foundational step towards making Austin the global blockchain force we know it can be.”
ABC participants plan to work together to advocate for the adoption of blockchain innovation at the local level and for the larger global ecosystem, according to the statement. The collective’s mission is to provide blockchain education while fostering connections across business and consumer-focused applications.
Initial financial support for the Austin Blockchain Collective is provided by Wanchain. The company is rebuilding the financial services industry using private cross-blockchain smart contracts, says the statement. Built in China and headquartered in Austin, TX, Wanchain’s currency-agnostic platform for global financial services is registered in Singapore as a non-profit organization. The Wanchain Foundation was initially funded by Wanglu Tech, a for-profit enterprise with investors including River Capital and Fenbushi Capital.
To learn more about WanChaiin, visit wanchain.org,
More information about ABC is available at www.austinblockchaincollective.com.
