Hi everyone!
I´m Adriana Torres Vergara, the new EU Policy Officer of ADAN. I´m very happy to greet you 
I´m thrilled to have joined the association at this key time when the European Union and the French regulator are committed to setting up comprehensive rules aimed at regulating the Web3 industry.
From my experience working with Public Institutions, I can confirm how difficult it is to set up standards for the ecosystem. The space is being regulated for the first time, so legislators often lack experience and technical knowledge, and some are driven by prejudices and misunderstandings.
I often say to policymakers: Web3 is not a hype. Although hit by recent collapses, digital assets and the technologies that underpin them continue to have an enormous potential to transform our lives and our economies across all sectors.
Policymakers should not confuse market fluctuations or bad actors with the potential use cases of digital assets and DLT technologies. But indeed, recent events and misconceptions can be reflected in the industry´s reputation and this could be particularly risky at the regulatory process level.
The ecosystem continues to grow and legislation shall not prohibit and prevent this from happening.
Regulations shall be flexible, to allow innovation and the market to develop. The proportionality principle must be preserved to not negatively impact companies and citizens that are bonafide. Consumers’ options and choices shall be respected, and regulation shall not limit them. I´m convinced that appropriate consumer protection and requirements will contribute to building up the industry’s reputation.
That´s why is so important to be active in the whole regulatory process cycle. The industry has to be persistent to build its reputation and to continue to engage with rule-makers first to help them understand the benefits and uses of Web3 but also to support them in shaping regulations.
I believe that with a permanent representation in Paris and Brussels, the association is in a unique position to do this! As a reminder, Adan is a European Association (the first one), with 200 members, 3 of them are also part of the Cosmos ecosystem (Dokia Capital, Ki Foundation and Interop Ventures).
I think it would be great if Adan and Cosmos could collaborate. We are currently planning very exciting projects and we will soon share more details with you.
In the meantime, we would like to discuss the possibility of implementing a Cosmos´s representation hub at Adan to make you part of our discussions on Regulation for DeFi. Likewise, we would also love to set up solid joint initiatives at a European level.
I would be more than happy to hear from you. Please reach me out!
About myself: I am experienced in Political Intelligence and Public Affairs, having worked in International Organizations, Public Bodies and Consultancies in Europe and in Latin America delivering strategic analysis and Public Affairs counsel.
Prior to ADAN, I worked in the financial services practice of an international American consultancy working with a number of key players from the crypto and digital finance industry on developing and implementing their public policy strategies at EU and national level.
Previously I worked at the European Parliament where I served at Renew Europe’s MEP Ondrej Kovarik office, where I provided policy support principally in the field of Economic and Monetary Affairs. My main policy focus was Digital Finance, having delivered advisory work in the field of Crypto regulation. In the European Parliament, I also served at the Renew Europe Secretariat for the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs. I studied Law and hold a Master’s Degree in International Studies from the University of Barcelona.