Blockchain APAC unveils the 2024 [DA] Top 50 Impact List: Recognising Australia’s most influential figures in digital assets

Blockchain APAC, a leading consultancy aimed at promoting Australian blockchain businesses on the global stage, has today formally revealed The [DA] Top 50 Impact List for 2024, following its premier event in Sydney last week.​

The [DA] Top 50 Impact List is a prestigious compilation that recognises the most influential figures in Australia’s digital asset landscape — those who are either committed to the sector or are having an outsized impact on its development as part of their role.​

Building on the momentum from the inaugural list in 2023, this year’s selection features a diverse group of personalities from various sectors including government, finance and technology. The list both celebrates Australians who have demonstrated leadership in advancing the local digital asset sector, as well as critically examines the gatekeepers and defenders of the status quo, who have made a significant impact through their inaction.​

Speaking on the announcement, Steve Vallas, Managing Director at Blockchain APAC, said the 2024 list arrives at a crucial juncture for Australia’s digital asset sector.​

“With anticipated regulatory changes on the horizon for 2025, the list serves as both a recognition of current achievements and a call to action for future developments. It underscores the sector’s need to prepare for evolving standards and navigate the complexities of a shifting regulatory environment.​

“Through this list, we have aimed to maximise inclusion of industry trailblazers who are not just thinking but doing – recognising action, activity, and achievement in the blockchain space,” Vallas added.  ​

Among the distinguished top 10 honourees for 2024 are:​

1. Joseph Longo – Chair, Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC)
2. Jim Chalmers – Treasurer, Federal Government
3. Anna Bligh – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Banking Association (ABA)
4. Helen Lofthouse – Chief Executive Officer, ASX
5. Stephen Jones MP – Assistant Treasurer & Minister for Financial Services, Federal Government
6. Senator Andrew Bragg – Chair of Economics References Committee, Deputy Chair of Economics Legislation Committee, Senator for New South Wales
7. Sophie Gilder – Head of Blockchain & Digital Assets, Commonwealth Bank
8. Drew Bradford – Chief Executive Officer, Catena Digital
9. Alex Vynokur – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Betashares
10. Lisa Wade – Chief Executive Officer, DigitalX

(Please see the full 2024 list below)

​Vallas said The [DA] Top 50 Impact List intended to spur debate and has, in its first two iterations, highlighted the over-indexed inclusion of government, regulators, and the legal community, often at the expense of industry builders.  ​

“The future of finance, payments, and digital value is closely linked with emerging digital asset technologies, which the Bank of International Settlements calls ‘The Finternet’. This evolving landscape demands a more balanced representation of all key contributors, including both the innovators driving technological advancements, and the policymakers who are enhancing the sector’s legitimacy, structure, and consumer protection,” Vallas noted.​

The list was compiled through a rigorous selection process including nominations, voting, industry polling, and sectoral discussions with industry leaders, considering the contributions and impacts of various individuals in the industry.​

Looking forward

​As Blockchain APAC continues its mission to promote blockchain and digital asset technologies, it will concentrate on international engagement for the remainder of the year. After successfully hosting Policy Week in March 2024, which addressed regulatory challenges in the digital asset sector, the organisation will now turn its attention to the RegTech Forum in London in October. The goal is to share Australian successes with a global audience and draw international interest back to Australia.​

“Other jurisdictions have already advanced significantly in regulating digital assets, setting benchmarks that Australia aspires to match. Given the substantial pent-up demand, the high caliber of businesses, developers, and professional talent within the country, and the ongoing efforts by the industry, we are confident that regulatory clarity is on the horizon.​

“It is not a question of if, but when,” Vallas concluded.

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Here is the 2024 [DA] Top 50 Impact List:​

1. Joseph Longo – Chair, Australian Securities & Investment Commission
2. Jim Chalmers – Treasurer, Federal Government
3. Anna Bligh – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Banking Association
4. Helen Lofthouse – Chief Executive Officer, ASX
5. Stephen Jones MP – Assistant Treasurer & Minister for Financial Services, Federal Government
6. Senator Andrew Bragg – Chair of Economics References Committee, Deputy Chair of Economics Legislation Committee, Senator for New South Wales
7. Sophie Gilder – Head of Blockchain & Digital Assets, Commonwealth Bank
8. Drew Bradford – Chief Executive Officer, Catena Digital
9. Alex Vynokur – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Betashares
10. Lisa Wade – Chief Executive Officer, DigitalX
11. Dr. Scott Farrell – Strategic Counsel, King & Wood Mallesons
12. Robert Waugh – Group Chief Technology Officer, Cloudtech; Chief Executive Officer, Ubiquity
13. Greg Medcraft – Co-Chair & Board Member, Global Digital Finance; Non-Executive Director, Australian Finance Group
14. Nghi Luu – Acting First Assistant Secretary, Financial System Division, Commonwealth Treasury
15. Brad Jones – Assistant Governor (Financial System), Reserve Bank of Australia
16. Robbie Ferguson – Co-Founder, Immutable
17. Professor Talis Putnins – Chief Scientist, Digital Finance CRC
18. Elizabeth Reed – Chief Commercial Officer & Head of Digital Finance Ventures, Digital Finance CRC
19. Professor Ross Buckley – Professor of Disruptive Innovation and Law, KPMG Law – KWM; ARC Laureate Fellow & Scientia Professor, UNSW
20. David Pegley – Managing Director, Australian Financial Crimes Exchange
21. Mary Delahunty – Chief Executive Officer, Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia
22. Nigel Dobson – Banking Services Portfolio Lead, ANZ
23. Michael Bacina – Partner, Piper Alderman
24. Kain Warwick – Founder, Infinex & Synthetix
25. Chloe White – Managing Director, Genesis Block
26. Paul Derham – Managing Partner, Holley Nethercote
27. Adrian Przelozny – Chief Executive Officer, Independent Reserve
28. Dr. Rhys Bollen – Senior Executive Leader, Digital Assets, Australian Securities & Investment Commission
29. Caroline Bowler – Chief Executive Officer, BTC Markets
30. Kate Cooper – Chief Executive Officer Australia & Head of APAC, Zodia Custody
31. Michael Prendiville – Managing Director, TAF Capital; Co-Founder, JellyC
32. Michele Levine – Partner, Hamilton Locke
33. Liam Hennessy – Partner & Adjunct Professor, Clyde & Co
34. Jeff Yew – Chief Executive Officer, Monochrome Asset Management
35. Anthony Sassano – Independent Ethereum Educator, The Daily Gwei
36. Rob Allen – Head of Future Payments, Australian Payments Plus
37. Loretta Joseph – Co-Chair, International Digital Asset Exchange Association
38. Fred Schebesta – Founder, Finder
39. Andrew Charlton MP – Federal Member for Parramatta, Australian Labor Party
40. Chris Adamek – Assistant Director, Digital Assets, Commonwealth Treasury
41. Luke Howarth MP – Shadow Assistant Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Federal Member for Petrie
42. Jackson Zeng – Chief Executive Officer, Caleb & Brown
43. Ben Mowatt – Senior Manager, Payments & Licensing, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
44. Molly Choucair – Senior Executive Leader, Markets Enforcement, Australian Securities & Investment Commission
45. John O’Loghlen – Regional Managing Director APAC, Coinbase
46. Joni Pirovich – Principal, BADASL
47. Amy-Rose Goodey – Managing Director, Digital Economy Council of Australia
48. Ryan McCall – Chief Executive Officer, Zerocap
49. Hannah Glass – Senior Associate, King & Wood Mallesons
50. Ashima Chaudhary – Vice President, Business Development, Mastercard