About Us
We started in 2019 as a handful of friends sitting around a table at a WeWork in Boston. We had a big idea: Boston could be a global hub for the blockchain industry, thanks to our roots in finance, our deep tech expertise, and our world-leading academic network.
Today we are a global community of over 3,500 blockchain enthusiasts, from institutions to startups, from developers to investors, from educators to students. What we share is a passion for how blockchain technology is changing the world.
What We Do
We Educate:
Through our events, workshops, and learning sessions, we help our members and the broader community learn about the many ways in which blockchain technology can be used to solve real-market problems.
We Advocate:
We collaborate directly with state lawmakers to pursue balanced and informed legislation for the blockchain sector. Through education and dialogue, we help shape policies that bolster innovation while making Massachusetts a national leader in blockchain.
We Collaborate:
We provide a platform for our members to network and share ideas. Whether you’re looking to find your next job opportunity, meet potential business partners, or simply meet other blockchain enthusiasts, the BBA is the perfect place for you.
We Cultivate:
We connect student blockchain clubs to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. We connect students with companies hiring for internships and job placements. And we spotlight groundbreaking research, bridging the gap between academia and the blockchain industry.
We Celebrate:
We mark the milestones that show our progress – both our individuals, and our industry. We celebrate not just the technological achievements, but the people behind them – the diverse visionaries that make the Boston blockchain scene so special.
Who We Are
Doug Mehne
Board Chair
Doug, who joined BBA in 2021, spearheads our growth and strategy, drawing from his 20 years in the fintech sector. He envisions the BBA as a nexus for tech, innovation, and the unique Boston community, promoting shared blockchain knowledge and practices.
Mark Cianci
Secretary
Mark, who has been involved with the BBA since 2021, is a passionate advocate for the crypto community and one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers and writers addressing the intersection of blockchain and the U.S. legal system.
Eric Roux
Treasurer
A founding BBA member, Eric has been instrumental in the organization’s trajectory. Having returned from Europe amidst the blockchain boom, he’s dedicated 15 years to leadership in non-profits, believing in blockchain’s transformative institutional potential.
John Hargrave
Membership Committee Chair
A founding member of the BBA, John currently helms the Membership Committee, ensuring a warm welcome and active engagement for all BBA members. He is a blockchain believer, as told in his bestselling book, “Blockchain for Everyone.”
Vijay Kesavan
Technology Committee Chair
Vijay, who joined BBA in 2021, chairs the technology committee, addressing the technology needs of BBA. He strongly believes in the financial inclusion outcomes of blockchain technology. The Boston community of fintech giants are great partners to the BBA to deliver these outcomes.
Karen Knox
Community Engagement Chair & Co-Chair of Programming
Karen began attending BBA events about two years ago and quickly knew she wanted to be a part of this innovative and savvy group. From the insurance sector, she was intrigued by the needs of her digital asset clients and recognized the importance of education in this space.
Jim Knox
Co-Chair of Programming
Jim Knox is Aon’s Regional Managing Practice Leader for Technology and Communications and leads the Digital Asset team. He drives growth, manages leading companies, and has assisted over 100 firms with IPO insurance. He engages with global Digital Asset regulators and lives in New York with his family and a small farm.
Anja von Rosenstiel
Co-Chair Strategy Committee
Anja, who joined BBA in 2025, brings extensive expertise in blockchain regulation and digital assets law. A lecturer at Boston University Law School and research fellow at the Decentralization Research Center, she has co-authored a handbook on European crypto regulation and a comparative law treatise on DAOs.
Chris Marzilli
Chair of Memberships
Chris, who joined the BBA board in 2025, brings decades of leadership in SaaS, fintech, and blockchain innovation. A former Salesforce executive and current VP of Customer Success at Advisor360°, he helps drive adoption and growth for cutting-edge digital platforms.
Helen Gugel
Co-Chair of Strategy
Helen, who joined the BBA board in 2025, is a partner at Ropes & Gray and a highly regarded legal advisor in the blockchain and crypto industry. With more than a decade of experience in securities and commodities enforcement, she counsels investment advisors, exchanges, developers, and innovators navigating the evolving digital asset landscape.
Trevor Talley
Co-Chair Marketing Committee
Trevor, who joined BBA in 2023, was drawn by the organization’s forward-thinking mission and vibrant community. He has contributed across multiple areas, from moderating panels and shaping events to capturing moments behind the camera and connecting talent with opportunity.
Sam Nathans
Volunteer Technology Ambassador
An early BBA member, Sam was pivotal in shaping the organization’s virtual events. His decade-long expertise in decentralized tech guides the BBA’s long-term goals, drawing inspiration from the blend of technology, philosophy, and economics.
Volunteering for the BBA
We are a volunteer-led organization. If you’re interested in joining the BBA as a volunteer, we have opportunities for all skill levels – Technology, Event Programming, Volunteer outreach, Marketing and Communications, Membership, Student and Academic ambassadors, and more.
Volunteering for the BBA is a great way to grow your personal network, share your expertise, and give back to the community.
