2026

Hedera

Force

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<p>Maryland Governor Wes Moore (<a href="https://x.com/GovWesMoore" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@GovWesMoore</a>) has appointed Nilmini Rubin (<a href="https://x.com/nilminirubin" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@nilminirubin</a>), chief policy officer at <a href="https://x.com/hedera" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@hedera</a>, to the state's Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force, according to a post from <a href="https://x.com/BSCNews" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@BSCNews</a>. The network's native token is <a href="https://x.com/search?q=%24HBAR&amp;src=cashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">$HBAR</a>.</p>
<p>The appointment places a representative of the Hedera network in a state-level body that will examine how blockchain and cryptocurrency fit into Maryland's economy and regulatory landscape. The post describes the group as a 15-member panel.</p>
<h2 id="what-the-task-force-will-study">What the task force will study</h2>
<p>The task force was created by the Maryland General Assembly. <cite>The Maryland Manual states it was created in July 2026 under Chapter 548 of the Acts of 2026.</cite><cite>The state's Office of Financial Regulation says the law took effect on July 1, 2026, and that the office will staff and facilitate the group.</cite></p>
<p>Its remit is broad. <cite>According to the Department of Legislative Services, the analysis must cover the basic concepts of blockchain and cryptocurrency, as well as the risks (including privacy risks) and benefits of using them in state and local government and private business.</cite><cite>It must also assess the impact of the crypto industry on the state, including effects on state revenues and energy consumption, and make recommendations on the use and regulation of the technology.</cite></p>
<p><cite>The Maryland Blockchain Association said Moore signed the legislation in May 2026, and that the bills came from a coalition led by the association with the Maryland Tech Council and the Blockchain Legal Institute.</cite><cite>Members are not paid but can claim travel expense reimbursement.</cite></p>
<h2 id="who-nilmini-rubin-is">Who Nilmini Rubin is</h2>
<p><cite>Rubin leads global public policy for Hedera and, as chief policy officer, engages with policymakers, civil society and the media on blockchain, AI and economic policy.</cite><cite>She previously spent 12 years as a senior aide on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.</cite><cite>Hedera has also engaged with US federal regulators, with a written submission from its council to the SEC's crypto task force.</cite></p>
<p>Industry participation is a feature of the panel's design. <cite>Supporters of the bill noted the task force would include members of the General Assembly, state agencies, and representatives from industry and academia.</cite></p>
<p><cite>The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the governor, the General Assembly, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Economic Matters Committee by October 1, 2027.</cite><cite>The legislation terminates on June 30, 2028.</cite> The report will show whether Maryland moves toward new rules for digital assets or keeps a lighter approach.</p>
<h2 id="sources">Sources</h2>
<p><a href="https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/26excom/html/12digitalasset.html" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Maryland Manual: Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Task Force</a></p>
<p><a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/fnotes/bil_0000/hb0470.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Maryland Department of Legislative Services: HB 470 fiscal and policy note</a></p>
<p><a href="https://milkeninstitute.org/finance/fintech-entrepreneurship-and-innovation/fintech-advisory-council/nilmini-rubin" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Milken Institute: Nilmini Rubin profile</a></p>

Hedera’s policy chief gets a seat on Maryland’s crypto task force

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