Earlier this week, Coin Center published its Crypto Bills Tracker, a previously internal resource that tracks the introduction and current status of federal legislation that "mentions, or relates to, cryptocurrencies." During the first few months of the 116th congressional session, Coin Center identified 11 bills that match this description, and has added each into the Crypto Bills Tracker to monitor the bills as they move through the legislative process. Also headlining on Capitol Hill, the Chamber of Digital Commerce, a blockchain advocacy group, called for the U.S. government to implement a national strategy for blockchain technology. The organization recently released its recommendations for the plan, urging the government to recognize the power of blockchain technology and promote the adoption of such modern technologies through clear and supportive public statements.

Of note in state legislatures this week, the Wyoming House of Representatives has passed three bills aimed at making the state a top destination for cryptocurrency and blockchain businesses. According to Caitlin Long, co-founder of the Wyoming Blockchain Coalition, these bills are "a big step forward for the state, and could prove a boon for crypto startups and users alike." In other state-based news, the UCLA Law Review recently published an article discussing the theoretical consequences that the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) could have on California-based companies that are researching or deploying AI and blockchain technologies. The article's author argues that widespread deployment (and possibly existence) of AI and blockchain technologies in the California and national markets may not be possible if CCPA compliance is strictly enforced.

On the international front, digital currency exchange Rain has completed the Central Bank of Bahrain's (CBB) Regulatory Sandbox, becoming the first exchange to gain the CBB's approval to work in the country. The exchange reportedly passed a Shariah compliance certification on Feb. 26, which was led by a leading Sharia consultancy and audit firm licensed by the CBB, the Shariyah Review Bureau. Elsewhere in the world, Luxembourg has passed a bill providing financial market participants with a legal framework for securities issued using blockchain technology. Also in the European Union, French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for the use of blockchain technologies to innovate supply chain management in the European agriculture industry. "As blockchain gains increasing traction globally for rehauling agriculture – across management, financing and supply chain integrity – a report issued in fall 2018 forecast that blockchain in the agriculture market would be worth more than $400 million by 2023." Macron's remarks called for enhanced innovation across the European countries and increased utilization of vanguard technologies such as blockchain.

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