In this special episode recorded live at the Blockchain Ireland Summit 2025, we’re joined by one of the most passionate voices in global blockchain regulation—Juan Carlos Reyes, President and Executive Director of El Salvador’s National Commission of Digital Assets (CNAD). If you think “regulator” sounds like a dry job title, prepare to have that idea turned on its head. Juan Carlos brings energy, clarity, and a deep commitment to innovation as he shares El Salvador’s journey from legalising Bitcoin to creating a bold, tailor-made regulatory framework for digital assets.
Juan Carlos sits down with host Sebastian for a warm and insightful chat about what inspired his visit to Ireland, how CNAD came to be, and why traditional financial rules just don’t work when it comes to blockchain. He explains how El Salvador has taken a fresh approach, building regulation that fits the unique nature of digital assets rather than trying to squeeze them into outdated systems. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his real-world experience gives the conversation depth without losing the human touch.
We hear about the Center of Innovation for Digital Assets—CNAD’s initiative to create a safe space for startups and innovators to test their technology without the fear of falling foul of unclear rules. Juan Carlos makes it clear that most innovators don’t want to break the rules—they just need to know what the rules are. He also shares his strong belief in the power of tokenisation to transform access to financial markets, and why the future of blockchain is all about transparency, collaboration, and sensible regulation.
From Bitcoin to global partnerships, from regulation nightmares to hopeful futures, this episode is packed with stories, insights, and a few laughs along the way. It’s a conversation that proves you can talk about law, finance, and innovation—and still keep things real. Tune in for a thoughtful and uplifting conversation that shows what’s possible when leadership meets vision in the world of digital assets.
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Available on the Blockchain Ireland website: https://www.blockchainireland.ie/podcasts/
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Host: Sebastian Grube - Co-Chair of Events and Communication Working Group
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiangrube/
Guests: Juan Carlos Reyes - President and Executive Director
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcreyes/
https://cnad.gob.sv/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/comision-nacional-de-activos-digitales/
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About Blockchain Ireland
Blockchain Ireland is an initiative aimed at promoting and enhancing Ireland's position as a global hub for blockchain technology. It was launched by the Irish Blockchain Expert Group (IBEG), led by IDA Ireland, and includes a collaboration of Irish-based organisations.
The main goals of Blockchain Ireland are to serve as a central source of information on the growing blockchain, crypto and Web3 ecosystem, to support the development of blockchain technology in Ireland, and to create awareness of industry developments both nationally and internationally.
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