Jasper Goodman is a reporter at POLITICO covering economic policy in Congress. His reporting focuses extensively on crypto policy and the politics surrounding it. A native of Waterbury Center, Vermont, Jasper is an avid EastCoast skier and a lifelong Red Sox fan. He is a graduate of Harvard University, where he served as managing editor of The Harvard Crimson.

Philip Lippel is the Assistant Director of the Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology Washington Office, which connects the MIT community with the policymakers in our nation’scapital.

He is interested in the multifacetedrole research universities play in the innovation ecosystem – educatingtomorrow’s workforce, driving discoveries at the leading edge of science andengineering, and working with industry to transition emerging technologies tocommercial scale. He covers the research activities of federal agenciesincluding the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standardsand Technology, as well as higher education policy issues.  

Philip has been involved with numerous technical and policy issues nationally and internationally since transitioningfrom scientific research to the policy world as AAAS Science and TechnologyPolicy Fellow at the National Science Foundation’s Office of Legislative andPublic Affairs. Much of his recent focus has been on climate change and the energy transition. He was one of thelead organizers of the 2023 Forum and Workshop on Campus and Community-ScaleClimate Change Solutions, and continues to explore how colleges anduniversities, working with each other and with their communities, can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In previous roles, he worked with over20 federal agencies involved in the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative,helped establish the Working Group on Nanotechnology at the Organisation ofEconomic Co-operation and Development and represented Agilent Technologies atnational and international telecommunications standards organizations.

He received an A.B. in physics and intheatre from Williams College, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics fromBrandeis University.

I’m a business and technology reporter for The Hill, covering the intersection of technology and cryptocurrency with the world of politics. I write about everything from artificial intelligence and social media to antitrust lawsuits and crypto regulation. I also serve as the author of The Hill’s Technology newsletter. I was previously a breaking news reporter for The Hill, as well as Axios.I’m originally from San Diego and studied political science at UCLA. I received a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a focus on politics, policy and foreign affairs reporting. While at Medill, I covered Congress and elections for USA Today, United Press International, Al-Monitor and The Spokesman-Review.

Phong Le is the President and CEO of Strategy, the world’s first and largest Bitcoin Treasury Company and a global leader in AI and business intelligence software.He became CEO in 2022 after joining the company in 2015, where he previously served in roles including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to Strategy, Phong held leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting, Nextel International, and XO Communications. He earned a dual Bachelor of Science in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Congressman Mike Haridopolos is an experienced leader with a rich history of public service, business success, and a steadfast lifelong commitment to conservative values.Congressman Haridopolos began his career teaching United States History and Political Science at Brevard Community College—now Eastern Florida State College,and taught classes as an instructor at the Bob Graham Center at the University of Florida.Representing communities in Brevard County in the Florida House of Representatives and the State Senate from 2000-2012, Mike championed transparency, reduced taxes, and advanced conservative reforms. In the Florida Legislature, Mike quickly established himself as a capable lawmaker who stood firmly rooted in his conservative values, and pushed for greater government transparency and accountability for Floridians, leading the effort to put the state’s budget online. In 2008, he sponsored and championed Florida’s constitutional amendment reducing property taxes and allowing homeowners to bring their tax savings with them when they move to a new home.Serving as President of the Senate from 2010-2012, Mike made transforming the Florida Senate into a more conservative policy body a key objective of his time in office. After leaving office in 2012, Haridopolos started a successful business and political consulting company. He was elected to represent Florida’s 8th Congressional District in 2024, following the retirement of Congressman Bill Posey.Mike lives in Indian Harbour Beach with his wife Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos. They have three adult children, Alexis, Hayden, and Reagan. Mike is dedicated to serving Brevard, Indian River, and Orange Counties with integrity, strength, and vision.

Ram is an engineering and product leader, entrepreneur, and technologist with over two decades of experience leading innovation at the intersection of energy, semiconductors, sustainability, and advanced technology. He currently leads cleantech incubation atLG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center, where he works with entrepreneurs, startups, investors, utilities, and research institutions to launch and scale new ventures in energy management, AI-driven clean energy software, and grid modernization.Ramhas a proven track record of building breakthrough technologies into commercial successes. As CTO ofBrightNight, a global renewable power company, he led the development of advanced digital platforms to integrate hybrid renewable generation, storage for large-scale energy customers such as data centers and utilities. Prior to that, as CTO ofNantEnergy (Fluidic Energy), he spearheaded the development of the world’s first rechargeable metal-air battery system, achieving major advances in electrochemistry, materials, and systems engineering. His leadership has guided cross-disciplinary teams to launch multiple generations of energy products, secure multi-million-dollar research funding from agencies like ARPA-E, and deliver scalable solutions for global markets.In addition to his corporate leadership, Ram has been deeply engaged inpublic-private innovation programs in West Virginia, helping universities and entrepreneurs bring clean energy technologies from lab to market. He has mentored and supported startups through investment funds, accelerators, and advisory boards, with several ventures securing funding, customers, and acquisitions.Ram holds a PhD from MIT and is an inventor on more than50 issued patents. His work has been featured in top-tier journals such as Advanced Materials. A recognized thought leader, he speaks frequently on the future of clean energy, technology commercialization, and pathways to a decarbonized economy.

Gregory L. Bowman is the Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, National Security Solutions of Siemens Government Technologies (SGT), Inc., the separate but affiliated U.S. government arm of technology powerhouse Siemens. With project teams across the U.S. and internationally, SGT is a cleared provider of Siemens products, technologies and software to solve some of the most complex government challenges in energy, automation and digitalization.

Prior to joining SGT, Mr. Bowman served in the U.S. Army for more than 25 years—culminating his career as the Strategic Military Law and Policy Advisor/Legislative Counsel to the Secretary of the Army. Chosen to establish that position, he served two Secretaries and two Acting Secretaries of the Army for over seven years. At SGT, Mr. Bowman has served as Director of Large Integrated Programs (OCONUS), then Deputy/Chief Operating Officer of Energy & Infrastructure followed by Vice President of Strategy, Growth and Partnerships. Most recently, he served as Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President of Corporate Development. In his current role, he is focused on driving strategic growth by leveraging innovations from across the Siemens global portfolio to support U.S. government customers around the world.

A graduate of Longwood University, Mr. Bowman was commissioned in the Army in 1990 and graduated summa cum laude in Pre-Law and was the Distinguished Military Graduate. Following graduation, he was selected for the “Educational Delay” Program to attend the University of Virginia School of Law. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1993, and later received a Master of Military Law and Government Contracting (Honor Graduate) from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center & School, and a Master of Military Arts and Sciences (Strategy) from the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and is admitted to practice law before both the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mr. Bowman’s military positions included Strategic Military Law and Policy Advisor and Legislative Counsel to the Secretary of the Army; Legislative Counsel, Office of the U.S. Army Chief of Legislative Liaison; Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox, Kentucky; Military Personnel Law Attorney, Administrative Law Division, Office of The Judge Advocate General; Senior Legal Advisor, Governorate Support Team (1st Armored Division-Baghdad); Military Member Judicial Review Committee of Iraq; and served as the first Administrator/Amicus Central Criminal Court of Iraq.

After a career in the U.S. Army and as a small business owner, Rep. Warren Davidson was first elected to represent Ohio's 8^th District in 2016. A West Point graduate and former Army Ranger, he brings both military discipline and private sector experience to his work in Washington.

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, Rep. Davidson has been a leading voice in Congress on digital assets and financial innovation. He has consistently pressed for proper regulatory clarity that encourages growth, while also working to protect Americans' individual liberties with their digital property.

Alongside promoting innovation, Davidson has continuously warned against government overreach, especially regarding a central bank digital currency which would threaten both privacy and financial freedom. His record shows a steady commitment to empower individuals, safeguard property rights, and ensure that America is a leader in financial technology.

Faryar Shirzad is Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase, where he leads the company’s  engagement with policymakers around the world and has become a trusted source for  thought leadership in the global crypto policy space. Under Shirzad’s leadership,  Coinbase has become a driver of crypto-regulation discourse in the U.S. He oversaw the  creation of Coinbase’s Digital Asset Policy Proposal (or dApp), which laid out a  fit-for-purpose regulatory framework for the rapidly-emerging industry and was  recognized as “a dramatic shift from current policy in the United States”, sparking an  ongoing conversation on how crypto should be regulated while safeguarding American  innovation. Before joining Coinbase, Shirzad was Global Co-Head of Government Affairs  at Goldman Sachs.  Shirzad has served as counsel to the highest levels of the U.S. government, including as  deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs for President George W.  Bush. In that role, he served as The President’s personal representative to the G-8 (the  “G-8 Sherpa”). Prior to his time in the White House, Shirzad was assistant secretary for  import administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce and international trade  counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Earlier in his career, he practiced law in  Washington, DC. Faryar earned a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law, a MPP  from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a BS from the  University of Maryland, College Park.

Bernie Moreno, Senator for Ohio Bernie Moreno was born in Bogota, Colombia. He moved to the United States with his family at age f ive and became an American citizen at age 18. Bernie purchased his first car dealership in 2005 and grew that one dealership into one of the largest dealership groups in America, eventually employing over 1,000 Ohioans. More recently, in 2016, Bernie recognized the value and transformational potential of blockchain technology, before it received mainstream attention, and moved much of his volunteer time and investment dollars into the space.

Bernie believes that Ohioans deserve better than what they’ve gotten from Washington, and he will f ight to better their lives in the United States Senate.

Marsha Blackburn is the senior senator for Tennessee and the first woman to represent the Volunteer State in the United States Senate. She serves on the Deputy Whip Team and is a member of the Finance Committee; the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee; the Veterans’ Affairs Committee; and the Judiciary Committee. She serves as the Ranking Member on the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security and on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Before her election to the Senate, Marsha represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. She dedicates her public service to promoting opportunities for all Tennesseans, including by breaking barriers for women, and making America a more prosperous place to live.

Jayson is the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at MARA, a global leader in digital asset compute and largest publicly traded bitcoin miner. He is a committed public servant, bringing close to two decades of experience in governmental and non-governmental work. A trained United States Air Force engineer, he has spent the last 13 years post-military service managing projects and developing policy covering Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eurasia, Central America, and Mexico. Jayson has served in the White House, U.S. State Department, USAID, and on Capitol Hill. He is an Iraq veteran and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Turkey. Jayson holds a Global Executive M.P.A. from New York University and University College London. He was awarded 40 Under 40 at the Middle East Policy Council and 40 Under 40 Latinos in Foreign Policy at New America, Diversity in National Security Network, and Huffington Post.

Fred Thiel is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA) and has over 35 years of experience in the technology sector. Mr. Thiel is an acclaimed innovator and expert, having led organizations across diverse fields including digital assets, AI, semiconductors and enterprise software.  Under his leadership, MARA has grown from a market cap of under $30 million to over $5 billion, becoming the largest in the space, with operations spanning four continents. MARA operates 15 data centers, including several across the United States, as well as locations in the UAE and Paraguay, boasting an energy capacity of 1700 MW. The company is fully integrated, enhancing its operational efficiency.

Throughout his career, Mr. Thiel has consistently driven rapid growth and created substantial shareholder value. Prior to MARA, Mr. Thiel served as the CEO of two other public companies, Local Corporation (NASDAQ: LOCM) and Lantronix, Inc (NASDAQ: LTRX). He has successfully raised billions in equity and debt through private and public offerings, led companies through IPOs, executed high-value exits to strategic and financial acquirers, and implemented effective M&A and roll-up strategies.  

Mr. Thiel attended classes at the Stockholm School of Economics and executive classes at Harvard Business School, and is fluent in English, Spanish, Swedish, and French. Mr. Thiel is the Chairman of the Board for Oden Technology, Inc. and is active in Young Presidents’ Organization where he has led initiatives in both the FinTech and Technology Networks.

A recognized voice in the industry, Fred frequently shares his insights on energy and technology with major media outlets like Bloomberg TV, CNBC, and FOX Business, contributing to vital discussions about the future of these sectors.

A successful business owner and former Governor of West Virginia, Senator Justice possesses a deep understanding of job creation and economic growth. His extensive experience in these areas allows him to foster a business-friendly environment, attract investments, and create opportunities that drive prosperity for the state and its residents.

In 2015, Senator Justice was elected the 36th Governor of West Virginia. He won with a broad coalition of support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. In November 2020, Senator Justice won a second term, earning more votes than any Republican incumbent Governor in state history.

During his tenure as Governor of West Virginia, Senator Justice led the state through an era of unprecedented change, driving significant progress in economic development, infrastructure, education, and overall growth.

As Senator, Senator Justice serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, the Senate Small Business Committee, and the Senate Aging Committee.

Born in Anchorage and raised by his maternal grandparents, Congressman Nick Begich embodies the spirit of Alaska. Nick grew up learning the values that make Alaska strong: self-reliance, honesty, and a deep-seated love for this land and its people. Today, he lives in Chugiak with his wife, Dharna, and their son Nicholas, continuing the tradition of raising the next generation of Alaskans on these same principles. Nick pursued higher education in the Lower 48, graduating from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship, and later completing his Master of Business Administration at Indiana University. His education equipped him with the skills to navigate the complex world of business. Recruited by Ford Motor Company, Nick sharpened these skills in a variety of roles, from technology to finance to product development; but the call of home was too strong. In 2004, Nick and Dharna returned to Alaska, ready to give back to the state they love. Over the years, Nick has kickstarted numerous businesses, both within and beyond Alaska's borders. His business ventures have been built on innovation and industry. Nick's dedication doesn't stop at his own businesses - he has served as a startup coach and mentor, fostering the growth of early-stage companies and helping them thrive.

Nick has continuously invested in Alaska. His prior work with the Alaska Policy Forum, Club for Growth, and his years as a Board Director for Matanuska Telecom Association, show his commitment to public service and to Alaska's progress. Nick has seen firsthand the challenges Alaskans face, and he has the skills and experience to address these issues head-on.

Nick was sworn into Congress on January 3, 2025. In Washington, he serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources where he is Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Energy & Mineral Resources and also serves on Oversight & Investigations - the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, with subcommittee assignments in Aviation; Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, as well as the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology, where he sits on the Oversight & Investigations, Energy, and Environment subcommittees.

His goal in Congress is to make sure Alaskans succeed. His lifelong connection to this land, his passion for responsible business growth, and his belief in the power of hardworking Alaskan families make him the leader we need to take on Washington and deliver for Alaska.

U.S. Senator Cynthia M. Lummis made history when she became the first woman to represent Wyoming in the United States Senate in 2021, and she has continued that trailblazing legacy by establishing herself as the Senate's foremost champion of financial innovation, including bitcoin and digital assets.

Born on a cattle ranch in Laramie County, Senator Lummis has spent her entire career fighting for Wyoming families and values, serving 14 years in the Wyoming House and Senate, eight years as Wyoming State Treasurer, and eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus. A three-time graduate of the University of Wyoming in animal science, biology, and law, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to principled conservative policymaking and fiscal responsibility.

As the first-ever Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Senator Lummis continues to fight to secure America's global competitive edge in the digital asset space. She has been instrumental in crafting landmark legislation, including the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act, the GENIUS Act and BITCOIN Act. She is also heavily involved in advocating for the integration of digital assets into the tax code, and advocating for Federal Reserve transparency and accountability.

Known as Congress' "Crypto Queen," Senator Lummis has been at the forefront of ensuring America leads the world in crafting clear and thoughtful regulations that unleash financial innovation while protecting consumers. Her work represents a crucial bridge between traditional financial systems and the digital asset economy, ensuring that America maintains its global leadership in this rapidly evolving space while preserving the principles of innovation and individual financial freedom that define digital assets