Mexican Blockchain Association

The Mexican Association of Tokenization and Blockchain (AMTB) promotes responsible adoption of blockchain and asset tokenization. It links industry, academia, and government, advancing education, establishing standards, and fostering practical applications. AMTB deploys distributed ledger technologies for real-world assets, digital identity, smart contracts, building a compliant, innovative digital economy.

AMTB was co-founded by Jorge Garcia Travesi, General Coordinator, and Rodrigo Gómez, Director of Use Cases and Adoption. Their insight identified the critical need for a unified entity to bridge blockchain innovation with responsible governance. This vision prompted AMTB's creation, cultivating a professional community and robust framework for transformative technologies.

AMTB engages enterprises enhancing operations, institutions pursuing strategic research, and professionals advancing Web3 careers. The association envisions becoming the authoritative institutional reference for the tokenization and blockchain ecosystem. Its mission centers on bolstering market confidence and enabling responsible, scalable innovation across Latin America.

High-Level Overview

The Mexican Blockchain Association is not a company but a non-profit industry association founded to promote blockchain technology adoption in Mexico. It educates citizens on distributed ledger technology (DLT), sets standards for safe and high-quality use, and prevents malpractice like money laundering.[1][2] Formed by key players including Bitso, Volabit, BIVA, GBM, Lvna Capital, ConsenSys, and Exponent Capital, it operates alongside other groups like Blockchain Alliance Mexico and the Network of Blockchain Professionals to foster legal certainty and public infrastructure for blockchain solutions.[2][4]

Its mission centers on transparency, safety, and efficiency in blockchain applications, influencing Mexico's regulatory landscape where virtual assets are recognized as digital assets but not legal tender.[1][2][5] By bridging industry, regulators, and the public, it supports fintech innovation without direct investment activities, distinguishing it from venture firms like founding member Lvna Capital.[3]

Origin Story

Launched on November 28, 2018, as Mexico's first blockchain association, it emerged amid growing regional interest in DLT, with founding members uniting to address untapped potential and regulatory gaps.[1][4] Felipe Vallejo served as provisional president, emphasizing blockchain's role in creating "more transparent, safe and efficient procedures."[1]

Key figures include Allan Cassis, founder of Lvna Capital and current Chairman of the Board, bringing over 12 years in finance, investment banking at Lazard, ADR, and Rothschild, plus expertise in blockchain from Columbia University (BS Applied Mathematics) and Harvard (MBA).[3] The association evolved from initial education efforts to advocating for standards and pilots, aligning with Mexico's 2021 regulatory statements allowing supervised virtual asset operations.[2]

Core Differentiators

• Educational Focus: Prioritizes citizen education on DLT applications, many still undiscovered, to build broad awareness before mainstream adoption.[1][2]
• Industry Collaboration: Backed by prominent firms like Bitso (crypto exchange), BIVA (stock exchange), GBM (brokerage), and ConsenSys (Ethereum software), providing credibility and resources.[1][2][4]
• Regulatory Advocacy: Pushes for safe standards, legal certainty, and anti-malpractice measures like preventing money laundering, complementing efforts by peers like Blockchain Alliance Mexico.[2]
• Leadership Expertise: Chaired by Allan Cassis, whose finance and blockchain investing background strengthens ties to capital and policy.[3]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

The association rides Latin America's blockchain adoption wave, where Mexico's Congress recognizes cryptocurrencies as digital assets with controlled rules, enabling fintech growth amid global DLT expansion.[5] Timing aligns with 2021 regulatory nods from CNBV, SHCP, and Banxico, allowing banks supervised virtual asset operations while blocking direct customer services to mitigate risks.[2]

Market forces like rising fintech demand and public infrastructure needs favor it, as seen in multi-sector initiatives for pilots and democratization of blockchain access.[2] It influences the ecosystem by uniting stakeholders, informing policy, and countering three active associations' fragmented efforts, accelerating Mexico's shift from skepticism to innovation hub.[2]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

With regulators warming to new technologies, the Mexican Blockchain Association is poised to lead pilot projects and standard-setting as virtual asset rules evolve—potentially enabling broader bank custody and exchange services.[2] Trends like tokenized assets and DeFi will shape its path, amplifying its role in a market projected for deeper integration.

Its influence may grow by forging global ties via forums like the Blockchain Association Forum, solidifying Mexico's position in LatAm blockchain while educating to preempt risks, tying back to its foundational push for transparent, efficient DLT ecosystems.[2]