BALTIMORE, MD — On August 30, Stand With Crypto, America’s leading crypto advocacy organization, hosted “Unlock the Block: Baltimore,” a free block party that brought together local lawmakers and crypto leaders to celebrate Maryland’s growing digital asset economy and reiterate the urgent need to pass federal legislation that provides regulatory clarity.

With more than 1,100 crypto advocates registered for the event, grassroots support for common-sense regulations continues to surge. 

In addition to performances by Logic and DJ Quicksilva, the event featured local crypto leaders discussing how crypto is already expanding Maryland’s economy, and how market structure legislation is a critical step to ensuring crypto developers, users, and advocates are able to continue innovating responsibly.  

“Maryland’s more than 33,500 Stand With Crypto advocates are motivated, organized, and dedicated to building a digital asset economy that benefits everyone,” said Mason Lynaugh, Stand With Crypto Community Director. “In Maryland and nationwide, Stand With Crypto is mobilizing our advocates to urge Congress to pass market structure legislation. ‘Unlock the Block: Baltimore’ built even more momentum for the clear rules of the road that crypto developers and users need to secure America’s future as a leader in the blockchain economy.”  

Also during the block party, the first 350 attendees received $20 USD of cryptocurrency, with the opportunity to spend it on site with local businesses equipped to execute on-chain transactions. “Unlock the Block: Baltimore” attendees also had the opportunity to engage with a number of interactive experiences including a Crypto Carnival, an NFT Gallery, and IR Graffiti.

“Crypto is generating major economic growth for Maryland’s economy, and every business and crypto user at Stand With Crypto’s Baltimore block party is part of a statewide movement,” said Gilberto Nazario, Stand With Crypto Maryland Chapter President. “Crypto developers, users, and advocates in our state are at the forefront of digital innovation, and we need Congress to ensure that every American can engage safely and responsibly in the blockchain economy.”

Over the past two years, Stand With Crypto has built a community-led movement to mobilize and harness the voice of America’s 52 million crypto owners into a powerful and unified voting bloc, championing clear, common-sense regulations for the crypto industry and unlocking crypto’s innovation potential while fostering greater economic opportunity and freedom.