Steve Vallas, appointed to lead the organization this month, discusses the importance of public perception of blockchain, its role in a post-pandemic world, and other priorities.
Blockchain Australia, an end-to-end consulting and technology organization in the blockchain sector, recently appointed Steve Vallas as Chief Executive Officer. In an interview with Cointelegraph, the newly appointed CEO outlined his vision for Blockchain Australia’s future and the direction he believes the industry should take.
Vallas said that rebuilding public trust in blockchain and improving the technology’s reputation among businesses and governments worldwide are top priorities on his agenda.
Steve Vallas succeeds Nick Giurietto, who led Blockchain Australia for the past five years. Vallas is a qualified lawyer and blockchain strategy specialist who has worked as an industry coach and mentor for several universities and accelerator programs.
He is also the founder of the Australian marketing firm Honey Digital and has previously advised government teams on blockchain technology matters.
His main focus will be strengthening confidence among key industry leaders by presenting blockchain as a stable, well-developed solution. “Perception depends on how people define blockchain. Many formed their views in 2017, when numerous scams and poorly planned projects failed,” he explained.
Vallas noted that blockchain is often conflated with cryptocurrencies, and that communicating the technology’s practical applications across sectors can be challenging. Even today, many people do not understand how blockchain can benefit supply chains, retail, or the legal sector.
He said the pandemic presents a unique opportunity for the blockchain sector, and the industry must seize it. “COVID-19 has highlighted weaknesses in current systems,” he explained, emphasizing the need for solutions that operate reliably without constant human intervention.
Recent supply-chain disruptions have opened the door for companies to consider nontraditional approaches. Vallas believes Blockchain Australia should take advantage of this moment to contribute to a post-pandemic future.
Earlier this year, Australia’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources published a national strategy to capture the potential of blockchain adoption by businesses, framed as the “National Blockchain Roadmap.”
Vallas said he wants the new initiative to bring industry leaders, government officials, and other stakeholders onto the same page. He added that the National Blockchain Roadmap signals the government’s willingness to work with blockchain leaders to develop a sustainable plan.