18/05/2026
Thank you to everyone who attended Blockchain and the Law in Australia and Abroad, hosted by Curtin Law School.
The event brought together students, academics, legal professionals and industry participants for an insightful in-person discussion on how blockchain technology is shaping legal landscapes in Australia and globally.
The discussion explored the rapid development of blockchain and digital asset regulation, the opportunities and challenges emerging for lawyers and policymakers, and the importance of legal education in preparing students and professionals to engage with digital finance and emerging technologies in practice.
A special thank you to our keynote speakers and expert contributors:
Michael Bacina, Co-founder of NXT Law, for sharing international insights into digital asset regulation and the evolving legal framework for blockchain technology.
Steven Pettigrove, Partner at Piper Alderman, for providing practical perspectives on regulatory developments, compliance and the legal issues emerging in the blockchain and digital assets space.
Professor Robert Cunningham, Dean and Head of School at Curtin Law School and National Law Lead at the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC), for highlighting Curtin’s role in digital finance education, research and industry collaboration.
Dr Christina Allen, Senior Lecturer at Curtin Law School, for contributing her academic expertise on the interaction between blockchain technologies, law and taxation.
Sheree Ip, Associate Lecturer at Curtin Law School, for contributing her expertise in blockchain technologies and her ongoing work in supporting student engagement with emerging areas of law and technology.
Key takeaways from the event included:
• Australia’s blockchain and digital asset regulatory framework is developing rapidly, creating new opportunities and challenges for lawyers, policymakers, businesses and students.
• Digital assets continue to raise important questions around financial services law, AML/CTF laws, consumer protection, governance and regulatory certainty.
• Collaboration between regulators, industry and legal educators will be essential as blockchain regulation continues to develop in Australia and abroad.
• Legal education has an important role to play in preparing students and professionals to understand blockchain technology, digital finance and emerging technologies in practice.
This event also highlighted the growing opportunities for students, graduates and professionals to engage with digital finance and blockchain technologies through Curtin Law School, including through courses, units and industry-linked initiatives connected to the DFCRC.
Thank you again to our speakers, attendees and everyone who contributed to such an engaging and timely discussion.