Big month for digital assets in NZ: momentum, media and May policy meetings

Kia ora,

As I write this, I’m on my way back from a busy few days in Wellington, where I was joined by Steve Vallas and Richelle Cox from Blockchain APAC and leadership from Australia’s leading stablecoin issuer and Australia’s largest crypto exchange for a series of meetings with Labour, National, ACT and NZ First. Steve was able to provide global and regional perspectives that have helped focus New Zealand’s strategy and policy conversation on what puts us ahead of other jurisdictions, using policy settings to create genuine competitive advantage. It was encouraging to see strong interest in how other jurisdictions are approaching regulation and industry development, and we continued to advocate for clear, practical settings that enable responsible growth here at home.

As part of the visit, we also held a packed four-day programme of meetings across Auckland and Wellington, with organisations including Financial Markets Authority (FMA), Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), Payments NZ, Inland Revenue Department (IRD), NZX, Kiwibank, NAB NZ, Kōura Wealth, Sharesies, Chapman Tripp and many more. The visit concluded with an evening event hosted at the Beehive with the NZ First caucus, where Steve delivered the keynote. What’s clear from this visit is that momentum is real and building. The conversations are sharper, the interest is more substantive, and the sense of urgency growing.

With the inaugural NZCryptoCon coming up next week and planning for CryptoWinter well underway, the months ahead are an important window for engagement in the digital assets space. We are staying focused on making sure New Zealand is part of the global conversation, not watching it from the sidelines.

Government engagement

VAIRG meeting

Trevor, alongside our Chair Jeremy Muir and the Virtual Assets Investigation Resource Group (VAIRG), an FMA-led group that includes DIA, IRD, Police, Customs, and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). We briefed the group on New Zealand’s digital assets ecosystem, growth enablers, and key blockers.


Digital Assets Education Working Group

Our Digital Assets Education Working Group met this month and had a strong discussion. The group continues to support our policy and education work. If you would like to get involved, please email Trevor.


FMA Innovation Report

The FMA released its Supporting Innovation in New Zealand’s Financial Markets report, sharing insights from the fintech regulatory sandbox pilot and setting out its innovation strategy for the next 18 to 24 months.

The pilot worked with six firms across tokenised assets, payments, stablecoins, and novel investment platforms, and four have now identified a viable pathway to market. Virtual assets and tokenisation are priority focus areas going forward, with a multi-year work programme planned for virtual assets and payment service providers. Read the report.

MBIE consultation: Payment Services Regulation (submissions close 3 July)

MBIE has opened a consultation asking whether New Zealand’s rules for payment services are still fit for purpose. Today, payment services are covered by multiple different laws depending on the provider and how the service is structured. MBIE is asking whether that approach is working, and what future reform should look like.


This matters for anyone operating in fintech, digital assets, or payments. The design choices made now will shape compliance costs and operating models for years to come.

We are preparing an industry submission and want it to reflect a wide range of perspectives. We are also running a virtual roundtable next Wednesday, 10 June to gather input before we draft. Register your interest to participate in the roundtable here or make your own submission here.

Upcoming events

NZ CryptoCon, Auckland (6–7 June)

Blockchain Forum will have a booth at NZ CryptoCon. Come say hi to the team on the floor.

You’ll also catch Trevor speaking across three sessions:

Blockchain Forum NZ members receive a complimentary GA ticket; claim yours here.


Digital Economy Conference, Sydney (14–17 June)

Trevor will be in Sydney representing Blockchain Forum NZ at the Digital Economy Conference 2026 and will be judging The Great Debate: Can We Trust AI With Our Money? The debate explores whether AI can be trusted to operate within financial systems. Members-only: Want access to a special 25% discount code to attend? Email Trevor to receive it!


Digital Assets, Tax, and CARF, Auckland (7 July)

Join us at Lane Neave in Auckland for an in-person evening session exploring the evolving relationship between digital assets, tax, and cross-border reporting, with a focus on what CARF could mean for the New Zealand market. The event will be a panel discussion followed by Q&A, with time for open discussion and networking with industry participants, tax specialists, and key stakeholders. The event includes a panel discussion followed by Q&A, with time for open discussion and networking. Register here.


CryptoWinter26, Queenstown (25–26 August)

CryptoWinter tickets are on sale now. Join the blockchain and digital assets community for two days of insights, debate, and connection, bringing together industry, government, and the wider ecosystem. If CryptoWinter is the one event you make time for this year, this is it. Tickets and info


Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organisations that want to support the sector’s growth and be part of the programme. Email Trevor to find out more

Thanks for being part of this community and for the work you are doing across the ecosystem. If you have feedback on the policy settings New Zealand needs, or you want to get more involved in our events and working groups, please reach out. I hope to see many of you at NZ CryptoCon later this week, the Digital Economy Conference in Sydney later in the month, and in Queenstown for CryptoWinter in August.

Ngā mihi,
Trevor Topfer
Executive Director
Blockchain Forum NZ