If you’re a regular listener of this podcast you may be familiar with the term Special Economic Zone (SEZ). In short, SEZ refers to an area where business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. Typically, these zones will have laws or legal codes and regulations that make it attractive for businesses to relocate there. Today on the show you’ll learn all about these zones and more as we sit down with Joseph McKinney, CEO of the Catawba Digital Economic Zone (DEZ), a new SEZ established by the Catawba nation based in the Carolinas. In our conversation, we break down the economic and philosophical objectives of the Catawba DEZ and its unique legal and regulatory frameworks as well as how this zone is integrated into tribal governance. We also discuss the Catawba DEZ’s special focus on FinTech, digital assets, advancing the digital economy, and why this gives them a competitive edge. Learn about the work they’re doing to explore physical infrastructure for data centers, supercomputers, and crypto mining, and why Joseph believes this has the most promising revenue-generating potential. Today’s episode takes a deep dive into SEZs and DEZs and breaks down how they can benefit indigenous people when implemented correctly, as well as what it takes to institute good governance. To learn more, make sure you tune in for key insights on this expansive and important topic!
Key Points From This Episode:
● Get to know today’s guest, Joseph McKinney, his background, and how he became CEO at Catawba Digital Economic Zone (DEZ).
● An overview of the Startup Societies Network and how it was founded.
● A breakdown of DEZs and how they work.
● The regulatory advantages of DEZs.
● The authority that Native Americans have within their states and how that applies to regulatory governance.
● How DEZs are creating a middle ground for tribal governance and regulation.
● How the Catawba tribe benefits from the DEZ in the Carolinas.
● Some of the physical infrastructure that they’re expecting to create, including data centers and supercomputers.
● An overview of how the Catawba Digital Economic Zone is creating regulatory certainty for Web3, crypto, blockchain, and fintech companies.
● How digital economic zones are expected to fit into existing trends within the tech industry.
● The most important value proposition made by the Catawba DEZ.
● Why this type of SEZ needs a combination of startup culture mobility, along with a secure foundation of good governance.
● How special economic zones are helping the United States improve its business environment.
● How the Catawba DEZ in the Carolinas, hopes to compete with Delaware.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Joseph McKinney on LinkedIn
Startup Societies Network
Catawba Digital Economic Zone
Forbes: This Indian Nation Is Setting Up A Special Economic Zone For Crypto, Fintech, Blockchain On Native Land
Fortune: Is the future of crypto regulation on tribal land?
Coindesk: US Tribal Nation-Backed Economic Zone Passes Rules Defining Digital Assets
Charter Cities Institute
Charter Cities Institute on Facebook
Charter Cities Institute on Twitter
