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The basics:

• NJITA aims to bridge innovation and public understanding in NJ
• Focus areas include blockchain, AI and tech policy education
• Grassroots outreach to include town halls, social media, content
• Backed by national blockchain groups

As emerging technologies continue to reshape sectors, a newly established, New Jersey-based organization is stepping in to help bridge the gap between innovation and public understanding.

Earlier this year, the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Alliance officially launched. NJITA aims to connect the state’s emerging tech community with policymakers, as well as drive smart, forward-thinking policy.

The group’s mission centers on education, advocacy and collaboration — all toward strengthening New Jersey’s blockchain and digital asset ecosystem while helping everyday residents and small businesses understand the real-world value of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies.

At the helm is Carlos Iván Merino, a longtime advocate for public-sector innovation. His interest in blockchain policy dates back to 2017, when he helped shepherd legislation through the state Legislature to study blockchain applications in government.

Origin story

“I had a group of interns, and I wanted to show them how government works,” Merino told NJBIZ during a recent interview about the new venture. “I noticed they all had Bitcoin and Ethereum stuff on the back of their laptops. So I went and did a deep dive to try and see what this is all about. And the following week, I said to them, ‘Do you want to know how a bill becomes a law?’”

Merino said the interns became intrigued by that. Then they started drafting something to study and implement how local, county and state levels of government can utilize blockchain.

Then-Assemblyman Dr. Tim Eustace – now a member of NJITA’s advisory board – introduced that bill, which was ultimately signed into law in 2019. But the public conversation around blockchain remained relatively quiet in the years that followed. That changed when representatives from the North American Blockchain Association and Global Blockchain Business Council approached Merino. They encouraged him to build a formal platform to carry the issue forward.

The result is NJITA. Merino says the group will serve as a hub for blockchain and AI education, local engagement and policy dialogue across the state.

Perfect timing

Merino believes NJITA can play a central role in building trust and clarity — especially at a time when so many in the public have confusion over or skeptical of emerging tech.

“Now’s the perfect time to get the ball rolling – because I feel that within the state, what we need to do is we need to kind of demystify how blockchain and AI works,” Merino explained. “And let people know that there’s nothing to fear here as long as you get yourself educated – and know how it all works. You’re headed down the right direction.”

Merino said a goal is also to show how it benefits people in their everyday lives – and not just those in tech circles.

To that end, the alliance is prioritizing grassroots education efforts. Plans are underway for a series of town hall-style events in partnership with municipal governments, as well as the creation of short-form online content to reach broader audiences. NJITA has already established a presence on LinkedIn. The group is also building platforms on Facebook and Instagram to meet users in familiar digital spaces.

“As of right now we just have a LinkedIn page and a website. But we definitely want to start pushing out stuff on Facebook and Instagram. Because that tends to be like a Web2 sort of environment where people still go mostly on to Facebook and Instagram,” said Merino. “I am trying to push where we’ll be doing stuff that’s on the blockchain. But right now, we have to stick with the traditional social media.”

Small, local

The NJITA board of directors includes Merino along with Angela Marrugo Moreno, Sagar Shah, Thomas Goslee, Jermaine James, Maria Prato, John Roman, Press Iyamu, Denise Fernandes and Carlos Peralta. Meanwhile, its advisory board includes Eustace, Anthony Howell and Ricardo Capuz. The advisory team provides strategic guidance on outreach, content development and opportunities for policy advancement — especially as they relate to small business and local government needs.

“One of the things that I would like to talk about and discuss – the possibilities, the effects of blockchain and also with the emergence of AI – can have at the municipal level,” said Merino. “If people were to look into implementing some type of this, some of these technologies within the government or mom-and-pop shops, like small businesses – would be able to use some of this technology.

“How it can help them grow or how it can help them just have a little farther reach when it comes to trying to get customers?”

Immediate actions

Merino noted that AI tools, such as agents that scan emails and draft replies or platforms that detect tax fraud and more, are no longer theoretical. They’re already being deployed.

NJITA wants to ensure that even Main Street businesses and mom-and-pop shops in New Jersey are empowered to adopt them.

“These are things that can be done right now,” said Merino. “And these are things that we can use to help mom-and-pop shops – and small businesses.”

New Jersey is already a leader in blockchain and emerging technology, but without smart policies, we risk losing that momentum.
– Carlos Iván Merino, executive director, NJITA

He also emphasized the state’s growing role in the national tech ecosystem. New Jersey is currently home to more than 200 blockchain and Web3 startups and has already attracted $2.8 billion in venture capital investment, positioning it as a rising hub for innovation.

“New Jersey is already a leader in blockchain and emerging technology, but without smart policies, we risk losing that momentum,” said Merino. “NJITA was created to ensure our state remains a hub for innovation by bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and the broader tech community. By advocating for clear regulations and strategic investments, we can unlock new opportunities that benefit businesses, workers, and the entire state economy.”

Working in Washington

NJITA is also engaging at the federal level. Merino recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers from New Jersey and New York in a coordinated advocacy effort led by Stand With Crypto. That national initiative promotes smart regulation for blockchain and digital assets.

During the meetings, Merino underscored the need for clear, innovation-friendly federal policies. He warned that regulatory uncertainty threatens to undermine the region’s competitiveness.

“The region’s talent pool, investment climate, and legacy of innovation make New Jersey and New York uniquely positioned to lead the web3 revolution,” said Merino. “Blockchain companies are already making an impact on the Tri-State Area’s world-leading innovation ecosystem, and the right policies will ensure they succeed and maintain that leadership. We need clarity, not confusion, to keep this industry growing.”

Momentum is at risk without updated federal guidance.

NJITA offered support for legislation like the GENIUS Act. That bill aims to define blockchain technology in law and establish a consistent regulatory framework. It has also advocated for the CLARITY Act, which establishes clear, functional requirements for digital asset market participants.

The group also pushed for targeted enforcement focused on bad actors rather than innovation itself, along with protections for open-source development and improved transparency before taking enforcement actions.

With billions in private investment at stake, Merino said the time to act is now:

“Momentum is at risk without updated federal guidance.”

Overall, Merino stressed that AI and blockchain will continue to grow in popularity.

“And trust, education are two of the things – where our goal is to try and let people that know we are trying to educate; and that we want to see the state move forward in the right direction by – not relying on these technologies, but using it to better the state.”