About the Rhode Island Blockchain Council

Driving blockchain innovation in Rhode Island

Vision & Mission

The Rhode Island Blockchain Council (RIBC) envisions a future where the full potential of blockchain technology is realized and leveraged by individuals, communities, and organizations across the state. Their mission is to promote, support, and advance blockchain innovation in Rhode Island by raising awareness, educating the community about the intricacies of blockchain, and advocating for favorable regulations that foster the growth of blockchain projects and organizations within the state.

Leadership Team

Christopher Perrotta, Chairman

Mr. Perrotta has a background in accounting, having worked for the State of Rhode Island for over five years.

In addition, he is also passionate about teaching informal classes on cryptocurrency technology. He believes that this technology has enormous potential to transform the financial industry, and he is excited about its future.

Finally, he is particularly interested in the role that blockchain technology will play in the financial sector, as he views it as the future of transactions and data management.

Vincent J. Bono, Board Director, Vice Chairman

Vincent J. Bono is a seasoned entrepreneur in the technology and telecommunications industries with 25+ years of experience. As an industrial engineer, Mr. Bono utilizes technology to address real-world challenges. In the late 90s, he held positions as a programmer and division director for General Electric and the US Naval Surface Warfare Center. Later, he ventured into the telecommunications sector, establishing and selling a small Internet Service Provider in Northern Virginia to GE.

Returning to Boston, Mr. Bono served as Vice President of Engineering and Operations at a national CLEC. He oversaw the expansion of a provider network, increasing the service coverage from 9 cities in seven states to over 200 metropolitan calling areas in 17 states. Additionally, he managed the construction and operation of 2,000,000 square feet of colocation and datacenter space, along with 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable.

In the Boston area, Mr. Bono successfully founded and sold two technology startups. He later relocated to Rhode Island, where he established a Private Passenger Railroad and Signal Safety Technology Company, focusing on advancing railroad signal and safety systems. Additionally, he founded Cryptillian Payment Systems, a provider of cryptocurrency payment and merchant service solutions. Currently, Mr. Bono holds the positions of President and CTO in both organizations

Maxx D. Diaz, President, Board Director

Maxx D. Diaz is a Rhode Island native, is an investment professional with four years of experience in both the Public and Private sectors. Holding dual master’s degrees in finance and international business from Bentley University and Hult IBS, he has studied in four global cities, broadening his perspectives.
Maxx’s fascination with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies began during the 2017 bull run, driving him to become a dedicated learner in the space. As an active Web3 user, he enjoys collaborating with like-minded individuals and helping others engage in the blockchain ecosystem. Maxx firmly believes in the liberating power of Bitcoin and the transparency and efficiency of blockchain technology, which can solve many real-world problems. Passionate about pushing the education of this revolutionary technology, Maxx’s goal is to push the financial world forward by empowering future leaders to challenge and reshape governments, economies, and societies worldwide. Maxx firmly believes that blockchain technology has the power to unleash the world’s potential and foster a future that is more connected, fair, and equitable.

André Herrera, Vice President, Board Director

Mr, Herrera is a government professional with 6 years of experience working at both the municipal and federal level. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Boston College, where he is furthering his education and expertise in the field of political science. André is particularly interested in the application of blockchain technology to improve governance and has been exploring this area in his academic research. With his extensive background in civil service and his focus on emerging technologies, André is poised to be an influential leader in the public sector.

Greg Molinar, Treasure

Gregory Molinar is a passionate advocate for blockchain technology and its potential to drive innovation and positive change. With a background in entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and marketing, Gregory co-founded Stay Bizze, a company at the forefront of blockchain and AI-powered digital business cards. Under his leadership as CEO, Stay Bizze is poised to revolutionize professional networking and sustainability in the digital age.

Gregory’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility aligns with his role as a blockchain enthusiast. He is dedicated to exploring the ways blockchain technology can contribute to a more eco-friendly and efficient future.

As the Secretary of The Rhode Island Blockchain Council, Gregory brings his entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in blockchain technology to support the council’s mission of fostering blockchain innovation in Rhode Island. His experience and vision contribute to the council’s efforts to drive blockchain adoption and explore its diverse applications across industries.

With a strong belief in the power of collaboration and technology to shape the future, Gregory Molinar is dedicated to advancing blockchain initiatives and making a lasting impact on the technology landscape in Rhode Island and beyond.

Drew Gillen, Technology Director 

Drew Gillen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Abyiss. With a deep passion for leveraging blockchain technology, Drew focuses on making crypto payments more accessible and efficient.

In addition to his role at Abyiss, Drew is actively involved in the blockchain community, serving as the Director of Technology at the Rhode Island Blockchain Council. He is passionate about fostering blockchain innovation and building foundational infrastructure to support the growing decentralized ecosystem. With a background in software development, including expertise in Node.js, Python, and blockchain technology, Drew is committed to driving the future of digital finance. His mission is to not only shape the future of crypto payments but to ensure that decentralized finance is accessible to all.

Our Roadmap

Phase 1 (2023):

  • Establish a board of directors, draft by-laws, formulate a mission statement, develop a website, and obtain registration as a 501(c)(6) organization with the Internal Revenue Service
  • Collaborate with other blockchain councils to enhance lucidity and fortify state laws and definitions concerning blockchain technology and crypto assets
  • Plan and execute an event in July with the objective of promoting comprehension of this technology
  • Forge partnerships with other organizations to further the education of this technology
  • Secure funding through sponsorships from local businesses and grant programs, as well as through membership dues
  • Membership fees are as follows: First-year members pay $50, and subsequent years cost $100. Corporate sponsors are charged $1,000, while students pay $15
  • Benefits of membership include opportunities to shape the future of the blockchain industry, access to exclusive insights and knowledge sharing opportunities, collaboration and networking with leading experts, businesses, and innovators in the blockchain field, and participation in industry events and conferences
  • RIBC has attended several prestigious conferences in 2023, including the Boston Blockchain Summit, DC Blockchain Summit, ETH Denver, and BTC Miami
  • RIBC has also been a part of The Future of Finance (Millennial Rhode Island and CFA) conference, participated as a panelist
  • RIBC is a member of the US Blockchain Coalition, connecting more than 40 states/territories to help regulate blockchain technology across the country
  • RIBC is part of a five-state subcommittee working to consolidate all known governmental/enterprise use cases of blockchain technology to present to regulators, promoting growth in the local, regional, and nationwide areas
  • We will be part of a consortium comprising multiple eastern states seeking to collaborate on changing state definitions of blockchain technology, promoting greater cohesiveness in the industry
  • RIBC is also involved in the creation of student-led organizations as RIBC subsidiaries at local universities

Phase 2 (2023 – 2024):

  • Engage in efforts to assist in the development and promotion of blockchain-related legislation
  • Our objective is to attract blockchain companies to Rhode Island and facilitate the development of programs to incubate this emerging sector
  • Generate revenue through sponsorships from local businesses and grant programs, as well as through membership dues
  • Forge partnerships with other organizations to further the education of this technology
  • Offer scholarships to students pursuing a career in technology
  • Cover the cost of certifications for exceptional individuals
  • RIBC is also involved in the creation of student-led organizations as RIBC subsidiaries at local universities