About
Chris Berg is a Professor of Economics at RMIT University’s College of Business, specializing in the economics of technology, innovation, and regulatory policy. He co-founded the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub, recognized globally as a leader in blockchain research. His work focuses on institutional cryptoeconomics, digital economy dynamics, and the impact of frontier technologies like AI and quantum computing on markets and governance.
Education: PhD in Economics (RMIT, 2017), focusing on prudential bank regulation; Bachelors in History and Political Science (University of Melbourne). Prior to academia, he was a policy analyst at the Institute of Public Affairs (2004–2017), editing their magazine and advising on tech policy.
Research interests include blockchain governance, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and the interplay between regulation and technological progress. He advocates for free-market approaches to emerging technologies, emphasizing institutional frameworks that enable innovation without stifling growth.
Awards include the RMIT Vice Chancellor’s Research Impact Award (2019) and the Australian Libertarian Society’s ‘Libertarian of the Year’ (2018). He advises organizations like Agoric and Shielded Labs, and contributes to policy debates through media commentary in outlets like Crikey and Australian Financial Review.
Labs/Initiatives: RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub (co-founder), Agoric collaboration, and board roles at Shielded Labs. His work spans global engagements, including speaking at conferences in over 40 cities.
