Mission & Scope

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Mission Statement
The California Center for Digital Finance Policy (CCDFP) is an independent research institution dedicated to the sustainable development of the global digital economy. Based in California, we foster market integrity and stable investment environments by bridging the gap between frontier innovation and systemic financial security.

Research Scope
Our research explores the critical dimensions of the digital economy, with a specialized focus on California and the Trans-Pacific corridor. CCDFP’s primary scope includes:

• Stablecoins & Future Payments: Analyzing the evolution of digital currencies and payment infrastructures to enhance transaction efficiency.
• Market Integrity & Investor Protection: Developing frameworks that foster transparency, security, and a stable investment environment within digital asset markets.
• Cross-Border Policy Harmonization: Facilitating strategic dialogue across the Pacific Rim to align policy approaches and reduce friction in international digital trade.
• Sustainable Financial Innovation: Promoting the integration of digital and traditional finance to drive long-term economic growth and financial inclusion.

By bridging these dynamic regions, CCDFP provides the forward-looking insights necessary to navigate the complexities of digital transformation. We empower policymakers and industry leaders to build a secure, thriving, and interconnected financial landscape ahead of our formal 2026 launch.

Leadership

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Prior to leading CCDFP, Dr. Liang served as the Director of the Big Data Lab for Business and Sustainability at CSU, where he spearheaded interdisciplinary research at the intersection of data science and institutional governance. His leadership experience also extends to the non-profit sector, having served as Vice President and CFO of the Institute for Advancing Education in Business & Management (IAEBM).

Dr. Liang’s recent research and policy analyses are at the forefront of the digital revolution. His work centers on Decentralized Finance (DeFi), stablecoin frameworks, and the systemic interactions between digital and traditional financial ecosystems. With a particular focus on cross-border governance and international compliance, he seeks to provide critical insights into how disparate regulatory regimes can harmonize within a globalized digital economy.

Upon his appointment as Director in 2025, the CCDFP Advisory Committee highlighted Dr. Liang’s unique “tri-sector” expertise. With nearly two decades of professional experience spanning technology, policy consulting, and academia, Dr. Liang was selected for his strategic vision and his proven ability to lead high-impact institutional initiatives. The Committee expressed full confidence in his capacity to position CCDFP as a premier hub for digital finance policy at the regional and national levels, with a long-term vision toward global impact.

Dr. Liang holds a PhD in Applied Economics from the Pennsylvania State University, and he is also a CFA charterholder. He earned his BS in Electrical Engineering and his MS in Public Policy and Management from Tsinghua University in Beijing—a background that uniquely equips him to navigate the technological, economic, and political dimensions of the Trans-Pacific policy landscape of digital finance.

Transparency & Accountability

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Institutional Support
The California Center for Digital Finance Policy (CCDFP) is currently supported by initial funding from both public research grants and private philanthropic sources committed to the advancement of public policy research. To ensure the highest standards of intellectual integrity, the Center maintains a strict “firewall” between its funding sources and its research outputs. CCDFP does not accept funding that imposes conditions on the conclusions of its research or restricts its academic independence. Our commitment is to the objective analysis of the digital financial landscape.

Independence of Research
As a non-partisan research institution, the views, findings, and conclusions expressed in CCDFP publications, events, and policy dialogues are solely those of the authors and researchers. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any government agency, academic institution, or corporate entity.

Liability Disclaimer
The information provided by the Center is for academic and policy-dialogue purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. While the Center strives for professional accuracy, it shall not be held liable for any decisions made based on the content of its research or the information presented on this platform.

Timeline and Strategic Roadmap

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