NC Blockchain + AI Initiative Q&A w/ Eric Proper

Asked these questions to Eric Proper , a member of the board for NCB+AI. Associations are very interesting groups to me, and often seem mysterious from the outside. I wanted to learn a bit more about how this one works.

Eric has had a decades long career in the crypto space. Along with his crypto work he advises multiple companies and is a managing partner at Unboxed startup venture studio.

Q: How does an association like this work?

A: The NCB+AI exists to advance policies that foster innovation, protect consumers, and position North Carolina as the #1 state for blockchain and artificial intelligence. An association like this should serve as the bridge between industry, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.  Part of the NCB+AI's job is to bring together the people building in the space, the people trying to understand it, and the people making decisions that will shape whether innovation grows here or goes somewhere else. That means education, policy engagement, industry coordination, events, working groups, and real conversations around jobs, infrastructure, compliance, and business growth. It gives founders, companies, and institutions a more organized voice and gives the state a better way to engage with the technology in a serious, informed way. 

Q: Why do you think NC can win in the race to be the No. 1 state for blockchain tech and legislation?

A: Because NC has a real shot at being practical instead of performative. We have strong universities, real technical talent, a growing startup base, and a lot of businesses in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and software that can actually use this technology in real ways. That is a much better foundation than just trying to call ourselves crypto-friendly.\ We also have history here. North Carolina was ahead of a lot of states in taking this seriously, going back to the 2016 Money Transmitter Act defining virtual currencies, and then the 2019 NC Blockchain Initiative, which we helped start to push education in the space with legislators. That early groundwork matters. Now with AI accelerating how fast companies can build and blockchain creating new rails for ownership, payments, identity, and coordination, NC has a chance to lead if we stay focused on real adoption and smart legislation.

Q: How can SMBs, corporations, and startup founders who are not very crypto-savvy benefit from and implement this tech into their businesses?

A: Most should not start with crypto. They should start with the business problem. Where is there friction? Where is there wasted time? Where are there too many middlemen, weak systems, or manual processes? AI can help companies move faster and operate leaner. Blockchain can help where trust, records, payments, ownership, or compliance matter. For some businesses that means better workflows and automation. For others it means better payment infrastructure, digital identity, loyalty, settlement, or auditable records. The point is not to force the tech and to use these tools to create leverage or solve for problems not easily solvable before. A lot of companies know they need to pay attention and to help figure out what is real, what is useful, and how to actually implement it in a way that drives value. 

To create outsized success for North Carolina and the NCB+AI, we need a broad collection of supporters and voices. If you are interested or have any questions, please tell people to reach out directly! (