Blockchain
Innovation Hub
INTRODUCTION
The exclusive Blockchain Hub will stage advance applications, case studies and industry spotlights. Discover real-world case studies shedding light on groundbreaking projects and disruptive applications across industries.
Join us on the Blockchain Innovation Hub stage as we dissect compelling case studies, unravel the potential of emerging technologies, and navigate the regulatory landscape shaping the future of finance and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation!
CEO
Animoca Brands
David Palmer
Chief Product Officer, Co-founder, Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker (DAB) Platform, Vodafone
David Palmer, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Vodafone's Digital Asset Broker (DAB) platform, is a digital visionary and recognized thought leader in blockchain and Web3. With expertise in converging digital technologies and new business models, he explores opportunities in IoT, Blockchain, DeFi, Digital Identity, AI, and the Metaverse, making significant contributions to Vodafone Business's leadership in blockchain technology.
Chief Product Officer, Co-founder
Vodafone’s Digital Asset Broker (DAB) Platform, Vodafone
Jeremy Firster
Global Head of Enterprise Partnerships, Cardano Foundation
Jeremy leads Enterprise partnerships at the Cardano Foundation, overseeing third-party relationships, market infrastructure development, and mainstream adoption trends. With a career history of 6 years in corporate banking and another 6 years in the blockchain industry, Jeremy brings a unique view of industry analysis, value-chain enhancement, and solution integrations to address a variety of world problems through collaborations with key organizations.
Global Head of Enterprise Partnerships
Cardano Foundation
Marcello Mari
CEO and founder, SingularityDAO
Marcello Mari, is the CEO and founder of SingularityDAO as well as founding member of SingularityNET. He has led the blockchain protocol to significant achievements, including raising over $5.8 million from VCs and reaching a peak valuation of $600 million. He also coordinated the first NFT collaboration between a human and AI, raising over $1.4 million. Starting his career in London and contributing to major publications, Marcello has been recognized for his work in blockchain and AI, including speaking at TEDx and receiving the prestigious AIBC award for Top AI Voice in 2024. Over his career Marcello has participated to the foundation and launch of over 6 crypto / AI projects.
CEO and founder
SingularityDAO
Loren Roosendaal
Founder & Chairman , Galactic Entertainment
Loren Roosendaal is a serial entrepreneur and one of the founding fathers of the blockchain gaming movement. Loren brings his passion for innovation to businesses and companies committed to being at the pioneering forefront of Web 3.0. He's been programming video games since the age of 11 and has seen them played by millions of gamers before graduating high school. Flash forward to today, Loren has founded several gaming ventures and software companies that are active both globally and in the MENA region.
Founder & Chairman
Galactic Entertainment
Florian Ducommun
Partner, Bonnard Lawson International Law Firm
Florian is a seasoned attorney in Technology, Media, Telecom (TMT), AI, Intellectual Property, Open Source and Blockchain law. He is graduated from the University of Lausanne, Berlin University and McGill University Law School in Montreal. He is recognized as one of the leading attorneys in Web3.
Partner
Bonnard Lawson International Law Firm
Dave Uhryniak
Ecosystem Development Leader, Tron Dao
Dave Uhryniak -Ecosystem Development Leader at TRON DAO
Dave Uhryniak is the Ecosystem Development Leader at Tron DAO. Tron DAO is among the largest layer
one blockchains in the world and is the fastest growing. Dave joined Tron in January 2022 and has
become a highly visible part of the team that drives global expansion as they identify key opportunities
within the blockchain ecosystem.
Involved in blockchain since 2016, Dave has provided strategic guidance for global payment companies
and insurance companies, among others. He has led the successful development of multiple use cases in
financial services, healthcare, and supply chain. He is helping Tron to achieve its goal of being the global
settlement network and the preferred blockchain in emerging markets. He continually finds unique and
creative ways to apply emerging technologies to enable consumers and corporations to achieve their
strategic goals.
Dave has spoken at crypto events throughout the world and has often been quoted in leading media
outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, and other publications. Dave is a Certified
Blockchain Solution Architect, holds a certificate from Wharton in Economics of Blockchain and Digital
Assets, holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School, and a BA from Westminster
College (PA).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-uhryniak-40b87410/
Twitter: @DUhryniak
Telegram: @DaveUhryniak
Ecosystem Development Leader
Tron Dao
Pankhuri Bansal
Blockchain & AI Expert , United Nations/ Blockom
Pankhuri is an appointed blockchain expert with the United Nations/Blockom and a digital tech expert with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). She is the founder of Blockom Consulting and holds over 10+ years of fintech experience in consulting start-ups and developing technological solutions within India and globally.
She is ex JP Morgan, Onyx, where she was an integral part of some of the bank’s crypto solutions. She has published several research papers under the United Nations and published standards with the ISO on use cases and challenges within the blockchain, AI and IoT industries.
She holds a triple Master’s degree in Internet of Things & Entrepreneurship from City University, UK; Post Graduate in Artificial Intelligence & Machine learning, Uni of Texas, Austin; an MSc in Economics & Finance, University of Warwick, UK; and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Finance, from London School of Economics, UK.
Blockchain & AI Expert
United Nations/ Blockom
Sunil Sharma
CEO, Coingape Media
Mr. Sunil is a self-made crypto millionaire and is listed among top 50 emerging tech leaders across the globe. In his career he has worked with global brands like Google, Denave, Rescon partners and Indian Govt. He has been serving in the crypto industry for the last 7 years with expertise in marketing, sales and product development.
CEO
Coingape Media
Kevin Soltani
CEO, GIMA Group
Kevin Raham Soltani, a blockchain strategist, founded GIMA Group and GIMA Labs in 2015, focusing on blockchain, gaming, property tech, and web 3.0 assets. Beginning as a crypto miner in 2011, he established Bit Rig Builders, sold in 2015. GIMA Group advised 50+ blockchain projects and established the California Blockchain Alliance. In 2020, he exited GIMA Esports, founding Semper Fortis Esports, listed on the London Stock Exchange. With a BS in Finance from the University of San Francisco, he prioritizes GIMA Group's growth, holding 4 tech exits and 1 gaming IPO. Kevin is an avid investor, advisor, and speaker across 22 countries and prestigious platforms like WEF and TEDx.
CEO
GIMA Group
Tanisha Katara
Leading Governance Innovation, Polygon Technology
Governance Innovation Specialist @ Polygon Labs. In merely 6 months, she launched a decentralized validator reputation and admission scoring logic. She is currently orchestrating the System Smart Contracts Governance for Polygon 2.0
Independent Consultant and Advisor @ DaoLens, DaoCals, Avail and Melinda Gates Foundation
Ex Strategy Lead @ Juno Finance (Crypto Native Banking Solution)
Leading Governance Innovation
Polygon Technology
Andres Meneses
Founder & CEO, OG MEDIA GROUP
Andrés Meneses is a renowned crypto influencer, educator, and podcaster with 8+ years of experience in the fast-growing web 3 industry. He is the founder and host of Crypto 0Gs, the number one podcast on Binance Live, and the winner of the Crypto Influencer of the Year award by the Middle East Blockchain Awards in 2022. He is also a key opinion leader (K.O.L) for two of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, where he collaborates with various major projects and institutions in the crypto space and creates content for Layer 1 Blockchains.
Andrés's mission is to empower and educate millions of people across English and Spanish speaking communities about the opportunities and challenges of web 3, crypto, and blockchain technologies. He is a regular public speaker at events throughout Europe, Dubai, and LATAM, where he shares his insights and expertise with audiences of all levels and backgrounds. He has a degree in telecommunications engineering and a passion for innovation and social impact. He is always looking for new ways to leverage his skills and network to help others achieve their investment and growth objectives in the crypto sphere.Andrés Meneses is a renowned crypto influencer, educator, and podcaster with 8+ years of experience in the fast-growing web 3 industry. He is the founder and host of Crypto 0Gs, the number one podcast on Binance Live, and the winner of the Crypto Influencer of the Year award by the Middle East Blockchain Awards in 2022. He is also a key opinion leader (K.O.L) for two of the largest crypto exchanges in the world, where he collaborates with various major projects and institutions in the crypto space and creates content for Layer 1 Blockchains. Andrés's mission is to empower and educate millions of people across English and Spanish speaking communities about the opportunities and challenges of web 3, crypto, and blockchain technologies. He is a regular public speaker at events throughout Europe, Dubai, and LATAM, where he shares his insights and expertise with audiences of all levels and backgrounds. He has a degree in telecommunications engineering and a passion for innovation and social impact. He is always looking for new ways to leverage his skills and network to help others achieve their investment and growth objectives in the crypto sphere.
Founder & CEO
OG MEDIA GROUP
Soheil Zabihi
Head of Strategy, Tokenscope
Soheil Zabihi , 4years in blockchain led exchanges relocate to Dubai Working with Family offices at the moment. Focused on providing comprehensive Compliance solutions crucial for regulatory of VASPS Helped build exchanges and other broker dealer VASPS Currently setting up a crypto Fund for family office
Head of Strategy
Tokenscope
Mārtiņš Puķe
Chief Legal Officer, Gravity Team LTD
Martins is the Chief Legal Officer at Gravity Team, a prominent player in the crypto market maker and liquidity provider space. With prior experience in fintech and a background at Deloitte, he brings valuable expertise in legal and regulatory matters to the cryptocurrency industry. As a board member of the Latvian Blockchain Association, Martins actively contributes to advancing blockchain technology and supporting industry development. His diverse background and industry involvement make him an influential contributor to navigating legal complexities and fostering innovation within the cryptocurrency sector.
Chief Legal Officer
Gravity Team LTD
Alan Duan
CMO, Ready to Fight
Marketing Lead with 15 years of experience in the Sports, Fashion, Entertainment, Gaming & Blockchain Industry. Results-driven Marketing Senior Lead with 15+ years of experience in strategic brand management, campaign development, and driving business growth. Proven track record of delivering impactful marketing strategies, fostering team collaboration, and achieving exceptional ROI. Skilled in leveraging market insights, leading cross-functional teams, and optimizing digital channels to maximize brand visibility and customer engagement. Passionate about driving innovation and delivering measurable results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
CMO
Ready to Fight
Dyma Budorin
Hacken, Co-Founder & CEO
Dyma Budorin is a Co-Founder and CEO of Hacken, the leading blockchain security auditor, Co-Chair of EEA DRAMA (a DeFi Risk Assessment Management and Accounting group), co-author of crypto industry standards.After 8+ years of auditing experience at Deloitte, he served as an Audit Counselor at Ukrspetsexport and Deputy CEO for Strategy and Development at Ukrinmash (both Ukrainian state agencies). Being a crypto enthusiast and cybersecurity expert, Dyme has had his insights featured by BBC, Wired, Cointelegraph, Coindesk, and other reputable media outlets. He is also a Vice President of the Blockchain Association of Ukraine.
Co-Founder & CEO
Hacken
Andre Jr Ayotte
Partner, Modus Capital
Andre Jr Ayotte, a seasoned financial director and entrepreneur with over 9 years of experience, excels in financial due diligence, Capital Markets deal structuring, and M&A across diverse industries. Currently serving as the Executive Director of a Single Family Office focused on PE and VC transactions, Andre has held key roles, including Head of Corporate Development for a Canadian listed investment firm, Director of Global Trade Finance at the National Bank of Canada, and Associate of Institutional Trading at Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Partner
Modus Capital
Mansoor Madhavji
Partner, Blockchain Founders Fund
Mansoor Madhavji is a Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. Mansoor consulted leading organizations such as INSEAD and the United Nations on emerging technologies. He is also a Limited Partner at Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm.
Mansoor has supported numerous projects on developing sophisticated economic models, go-to-market, and branding strategies. Mansoor has created unique cost-effective growth hacks for startups and clients that surpassed benchmarks. Mansoor serves as an advisor to innovative startups including Splinterlands, the leading blockchain game with over 3 billion games played.
He is a mentor with Orbit Startups, one of the global elite accelerator programs operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.5B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX) which helps the best mobile startups from around the world with 167 million users on its smartphone platform.
Partner
Blockchain Founders Fund
Rishabh Gupta
Director , TDeFi
Rishabh is the Director at TDeFi, guiding over 50 startups from inception to scale. An alumnus from IIT Kanpur with expertise in token engineering, Rishabh melds economics, game theory, and financial insights to drive Web 3.0 innovations. Passionate about unlocking human potential through spirituality, Rishabh is trying to blend tech, finance, and societal impact. Connect on Linkedin.
Director
TDeFi
Jose F. Pereira
Partner, Caerus
José F. Pereira is a Partner at Caerus, a venture capital fund focused on seed-stage technologies shaping the future of culture - sports, media, and entertainment. He has dedicated his career to understanding the risk and value drivers behind early stage investments and has a passion for how tech empowers creators, talent, and IP owners to enrich their communities and unlock value.
Before Caerus, José co-built SwissBorg Ventures, a digital-native corporate venture arm, where he invested in early-stage blockchain projects alongside Kraken, Coinbase, Ubisoft, Animoca, and artists like Deadmau5 and Steve Aoki.
Partner
Caerus
Rishabh Gupta
Director , TDeFi
Rishabh is the Director at TDeFi, guiding over 50 startups from inception to scale. An alumnus from IIT Kanpur with expertise in token engineering, Rishabh melds economics, game theory, and financial insights to drive Web 3.0 innovations. Passionate about unlocking human potential through spirituality, Rishabh is trying to blend tech, finance, and societal impact. Connect on Linkedin.
Director
TDeFi
Myriam Ben Sayeh
EEMEA Crypto Risk & Innovation leader, Mastercard
Myriam Ben Sayeh, an expert in Blockchain, Crypto, and Web3.0, led the development of the UAE federal Blockchain strategy. Her impact spans deploying Blockchain solutions in digital identity, signatures, documents, and skills. In 2023, she became the Crypto Risk and Innovation leader at Mastercard for the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Myriam drives Mastercard's Crypto Risk & Innovation Strategy, overseeing the development and execution of empowering strategies for the ecosystem. She adeptly balances advancing Crypto access and acceptance with meticulous risk management and compliance, fostering collaboration with banks, exchanges, government, and law enforcement.
EEMEA Crypto Risk & Innovation leader
Mastercard
Cinderella Amar
Managing Partner, Glass Ventures
Amar is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of expertise in Capital Markets (Fixed Income) including in the Web3 space gained through hands-on experience over 7+ years. She is a trailblazer in the Hong Kong tech scene, pioneering the introduction of AI chatbots on a trading floor in 2018.
In early 2022, Cinderella relocated from HK to Dubai to spearhead the development of Matrixport. She is a MP at Glass Ventures, the first Web4 Venture Capital Firm.
Founder
Glass Ventures
Oliver von Wolff
Founder & CEO, Helion Capital
Oliver von Wolff, a transformative force in finance, boasts over 15 years of leadership, excelling as CFO and Co-Founder in start-ups. His track record in orchestrating transformations spans various industries, fostering influential networks in Dubai and the GCC since 1999. Specializing in fintech, Oliver achieved success in turning around and restructuring growth companies, establishing four thriving ventures in the last three years. Currently, as Founder and CEO of Helion Capital, he leads a venture builder focused on developing regulated products for GCC markets and engaging in diverse industries like healthtech, blockchain, and telecommunications. Oliver's dynamic leadership extends to committee roles, memberships, and advisory positions, reflecting his global expertise and deep understanding of European and Middle Eastern markets.
Founder & CEO
Helion Capital
David Siemer
Co- Founder & CEO, Wave Digital Assets
David Siemer, Co-Founder and CEO of Wave Digital Assets, heads an SEC-registered investment advisory firm offering venture capital, fund, and private wealth management services in the digital asset space. A pioneer investor since 2012, Siemer foresaw crypto's transformative potential early on. Before Wave, he launched and later sold Siemer & Associates LLC., a tech-focused investment bank. Featured in global publications like CNBC and Forbes, Siemer is a blockchain advocate fostering innovation. He holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Chicago.
CEO & Co-Founder
Wave Digital Assets
Ajeet Khurana
Founder and Angel Investor, Reflexical
Ajeet Khurana, a cryptocurrency luminary, was the former head of India's Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Committee. A prolific angel investor, author, and former Zebpay CEO, he excels in venture capital, global business expansion, and low-cost customer acquisition. Khurana, with expertise in tokenomics and financial engineering, is a venture partner with international VC firms. Dedicated to digital asset awareness, he advises top token issuers. Currently focused on building Reflexical, a Web3 powerhouse facilitating the scaling of Web3 projects, Khurana continues to make significant contributions in the crypto industry.
Founder and Angel Investor
Reflexical
Brian Kuttikkat
Chief Operating Officer, KoinBX : Indian Crypto Exchange
With over a decade in fintech and crypto, Brian passionately leads as the COO at KoinBX, driving operations and expansion in India, Singapore, and the UAE. As a former Director at CoinDCX, he shaped business development and partnerships, contributing to the company's growth. Having worked with Razorpay and Paytm, he excels in SaaS sales, corporate sales, and demand generation. As a seasoned speaker at global events, he brings diverse perspectives and is committed to value creation. Brian eagerly contributes to KoinBX's success, leveraging his extensive experience and knowledge.
Chief Operating Officer
KoinBX
Samira Karrach
Director transversal project Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Université Côte d'Azur
Expert Consultant in Blockchain Web3 and Design Thinking;Senior Advisor in Higher Education and Research. Official negotiator for Tunisia at the UN COP
Director of higher education, research and innovation structures
Executive Director of the School of Law and Economics 2008-2010, Executive Director of the Higher Institute of Economics and Management (2010-2015). Executive Director of idex from 2016 to 2018. Co-director of the Invent@UCA 2017-2020 program (winner of the national Disrupt Campus grant to develop entrepreneurship and open innovation).
Appointed director of IDEX interdisciplinary projects in 2019.
Appointed by the French Minister of Higher Education to the intergovernmental project of the Franco-Tunisian University for Africa and the Mediterranean since 2019
Director transversal project Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Université Côte d'Azur
Mr. KEY (Karnika E. Yashwant)
Founder, KEY Difference (Accelerator & VC) - Co-Founder, Forward Protocol
Mr. KEY (Karnika E. Yashwant) is a parallel entrepreneur building and supporting the next billion dollar start-ups. Founder of KEY Difference (Accelerator & VC) and Co-founder of Forward Protocol, he has been in the blockchain space since 2013. He focuses on building fundamentally strong businesses and moving web2 value to web3. He continues to hold many strategic positions, and is a sought after speaker and advisor in the crypto sphere. He is based in Dubai.
Founder
KEY Difference (Accelerator & VC) Co-Founder, Forward Protocol
Brian Crain
CEO, Chorus One
Brian Fabian Crain, CEO of Chorus One and President at Interchain Foundation, is a key figure in crypto. With roots in Blockchain Meetup Berlin since 2014, he's a podcast host and board member for Urbit Foundation. Leveraging his expertise, Brian has propelled Chorus One as a premier staking provider. By Jan 2024, it amassed $3B in assets from 100K+ delegators and partnered with BitGo, Ledger, Finoa. Chorus Ventures, its venture arm, invests in projects like Lido, Osmosis, Celestia, diversifying its portfolio.
CEO
Chorus One
Alex Mukhin
Co-Founder and Managing Partner , Cryptomeria Capital
As a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Cryptomeria Capital and former COO of Cointelegraph, Alex brings 25 years of entrepreneurial acumen, specializing in business development and global expansion. He's initiated ventures across six regions, orchestrated two M&A deals in LATAM and MENA, and boasts six years of asset management experience in both traditional and crypto markets. Alex is backed by institutional investors including the largest south EU FoF and Axon Partners. Additionally, he co-founded Metaverse Post, rapidly growing to 3 million monthly active users, solidifying its competitive edge in the media industry.
Co founder and Managing Partner
Cryptomeria capital
Karen Tang
Head of Communications & Strategic Partnerships, First Digital
Karen boasts a decade in tech, aiding startups to listed firms. At FTI Consulting, she advised tech disruptors globally. Since 2016 in Hong Kong, she's thrived in communications, advising top exchanges and fintech firms. Now, as Head of Communications at First Digital, a qualified custodian, she shapes brand strategy, manages global communications, and hosts "First off the Blocks," a digital assets podcast. A champion of women in web3, she's deeply involved in female-led projects and networks.
Head of Communications & Strategic Partnership
3x Capital
Hadir
Marketing and branding manager RWA finance. Influencer, Hadir (Hash)
Hadir, also known as Hash, is a seasoned professional in blockchain and cryptocurrency with over 4 years of trading and teaching experience. She's educated around 500 students and is a prominent advocate for blockchain technology. Hash is a business owner in the Web3 sector, contributes to building vibrant communities, and serves as a key opinion leader and brand ambassador for various crypto projects. As a marketing manager, she excels in initiatives related to the metaverse, NFTs, and real-world assets. Additionally, she's an active speaker and mentor, guiding startup projects and sharing her insights with the next generation of blockchain enthusiasts.
Marketing and branding manager RWA finance.Influencer
Hadir (Hash)
Anton Golub
Founder & Chairman, SwissAssetDAO
Anton Golub, Founder & Chairman of SwissAssetDAO, and Advisor & Venture Partner at Full Stack VC. He founded flovtec, a Swiss market-maker for digital asset exchanges, and co-founded Trust Square AG, a blockchain hub. Previously, he co-founded Lykke Corp, a fee-free blockchain exchange, and worked as Chief Science Officer. With experience at Olsen Ltd and Alliance Manchester Business School, he specializes in high-frequency trading and market microstructure. He contributed to the Foresight Project on algorithmic trading and EU-backed research projects.
Founder & Chairman
SwissAssetDAO
Michael Jerlis
Founder & CEO, emcd
Michael Gerlis, CEO of cyber bank emcd., oversees its evolution into a comprehensive service hub for miners and cryptocurrency users. Featuring a top-ranking Bitcoin mining pool and acclaimed multi-currency wallet, emcd. fosters the largest Russian-speaking miner community. Gerlis, honored as a top crypto entrepreneur under 35 by Investing.com, also founded Prana Kitchen and engages in NFT collecting, angel investing, and advisory roles. He's a prominent media figure and speaker at global conferences on blockchain, Web3, and emerging trends.
Founder & CEO
emcd
ABDULLA AL DHAHERI
CEO, Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center
Abdulla Al Dhaheri is a multifaceted professional who embodies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the world of blockchain and cybersecurity. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity and an Associate degree in Blockchain Management, Abdulla has made substantial contributions to these fields, reflected in his two patented blockchain inventions. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and businessman, known for his forward-thinking leadership, strategic acumen, and keen ability to steer multimillion-dollar businesses to success. Notably, he has lent his expertise to various successful Web 3 and NFT projects, illustrating his versatility and adaptability to emerging trends in technology. Abdulla's influence extends into the public sector, where his exceptional problem-solving skills and visionary outlook are utilized in government roles. His commitment to technological advancement has significantly impacted this space, as he has bridged the gap between innovation and governance.
CEO
Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center
Co-founder & CPO
Sport.Trade
