Series Speakers

Ella is the founding head of Binance Labs and is now building YZi Labs with CZ. A Kleiner Perkins-trained investor and Stanford GSB alum, she co-founded two AI startups specializing in supply chain and customer service. Ella values visionary founders who can execute, believes in value investing, and appreciates Munger's wisdom (except his views on crypto). She is also the wife of a driven founder, mom of two, and a ballet lover.

Ronghui is a technology consultant for the Monetary Authority of Singapore and a member of the Hong Kong Web 3.0 Development Task Force. He developed CertiKOS and SeKVM, pioneering verified OS systems. Gu's awards include the OSDI Jay Lepreau Best Paper Award, Amazon Research Awards, and SOSP Best Paper Award.

Kostas Chalkias is the Chief Cryptographer and Co-Founder of Mysten Labs, driving cryptographic innovation and product development. With a distinguished career at Meta and R3 as Lead Cryptographer, he has shaped security frameworks for major tech ecosystems. A three-time Best Paper award recipient, he has filed eight US patents and consistently ranked among the top in academia and national innovation contests.

Founder of Greece's largest Big Data Meetup, he continues to foster a thriving tech community. His expertise spans advanced cryptographic research, security protocols, and scalable blockchain infrastructure.

Sreeram Kannan is the Founder of EigenLayer, a pioneering blockchain scalability protocol that enhances network security by repurposing staked assets. Under his leadership, EigenLayer leverages Ethereum and other ecosystems to secure both emerging and established networks without additional energy costs.

His work focuses on redefining blockchain scalability through innovative mechanisms, ensuring a more efficient and secure decentralized infrastructure.

David is the CFO and CSO at the NEAR Foundation, driving the growth and success of the NEAR ecosystem. With nearly 20 years of hands-on experience in scaling and optimising businesses, he combines data-driven decision making, strategic innovation, and operational excellence to deliver measurable impact. His leadership is grounded in a strong work ethic, structured thinking, and a deep understanding of emerging technologies, making him a key force in building sustainable value across the Web 3.0 and blockchain space.

Eowyn Chen is the CEO of Trust Wallet, the world’s leading self-custody Web3 wallet, serving over 200 million users. Passionate about hyper-scaling crypto adoption, she was previously VP at Binance, where she led marketing during a period of massive user growth. Before crypto, she advised startups on go-to-market strategy and worked in financial services consulting at Oliver Wyman. A Harvard graduate in history with a scientific mindset, Eowyn is driven by a curiosity for fundamental truths about individuals and society.

Jack Platts is the Co-Founder of Hypersphere Group, an investment firm driving blockchain network utility through on-chain treasuries, decentralized governance, and ecosystem growth. Previously, he led business development for the Polkadot project in Zug, Switzerland, and began his career as an analyst at Bain Capital.

Hypersphere goes beyond traditional venture capital, actively contributing to protocol development, community building, and Web 3.0 expansion. Committed to deep engagement, the firm plays an integral role in supporting and scaling blockchain projects as a trusted partner in the decentralized economy.

Abdulla Al Dhaheri is the CEO of The Blockchain Center in Abu Dhabi and a pivotal figure in blockchain and Web 3.0. He holds two blockchain-related patents and authored Into the Future of Technologies. Abdulla has pioneered concepts like digital identification and offline payment systems and advised companies with a total market cap of millions. A prominent speaker at global forums, he is committed to advancing the UAE's leadership in blockchain, Web 3.0, and AI.

Akshay Dalal is the Head of Regional Risk & Compliance at Google, covering the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. He helps global organizations grow responsibly by designing and implementing scalable compliance strategies that navigate complex regulatory landscapes. With experience across multiple industries and markets, Akshay enables secure operations, protects revenue, and supports multi-billion-dollar business growth. He operates at the intersection of regulation, innovation, and strategy—driving trusted engagement and long-term value in some of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving regions.

Andrew is the Chief Revenue Officer at Blockdaemon, leading global revenue strategy and alignment. Previously VP & GM for APAC, he drove regional growth and strategic partnerships. Before Blockdaemon, he held leadership roles at AWS, Cisco, and Singtel/Optus-building go-to-market teams for startups, fintech, and cloud, and leading sales for key acquisitions and software solutions.

Greg Scanlon is the Vice President of Quantitative Blockchain at Franklin Templeton Digital Assets, specializing in data science, blockchain applications, and portfolio optimization. With 15 years of experience, he focuses on blockchain infrastructure, interoperability, and its impact on various sectors, including music.

A CFA charterholder, he holds a BBA in Accounting and an MS in Data Science. Prior to Franklin Templeton, he was a senior quantitative trader at Citadel. Passionate about innovation, he also mentors at NYU's Entrepreneurial Institute, guiding the next generation of blockchain and fintech entrepreneurs.

Nils Andersen-Roed is the Global Head of FIU at Binance, overseeing efforts to keep illicit actors off the platform and prevent malicious activities. He works closely with law enforcement and regulators to ensure Binance remains a secure environment for users. Before this, he served as Deputy Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance. Nils previously worked at Europol’s Dark Web team and led the Dutch National Police’s Dark Web Unit, including Operation Bayonet, which took down the Hansa and Alphabay marketplaces.

Sandeep Nailwal is the co-founder and executive chairman of Polygon Labs, guiding the long-term growth of the Polygon protocol and ecosystem alongside CEO Marc Boiron and fellow co-founders. His blockchain journey began with Bitcoin in 2013, but took off after building his first Ethereum dApp. In 2017, he co-founded Matic Network—now Polygon—with Jaynti Kanani and Anurag Arjun, later joined by Mihailo Bjelic. A serial entrepreneur with an MBA from the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Sandeep is known for being extremely humble, yet madly ambitious.

Keone Hon is the co-founder of Monad, the parallel and performant EVM L1. Prior to Monad, Keone built high-frequency trading systems at Jump Trading for eight years.

Lennix leads business strategy and operations for OKX internationally. With 15 years of experience in crypto and financial services, he has played a key role in OKX's evolution from a centralized exchange to a global hub for DeFi, NFTs, blockchain gaming, and crypto trading. As one of the company’s earliest employees, Lennix has championed financial inclusion from day one, driving OKX's mission to remove barriers to wealth creation and empower individuals through secure, decentralized innovation.

Yat Siu is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands, a global leader in blockchain and gaming. A veteran entrepreneur and investor based in Hong Kong, he is dedicated to advancing digital property rights for gamers and Internet users.

Under his leadership, Animoca Brands is pioneering play-and-earn economies, creating a new asset class, and shaping a more equitable digital landscape. His vision contributes to building the open metaverse, redefining how value and ownership function in the digital world.

With expertise spanning both Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 security, Alex Murashkin is passionate about operational and smart contract security, safeguarding both decentralized and centralized components - particularly, blockchain bridges and layer-two solutions. He has pioneered security strategies for Web3 companies and holds a Master of Mathematics in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo, where he worked on techniques for design exploration and optimization in satisfiability-related problems.

Reeve Collins is a visionary entrepreneur with over two decades of tech experience, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Tether, the stablecoin that revolutionized digital finance by integrating traditional currencies with blockchain. A trusted leader in cryptocurrency, he has launched and guided multiple ventures in digital media, ad tech, and blockchain, earning a reputation for innovation. Collins remains at the forefront of industry advancements, driving adoption worldwide. As a speaker, investor, and advisor, he shares his deep expertise in blockchain and digital assets, shaping the future of finance.

Michael is the Founder of 0G Labs (0g.ai), leading the development of the first decentralized AI operating system. A serial entrepreneur, he has built two unicorn companies, generated over $200 million in revenue, and raised $200 million in venture capital.

With experience managing 650+ employees through market challenges, he brings a track record of scaling innovation. Educated at Stanford, Harvard, and UC Berkeley, his insights have been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, and Entrepreneur, solidifying his influence in AI and blockchain.

Katherine Dowling is the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, bringing extensive legal and financial expertise to the firm's executive leadership. Previously, she held senior roles in private equity and financial services, including as Co-Founder, Managing Director, and COO of Luminate Capital Partners.

A Harvard Law School graduate, she spent over a decade as a federal prosecutor in the Economic Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, prosecuting insider trading, fraud, and money laundering cases. She also serves on the boards of two non-profit organizations.

Tekin Salimi is the Founder and Managing Partner of dao5, an experimental cryptocurrency asset manager set to transition into a decentralized autonomous organization. Under his leadership, dao5 has been a pivotal early investor in frontier crypto protocols like Berachain, Bittensor, Movement Labs, and Story.

Beyond venture investments, Tekin advises the Government of Thailand on blockchain strategy through the Thailand International Digital Business & Finance Center, driving policy and innovation in the digital asset space.

Ben Lakoff, CFA, is a General Partner at Bankless Ventures, an early-stage Web 3.0 Venture Fund. He is also currently mentoring at a few popular Web 3.0 incubators and advising a number of companies in the space.

Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, brings nearly a decade of experience in trading, product management, and market development. Her career includes roles at Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank, focusing on forex and equity derivatives trading.

As CPO, Vivien drives product innovation and user experience at BingX, enhancing trading efficiency and user engagement.

Leeor Groen is a Managing Director at Spartan Group, a leading digital asset management and investment banking firm dedicated to dealmaking in the blockchain industry, managing over $500mn. With a career in finance and technology, Leeor is a recognized thought leader on emerging tech's role in global finance and a frequent speaker on the future of finance, private equity, and capital markets. Based in Switzerland, he holds several board positions and has international experience, having worked across the UK, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Singapore, and Australia.

Sam Kim is a Managing Partner at Big Brain Holdings in London, bringing a wealth of experience in engineering, project management, and investment strategy. With a background in instrumentation within the petrochemical and oil & gas industries, he has worked with leading firms like Shell and Arrington Capital.

Known for his strong leadership and analytical expertise, Sam has a proven track record in research and high-impact investments, driving innovation and strategic growth in emerging technologies.

J.J. Siler is Chief of Staff at Input Output, where he plays a crucial role in driving the company's strategic and commercial initiatives forward. He manages key projects, liaises with high-level stakeholders, and ensures seamless execution of IOG's mission to develop decentralized technologies and products. J.J. has an academic background at the University of Kansas and the University of Cambridge, and has participated in the cryptocurrency space since 2010. His expertise helps bridge the gap between business strategy and science communication, fostering innovation in the blockchain space.

Isaac joined Mirana Ventures as Principal in 2023, with a dual mandate to oversee the $100M Mantle Ecosystem Fund and to support direct venture investments. His journey began as an analyst at SGInnovate, where he made strategic investments that advanced Singapore's then-nascent fintech, AI, and cybersecurity ecosystems. Following this, he joined Mulesoft, where he played a key role in driving go-to-market strategies and business expansion operations in Southeast Asia, culminating in their acquisition by Salesforce for $6.5 billion.

Clarence Zhou is an Investment Director at Fenbushi Capital, leading investments in consumer crypto and Web 3.0. Since 2021, he has focused on blockchain innovations that drive mainstream adoption, backing projects like Pudgy Penguins, Pixels, Carv, and Oasys.

With a sharp eye for transformative startups, Clarence plays a pivotal role in shaping Fenbushi’s strategy for the next wave of decentralized technologies, fostering growth at the intersection of blockchain and consumer applications.

Augie Ilag is an Investment Partner and Head of Asia at CMT Digital, bringing eight years of venture capital and management consulting experience across cryptocurrency, digital infrastructure, and Web 3.0 investments. Before joining CMT, he led crypto and blockchain investments at Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia.

Augie previously worked at McKinsey & Company, advising emerging market clients on operations, strategy, and organizational design. A Stanford graduate with a B.A. and M.S., he was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022, recognizing his contributions to the evolving digital asset landscape.

Yan Ma is an entrepreneur, architect, and investor shaping the future of Web 3.0. As Executive Director at Spartan Group, she advises category-leading founders on scaling disruptive ventures. With experience designing digital products and real-world assets worth over $100M, Yan blends tech, design, and finance to drive innovation. She holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard and a B.S. with honors from Cornell, combining creative vision with analytical rigor to back the next generation of Web 3.0 builders.

Akshat is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Maelstrom, where he leads the deal team across venture, liquid, and buyout investment strategies. Before launching Maelstrom in 2022, he headed the M&A team at BitMEX, driving key acquisitions in the crypto space.

His career began in management consulting before transitioning to leveraged buyouts at Granite Creek Capital Partners. With a BS in Economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Akshat brings deep expertise in investment strategy and financial structuring to the evolving digital asset landscape.