Speakers

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.

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.

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.

Luca Schnetzler is a visionary entrepreneur at the intersection of tech, e-commerce, and Web 3.0. After testing out of high school at 16, he honed his sales expertise at Ring before founding and successfully exiting his e-commerce venture, LGC. He later built brands for global icons like will.i.am, Kendrick Lamar, and Jake Paul.

In Web 3.0, Luca spearheaded the transformation of Pudgy Penguins from an NFT project into a global brand with physical products and licensing deals. His strategic focus on intellectual property and commercial expansion has positioned Pudgy Penguins as a leader in the evolving NFT landscape.

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.

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.

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.

May Zabaneh is the Vice President of Product for Blockchain, Crypto, and Digital Currencies at PayPal, shaping the product vision, strategy, and market delivery for crypto and remittances. Previously, she served as VP of PayPal’s Global Professional Services organization, driving business growth through global solutions, partner implementations, and revenue protection.

With a strong background in fintech and product leadership, May plays a pivotal role in advancing PayPal’s digital currency initiatives and expanding its impact in the evolving blockchain landscape.

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.

Richard Muirhead is the Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Chairman of Fabric Ventures, backing founders building the Open Economy and Open Web. Fabric has invested in projects like Polkadot, NEAR, and The Graph, supporting startups from inception to scale.

A blockchain investor since 2012, Richard’s portfolio includes Bitstamp, TransferWise, and Bitrise. A former 3x software CEO, he built and scaled companies acquired for a total of $2.2bn. He serves on governance bodies for NEAR and Ocean Protocol and remains a key voice in venture capital, blockchain, and the Open Web.

Rushi Manche is the Co-Founder and Lead Architect at Movement Labs, pioneering the integration of Move technology with Ethereum. A former core contributor to Aptos’ DeFi ecosystem and DEX development, he brings deep expertise in smart contract engineering, cross-chain interoperability, and blockchain scalability.

With extensive experience across Ethereum DeFi and Cosmos protocols, Rushi is driving Movement Labs’ mission to revolutionize blockchain development and accessibility, enabling a more efficient and secure decentralized future.

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.

Shuyao Kong is a Co-Founder of MegaETH, an EVM-compatible blockchain project aiming for high transaction speeds that dubs itself the “first real-time blockchain” and boasts of early financial backing from Vitalik Buterin, Joseph Lubin and others.

Prior to this, Shuyao held key roles in leading blockchain and fintech firms, including six years as Global Head of Business Development at Consensys. With deep expertise in blockchain strategy and ecosystem growth, she is focused on driving the next generation of scalable decentralized infrastructure.

Mark has spearheaded Aethir’s explosive growth, scaling the company from 5 to 157 employees and reaching a $3 billion FDV in just two years. A trailblazer in DePIN, he has redefined decentralized cloud infrastructure for gaming and AI, backed by industry giants like NVIDIA, Super Micro, and Foxconn.

Beyond Aethir, Mark lends his expertise in blockchain, mining, and investments as an advisor at Flux Capital and Gas Global, shaping the future of decentralized computing.

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.

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.

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.

Bam Azizi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Mesh, building the first global crypto payments network. Previously, he founded NoPassword, a cybersecurity company acquired by LogMeIn in 2019, with its identity solutions still used by major financial institutions.

In 2020, Bam launched Mesh to connect exchanges, wallets, and financial services for seamless crypto payments and conversions. Its APIs power platforms like Revolut, Shift4, and MetaMask. A tech entrepreneur, Bam is focused on redefining digital interactions through cutting-edge solutions.

Christian is a Web 3.0 Advisor and Founding Member of Mind Network, focused on leveraging trustless value-transfer technology to separate money from the state and democratize data ownership.

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.

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.

Martin de Rijke is the Head of Growth at Maple Finance, leading strategic partnerships and business expansion. With a strong track record in the blockchain industry, he has secured high-profile collaborations with industry leaders like OKX and Pendle.

Martin played a key role in scaling Syrup from its inception to $250 million in just six months, demonstrating his expertise in driving rapid growth and innovation in decentralized finance.

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.

Dyma Budorin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hacken, a leading blockchain security auditor. He also serves as Co-Chair of EEA DRAMA, contributing to DeFi risk assessment and industry standards.

A key figure in shaping crypto security frameworks, Dyma is a co-author of multiple industry standards and a Vice President of the Blockchain Association of Ukraine, advocating for stronger security and regulatory advancements in the blockchain ecosystem.

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.

Clara Tsao is a founding officer of Filecoin Foundation and co-founder of the Trust & Safety Professional Association. She previously served as Senior Advisor for Emerging Technology at DHS and CTO focusing on foreign influence and security issues. With a decade of tech industry experience across Microsoft, Apple, Sony, AT&T, Google, and Mozilla, she's also Board Chair of the White House Presidential Innovation Fellows Foundation and Senior Advisor at Tech Against Terrorism.

Jason brings a strong background in law and financial supervision, advising fintech and blockchain startups on critical regulatory and compliance issues since 2018. Previously, he worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and practiced law at Linklaters and Davis Polk.

A Columbia graduate with a global law certificate, Jason combines deep expertise in financial services with a forward-thinking approach to blockchain innovation, helping shape the regulatory landscape for emerging digital asset ecosystems.

Shaishav is a seasoned investor specializing in seed and early-stage startups, offering hands-on expertise in fundraising, go-to-market strategies, and product development. Since joining Lemniscap in 2018, he has played a key role in sourcing and analyzing deal flows, issuing term sheets, and managing the investment lifecycle. A Computer Science graduate from RV College of Engineering Bangalore, Shaishav brings technical depth and cross-sectoral experience, including his background as an entrepreneur.

Passionate about open financial ecosystems, he closely follows emerging economic models and social structures shaping the future of decentralized finance.

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.

Aurelie Dhellemmes is Head of RippleX Partner Success, supporting partners in building on the XRP Ledger. With 20+ years in finance and tech, she has held leadership roles at IBM, Deutsche Bank, and BNY Mellon, driving innovation in payments and FX. A serial entrepreneur, she has co-founded and exited three tech and education startups. Aurelie holds three master’s degrees (Virginia Tech, Telecom SudParis, INSEAD) and has lived in France, the US, and Singapore. She now calls Dubai home.

Viktor Fischer is the founder and CEO of RockawayX – investment and engineering firm with $2 billion AUM. Previously, Viktor worked at McKinsey & Company, focusing on corporate finance and M&A. Before that, Viktor co-founded Innovatrics, a biometric identification startup recognized as ‘Leading Technology Company’ by Deloitte Technology Fast 50. Viktor is a computer science graduate, holds MBA from INSEAD and Master's degree from HEC Paris.

Eshan Chordia is the Co-Founder of Lumino AI, a decentralized machine learning training protocol and serverless ML platform. Lumino AI provides a serverless SDK for LLM fine-tuning, reducing compute costs by up to 80% compared to AWS and GCP.

With a mission to democratize AI, Eshan is focused on making advanced machine learning accessible to developers and enterprises worldwide.

Ben holds a PhD in Computer Science, specializing in the evolutionary optimization of deep neural architectures for computer vision applications.

A seasoned entrepreneur, he previously co-founded a data privacy and sovereignty startup, bringing a strong foundation in AI research and practical innovation to his work.

Karan Gandhi is a Partner at Cypher Capital, a $100M blockchain-focused VC fund in Dubai. Previously, he was a senior venture architect building tech startups for the UAE’s largest licensing authority.

With extensive experience scaling startups, he has advised numerous tech ventures on fundraising, business models, and market strategy. A crypto investor since 2017, Karan is a passionate blockchain evangelist. He is a CFA charterholder with over nine years of experience across private equity, venture capital, and banking.

Nikita Sachdev is an Indian-American entrepreneur in blockchain and Web 3.0. She founded Luna PR in 2019, a globally recognized agency serving 600+ clients across four continents. Previously, she launched Luna Management in 2015 and entered crypto in 2017 with Huobi (now HTX).

In 2022, she expanded her media footprint by acquiring Cointelegraph Middle East. With a background in Chemistry and Business from the University of Texas, Austin, and James Cook University, Nikita is a leading voice in Web 3.0 innovation, driving impact through PR, media, and industry advocacy.

Ray Maiorescu is the Head of Data Science at Ocean Protocol, an entrepreneur, and a consultant specializing in AI, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and data management. He leverages cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation and business growth.

Caroline York is the Marketing Director for APAC at Serotonin, a global web3 services firm. She co-chairs the Web3 & Blockchain Committee for the Fintech Association of Hong Kong. With a strong MarCom background, she drives innovative go-to-market strategies to accelerate web3 adoption. Previously, she led marketing at Gusto Collective and AQUMON, advancing financial literacy and fintech growth. Passionate about technology’s impact, Caroline’s expertise in complex markets and stakeholder collaboration makes her a key voice in web3 and blockchain.

Gaurav is a seasoned technology leader with experience across startups and tech giants, tackling challenges in networking, e-commerce, and fintech.

He led the development of a scalable KYC platform at Binance, serving millions. Now, he focuses on democratizing access to AI compute resources.

Jeremy Ng is the Founder and CEO of OpenEden. As a seasoned finance professional with over 20 years in investment banking, Jeremy pivoted to crypto to bridge TradFi and DeFi. His mission with OpenEden is to bring real-world assets on-chain, starting with U.S. Treasuries.

Previously, he was Managing Director of Gemini APAC, where he led the exchange’s expansion in the region. He also served as Derivatives Head at Goldman Sachs and Asia CEO of Leonteq. With deep expertise in financial markets and digital assets, Jeremy is at the forefront of integrating traditional finance with blockchain innovation.

Anurag Arjun, Co-Founder of Avail, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in research, economics, and engineering. He co-founded Matic Network (now Polygon Labs) in 2017, scaling Ethereum infrastructure. In 2020, he spearheaded Avail within Polygon to enhance modular blockchain scalability.

In 2023, he and Prabal Banerjee spun off Avail to build a unification layer for rollups and application chains, enabling trust-minimized interoperability. With ventures across lending, regulatory tech, and blockchain, Anurag’s expertise drives Avail’s mission to revolutionize decentralized infrastructure. His vision continues to push blockchain scalability forward.

Alena Afanaseva, CEO & Founder of BeInCrypto, leverages over a decade in traditional finance to shape the decentralized economy. Since 2018, she has grown BeInCrypto into a leading global crypto news platform with 8M monthly visitors and a 200-member team across 60+ countries.

Her expertise spans macroeconomics, monetary policy, and financial asset analysis. A strong advocate for women’s empowerment in Web 3.0, Alena is committed to driving inclusivity and innovation in the blockchain space.