04-06, 13:20–14:10 (Europe/Zurich), Verge Stage
Growing Web3 (Blockchain-based applications) beyond the hyped and into practical use cases, seeing the developments of the different ecosystems in Switzerland, Europe, and worldwide.
Here's what I had in mind for this year: Format - ideally panel moderated by Sheraz with a Big Corporate (that has adopted web3), a Big 4 (that has advised on web3 adoption), and maybe an IT services provider that has implemented Web3 transformations.
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What triggers a company to consider converting a core system from web2 or pre-web2 to web3? Are there any differences from other types of digital transformation/process improvement, or is it really just a bottom-line thing?
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What is the education and change management process from that point? Who needs to be convinced or informed? Where do the biggest blockers come from?
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(optional) What are the legal/regulatory barriers and how do you get past the dreaded vendor KYC when so much of the web3 sector is made up of young companies?
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What does success look like? Talk about projects that made it. What were the key actions that made them successful, and how do you measure that success?
Sheraz Ahmed has advised hundreds of organisations on the implementation of modern Web3 practices to further their business objectives. As the Managing Partner of STORM Partners, the world-renowned solution provider, and as the Ecosystem Director of the Crypto Valley Association, he drives growth, collaboration, and integrity across the global blockchain ecosystem!
Chris is Head of Legal at WalletConnect. Prior to which he established the Digital Assets legal function at prominent fintech http://Checkout.com, which provides payment processing services to dozens of digital asset exchanges and onramps. He was also an attorney at major law firms where he counseled Web3 and fintech founders, companies and foundations through their entire life cycle and represented global financial institutions in digital transformation projects and high-stakes criminal investigations.
Chris Fabian is a co-founder and current leader of Giga (http://giga.global), an initiative by UNICEF and ITU focused on connecting every school in the world to the internet. His work sits at the intersection of technology and global policy, focusing on addressing pressing world issues. Notably, he founded UNICEF's cryptocurrency fund, the first of its kind in the public sector, with an AUM of more than 20M USD in Eth and BTC. Chris has made significant contributions to blockchain policy, including shaping New Zealand's blockchain strategy and engaging with central banks and financial institutions on blockchain efforts since 2016. Previously, he founded UNICEF's Innovation Unit and advised two Secretary-Generals, Heads of State and Fortune 100 CEOs as well founding and exiting several emerging-market tech startups . Recognitions for his impact include Time Magazine's "World’s 100 Most Influential People" and WIRED's "25 People Changing the World".
Giga builds its open source blockchain products in Geneva and Barcelona, supported by the Governments of Switzerland and Spain. The team is currently working on tokenizing the gigabyte (a connectivity credit marketplace) and creating an NFT / on chain data object for every school in the world.
Senior Vice President, Business Development at Sygnum Bank