We are getting ready for the main event of Paris Blockchain Week – the Summit – which begins on Wednesday, March 22. Just walking through the aisles and visiting the booths at Web3 day, it was easy to tell that the people who showed up brought their energy and enthusiasm.
Despite the fact that the global markets, fueled most recently by the collapse (and imminent rescue) of Credit Suisse, it is a good time to learn about what the future of banking can look like.
While stress and worry aren’t how anyone wants to start a conference, especially one as important as PBWS, the attendees at this event are looking forward to discussing the future of banking, crypto and more.
We Are Not Going Through Another 2008
I don’t even want to go there. Nobody who lived through 2008 is keen to repeat history, but to be a realist, we need to call this contagion what it is
I look at the banking crisis as an infection that was cauterized many years ago but never really went away. It was always there, always ready to erupt. And here we are. As we are at an impasse in the markets, we have lots of questions to ask.
As we navigate the week at one of blockchain and crypto’s most important global events, it is a good time to ask ourselves – “what’s next?” Well, good thing we are at the place to ask these questions.
Here Is What Not to Miss at PBW
If you are on-site in the beautiful city of Paris, here are five “not-to-miss” panels to hear in person. We are starting early, so hope you are a morning person!
- Latest Global Crypto Trends: From Bitcoin and CBDCs to DeFi and NFTs – what you need to know!
This event begins at 9:00 AM CST, and Henri Arslanian, Nine Blocks Capital Management, will be leading the discussion. With all that is happening, be sure to hear what’s happening with the crypto ecosystem.
- MiCA: How is the EU Regulating Crypto?
Europe is leading the way on regs, and it is time to hear from the experts. This timely discussion will feature some amazing speakers, including Gundars Ostrovskis from the EU Commission.
- The Best Tools for Your Digital Finance Strategy
You can’t miss the 11:20 AM CET panel, which will dive into a discussion on B2B and B2C regarding digital strategy. Although the inimitable Jordan French will not be there this year (he’s busy organizing Grit Daily House at the CoinDesk Consensus April 26-27 in Austin), I will do the best job possible in representing Grit Daily! We have an amazing lineup for this event, including Ilya Volkov, CEO of Youhodler, and Andre Kazantsev, Global Head of Crypto Trading at Goldman Sachs.
- Banks Leading the Path in Tokenization
If you take some time off in the afternoon, come back and be sure to listen to this panel, which is hosted by Claire Calmejane, Chief Innovation Office, Societe Generale. It is sure to be an interesting panel, given the discussion from a bank about banks.
- Crypto Cowboys and Web3 Venture Capitalists: Riding the Wild West of Investing
Starting at 5:40 PM CET, come join the last official panel of the day, which will dive into the world of crypto investing. Yes, it is still the wild west, but it may also be a refuge at this point, given the banking situation. Come, stop by, and find out!
We will be reporting back tomorrow, providing an update on new information we learn.
Until then, #WAGMI.
By Kelly Ferraro