Dinis Guarda Among Speakers at Dubai’s 10th P2PFISY Event, October 2024

• The 10th P2P Financial Systems International Workshop (P2PFISY) is set to take place on October 16-17, 2024, in Dubai, in collaboration with the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). 
• Featuring Alessandra Perrazzelli (Deputy Governor, Banca d’Italia), Alexander Lipton (Connection Science Fellow at MIT), Andreas Antonopoulos (Tech Entrepreneur at Bitcoin Expert), Claudio J. Tessone (Co-founder and Chairman of the University of Zurich (UZH) Blockchain Center), the 10th edition of the workshop features key speakers including Matthew White (CEO of the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority, VARA), Betsabe Botaitis (CFO and Treasurer at Hedera), Dr. Paolo Tasca (Co-Founder and Chairman of the DLT Science Foundation and P2PFISY Founder), Dinis Guarda (Founder and CEO of Ztudium), to name a few.

The 10th P2P Financial Systems International Workshop marks a decade of groundbreaking discussions, research, and networking opportunities within the realm of decentralised financial systems, attracting global leaders, regulators, and academics from across the financial and technology sectors.

The P2P Financial Systems International Workshop (P2PFISY) is an annual event organised by the DLT Science Foundation. It serves as a leading platform for discussions on peer-to-peer and decentralised financial systems, bringing together industry experts, regulators, and academics to explore the future of finance.

Launched in 2015 by Dr. Paolo Tasca at the Deutsche Bundesbank, P2PFISY has established itself as the premier event for exploring the future of finance. Over the past ten years, the workshop has brought together thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the most pressing issues facing decentralised financial systems.

The 10th P2PFISY will feature a robust two-day programme packed with keynote speeches, panel discussions, and presentations by some of the most influential figures in finance and technology. The key topics discussed at the event encompass the rapid pace of innovation within the sector and the growing importance of decentralised finance (DeFi) in creating more inclusive and efficient financial systems. Topics to be covered include:

1. Stablecoins & Security Tokens
2. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
3. Real-World Asset Tokenisation in Finance and Real Estate
4. Sustainable Finance and ESG Integration
5. Consumer Protection in the Age of Generative AI
6. Financial Inclusion

Featured Speakers: A Global Line-Up of Leaders

The past speakers at the event included Gary Gensler, Chairperson of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Victoria Cleland, Executive Director for Payments at the Bank of England. The event has also seen contributions from central banking leaders like Ulrich Bindseil of the European Central Bank and Alessandra Perrazzelli, Deputy Governor of the Banca d’Italia. Other notable academics and innovators have graced the stage, such as Andreas Antonopoulos, a prominent Bitcoin expert, Alexander Lipton, an MIT fellow, and Paolo Sironi, a fintech thought leader from IBM. These distinguished individuals, alongside speakers from institutions like the Federal Reserve, Banca d’Italia, and MIT, have contributed to discussions on the future of decentralised finance, blockchain, and digital assets, making the workshop a leading platform for cutting-edge financial discourse.

The 10th edition, this year, hosts the likes of:

• Matthew White, CEO of the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), will discuss Dubai’s regulatory framework and its pioneering role in global crypto and digital asset adoption.
• Betsabe Botaitis, CFO and Treasurer at Hedera, will provide insights into the transformative power of decentralised technologies in the financial sector.
• Dr. Paolo Tasca, co-founder and chairman of the DLT Science Foundation and P2PFISY founder, will highlight the evolution of peer-to-peer financial systems and how decentralised technologies are driving financial inclusion.
• Dinis Guarda, Founder and CEO of Ztudium, a globally recognised thought leader in blockchain, AI, and fintech, will be one of the featured speakers. With his extensive expertise in digital transformation and decentralised finance, Dinis is expected to offer valuable insights on the intersection of technology and financial systems, especially in the context of blockchain’s role in enabling a sustainable and inclusive financial future.
• Salvador Perez-Galindo, Senior Advisor, Global Government Engagement at VISA, will focus on government strategies and their role in fostering the growth of decentralised financial ecosystems.
• Patrick Hansen, Senior Director for EU Strategy and Policy at Circle, will cover regulatory challenges and the potential of stablecoins in the global financial system.

Other notable speakers include key figures from the Financial Stability Board (FSB), Worldpay, DLA Piper, and Supreme Court of India, ensuring that a wide spectrum of perspectives is represented, from regulatory frameworks to technological innovation.

The diverse line-up of industry leaders, regulators, and academics benchmarks the workshop’s global reach and its significance as a premier platform for future-of-finance discussions.

Dubai’s Role in Global Decentralised Finance

The decision to host the 10th P2P Financial Systems International Workshop in Dubai underscores the city’s growing prominence in the world of digital finance. Dubai has made significant strides in crypto adoption and decentralised technologies, driven in large part by VARA’s forward-thinking regulatory framework. This has cemented Dubai’s position as a global leader in fostering a secure and innovative environment for the growth of virtual assets.

As Matthew White, CEO of VARA, stated: “We are honoured to have supported the effort to bring the 10th P2P Financial Systems International Workshop to Dubai. This event celebrates a decade of pioneering research and discussions that have shaped the future of finance. At VARA, we are committed to creating a robust regulatory environment that supports the growth of decentralised technologies.”

According to Charles Adkins, President of Hedera: “Dubai’s progressive approach to virtual assets has cemented its status as a leading global hub. This event will bring together the brightest minds in decentralised technologies, fostering collaboration and learning within this rapidly evolving industry.”

The Future of Decentralised Finance

The 10th P2P Financial Systems International Workshop promises to be a pivotal event, providing a platform for regulators, academics, and practitioners to address the challenges and opportunities presented by decentralised finance. With topics ranging from central bank digital currencies to sustainable finance, the workshop will explore the transformative potential of these technologies and their implications for the future of global financial systems.

As the world shifts towards a more decentralised financial landscape, events like P2PFISY are critical in driving forward innovation, fostering collaboration, and shaping regulatory frameworks that will define the future of finance. With Dubai at the forefront of these developments, the city is poised to play a central role in this ongoing transformation.

For those interested in attending the 10th P2P Financial Systems International Workshop, registration is now open. Academics are encouraged to submit their research through the workshop’s Call for Papers, further contributing to the rich discussions that will take place at this milestone event.