The 26th global edition of the World Blockchain Summit (WBS), held in Dubai, recently concluded successfully, with attendees expressing enthusiasm and optimism for the future of blockchain in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Held at the Address Dubai Marina on 1st and 2nd November 2023, the two-day event saw some of the top industry experts, blockchain innovators, government stakeholders and investors come together and collectively highlight the practical application of next-gen blockchain solutions.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Trescon’s CEO, Naveen Bharadwaj. With over 1500+ C-suite attendees, WBS hosted insightful discussions, engaging keynote speeches, and thought-provoking ideas, all aimed at accelerating the adoption of transformative solutions and optimizing global industries.
Keynote Addresses during WBS
One such session was the keynote address by Charles Hoskinson, CEO and Founder of Input Output Global. He talked about Cardano’s evolution, marked by the introduction of smart contracts during the Shelley era. He also explored the interconnected themes of trust, decentralization, participatory governance, and digital assets, underscoring their transformative influence on digital infrastructure.
Another key session was the panel discussion on ‘CBDCs and Cross-Border Payments: A Deep Dive into Technical Aspects and Opportunities’. Moderated by Cal Evans, award-winning digital asset lawyer, Gresham International, examined the role of blockchain technology and distributed ledger systems in facilitating efficient and secure cross-border transactions using CBDCs.
The panellists, Tone Vays, Analyst, Trader and Founder, of The Financial Summit; Kevin Soltani, CEO and Founder of GIMA Group; and Matthias Mende, Founder of Bonuz, shared their valuable insights about the technical infrastructure required to support CBDC-based cross-border payments, including the role of central banks, commercial banks, payment service providers, and blockchain networks.
A notable moment during the two-day event was the announcement of the significant investment from Cypher Capital and Master Ventures in Common Wealth. This community-driven platform is reshaping early-stage investing, fostering inclusivity, and creating a more equitable financial system. This investment underscores the growing commitment towards a level playing field for early-stage investors, propelling innovation and opportunity for all.
Attendees Share Their Impressions of WBS
Sharing their experience at the event, Hasnae Taleb, CIO at Ento Capital said, “Happy to be part of WBS not just as an investor with $4.7Bn AUM but as a woman in the world of finance and the land of opportunities, Dubai.”
Additionally, sharing his experience at the event Frederik Gregaard, CEO of Cardano Foundation, remarked, “It was incredibly vibrant and diverse; I would definitely come again.”
Moreover, Alan Tominey, Director of Technology and Product at Gorki Network, praised the event, stating, “It was a high-quality delegate summit; we connected with numerous investors and generated valuable leads.”
Regional Startup World Cup Finale Spotlights Blockchain Innovation
Sharing a common vision and passion for blockchain innovation, WBS hosted the regional finale of the Startup World Cup by Pegasus Tech Ventures. With many ingenious innovators showcasing how their vision is transforming the global digital landscape.
AYDO, a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure platform (DePIN) that bridges the gap between Web2 and Web3, won the regional finals showcasing the boundless potential of blockchain innovations.
Valued Sponsors and Partners of WBS Dubai
Following the success of the WBS in Dubai, the organizers extended their gratitude to all sponsors and partners. These included the Lead Sponsor,
- Unicoin; After Party Sponsor
- Legacy Network; Platinum Sponsor
- Zeebu; Gold Sponsor
- OzoneSpace; Silver Sponsors
- Qlindo, COREDAO, Sui Foundation, and Highrise Studios; Bronze Sponsors
- INNES Worldwide, Sastanaqqam, yard[hub], Mimo Labs, Minati, M2; Pitch Partners
- CryptoUnity, Umma Life, Gorki, Web3 Geeks, MintStarGram.tech, iTeller; Exhibitors
- WeList, Dubi Dabi, bit castle, ROVI Network, LBM Solutions, Cobox Metaverse; National Media Partner
- Dubai TV; Business Broadcast Partner
- CNBC Arabia Official Newspaper Partner, The Fintech Times, and other media and association partners
The 26th edition of the World Blockchain Summit (WBS) has concluded, and organizers are looking ahead with anticipation for the next Summit. To further the discourse on next-generation solutions, Trescon has announced the inaugural Digital Acceleration and Transformation Expo, scheduled for November 23rd-24th, 2023, in Delhi. Additionally, blockchain enthusiasts can look forward to exploring the future of blockchain technology at the upcoming World Blockchain Summit in Bangkok this December.
For further details visit: worldblockchainsummit.com
