Blockchain
Fest 2021

Tanja Bivic Plankar has 12 years’ experience in television broadcasting, public speaking and communications. Since 2017 she is an active member of the regional crypto community, has participated in numerous blockchain-related media campaigns and is involved in several blockchain technology projects.

Since March 2018 she is also the president of Blockchain Alliance Europe ( blockchainalliance.si )
Blockchain Alliance Europe is a non-profit organization that connects companies and legal entities that use or implement blockchain technologies or are a part of the blockchain ecosystem.

Blockchain Alliance Europe advocates for mass usage of blockchain technologies and crypto-assets and with the vision to transform Europe into a global blockchain destination.

The alliance was established with the purpose of mutual assistance in business development, networking, cooperation and a joint approach to defending the interests of the members of the alliance. Members of the alliance also work closely with the Slovenian and European regulators in the relevant legislation field.

Topic:
The adoption of blockhain technology: Are blockchain based solutions a reality?
Where do we stand currently in the cycle of adoption of blockchain technology solutions? What are the activities accelerating adoption on the European level? Does the market already offer the blockchain-based solutions that are simple to implement and compatible with existing systems?

Ethan Ng is the CEO of BiKi.com Southeast Asia, BiKi.com is one of the fastest growing crypto exchange and ranking in the top 30 exchanges. He was also the Marketing Lead of Huobi Global, leading the team into market expansions in different markets, he was the organizer of Blockchain Festival Vietnam, garnering 1626 attendees, 30 vip speakers and 52 media delegates. Prior to this, he was a digital strategist in the banking sector and growth specialist in startups. Ethan graduated with Bachelor of Business Marketing from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. - Ex Huobi Global Marketing Lead - Digital Strategist from traditional bank - Extensive experience in growth marketing and lean startup - Southeast Asia regional expansion experience

Thomas leads the Product Strategy, Product Management and Product Marketing teams across Polymath’s product portfolio. Prior to joining Polymath, Thomas was Director of Product Management at Extreme Networks where he led Extreme’s Software and Cloud offerings. Prior to Extreme Networks, Thomas was VP, Business Development & Strategic Alliances at BlueCat Networks. Thomas holds a master’s degree from Toulouse University.

Marc Taverner is the executive director of the International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications (inatba.org), the pre-eminent nonprofit organization supporting the growth of DLT & blockchain technologies. INATBA does this by engaging public and private audiences to address and reduce frictions that inhibit market growth.

As Executive Director, Marc works with INATBA’s members to host bilateral conversations between governments (including the European Commission) and companies to inform policies and regulations and advance the international adoption of blockchain. Marc has been active in the global blockchain ecosystem for more than six years, working across 20 countries, engaging with organisations from core cryptocurrency companies to governments and financial institutions, to large corporates and industry associations.

Prior to joining INATBA, he was the Global Ambassador and head of Business Development for the Bitfury Group, one of Europe’s largest blockchain unicorns.
To INATBA he brings a unique set of experiences gained from a career in start-ups and industry-leading companies. The founder of a successful modem distribution company, Nuvo, Marc has held leadership roles with many top technology companies, including Genesys Conferencing, the world's largest provider of unified communications services, and Promethean, a market leader in educational technology solutions.

Topic:
European Crypto-Asset Regulations, Regulatory Impacts of DeFi Explosion

The EU's new MiCA Regulations and what they mean for the blockchain ecosystem, transparent and effective governance for blockchain technologies

Oriol works as a Management Consultant at AirHelp, Advisor for a Hong Kong-based FinTech company, ixFintech, Strategic Advisor at a Hong Kong-based WealthTech company, ETFCool, Strategic Advisor at ScallopX and FinTech Mentor at F10 Incubator & Accelerator, Singapore.

Oriol is member of the Blockchain, Digital Banking and Greater Bay Area Committees at the Fintech Association of Hong Kong (FTAHK), as well as the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA).

He is Fellow at the Digital Euro Association (D€A) and at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

Topic:

1. The Digital Yuan: Analysis and Opportunities.
2. Central Bank Digital Currencies in Asia: analysis of the Digital Yuan, the Project Inthanon-LionRock and the pilot tests in Korea and Japan

Concept of CBDCs
CBDCs are not cryptos, but similarities
The Digital Yuan: concept and opportunities
CBDCs in the rest of Asia