Consensus 2024 - It was fun, chaotic, informative, productive, and exhausting!

Consensus 2024 is a Wrap! It was fun, chaotic, informative, productive, and exhausting!

This Consensus was different for me, as I attended as an official entrepreneur. While I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, this Consensus, being unaffiliated, allowed me an independent perspective. I viewed projects and conversations from the lens of a builder. I listened more and tried to focus on the signal and isolate the noise. As the industry forges ahead in this interesting environment with economic and geopolitical uncertainty, builders, entrepreneurs, and large entities alike shared an unbridled enthusiasm for a brighter future with opportunities and the right tools to navigate risks, alongside glimpses of ongoing technical innovation.

Some of my highlights were:

1.???? Launch of Ledgerlink.ai – A Web 2.5 platform aiming to ensure any enterprise is digital assets aware and can consume digital assets without disruption in existing processes and systems. Brett Mitchell Paulo Jacinto Rodrigues Greg Sossaman

2.???? Etheros Labs – One of the most advanced AI-powered, privacy-preserved smart order routing platforms with an amazing vision, looking for capital to build and facilitate ease of access to a complex and evolving Omnichain DeFi ecosystem. J.D. Salbego Christopher Tiu

3.???? DTCC Events – It was great to see the DTCC Digital Asset leadership not only engaging in meaningful conversation around the Digital Asset ecosystem, market infrastructure, clearing and settlement, and the role of market utilities. This amazing event brought together leading financial institutions such as Euroclear, Clearstream, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, WisdomTree, and many more. Nadine Chakar Dan Doney Jason Emery Renee Berman Abhesh Kumar WisdomTree Asset Management 美国道富银行 Euroclear Clearstream 摩根大通 Well Fargo

a. DTCC released Building the Digital Asset Securities Ecosystem ( https://www.dtcc.com/dtcc-connection/articles/2024/may/29/building-the-digital-assets-ecosystem ), a white paper that highlighted the Digital Asset Securities Control Principles (DASCP). This paper, developed by DTCC, Clearstream, and Euroclear, serves as a guide to navigate the current challenges and foster operational excellence in financial markets driven by DLT.

b. DTCC also hosted a breakfast to discuss the paper with industry-leading participants and many digital assets native firms such as Chainlink and LedgerLink. The conversation was rich, with amazing takeaways from Securrency leadership (now DTCC Digital). True leadership at the industry level to build viable ecosystems with existing market participants. It was the single most important event at Consensus 2024.

c. At the DTCC cocktail hour, there were many interesting conversations with leading investment management firms. There was an ambitious, pragmatic, and measured approach to digital asset adoption. My takeaway was the need for a focus on Bitcoin and digital asset collateral management as an industry.

4.???? Consensus 2024 and Michael Casey's early morning torturous but rewarding workshop on digital citizenship and CBDCs over two different days, plus an RIA-focused (Financial Advisory and RIA Day - https://consensus2024.coindesk.com/fa-ria-day/ ) track. It was simply the best and showcased industry-relevant conversations at Consensus, which is not just confined to crypto bro conversations but meaningful entry of crypto as a new asset class. Michael Casey

5.???? RWA Summit (https://www.rwasummit.io/austin-2024) pre-Consensus 2024 was probably the best and most meaningful conversation around RWA and digital assets adoption in current market infrastructure. Both opportunities and challenges were discussed. Many traditional players and pension funds participated, with many startups focused on RWA. I am marking this as a must-go annual event for institutional adoption of digital assets.

6.???? Book launches – Two of my favorite authors:

a. Annelise Osborne had a sold-out session of book signing on her latest masterpiece "From Hoodies to Suits," an important cultural consideration for all technology and banking executives to consider. A must-read for all executives. I was fortunate to get a signed copy! ?( https://www.amazon.com/Hoodies-Suits-Innovating-Digital-Traditional/dp/1394231822 ) Annelise Osborne

b. Rita Martin also released today "Web3 in Financial Services," dissecting Web3 principles, outlining its key use cases, and exploring the unique business opportunities and challenges it presents. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714 ) Rita Martins

7.???? Pre-Consensus Dinner – As an Austin resident, I usually host an informal dinner prior to the event. I am glad to have close friends and colleagues who host me when I travel, giving me an opportunity to host them and extend Austin hospitality. I was fortunate to have colleagues from:

a. TDefi group of companies Gaurav Dubey Rishabh Gupta Constantin Kogan

b. Cypher Capital Vineet Budki

c. Blockchain Founders Capital Sagar Barvaliya Benjamin Horvath

d. Carbon Negative Ashok Ranadive

e. Paycio

f. Blockchain Funders Fund Aly Madhavji Mansoor Madhavji

The idea was to chill and relax before the event, but of course, token launches, meme tokens, and the opportunity landscape took over any conversation.

Looking forward to 2025 – this time in Toronto, Canada.

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