Establishing the DSF: A Journey Driven by Dedication and Vision

Creating the DLT Science Foundation: Fostering Knowledge Exchange and Accelerating DLT Adoption DLT Science Foundation was born out of a shared vision to advance knowledge in distributed ledger technology (DLT). It all began with Paolo Tasca's determination to establish the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies in 2015, despite limited resources and initial skepticism. This eventually laid the foundation for one of the world's most renowned academic blockchain research centres. Nikhil Vadgama joined as deputy executive director in 2018, contributing to the centre's growth and success by fostering a thriving ecosystem of individuals and organisations. Despite its potential, blockchain technology faces skepticism and a host of challenges, including a lack of technological literacy and insufficient understanding of blockchain's and the crypto potential benefits. The recent collapse of several high-profile banks has sparked parallels with the 2008-2009 financial crisis, leading to a renewed interest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies due to their intermediary-free qualities. However, the crypto industry now faces its biggest test yet, with a struggle against the financial establishment. The closure of several banks has led to fear and uncertainty, and cryptocurrencies have been viewed negatively in this context. Our mission is to restore that trust through an independent, objective, and scientific approach that addresses grand challenges by promoting groundbreaking research, transformative educational programs, and innovative startups on a global scale. Through this approach, we can not only foster a greater understanding of blockchain and other emerging digital technologies, but also help them reach their full potential. In response to these challenges, we established the DLT Science Foundation with Hedera's invaluable partnership, enabling significant breakthroughs, educational empowerment, and the development of novel commercial ideas based on research. Our vision encompasses the creation of a University Network that fosters knowledge exchange and accelerates DLT adoption through our grant programs. Read more