Anton Golub

Chief Investment Officer

Freedx

About the Moderator:

Anton Golub is a seasoned executive with over 10 years of experience in the crypto and traditional finance markets. Anton has been instrumental in scaling multiple businesses in the crypto industry. Anton expertise spans crypto exchanges and market-making, backed by a strong industry experience and academic foundation in financial mathematics & computer science.

Mandy Naidoo

Chief Compliance Officer

Yellow Card

About the Panelist:

Mandy Naidoo, Yellow Card’s Chief Compliance Officer, has 20 years of experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, and ethics compliance. She previously led compliance at MoneyGram, Investec, Absa, and Standard Bank. Based in Dubai, she holds a psychology degree, compliance certifications, and specializes in crypto compliance and emerging regulatory risks.

Amgad Attia

Director, MENA Region

Tradeview

About the Panelist:

Mr. Amgad is an veteran of the financial industry with over 20 years of experience working on Wall Street in New York City. he is a regular contributor on major TV news networks in the MENA region providing insight into the global financial markets.

Terri-Leigh Bennett

Chief Operating Officer

CMS Financial

About the Panelist:

Terri-Leigh Bennett is the COO of CMS Prime, a leading trading firm with over 20 years in the market. A fintech and crypto background, she has led crypto exchange and NFT marketplace development, driving innovation, regulation, and growth in global trading and digital assets. With extensive experience in scaling operations and market expansion, she is committed to shaping the future of finance and blockchain technology.

Jason Sheman

Chief Operating Officer

Bitcoin.com

About the Panelist:

Jason Sheman serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Bitcoin.com, a globally recognized leader in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. With over eight years of experience driving the company’s growth, Jason has played a pivotal role in strategically expanding Bitcoin.com’s presence across key markets, including Singapore, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Originally from Toronto, Jason’s journey with Bitcoin.com began when he joined the company during its early days in Tokyo, Japan. This international experience has shaped his unique perspective on the cryptocurrency industry, enabling him to navigate cultural and market-specific challenges while building a truly global brand. As a young executive with a dynamic professional journey, Jason has combined his entrepreneurial mindset with his operational expertise to help steer Bitcoin.com’s transformation into one of the world’s leading self-custody crypto wallet providers. Jason’s insights into the crypto industry’s influence on world economies highlight the transformative potential of blockchain as a borderless and inclusive technology. His firsthand experience in expanding a global business and his personal journey of leaving Toronto to seek opportunities abroad position him as an engaging and relatable speaker. Jason is passionate about discussing the intersection of crypto adoption and economic empowerment, as well as sharing lessons learned from his international professional adventures.

Khalid Mazouz

General Partner

M55 Capital

About the Panelist:

Khalid Mazouz is a distinguished leader in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry with over 11 years of experience in crypto markets. He is the General Partner of M55 Capital, a French crypto-native investment fund, where he has led investments in over 300 projects spanning primary and secondary markets. Khalid’s career began in 2013 as an early adopter of Bitcoin. He later launched and operated Gatecoin China, the first HK-regulated crypto exchange, which grew to become one of the third largest BTC/Euro trading platforms globally before getting hacked in 2016. Khalid has spoken at major global events, including Token 2049 in Singapore and Dubai, and Hong Kong Blockchain Week in 2024, sharing expert insights on Bitcoin, investment trends, DePIN, AI, and RWA. With a proven track record in both investment and operational leadership, Khalid is a recognized opinion leader across Asia and Europe. His thoughtful perspectives on crypto markets and industry dynamics make him an engaging and insightful speaker for industry conferences.

Naeem Aslam

CIO | Columnist

Zaye Capital Markets | Nasdaq

About the Moderator:

Naeem Aslam is a seasoned finance and investment expert with over 15 years of experience. He is the Founder and CIO of Zaye Capital Markets and has a background as an ex-Hedge Fund Trader at Bank of New York. A regular guest on Fox Business and Bloomberg, he provides expert insights on finance, fintech, and macroeconomics. A NASDAQ columnist and former Forbes contributor, he also lectures at the London School of Economics and Warwick Business School.

Amira Soliman

Co- Founder| CEO

Time Guardian| Athar

About the Moderator:

Amira Soliman, CEO of Time Guardian Athar, leads the launch of crypto-enabled financial solutions integrating payments, DeFi lending, and digital asset management. With 25+ years in banking and fintech, she bridges TradFi and DeFi, driving innovation and strategic partnerships to scale Time Guardian Athar across the MENA region and beyond.

David Palmer

Chief Product Officer

Pairpoint by Vodafone

About the Panelist:

David Palmer is a digital visionary, innovator, and author. He is the Chief Product Officer and co-founder of the Pairpoint by Vodafone IoT and Web3 platform Digital Asset Broker (DAB). He is board member of the Asia Web3 Alliance, international speaker on Web3, and the author of a new book entitled “The Business of the Metaverse – How Organisations Can Optimize the Opportunities of Web3 and AI.” David is recognised as one of the top 20 people to watch in Web3, and one of the top 30 Metaverse industry leaders. Most recently he has been working on the opportunities associated with AI, Web3, IoT and Fintech to power new business models for digital businesses and enterprise

Mohamed Allam

Protocol Research Analyst

Messari

About the Panelist:

Mohamed Allam is a Protocol Research Analyst at Messari with extensive experience in AI, blockchain, and economics. Holding a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence and pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Chicago, Mohamed specializes in the intersection of emerging technologies and policy. With a background spanning aerospace, finance, and decentralized systems, he is passionate about leveraging AI and blockchain to drive innovation and informed governance in the digital asset space.

Matthew Ng

MENA Partner

York St Capital

About the Panelist:

Matthew is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and four successful company exits across e-commerce, manufacturing, energy, and automotive sectors. As the creator of the NFT project ToastPunk, he has collaborated with over 150 partners including Binance, OKX, the Alpine F1 Racing Team, and global icon Neymar Jr. Now based in Dubai, Matthew leads operations at York St Capital, where he oversees institutional funding, crypto OTC trades, and strategic crypto projects across the MENA region. He is also a regular speaker at major events like TOKEN2049 and has shared the stage with leading venture capital figures such as Yat Siu, Co-Founder of Animoca Brands. Matthew continues to drive innovation in the digital finance space through strategic partnerships, investment, and leadership.

Omar Sbay

Manager- Leading Virtual Assets Strateg

PWC

About the Panelist:

Omar Sbay is a Manager at PwC, specializing in virtual assets and blockchain strategy. With a robust background in consulting and financial services, he leads PwC’s initiatives on digital assets, helping clients navigate regulatory frameworks, digital transformation, and the integration of blockchain technologies. Omar is passionate about bridging the gap between traditional finance and the evolving digital economy, and is recognized for his expertise in developing innovative, compliant solutions for organizations entering the virtual assets space.

Elias Ahonen

PhD Researcher

University of Turku | Cointelegraph

About the Moderator:

Elias Ahonen is a blockchain author and legal expert described as ?one of the first Bitcoin historians? due to his 2016 book, Physical Bitcoins and Crypto-Currencies. His 2021 book, Blockland, serves as an industry textbook. A frequent contributor to Cointelegraph, his expertise is acknowledged in international media including The Wall Street Journal. With an academic background in Philosophy, Economics, and Political Science, his MA in International and Comparative Law (MICL) thesis, Encoded Territory, explores legal questions related to NFT?s and the metaverse. He is a broker and avid collector of crypto memorabilia and launched his consulting company Token Valley at the beginning of the ICO boom in 2017.

Rifad Mahasneh

Chief Executive Officer- MENA

OKX

About the Panelist:

Rifad is the CEO of OKX for the MENA region. He brings in over a decade of experience in business strategy, management and public policy in the MENA region. Prior to OKX, Rifad was the Vice President and General Manager of Rain Financial in the UAE. Rifad's earlier roles included leading Uber's ride hailing business in the GCC and the levant region; Rifad has a bachelors degree from the University of Toronto and an MBA from IE Business school.

Shantnu Saxena

Chief Executive Officer

ENCRYPTUS

About the Panelist:

Shantnu Saxena is the founder of Encryptus (Regulated and Licensed Crypto <> Fiat) payment providers with licenses in UAE, Europe, and Asia Pacific. He is also the CEO of Anzens (Cardano backed and Emurgo supported) stable coin. He has been working in the payments space for 10+ years and in the crypto space for 8+ years. Shantnu got into crypto in 2016 to build the model between Bitcoin and money transfers for BitPesa and later went on to lead the business of Huobi in Middle East and Africa as their CEO. He supported several other companies like Paxful and LBank as Strategic Advisor. He spoke at conferences like Consensus, WebX Japan, India Blockchain Week, CryptoExpo to name a few.

Haris Khan

VP Growth and Marketing

Rain

About the Panelist:

Haris Khan is Group VP of Growth at Rain, with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and growth strategy. He has held leadership roles at Careem, Noon, and Al Tayer, specializing in SEO, performance marketing, and revenue-driven growth across emerging markets and high-growth digital platforms.

Sourabh Kumar

Chief Executive Officer

World Crypto Council OU

About the Panelist:

An influential figure in the Blockchain & Digital Assets sector since 2020, Sourabh has played a pivotal role in driving global Cryptocurrency adoption across numerous countries. Serving as an Advisor to the UN Innovation Network and holding the position of CEO at World Crypto Council, his journey has been marked by remarkable milestones.

Dmytro Matviiv

Chief Executive Officer

HackenProof

About the Panelist:

Dmytro Matviiv is the CEO of HackenProof, a leading bug bounty platform in the web3 space working with crypto leaders such as Near, TON, MetaMask, 1inch, Polygon, OKX, Sui and more. Dmytro has spent 11 years in data encryption, authentication and developing cybersecurity products. Nowadays, HackenProof consists of a community of over 35K security researchers. HackenProof’s primary aim is to offer crowdsourced services such as bug bounty programs, smart contract contests

Anndy Lian

Intergovernmental Blockchain Advisor and Investor to VulpeFi

Industry Expert

About the Moderator:

Anndy Lian is an all-rounded business strategist in Asia. He has provided advisory across a variety of industries for local, international, and public-listed companies and governments. He is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur, book author, investor, board member, and keynote speaker. He was previously working closely with Hyundai DAC, Bybit, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Asian Productivity Organisation and Singapore Business Federation.

Hakim Bousba

Director & Head of Crypto

Surge Group

About the Panelist:

Hakim is a seasoned crypto expert and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in blockchain and Web3. As a founder of three ventures with one successful exit, he has a proven track record of building and scaling impactful projects. Hakim serves as a trusted advisor to Web3 startups, helping them grow from concept to execution. Dedicated to decentralization, transparency, and empowering Web3 builders, Hakim continues to shape the future of blockchain technology.

Jehanzeb Awan

Founder| CEO

j. awan & partners

About the Panelist:

Jehanzeb Awan is the Founder and CEO of J. Awan & Partners, a global consulting firm specializing in technology-driven governance, risk, and compliance solutions. He is also the Founder and CEO of Azakaw, a leading RegTech company offering compliance solutions to diverse industries worldwide. In addition to his executive roles, Jehanzeb is the Chairman of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Crypto and Blockchain Association, helping to shape the future of digital finance in the region. Jehanzeb?s career spans key leadership roles, including his tenure as Regional Head of Compliance for Morgan Stanley?s operations in the MENA region, and Head of Compliance at the National Bank of Dubai (now Emirates NBD). His professional journey began in New York with Hornblower & Weeks, followed by a role at Raymond James & Associates in Philadelphia. Jehanzeb holds a BSc degree with Magna Cum Laude honors from the University of Arizona and is an active member of the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists and several other regulatory bodies.

Mete Al

Co-founder

ICB Network

About the Panelist:

Mete is a visionary entrepreneur and a trailblazer in blockchain and cryptocurrencies who has revolutionized the digital economy. As the founder of nfttalent.io and ICB Verse, powered by ICB Network, he has redefined blockchain applications, driving innovation, and unlocking new possibilities in both the creative and financial industries. Skilled market analyst and financial adviser with expertise in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and international market analysis. Author of six insightful books on cryptocurrency and worldwide speaker at webinars, workshops, and articles who has simplified complex concepts in blockchain, stablecoins, and cryptocurrency. Mete has spoken at prestigious conferences in 28 countries across Asia, including Gitex and Blockchain Life in Dubai, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and the GCC countries. Dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to harness blockchain’s potential, drive sustainable innovation, and create a more connected digital future.

Pratik Gauri

Founder| CEO

5ire

About the Panelist:

Pratik Gauri is the founder & CEO of 5ire.org. He conceptualized the term 5th industrial revolution as a founding principle for shaping a for-purpose world that combines sustainability, innovation and business viability.

Ali Boukhalfa

Head of MENA

P2P.org

About the Moderator:

Ali Boukhalfa is the Head of MENA at P2P.org, leading strategic growth and partnerships across the region. With deep expertise in blockchain and staking, he drives institutional adoption of Web3 infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa.

Federico Tenga

Research & Development

Bitfinex

About the Panelist:

Federico Tenga is a Bitcoin and crypto industry expert with over 10 years of experience. As Head of R&D at Bitfinex, he focuses on Bitcoin innovation, including the RGB Protocol and Layer 2 solutions. A co-founder of Chainside, he has also advised the Italian government on blockchain strategies and technologies.

Jose J. Perez Aguinaga

Co-Founder | CTO

Tungsten Custody Solutions

About the Panelist:

Jose J. Perez Aguinaga is the Co-Founder and CTO of Tungsten, specializing in institutional digital asset custody in the UAE. With over 10 years of experience in blockchain, Web3, and cryptography, he has led engineering teams globally and developed innovative solutions in fintech and decentralized systems. A passionate educator and technologist, Jose is dedicated to advancing secure digital asset infrastructure and privacy-focused technologies.

Corbin Fraser

Chief Executive Officer

Bitcoin.com

About the Panelist:

A ten year veteran of the crypto industry, Corbin is an entrepreneur and engineer by training, currently serving as Bitcoin.com’s CEO. Corbin has been with Bitcoin.com since 2017 working as both an engineering lead and senior product manager. Corbin has been the instrumental force behind the development of Bitcoin.com’s industry- leading non-custodial wallet platform, a hub for over 50 million self-custodial wallets. Corbin is a vocal advocate for Bitcoin, defi, decentralization, peer-to-peer cash and expanding financial access to unbanked populations. With his role at Bitcoin.com, Corbin is turning his advocacy into action.

Gopal Bharvad

Co-Founder & CDO

HEDGIT

About the Panelist:

Gopal Bharvad is a Bitcoin miner and digital asset expert with over a decade of experience. As co-founder of Hedgit, he focuses on structured product wealth management, integrating Bitcoin centric strategies. Passionate about education and innovation, he actively advocates for Bitcoin’s role in the future of money and healthcare through 21m.

Qi Ai

Chief Marketing Officer

SAIHEAT

About the Moderator:

Qi Ai, CMO of SAIHEAT (NASDAQ: SAIH), brings 5+ years of experience across crypto mining, L1/L2 chains, and ecosystem projects. She now leads SAIHEAT’s push for sustainable crypto by integrating renewable energy into next-gen mining infrastructure.

Qi Ai

Chief Marketing Officer

SAIHEAT

About the Moderator:

Qi Ai, CMO of SAIHEAT (NASDAQ: SAIH), brings 5+ years of experience across crypto mining, L1/L2 chains, and ecosystem projects. She now leads SAIHEAT’s push for sustainable crypto by integrating renewable energy into next-gen mining infrastructure.

Qi Ai

Chief Marketing Officer

SAIHEAT

About the Moderator:

Qi Ai, CMO of SAIHEAT (NASDAQ: SAIH), brings 5+ years of experience across crypto mining, L1/L2 chains, and ecosystem projects. She now leads SAIHEAT’s push for sustainable crypto by integrating renewable energy into next-gen mining infrastructure.

Reza Nedjatian

CEO of Phoenix Mining, AI, and Data Centres

Phoenix Group

About the Panelist:

Reza Nedjatian serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix Group’s Global Mining Operations. With over a decade of experience in business development and project management, Reza is a leading CEO behind the operations and management arm. He drives the success of mining operations on a global scale through his strategic vision and commitment. Reza has extensive experience operating and managing mining sites worldwide, as well as in the energy sector, and has successfully spearheaded various projects to fruition, resulting in the delivery of over 300 MW of power on a global scale.

Arun Ramachandran

Managing Director| CEO

DeFiTech

About the Panelist:

Arun Ramachandran is the Group CEO of UAE-based crypto mining companies Maze and DeFiTech, pioneering revolutionary immersion mining technologies and blockchain software platforms. His innovations transform Bitcoin mining efficiency in the hot climates, empowering miners from individuals to institutions and governments, while combating the water crisis using crypto mining.

Norman Yang

Head of Global Sales

Meta Luban

About the Panelist:

Norman, with over five years of experience in Bitcoin mining, serves as Head of Global Sales at Meta-luban. Under his leadership, the company operates 500MW of self-owned mining facilities and has established repair centers across five continents, positioning Meta-luban as a global leader in mining services and innovation.

Dan Liu

CEO & CFO Assistant

Fog Hashing

About the Panelist:

Dan Liu is CFO and CEO Assistant at Fog Computing Inc., driving financial strategy, global partnerships, and sustainable infrastructure in digital mining. With prior experience in finance, she brings deep expertise in cross-border operations, fundraising, and scaling green technologies in the high-performance computing industry.

Max Lighter

Partner

MaxCapital fund

About the Moderator:

Max Lighter is a theoretical mathematician and MBA in finance with over 20 years of experience in C-level positions in his own businesses and investment banking. He is also a speaker, advisor, and analyst, and has been a crypto enthusiast since 2017

Bogdan Ivaniuk

Chief Technology Officer

Alpha AML

About the Moderator:

Bogdan Ivaniuk is Co-Founder and CTO at Alpha AML, specializing in quantitative research, AI/ML engineering, and algorithmic trading. With extensive fintech leadership experience, he develops advanced trading strategies for global markets, blending technical innovation with deep financial expertise. Bogdan is a recognized speaker on AI-driven finance and technology entrepreneurship.

Cristina Najera

Founder

Najera Ventures

About the Panelist:

As Founder of Najera Ventures, host of Freedom with Web 3 podcast and building the Algorand Community in the United Arab Emirates, I've channeled my passion for impacting the word by solving real life problems into creating a space that supports the decentralized space through strategic partnerships, hosting events, business development and compelling content. Our focus is on empowering a diverse audience to confidently navigate and succeed in this innovative landscape.

Shyam Vaja

Co-Founder

ACT Systematic

About the Panelist:

Shyam brings a combined background of both blockchain technology along with a trading background. Situated in the UAE to expand operations in MENA & Asia

Yax Sheth

Chief Executive Officer

ChainClave

About the Panelist:

CEO of ChainClave, a global Web3 development company with clients in 22+ countries. I've delivered 100+ Web3 sessions, spoken at major events, and won awards like Youngest CEO of the Year. I also host YaxVaani, a podcast featuring real conversations with Web3 leaders.

Matthew Ng

MENA Partner

York St Capital

About the Panelist:

Matthew is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and four successful company exits across e-commerce, manufacturing, energy, and automotive sectors. As the creator of the NFT project ToastPunk, he has collaborated with over 150 partners including Binance, OKX, the Alpine F1 Racing Team, and global icon Neymar Jr. Now based in Dubai, Matthew leads operations at York St Capital, where he oversees institutional funding, crypto OTC trades, and strategic crypto projects across the MENA region. He is also a regular speaker at major events like TOKEN2049 and has shared the stage with leading venture capital figures such as Yat Siu, Co-Founder of Animoca Brands. Matthew continues to drive innovation in the digital finance space through strategic partnerships, investment, and leadership.