Crypto Hipster

Gijs op de Weegh is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur in the financial technology sector, with a particular focus on the payments industry and the integration of blockchain technology. In April 2023, Gijs founded StablR, where he currently serves as CEO and Founder. StablR is dedicated to developing a robust Euro stablecoin ecosystem, emphasizing regulatory compliance and transparency in the digital currency space. Gijs is particularly passionate about the application of stablecoins and their potential to enhance transaction efficiency and security within the financial sector.Gijs holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Amsterdam, which complements his strategic vision and operational expertise. He is fluent in Dutch and English, with limited proficiency in German, allowing him to engage effectively in diverse business environments.Throughout his career, Gijs has been an advocate for the adoption of innovative technologies in finance, believing that blockchain can significantly reshape the industry. His thought leadership is evident through his publications and speaking engagements, where he shares insights on the evolving landscape of fintech and the critical role of compliance in the adoption of digital currencies.In addition to his professional achievements, Gijs is committed to fostering a collaborative ecosystem in the fintech space, working closely with partners to drive growth and innovation. His vision for StablR includes leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create a seamless financial infrastructure that benefits businesses and consumers alike.Social links: LinkedInTwitter/X

Yannik Schrade is the CEO and Co-Founder of Arcium, a parallelized confidential computing network, bringing fast, scaleable and universal encryption. As the lead architect and visionary behind Arcium, Yannik created the project by leveraging his expertise in cryptography with the goal of advancing data security and confidentiality.  A renowned thought leader, Yannik has spoken at several prominent industry conferences, including the 2024 World Economic Forum, where he challenged TradFi leaders on the importance of decentralization, privacy, and trustlessness.    He previously founded ShiftScreen, an iOS app, which attracted over 100,000 paying customers and was a regular top seller globally. Yannik studied Computer Science and Mathematics at the Technical University of Munich, and he also studied law, adding another dimension to his extensive portfolio. 

Amir Forouzani is Core Contributor at Puffer Finance and an ex-scientist at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratories. Puffer is focused anti-slashing liquid restaking technology.

As the Head of Digital Assets at io.finnet, Michael Cunningham brings a truly unique blend of technical expertise and industry experience to his role. His background includes a degree in Materials Science and Engineering , as well as previous roles as  Head of Custody at Delchain Limited, Consultant for Relm Insurance and as a Commercialization Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This diverse background has equipped him with a distinctive perspective that fuels his innovative approach to digital assets. Michael's work at io.finnet has contributed to significant recognition, with the company being accepted into the MPC Alliance and the prestigious EY FinTech Growth Programme and receiving the FinNext Award for Excellence in Financial Institutions. These accolades are a testament to his visionary leadership and dedication to advancing io.finnet's mission. His leadership and insights make him a particularly compelling voice in the conversation around the future of digital assets and financial technology. As a recognized expert in his field, Michael continues to shape the trajectory of io.finnet through his work and foresight.

Danny Chong is co-founder of Tranchess, a DeFi protocol offering structured and liquid staking solutions. With over 17 years in investment banking at  Société Générale and BNP Paribas, he brings extensive leadership experience in trading, sales and management in the APAC region, advocating for a symbiotic relationship between DeFi and TradFi. Danny is also co-founder of the Digital Assets Association in Singapore, a non-profit association at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology into the fabric of traditional finance.

Taha Abbasi is a recognized leader in blockchain innovation, contributing significantly to the growth of decentralized finance and interoperability technologies. As the CTO of Ferrum Network, Taha has architected sophisticated systems for cross-chain communication, liquidity aggregation, and asset transfer, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the blockchain space. His work on OmniChain Liquidity and OmniSwaps has revolutionized how exchanges operate, offering seamless liquidity across multiple chains. At Ferrum Network, Taha has been instrumental in designing reward systems that enhance blockchain incentives, ensuring fair participation and engagement within the network. His pioneering efforts in Web3 conversion tracking have optimized blockchain analytics, providing valuable insights for developers and users alike. Outside the blockchain industry, Taha had a decorated career, serving as the CTO of five major companies, including National Geographic. He was also a technical consultant at Apple and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Taha is an alumnus of prestigious institutions like MIT Sloan and Harvard Extension School. Taha Abbasi's extensive experience and high-impact contributions make him a sought-after expert in blockchain technology and DeFi. His leadership and technical acumen continue to drive Ferrum Network towards new heights in the blockchain industry.

Max Galash is a serial entrepreneur, investor and advisor with over ten years of experience building technology companies in FinTech, Blockchain and IT services. Max is currently CEO of the fast-growing DeFi platform CoinChange Financials, and a Board Member at: https://wattum.io/, https://flyshot.io/, http://boxc.com/, and https://itmhouse.com/. Prior to his current roles, Maxim was Partner at venture capital firm BGS Ventures for 4 years. He was responsible for many early stage investment success stories at BGS Ventures, including https://strateos.com. In the early part of his career, Max worked as a business consultant, software developer and portfolio manager. His educational background includes a BAS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Toronto and Master of Business from PowerMBA.

Mitchell Gildenberg is the co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Switchboard, a fast, permissionless, and customizable oracle network that allows any developer to build the custom feed they need. Mitchell is a former third-level software engineer and technical lead of cloud services at Google, where he worked for over four years. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a master's degree in computer science.

Rennick Palley is Founding Partner at Stratos, an industry-leading VC firm focused on early-stage crypto projects. Rennick previously worked as a Research Associate at Sanders Capital, a $75 billion global equity manager. Rennick holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Applied Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University, along with a Masters in Quantitative Finance from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

J.D. Seraphine is a visionary leader and Web3 innovator in the fields of AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency, recognized for his engaging keynotes, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering commitment to driving positive change on a global scale. With a diverse background spanning technology, entertainment and philanthropy, J.D. is a dynamic force at the intersection of innovation and social impact. In 2018, he founded Raiinmaker, a Web3 and AI Technology Company that has developed the Raiinmaker AI Super App and Raiinmaker Network Protocol, which revolutionizes the monetization of users’ contribution to AI infrastructure.  Raiinmaker was developed to enable a seamless user experience for any person to access the value of a Web3 and AI powered Global Digital Economy. The company’s go to market strategy is focused on sports, gaming, entertainment, and the creator economy.  Seraphine’s expertise and thought leadership have garnered widespread recognition, with features in notable publications such as Forbes, Variety and The Block. His insights on regulatory challenges in blockchain entrepreneurship and innovative tokenization strategies have shaped industry discourse and influenced decision-makers around the globe. Two productions with Seraphine at the helm are in the works: Atari, a film about the brilliant life of the 1970’s video game ‘Pong’ creator, Nolan Bushnell, and A Brave New World docuseries, the follow up to the 5 episode series, Open Source Money, that aired on July 4, 2020 on Discovery Science. J.D. Seraphine inspires audiences at AI and blockchain events, and economic forums, with his compelling vision for the future and actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom and empowerment for people all over the world. From Laudato Si at the Vatican to Token 2049 in Dubai, his impactful keynotes have resonated with audiences, igniting conversations and catalyzing positive change that will shape a better world for generations to come. Follow J.D. on X at @commodorgonzo