Crypto Hipster

Ilman Shazhaev is the founder and CEO of Dizzaract — one of the largest gaming studios in the Middle East. Ilman is an entrepreneur with a strong scientific background in AI, gaming, and web3. He has developed healthtech and gametech solutions that are used by businesses and governments worldwide. A recognized expert by the United Nations, Ilman has authored 46 scientific papers and holds 10 invention patents.His journey in web3 began in 2017 with the founding of Oneboost, and his passion for gaming led to the creation of Farcana, a game with a Bitcoin-backed prize pool. His work is reshaping the gaming landscape by integrating web3 elements into mainstream gaming.Recent media coverage: Arabian Business: Gaming industry poised for big churn with new breed of developers shifting to ‘play-generate value-earn’ model to boost user engagementCryptonaute: Farcana: révolutionner la GameFi avec le gameplay avant toutCointelegraph Magazine: Off The Grid may be the ‘catalyst’ for new crypto gaming bull run: Web3 GamerBlockchain Reporter: Web3 and Beyond: Ilman Shazhaev’s Vision for the Future of GameFi with FarcanaCrpto.news: GameFi investment is surging: Blockchain becomes a staple in every title | OpinionEvents speakership: AIBC World: Keynote speech

Timothy Tello is the CEO and Founder of 3thix, a passionate blockchain evangelist credited as the first person to receive an SEC no-action letter for an ERC-20 token. He also authored the patent for the use of custodial wallets on blockchain in games. With over a decade of experience, Tim is dedicated to transforming the gaming ecosystem through secure, decentralized payment solutions.

Timothy Tello is the CEO and Founder of 3thix, a passionate blockchain evangelist credited as the first person to receive an SEC no-action letter for an ERC-20 token. He also authored the patent for the use of custodial wallets on blockchain in games. With over a decade of experience, Tim is dedicated to transforming the gaming ecosystem through secure, decentralized payment solutions.

Lucy Coulden currently serves as Global Program Director, Polkadot Ambassador Fellowship, a role commenced in December 2024. Prior to this position, Lucy held the title of Director of Executive Operations at Parity Technologies from March 2022 to March 2024, and previously served as an Executive Assistant to the CEO. Lucy's career also includes significant roles such as C-Suite Executive Assistant at Improbable, Executive Assistant to the Founder CEO at Atomico, and various positions at QuadReal Property Group, Bain Capital, HgCapital, Real Staffing, and Tinies Childcare. With expertise in executive assistance, office management, and recruitment consulting, Lucy has demonstrated a consistent ability to manage complex tasks and support high-level executives across diverse industries. Lucy earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Queen Mary University of London and possesses a strong educational background in the sciences and humanities.

Lucy Coulden currently serves as Global Program Director, Polkadot Ambassador Fellowship, a role commenced in December 2024. Prior to this position, Lucy held the title of Director of Executive Operations at Parity Technologies from March 2022 to March 2024, and previously served as an Executive Assistant to the CEO. Lucy's career also includes significant roles such as C-Suite Executive Assistant at Improbable, Executive Assistant to the Founder CEO at Atomico, and various positions at QuadReal Property Group, Bain Capital, HgCapital, Real Staffing, and Tinies Childcare. With expertise in executive assistance, office management, and recruitment consulting, Lucy has demonstrated a consistent ability to manage complex tasks and support high-level executives across diverse industries. Lucy earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Queen Mary University of London and possesses a strong educational background in the sciences and humanities.

Marc Tillement is the Director of Pyth Network, leading the network’s expansion across the DeFi ecosystem and governance landscape. As one of the first non-technical contributors, Marc has had an incredible opportunity to voice his opinion on the direction of Pyth Network since early 2021. His work focuses on business development, strategic partnerships, and governance initiatives, ensuring Pyth Network’s presence across major DAOs and protocols. Marc’s background spans both TradFi and emerging technologies; after earning his Business Marketing degree from the University of Exeter in 2018, he moved to Hong Kong, where he worked in the radiology sector at Guerbet, designing go-to-market strategies and managing APAC operations. After experiencing 2020’s DeFi summer firsthand, Marc became an advocate for Pyth as the universal price layer for DeFi, working to expand its adoption, foster new integrations, and drive the next wave of financial innovation.

Marc Tillement is the Director of Pyth Network, leading the network’s expansion across the DeFi ecosystem and governance landscape. As one of the first non-technical contributors, Marc has had an incredible opportunity to voice his opinion on the direction of Pyth Network since early 2021. His work focuses on business development, strategic partnerships, and governance initiatives, ensuring Pyth Network’s presence across major DAOs and protocols. Marc’s background spans both TradFi and emerging technologies; after earning his Business Marketing degree from the University of Exeter in 2018, he moved to Hong Kong, where he worked in the radiology sector at Guerbet, designing go-to-market strategies and managing APAC operations. After experiencing 2020’s DeFi summer firsthand, Marc became an advocate for Pyth as the universal price layer for DeFi, working to expand its adoption, foster new integrations, and drive the next wave of financial innovation.

Ben James is the Founder of 404, a Web3 platform revolutionizing 3D content creation by empowering users to build virtual worlds, games, and AR/VR/XR experiences without technical expertise. Leveraging decentralized technologies and advanced 3D generative models, 404 enables creators to bring their visions to life in real time, driving innovation in immersive digital content. Ben is also the CEO and Founder of Atlas, the Web2 counterpart of 404, focused on enhancing creativity in gaming and virtual world-building. A graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC (Magna Cum Laude) and holder of a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, Ben’s work has been exhibited at renowned venues such as the A+D Museum in Los Angeles, the Venice Architecture Biennale, and the Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York.

Ben James is the Founder of 404, a Web3 platform revolutionizing 3D content creation by empowering users to build virtual worlds, games, and AR/VR/XR experiences without technical expertise. Leveraging decentralized technologies and advanced 3D generative models, 404 enables creators to bring their visions to life in real time, driving innovation in immersive digital content. Ben is also the CEO and Founder of Atlas, the Web2 counterpart of 404, focused on enhancing creativity in gaming and virtual world-building. A graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC (Magna Cum Laude) and holder of a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, Ben’s work has been exhibited at renowned venues such as the A+D Museum in Los Angeles, the Venice Architecture Biennale, and the Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York.

Josie Leung is COO and Co-Founder of MilkyWay, the first and largest liquid staking and restaking protocol for the modular ecosystem. Previously in her career, Josie led product efforts at Crypto.com during DeFi Summer, supported ecosystem growth at Tendermint, and held roles at Composable Finance and LinkedIn. Her experience spans product development, business development, and community engagement, ensuring MilkyWay's operations and market presence align with its goals. Outside of work, Josie is a certified scuba dive master and yoga instructor.