Crypto Hipster

Ian Smith is CEO & CTO at Quantum EVM.Ian is a seasoned technologist with 21+ years of experience spanning blockchain, cryptography, cloud microservices, and AI-driven solutions.Proficient in 20+ languages, including Golang, Python, and C++, he has led groundbreaking projects across industries. Ian has worked with major organizations like NASA, Oracle, VISA, and Boeing, contributing to secure, scalable systems in finance, IoT, and blockchain.With deep expertise in cryptography and post-quantum security, Ian has designed advanced blockchain architectures and smart contract platforms. His blend of technical depth and leadership makes him a key innovator in next-generation digital ecosystems.Social: https://x.com/IanSmith_HSAWebsite: https://quantumevm.com/

Jean Criss is an author, columnist, digital media-preneur, tech innovator, and fashion designer who thrives on bringing engaging community, content development, emerging techand communications to life. A 5X author, 4X award-winning e-commerce, digital creator, fashion designer, and global leader in support of emerging tech and women empowerment. Contact Jean for writing, speaking and creative content engagements info@jeancrissmedia.com. Contact: info@jeancrissmedia.com Websites: JeanCrissMedia.com and CRISSCROSSIntimates.comSocial sites:Linktr.ee/JeanCrissBooks: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BR2RQTH9/allbooks?LinkedIN: https://linkedin.com/in/jean-criss

Jean Criss is an author, columnist, digital media-preneur, tech innovator, and fashion designer who thrives on bringing engaging community, content development, emerging techand communications to life. A 5X author, 4X award-winning e-commerce, digital creator, fashion designer, and global leader in support of emerging tech and women empowerment. Contact Jean for writing, speaking and creative content engagements info@jeancrissmedia.com. Contact: info@jeancrissmedia.com Websites: JeanCrissMedia.com and CRISSCROSSIntimates.comSocial sites:Linktr.ee/JeanCrissBooks: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BR2RQTH9/allbooks?LinkedIN: https://linkedin.com/in/jean-criss

Joanna Zeng is the co-founder and CEO of SOON Network. Before establishing SOON, Joanna used to be a currency trader on Wall Street and has since held significant roles in business development and product management at Aleo, Optimism, and Coinbase. She also served as a founding board member of CryptoNYC and is an active angel investor.

In this insightful discussion, Joanna Zeng, co-founder and CEO of SOON Network and former Wall Street currency trader, shares her journey into the crypto world. She dives into Ethereum's evolution and the promising user-centric culture emerging from Solana. Joanna discusses the potential for bridging the Ethereum and Solana ecosystems, highlighting the importance of performance and decentralization. The conversation also covers regulatory challenges and the future of tokenized finance, emphasizing the shift of traditional assets onto blockchain.

Vakeesan Mahalingam, CFA is Founder & CEO at Torram.Ex-institutional trader turned VC turned founder, Vakeesan blends 8 years of investment industry expertise with deep experience in startups and emerging technologies. As the CEO and co-founder of Torram, he’s leading the charge in Bitcoin-native DeFi, pioneering solutions that bridge traditional finance with the decentralized economy.More than just an innovator, Vakeesan thrives at the intersection of strategy, execution, and disruption. His expertise in business development, partnerships, and capital raising—combined with a sharp focus on crypto assets and blockchain technology—positions him as a leading voice in the future of finance. Through Torram, he’s breaking down barriers to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential, making DeFi more accessible, scalable, and ready for institutions.https://www.linkedin.com/in/vakeesanm/Website:https://torram.xyz/

Vakeesan Mahalingam, CFA is Founder & CEO at TorramEx-institutional trader turned VC turned founder, Vakeesan blends 8 years of investment industry expertise with deep experience in startups and emerging technologies. As the CEO and co-founder of Torram, he’s leading the charge in Bitcoin-native DeFi, pioneering solutions that bridge traditional finance with the decentralized economy.More than just an innovator, Vakeesan thrives at the intersection of strategy, execution, and disruption. His expertise in business development, partnerships, and capital raising—combined with a sharp focus on crypto assets and blockchain technology—positions him as a leading voice in the future of finance. Through Torram, he’s breaking down barriers to unlock Bitcoin’s full potential, making DeFi more accessible, scalable, and ready for institutions.https://www.linkedin.com/in/vakeesanm/Website:https://torram.xyz/

David Materazzi is CEO & Founder of ⁠Galileo FX⁠ and Orion Software Development Srl. headquartered in Italy with offices in New York and Tokyo. Since 2020, his firm has specialized in developing automated trading software that eliminates the need for constant manual monitoring. The company’s flagship product, Galileo FX, uses advancedalgorithms and customizable strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and operates 24/7, providing a significant advantage over traditional manual trading. With over 15 years of executive experience in the equity and currency markets, he previously handled Partner Acquisition at an investment fund in Canada. David uses his forward-thinking approach to create innovative software solutionsthat make trading simpler, transforming complexity into clarity, challenges into opportunities, and traders into confident investors. He is a recognized thought leader and frequent contributor to Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Reuters,MSN.com, Benzinga, USA Today, NASDAQ, The Epoch Times, The Street, US News & World Report, and other business media. Connect with him on LinkedIn at ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaterazzi/⁠

David Materazzi is CEO & Founder of Galileo FX and Orion Software Development Srl. headquartered in Italy with offices in New York and Tokyo. Since 2020, his firm has specialized in developing automated trading software that eliminates the need for constant manual monitoring. The company’s flagship product, Galileo FX, uses advancedalgorithms and customizable strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and operates 24/7, providing a significant advantage over traditional manual trading. With over 15 years of executive experience in the equity and currency markets, he previously handled Partner Acquisition at an investment fund in Canada. David uses his forward-thinking approach to create innovative software solutionsthat make trading simpler, transforming complexity into clarity, challenges into opportunities, and traders into confident investors. He is a recognized thought leader and frequent contributor to Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Reuters,MSN.com, Benzinga, USA Today, NASDAQ, The Epoch Times, The Street, US News & World Report, and other business media. Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaterazzi/

After growing up surrounded by over 20 struggling artists, performers, and art historians in his family and a decade long career as a creative director in NYC ad agencies, Jaime Schwarz filed the world's first NFT patent, "A system and method for identifying virtual goods," to advance the creative industry's security, accessibility, expression, and equity. Now that this patent has been granted, Jaime is the founder of MRKD.dj, the world's only grouped asset NFT music format that carries the rights to the splits and samples as well as the remixes themselves so everyone can truly the music because everyone can now remix, rights included. Jaime is honored to have Keith Shocklee of The Bomb Squad and Public Enemy as the front man and co-founder of MRKD.dj, set to lead the next generation of DJing, collabing, and remixing.As a serial startup co-founder, Jaime has focused on self, company, and system betterment for the past decade while living with his wife and two boys in Hastings on Hudson, NY, serving as a marketing adjunct at CUNY's CCNY and on the board of Wayfinders on the Hudson.