Speakers

Hester M. Peirce was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was sworn in on January 11, 2018. Prior to joining the SEC, Commissioner Peirce conducted research on the regulation of financial markets at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She was a Senior Counsel on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where she advised Ranking Member Richard Shelby and other members of the Committee on securities issues. Commissioner Peirce served as counsel to SEC Commissioner Paul S. Atkins. She also worked as a Staff Attorney in the SEC’s Division of Investment Management.

Commissioner Peirce was an associate at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale) and clerked for Judge Roger Andewelt on the Court of Federal Claims. Commissioner Peirce earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Case Western Reserve University and her JD from Yale Law School.

Commissioner Peirce has been designated as the leader of the SEC’s Crypto Task Force.

A prominent figure in international relations.With a primary focus on promoting Bermuda in the global discourse, Anthony has been influential in spearheading and supporting business development initiatives, particularly those in the burgeoning fintech and digital asset sector.

Patrina Pelton-Smith is the principal consultant & CEO of The Business of Charity, LLC., a consultancy focused on formation, capacity building, and grant/proposal writing to support non-profit and small business clients in successfully funding their mission.
She is a member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), serving as the 2025-26 President for the NAWBO Houston Chapter.
Patrina is also an international speaker and trainer, having spoken at the 2022 NAWBO regional meeting, 2023 and 2024 GPA national and regional conferences, 2024 Fearlessly You: Vibrant Living Women’s Summit, the international 2024 Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, DeFi, and Conversation (CBDC) Cruise, hosted by the Blockchain Legal Institute, Inc, and the 2025 Best Boards Conference, hosted by Rice University, as well as hosting BOC Get Grants! Boot Camp training sessions. She continues to augment her skills through local and national webinars and conferences.

Kyle Langham is the Director of Data and Analytics at the DFINITY Foundation, where he leads initiatives focused on data strategy, analytics, and insights that support the growth of the Internet Computer ecosystem. His work centers on leveraging data to understand blockchain adoption, developer activity, and network performance. Kyle frequently shares insights on decentralized technologies, data-driven decision-making, and the future of Web3 infrastructure.

David is a retired IRS federal agent and cybercrime specialist with deep expertise in digital assets and data analytics. A pioneer in early crypto investigations, he contributed to foundational work that shaped enforcement in the space. He now leads a technology research and design company focused on AI and quantum-resistant systems.

Founder and Executive Director of the Government Blockchain Association (GBA), a global non-profit dedicated to connecting government and private sector innovators. With over 15,000 members across 120 cities, he leads an international network focused on solving public sector challenges through decentralized technology. His professional background includes over 30 years of experience in IT systems evaluation, government contracting, and 13 years of military service as an infantry and intelligence officer. Under his leadership, the GBA has developed the Blockchain Maturity Model (BMM), a framework recognized globally for establishing standards of trust and transparency in blockchain adoption. Gerard is a passionate advocate for using “trust protocols” to eliminate fraud and corruption in global governance.

Eric Guthrie is a partner at the Coach and Law Group and a recognized voice in the blockchain and digital asset space. He is the author of Blockchain or Die and Blockchain or Die Harder, where he explores the intersection of emerging technologies with finance, law, and global markets.
With a focus on the convergence of finance, regulation, and innovation, Eric brings a global perspective to digital assets, covering trends across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. His work highlights key areas such as tokenization, international regulation, national security considerations, and stablecoins—making him a sought-after speaker on the future of blockchain in a rapidly evolving world.

Carmen Pangilinan is a founding Director at the Alignment Ethics Center, where her work focuses on advancing responsible development and ethical alignment in artificial intelligence. With a background in business development and strategic advisory across emerging technologies, Carmen works at the intersection of innovation, governance, and industry adoption. She brings experience helping organizations translate complex technologies into practical strategies, partnerships, and real-world implementation.
In addition to her work in AI ethics, Carmen has expertise in blockchain and digital asset ecosystems, particularly in identifying business use cases and supporting organizations as they explore and adopt decentralized technologies. Across both industries, her work centers on strategic partnerships, ecosystem development, and advising teams on how emerging technologies can be deployed responsibly and effectively.

Tej Anand is Clinical Professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland in College Park. He serves as the Academic Director of the Blockchain Business Imperative and the Blockchain Business Accelerator. Tej began his work in the blockchain industry in 2015, focused on applying blockchain to ease the administrative burden and lack of transparency in healthcare data management. His work was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Since 2018, Tej has focused on full-time initiatives as an educator and leader on Blockchain, FinTech, and AI. He has mentored executives, undergraduate students, graduate students, veterans, and entrepreneurs. His foundational book “Blockchain and Smart Contract Ethereum Solution Development” was published in 2022. Tej conducted graduate work in AI and he holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. Additional current interests include blockchain analytics, threat detection, and blockchain & AI.

Senior Counsel at Mastercard, Global Blockchain and Digital Assets. Supporting on various aspects of crypto and blockchain-related initiatives, products, and services. Strong background and passion for FinTech, blockchain, and cryptocurrency developed through my previous roles and education. Previously a Group Legal Counsel at a Web 3 start up, where I built out critical early infrastructure, covering intellectual property, financial services, corporate, regulatory, and other matters at a global level.

Career started in a mix of traditional financial services industry, working at Northview Group and CMC Markets, focusing on secured lending, trading, derivatives, and commercial law.

Anthony Diaz is a globally recognized entrepreneur, visionary, and marketing maverick, and founder of multiple successful global ventures, serving as the Founder behind the RYO Project. With over 40 years of experience, he has built and scaled companies across health, wellness, marketing, and entertainment throughout Asia Pacific and global markets. A pioneer in cryptocurrency adoption since 2012, he is known for bridging traditional industries with the emerging Web3 economy, driving real-world utility and global impact.

Lani Dizon is a global entrepreneur and Co-Founder of the RYO Project, with over 32 years of experience in business development, global marketing, and executive leadership. She has co-founded and led multiple successful companies across wellness, beauty, fintech, and personal development. Known for building strong global networks and consumer-focused solutions, she is focused on driving real-world adoption of blockchain through accessibility, simplicity, and human-centered design.

Hiroshi Uehara is a prominent figure in the Japanese digital asset landscape, serving as the Representative Director and General Counsel of CoinHub. With deep expertise in Japanese regulatory compliance, he has worked closely with government bodies including the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. He is actively engaged with the FSA and JVCEA, helping navigate the legal and operational landscape of digital asset solutions in Japan’s evolving Web3 environment.

Bertram Seitz is a seasoned financial leader and the CEO of ARYZE, a pioneering Danish fintech firm dedicated to building the “plumbing” for the future of global payments. With over 40 years of experience across foreign exchange (FX), commodities, and trading, Bertram specializes in bridging the gap between legacy financial systems and the digital-first economy.

Hacken is an end-to-end blockchain security & compliance partner for digital assets. Unlike traditional providers, Hacken was born on blockchain. We combine deep Web3 & DLT expertise with enterprise-grade quality, AI-powered offensive security, and globally recognized certifications. Since 2017, Hacken has been trusted by 1,500 adopters including the European Commission, ADGM, MetaMask, Ethereum Foundation, and Binance to secure the new digital frontier