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.

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

Proud tax partners of Coinbase, Metamask, H&R Block, TNF, RKO, Citrin Cooperman, H.t Digital, Binance, Bybit, Phantom, Fuel3 and more. I lead strategic partnerships across the U.S for crypto tax compliance.

At the intersection of real estate, law, and emerging technology, Mona Hall McKenzie, Esq. is a forward-thinking professional uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between traditional property markets and the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrency. With more than 30 years of experience across the real estate and legal industries, she brings a rare combination of practical expertise and visionary thinking to every conversation.

Her commitment to blockchain innovation is reflected in her active leadership and membership roles within the space. She currently serves as the Prince George’s County Ambassador for the Maryland Blockchain Association, and is a member of the Government Blockchain Association, the Blockchain Legal Institute, and the Global Blockchain Business Council. Through these affiliations, she is at the forefront of exploring how distributed ledger technology, smart contracts, and tokenization are fundamentally transforming real estate transactions, property ownership, and investment strategies.

Her deep roots in real estate and law provide a powerful foundation for this work. She serves as a Commercial Real Estate Broker specializing in multifamily properties with KW Commercial, and as an Associate Broker in the Residential Division at Keller Williams Preferred Properties in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She serves clients across Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, and is part of a commercial investment team that collectively owns over $13 million in multifamily properties. Her career has spanned roles as a licensed attorney, EEO/Fair Housing/Marketing Specialist, Residential Associate Broker, investor, and landlord/property manager — giving her a 360-degree view of the industry that blockchain stands to disrupt and enhance.

Her legal training sharpens her understanding of the regulatory, contractual, and compliance dimensions of blockchain adoption in real estate — an area of critical importance as governments and institutions navigate this new landscape. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Pittsburgh. She is also a current CCIM candidate, underscoring her dedication to continuous professional growth.

When not working with clients or advancing blockchain education, Mona volunteers with several real estate-oriented organizations. She is guided by a principle that increasingly resonates in the digital asset era: “Building Multi-Generational Wealth, One Property at a Time.”

Benjamin Diggles is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Constellation Network, with over 25 years of experience in web, software development, and digital design. He specializes in go-to-market strategy for emerging enterprise technologies, including blockchain and mobile, and is known for building and leading cross-functional teams that deliver scalable, real-world solutions.

Dave is a Chief Product Officer with 25+ years of experience scaling product-led businesses in VC- and PE-backed companies. He specializes in commercializing emerging technologies, driving ARR growth, and aligning product strategy with measurable business impact. He has led global teams across product, engineering, marketing, and customer success, delivering enterprise platforms in Web3, AI/ML, cybersecurity, IoT, and automation. Dave is known for building high-performing teams and partnering with executives and boards to create long-term value.

Bourn is a Senior Corporate Counsel in the corporate and commercial practice at BeesMont Law Limited. He advises on a wide range of local and international corporate and regulatory matters, with experience in banking and finance, debt capital markets, trustee practice, trade finance, Islamic finance, investment funds, real estate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and structuring transactions. Bourn’s practice has a particular emphasis on digital asset businesses and structures, including advising in relation to establishment and licensing of digital asset businesses in Bermuda. Before joining BeesMont, Bourn gained experience working in several overseas jurisdictions including England and Wales, the Channel Islands and the Russian Federation.

Lawyer admitted in Spain, England and Wales. Co-founder and CEO of asset tokenization project (RealFund) and on-chain dispute resolution (ArbStore). Ethics & Compliance Officer with several large multinational technology companies. C-Suite since 2000, including the Management Board of a USD20bn NASDAQ-US listed company. Director of the IE-Elecnor Business Knowledge Hub.

Adjunct professor at IE University and IE Business School, lecturing on blockchain, ethics, sustainability, governance and compliance. Frequent speaker at international conferences and business schools. Chapter Lead of Government Blockchain Association in Spain. Co-founder of the International Tech Law Consortium (ITLC). Member of the Advisory Board at Blockchain Legal Institute (BLI) .

Marjolein Geus has led the European Blockchain Sandbox project, an initiative of the European Commission that ran from 2023 until the beginning of 2026. She is a partner at the international law firm Bird & Bird, specializing in European and international regulatory projects with a focus on innovation and technology. Marjolein is the Chair of Bird & Bird’s Global Tech & Comms Group and head of the firm’s international Regulatory and Public Affairs group.