BTCWire

San Francisco, CA, April 24, 2026
The John McPepe meme coin project has officially announced their launch party in Las Vegas, marking a historic intersection of internet meme culture and the defiant legacy of JOHN MCAFEE. The launch is planned for April 29th with a series of events in Las Vegas, including Afroman, Shooter McGavin, Riff Raff, Bobby Shmurda, and many more!
John McPepe serves as a tribute to the spirit of freedom and technical sovereignty championed by JOHN MCAFEE. By merging the iconic imagery of Pepe the Frog with MCAFEE’s history, the project creates a unique cultural movement for those who value privacy and the "Freedom Fighter" ethos.
The launch event will include a  high profile exhibition that merges the JOHN MCAFEE legacy with the elite tier of internet meme art. Featuring over a dozen original works from the world’s top Pepe artists, the launch establishes a new cultural landmark for the intersection of digital art and technical defiance.
PREMIER OF JOHN MCPEPE MOVIE TRAILER
In addition to the art showcase, the project has confirmed the upcoming release of a full length John McPepe movie, scheduled to premiere in theaters in June 2026. The film will provide an immersive look into the lore, philosophy, energy, and history of the movement.
A New Era of Digital Culture
The Las Vegas launch event marks the beginning of a massive summer for the project.
“We are bringing together the greatest artists in this culture to tell a story that needs to be heard,” the team from McPepe said. “Between the Las Vegas exhibition and the full length film coming in June, we are ensuring the JOHN MCAFEE legacy is captured with the intensity and creativity it deserves.”
About John McPepe
John McPepe is a digital culture project dedicated to promote the legacy of John MCAFEE. By collaborating with world class artists and producing original cinematic content, the project serves as a hub for freedod focused art and media.
Mcpepe.com

New York, NY, April 24, 2026
13o3, an international investment firm, is pleased to announce the launch of its new fund, Crypto Fund I, designed to invest in promising cryptocurrency assets and blockchain technologies. This fund will be part of the company’s strategy to expand its portfolio and diversify assets in the rapidly growing cryptocurrency sector.
13o3 has extensive experience in investment management and the successful launch of large-scale funds. These include projects such as Global Clean Energy, Tactical Opportunities Fund, World Technology Fund, World Mining Fund, World Gold Fund, and Global Infrastructure. These funds have attracted the attention of leading global investors and have shown consistent results.
The company has already begun active discussions with key partners and strategic investors, including major financial institutions such as BlackRock, JP Morgan, Kleiner Perkins, and Golden Gate Ventures, all of whom have previously financed 13o3’s past funds. This experience and the trust from renowned global leaders in the investment market will serve as the foundation for the success of Crypto Fund I.
Crypto Fund I will actively invest in a wide range of cryptocurrency and blockchain projects, focusing on key areas such as BTC/ETH - the leading cryptocurrencies that remain the backbone of many decentralized financial ecosystems and will continue to play a significant role in the market. The fund will also focus on investing in Liquid protocol tokens, which are cryptocurrencies and tokens that provide liquidity and can be used to create innovative financial solutions within DeFi (Decentralized Finance).
As part of its strategy, the fund will focus on Venture/Private Web3 equity, which will support startups and companies working in the Web3 space, blockchain ecosystems, and decentralized applications (dApps). This includes investments in promising projects aimed at developing new technologies and standards for the internet of the future.
Additionally, the fund plans to actively participate in RWA/tokenization rails - initiatives for tokenizing real-world assets, which will allow the creation of new forms of financial instruments and make them more accessible to a broader range of investors.
Furthermore, the fund will consider Market-neutral strategies, which involves applying flexible and balanced investment approaches to minimize risks and ensure stable returns despite market volatility. A key part of the fund’s strategy will involve Stablecoins, which will provide protection from market fluctuations and play a role in maintaining liquidity and financial flexibility.
The fund will also hold part of its capital in dry powder - reserves in fiat currencies, enabling the firm to swiftly respond to emerging opportunities for strategic investments at any given moment.
Thus, 13o3 aims to create a balanced portfolio that combines both high-risk and more stable assets, providing investors with access to a variety of investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology sectors.
About 13o3
13o3 is a boutique investment firm specializing in providing tailored solutions to complex and sophisticated business challenges for discerning clientele, primarily high-profile individuals. The company focuses on asset management and the creation of investment products that meet the highest standards and requirements of today’s market. 13o3 manages over $1.2 billion, actively working across energy, technology, mining, infrastructure, and financial technologies markets.
Website: 13o3.com

Chicago, USA, August 26–27, 2026
Building on over a decade of its flagship Instant Payments  Summit, Kinfos Events is proud to announce the launch of the Money Movement Ecosystem, a  premier two-day summit bringing together over 350+ leaders across banking, payments, fintech, and  retail to explore the future of how money moves in the United States. 
Event Details 
∙ Event Name: Money Movement Ecosystem  
∙ Date: August 26–27, 2026  
∙ Location: Chicago, USA  
∙ Website: www.kinfos.events/mm/ 
∙ Audience: Banking leaders, payments professionals, fintech innovators, merchants, and  technology providers 
Under the Money Movement Ecosystem umbrella, the summit features two distinct tracks:
1. Instant Payments & Beyond Summit 
Building on the legacy of the Instant Payments Summit, this track focuses on the evolution of real time payments and next-generation financial infrastructure. It explores RTP, FedNow, interoperability,  cross-border payments, stablecoins, liquidity, and the future of payment rails. 
2. PayTail Summit  
This track focuses on payments in retail and digital commerce, highlighting how innovation is shaping  checkout experiences and merchant strategies. It covers Pay-by-Bank, embedded payments, digital  wallets, fraud prevention, and omnichannel customer experiences. 
Together, these tracks connect the infrastructure of money movement with real-world commerce  applications, providing a holistic view of the payments ecosystem. 
Registration & Participation 
Early registration is now open, with a super early bird price of $1,695 for a 2-day pass.
Register now at: www.kinfos.events/mm/pricing-structure/ 
Organizations interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities are encouraged to reach out  at: vicky@kinfos.events or chloe@kinfos.co.uk 
About Kinfos Events 
Kinfos Events is a leading organizer of specialized conferences focused on payments, banking  innovation, and financial technology. With a decade-long legacy of hosting the Instant Payments  Summit, Kinfos Events continues to bring together global industry leaders to collaborate, share  insights, and shape the future of financial services.

Chicago, USA , April 21, 2026

Part of the Money Movement Ecosystem, the PayTail Summit focuses on retail commerce and  digital payments, examining how innovation is reshaping checkout experiences, customer journeys,  and revenue growth. The track brings together senior retail, ecommerce, payments, and technology  leaders to explore how payments are becoming a strategic driver of conversion, loyalty, and business  performance.  
Event Details 
∙ Event Name: PayTail Summit 
∙ Date: August 27, 2026  
∙ Location: Chicago, USA  
∙ Website: https://kinfos.events/paytail/ 
∙ Audience: Retail executives, ecommerce and payments leaders, fintech innovators, and  digital transformation teams. 
Topics include: 
∙ The state of retail growth and key drivers of revenue, margin, and customer loyalty  ∙ Winning the moment of payment: optimizing checkout to improve conversion  ∙ Agentic commerce and AI-driven real-time payment decisioning  
∙ Securing modern payments: cybersecurity, compliance, risk, and fraud prevention  ∙ The power of payment choice, including wallets, BNPL, and Pay-by-Bank  ∙ Embedded payments, unified commerce, and omnichannel experiences  
∙ Leveraging payments as a strategic lever for customer experience and growth Registration & Participation 
Early registration is now open, with a super early bird price of $695 for a 1-day pass. Register now at: www.kinfos.events/paytail/pricing-structure
Organizations interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities are encouraged to reach out  at: vicky@kinfos.events or chloe@kinfos.co.uk
Apply to speak at the PayTail Summit and share your insights with senior leaders shaping the future  of retail commerce and digital payments: 
www.kinfos.events/paytail/apply-for-speaking
About Kinfos Events 
Kinfos Events is a leading organizer of specialized conferences focused on payments, banking  innovation, and financial technology. With a decade-long legacy of hosting the Instant Payments  Summit, Kinfos Events continues to bring together global industry leaders to collaborate, share  insights, and shape the future of financial services.

Launches in the crypto industry have long ceased to be rare, yet truly meaningful ones can still be counted on one hand. From the perspective of an observer who regularly analyzes product architectures in fintech, the emergence of Genesis Kickstart by UNION appears not as another expansion of a product line, but as an attempt to rethink the very entry point into the system and the principles of capital interaction within it.
When viewed beyond marketing language, it becomes clear that this is a standalone structural layer rather than an add-on to existing tools. In practice, this reflects a departure from the conventional logic of “feature accumulation” in favor of building a parallel architecture capable of coexisting with already active mechanisms without conflict. This approach is relatively rare in a market where most products evolve through increasing complexity, often resulting in fragmentation and reduced controllability.
Particular attention should be paid to the access model. Kickstart is open to the entire existing user base, without segmentation between “new” and “existing” users. From an expert standpoint, this signals that the product was designed as a universal component of the system rather than a short-term acquisition tool. Moreover, the ability to participate regardless of already active Genesis structures preserves the continuity of user strategies — a factor frequently overlooked in comparable solutions.
The model of capital allocation is equally indicative. At this stage, investments are possible exclusively from the main wallet, suggesting a deliberate emphasis on centralized flow control and the minimization of internal liquidity fragmentation. At a time when the industry actively promotes flexibility as a primary advantage, such a restriction appears to be a conscious architectural decision rather than a limitation.
Another aspect worth highlighting is the absence of automatic reinvestment. Users are limited to manual reinvestment within predefined limits. At first glance, this may seem less convenient; however, from a capital management perspective, this model encourages more disciplined behavior and reduces risks associated with uncontrolled compounding cycles, particularly in volatile market conditions.
Taken together, these elements form a product that does not aim for immediate impact but instead builds a stable and predictable environment. In practice, these are precisely the characteristics that distinguish mature ecosystems from short-lived constructs designed for rapid capital inflow.
In my view, Genesis Kickstart should not be seen as a final product, but rather as an intermediate milestone within a broader transformation of the UNION ecosystem. The platform continues to move toward increasing internal architectural complexity while striving to maintain simplicity at the user level — a balance that is rarely achieved without deep structural design.
It is also telling that, at this stage, the team leaves room for further opening of the concept, including regulatory principles and the long-term role of Kickstart within the ecosystem. This creates the impression not of a completed release, but of a phase within a larger systemic buildout.
Ultimately, what we are observing is not merely the introduction of a new tool, but an attempt to establish a different standard for designing investment scenarios within digital platforms — one where the priority shifts from speed of scaling to the quality and controllability of the system.
© UNION U NEW YORK LIMITED (DOS ID Number: 7439883 ) | [union-connected.com](undefined)

Vienna, Austria, March 20, 2026
On 19–20 May 2026, Europe’s regulators, financial institutions, AI innovators and academic partners will converge in Vienna for the inaugural VI3NNA Congress. The invite‑only summit will co‑create a roadmap for Europe’s digital‑asset economy through four executive tracks culminating in the VI3NNA Declaration.
Recent findings from Ripple & BCG’s “Approaching the Tokenization Tipping Point” show how urgent this agenda is. The report forecasts that tokenized real‑world assets will surge from about US$0.6 trillion in 2025 to US$18.9 trillion by 2033, implying a 53 % compound annual growth rate. Tokenization isn’t only about growth; it promises tangible efficiencies. For example, investment‑grade bonds could save US$40–60 million annually per US$100 billion of issuance by reducing intermediaries and automating issuance, settlement and compliance.
Real‑estate funds managing US$5 billion could cut US$100–150 million in administrative costs over five years and unlock US$500 million–1 billion in fresh capital through fractional ownership.
Collateral and liquidity management offers US$150–300 million in yearly savings for a global bank with US$100 billion in daily repo volume, while trade finance could free US$2–4 billion in working capital per US$50 billion of trade and reduce annual financing costs by US$20–50 million. Even corporate treasury and cash management operations can generate US$55–140 million in annual savings for a multinational firm managing US$1 billion in idle cash and US$10 billion in payments.
Europe’s path forward hinges on turning these opportunities into reality. The MiCA framework provides the first harmonized legal foundation for digital assets in the European Union, offering a clear pathway for institutional participation. The next phase will be defined by execution, interoperability and scalable, compliant market infrastructure. By convening regulators, banks, investors and founders in Vienna, VI3NNA Congress positions the city as a neutral ground for aligning on that framework and ensuring that digital finance drives prosperity across the continent.
A Timely Platform for Europe’s Next Phase of Digital Assets Economy
Europe is entering a decisive period for its competitiveness and capital markets. Fragmented markets, slow productivity growth, and the urgent need to finance the energy transition demand new infrastructure. Digital assets, tokenisation and AI‑enabled finance are now seen as tools to unlock capital efficiency, transparency and cross‑border functionality — provided coherent regulation and secure market infrastructure are in place. VI3NNA Congress was created to meet this need: an invitation‑only forum that enables public and private decision‑makers to align on frameworks that support responsible adoption at scale.
Academic & Advisory Consortium Underpins the Executive Tracks
The foundation for VI3NNA’s four Executive Tracks and the VI3NNA Declaration is built in collaboration with an Academic and Advisory Consortium. This consortium provides research depth, strategic perspective, and institutional relevance to ensure that discussions are grounded in evidence and practical feasibility.
Insights developed through expert sessions and roundtables are consolidated into structured problem statements and concrete recommendations and are synthesised into the annual VI3NNA Declaration. The goal is to support policymakers and market operators with implementable priorities rather than abstract debate.
The VI3NNA Declaration – Setting the Agenda for Europe’s Digital Assets Policy
Unlike traditional industry conferences, VI3NNA’s curated format is built around deliverables. The two‑day programme culminates in the VI3NNA Declaration, a non‑political, industry‑driven position paper synthesising plenary sessions, executive round‑tables and partner input. The declaration aims to provide clear recommendations for regulators and market operators on taxation, anti‑money‑laundering (AML), capital efficiency and innovation sandboxes.
“Digital assets open a window of opportunity to drive prosperity in Europe,” notes VI3NNA Managing Director Oliver Schmitt. “By convening regulators, banks, investors and founders in Vienna, we can translate Europe’s regulatory clarity into real‑world adoption and ensure that digital finance creates jobs and growth — in Vienna and across the continent.”
Vienna – Europe’s Emerging Crypto Hub
The choice of host city is deliberate. Vienna has become a fast-growing centre for institutional digital assets activity, with regulated service providers and major exchanges establishing EU operations in the city, and banks and financial institutions increasingly advancing tokenisation, custody, and stablecoin-related initiatives. This institutional momentum is reinforced by Austria’s pragmatic supervisory approach and the broader harmonisation under MiCA, positioning Vienna as a credible base for compliant market development.
Retail adoption is also visible. A 2025 Tech Funding News report cites an estimated 18% crypto adoption rate, 230+ crypto and blockchain companies, around 400 merchants accepting crypto, and 130 research-intensive firms and institutes. Together, these factors make Vienna an ideal neutral ground for Europe’s digital assets dialogue.
Four Executive Tracks – From Liquidity to Innovation Free Zones
VI3NNA’s programme addresses the most pressing strategic questions for Europe’s digital assets economy through four Executive Tracks:
Liquidity & Capital Efficiency – examines how tokenization, on‑chain settlement and new market structures can unlock capital efficiency; DeFi‑market structure research and AI‑driven liquidity optimization will inform a European Tokenized Liquidity Framework.Regulatory Landscape: Tax, AML & Compliance – analyses the interplay between MiCA, DAC8, AML reforms and national laws; legal/governance expertise and cost‑modelling will underpin a competitiveness‑oriented regulatory blueprint.AI & Digital Assets in Banking & Finance – explores how AI, data and digital assets converge to reshape banking models, risk management and customer experience.EU vs. Global Innovation & Free Zones – compares Europe’s regulatory approach with international innovation free zones to balance competitiveness and systemic stability.
Each track brings together regulators, central banks, tax authorities, commercial banks, asset managers, exchanges, infrastructure providers, and high-impact start-ups. Participants engage in moderated round‑tables and workshops that feed directly into the VI3NNA Declaration.
As General Counsel for the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), Ruben Bombardi recently advised, compliance must be considered at the design stage — “think about compliance at design stage,” he noted at a 2026 industry roundtable. VI3NNA’s structured discussions are intended precisely to embed regulatory considerations into product and infrastructure design.
A Curated, Invitation‑Only Forum – Demand Exceeds Capacity
Although the inaugural edition was planned for around 120 participants, VI3NNA has already received more than 100 applications from C‑level executives, regulators and investors, prompting organisers to expand the setting. This strong demand reflects a thirst for a high‑quality, decision‑maker‑level conversation that goes beyond typical crypto events. The invite‑only format ensures that discussions remain focused and actionable.
Early partners and supporters illustrate the event’s breadth. International exchanges and infrastructure providers such as Bluechip, Black Manta Capital Partners, Blockchain for Europe, INATBA, Digital Asset Association Austria (DAAA), taxbit, BitMEX, Blockpit, KuCoin EU, and others are already on board. High‑level keynote invitations are being finalised with the European Central Bank, the European Commission, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance, and regulatory agencies from across Europe.
These partnerships underscore VI3NNA’s ambition: to become Europe’s most influential and directional conference on the digital assets economy.
Voices from the Ecosystem

Florian Wimmer, co‑founder and CEO of Blockpit, points to the importance of clear rules and effective supervision, noting that Vienna’s regulatory clarity and VI3NNA create a unique opportunity to position Europe as a leader in compliant digital finance.

Prof. Chris Brummer, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Financial Technology at Georgetown University and founder of Bluprynt, stresses the need for interoperability and alignment between policy, market infrastructure, and technological innovation, and sees VI3NNA as a timely space to define that alignment.

Ruben Bombardi, General Counsel of Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), underscores the importance of building compliance in from the start. At a 2026 industry roundtable, he urged participants to “think about compliance at the design stage,” noting that sustainable growth depends on embedding governance and supervisory expectations into product architecture and operational controls from day one.

Stephan Lutz, CEO of crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX, points to the convergence required for market maturity: “Europe’s digital asset economy will only reach its potential when liquidity, risk management, and compliance converge. VI3NNA’s focus on capital efficiency and regulation is exactly what our industry needs.”
Part of the Global Digital Asset Forum Vienna 2026
VI3NNA Congress anchors the inaugural Global Digital Asset Forum Vienna 2026, a week‑long series of events celebrating digital finance. Throughout the week, workshops, hackathons, and networking events will showcase innovations in blockchain, AI, and tokenised finance.
VI3NNA’s Executive Tracks and Declaration ensure that the week produces concrete policy and market outcomes rather than just talk. By connecting industry, regulation, and academia, the Forum opens a window of prosperity for Europe — improving, harmonising and further developing the framework so the continent can catch up with and eventually lead the global digital asset economy.

Walter Mösenbacher, CEO of the Global Digital Asset Forum Vienna 2026, notes:
“Vienna is emerging as a serious venue for institutional digital assets dialogue. We welcome VI3NNA as a core anchor of the Global Digital Asset Forum Vienna 2026—aligning executive-level debate with a week of ecosystem activity, and ensuring the programme translates into concrete policy and market outcomes, not just conversation.”
VI3NNA Congress
Dates: 19–20 May 2026
Location: MQ Libelle, MuseumsQuartier, Vienna
[Tickets](undefined) | [Sponsor & Partner Application](undefined)
[Website](undefined) | [Press kit](undefined)
Media/partnership enquiries:
Zehra Gercek – Marketing & Communications Specialist
Email: media@vi3nna.com

The venue for our main stage during the conference is MQ Libelle, MuseumsQuartier, Vienna.  ​​
About VI3NNA Congress
VI3NNA Congress is a curated, invitation‑only forum held annually in Vienna, Austria, that brings together senior decision‑makers from regulation, finance, infrastructure, academia and technological innovation to actively shape Europe’s digital assets economy.
Structured around four Executive Tracks—Liquidity & Capital Efficiency, Regulatory Landscape, AI & Digital Assets in Banking & Finance, and EU vs. Global Innovation & Free Zones—the two‑day summit culminates in the VI3NNA Declaration, an industry‑driven position paper designed to translate strategic dialogue into actionable recommendations. The Congress 2026 is co‑developed with leading academic centres to ensure technological feasibility, economic coherence, regulatory realism and academic credibility.

New York City, NY, USA, April 20, 2026

USA AI Summit LLC officially announces the launch of the USA AI Summit 2026, a landmark gathering designed to unite thought leaders, developers, researchers, founders, and innovators at the forefront of artificial intelligence. Positioned as a leading usa artificial intelligence summit, the event will take place on November 7, 2026, at 515 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 (Jay Suites – The Beatles Room).
As a premier AI summit and dynamic artificial intelligence summit, the USA AI Summit 2026 will explore how intelligent systems are reshaping industries, redefining creativity, and transforming the future of work. Organized by USA AI Summit LLC, the event represents a major milestone for the evolving AI ecosystem in the United States and beyond.
A Global Gathering in the Heart of Manhattan
Set in the world’s business capital, this highly anticipated AI Summit USA positions New York City at the center of global AI dialogue. As a premier NYC AI summit, the event aims to foster collaboration across disciplines, industries, and borders.
The New York AI Summit will convene leading voices in technology and innovation under the theme “The Future of Intelligence.” Through keynotes, hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and curated networking sessions, attendees will gain direct exposure to the ideas shaping tomorrow’s intelligent systems.
Recognized as a standout NYC AI summit, the event reflects Manhattan’s role as a hub for innovation, finance, education, and entrepreneurship. From transportation and healthcare to cybersecurity, finance, marketing, and automation, artificial intelligence continues to power data analysis, diagnostics, personalization, and smarter decision-making across industries and daily life.
What Attendees Will Gain
The USA AI Summit 2026 is structured to deliver a comprehensive experience for professionals, founders, students, and innovators alike.
As a leading AI conference in the USA, the summit offers:
Cutting-edge knowledge from AI pioneers and industry disruptorsHands-on learning through live workshops and labs focused on AI and machine learningGlobal networking opportunities with developers, founders, and researchersA Startup Showcase featuring AI tools, live demos, and emerging researchAI career development through job fairs, mentorship sessions, and recruiting eventsCritical conversations on AI ethics, policy, and the future of intelligence Designed as a forward-thinking ai summit conference, the event emphasizes themes such as Next Intelligence, Future Now, Empowering Innovation, Smarter Tomorrow, Think Forward, and Cognitive Shift,reflecting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.
Meet the Visionaries
The USA AI Summit 2026 features an expanding roster of world-class speakers who represent leadershipacross technology, education, entrepreneurship, and systems transformation.
Phillip Meade, Ph.D.
Dr. Phillip is a transformational leadership expert with over 30 years of experience in systems design and culture change. As a senior leader at NASA, he led the cultural transformation following the Columbia tragedy, guided the workforce transition during the Space Shuttle retirement, and helped reinvent Kennedy Space Center into the world’s busiest commercial spaceport.
Sebastian Uzcategui
A Venezuelan-born entrepreneur, trader, and founder of Stocks University, Sebastian has helped over 1,200 students through accessible financial education. He has spoken at churches, seminars, and AI summits, leveraging AI in trading and business while advocating faith, service, and financial freedom.
Erik Conn
An artificial intelligence consultant, educator, speaker, and author of The Algorithm of Power, Erik Conn is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations work alongside AI. As founder of AI Learning House and AILiteracy.biz, he specializes in AI literacy, prompt engineering, workforce reskilling, and practical AI implementation across industries.
Nelly V. Tacheva
Founder of Tangra and a visionary leader in AI and immersive technology, Nelly V. Tacheva brings expertise in business analytics, mathematics, computer science, and education. At Rutgers Business School, she teaches Immersive Marketing, exploring how AI, AR, and VR are reshaping storytelling and customer engagement.
Together, these speakers exemplify the innovation and insight expected at this ny ai summit.
Event Details
● Date: November 7, 2026
● Location: 515 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022
● Venue: Jay Suites – The Beatles Room
● Organizer: USA AI SUMMIT LLC
● Phone: (518) 797-4101
● Email: info@usaaisummit.net
● Website: www.usaaisummit.net
Ticket Options
Attendees can choose from several access levels:
Silver Ticket: $450
Full access to the event venue and sessions for an immersive in-person experience.
Gold Pass: $600
Full access to all sessions with a meal included.
Virtual Ticket: $150
Live streaming of all keynotes and sessions with live Q&A, plus post-event access to session recordings. Registration is available through the official website, where attendees can select their preferred ticket option and complete the registration process.
A Defining Moment for AI in the United States
As artificial intelligence continues to drive transformation across healthcare, education, finance, transportation, marketing, cybersecurity, and automation, the USA AI Summit 2026 aims to serve as acentral forum for progress, collaboration, and responsible innovation.
By bringing together pioneers, educators, technologists, and emerging startups, this leading ai usa gathering reinforces New York’s position as a global nexus for technology and enterprise. The summit is designed not only to inform but also to empower participants to build, implement, and lead in an AI-driven economy.
With anticipation building and seats limited, the USA AI Summit 2026 invites innovators from across the country and around the world to take part in this transformative experience.
For more information and ticket registration, visit: www.usaaisummit.net/.

Moscow, Russia, April 16, 2026
Blockchain Forum 2026 took place at Crocus Expo, becoming the largest event of its kind in Russia, one of the top two globally, and one of the most prestigious international gatherings in the fields of crypto, digital assets, and artificial intelligence.
The forum brought together 16388 participants, reinforcing its role as a key platform where market trends are shaped and the decisions defining the near future of the industry are discussed.
A major highlight of this year’s forum was the high-level dialogue between crypto businesses and government institutions. For the first time, such a scale of regulatory discussions took place within a single event. Representatives of the Central Bank of Russia, the State Duma, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Digital Development, and other government bodies participated in panels focused on regulation, infrastructure development, and the integration of digital assets into the broader economy.
The stage featured leading figures from across the global industry — founders of crypto projects, top executives of major companies, investors, and public sector representatives. The event also brought together leaders from prominent Russian IT and fintech companies, including Yandex, Sber, Alfa-Bank, T-Bank, and MTS.
One of the key highlights was a talk by Errol Musk — entrepreneur, investor in AI and digital assets, and father of Elon Musk. His strategic perspective on technological development and market evolution attracted strong attention from the audience.
Garrett Bullish, one of the largest investors in crypto assets, also shared his outlook on the current market cycle and the key factors shaping its future.
The business program also featured the first large-scale AI Future Forum — a dedicated track exploring the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future digital economy both in Russia and globally. Speakers included representatives from Rosatom, NTI, the State Duma, and other key institutions.
Beyond the conference program, Blockchain Forum once again proved to be a high-level networking platform. Over two days, participants held dozens of meetings and negotiations, forming new partnerships and business connections. The forum combined a strong conference agenda, an expo, and a professional environment for direct interaction between key market players.
Blockchain Forum proved to be:
— a meeting point for major investors, funds, and top companies— a platform where deals are made and partnerships are formed— a leading networking hub for the industry in the region
The event concluded with an official AfterParty, where participants continued networking in a more informal setting. The evening featured a live performance by L’One.
We would also like to highlight the companies that made the forum possible.
Promminer — an ecosystem of industrial mining solutions, including equipment supply, data center construction, its own mining pool, and advanced monitoring systems.
CoinW — a cryptocurrency exchange operating since 2017, offering spot and futures trading, Earn products, and ETF trading.
The next Blockchain Life event will take place on December 1–2, 2026, in Dubai, once again bringing together key players from the global market.
At the same time, registration is already open for the next Blockchain Forum in Moscow, where the industry will continue to shape its agenda and build strategic partnerships.
Tickets and participation opportunities are available on the official website:www.blockchain-life.com

Amsterdam, April 15, 2026
Dutch Blockchain Week 2026 is rapidly evolving into one of Europe’s most business-driven blockchain event weeks. Taking place from June 22–28, 2026, the event will bring together the international digital asset ecosystem in Amsterdam for a full week of conferences, networking and high-level industry collaboration. 
At the core of the week is the Dutch Blockchain Week Summit, hosted on June 24–25 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, where more than a thousand professionals per day are expected to attend. 
Strong early momentum with leading partners onboard 
Within just a few months of active conversations, Dutch Blockchain Week 2026 has secured a strong and diverse group of partners, highlighting the growing relevance of the event within the European digital asset landscape. 
Confirmed partners include: 
Bitvavo as Main Partner bunq as Diamond Partner (joining for the first time) Visa, Kraken, OKX, Bybit EU and ZeroHash as Platinum Partners Mastercard, Worldpay, Talos, Deloitte, Coinmerce, Fireblocks and others as Gold Partners 
In addition, a growing group of ecosystem and media partners is contributing to the expansion of the event’s international reach. 
With several months to go until June, many more partners are expected to join. See all partners here 
From community to business: a clear B2B focus 
Dutch Blockchain Week has grown from a community-driven initiative into a fully B2B-focused event week, designed to connect: 
Exchanges Banks and payment providers Asset managers and funds Infrastructure providers Legal and compliance firms Regulators and policymakers
The event reflects the broader shift within the industry, where institutional adoption continues to accelerate and traditional finance increasingly converges with digital assets. 
Amsterdam as a gateway to the European market 
The Netherlands continues to play a leading role in Europe’s digital asset landscape, particularly with regard to MiCA licensing and regulatory developments. 
This position is driving increasing interest from international companies looking to establish or expand their presence in Europe, making Dutch Blockchain Week a strategic entry point into the European market. 
A full week of events across the city 
Dutch Blockchain Week 2026 will feature more than 40 side events across Amsterdam, organized by partners from the Netherlands and abroad. 
These include: 
Private dinners and roundtables Community and developer meetups Investor-focused gatherings Exclusive networking events 
A key highlight is the VIP Night, an invite-only event ahead of the summit where speakers, partners and selected attendees connect in a more intimate setting. 
Focused on meaningful connections 
Rather than focusing solely on visibility, Dutch Blockchain Week is built around creating real business opportunities. Through curated networking, a dedicated networking app and facilitated introductions, the event enables participants to connect with the right people. 
Looking ahead to June 2026 
With strong early traction, a growing international partner base and a clear positioning as a business-focused platform, Dutch Blockchain Week 2026 is set to become its most impactful edition to date. 
For one week, Amsterdam will once again serve as the meeting point for the European Web3 and digital asset ecosystem. 
Tickets are available via: 
www.dutchblockchainweek.com/tickets/
About Dutch Blockchain Week 
Dutch Blockchain Week is the largest Web3 and digital assets event in the Netherlands and one of the fastest-growing blockchain event weeks in Europe. Since its launch, DBW has brought together thousands of professionals, dozens of side events and leading companies from across blockchain, fintech and digital assets.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania, April 14, 2026

After a successful first edition, ETHCluj returns for its second conference, bringing together Ethereum developers, researchers, founders, and community leaders from across Europe and beyond.

Taking place at Cluj Arena, ETHCluj 2026 builds on the momentum of its 2025 debut, which gathered over 200 attendees - more than 40 of them students, 80 speakers, 90+ sessions, 9 side events, 10 sponsors, 3 institutional partners and 19 ecosystem partners - all delivered by a lean, builder-led team rooted in the local technical community.
CLAIM YOUR EXCLUSIVE TICKET : www.app.moongate.id/e/eth-cluj-2026?code=COMMUNITY
Community & Ecosystem Support
ETHCluj 2026 is supported by a growing network of sponsors and global community partners. The Main Sponsor for this year's event is Akasha Foundation.
ETHCluj collaborates with leading Ethereum communities worldwide - some of them are listed here and the list continues to grow.

ETHAucklandETHBelgradeETHBengaluruETHBucharestETHCaliETH Cinco de MayoEthereum Cat HerdersETHDublinETHLagosETHMumbaiETHPragueETHSloveniaETHTokyoETH TbilisiETHWarsawNapulETHPOAPThrilld LabsUrbe.eth
Local and regional partners
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca Babes-Bolyai University Transilvania IT ClusterCluj StartupsCluj-Napoca Transylvania Angels Network The Municipality of Cluj-NapocaCluj-Napoca Municipal CouncilOpenAlt Romania open-source technology community
Together, these collaborations strengthen our global connectivity while rooting meaningful development within Eastern Europe.
ETHCluj Community & Conference Built by Builders, for Builders

ETHCluj is a community-led Ethereum initiative based in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, focused on technical education, protocol literacy, and sustainable ecosystem growth. Run by developers and ecosystem operators, the initiative prioritizes depth over hype and long-term contribution over short-term visibility.
ETHCluj Conference is not a generic crypto event. It is a technical Ethereum-focused conference designed around:
Protocol literacyInfrastructure and securityApplied Ethereum developmentLong-term ecosystem growth
Conference Tracks – 2026 Edition
Content will be structured across six technical tracks:
Ethereum Culture & RoadmapAI and EthereumPrivacyUsability & AdoptionSecurityDecentralized Finance DeFi
The program features both local and international speakers announced via the official website and social channels, representing infrastructure, research, security, and application-layer innovation within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Side Events During ETHCluj Week
In addition to the two-day conference, ETHCluj will once again be surrounded by a series of community-driven side events taking place throughout ETHCluj Week in Cluj-Napoca.
During the 2025 edition, the ecosystem organized 9 independent side events, including meetups, workshops, informal builder gatherings, and partner-hosted sessions across the city. These events created additional opportunities for deeper technical discussions, project collaboration, and community connection beyond the main conference agenda.
For 2026, ETHCluj expects a similar number of side events, organized by ecosystem partners, visiting communities, and local contributors.
While the main conference takes place on 13 14 May 2026 at Cluj Arena, the broader ETHCluj Week will extend activities across multiple venues throughout the city.
This format allows participants to experience not only the conference itself but also the wider Ethereum community gathering in Cluj-Napoca.
Subscrbe to our Events Calender : www.luma.com/ETHCluj
Featured Speakers for ETHCluj 2026

ETHCluj 2026 brings together 40+ global industry leaders, including: Paul Dylan-Ennis Polar – Professor at the College of Business,
University College Dublin and author of Absolute Essentials of Ethereum.
Cheeky-Gorilla – Core contributor to Protocol Guild- a collective fund that supports Ethereum Layer 1 core protocol contributors through long-term, onchain token vesting.
Milos Stankovic – Core protocol developer, working for Ethereum Foundation since 2024 and currently part of the Protocol Prototyping team working on Ethereum's upcoming upgrades.
Krzysztof Paruch – Mathematician and crypto economist focused on mechanism design, prediction markets, and capital-efficient onchain financial systems.
Anastassis Oikonomopoulos Sinkas – Program manager at the ArbitrumDAO OpCo with a background in business administration and economics.
Roxana Nasoi – Core Contributor at Logos, leading London chapter, Forbes-featured, Top Privacy Voice 2025 and TEDx speaker on Digital Identity 2020.
Alin-Mihai Barbatei – Founder and Principal Security Researcher at Cyba Blockchain Security, with over a decade of cybersecurity expertise spanning Web2 and Web3, securing over $1B in TVL across EVM and Bitcoin L2s.
Gavin Birch – Builder focused on privacy infrastructure and governance design, founder of Armada, exploring activity shaping, revenue-gated unlocks, and credible neutrality in Ethereum systems.
Gabi Dumitriu – Certified Investigator OSCE Cyber), blockchain expert building tools to combat illicit crypto activity, with experience spanning enterprise blockchain solutions and crypto forensics.
Dr. Neville Grech - Experienced white hat hacker in software engineering, security, and program analysis and the lead author of MadMax - a static analysis technique that combines decompiling EVM bytecode with logic-based analysis to automatically find gas-focused vulnerabilities in smart contracts.
Owen Healy – One of the most recognized recruiters in blockchain technology, helping build teams behind leading Web3 projects
View full lineup : https://www.ethcluj.org/

Visit
www.t.me/ethcluj
www.youtube.com/@ETHCluj
www.linkedin.com/company/ethereumcluj
www.x.com/ETHCluj
www.instagram.com/ethcluj/

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 14, 2026

Cineflicks, a streaming platform in development, has opened its first presale round as part of its broader plan to build a participation-based entertainment ecosystem.
The Cineflicks platform is designed to offer users access to movies, shows, and digital content while introducing a structured engagement system within the platform. The model focuses on integrating content consumption with user participation, aiming to create a more interactive entertainment experience.

According to the team, Cineflicks is currently in the beta stage of development. Core features under development include a streaming interface, user profiles, content discovery systems, and reward tracking mechanisms. The platform also includes Web3 wallet integration to support digital asset management and transparent tracking of user activity within the ecosystem.

The announcement comes at a time when global streaming consumption continues to grow, with audiences spending increasing amounts of time on digital entertainment platforms. While streaming services have expanded significantly over the past decade, most platforms continue to operate on a passive consumption model where users access content without participating in the broader platform ecosystem.

Cineflicks is positioning its platform around a model that introduces participation-based engagement, where user activity is integrated into the overall platform experience. The company states that this approach is intended to align user engagement with platform growth while maintaining a familiar streaming interface.

The first presale round marks an early phase of ecosystem participation, with additional stages expected as the platform progresses toward its public rollout. The presale is structured in multiple phases, supporting the gradual expansion of the Cineflicks ecosystem.

The company plans to continue development of the platform alongside expanding its content library, partnerships, and user base in the coming months.

About Cineflicks

Cineflicks is an upcoming digital entertainment platform focused on streaming movies, shows, and web-based content. The platform is being developed to combine content access with user participation, supported by a structured digital ecosystem.

Website: www.cineflicks.io 
Twitter: www.x.com/cineflicksott 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cineflicksott 

New York, NY, April 11, 2026
By most serious estimates, we are at the equivalent of 1994. Not in computing power. Not in network speed. In something more fundamental: the moment at which a technology that has been quietly reshaping the edges of the economy moves to its centre, and the infrastructure that will govern it for the next thirty years either gets built properly or gets built badly. In 1994, that technology was the internet.
The people who understood what was happening weren’t predicting the future. They were watching it arrive in real time and building the layer beneath it that everyone else would eventually depend on.
The technology arriving now is agentic AI. And the window in which its foundational infrastructure gets established is, if history is any guide, much shorter than it looks.
What Changes When Software Can Work
For two years, the stoThis is not a story about replacement. It is about a fundamental reordering of what people spend their working hours on and what becomes economically possible for individuals and organisations that previously couldn’t afford the headcount to do it.ry of AI was about generation text, images, code, answers. Useful, genuinely impressive, but fundamentally a tool. You prompted it. It responded. You were still the one doing the work.
Agentic AI is different in kind, not just degree. An agent doesn’t wait for a prompt. It receives a goal, breaks it into steps, executes each one, evaluates the result, and adjusts. It can browse the web, write and run code, send emails, interact with other software, and loop through a task until it’s done without anyone holding its hand.
The practical implications are enormous and personal. A marketing team that once needed five people to run a content operation can run it with two, supported by agents handling research, drafting, scheduling, and performance analysis. A developer who previously spent half their time on documentation, testing, and deployment can redirect almost all of it toward the work that requires genuine creativity. A founder who couldn’t afford to hire a financial analyst now has one available at a fraction of the cost.
Bigger Than the Internet Faster
The autonomous agents market, valued at under $5 billion in 2023, is projected by major analyst firms to reach the hundreds of billions within a decade. Half of enterprises currently using generative AI are expected to deploy agentic systems operationally within two years. The World Economic Forum has identified agentic AI as among the most significant economic forces of the coming decade with implications cutting across every sector from logistics and finance to healthcare and education.
The internet restructured how people accessed information and bought things. Agentic AI restructures how work itself gets done who does it, what it costs, and what becomes possible for those who adapt early. When your competitor’s operations run partially on agents that work continuously, cost cents per task, and improve with every iteration, the compounding advantage accrues fast.
The organisations that grasp this in the next two years will look, in ten years, like the companies that put up a website in 1996 while their competitors were still debating whether the internet was relevant to their business.
But here is what the market projections don’t capture: the internet didn’t become the internet because the technology was good. It became the internet because someone built the open infrastructure beneath it. Email worked because SMTP was an open standard, not because one company agreed to let you message customers of another. The web worked because HTTP was available to anyone. Those open layers are what made the internet a platform for the entire economy rather than a collection of competing walled gardens.
Agentic AI is about to need the same thing. And right now, that layer doesn’t exist.
The Problem That the Coverage Keeps Missing
Every AI agent that exists today lives inside someone else’s platform. The agent your business depends on, the workflow you’ve built, the automation running your operations all of it exists at the pleasure of a platform that can change its prices, alter its terms, or simply go down. There is no open market for agents.
There is no place where the best agent for a given task can be discovered by the person who needs it, independently of which company built it. There is no economic layer connecting agents to the people who need them outside corporate walls.
Developers who build on these platforms build on sand. The history of platform economies tells you how this ends: the platform extracts, the builders absorb, and the users have no alternative because the infrastructure they depend on belongs to someone else.
What’s missing is the open layer. A place where agents can operate freely, be discovered by anyone, be trusted based on their actual track record, and transact within a system governed by transparent rules that no single company can rewrite. The equivalent of SMTP and HTTP but for autonomous agents.
What That Layer Looks Like in Practice
Consider a developer who has built a genuinely useful AI agent one that monitors regulatory filings across multiple jurisdictions and alerts relevant teams when something material changes. It works. It’s well-designed. But it lives on a single platform, visible only to users of that platform, discoverable only through that platform’s own search, and dependent entirely on that platform’s continued goodwill.
On an open network, that agent registers once. Within hours it has been routed automatically to hundreds of discovery surfaces. It is indexed by real performance data uptime, task completion rate, user ratings and ranked accordingly. Any user, on any interface that connects to the network, can find it, evaluate it against a verifiable track record, and put it to work.
Other agents can call on it as part of a larger workflow. And the developer who built it earns from every use, through a transparent economic layer built into the protocol itself not subject to platform margin adjustments or policy changes.
That is the network Operon has built.
The Open Infrastructure for AI Agents
Operon is a decentralised network purpose-built for the agentic AI economy the open market that agents don’t currently have, with the trust infrastructure to make that market work.
Three things distinguish it. Agents that register on Operon establish verifiable on-chain identities and build reputation through recorded, immutable performance data trust that no platform decision can grant or revoke.
A built-in distribution layer routes every registered agent to discovery surfaces automatically, indexed by real performance rather than promotional spend, composable with other agents from day one. And the people who run the network’s infrastructure are rewarded based on genuine usage and uptime their incentive is a healthy, growing network, not passive presence.
The network runs on twelve agents across two layers. The first layer is invisible to most users it is the plumbing. It handles routing new agents to more than 400 distribution channels automatically (Herald), keeps a live performance index so the best agents surface on merit rather than marketing budget (Scout), manages encrypted task handoffs between agents (Relay), and distributes rewards through a consensus mechanism that no single party can manipulate (Ledger).
The second layer is where this becomes something a person can actually use. Chorus lets anyone compose multi-agent workflows in plain language describe a goal, confirm the plan, execute without writing a line of code. Verify builds an on-chain trust record for every agent, three tiers of attestation that compound over time into a reputation that means something precisely because no one issued it: it was earned.
At launch, Operon Forge opens alongside the network a live marketplace of AI agents across six categories, anchored by an Agent Reputation Directory: a public, immutable, on-chain registry of agent performance. For the first time, a user evaluating an agent can look at its actual record rather than its marketing copy.
What the People Who Missed 1994 Wish They Had Understood
Here is the thing about infrastructure moments: they are obvious in retrospect and genuinely unclear in real time. In 1994, the people who built the foundational layers of the internet were not widely celebrated as visionaries. They were, mostly, people who had looked carefully at a structural gap and decided to fill it because the gap was real, the timing was right, and the alternative was leaving it to someone else.
The people who missed that moment not the consumer internet, not the applications, but the infrastructure beneath them didn’t miss it because they were unintelligent. They missed it because infrastructure is unglamorous, because the applications built on top of it are more visible and more immediately exciting, and because the window in which foundational layers get established always feels, from inside it, like there is still time.
There usually isn’t. The window closes when the dominant infrastructure is chosen and network effects make alternatives uneconomic. At that point, the question of who built the foundation and on whose terms it operates is settled for a generation.
The agentic AI economy will have infrastructure. The only open question is whether that infrastructure is owned by a handful of corporations with their own interests, or built as an open network that routes value back to the people who make it possible.
That question is being answered right now. Operon is one of the answers.
“The agent economy doesn’t have an infrastructure problem in the abstract it has one in practice, today, for every developer who has built something useful and has no way to get it in front of the people who need it. We built Operon because that gap is real, the timing is right, and the alternative is leaving it to someone with different interests.” James Lee, Co-Founder, Operon
About Operon
Operon is a decentralised network purpose-built for the agentic AI economy, providing on-chain coordination infrastructure, a protocol-native distribution engine, and an activity-based reward economy for node operators, builders, and users. The network runs on twelve agents across two layers a network infrastructure suite and an ecosystem service suite and launches with Operon Forge, a live AI agent marketplace, and the Agent Reputation Directory, a public on-chain registry of verifiable agent performance.
www.operon.network

Moscow, Russia, April 10, 2026

On April 14–15, 2026, Moscow will host Blockchain Forum 2026 — the largest crypto and Web3 event in the CIS region. Over the years, the forum has evolved into a key industry platform where digital asset leaders, banks, investment funds and technology companies converge to shape the future of the market.
Blockchain Forum is not merely a conference; it is an infrastructure-level meeting point for the ecosystem. It is where strategic discussions take place, partnerships are formed and projects that define the direction of the digital asset industry are launched.
Scale and Market Concentration
The 2026 edition is expected to bring together over 20,000 participants from 100+ countries, 250 exhibiting companies and more than 200 exclusive speakers, many of whom will be speaking in Russia for the first time.
This creates a rare concentration of expertise, capital and technological innovation on a single platform.
Attendees include investors, venture funds, banks, crypto exchanges, Web3 startups and infrastructure providers, enabling direct dialogue between builders, capital and institutional stakeholders.
200+ Exclusive Speakers
The agenda will feature leaders of major crypto platforms, investment executives, digital asset regulation experts and technology innovators. Many of these speakers rarely appear in the region, making Blockchain Forum a valuable opportunity for direct engagement and first-hand insights.
Exhibition and Practical Use Cases
The exhibition area will host 250 leading crypto companies presenting infrastructure solutions, new products and emerging technologies. Participants will not only hear about trends from the stage but also explore real-world applications — from product premieres to direct interaction with founders and teams.
AI Future Forum: The Convergence of AI and Web3
A dedicated AI Future Forum will take place alongside the main agenda, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. The convergence of AI and Web3 is widely regarded as one of the defining directions of digital economy development in the coming years.
Networking as a Strategic Asset
Blockchain Forum is recognized as a strategic networking environment. Beyond the main stages, negotiations take place, investment discussions unfold and long-term partnerships are initiated. The structure of the event enables participants to gain, in two days, the level of access and insights that would otherwise require months of fragmented communication.
Official Afterparty Headliner — L’One
The official Afterparty will be headlined by L’One, one of the most prominent artists on the Russian stage. His live performance will serve as the culmination of the forum, bringing participants together in the atmosphere of a large-scale show combined with premium networking.
The Afterparty traditionally extends the business agenda into a more informal yet equally valuable environment for relationship-building.
Blockchain Forum 2026 represents a combination of strategic dialogue, technological innovation and capital concentration, creating a space where decisions are made and the future of the market is shaped.
Tickets are available on the official website
A 10% discount is available with promo code BTCWire
More details: www.blockchain.forum/en/

Tokyo, Japan, 7 April, 2026
One of Asia’s largest Web3 and AI conferences, TEAMZ Summit 2026, officially opened on April 7, 2026, at Happo-en in Tokyo.
Under the theme “Tradition Meets Tomorrow,” this year’s summit is set in the culturally rich and historic Happo-en, creating a one-of-a-kind conference where Japanese tradition meets cutting-edge technology.
Registration opened at 9:00 a.m., and long lines of attendees formed from the lower basement to outside the venue, reflecting the strong anticipation surrounding the event.

Day 1 Registration Scene
Each floor of the venue was designed around a distinct theme, offering attendees a diverse and immersive experience throughout the summit.

The venue featured a wide range of experiences, including the Main Stage, exhibition area, interview zone, networking area, side event area, VIP Lounge, Terrace Bar, Terrace Cafe, commemorative photo area, Terrace DJ area, and lunch area. In addition, attendees enjoyed bonsai installations sponsored by Title, kimono experiences, Dassai Happy Hour, sumo performances, and traditional Japanese street entertainment—creating a dynamic fusion of culture and innovation.

On the evening before the summit, TEAMZ hosted a VIP Welcome Dinner for more than 200 VIP guests. Accompanied by fine cuisine and drinks, the gathering provided an exceptional setting for high-quality networking and meaningful connections.

In addition, on April 7 and 8, the same venue operated as a VIP Lounge, offering VIP guests an exclusive space for relaxation, networking, meetings, and private conversations.

1F: Main Stage, Title Sponsor Exhibition Area, Interview Area

2F: Platinum / Gold / Silver Sponsor Exhibition Area, Media Room

2F Terrace: Coffee and Tea Area
3F: Lunch Area, Side Events, Networking Space
5F: XRP Tokyo Main Stage
6F: XRP Tokyo Exhibition

1F Terrace: TEAMZ Bar, sponsor flags, and the Binance Japan commemorative photo frame, along with sumo performances, traditional street entertainment, Dassai Happy Hour, and a Terrace DJ experience.

VIP Welcome Dinner

VIP Lounge, commemorative photo area, and bonsai installations sponsored by Title
Opening Through Japanese Cultural Performance
The opening performance was presented by Orientarhythm, captivating the audience with a powerful stage production built around the concept of sharing the beauty and coolness of Japan with the world.

ORIENTARHYTHM

Tokyo Shin Nonki Ren

Later in the afternoon, an Awa Odori performance by Tokyo Shin Nonki Ren further energized the venue, drawing the entire audience into a vibrant and unified atmosphere.
Keynote & Session Highlights
On Day 1, sessions covered a wide range of themes including Web3, AI, finance, regulation, and investment, offering forward-looking insights from across the global industry.
Keynote: Opening Address of TEAMZ SUMMIT 2026

Satsuki Katayama, Minister of Finance
Fireside：AI × Blockchain
The session explored the new value created by the convergence of AI and blockchain, as well as the practical initiatives driving real-world adoption.

Yuzo Kano, Representative Director and CEO of bitFlyer, Inc. / Midori Kanemitsu, Executive Officer and CPO of bitFlyer, Inc.
Keynote: XRPL’s Potential in Japan and the Role of Community
This keynote highlighted the importance of community in ecosystem growth and examined XRPL’s long-term potential in the Japanese market.

Mai Furukawa, Co-founder of XRPL Japan

Keynote: Convergence Strategy — A Neobank at the Intersection of Crypto, AI, and Fintech
The session presented a new financial model shaped by the convergence of neobanking and Web3.

EMURGO CEO Phillip Pon
Fireside：null²ⁿ x null⁴
Fireside: null²ⁿ x null⁴
On April 7, media artist Yoichi Ochiai, Representative Director of the Association for Computation and Nature, announced two new projects derived from “null²,” the signature pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
The first project, “null²ⁿ,” will launch as a permanent theater in Yokohama Landmark Tower in 2026. The second, “null⁴,” is scheduled to debut in March 2027 at GREEN×EXPO 2027, the 2027 International Horticultural Expo.

Yoichi Ochiai, Media Artist
Norikazu Miyagi, Head of DX Consulting Division, Macnica, Inc.
Panel: Finance Between Tradition and the Future
The panel explored the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets, examining how legacy systems and emerging financial models can evolve together.

Takaki Yamada | Head of Japan Business, Institutional Trading, FLOW TRADERS
Naoto Shimoda | General Manager, Digital Strategy Department, SMFG / SMBC
Yuki Tanaka | Head of Global Markets, BlackRock
Hideki Mitsuzuka | Executive Officer & COO, Webull Securities (Moderator)

Fireside: AI × Web3: Rebuilding Future Society — Vision and Reality

Yusuke Narita | Economist
Takeshi Chino | Representative Director, Binance Japan (Moderator)
Panel: The Future of Web3 Payments — How Stablecoins Will Transform Cashless Society
The panel introduced “StarPay-X,” a gateway concept designed to bridge Web2 and Web3, highlighting the transformative potential of stablecoins in next-generation cashless payments.

Li Gang | President & CEO, NetStars Co., Ltd.
Kenta Sakakibara | Country Manager, Circle
Shigeru Sato | Co-Lead, Solana Superteam Japan
Takashi Tezuka | CEO, Startale Japan
Keita Sekiguchi | Deputy Editor-in-Chief, NIKKEI Financial (Moderator)
Afternoon Session: Social Implementation and Global Expansion
Keynote: The Liberal Democratic Party’s AI/Web3 Strategy
This keynote examined the social transformation driven by AI and Web3, offering a forward-looking perspective on Japan’s role and strategic direction in this evolving landscape.

Hideto Kawasaki | Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Affairs
Panel: CBDC × Private Stablecoins — Japan’s Vision for Next-Generation Currency
The panel explored the future of next-generation currency, examining how CBDCs and private stablecoins may coexist and complement each other across financial infrastructure and real-world applications.

Junichiro Hatogai | Director for Digital Currency Planning, Treasury Division, Ministry of Finance
Noritaka Okabe | Representative Director, JPYC Inc.
Tatsuya Saito | Founder & CEO, Progmat
Hiroki Akahoshi | Partner, Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC (Moderator)
Panel: Beyond the Smartphone — How AI Agents Will Transform Human Interfaces
The discussion explored the future of user experience in the post-smartphone era, highlighting how AI agents may redefine interfaces, devices, and digital interaction.
Even Realities Founder & CEO Will Wang / Leonis Capital Founder & General Partner Jay Zhao / Trive Digital General Partner Shawn Tan / IVC Partner Ann Chien / Lenovo GM , Head of Software & Managed Services Terence Ng（Moderator）

Will Wang｜Even Realities Founder & CEO
Jay Zhao｜Leonis Capital Founder & General Partner
Shawn Tan｜Trive Digital General Partner
Ann Chien｜IVC Partner
Terence Ng｜Lenovo GM, Head of Software & Managed Services（主持人）
Keynote: Connecting Japan and the GCC — A New Era of Institutional Capital in Web3
The keynote examined emerging capital flows between Japan and the Middle East, highlighting the growing role of institutional investment in the Web3 era.

Fawzi Hamze｜AAC Founder & Chairman
Keynote: Decentralized Identity and Privacy — A New Standard for Next-Generation Social Platforms
This keynote introduced a new framework for identity, privacy, and trust in the next generation of social platforms, pointing toward a decentralized future for digital interaction.

Raul Velazquez｜ENVO Chief Content & Media Officer
Panel: Building Trust in Digital Asset Markets — Regulation, Institutional Investors, and the Next Decade
The panel discussed the role of regulation and institutional participation in shaping a more credible, resilient, and sustainable digital asset market over the next ten years.

Ken Kawai | Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Benjamin Tsai | Co-founder & President, Wave Digital Assets
Marc Piano | Partner, HORIZONS GLOBAL
Hajime Saito | Managing Attorney, Sato Law Office
Robert Frenchman | Partner, DYNAMIS LLP (Moderator)
Fireside: Japan Web3 Reboot — Real Strategies from Entrepreneurs and Investors
This fireside session shared practical insights from entrepreneurs and investors, highlighting the real strategies shaping Japan’s Web3 resurgence.

Takafumi Horie | Entrepreneur
Hirotaka Kunimitsu | Representative Director & CEO, FiNANCiE, Inc.
Panel: DID/VC × AI Agents — Unlocking the Next Generation of Digital Identity
The discussion focused on the convergence of decentralized identity, verifiable credentials, and AI agents, outlining the future architecture of digital identity.

Tatsuto Fujii | Executive Officer, Head of Digital Strategy, Chief AI Officer, Mizuho Financial Group
Shumpei Tatebayashi | Deputy General Manager, Open Innovation Division, KDDI Corporation
Kantaro Fujimori | CEO / Founder, VESS Labs
Yuya Higuchi | Director, Biometrics & Vision AI Division, NEC; Web3 Thought Leader (Moderator)
Panel: Building in a Bear Market — New Strategies for Web3 Investment
The panel explored how investors can identify value, allocate capital, and build long-term conviction during market downturns.

Vineet Budki | CEO, Sigma Capital
James Wo | Founder & CEO, DFG
Tobias Bauer | GP & Co-founder, TBV
Kiichi Abe | CSO, HYPERITHM
Renee Francis | Founder & Director, TAKE 3 (Moderator)
Panel: Talent Strategy in the Age of Web3 and AI — Aligning Education, Industry, and National Policy
The panel examined how education, industry, and public strategy can work together to cultivate the talent needed for the next wave of innovation.

Dr. Joe Hüg | Lead Organizer & Licensee, TEDxInnovationU
Gary Surdam | Entrepreneur
John Fung | CMO, AVATAR48
Steve Ngok | CSO, DORA FACTORY
Kangyong Sun | Associate Professor, Hitotsubashi University Graduate School (Moderator)
Panel: What Will the Crypto Asset Market Look Like in 2026?

Tomoya Hasegawa | Market Analyst, bitbank Inc.
Kaso Nishi | Crypto Asset Analyst
Genki Oda | Chairman, Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA)
Marin Matsushima | Crypto Asset Analyst, Monex Securities Co., Ltd.
hajimex | President & CEO, Shibuya Web3 University
Keynote: What Does Trust Mean in the Age of Decentralization? — The Mission of Layer1 in 2026
This keynote explored how trust can be rebuilt in a decentralized era, emphasizing the critical role Layer1 infrastructure will play in the future of the ecosystem.

Charles Hoskinson | CEO & Founder, INPUT OUTPUT
Day 1 Summary
From Awa Odori and sumo performances to diverse exhibitions and interactive experiences, the venue remained energized throughout the day. More than a showcase of the latest in Web3 and AI, TEAMZ Summit 2026 created a uniquely inspiring environment by blending technological innovation with Japanese culture.
It was a day that truly embodied the spirit of “Tradition Meets Tomorrow.”

Stockholm, September 15, 2026
The Agentic Automation in Finance Summit 2026 will take place on 15 September 2026 in Stockholm, Sweden, bringing together  senior leaders from across banking, fintech, insurance, and financial services. This marks the 9th European edition of the global  series, convening 25+ speakers and around 150 senior decision-makers from the Nordic and wider European financial ecosystem.  
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, financial institutions are moving beyond isolated pilot projects toward more autonomous,  decision-making systems. This shift represents a significant transformation in how organisations operate, manage risk, and engage  with customers. The summit will provide a dedicated platform to explore how Agentic AI is being implemented in real-world  environments, with a focus on tangible outcomes and scalable approaches.  
The event is designed as a highly curated, executive-level forum, enabling meaningful dialogue among leaders responsible for  shaping AI strategy and execution. Unlike large-scale conferences, the format encourages in-depth discussions, peer exchange, and  practical insights rather than high-level theory. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with industry peers facing  similar challenges in deploying AI within regulated financial environments.  
A key focus of the summit will be on bridging the gap between innovation and implementation. While many organisations have  invested heavily in AI capabilities, the challenge now lies in integrating these technologies into core business processes in a way that  delivers measurable value. The agenda will address how institutions can operationalise AI responsibly, ensuring transparency, governance, and alignment with regulatory expectations.  
Key themes to be explored include:  
Transitioning from AI experimentation to autonomous operations and workflows  Enabling AI-driven decision-making supported by real-time data and analytics  Strengthening fraud detection, risk management, and compliance frameworks through AI  Enhancing customer engagement and personalisation using intelligent systems  Embedding AI capabilities into core banking, payments, and financial processes  
The summit will also examine the organisational and cultural shifts required to support this transformation. Topics such as operating  models, talent strategies, and cross-functional collaboration will be addressed, recognising that successful AI adoption extends  beyond technology alone.  
By bringing together a focused group of decision-makers, the event aims to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and  strategic dialogue on the future of AI in financial services. It provides a timely opportunity for industry leaders to share experiences,  learn from peers, and collectively shape the next phase of innovation in the sector.  
Weblink: www.kinfos.events/ainordics/

Doha, Qatar, April 6, 2026
 
As global financial systems continue to evolve under the pressure of digitalization, regulation, and technological disruption, QFEX – Qatar Fintech Expo 2026 returns for its third edition as one of the region’s most influential platforms shaping the future of finance, technology, and innovation.
Scheduled to take place on April 28–29, 2026 at Kempinski Marsa Malaz, Doha, QFEX 2026 brings together leading banks, financial institutions, regulators, fintech companies, technology providers, investors, government entities, and innovators from more than 20 countries.
Unlike traditional expos, QFEX is structured as a strategic dialogue platform, focusing on real-world challenges and future-ready solutions across financial technology, artificial intelligence, regulatory innovation, cybersecurity, digital assets, and sustainable economic models.
The event includes high-level conference sessions, executive networking, innovation showcases, QovFX Labs, GFI Awards – Qatar Edition, and Afaq Studio live media coverage.
QFEX reflects Qatar’s role as a stable, forward-looking environment for international collaboration, offering credibility, governance, and long-term vision.
For more information, please visit www.qfex.net
 

JAKARTA, INDONESIA, April 6, 2026
Indonesia Blockchain Week (IDBW), Southeast Asia’s leading institutional Web3 conference, returns for its sixth edition on August 12–13, 2026, at the Jakarta International Convention Center. This year’s theme, “Turning Infrastructure into Impact,” highlights blockchain’s shift from experimentation to real-world deployment.
Since its launch in 2019, IDBW has reached more than 50,000 participants across its ecosystem. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome over 12,500 attendees, alongside 100+ global speakers, 300+ exhibitors and partners, and representation from 25+ countries. Unlike other regional conferences, IDBW uniquely bridges policymakers, financial institutions, and leading builders in Southeast Asia’s largest digital economy, positioning the event as a convergence point where regulatory, institutional, and technological innovation meet.
“For years, the industry has focused on building infrastructure. Now, we are seeing a shift toward accountability and real outcomes. IDBW 2026 reflects this transition, where blockchain is defined not by potential, but by the impact it delivers across institutions and society,” said Adytia Raflein, Co-Founder and Chairman of Indonesia Blockchain Week.
IDBW 2026 convenes regulators, industry leaders, and builders through high-level dialogues, curated business matchmaking, and innovation programs such as hackathons and trading competitions, creating a platform where collaboration moves beyond discussion into action.
Previous editions have featured global leaders such as Changpeng Zhao, Richard Teng, and Justin Sun, alongside senior Indonesian policymakers and regulators, including Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, and Hasan Fawzy from the Financial Services Authority of Indonesia. This track record reflects IDBW’s continued ability to bring together top global voices and senior policymakers, reinforcing its role as a trusted platform at the intersection of innovation and regulation.
The event has attracted support from leading global and regional players, including Binance, AWS, Tether, OKX, Saison Capital, GRVT, and Tokocrypto, further strengthening its position as a key institutional platform in Southeast Asia.
Beyond the main conference, IDBW 2026 will activate Jakarta through a full week of ecosystem-driven activities, including university roadshows and community-led side events, fostering deeper collaboration across the region.
For more information, visit www.indonesiablockchainweek.com or follow Indonesia Blockchain Week on LinkedIn.
About Indonesia Blockchain Week (IDBW)
Indonesia Blockchain Week is Southeast Asia’s leading platform for digital innovation and institutional Web3 adoption. Since 2019, it has convened policymakers, enterprises, and builders to shape the future of blockchain across finance, public infrastructure, and digital identity. IDBW serves as a bridge between regulatory progress and emerging technologies, accelerating the adoption of on-chain infrastructure into real-world economic and societal impact.

Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 1, 2026

Qubic's DOGE mining integration launches today on ASICs, fully separate from the CPUs and GPUs powering Aigarth, Qubic's AI engine. For the first time, the network mines at full power, while running AI at full power, simultaneously, with no compromise between the two
Qubic, the high-performance Layer 1 network independently verified at 15.52 million transactions per second by CertiK, today launched live Dogecoin mining natively integrated into its network infrastructure. This is not a roadmap item. It is not a test. Miners on the Qubic network can earn DOGE rewards right now, on ASICs running completely separately from the CPUs and GPUs that power Aigarth, Qubic's AI engine. No toggle. No trade-off. Full power to mining and full power to AI, at the same time.
The last time Qubic made this kind of move, it captured more than 51% of the Monero network's total hashrate, mined over 27,000 XMR blocks, generated $3.5M in revenue, and drew coverage from CoinDesk, The Block, and Decrypt. That was Monero, where CPUs and GPUs had to toggle between mining and AI training, never giving 100% to either. This is Dogecoin, running on ASICs that do not touch the AI layer at all. The network is no longer making a choice between mining and intelligence. It is doing both, fully, for the first time.

The timing, April 1, is intentional.
"April 1st is notorious for pulling pranks. Qubic decided to pull a network. We knew what people would think when they saw the date. We leaned into it and launched anyway."
— Stephanie Nickolich, Head of Marketing & Growth, Qubic

HOW IT WORKS — FOR MINERS

Qubic's network operates on Useful Proof of Work, a consensus mechanism that redirects computational energy toward productive tasks, including AI training through Aigarth, Qubic's underlying AI engine. With Monero, CPUs and GPUs had to toggle between mining and AI training, meaning neither received full computational power at any given time. The DOGE integration changes that architecture entirely. DOGE mining runs on ASICs, dedicated hardware that operates independently from the CPUs and GPUs that power Aigarth. For the first time, Qubic's AI infrastructure runs at full capacity while the network simultaneously mines at full capacity. No compromise. No toggle. Both at once.

Monero is being replaced by DOGE, not added alongside it. Throughout this transition, and after it, AI training through Aigarth runs continuously. It never stops. The DOGE integration is what finally allows it to run at full power, because ASICs handle mining independently, freeing CPUs and GPUs entirely for AI.

The mechanism operates as follows:

DOGE mining runs on ASICs, completely separate hardware from the CPUs and GPUs running Aigarth, Qubic's AI engine — no toggle, no trade-off, no shared computeDOGE mined through the Qubic network is sold on the open market. Proceeds are used to buy back QUBIC, which is then distributed as rewards to minersThe more miners who join, the greater Qubic's share of the total DOGE network hashrate, a publicly verifiable and growing numberMonero is being replaced, not supplemented. As DOGE mining scales, Monero phases out entirely. The end state is ASIC mining for DOGE and full CPU and GPU power dedicated to AI training
All activity is publicly verifiable via a live dashboard available at launch

The result is a value proposition that did not exist before today: join Qubic, run ASICs for DOGE, and contribute CPU and GPU power to Aigarth's AI infrastructure, earning from the mining network while powering something larger. A QUBIC token burn mechanism activates as the DOGE mining ecosystem scales, connecting mining revenue to a deflationary loop that is the first of its kind in the cryptocurrency industry.

BUILDING ON THE MONERO PRECEDENT

Qubic's DOGE mining integration is not a proof of concept. It is a repeat of a demonstrated capability, built on an architecture that has now been fundamentally upgraded. In its prior Monero network integration, Qubic's compute captured more than 51% of total Monero network hashrate, a feat that drew widespread attention across cryptocurrency communities. But the Monero model had a structural limitation: CPUs and GPUs had to toggle between mining and powering Aigarth, Qubic's AI engine. Neither received full computational power at any given time.

The DOGE integration solves that. ASICs handle DOGE mining on dedicated hardware, completely separate from the AI layer. CPUs and GPUs are freed to run Aigarth at full capacity. Monero phases out as DOGE scales. The end state is the architecture Qubic was always designed to reach.

The deflationary model was proven with Monero. DOGE is where it compounds. Qubic's mining revenue fed a QUBIC token burn mechanism that generated more than $3.5M, proving that external proof-of-work mining could drive real deflationary value back into the network. With DOGE, that same mechanism scales to a network with significantly greater reach, volume, and community depth.

Monero was the proof that this model works at scale. DOGE is the statement that Qubic is not stopping there. The DOGE community is orders of magnitude larger. The market cap is orders of magnitude higher. The infrastructure is already proven.
"The architecture was always designed for this. With Monero, CPUs and GPUs toggled between mining and AI training, never giving full power to either. DOGE changes that. ASICs handle mining independently, and Aigarth runs at full capacity. We proved the model with Monero. DOGE is where it reaches its full potential."
— Joetom, Core Lead Developer, Qubic

A WIDELY ANTICIPATED EVENT
Anticipation for this launch has been building across the crypto community for weeks. Discussion of Qubic's DOGE mining integration has spread across X, Reddit, Discord, and Telegram, with miners, DOGE holders, and crypto analysts speculating about the scale of what Qubic's infrastructure would bring to the Dogecoin network. Today, the speculation ends and the data begins.

The Monero integration established a new benchmark for what a single network could accomplish at the infrastructure level. Qubic did not just participate in the Monero mining ecosystem. It dominated it, capturing more than half of the network's total hashrate. For the miners, analysts, and investors who watched that unfold, today's launch carries the same weight, directed at a network with far greater global reach.

LIVE VERIFICATION

A public real-time dashboard is available at launch showing Qubic's live DOGE mining hashrate and cumulative DOGE mined. The dashboard is publicly accessible and updated in real time, the live proof that the network is building.

Dashboard: 

The dashboard is the story. Miners, analysts, and journalists can watch Qubic's share of the DOGE network hashrate build in real time from Day 1.

KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE

ABOUT QUBIC
Qubic is a decentralized compute network and Layer 1 protocol built to power the future of artificial intelligence. Operating on Useful Proof of Work, Qubic's infrastructure directs computational energy toward Aigarth, its AI engine, while supporting external proof-of-work mining at scale. The DOGE integration marks the first time the network runs mining and AI training simultaneously at full capacity, with no trade-off between the two. With a verified throughput of 15.52 million TPS on its live mainnet, independently audited by CertiK, Qubic is the fastest blockchain ever measured under live conditions. The Intelligent Chain.

Learn more about the Dogecoin mining integration, here. 
Website: www.qubic.org 
X / Twitter: @_Qubic_ 
Press Kit: www.qubic.org/pr 
Live Dashboard: www.doge-stats.qubic.org/ 
Email: press@qubic.org

Dubai, UAE, September 16-17, 2026
Serhii Zakharov was awarded the Excellence in Financial Leadership Award – Digital Payments Innovation at the FinTech Week Awards & Conference Dubai 2026, held on 16–17 February 2026. The accolade recognizes his outstanding leadership and forward‑thinking contributions to the digital payments landscape, underscoring the critical role of innovation in shaping tomorrow’s financial systems.
The FinTech Week Awards spotlight individuals and organizations that drive meaningful change across financial services. The Digital Payments Innovation category specifically celebrates leaders who develop and deliver technologies, strategies, or solutions that improve payment efficiency, accessibility, security, or scalability. Serhii’s work exemplifies these qualities: by championing new approaches to payments infrastructure and user experience, he has helped advance how businesses and consumers interact with money in a digital world.
At the Dubai event, winners from around the globe were brought together with senior executives, regulators, investors, and innovators. The awards were part of a broader two‑day conference featuring high‑level discussions, panels, and networking opportunities focused on the evolving fintech ecosystem. This gathering reinforced Dubai’s position as a major international hub for financial innovation, where leaders convene to exchange insights and push the industry forward.
For Serhii, the award marks a significant milestone. It acknowledges not only past achievements but also the broader impact and potential of his work in digital payments. His leadership encourages others in the sector to pursue ambitious advancements—whether in cross‑border transactions, embedded payments, or next‑generation infrastructure. In a time when global finance continues to digitize rapidly, the contribution of innovators like Serhii becomes increasingly vital to building systems that are efficient, inclusive, and robust.
Following the successful Dubai edition, FinTech Week continues to expand its global footprint. The next installment, FinTech Week Awards & Expo Singapore 2026, is scheduled for 16–17 September 2026 in Singapore, a leading financial hub in Asia. The event aims to unite fintech founders, financial institutions, investors, regulators, and technology providers around the theme Finance. Innovation. Future. With this continuity, the platform remains a key touchpoint for recognizing excellence, fostering collaboration, and sharing knowledge across regions.
Serhii Zakharov’s recognition serves as inspiration for other leaders in the fintech community. It reinforces the message that innovative leadership—especially in payments, an essential artery of global finance—can earn international acknowledgment and help set the agenda for future industry progress. As the community looks ahead to Singapore and beyond, awardees like Serhii highlight both the strides already made and the possibilities still to be explored in digital finance.