CV Summit 2024 Recap

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This year's CV Summit was epic! It was a buzzing celebration of the past and the future, where innovators and policymakers converged at the pinnacle blockchain business event. An underscoring theme of CV Summit 2024 was the respect given to the courage with which the authorities in Zug welcomed Ethereum ten years ago and how that courageous decision paid off. As Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter said, we are ‘in the right place at the right time’.

CV Summit 2024 showcased how blockchain technology is unfolding and how the world is embracing it. The Summit brought together all the early supporters and builders, including former Presidents of Switzerland, who honored not just the past but also showed attendees the possibilities that are yet to come. 

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The event brought together over 1,100 leaders, innovators, and policymakers — our biggest conference to date! With record numbers of attendees from all continents coming through the doors, as well as over 125 speakers across the two days, the excitement couldn’t be contained. On stage, CV Summit had some of the biggest names in the decentralized space, with speakers such as Mihai Alisie, Charles Hoskinson, Jordi Baylina, Catherine Chen, Antoni Martin Bertran, Anthony Day, and more taking the stage!

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CV Summit 2024 scores all 10s!

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This event marked the 10th edition of the CV Summit, marking the maturity of the Crypto Valley ecosystem. Throughout the years, the conference has continued to grow. Through bear markets and bull runs, CV Summit has attracted the brightest minds in the space to grow the ecosystem and demonstrate the potential of blockchain technology. 

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Additionally, this year, we celebrated Ethereum’s 10-year anniversary, as the Swiss and local authorities, as well as industry leaders in Crypto Valley, presented the Ethereum co-founders with a Swiss Blockchain Award in the category ‘Lifetime Achievement’. 

Check out the highlights from across the two days below:

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Day 1: Visionary Keynotes and Industry Insights

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The first day of CV Summit 2024 was kicked off by our Founder & CEO, Mathias Ruch, who highlighted Crypto Valley's remarkable journey over the last decade. 

Mathias emphasized Crypto Valley's leadership in the blockchain and Web3 technology revolution, a legacy we’re excited to showcase over the next two days!

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Banking and Wealth Management

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The first block of the conference focused on the world of banking and wealth management in Web3, as Switzerland’s leading banks took the stage to share their latest insights on how Swiss banks are navigating the world of crypto.

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The DLT Act, signed in 2021, was a key milestone in the banking industry's embrace of crypto and blockchain. It led to greater transparency and regulatory clarity in Switzerland. Serge Kaulitz identified the law as a “game changer,” believing it caused a serious shift in the technology's development and market sentiment.

Wealth management was up next, with keynotes from Dr. Christoph Künzle and Stefan Klauser, as well as a panel discussion featuring leaders in the wealth management industry, outlining how blockchain and AI can change the future of wealth management globally. As crypto hits the mainstream audience, the time to join the technological revolution is now, according to Stefan Klauser, with AI continuing to impact both the Web2 and Web3 industries, Switzerland will continue to lead the way on this front!

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The Tokenization of Everything

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Tokenization and real-world assets (RWAs) were next, as our panelists dove into the latest developments in asset tokenization. When asked what is preventing the tokenization market from reaching 30 trillion, Dr. Johannes Schweifer argues that a clear purpose is still the missing piece. Only when clear regulation and the efficiency of tokenization are improved can the market truly reach its potential.

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When looking at secondary markets of tokenization, BX Digital’s Andreas Ruflin acknowledged that Real World Assets (RWAs) are not only securities but are poised for significant growth in the coming years, emphasizing the importance of mass adoption. MME’s Romedi Ganzoni seconded this opinion, arguing that without a robust secondary market, tokenization struggles to gain traction.

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Web3 Technology’s Impact on Emerging Markets

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CV Summit 2024 attendees were treated to a lively discussion about the real impact of Web3 technology in emerging markets. Co-Pierre Georg expressed his concerns about the slow development of blockchain in Africa, questioning the genuine impact of Web3 and its accessibility for those who need it most. 

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In contrast, Shamba Records’ George Maina and Lisk’s Dominic Schwenter highlighted that while there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, blockchain empowers Africans to take control of their data and work toward greater financial inclusion.

As the discussion shifted to traditional finance’s role in Africa, ABSA CIB’s Rob Downes emphasized the progress being made through various pilot programs. He believes that a convergence of traditional finance and decentralized technology is not only possible but inevitable in the region.

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Branching out from the main stage - Workshops!

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At CV Summit 2024, attendees indulged in content across THREE stages! Unlike the main stage, our side stages hosted workshops offering deep dives into a variety of topics in a more intimate setting. Both side stages were well attended, as guests were provided the opportunity to ask industry leaders the tough questions.

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Day 1 featured workshops from companies such as Sygnum, ONOCOY, Aisot, Streamable Finance, Golfin, and more! A highlight workshop about the intersection of GPS and blockchain technology was not one to miss. On stage was Daniel Ammann, president of the ONOCOY Association, where attendees were exposed to the potential of high-precision GPS technology and how blockchain can power this revolutionizing technology. 

In a workshop hosted by Crossbow Partners, the audience gained unprecedented insights into the investment world and how digital assets are coming into play. According to David Friche, the biggest issues for investors are the volatility of the market and the pace at which the industry is growing. Investors are struggling to keep up with the latest trends in Web3 and alongside market volatility, there is an increased risk in the space.

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This year CV Summit hosted the Female Power Hour, where over 60 women, as well as a few men, came together to strengthen relationships and build fellowship within the greater Web3 ecosystem. After the content on stage, attendees of the power hour came together at the CV Hub to continue discussions around empowering women in the Web3 space and how to create a more inclusive ecosystem.

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One standout from the Female Power Hour session was the collective vision that women are not just participants in Web3 but creators of a decentralized future. The dynamic exchange of ideas made it clear that the participants share a commitment to transforming the tech landscape into a place where women can thrive.

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What's next for the European regulatory landscape?

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Wrapping up day 1, our panel of experts dove into the upcoming MiCA regulations and their impact on both a European and global scale. The panel kicked off with a bang, asking, "What’s next for 2025?"

Monty Metzger believes that the market will be turned upside down in 2025, as people look for stability in blockchain and crypto. MiCA will set Europe apart from the world and could become a turning point in the industry.

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Guido Buehler shared insights into the restrictions set by MiCA and the potential impact on competition, believing that, due to its pan-European domain, MiCA will allow some areas of the industry to flourish. Although the KYC and AML processes may seem tedious, Guido argues that they are a necessary trade-off to ensure the market is cleared of many players that can't be compliant.

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Forming Meaningful Connections throughout the Summit

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Alongside the awesome content being shared on the various stages, attendees were treated to ample networking opportunities. In our exhibition hall, some of our partners were able to truly display their innovative projects for attendees to uncover and meet those behind the idea. 

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With a designated photo booth and a barista on hand for a shot of caffeine, the networking was endless! Connecting with old friends and making new ones was a core highlight for many attendees across the summit.

With over 480 attendees using the CV Summit Networking App, the possibilities to meet new and familiar faces were endless. Over the course of the conference, 1,260 connections were made using the app and just under 300 meetings were booked in our networking zone!

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CV Summit is also a great place to forge new partnerships, such as DMCC and CV VC, who signed a strategic partnership during the summit. This collaboration is set to connect two of the most vibrant blockchain ecosystems in the world: Dubai and Switzerland. Learn more here.

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Day 2: Deeper Dive into Web3 and the ETH10X Celebration

Day two of the CV Summit dove deeper into the dynamic world of decentralization and unlocking the power of mass adoption. With panels and workshops looking at practical applications, driving mass adoption on a global scale, and revolutionizing traditional industries with the use of blockchain. Here are our key highlights from day 2:

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The Evolving Ethereum Landscape

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Ethereum was an important topic throughout the summit, and the panel—featuring Gelato's Luis Schliesske, Dune's Fredrik Haga, Polygon Labs' Jordi Baylina, and Safe's Lukas Schor—took a deep dive into the evolving blockchain ecosystem.

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Jordi Baylina pointed to Zero Knowledge (ZK) rollups as the future for scalability and cross-chain interconnectivity. As we move forward, ZK tech will be pivotal. 

Ethereum vs. Solana was also a hot topic on the panel. While Solana offers a broader array of applications, Lukas Schor emphasized Ethereum’s focus on stability and security. It’s about choosing the right blockchain based on your use case—Luis stressed that the application itself should dictate your chain of choice.

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The OGs are back in Town - What has happened over the last Decade?

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At CV Summit 2024, we welcomed some of Crypto Valley’s original pioneers on stage to discuss how decentralization has developed over the last decade. In a packed main stage, the panel explored the future of privacy, mass adoption, and identity in the blockchain space.

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Charles Hoskinson shared the upcoming launch of Midnight, a privacy-focused solution designed to address one of the biggest hurdles in the space - trust in data security. Charles stressed the need for better privacy tools, especially as large companies remain skeptical about putting sensitive information on public blockchains.

Nikola Stojanow highlighted the importance of identity in decentralized systems, especially for voting mechanisms. He pointed to the development of hyperchains and token-gated rooms where users can freely exchange information, all while maintaining full control over their identity and privacy.

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Driving adoption in the Creative & Sports economies in Web3

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Mass adoption is to push blockchain technology to the forefront. CV Summit 2024 provided a platform for pioneers in the sports, creative, and art economies to demonstrate their innovative projects and how they are entering these new industries.

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Golfin is taking Web3 and golf to new heights, with their hole-in-one engagement platform bridging the gap between sports and Web3. Set to launch in early 2025, John Kojiro Moriwaka and Ken Komatsu presented the project on two stages, demonstrating Golfin’s vision of heightening Web3 fan engagement in traditional sports.

Chiliz and Julian La Picque explained how Chiliz' Fan Tokens are reshaping the relationship between sports teams and supporters—empowering direct engagement where fans may not even realize they’re using Web3.

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In the creative world, the Arts3 Foundation presented its latest project, “the Arts & Web3 Startup Award,” which focused on providing funding for projects in the creative and arts industries that utilize Web3 technology. Arts3’s Andrea Lerdo, Dr. Mattia Rattaggi, and Leo Matchet outlined the key objectives of the award on stage and announced the $100,000 prize money up for grabs!

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The CV Labs Accelerator shone bright on day 2

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New to CV Summit this year, our accelerator program organized a dedicated workshop session, where our startups were given the opportunity to shine on stage in front of Crypto Valley’s leading innovators. Joined on stage by industry experts such as Jordi Baylina and Julian La Picque, over 15 of our portfolio startups put their innovative projects in the spotlight and tackled current trends such as global on-ramps, ZK applications, DeFi/chain abstraction, and more.

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ETH10X - Celebrating a Decade of Ethereum!

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CV Summit 2024 wrapped up with our ETH10X Celebration, which honored the founders of Ethereum for their impact both in Switzerland and on a global scale. On a packed main stage, ETH10X kicked off with industry leaders from CV VC, MME, Bitcoin Suisse, Zuger Kantonalbank, and Safe thanking the Ethereum founders for their contribution to Crypto Valley and sharing their experiences of Ethereum’s impact.

Following this, the audience was treated to special keynote addresses from Mihai Alisie and Vitalik Buterin (virtually), who shared unseen footage of the founders’ journey to Switzerland and establishing Ethereum in Switzerland, as well as what the next 10 years of Ethereum could look like.

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To finish off, the Ethereum founders were presented with a lifetime achievement award in the inaugural ‘Swiss Blockchain Awards’. We were excited to welcome Mihai Alisie, Charles Hoskinson, and Anthony Di Iorio live on stage to accept the awards, and representatives accepting the awards on behalf of Vitalik Buterin and Gavin Wood.

The night just got started though! After the inspiring content on stage, attendees danced the night away at our official afterparty, wrapping up two awesome days of CV Summit with drinks, laughs and creating memories.

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Conclusion - Crypto Valley continues to prevail as a leading blockchain hub

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CV Summit 2024 serves as a beacon of Crypto Valley’s unwavering dedication to innovation and decentralization, showcasing the immense potential that still lies ahead in the blockchain industry.

As a global leader in blockchain excellence, Crypto Valley's founders and its expansive ecosystem remain firmly rooted, fueled by a deep sense of maturity and purpose. This community continues to push boundaries, committed to building a decentralized future that benefits humanity as a whole.

With CV Summit 2024, Crypto Valley embarks on the next chapter of its journey, where the focus is not only on advancing technology but on creating meaningful, positive change for a more inclusive and decentralized world.

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