Blockchain
METAL International Partner Oscar Wendel Speaks At The ‘Leaders In Islamabad’ Business Summit 2022
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The 5th Edition of the ‘Leaders In Islamabad’ Business Summit was held on August 17-18, 2022 at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad organized by the Nutshell Conferences Group and Martin Dow Group.
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The global business event with the theme of ‘Imagineering the Future’ attracted the top business minds, speakers, and delegates from across the world.
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Oscar Wendel, Partner, METAL International, addressed the panel discussion on ‘Innovating for Growth’.
Islamabad, Pakistan–(Newsfile Corp. – September 19, 2022) – LIIBS (Leaders In Islamabad’ Business Summit) recently organized its fifth edition of the endeavour in August 2022 in Islamabad. From local leaders to global experts, government and political dignitaries, tech gurus, entrepreneurs, and niche business fraternity from across the globe gathered to interact, network, and collaborate.
The Finance Minister Miftah Ismail inaugurated the ceremony as the Chief Guest. Several leaders joined the conference virtually as well. Apart from global business intelligentsia, regional leadership teams of MNCs (telecom, pharmaceutical, FMCG, engineering, consulting, media) attended the event.
“Imagineering the Future” – Discussing Future And Innovation
The event had several renowned speakers from the world business diaspora. It focussed on discussions and panels to share the best practices and insights, brainstorm on challenges, and visualize the future roadmap with creative and innovative strategies.
The two-day summit saw more than 30 distinguished panelists from diverse niches, industries, and business ideologies. More than 1,000 local and global business delegates from a wide range of verticals like economics, public and private healthcare, investments, digital space, innovation, and more attended the mega event.
The primary agenda encompassed discussions and finding solutions for ‘smarter, simple ways of doing things’ as said by Oscar Wendel, who addressed a panel on ‘Innovation for Growth’.
LIIBS 2022 was a progressive conclave of national and international business leaders, innovators, economists, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, government officials, policymakers, investors, and many more.
METAL International – Meeting The World At LIIBS 2022
Oscar Wendel, a partner at METAL International, attended the summit as a Speaker and addressed a panel discussion on innovation. He spoke about how ‘innovation’ is not just about doing things in a new complex way, but rather doing it in ‘smarter ways using resources better – doing more with less’. He emphasized that obstacles for incumbents are opportunities for innovative startups to jump in and be more competitive.
METAL International (Media, Entertainment, Technology and Arts Leaders), founded by Ken Rutkowski, is where thought leaders and innovators from different niches interact and exchange ideas, wisdom, and insights. It helps their personal and professional growth by sharing intellect and information. They aim to support and grow individuals and businesses through curated information from people across the globe. Virtual forums help to facilitate the flow of expertise and opinions to connect an individual to the larger ecosystem.
Before moving to the Middle East in 2008, Oscar Wendel was the Senior Content Manager of Global Events at the Financial Times in London, a contributing editor of Construction Week, and an op-ed writer for Bloomberg BusinessWeek. His book Bargepole Management was described as ‘something of a rare gem’ by Forbes Middle East. His current role in the team organising GITEX Global (October 10 – 14 at Dubai World Trade Centre) is to bring the best minds in the world to come together to explore innovation and technology.
‘Innovation Growth’- Highlights of The Panel Discussion
Ralph Simon, CEO of Mobilium, gave the opening presentation and key speakers included the Ministers of Finance and Climate change, a Professor from Oxford University, and representatives from the World Economic Forum.
Sajjeed Aslam, the Regional Lead of Public Affairs Asia Pacific, ACCA, moderated the panel. He stressed that “innovation is about a mindset and culture that needs to be nurtured. How can culture and design in an organisation or at a country level help us to innovate and execute strategy better?“
In response to his question on how innovation and growth are related, Wendel mentioned that, “the essence of growth is creating more value in the marketplace that is transacted which is often lost in buzzwords.”
On the aspect of how a country and culture can impact and promote economic growth, Wendel mentioned that education is a priority. He added, “A large part of education is learning how to think, and how best to think about innovation is learning how to be open and adapt to change. Innovation in practice requires discipline, it is not just knowing the better way of doing something, it’s also having the stamina to stick to it and achieve incremental improvements over long periods. This is also about education, learning how to think, planning long-term, and seeing the bigger picture.”
He also highlighted the opportunities at the GITEX Global conference scheduled in Dubai, where a global audience will explore technological innovation across industry sectors and creative economies including music, fashion and film.
View highlights from the panel: Innovating for Growth in Islamabad 2022 https://youtu.be/zGbLiZ6GG1M
Watch the full Summit: https://bit.ly/LIIBS2022playlist
Media Contact:
METAL International
https://www.metal.international/contact
Oscar Wendel
Email ID:
[email protected]
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/135570
Blockchain
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Blockchain
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TransFi
The blockchain universe never sleeps. From pioneering cross-border payment systems in Central America to city-wide crypto strategies in New York City, today’s headlines reveal an industry maturing at breakneck speed. In this edition of Blocks & Headlines, we explore five landmark developments:
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Guatemala’s Banco Industrial integrates blockchain for seamless cross-border remittances.
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NYC Mayor’s Office unveils a comprehensive crypto and blockchain roadmap.
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OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative sign an MOU to launch the OSRH token.
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Bybit’s “Chicken Trader” livestream—crypto meets poultry in the world’s first poultry-powered trading showdown.
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FIFA taps Avalanche to build a dedicated blockchain for its NFT platform.
These stories underscore three key trends reshaping the ecosystem:
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Institutional Adoption & Regulation: From national banks to municipal governments, legacy institutions are embracing decentralized technologies.
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Tokenization & Community Engagement: Strategic partnerships are launching specialized tokens that bridge niche communities with global markets.
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Innovative Use Cases: Whether gaming, entertainment, or live-stream events, blockchain’s versatility spawns ever-more creative applications.
Join us as we unpack the implications, weigh the opportunities, and forecast where these trajectories might lead.
1. Guatemala’s Largest Bank Integrates Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments
What Happened
Guatemala’s Banco Industrial, the country’s biggest financial institution, announced the deployment of a private‐permissioned blockchain network to streamline remittances from the U.S. into Guatemala City and beyond. The solution reduces settlement times from days to minutes, cuts fees by up to 60 %, and offers real-time traceability for senders and receivers.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & Commentary
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Financial Inclusion Boost: Remittances account for over 12 % of Guatemala’s GDP. By minimizing friction and cost, blockchain integration will extend financial services to remote communities reliant on diaspora funds.
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Risk & Compliance: Permissioned networks allow Banco Industrial to retain AML/KYC controls, mitigating concerns around illicit flows. This hybrid approach demonstrates that enterprise blockchain can balance decentralization with regulatory rigor.
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Regional Ripple Effects: Neighboring Central American banks are watching closely. Should Guatemala’s pilot succeed, we can expect a domino effect across El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica—each seeking to capitalize on faster, cheaper cross-border rails.
Implications
Legacy banks worldwide should view this as a blueprint: private blockchains can coexist with existing compliance frameworks while delivering transformative user benefits. Early movers will capture remittance market share and cultivate fintech partnerships across the Latin American corridor.
2. NYC Mayor Unveils Ambitious Crypto & Blockchain Agenda
What Happened
New York City Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s multi-pronged strategy to make NYC a global crypto hub. Key initiatives include:
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A regulatory sandbox for crypto startups to pilot DeFi, NFTs, and token-based fundraising under city supervision.
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Partnerships with CUNY and Columbia University for blockchain research and talent development.
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Deployment of a blockchain-based public record system for land titles and business registrations.
Source: GovTech
Analysis & Commentary
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Regulatory Harmony vs. Overreach: By offering a controlled sandbox rather than blanket deregulation, NYC signals a nuanced stance—encouraging innovation without sacrificing consumer protection.
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Talent Pipeline: Academic partnerships aim to remedy the talent shortage plaguing blockchain firms. Local graduates trained in distributed ledger technologies (DLT) will feed startups, financial institutions, and government agencies.
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Public Services on Chain: Land registries and business filings on blockchain promise greater transparency and fraud reduction. If scaled effectively, NYC could set a global standard for government-blockchain integration.
Implications
Other major cities—London, Singapore, Dubai—will feel pressure to match NYC’s playbook. Municipal leaders should prioritize sandbox frameworks and academia-industry liaisons to nurture homegrown crypto ecosystems.
3. OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative Launch OSRH Token
What Happened
OSR Holdings, BCM Europe, and the Taekwondo Cooperative signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the OSRH token, a blockchain-based digital asset aimed at supporting global Taekwondo practitioners. Features include:
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Membership Rewards: Tokens earned through event participation, coaching certifications, and tournament wins.
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Decentralized Governance: Athletes vote on sponsorship allocations and rule-change proposals via on-chain ballots.
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Marketplace Integration: A dedicated NFT marketplace for Taekwondo memorabilia, from digital belts to highlight reels.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Niche Tokenization: OSRH token exemplifies the power of community-focused tokens. By aligning incentives with passion points—training, competition, governance—stakeholders gain ownership and engagement.
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Governance Innovation: Athlete-driven decision-making on sponsorship and funding disrupts top-down federation models. This could democratize sports governance across disciplines.
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Commercial Ecosystem: The NFT marketplace offers monetization channels for athletes and federations alike. Strategic royalties on secondary sales ensure sustainable funding.
Implications
Other sports federations and niche communities should explore token models that blend rewards, governance, and commerce. Successful launches will hinge on clear utility, user education, and regulatory compliance in key jurisdictions.
4. Bybit Presents “Chicken Trader”: The World’s First Poultry-Powered Trading Showdown
What Happened
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit debuted “Chicken Trader,” a live-streamed event where two contestants trade crypto pairs—and manage live chickens—to earn “Egg Points.” Viewers can stake on their favorite trader, earning NFTs and token rewards based on performance.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Gamification Meets DeFi: Chicken Trader’s fusion of live-stream engagement, staking mechanics, and NFTs exemplifies Web3’s playful ethos—turning trading into interactive entertainment.
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User Acquisition Strategy: Bybit gamified acquisition funnels, leveraging viral social content to onboard nontraditional crypto audiences intrigued by the novelty factor.
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Regulatory Tightrope: Combining staking with competition and livestock raises jurisdictional questions around gambling, securities, and animal welfare. Bybit must navigate diverse regulations to scale globally.
Implications
Other exchanges will replicate gamified formats to differentiate UX and grow communities. Yet long-term viability demands balancing flashy live-events with rigorous compliance, sustainable tokenomics, and authentic value for participants.
5. FIFA Taps Avalanche to Power Its NFT Platform
What Happened
Global soccer body FIFA selected the Avalanche blockchain to launch its official NFT marketplace, featuring digital collectibles—from World Cup highlights to player-card packs. Avalanche’s high throughput and low fees were cited as decisive factors.
Source: TradingView (via Cointelegraph)
Analysis & Commentary
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Scalability & Sustainability: Avalanche’s consensus mechanism delivers sub-second finality and carbon-offset commitments, aligning with FIFA’s environmental pledges.
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Fan Engagement: Tokenized highlights and limited-edition digital memorabilia expand revenue streams beyond broadcast rights, offering fans verifiable ownership and collectible provenance.
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Interoperability: Avalanche’s growing DeFi ecosystem enables future integrations—staking fan tokens, launching prediction-market games, or embedding NFT rewards in FIFA’s mobile apps.
Implications
Major sports leagues and entertainment brands eyeing NFT forays will scrutinize Avalanche’s performance under FIFA’s global load. Blockchain platforms must prove they can handle spikes during marquee events—kickoff times, finals, transfer windows—while preserving UX and sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Today’s Blocks & Headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:
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Legacy institutions like banks and city governments are unlocking new efficiencies and transparency through private and public DLT networks.
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Community-driven tokens are redefining governance and monetization in sports and niche domains.
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Innovative engagement—from poultry-fueled trading spectacles to global soccer NFTs—demonstrates blockchain’s capacity for gamification, fan loyalty, and novel revenue models.
Yet with opportunity comes responsibility: scalable architectures must coexist with robust compliance; token economies require thoughtful design to sustain value; and regulators, academia, and industry must collaborate to craft frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection.
As blockchain weaves deeper into finance, governance, entertainment, and sports, stakeholders who embrace strategic partnerships, prioritize user education, and invest in resilient infrastructures will lead the charge into Web3’s next frontier.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 22, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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