Blockchain
EmTech Investment Meeting in Davos Gathers Investors with More Than $400 bn AUM

The Emerging Technologies Investment Meeting in Davos gathered leading industry players and major investors to discuss the hottest topics in finance, including social impact and sustainable investment, as well as the evolution of the global financial market.
The meeting offered three days of complete immersion into the world of deep tech and institutional finance, with the participation of leading global investors representing more than $400 billion in AUM.
The annual Emerging Technologies Investment Meeting in Davos once again looked at impact investments in emerging tech through a fascinating series of panel discussions and keynote speeches.
The EmTech Investment Meeting brings together business leaders, investors, PE & VC Funds, Corporate VC, hedge funds, professional traders, family offices, government representatives, and journalists.
The three-day programme commenced on 20 January 2020 with an evening event entitled “Sustainable Investments and Social Impact of Emerging Technologies.” The discussion began with opening remarks from Daniyal Baig (Forbes Middle East). Speakers from the investment and academia spheres included Sandro Salsano (Salsano Group & Salsano Family Office), Ibrahim AlMojel (Saudi Industrial Development Fund), Pär Lindstrom (i(x) Investments), Henrik Lundin (IMAS Foundation), Sebastiaan Ranner (MN), Carlos Sanchez (Willis Towers Watson), Christian Wipf (Schaffhausen Institute of Technology). The perspective on emerging technologies and trends was presented by Alexander Prokhorov (MultiGreen), Peter Fedichev (Gero AI), Brian Kean (Sensorium), Evgenii Borisov (VIMANA), Yusef Khesuani (VIVAX BIO/3D Bioprinting Solutions), Sergey Sholom (GNation Foundation) and David Solomon (Blueprints).
Dr. Tobias Reichmuth (SUSI Partners), who moderated the panel discussion “Sustainable Finance: a Must for Institutional Investors,” said: “Climate change is one of the most-discussed topics at Davos this year, which means that sustainable finance has an importance like never before. We have seen in our panel that while certain barriers must still be overcome, capital is available and we are generally going in the right direction. ”
Peter Fedichev, Founder of Gero, noted: “In 2019 we achieved rejuvenation in mammals using an intervention discovered by artificial intelligence. It is a significant milestone for the AI and biotech industries. We are happy to announce it here at the EmTech conference at Davos, which is an impressive gathering of people interested in impact investments.”
Brian Kean, Head of International IR and Voice Creation at Sensorium, told the audience: “As content creators, we ask you all to keep an eye out for our late 2020 world-wide launch. The Social VR experience in the Sensorium Galaxy is the next step in social networking.”
This session was followed by a fireside chat between Arif Khan (Alethea AI) and Dan Patterson (CNET and CBS News) about the synthetic media revolution.
Day two (21 January 2020) of the programme took place at Davos’ HardRock Hotel, leading with a discussion on “Evolution of Financial Markets.” The discussion featured opening remarks from Zack Seward (CoinDesk), followed by keynote speeches from Charles Hoskinson (Cardano foundation), Lennix Lai (OKEx) and Ciara Sun (Huobi Group); and a panel discussion entitled “The Beginning of Institutional Era for Digital Assets: Custody, Prime Brokerage, Exchanges, Hedge Funds” presented by Rupertus Rothenhaeuser (SIX Digital Exchange), Steve Kelso (Galaxy Digital), George Zarya (Bequant Prime Brokerage), Marc P. Bernegger (Crypto Finance AG) and moderated by Jemima Kelly, a reporter at FT Alphaville, Financial Times.
The evening proceeded with a talk by Ezequiel Steiner (Acronis), Ali Mizani Oskui (FiCAS) and presentation by Lennix Lai (OKEx) entitled, “Disrupting the Future: Financial Markets Evolutions,” and a fireside chat between Brian Collins (Horizon) & James Haft (PALcapital).
The second day concluded with a panel discussion on Investments in Digital Assets in Asia with Hugh Madden, CEO at BC Group, and other thought leaders from OKEx, Huobi Group, PALcapital, and was moderated by Tom Blackwell, CEO of EM.
Ciara Sun, Vice President of Global Business at Huobi Group, stated: “There is an industry-wide consensus that institutional investors and HNWIs will be the major contributors of growth for the crypto economy in 2020 and beyond, but barriers like low liquidity and a lack of asset enhancement products are stalling widespread adoption. By introducing institutional-grade products and liquidity solutions that cater to the needs of institutions and eliminate existing barriers, we are aiming to help drive the entire crypto-economy forward.”
According to Lennix Lai, Financial Market Director at OKEx: “Unbankedness has been a global challenge. The underprivileged who are not able to afford or return with enough economic benefits to the bank are left behind from a decent living standard.”
Diego Gutierrez Zaldivar, CEO of IOV Labs, commented: “We are thrilled to have been sponsors at the EmTech Investing Meeting 2020, as it has touched upon topics that are at the heart of our organization. IOV Labs is focused on developing the platforms needed for a new blockchain-based financial system that will enable worldwide financial inclusion and bridge the gap between these nascent technologies and mass adoption. We are aiming to do this through RSK Smart Contracts that extended Bitcoin´s functionalities, RIF (RSK Infrastructure Framework) that is creating the building blocks to construct a fully decentralized internet by adding identity, storage, communications, marketplaces, micro-payments, and gateways layers, and Taringa — the world’s largest Spanish-speaking social medial network with 30 million users and over 1,000 active online communities.”
On day three, EmTech IM held a discussion on the travel rule and data privacy with opening remarks from Michael Casey of CoinDesk, followed by a keynote address by Jason Hsu, Congressman and President of the Taiwan Parliamentary Coalition for Blockchain & Industry Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO).
This was followed by two panel sessions. The first, entitled, “Travel Rule and Data Privacy,” featured presentations by Nathan Kaiser (Cardano Foundation), Anson Zeall (Blockchain Association) and Ron Tucker (IDAXA).
The second panel session was entitled, “Compliance Solutions for Business,” included the speakers Delphine Forma (Lykke Business), Gino Wirthensohn (Sygnum), Guido Rudolphi (SEBA Bank AG), David Riegelnig (Bitcoin Suisse) and Zurab Ashvil (L3COS), and was moderated by Anna Poullain, freelance journalist for Vice News, Getty Video and Reuters.
Zurab Ashvil, CEO at L3COS, stated: “Without having a single universal platform for governments, businesses and individuals worldwide, there is no practical solution for addressing the underlying blockchain problems that we are facing today.”
Founders of the EmTech Investment Meeting, Anna Palmina and Alena Yudina, said:
“We are delighted to be in Davos to bring topical debate and knowledge from incredible speakers to an audience thirsty for content on world-changing issues — such as the growing recognition that the societal and environmental impact of investments is of equal importance to their financial returns. There is no better place than Davos to discuss such issues, where the best global minds in finance, government, business and technology come together. We are honoured to be hosting an event where positive and world-changing conversations can take place.”
All panel discussions and keynote speeches were recorded. To request video or quotes from speakers and other information, please contact EmTech IM’s organisers at [email protected]
SOURCE EmTech Investment Meeting
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Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 29, 2025

Blockchain and cryptocurrency continue to evolve at breakneck speed, with price surges, geopolitical alliances, regulatory battlegrounds, ethical debates, and landmark legal rulings all unfolding within days of one another. In today’s roundup, we examine five pivotal developments:
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Bitcoin Nears Six Figures – Santiment predicts BTC could hit $100,000 in the next fortnight.
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Pakistan’s Crypto Push – Trump-backed World Liberty Financial inks a landmark MoU with the Pakistan Crypto Council.
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U.S. Anti-Scam Legislation – Bipartisan GUARD Act would arm law enforcement with blockchain tracing tools against “pig butchering” fraud.
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Ethics Under the Microscope – A deep dive into privacy, transparency, and security trade-offs in modern blockchain systems.
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Regulatory Clarity Down Under – Australia’s Full Federal Court rules that Block Earner’s fixed-yield product isn’t a “financial product,” overturning ASIC.
Together, these stories illustrate four key trends shaping Web3 today:
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Market Psychology Meets On-Chain Data: Investor sentiment, as tracked on-chain, now drives price forecasts as much as macroeconomic indicators.
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Public-Private Alliances: From Islamabad to Washington, partnerships are expanding blockchain’s reach into national agendas.
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Ethics & Governance: As blockchain pervades finance and society, debates over privacy versus transparency demand new frameworks.
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Legal & Regulatory Evolution: Court precedents and legislation are rapidly defining what constitutes regulated financial activity on-chain.
Below, we unpack each story in detail—providing concise summaries, opinion-driven insights, and context on why these developments matter for DeFi architects, NFT entrepreneurs, compliance officers, and everyday crypto users alike.
1. Bitcoin on the Cusp of $100,000? Santiment’s Bullish Outlook
Summary
Blockchain analytics firm Santiment has flagged a steep uptick in on-chain and social metrics suggesting Bitcoin could surpass $100,000 within one to two weeks. Key observations include:
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Greed Index Surge: Social media sentiment shows a 2.1:1 ratio of bullish to bearish Bitcoin commentary, the highest since early 2021.
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Whale Accumulation: Large-scale addresses have increased their holdings, poised to absorb any retail-driven sell pressure around $95,000.
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Equities Decoupling: A weakening correlation with S&P 500 movements could free BTC price action to run independently.
As of April 28, BTC traded near $94,500—up 1.5% over 24 hours—setting the stage for a potential six-figure breakout. Source: Bitcoinist
Analysis & Opinion
Santiment’s data-driven approach underscores how Web3 metrics have migrated from niche analytic platforms to core inputs for institutional strategy desks. The high “greed” level signals FOMO—a double-edged sword that can accelerate rallies but also precipitate sharp corrections if profit-taking intensifies. Notably, whale accumulation suggests a medium-term bullish bias, yet history warns that significant profit-booking around round numbers (e.g., $100K) can trigger retracements.
For DeFi protocols and crypto funds, this moment demands calibrated risk management: locking in gains via hedging products, ensuring liquidity buffers, and avoiding emotional trading. Meanwhile, retail platforms should brace for surges in trading volume and account sign-ups, reinforcing the importance of robust blockchain security and user-education initiatives.
2. Pakistan Crypto Council Partners with World Liberty Financial
Summary
On April 26, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) signed a landmark Letter of Intent with World Liberty Financial (WLF)—a U.S.-based DeFi platform backed by former President Donald Trump—to accelerate blockchain innovation and stablecoin usage in Pakistan. Highlights:
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Regulatory Sandboxes: Frameworks for testing DeFi products and tokenized assets (real estate, commodities).
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Stablecoin Remittances: Pilot programs for cross-border money transfers targeting Pakistan’s $300 billion annual crypto corridor.
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Strategic Advisory: WLF to guide government on global compliance trends and infrastructure.
The MoU was endorsed by Pakistan’s Finance Minister, SECP Chairman, and State Bank Governor, signaling imminent comprehensive crypto legislation. Source: Dawn
Analysis & Opinion
This partnership blends geopolitical outreach with economic stimulus: Pakistan’s youthful demographic (64% under 30) and high mobile penetration make it fertile ground for Web3 adoption. By embedding regulatory sandboxes, the PCC balances innovation with consumer safeguards—an approach that many emerging markets view as best practice.
However, tying DeFi initiatives to high-profile political backers can be a double-edged sword. While it draws global attention and investment, it also raises concerns about long-term policy stability and brand risk should political fortunes shift. For blockchain projects eyeing expansion in South Asia, the PCC-WLF model offers a blueprint: engage regulators early, co-design pilot programs, and anchor projects in clear governance.
3. Bipartisan GUARD Act to Leverage Blockchain Against Fraud Scams
Summary
On April 21, a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives introduced the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, empowering federal grants for state and local law enforcement to use blockchain tracing tools against finance scams—especially “pig butchering,” which accounted for over 33% of crypto scam revenue in 2024. Key provisions:
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Grant Funding: Eligible law enforcement agencies may apply for federal funds to deploy blockchain analytic platforms.
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Interagency Cooperation: The FTC, DOJ, and FBI can assist local authorities in on-chain investigations.
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Public Awareness: AARP partnership to educate seniors on recognizing and reporting scams.
The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ). Source: CoinGeek
Analysis & Opinion
The GUARD Act represents a maturation in the regulatory embrace of blockchain—shifting from finger-wagging skepticism to proactive toolset integration. By equipping local agencies with on-chain forensics, the bill acknowledges blockchain’s unique transparency advantage in tracing illicit flows. Yet, success hinges on standardized training curricula and privacy-preserving protocols to prevent overreach.
Critically, the legislation sets a precedent for leveraging public ledgers as law-enforcement assets, raising broader questions about data sovereignty and civil liberties. Future discussions will need to address how to anonymize sensitive data while retaining investigative efficacy—an area ripe for innovation in zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure technologies.
4. The Ethics of Blockchain: Privacy vs. Transparency vs. Security
Summary
In a comprehensive overview, The Shib Daily explores the enduring tension at the heart of blockchain ethics: balancing privacy, transparency, and security. Core takeaways:
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Privacy Paradox: Pseudonymity shields user data yet can facilitate money-laundering via mixers like Tornado Cash. Emerging solutions include zk-SNARKs and selective disclosure.
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Transparency Dilemma: Public ledgers bolster trust and accountability (e.g., DAOs), but can inadvertently expose individual transaction patterns. Graduated transparency models seek a middle ground.
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Security Imperative: Open-source code invites scrutiny and innovation but also widens the attack surface—as the 2016 DAO hack famously illustrated. Robust governance frameworks are essential for rapid response.
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Looking Ahead: Trends such as decentralized identity, AI-powered compliance, and values-based protocol design will shape the next wave of ethical blockchain systems. Source: The Shib Daily
Analysis & Opinion
As blockchain integrates with DeFi, NFT marketplaces, and Web3 social platforms, the ethics conversation is no longer academic—it’s a business imperative. Protocol designers must bake in privacy-enhancing features without sacrificing auditability. Regulators, in turn, should foster self-regulatory organizations (SROs) that can iterate faster than one-size-fits-all statutes.
Moreover, embedding human rights by design and inclusive governance will become key differentiators for projects seeking mainstream legitimacy. In practice, this means multi-stakeholder governance councils, transparent upgrade processes, and clear redress mechanisms for users harmed by security breaches or governance missteps.
5. Australia’s Full Court Clarifies Yield-Generation Is Not a “Financial Product”
Summary
On April 28, the Australian Federal Court’s Full Bench overturned a 2024 ruling against Block Earner (Web3 Ventures Pty Ltd), finding that its fixed-yield “Earner” product does not constitute a regulated financial product. Highlights:
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AFSL Exemption: Block Earner was not required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) for its fixed-yield offering.
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Regulatory Scope Narrowed: The decision distinguishes a product’s legal structure from its economic function when assessing licensing requirements.
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Industry Impact: ASIC must cover legal costs, and DeFi projects can reconsider paused yield offerings.
Fintech and blockchain lead John Bassilios commented that this judgment “provides more clarity and may encourage businesses to revisit product offerings previously paused due to regulatory risk.” Source: Australasian Lawyer
Analysis & Opinion
This ruling marks a watershed moment for DeFi platforms operating in regulated jurisdictions. By focusing on the legal characterization of products rather than their yield-generation mechanics, the Full Court offers a template for structuring future offerings—potentially reducing compliance costs and accelerating innovation.
However, projects must proceed with caution: the decision may not extend to variable-yield or tokenized asset schemes without clear legal wrappers. Legal teams will need to collaborate closely with compliance officers to craft modular product architectures that can adapt swiftly as regulators elsewhere (e.g., the EU’s MiCA framework) set new standards.
Conclusion: Synthesizing Today’s Takeaways
Today’s blockchain headlines underscore a multifaceted reality:
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Market Rhythms & On-Chain Signals: Data-driven tools like Santiment are now indispensable for anticipating volatile price moves.
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Global Adoption Models: Public-private partnerships—from Pakistan’s innovation hub to U.S. law enforcement—demonstrate blockchain’s versatility across contexts.
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Ethical Imperatives: Balancing privacy, transparency, and security remains a moving target, requiring continuous protocol refinement and inclusive governance.
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Regulatory Clarity Fuels Innovation: Court decisions in Australia and proposed U.S. legislation illustrate how legal frameworks can both enable and constrain DeFi growth.
For blockchain builders, investors, and policymakers, these developments offer clear action items:
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Embrace Data-Driven Decision-Making: Integrate on-chain analytics into trading, risk, and compliance workflows.
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Forge Strategic Alliances: Collaborate with governmental bodies and standards organizations to pilot responsible Web3 initiatives.
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Prioritize Ethical Design: Embed privacy-enhancing and security-first features from the ground up, with mechanisms for community oversight.
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Stay Legally Agile: Monitor evolving case law and legislation, and structure products to fit within—and adapt to—regulatory boundaries.
As blockchain continues its journey from fringe experiment to foundational infrastructure, today’s stories remind us that technology, policy, and ethics must advance hand in hand. Whether you’re fine-tuning a yield-farm, drafting a compliance roadmap, or debating zk-SNARK implementations, the imperative is clear: build responsibly, innovate boldly, and shape a Web3 ecosystem that’s as secure and inclusive as it is transformative.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – April 29, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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