We are inside of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and it’s being driven, in large part, by blockchain and cryptocurrency, where developments in tech can enable a true shift of power balance in traditional gatekeepers and wealth creation.
First movers will create a great deal of wealth and lay foundations based on the conversations people are having today. This could create an even bigger wealth gap in our country and around the world. It will be key that such wealth is deployed for greater social good. But will it?
CryptoBlockCon will hit New York City Aug. 14 to Aug. 15 at the NYIT Auditorium. This will be an intriguing, intimate conference because it will examine the blockchain and cryptocurrency space via speakers with unique perspectives. Quite simply, all such information is extremely valuable.
The conference will include:
The CryptoBlockCon team has close to 20 years of experience producing executive-level, leadership-oriented programs in emerging and highly fragmented industries, said Wyatt Hoover, executive director of CryptoBlockCon.
Due to the dynamic nature of the blockchain industry, consistent communication and collaboration between industry stakeholders will be key in moving forward with respect to thought leadership, governmental regulations and educating and engaging the public, Hoover says. That’s why the event was created.
“For those yet to discover blockchain, we will provide educational opportunities to help entry-level enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and investors get started and, of course, understand all the opportunities and risks associated with those activities,” he said.
CryptoBlockCon is designed to foster communication and collaboration. Speakers include the following:
Steve Masur, a partner at Masur Griffitts + LLP is a featured speaker. He has been practicing media, entertainment and technology law for more than 20 years.
“Blockchain and crypto is chock-full of entrepreneurs with big ideas,” Masur said. “I plan to talk about some of the big ideas that these technologies can bring to fruition, the legal impediments that may stand in the way, and how to reconcile those interests.”
Gil Beyda, managing director at corporate VC firm Comcast Ventures — and founder and managing partner at Genacast Ventures — plans to focus on venture capital and the investment perspective.
“From an investment perspective, the blockchain and crypto space is one of the most exciting places to be right now,” Beyda said. “I am able to identify interesting startups and help turn that potential into real businesses solving real problems.”
Beyda said his role at one of the most active corporate VC firms, Comcast Ventures, offers a unique perspective by interfacing with Comcast and NBCUniversal to understand some of their challenges and successes with deploying blockchain technology.
“That perspective helps to inform our investment thesis with real-world use-cases and applications for blockchain technology,” Beyda said. “Also, we often connect our portfolio companies with Comcast and NBCUniversal for potential partnerships and accelerate business. Those advantages are simply unavailable to other venture capital firms.”
This type of activity in the early stages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution will create a great deal of wealth and lay foundations stemming from such conversations. This could create an even bigger wealth gap in our country and around the world. It will be key that such wealth is deployed for greater social impact. But will it?
“Crypto, as the media defines it, is just one subset of what can be done using blockchain technology,” Masur said. “But crypto can help social impact by solving one of its greatest pain points, raising money for causes. Blockchain can be deployed for social impact in a much more astonishingly broad myriad of ways.”
Beyda adds, “One area where crypto may make a social impact is in the developing world where currencies are erratic and central banks are not trusted. Just as the developing countries leapfrogged hard-wired telephones and went directly to mobile, when it comes to digital currency, developing countries will likely leapfrog debit/credit cards and use technologies like bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.” He concludes, “So eventually, as the technology is proven and earns trust, people in developing countries will have access to a newer, more stable digital economy.”
However, right here in the U.S., given the turbulence around race, politics and more, these new platforms will have a growing impact on overall culture and trends.
A particularly exciting category is identity, Beyda said. Given the widespread data breaches in the market and complex regulations, companies are struggling to keep up in this area. Innovation will be vital in such a space.
However, Masur takes an even wider view.
“Blockchain technology is still very early in its development,” Masur said. “If fewer people made bold predictions, it would make life easier for the people who are actually trying to build something real. I think we should stop looking solely to lawyers to be thought leaders in the space. Our legal system works according to precedent, but taking the past into account only works up to a point with new technologies. It’s time for Congress to step up and tell us what the people want, instead of putting it all on the regulators. We’ve done it before, and we can do it again here. We are smart enough.”
