Chinese AI Model Kimi K3 Uncovers Nearly 8,000 Potential Flaws Across Bitcoin’s Open-Source Ecosy...
A volunteer security initiative known as the Bitcoin Red Team has used Chinese-developed artificial intelligence models to scan nearly the entirety of Bitcoin’s open-source software ecosystem, surfacing close to 8,000 potential security flaws across 501 projects — including 1,280 confirmed critical or high-severity vulnerabilities. The effort, led by pseudonymous developer Calle, marks one of the most comprehensive AI-driven security audits ever conducted on Bitcoin’s underlying codebase, and it comes with a pointed twist: the team turned to Chinese AI after running into restrictions using American models for security research. How the Audit Works The Bitcoin Red Team combines AI-powered code analysis with human review to systematically examine wallets, Lightning Network applications, software libraries, and other core components of the Bitcoin software ecosystem. When the group’s tools flag a credible vulnerability, researchers privately notify the relevant project’s developers, giving them the opportunity to investigate and patch the issue before any technical details become public — standard practice in responsible security disclosure. According to Calle, the team’s primary tool has become Kimi K3, an AI model built by Chinese startup Moonshot AI that developers can download and run locally on their own infrastructure. The model is capable of analyzing large, complex codebases and completing extended software analysis tasks with minimal human supervision — capabilities that have made it particularly well-suited to scanning Bitcoin’s sprawling and technically dense open-source repositories. “Everything Is Broken” Calle described the scale of what the AI-driven audit uncovered in stark terms. “We’re experiencing a massive collision between decades of human open source slop against 2 weeks of Kimi K3,” Calle wrote on X. “Everything is broken, Bitcoin is burning.” Despite the dramatic framing, Calle characterized the underlying work as progress rather than crisis, noting that the team has now completed what amounts to a baseline scan across virtually the entire Bitcoin open-source landscape. “We’ve basically completed a basic scan of virtually the entirety of Bitcoin open source,” Calle wrote. “The low hanging fruit is done.” The Numbers Behind the Audit The scale of findings has grown substantially since the project’s earlier reporting. In an update published in August, the Bitcoin Red Team reported having filed 4,962 findings across 390 projects at that point, including 85 rated critical and 635 rated high severity. Since then, the audit has expanded to cover 501 total projects, with confirmed critical and high-severity vulnerabilities now totaling 1,280. Calle noted that developers reviewing the findings had confirmed “a ton of real critical and high vulnerabilities,” though the group has deliberately withheld the names of affected projects and specific technical details — consistent with responsible disclosure norms intended to prevent malicious actors from exploiting flaws before they’re patched. Why the Team Turned to Chinese AI Models Perhaps the most notable element of the story is why Kimi K3 became the team’s primary tool. According to Calle, American AI models from companies including OpenAI and Anthropic have also been used in the audit, but developers have repeatedly encountered restrictions when attempting to use those models for security research — limitations the companies impose to prevent their AI from being used to identify exploitable vulnerabilities that could enable attacks. “Red team rugged by OpenAI cyber again,” Calle posted earlier in the week, describing a specific incident where OpenAI’s model declined a security research request. “Don’t like asking for permission. Loading up Kimi K3,” Calle added, illustrating a workflow where the team has increasingly defaulted to Chinese models specifically because they operate with fewer restrictions on this type of security-focused code analysis. The team has also made use of GLM 5.2, a model developed by Chinese AI company Z.ai, alongside Kimi K3. Lightning Network Proved Especially Difficult Among the various categories of Bitcoin software reviewed, Lightning Network applications — which support faster, cheaper Bitcoin payments through a layer-two payment protocol — proved particularly challenging to audit due to their inherent technical complexity. Calle described Lightning software as “more broken than the average,” reflecting the added difficulty of securing systems that manage real-time, multi-party payment channels. Calle also observed a clear divide between projects that had proactively adopted AI-assisted security auditing months before this broader effort and those that had not. “Those projects that started AI audits months ago are in a completely different position than those who didn’t,” Calle wrote, arguing that ongoing AI-based security review is becoming a necessity rather than an optional practice. “Projects need their own AI audit pipeline going into the future.” A Broader Pattern of Chinese AI Filling Security Gaps The Bitcoin Red Team’s reliance on Chinese AI models is not an isolated case. Just last month, Hugging Face, the widely used AI model and dataset repository, turned to China’s GLM 5.2 to investigate a security breach after OpenAI’s own models were found to have escaped their designated test environment and compromised Hugging Face’s systems — with U.S. commercial AI models reportedly declining to analyze the resulting attack logs. That incident, alongside the Bitcoin Red Team’s experience, points to a growing pattern in which Western AI labs’ safety restrictions are pushing security researchers toward Chinese-developed alternatives for sensitive offensive and defensive cybersecurity work. Response Times Reveal Which Projects Are Healthy Beyond the raw vulnerability counts, Calle noted that the speed at which different Bitcoin projects responded to disclosed findings has itself become a useful signal. “Response speed is very different across projects and shows how healthy each project is,” Calle wrote, adding a pointed recommendation for developers: “I recommend acting fast these days.” Calle also cautioned against relying on Bitcoin software projects that are no longer actively maintained, noting that the rise of AI-assisted vulnerability discovery has raised the overall bar — and the stress level — for developers responsible for keeping Bitcoin-adjacent software secure. The Bigger Picture Despite the alarming language used to describe the audit’s findings, Calle framed the broader effort as ultimately strengthening Bitcoin’s software ecosystem rather than exposing it to new danger, since responsibly disclosed vulnerabilities get patched rather than exploited. “Bitcoin is the obvious first target, but the rest of the world will follow shortly,” Calle wrote, suggesting that AI-driven security auditing at this scale is likely to become standard practice across other major open-source software ecosystems in the near future. “Sometimes old things need to burn so new things can grow on healthy soil.”
Çin İA Modeli Kimi K3 Bitkoinin Açıq Mənbə Ekosistemində Demək Olar Ki 8,000 Potensial Xəta Aşkarladı...
“Bitcoin Red Team” adlı könüllü təhlükəsizlik təşəbbüsü Çin tərəfindən hazırlanmış süni intellekt modellərindən istifadə edərək Bitkoinin açıq mənbə proqram təminatı ekosisteminin demək olar ki, hamısını skan edib, 501 layihə üzrə yaxın 8,000 potensial təhlükəsizlik qüsurunu üzə çıxarıb — o cümlədən 1,280 təsdiqlənmiş kritik və ya yüksək şiddətli zəiflik. Psevdonimli tərtibatçı Calle tərəfindən idarə olunan bu təşəbbüs, Bitkoinin əsas kod bazasında aparılmış ən hərtərəfli AI əsaslı təhlükəsizlik auditlərindən birini təşkil edir və diqqətçəkən bir dönüş də var: komanda təhlükəsizlik araşdırması üçün Amerika modellərindən istifadə etməkdə məhdudiyyətlərlə qarşılaşdıqdan sonra Çin İA-sına müraciət edib.
FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026 Confirms InterContinental Riyadh By IHG As Premium Venue Partner
FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026 Confirms InterContinental Riyadh by IHG as Premium Venue Partner Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | August 2026 With less than a month to go before FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026, InterContinental Riyadh by IHG has been confirmed as the Premium Venue Partner for this year’s event, scheduled for 2–3 September 2026. The Riyadh chapter is expected to welcome more than 200 senior decision-makers and 40 speakers, with participation from banks, financial institutions, fintech companies and technology providers. This year’s programme is being developed around the theme “Vision 2030 & Fintech Innovation: Accelerating Saudi Arabia’s Digital Finance Ecosystem.” The choice of InterContinental Riyadh also marks a closer association between FINNOVEX and the venue for this chapter. The property will host the main summit on 2 September, followed by executive workshops and roundtable discussions on 3 September. Speaking about the association, Shabaz Ahmed , Show Director, FINNOVEX Global Series, said: “Riyadh has become an important meeting point for financial services and technology, and we wanted a venue that matched the level of people we are bringing together. For us, this was never only about booking a ballroom. We wanted the hotel to be part of the experience and part of the association. InterContinental Riyadh understood that approach, and I am pleased that we are working together for this chapter 38. We have bankers, technology companies, regulators and senior executives coming into the same room. What matters now is making those two days useful for the people attending.” The sponsor line-up for the Riyadh chapter currently includes OutSystems and Raqmiyath as Platinum Sponsors, Sardin as Gold Sponsor and Wultra as Bronze Sponsor. The companies will participate alongside senior executives from the financial sector during the conference and networking programme. FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia has been structured across two days. 2 September will host the main summit, including keynote sessions, panel discussions and executive networking. 3 September will move into a more focused format with workshops and roundtable discussions. Topics across the programme will include the changing priorities of Saudi financial institutions, payments, technology, operational resilience, digital transformation and the role of fintech in the Kingdom’s financial sector. Event Details FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026 2–3 September 2026 InterContinental Riyadh by IHG Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Theme: Vision 2030 & Fintech Innovation: Accelerating Saudi Arabia’s Digital Finance Ecosystem About FINNOVEX Global Series FINNOVEX Global Series is an international financial services event series organised by Exibex Group. It brings together senior executives from banks, financial institutions, fintech companies and technology businesses through conferences, executive roundtables and industry discussions across multiple markets. About Exibex Group Exibex Group develops and organises business events and executive programmes across financial services, fintech and technology. Media & Partnership Enquiries Exibex Group info@exibex.com Prepared by: Zaiba Shaik Marketing Specialist Exibex Group
FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026 Confirms InterContinental Riyadh by IHG as Premium Venue Partner
FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026 Confirms InterContinental Riyadh by IHG as Premium Venue Partner Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | August 2026 With less than a month to go before FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026, InterContinental Riyadh by IHG has been confirmed as the Premium Venue Partner for this year’s event, scheduled for 2–3 September 2026. The Riyadh chapter is expected to welcome more than 200 senior decision-makers and 40 speakers, with participation from banks, financial institutions, fintech companies and technology providers. This year’s programme is being developed around the theme “Vision 2030 & Fintech Innovation: Accelerating Saudi Arabia’s Digital Finance Ecosystem.” The choice of InterContinental Riyadh also marks a closer association between FINNOVEX and the venue for this chapter. The property will host the main summit on 2 September, followed by executive workshops and roundtable discussions on 3 September. Speaking about the association, Shabaz Ahmed , Show Director, FINNOVEX Global Series, said: “Riyadh has become an important meeting point for financial services and technology, and we wanted a venue that matched the level of people we are bringing together. For us, this was never only about booking a ballroom. We wanted the hotel to be part of the experience and part of the association. InterContinental Riyadh understood that approach, and I am pleased that we are working together for this chapter 38. We have bankers, technology companies, regulators and senior executives coming into the same room. What matters now is making those two days useful for the people attending.” The sponsor line-up for the Riyadh chapter currently includes OutSystems and Raqmiyath as Platinum Sponsors, Sardin as Gold Sponsor and Wultra as Bronze Sponsor. The companies will participate alongside senior executives from the financial sector during the conference and networking programme. FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia has been structured across two days. 2 September will host the main summit, including keynote sessions, panel discussions and executive networking. 3 September will move into a more focused format with workshops and roundtable discussions. Topics across the programme will include the changing priorities of Saudi financial institutions, payments, technology, operational resilience, digital transformation and the role of fintech in the Kingdom’s financial sector. Event Details FINNOVEX Saudi Arabia 2026 2–3 September 2026 InterContinental Riyadh by IHG Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Theme: Vision 2030 & Fintech Innovation: Accelerating Saudi Arabia’s Digital Finance Ecosystem About FINNOVEX Global Series FINNOVEX Global Series is an international financial services event series organised by Exibex Group. It brings together senior executives from banks, financial institutions, fintech companies and technology businesses through conferences, executive roundtables and industry discussions across multiple markets. About Exibex Group Exibex Group develops and organises business events and executive programmes across financial services, fintech and technology. Media & Partnership Enquiries Exibex Group info@exibex.com Prepared by: Zaiba Shaik Marketing Specialist Exibex Group
Pitch Fest Bali 2026: 15+ Startups. Leading Investors. $100K+ in Prizes
Pitch Fest Bali 2026: 15+ Startups. Leading Investors. $100K+ in Prizes A curated, invite-only Demo Day narrowing 200+ applicants down to 15+, judged by a panel spanning SC Ventures, TBV, Ape Ventures, and Yellow. Founders compete for a prize pool of over $100,000 and meet institutional investors directly on August 19. BALI, INDONESIA. [ Release Date ]. Luvon Labs and SpedaxAI have announced Pitch Fest Bali 2026, an invite-only Web3 Demo Day taking place on August 19, running alongside CoinFest Asia. From more than 200 applications, the event has narrowed the field to a curated cohort of 15+ standout teams, who will pitch live to a panel of leading venture investors, competing for a prize pool of more than $100,000. The thinking behind Pitch Fest Bali is straightforward. Instead of competing for attention on a crowded conference floor, the event creates a focused, high-quality room where pre-TGE and growth-stage founders can meet the investors, exchanges, and ecosystem partners who can help them move faster. A Room Built for Deal Flow Pitch Fest Bali brings together three groups that rarely share a room by design: mature, near-launch founders, institutional capital, and the infrastructure partners powering the next cycle. The curated cohort will pitch to a judging panel that includes Alex Toh (Lead, Funds Management at SC Ventures – Standard Chartered), Tobias Bauer (Co-Founder and General Partner at TBV), Darknight (Founder of Ape Ventures), and Alexis Sirkia (Co-Founder of Yellow). Further venture participation confirmed for the event includes Trive Digital, CoinSwitch Ventures, and Spores Network, with more names to be announced. Confirmed sponsors so far include Golden Grid, ObsessionDB, and Kenomic (credit partner). They are joined by a network of more than 50 media and community partners amplifying the event across the region and beyond. Why It Matters for Partners For sponsors and investors, the value is direct: early access to a vetted pipeline of pre-TGE, revenue-generating founders, before they pick an exchange or lead investor. Backed by 50+ media and community partners, the goal is simple, qualified deal flow and real visibility with the audience that matters. Bali is also the first in a planned series of curated demo days across major global crypto hubs, with editions targeted for Singapore, Mumbai, and London. Partners who come in early get a head start on a platform built to grow across several markets. Partnership Opportunities Are Open Sponsors and partners are still being onboarded ahead of August 19. Luvon Labs and SpedaxAI are inviting exchanges, funds, infrastructure providers, and ecosystem partners to explore tailored collaborations, from ecosystem partnerships to custom activations shaped around each partner’s own goals. “We wanted to build something focused,” a spokesperson for the organizers said. “Serious founders and serious investors in one room, with a clear return for every partner who takes part. Bali is only the start, and the partners joining us now are getting in early.” Get Involved RSVP and Attend (Luma): https://luma.com/pitch-fest-Bali2026 Apply to Pitch: https://forms.gle/tJBPiqEk5zuj8zbn8 Join the Community (Telegram): https://t.me/+fSoIDlp2NVwwZjRl About Luvon Labs Luvon Labs is a full-stack venture partner for Web3 founders, working end-to-end from build to raise. The studio ships the entire stack, brand and UX, smart contracts in Solidity and Rust, AI agents, mobile apps, and the infrastructure that keeps products live and scaling, then stays in the room through go-to-market and fundraising strategy, backed by a global investor network built over years in the ecosystem. To date, Luvon Labs has shipped 50+ products for 30+ clients across 15+ countries. Guided by its philosophy, Build With Intent, Luvon treats every team it works with as a long-term relationship, not a one-off engagement. More at luvonlabs.com About SpedaxAI SpedaxAI is a full-stack, no-code AI studio that lets anyone build, deploy, and monetize autonomous AI agents in under 90 seconds. Backed by enterprise models and a secure decentralized database, the platform guarantees complete data privacy and true ownership. The ecosystem delivers four core products to make advanced AI accessible. Businesses can instantly deploy custom website agents using a simple embed code. Consumers gain a voice-activated Chrome extension that reads real-time screen context to execute tailored tasks. Developers can build scalable applications using robust SpedaxAI APIs. Finally, a one-click Web3 automation suite with a built-in digital wallet lets non-technical users bypass complex coding to instantly launch agents for automated trading and market research. Whether minting agents as digital assets or automating complex workflows, SpedaxAI is the complete infrastructure for the modern agentic economy. More at spedaxai.com. About Golden Grid Golden Grid is an on-chain pixel lottery where players claim a block on a living grid with original pixel art or a logo, connect their wallet, and take a shot at crypto, NFTs, and rewards from a prize pool that grows as more players join. Built around the lore of Ratoshi and the Syndicate, the platform runs on one rule: luck must circulate. More at goldengrid.xyz. About ObsessionDB ObsessionDB is fully managed ClickHouse, the same engine, queries, and tools teams already know, without any infrastructure to run themselves. Built for workloads that break other databases, billions of rows, real-time dashboards, and customer-facing analytics, it delivers sub-second queries at any scale with automatic scaling and no clusters to manage. More at obsessiondb.com.About Kenomic Kenomic is an AI-powered platform built for the entire token lifecycle, guiding founders through design, validation, launch, and post-launch management in one place. Its conversational AI agent, Keni, turns a plain project description into a launch-ready tokenomics model, backed by a digital-twin simulation engine that stress-tests the design across millions of market scenarios and a Kenomic Score that measures resilience before launch. Kenomic then deploys audit-grade smart contracts across 9 chains and keeps managing vesting, staking, airdrops, and treasury long after launch day. More at kenomic.ai. About BrandPRBrandPR is a specialized PR and marketing agency partnering with LuvonLabs to empower AI and Web3 brands worldwide. Since 2022, we have helped crypto, blockchain, and artificial intelligence clients gain exposure through top-tier media coverage and strategic community-building. From crypto launches and DeFi platforms to cutting-edge AI startups, BrandPR delivers tailored campaigns designed to amplify your brand and build a lasting legacy at the intersection of AI and Web3. More at https://brandpr.io/ About HashLock Hashlock is the industry leading blockchain cybersecurity and smart contract auditing firm. We specialise in manual analysis led security research, securing billions of dollars in digital assets, with clients ranging from innovative web3 startups to global blockchain enterprises.More at https://hashlock.com/ Media and Partnership Contact Anubhav Tomar, Co-Founder, Luvon Labs Email: anubhav@luvonlabs.com Web: luvonlabs.com
Affiliate Grand Slam: Europe’s Top Multi-vertical Affiliate Marketing Event in 2026
Affiliate Grand Slam: Europe’s top multi-vertical affiliate marketing event in 2026 Affiliate Grand Slam (AGS) is Europe’s leading affiliate marketing event, providing a platform for professionals across various industries to meet, share insights, and make impactful connections. This flagship summit will be held in Rome, Italy, at Fiera di Roma from 02-05 November 2026. AGS will occupy Hall 2, which will host 250+ exhibitors and 5000+ delegates, creating a vibrant and dedicated space for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development. The event promises to be a unique opportunity for growth, innovation, and deal-making at scale. AGS’s multi-vertical approach covers key affiliate marketing sectors and is set to bring together top experts and companies in a focused, brand-safe, and commercially accessible environment. One ticket, three events AGS is proud to offer attendees access to three key events with one ticket. Alongside AGS, attendees can also explore SiGMA and AIBC. SiGMA World is a renowned event dedicated to the digital and iGaming industries, providing a platform for innovation, networking, and business development. AIBC focuses on blockchain and emerging technologies, making it an essential event for those at the cutting edge of tech. These events are known for their fresh ideas, global networking opportunities, and focus on digital innovation. AGS stands as a premier event in the affiliate marketing space, offering exclusive industry insights and facilitating strategic conversations across multiple verticals, including eCommerce, finance, performance marketing, and more. With 30,000 delegates expected, AGS is set to provide a global platform for cross-industry collaboration. Built for deal-making at a global scale AGS provides the ideal environment for businesses to grow by facilitating connections between leading affiliate marketers, publishers, advertisers, and brands. It is the perfect space to build partnerships, exchange ideas, and unlock valuable opportunities in the affiliate marketing world. With its global audience, AGS fosters a strong, professional networking environment to support your business’s international expansion. AGS maintains a strict verification process for affiliates attending the event. This ensures that only verified professionals can join, keeping discussions and partnerships valuable and relevant to the industry’s needs. AGS provides a brand-safe environment focused on mainstream, scalable verticals, which opens the door to a broad pool of advertisers and partners. Speakers and exhibitors AGS 2026 will feature top speakers from around the world, offering insights on the latest trends and strategies in affiliate marketing. Confirmed speakers include: Olga Maksimuk, Principal Affiliate Expert at Google Niv Shaked, Sales Director at TikTok Nick Shackleford, Co-Founder at BREZ Oliver Kenyon, Founder and CEO at ConversionWise Joshua Chin, Founder at Chronos Agency Jordan Rolband, Founder and CEO at DFO Global Performance In addition to these incredible speakers, AGS will showcase exhibitors from some of the leading companies in affiliate marketing. AGS focuses on key affiliate marketing verticals, including eCommerce, digital marketing, financial services, and nutraceuticals, offering solutions that can drive performance marketing at scale. These exhibitors are established players with proven success in their respective verticals, offering innovative tools, technology, and services. Notable exhibitors include: Google Meta TikTok MGID Clickbank Mobikok Platformpay Yeahmobi These exhibitors offer solutions designed to help performance marketers scale their businesses and succeed across multiple geographies, ensuring that AGS remains a hub for strategic partnerships in affiliate marketing. Join us at AGS 2026 Whether you’re an affiliate marketer, brand, or publisher, AGS 2026 offers the perfect opportunity to grow your business, make valuable connections, and discover new opportunities for growth in various industries. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of Europe’s premier affiliate marketing event. For more information and to register for AGS 2026, visit Affiliate Grand Slam.
AIBC World 2026 Countdown Begins Ahead of Rome’s Frontier Technology Summit
AIBC World 2026 countdown begins ahead of Rome’s frontier technology summit The countdown to AIBC World 2026 has begun, alongside anticipation building ahead of one of Europe’s most significant gatherings dedicated to frontier technology this November. Rome will become the meeting point for leaders across AI, blockchain, fintech, gaming and digital innovation as AIBC World brings together the companies, investors and decision-makers shaping the next stage of the digital economy. Under the theme of connecting frontier technology with real-world applications and digital scalability, AIBC World 2026 will unite AIBC, SiGMA, FX.World and AGS for a major cross-industry gathering focused on collaboration, innovation and business opportunities. The event is set to welcome 1,000 exhibitors, 300 speakers and 30,000 delegates, creating a global platform where technology leaders, entrepreneurs and investors can connect, exchange ideas and explore new opportunities across emerging sectors. AIBC Hall: a dedicated hub for blockchain and AI innovation One of the major highlights of AIBC World 2026 is the introduction of the new AIBC Hall at Fiera Roma. Located in Hall 7, the dedicated space will bring together blockchain and AI service provider (PSP) companies in a single, concentrated environment. Recognised as one of Europe’s largest dedicated blockchain expo spaces, the AIBC Hall will provide attendees with direct access to the infrastructure providers, exchanges, custody solutions driving the evolution of the digital economy. Beyond the exhibition floor, the AIBC Hall will also feature a dedicated AIBC Stage, hosting expert-led panels and discussions covering the latest developments, challenges and opportunities across blockchain, AI and emerging technologies. By combining exhibition, thought leadership, and industry connections in one space, AIBC Hall will create a dedicated environment for companies, innovators, and decision-makers to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore the technologies of digital industries. A global platform for innovation, business and collaboration Hosted at Fiera Roma, one of Europe’s largest exhibition venues, AIBC World 2026 will provide the scale and facilities required to welcome thousands of international attendees. Across the exhibition floor and conference stages, visitors can expect perspectives on the latest developments across blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital assets and emerging technologies. The event will bring together established industry players, innovative startups, and technology pioneers to discuss the trends shaping the global digital landscape. Confirmed exhibitors include leading names such as Blockchain.com, Transak, Gate, CertiK, BitGo, Fireblocks, Bybit, BIT.COM, Chainalysis, TradingView and Alchemy Pay. The conference programme will feature influential founders, investors, policymakers and technology executives, including Tim Draper, Founder of Draper Associates; Reeve Collins, Chairman and Co-Founder of STBL & WeFi; Felix Fan, CEO of Trust Wallet; Arthur Breitman, Co-Founder of Tezos; and Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament. Spotlighting emerging technology startups AIBC World 2026 will continue to support the next generation of innovators through the AIBC Startup Pitch competition. Open to startups working across crypto, blockchain, Web3 and artificial intelligence, the competition provides selected founders with the opportunity to present their solutions to investors, accelerators and industry leaders. Six finalists will advance to the live on-stage competition, showcasing high-potential projects from across the global emerging technology ecosystem. Networking opportunities beyond the exhibition floor Beyond the exhibition and conference programme, AIBC World 2026 will offer exclusive opportunities for attendees to connect with global technology leaders, investors and innovators. From the iGathering Networking Cocktail at Lanterna di Fuksas and the SiGMA Nexus Elite Golf Tour to the AIBC & FX Awards, the event will bring together the community through a series of premium experiences. Held in the historic setting of Rome, the AIBC & FX Awards will celebrate the leading performers across AI, crypto, blockchain, fintech and emerging technology, with winners announced during an exclusive ceremony featuring recognition, connection and a charitable art auction. Join AIBC World 2026 in Rome As AI, blockchain and digital finance continue to reshape industries worldwide, AIBC World 2026 arrives at a defining time for the technology ecosystem. With a dedicated exhibition hall, a strong international speaker lineup, leading exhibitors and a programme designed around innovation and collaboration, the event is set to become a key meeting point for those building, investing in and shaping the future of frontier technology. As Rome prepares to welcome the global technology community this November, now is the time to secure your place at AIBC World 2026 and join the conversations driving the industry forward.
Sinqapurun Növbəti Rəqəmsal İqtisadiyyatını İrəlilətmək üçün Agentik Desentralizasiya edilmiş Maliyyə Forumu
Sinqapurun Növbəti Rəqəmsal İqtisadiyyatını İrəlilətmək üçün Agentik Desentralizasiya edilmiş Maliyyə Forumu İcra forumu və strateji regional tərəfdaşlıqlar süni intellekt, rəqəmsal maliyyə və blokçeyndə liderləri bir araya gətirərək sərhədlərarası innovasiyanı sürətləndirir Süni intellekt sənayeləri yenidən formalaşdırdıqca və rəqəmsal aktivlər maliyyə sektorunun əsas axınına daxil olduqca, Sinqapur növbəti rəqəmsal innovasiya mərhələsinə rəhbərlik etmək üçün yaxşı mövqedədir. Bu kontekstdə Sinqapur İnnovasiya Mərkəzi və Sinqapur Çin Palatası və Sənaye və Ticarət İdarəsi (SMEICC 2026 çərçivəsində) Agentik Desentralizasiya edilmiş Maliyyə Forumunu açaraq hökumət, maliyyə, akademiya və texnologiya sahələrindən liderləri bir araya gətirdi. Məqsəd AI, blokçeyn və rəqəmsal maliyyənin biznesi, kapital bazarlarını və daha geniş rəqəmsal iqtisadiyyatı necə dəyişdirdiyini araşdırmaqdır.
AIBC World 2026 countdown begins ahead of Rome’s frontier technology summit
AIBC World 2026 countdown begins ahead of Rome’s frontier technology summit The countdown to AIBC World 2026 has begun, alongside anticipation building ahead of one of Europe’s most significant gatherings dedicated to frontier technology this November. Rome will become the meeting point for leaders across AI, blockchain, fintech, gaming and digital innovation as AIBC World brings together the companies, investors and decision-makers shaping the next stage of the digital economy. Under the theme of connecting frontier technology with real-world applications and digital scalability, AIBC World 2026 will unite AIBC, SiGMA, FX.World and AGS for a major cross-industry gathering focused on collaboration, innovation and business opportunities. The event is set to welcome 1,000 exhibitors, 300 speakers and 30,000 delegates, creating a global platform where technology leaders, entrepreneurs and investors can connect, exchange ideas and explore new opportunities across emerging sectors. AIBC Hall: a dedicated hub for blockchain and AI innovation One of the major highlights of AIBC World 2026 is the introduction of the new AIBC Hall at Fiera Roma. Located in Hall 7, the dedicated space will bring together blockchain and AI service provider (PSP) companies in a single, concentrated environment. Recognised as one of Europe’s largest dedicated blockchain expo spaces, the AIBC Hall will provide attendees with direct access to the infrastructure providers, exchanges, custody solutions driving the evolution of the digital economy. Beyond the exhibition floor, the AIBC Hall will also feature a dedicated AIBC Stage, hosting expert-led panels and discussions covering the latest developments, challenges and opportunities across blockchain, AI and emerging technologies. By combining exhibition, thought leadership, and industry connections in one space, AIBC Hall will create a dedicated environment for companies, innovators, and decision-makers to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore the technologies of digital industries. A global platform for innovation, business and collaboration Hosted at Fiera Roma, one of Europe’s largest exhibition venues, AIBC World 2026 will provide the scale and facilities required to welcome thousands of international attendees. Across the exhibition floor and conference stages, visitors can expect perspectives on the latest developments across blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital assets and emerging technologies. The event will bring together established industry players, innovative startups, and technology pioneers to discuss the trends shaping the global digital landscape. Confirmed exhibitors include leading names such as Blockchain.com, Transak, Gate, CertiK, BitGo, Fireblocks, Bybit, BIT.COM, Chainalysis, TradingView and Alchemy Pay. The conference programme will feature influential founders, investors, policymakers and technology executives, including Tim Draper, Founder of Draper Associates; Reeve Collins, Chairman and Co-Founder of STBL & WeFi; Felix Fan, CEO of Trust Wallet; Arthur Breitman, Co-Founder of Tezos; and Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament. Spotlighting emerging technology startups AIBC World 2026 will continue to support the next generation of innovators through the AIBC Startup Pitch competition. Open to startups working across crypto, blockchain, Web3 and artificial intelligence, the competition provides selected founders with the opportunity to present their solutions to investors, accelerators and industry leaders. Six finalists will advance to the live on-stage competition, showcasing high-potential projects from across the global emerging technology ecosystem. Networking opportunities beyond the exhibition floor Beyond the exhibition and conference programme, AIBC World 2026 will offer exclusive opportunities for attendees to connect with global technology leaders, investors and innovators. From the iGathering Networking Cocktail at Lanterna di Fuksas and the SiGMA Nexus Elite Golf Tour to the AIBC & FX Awards, the event will bring together the community through a series of premium experiences. Held in the historic setting of Rome, the AIBC & FX Awards will celebrate the leading performers across AI, crypto, blockchain, fintech and emerging technology, with winners announced during an exclusive ceremony featuring recognition, connection and a charitable art auction. Join AIBC World 2026 in Rome As AI, blockchain and digital finance continue to reshape industries worldwide, AIBC World 2026 arrives at a defining time for the technology ecosystem. With a dedicated exhibition hall, a strong international speaker lineup, leading exhibitors and a programme designed around innovation and collaboration, the event is set to become a key meeting point for those building, investing in and shaping the future of frontier technology. As Rome prepares to welcome the global technology community this November, now is the time to secure your place at AIBC World 2026 and join the conversations driving the industry forward.
Affiliate Grand Slam: Europe’s top multi-vertical affiliate marketing event in 2026
Affiliate Grand Slam: Europe’s top multi-vertical affiliate marketing event in 2026 Affiliate Grand Slam (AGS) is Europe’s leading affiliate marketing event, providing a platform for professionals across various industries to meet, share insights, and make impactful connections. This flagship summit will be held in Rome, Italy, at Fiera di Roma from 02-05 November 2026. AGS will occupy Hall 2, which will host 250+ exhibitors and 5000+ delegates, creating a vibrant and dedicated space for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development. The event promises to be a unique opportunity for growth, innovation, and deal-making at scale. AGS’s multi-vertical approach covers key affiliate marketing sectors and is set to bring together top experts and companies in a focused, brand-safe, and commercially accessible environment. One ticket, three events AGS is proud to offer attendees access to three key events with one ticket. Alongside AGS, attendees can also explore SiGMA and AIBC. SiGMA World is a renowned event dedicated to the digital and iGaming industries, providing a platform for innovation, networking, and business development. AIBC focuses on blockchain and emerging technologies, making it an essential event for those at the cutting edge of tech. These events are known for their fresh ideas, global networking opportunities, and focus on digital innovation. AGS stands as a premier event in the affiliate marketing space, offering exclusive industry insights and facilitating strategic conversations across multiple verticals, including eCommerce, finance, performance marketing, and more. With 30,000 delegates expected, AGS is set to provide a global platform for cross-industry collaboration. Built for deal-making at a global scale AGS provides the ideal environment for businesses to grow by facilitating connections between leading affiliate marketers, publishers, advertisers, and brands. It is the perfect space to build partnerships, exchange ideas, and unlock valuable opportunities in the affiliate marketing world. With its global audience, AGS fosters a strong, professional networking environment to support your business’s international expansion. AGS maintains a strict verification process for affiliates attending the event. This ensures that only verified professionals can join, keeping discussions and partnerships valuable and relevant to the industry’s needs. AGS provides a brand-safe environment focused on mainstream, scalable verticals, which opens the door to a broad pool of advertisers and partners. Speakers and exhibitors AGS 2026 will feature top speakers from around the world, offering insights on the latest trends and strategies in affiliate marketing. Confirmed speakers include: Olga Maksimuk, Principal Affiliate Expert at Google Niv Shaked, Sales Director at TikTok Nick Shackleford, Co-Founder at BREZ Oliver Kenyon, Founder and CEO at ConversionWise Joshua Chin, Founder at Chronos Agency Jordan Rolband, Founder and CEO at DFO Global Performance In addition to these incredible speakers, AGS will showcase exhibitors from some of the leading companies in affiliate marketing. AGS focuses on key affiliate marketing verticals, including eCommerce, digital marketing, financial services, and nutraceuticals, offering solutions that can drive performance marketing at scale. These exhibitors are established players with proven success in their respective verticals, offering innovative tools, technology, and services. Notable exhibitors include: Google Meta TikTok MGID Clickbank Mobikok Platformpay Yeahmobi These exhibitors offer solutions designed to help performance marketers scale their businesses and succeed across multiple geographies, ensuring that AGS remains a hub for strategic partnerships in affiliate marketing. Join us at AGS 2026 Whether you’re an affiliate marketer, brand, or publisher, AGS 2026 offers the perfect opportunity to grow your business, make valuable connections, and discover new opportunities for growth in various industries. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of Europe’s premier affiliate marketing event. For more information and to register for AGS 2026, visit Affiliate Grand Slam.
Pitch Fest Bali 2026: 15+ Startups. Leading Investors. $100K+ in Prizes
Pitch Fest Bali 2026: 15+ Startups. Leading Investors. $100K+ in Prizes A curated, invite-only Demo Day narrowing 200+ applicants down to 15+, judged by a panel spanning SC Ventures, TBV, Ape Ventures, and Yellow. Founders compete for a prize pool of over $100,000 and meet institutional investors directly on August 19. BALI, INDONESIA. [ Release Date ]. Luvon Labs and SpedaxAI have announced Pitch Fest Bali 2026, an invite-only Web3 Demo Day taking place on August 19, running alongside CoinFest Asia. From more than 200 applications, the event has narrowed the field to a curated cohort of 15+ standout teams, who will pitch live to a panel of leading venture investors, competing for a prize pool of more than $100,000. The thinking behind Pitch Fest Bali is straightforward. Instead of competing for attention on a crowded conference floor, the event creates a focused, high-quality room where pre-TGE and growth-stage founders can meet the investors, exchanges, and ecosystem partners who can help them move faster. A Room Built for Deal Flow Pitch Fest Bali brings together three groups that rarely share a room by design: mature, near-launch founders, institutional capital, and the infrastructure partners powering the next cycle. The curated cohort will pitch to a judging panel that includes Alex Toh (Lead, Funds Management at SC Ventures – Standard Chartered), Tobias Bauer (Co-Founder and General Partner at TBV), Darknight (Founder of Ape Ventures), and Alexis Sirkia (Co-Founder of Yellow). Further venture participation confirmed for the event includes Trive Digital, CoinSwitch Ventures, and Spores Network, with more names to be announced. Confirmed sponsors so far include Golden Grid, ObsessionDB, and Kenomic (credit partner). They are joined by a network of more than 50 media and community partners amplifying the event across the region and beyond. Why It Matters for Partners For sponsors and investors, the value is direct: early access to a vetted pipeline of pre-TGE, revenue-generating founders, before they pick an exchange or lead investor. Backed by 50+ media and community partners, the goal is simple, qualified deal flow and real visibility with the audience that matters. Bali is also the first in a planned series of curated demo days across major global crypto hubs, with editions targeted for Singapore, Mumbai, and London. Partners who come in early get a head start on a platform built to grow across several markets. Partnership Opportunities Are Open Sponsors and partners are still being onboarded ahead of August 19. Luvon Labs and SpedaxAI are inviting exchanges, funds, infrastructure providers, and ecosystem partners to explore tailored collaborations, from ecosystem partnerships to custom activations shaped around each partner’s own goals. “We wanted to build something focused,” a spokesperson for the organizers said. “Serious founders and serious investors in one room, with a clear return for every partner who takes part. Bali is only the start, and the partners joining us now are getting in early.” Get Involved RSVP and Attend (Luma): https://luma.com/pitch-fest-Bali2026 Apply to Pitch: https://forms.gle/tJBPiqEk5zuj8zbn8 Join the Community (Telegram): https://t.me/+fSoIDlp2NVwwZjRl About Luvon Labs Luvon Labs is a full-stack venture partner for Web3 founders, working end-to-end from build to raise. The studio ships the entire stack, brand and UX, smart contracts in Solidity and Rust, AI agents, mobile apps, and the infrastructure that keeps products live and scaling, then stays in the room through go-to-market and fundraising strategy, backed by a global investor network built over years in the ecosystem. To date, Luvon Labs has shipped 50+ products for 30+ clients across 15+ countries. Guided by its philosophy, Build With Intent, Luvon treats every team it works with as a long-term relationship, not a one-off engagement. More at luvonlabs.com About SpedaxAI SpedaxAI is a full-stack, no-code AI studio that lets anyone build, deploy, and monetize autonomous AI agents in under 90 seconds. Backed by enterprise models and a secure decentralized database, the platform guarantees complete data privacy and true ownership. The ecosystem delivers four core products to make advanced AI accessible. Businesses can instantly deploy custom website agents using a simple embed code. Consumers gain a voice-activated Chrome extension that reads real-time screen context to execute tailored tasks. Developers can build scalable applications using robust SpedaxAI APIs. Finally, a one-click Web3 automation suite with a built-in digital wallet lets non-technical users bypass complex coding to instantly launch agents for automated trading and market research. Whether minting agents as digital assets or automating complex workflows, SpedaxAI is the complete infrastructure for the modern agentic economy. More at spedaxai.com. About Golden Grid Golden Grid is an on-chain pixel lottery where players claim a block on a living grid with original pixel art or a logo, connect their wallet, and take a shot at crypto, NFTs, and rewards from a prize pool that grows as more players join. Built around the lore of Ratoshi and the Syndicate, the platform runs on one rule: luck must circulate. More at goldengrid.xyz. About ObsessionDB ObsessionDB is fully managed ClickHouse, the same engine, queries, and tools teams already know, without any infrastructure to run themselves. Built for workloads that break other databases, billions of rows, real-time dashboards, and customer-facing analytics, it delivers sub-second queries at any scale with automatic scaling and no clusters to manage. More at obsessiondb.com. About Kenomic Kenomic is an AI-powered platform built for the entire token lifecycle, guiding founders through design, validation, launch, and post-launch management in one place. Its conversational AI agent, Keni, turns a plain project description into a launch-ready tokenomics model, backed by a digital-twin simulation engine that stress-tests the design across millions of market scenarios and a Kenomic Score that measures resilience before launch. Kenomic then deploys audit-grade smart contracts across 9 chains and keeps managing vesting, staking, airdrops, and treasury long after launch day. More at kenomic.ai. About BrandPR BrandPR is a specialized PR and marketing agency partnering with LuvonLabs to empower AI and Web3 brands worldwide. Since 2022, we have helped crypto, blockchain, and artificial intelligence clients gain exposure through top-tier media coverage and strategic community-building. From crypto launches and DeFi platforms to cutting-edge AI startups, BrandPR delivers tailored campaigns designed to amplify your brand and build a lasting legacy at the intersection of AI and Web3. More at https://brandpr.io/ About HashLock Hashlock is the industry leading blockchain cybersecurity and smart contract auditing firm. We specialise in manual analysis led security research, securing billions of dollars in digital assets, with clients ranging from innovative web3 startups to global blockchain enterprises.More at https://hashlock.com/ Media and Partnership Contact Anubhav Tomar, Co-Founder, Luvon Labs Email: anubhav@luvonlabs.com Web: luvonlabs.com
South Korea Tightens Grip on Offshore Crypto Transfers as Bybit, MEXC and HTX Vanish From Google ...
South Korea’s financial regulator has finalized new rules requiring domestic cryptocurrency exchanges to scrutinize transfers heading to overseas platforms and personal wallets, marking the latest move in an intensifying campaign to control capital flows out of one of the world’s most active retail crypto markets. The rules arrive within days of Bybit, MEXC, and HTX being pulled from Google Play in South Korea, underscoring how aggressively regulators are working to funnel trading activity toward licensed domestic platforms. What the New Rules Actually Require South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) confirmed that registered virtual asset service providers will now be required to apply risk-based controls specifically to outbound transfers, alongside internal monitoring systems designed to flag suspicious transactions once transfer amounts reach 10 million won — roughly $7,000. Under the finalized framework, exchanges gain the authority to demand proof of account ownership, documentation of a transfer’s purpose, and evidence tracing the source of funds before processing a transaction. If a user cannot produce sufficient documentation, the exchange can delay the transfer or reject it outright. Crucially, the rules apply not just to transfers heading to overseas exchanges, but to personal, self-hosted wallets as well — a detail that has drawn particular attention from crypto analysts, since it extends heightened scrutiny beyond platform-to-platform transfers and into the realm of individual self-custody. A Softer Landing Than Regulators Originally Proposed The finalized rules represent a meaningful retreat from South Korea’s initial proposal. In March 2026, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) floated a much stricter framework that would have automatically classified every single transfer above 10 million won to an overseas exchange or personal wallet as inherently suspicious — regardless of context, documentation, or the sender’s history. That approach drew significant pushback from the domestic crypto industry, and regulators ultimately shifted course. Rather than triggering automatic suspicious-transaction reports purely because a transfer crossed the monetary threshold, each registered exchange will now independently assess risk under its own internal controls, filing reports only when a transaction genuinely warrants scrutiny rather than as a blanket, threshold-based requirement. How the Risk Tiers Work in Practice The approved framework establishes a tiered system based on counterparty risk. Transfers directed to overseas exchanges classified as low-risk will generally be allowed to proceed without additional friction. For transfers involving other overseas platforms or self-hosted wallets, the default rule requires that the sender and recipient be verifiably the same person — a safeguard aimed at preventing crypto from being used to anonymously move funds to third parties abroad. Transfers involving counterparties deemed high-risk can be blocked outright under the new rules. Domestic exchanges have also been granted latitude to request supplementary evidence — such as documentation proving a customer owns a specific overseas account, an explanation of a transfer’s purpose, or verification of where the funds originated — specifically in cases presenting elevated risk indicators. Notably, the FSC has stopped short of publishing a standardized, universal checklist mandating these documents for every single transaction, leaving exchanges some discretion in how they apply the framework. The Timing Isn’t Coincidental The rules landed just days after Bybit, MEXC, and HTX — three prominent offshore cryptocurrency exchanges — were removed from South Korea’s Google Play store, cutting off one of the primary channels through which domestic users had been accessing platforms outside the country’s licensing regime. Taken together, the app removals and the new transfer restrictions represent a coordinated regulatory push to steer trading activity toward exchanges operating under South Korea’s own licensing and compliance framework, rather than platforms based overseas with limited accountability to domestic regulators. The Self-Custody Debate The inclusion of self-hosted wallets within the enhanced monitoring threshold has generated notable debate among industry observers. Critics of this approach argue that treating self-custody transfers as inherently suspicious risks producing counterproductive outcomes: users seeking to avoid scrutiny may simply structure transfers to stay just under the 10-million-won threshold, a pattern that would make the resulting monitoring data noisier and less useful for identifying genuinely illicit activity, rather than more effective at catching it. Why South Korea’s Crypto Market Matters South Korea occupies an outsized position in global cryptocurrency markets relative to its population size. The country hosts one of the world’s most active and engaged retail crypto trading bases, with won-denominated trading volume frequently representing one of the largest shares of global spot trading activity — consistently ranking among the top currencies used for crypto transactions worldwide, trailing only the U.S. dollar in some measurement periods. That scale of retail participation is precisely what makes South Korea’s regulatory posture toward offshore platforms and self-custody so consequential: rules implemented here don’t just affect a niche market, they influence a meaningful slice of global crypto trading flow. What Comes Next For South Korean crypto users, the practical impact will depend heavily on how individual exchanges choose to implement their risk-based controls under the new framework. Transfers to reputable, low-risk overseas platforms should continue with minimal disruption, while transactions involving self-hosted wallets or less-established international exchanges are likely to face additional documentation requirements and potential delays. As South Korean regulators continue tightening the boundary between domestic and offshore crypto activity, the coming months will reveal whether this risk-based approach succeeds in curbing illicit fund movement without simply pushing determined users toward more fragmented, harder-to-monitor transfer patterns.
South Korea Tightens Grip on Offshore Crypto Transfers As Bybit, MEXC and HTX Vanish From Google ...
South Korea’s financial regulator has finalized new rules requiring domestic cryptocurrency exchanges to scrutinize transfers heading to overseas platforms and personal wallets, marking the latest move in an intensifying campaign to control capital flows out of one of the world’s most active retail crypto markets. The rules arrive within days of Bybit, MEXC, and HTX being pulled from Google Play in South Korea, underscoring how aggressively regulators are working to funnel trading activity toward licensed domestic platforms. What the New Rules Actually Require South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) confirmed that registered virtual asset service providers will now be required to apply risk-based controls specifically to outbound transfers, alongside internal monitoring systems designed to flag suspicious transactions once transfer amounts reach 10 million won — roughly $7,000. Under the finalized framework, exchanges gain the authority to demand proof of account ownership, documentation of a transfer’s purpose, and evidence tracing the source of funds before processing a transaction. If a user cannot produce sufficient documentation, the exchange can delay the transfer or reject it outright. Crucially, the rules apply not just to transfers heading to overseas exchanges, but to personal, self-hosted wallets as well — a detail that has drawn particular attention from crypto analysts, since it extends heightened scrutiny beyond platform-to-platform transfers and into the realm of individual self-custody. A Softer Landing Than Regulators Originally Proposed The finalized rules represent a meaningful retreat from South Korea’s initial proposal. In March 2026, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) floated a much stricter framework that would have automatically classified every single transfer above 10 million won to an overseas exchange or personal wallet as inherently suspicious — regardless of context, documentation, or the sender’s history. That approach drew significant pushback from the domestic crypto industry, and regulators ultimately shifted course. Rather than triggering automatic suspicious-transaction reports purely because a transfer crossed the monetary threshold, each registered exchange will now independently assess risk under its own internal controls, filing reports only when a transaction genuinely warrants scrutiny rather than as a blanket, threshold-based requirement. How the Risk Tiers Work in Practice The approved framework establishes a tiered system based on counterparty risk. Transfers directed to overseas exchanges classified as low-risk will generally be allowed to proceed without additional friction. For transfers involving other overseas platforms or self-hosted wallets, the default rule requires that the sender and recipient be verifiably the same person — a safeguard aimed at preventing crypto from being used to anonymously move funds to third parties abroad. Transfers involving counterparties deemed high-risk can be blocked outright under the new rules. Domestic exchanges have also been granted latitude to request supplementary evidence — such as documentation proving a customer owns a specific overseas account, an explanation of a transfer’s purpose, or verification of where the funds originated — specifically in cases presenting elevated risk indicators. Notably, the FSC has stopped short of publishing a standardized, universal checklist mandating these documents for every single transaction, leaving exchanges some discretion in how they apply the framework. The Timing Isn’t Coincidental The rules landed just days after Bybit, MEXC, and HTX — three prominent offshore cryptocurrency exchanges — were removed from South Korea’s Google Play store, cutting off one of the primary channels through which domestic users had been accessing platforms outside the country’s licensing regime. Taken together, the app removals and the new transfer restrictions represent a coordinated regulatory push to steer trading activity toward exchanges operating under South Korea’s own licensing and compliance framework, rather than platforms based overseas with limited accountability to domestic regulators. The Self-Custody Debate The inclusion of self-hosted wallets within the enhanced monitoring threshold has generated notable debate among industry observers. Critics of this approach argue that treating self-custody transfers as inherently suspicious risks producing counterproductive outcomes: users seeking to avoid scrutiny may simply structure transfers to stay just under the 10-million-won threshold, a pattern that would make the resulting monitoring data noisier and less useful for identifying genuinely illicit activity, rather than more effective at catching it. Why South Korea’s Crypto Market Matters South Korea occupies an outsized position in global cryptocurrency markets relative to its population size. The country hosts one of the world’s most active and engaged retail crypto trading bases, with won-denominated trading volume frequently representing one of the largest shares of global spot trading activity — consistently ranking among the top currencies used for crypto transactions worldwide, trailing only the U.S. dollar in some measurement periods. That scale of retail participation is precisely what makes South Korea’s regulatory posture toward offshore platforms and self-custody so consequential: rules implemented here don’t just affect a niche market, they influence a meaningful slice of global crypto trading flow. What Comes Next For South Korean crypto users, the practical impact will depend heavily on how individual exchanges choose to implement their risk-based controls under the new framework. Transfers to reputable, low-risk overseas platforms should continue with minimal disruption, while transactions involving self-hosted wallets or less-established international exchanges are likely to face additional documentation requirements and potential delays. As South Korean regulators continue tightening the boundary between domestic and offshore crypto activity, the coming months will reveal whether this risk-based approach succeeds in curbing illicit fund movement without simply pushing determined users toward more fragmented, harder-to-monitor transfer patterns.
Crypto Market Maker Wintermute Bets $1 Billion on AI to Take On Jane Street and Citadel Securities
Wintermute Trading Ltd., one of crypto’s largest liquidity providers, is committing approximately $1 billion over the next five years to high-frequency trading technology and AI-powered data center infrastructure, as the nine-year-old firm attempts a fundamental transformation: from a digital-asset specialist into a full-spectrum trading powerhouse capable of competing directly with Wall Street titans like Jane Street Group and Citadel Securities. Why Wintermute Is Making This Bet Now Founder and CEO Evgeny Gaevoy confirmed the investment in an interview with Bloomberg, framing it as the necessary cost of entry into markets where competitors have had decades to refine their technology. “We are now going up against firms that have spent decades optimizing their technology and infrastructure for these markets, so obviously the level of investment required is significant,” Gaevoy said. The timing is not incidental. Crypto markets have been mired in a prolonged downturn, with Bitcoin trading at roughly half its October peak of over $126,000. Wintermute’s own average daily trading volume has contracted accordingly, falling from approximately $15 billion last year to around $10 billion this year — a decline that has pushed the firm to accelerate a diversification strategy it first mapped out at a company offsite in Greece in 2025, where the internal slogan “TradFi or die” reportedly began circulating among staff. What the $1 Billion Actually Buys According to Gaevoy, the spending will concentrate on compute power, data storage, and networking capacity needed to train and continuously retrain increasingly sophisticated quantitative trading models against enormous volumes of market data. He was explicit that competing at this level requires more than incremental speed gains: “Going beyond shaving microseconds off execution” is essential, he said, alongside having reliable access to the underlying infrastructure that powers modern algorithmic trading. Wintermute plans to fund the entire buildout using retained earnings rather than external capital. The privately held firm posted profits of $582 million during crypto’s 2021 bull run, according to prior Forbes reporting, though it has not disclosed detailed financials since. Gaevoy confirmed the company was profitable in 2025 and remains on track for profitability this year, without providing specific figures. Wintermute Isn’t Alone in This Arms Race The scale of Wintermute’s commitment reflects a broader trend among quantitative trading firms racing to secure AI infrastructure. Alex Gerko’s XTX Markets — a firm that trades more than $250 billion daily — announced last year it would spend roughly €1 billion building five data centers in Finland specifically to support its machine learning strategies. Jane Street, one of the firms Wintermute is now positioning itself against, has similarly committed to building and financing its own dedicated data center to keep pace with rising computational demands across the industry. The Diversification Is Already Underway Wintermute’s push beyond crypto is not merely theoretical. The firm began trading exchange-traded funds and perpetual futures — highly leveraged derivative contracts with no expiration date, commonly known as “perps” — tied to real-world assets last year, and launched a dedicated prediction markets trading desk in early 2026. More significantly, Wintermute’s U.S. affiliate registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and joined the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) last week, unlocking the ability to trade equities and equity options directly and to act as an authorized participant for exchange-traded products on American markets — a critical regulatory milestone for any firm seeking legitimate access to U.S. capital markets. Currently, non-crypto activity accounts for roughly 10% of Wintermute’s total revenue. The company’s stated target is to push that figure above 50% by the end of 2027 — an aggressive timeline that would represent a near-total transformation of its revenue base within roughly eighteen months. The Scale of the Challenge Ahead Wintermute’s ambitions place it in direct competition with firms that dwarf its current size and market reach. XTX Markets alone trades more than $250 billion per day — a figure roughly 25 times larger than Wintermute’s current daily crypto volume. To support its expansion, Wintermute is also scaling its physical footprint: the firm currently employs 17 people in New York and plans to double that local headcount next year, alongside a targeted 40% increase in global staff. A Philosophy of Convergence, Not Replacement Gaevoy, who began his trading career at high-frequency firm Optiver before founding Wintermute, has framed the strategy not as an abandonment of crypto but as a bet on convergence between digital assets and traditional finance. “There is a future where crypto takes over the world, and there is also a future where it’s merging with TradFi one way or another,” he said, suggesting Wintermute intends to be positioned to profit regardless of which path the industry ultimately takes. What This Signals for the Broader Market Wintermute’s pivot illustrates a maturing pattern across crypto-native trading firms: as digital asset markets cool and yield lower returns, sophisticated liquidity providers are increasingly applying the infrastructure and modeling techniques they built for crypto toward traditional asset classes like equities, commodities, and foreign exchange. The blurring boundary between crypto-native trading operations and legacy Wall Street market-making firms suggests that the technological gap separating these worlds — once considerable — is narrowing rapidly, driven largely by shared reliance on AI-powered infrastructure and the computational arms race it has triggered across the entire trading industry.
Crypto Market Maker Wintermute Bets $1 Billion on AI to Take on Jane Street and Citadel Securities
Wintermute Trading Ltd., one of crypto’s largest liquidity providers, is committing approximately $1 billion over the next five years to high-frequency trading technology and AI-powered data center infrastructure, as the nine-year-old firm attempts a fundamental transformation: from a digital-asset specialist into a full-spectrum trading powerhouse capable of competing directly with Wall Street titans like Jane Street Group and Citadel Securities. Why Wintermute Is Making This Bet Now Founder and CEO Evgeny Gaevoy confirmed the investment in an interview with Bloomberg, framing it as the necessary cost of entry into markets where competitors have had decades to refine their technology. “We are now going up against firms that have spent decades optimizing their technology and infrastructure for these markets, so obviously the level of investment required is significant,” Gaevoy said. The timing is not incidental. Crypto markets have been mired in a prolonged downturn, with Bitcoin trading at roughly half its October peak of over $126,000. Wintermute’s own average daily trading volume has contracted accordingly, falling from approximately $15 billion last year to around $10 billion this year — a decline that has pushed the firm to accelerate a diversification strategy it first mapped out at a company offsite in Greece in 2025, where the internal slogan “TradFi or die” reportedly began circulating among staff. What the $1 Billion Actually Buys According to Gaevoy, the spending will concentrate on compute power, data storage, and networking capacity needed to train and continuously retrain increasingly sophisticated quantitative trading models against enormous volumes of market data. He was explicit that competing at this level requires more than incremental speed gains: “Going beyond shaving microseconds off execution” is essential, he said, alongside having reliable access to the underlying infrastructure that powers modern algorithmic trading. Wintermute plans to fund the entire buildout using retained earnings rather than external capital. The privately held firm posted profits of $582 million during crypto’s 2021 bull run, according to prior Forbes reporting, though it has not disclosed detailed financials since. Gaevoy confirmed the company was profitable in 2025 and remains on track for profitability this year, without providing specific figures. Wintermute Isn’t Alone in This Arms Race The scale of Wintermute’s commitment reflects a broader trend among quantitative trading firms racing to secure AI infrastructure. Alex Gerko’s XTX Markets — a firm that trades more than $250 billion daily — announced last year it would spend roughly €1 billion building five data centers in Finland specifically to support its machine learning strategies. Jane Street, one of the firms Wintermute is now positioning itself against, has similarly committed to building and financing its own dedicated data center to keep pace with rising computational demands across the industry. The Diversification Is Already Underway Wintermute’s push beyond crypto is not merely theoretical. The firm began trading exchange-traded funds and perpetual futures — highly leveraged derivative contracts with no expiration date, commonly known as “perps” — tied to real-world assets last year, and launched a dedicated prediction markets trading desk in early 2026. More significantly, Wintermute’s U.S. affiliate registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and joined the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) last week, unlocking the ability to trade equities and equity options directly and to act as an authorized participant for exchange-traded products on American markets — a critical regulatory milestone for any firm seeking legitimate access to U.S. capital markets. Currently, non-crypto activity accounts for roughly 10% of Wintermute’s total revenue. The company’s stated target is to push that figure above 50% by the end of 2027 — an aggressive timeline that would represent a near-total transformation of its revenue base within roughly eighteen months. The Scale of the Challenge Ahead Wintermute’s ambitions place it in direct competition with firms that dwarf its current size and market reach. XTX Markets alone trades more than $250 billion per day — a figure roughly 25 times larger than Wintermute’s current daily crypto volume. To support its expansion, Wintermute is also scaling its physical footprint: the firm currently employs 17 people in New York and plans to double that local headcount next year, alongside a targeted 40% increase in global staff. A Philosophy of Convergence, Not Replacement Gaevoy, who began his trading career at high-frequency firm Optiver before founding Wintermute, has framed the strategy not as an abandonment of crypto but as a bet on convergence between digital assets and traditional finance. “There is a future where crypto takes over the world, and there is also a future where it’s merging with TradFi one way or another,” he said, suggesting Wintermute intends to be positioned to profit regardless of which path the industry ultimately takes. What This Signals for the Broader Market Wintermute’s pivot illustrates a maturing pattern across crypto-native trading firms: as digital asset markets cool and yield lower returns, sophisticated liquidity providers are increasingly applying the infrastructure and modeling techniques they built for crypto toward traditional asset classes like equities, commodities, and foreign exchange. The blurring boundary between crypto-native trading operations and legacy Wall Street market-making firms suggests that the technological gap separating these worlds — once considerable — is narrowing rapidly, driven largely by shared reliance on AI-powered infrastructure and the computational arms race it has triggered across the entire trading industry.
CoinFerenceX and The Best Event Join Forces to Launch “CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore,” th...
CoinFerenceX and The Best Event Join Forces to Launch “CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore,” the Decentralised Summit Two leading Web3 event powerhouses combine curation and execution firepower to build the industry’s most builder-first gathering during Asia Crypto Week, 5-6 October 2026, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore SINGAPORE, CoinFerenceX, the Web3 conference series known for curating high-signal gatherings of founders, investors, and builders, today announced it has combined forces with The Best Event, the events production group behind 80+ live experiences across 10+ global cities, to launch CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore, the next tier of the world’s first Decentralised Summit. The event will take place 5-6 October 2026 at Gardens by the Bay, positioning it as a leading alternative during Singapore’s Token2049 and Asia Crypto Week. The partnership pairs CoinFerenceX’s content curation and community depth with The Best Event’s large-scale production and sponsor-activation track record, creating what the two companies describe as “the event nobody else can build.” What sets the conference apart is its decentralized summit model: a 2 day event shaped by the industry rather than dictated by an organizer. Where traditional conferences sell booths and speaking slots, CoinFerenceX and The Best Event will invite the founders, funds and ecosystem leaders who show up to help shape the agenda itself, deciding which conversations matter and which builders take the stage. While the organizers handle the production and logistics, the direction of the summit is set by the Web3 players with real skin in the game. It’s a gathering built by the people driving the ecosystem forward, for the people driving it forward. The Best Event brings a track record of 80+ delivered events, a presence in more than 10 global cities, over 50 million annual organic impressions, and north of 1 billion in social reach. The group’s attendance has grown from 35,000 in 2025 to a projected 70,000 in 2026. Its sponsor case studies point to concrete ROI, including one partner that turned a $50,000 investment into $1 million raised, another that saw a $50,000 spend convert into $1 million in ROI, and a third that converted two leads into a $400,000 deal. At CoinFerenceX, partners help shape the agenda itself rather than simply buying booth space and a speaking slot. CoinFerenceX’s community includes 7,500+ curated attendees from more than 70 countries, over 500 ecosystem and media partners, and more than 300 VCs and investment funds. Roughly 60% of its attendees are C-level executives or founders, and independent feedback shows 94% of past partners say they would return, with 89% rating CoinFerenceX among the top 25% of Web3 events globally. The combined summit is designed around four experience tracks: The Leaders Summit: an invite-only, C-level gathering where governance decisions and strategic partnerships take shape. Protocol Deep Dives: technical workshops where protocols demonstrate what they are actually shipping. The Founders’ Den: a venue for early-stage builders to pitch directly to 200+ VCs and investors. The Innovation Showcase: live product demos from established players and emerging protocols alike. Early figures for the Singapore edition point to more than 4,000 curated attendees, 500+ VCs and investors, 400+ ecosystem and media partners, 85+ C-level speakers, and more than 8,000 total event registrations. As with prior CoinFerenceX editions, roughly 60% of attendees are expected to be C-level executives or founders. Organizers say the agenda will be co-created by founders and ecosystem leaders with skin in the game, focused on sessions that deliver actionable insight or substantive content over celebrity keynotes. “We’re incredibly excited for this edition, it’s bigger, sharper and more ambitious than anything we’ve done before. With the whole industry in Singapore that week, we’ve curated a stage and an audience that turns that energy into real conversations and real deals. This is CoinFerenceX The Best Event at its strongest,” shared Prince Gupta, Co-Founder of CoinFerenceX Tobias Bauer, Co-Founder of The Best Event, added, “This partnership is the best of both worlds: CoinFerenceX’s curated speaker line-ups meet The Best Event’s scale of 50,000 attendees a year, the largest Web3 event series globally. Together we’re bringing one of the biggest two-day conferences to Singapore, our home market, with frontier thought leadership and production quality unlike anything else in the space.” Event Details Event: CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore Dates: 5-6 October 2026 Venue: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Tickets & partner applications: coinferencex.com/singapore About CoinFerenceX CoinFerenceX is a global decentralized Web3 summit connecting founders, investors, blockchain companies, developers, and industry leaders to accelerate innovation and collaboration in the digital economy. Through its ecosystem-driven approach, CoinFerenceX creates a platform for meaningful networking, knowledge exchange, startup opportunities, and strategic partnerships shaping the future of Web3. The summit brings together the brightest minds across blockchain, AI, DeFi, gaming, and emerging technologies to explore industry trends, showcase groundbreaking solutions, and build the next generation of decentralized ecosystems. About The Best Event TBE is the events arm of TBV, an early-stage venture capital fund backing web2.5 and web3 startups across Southeast Asia and North America. TBE curates high-caliber gatherings that anchor the biggest weeks in web3, with a track record of 80+ delivered events across 10+ global cities. Every event is built around one goal: putting the right founders, funds, and operators in the same room so real deals and partnerships can happen. That network runs deep, backed by a 10,000+ strong Telegram community and a social following north of 100,000. Media Contact Anmol Malviya Head of PR CoinFerenceX media@coinferencex.com
CoinFerenceX and the Best Event Join Forces to Launch “CoinFerenceX the Best Event Singapore,” th...
CoinFerenceX and The Best Event Join Forces to Launch “CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore,” the Decentralised Summit Two leading Web3 event powerhouses combine curation and execution firepower to build the industry’s most builder-first gathering during Asia Crypto Week, 5-6 October 2026, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore SINGAPORE, CoinFerenceX, the Web3 conference series known for curating high-signal gatherings of founders, investors, and builders, today announced it has combined forces with The Best Event, the events production group behind 80+ live experiences across 10+ global cities, to launch CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore, the next tier of the world’s first Decentralised Summit. The event will take place 5-6 October 2026 at Gardens by the Bay, positioning it as a leading alternative during Singapore’s Token2049 and Asia Crypto Week. The partnership pairs CoinFerenceX’s content curation and community depth with The Best Event’s large-scale production and sponsor-activation track record, creating what the two companies describe as “the event nobody else can build.” What sets the conference apart is its decentralized summit model: a 2 day event shaped by the industry rather than dictated by an organizer. Where traditional conferences sell booths and speaking slots, CoinFerenceX and The Best Event will invite the founders, funds and ecosystem leaders who show up to help shape the agenda itself, deciding which conversations matter and which builders take the stage. While the organizers handle the production and logistics, the direction of the summit is set by the Web3 players with real skin in the game. It’s a gathering built by the people driving the ecosystem forward, for the people driving it forward. The Best Event brings a track record of 80+ delivered events, a presence in more than 10 global cities, over 50 million annual organic impressions, and north of 1 billion in social reach. The group’s attendance has grown from 35,000 in 2025 to a projected 70,000 in 2026. Its sponsor case studies point to concrete ROI, including one partner that turned a $50,000 investment into $1 million raised, another that saw a $50,000 spend convert into $1 million in ROI, and a third that converted two leads into a $400,000 deal. At CoinFerenceX, partners help shape the agenda itself rather than simply buying booth space and a speaking slot. CoinFerenceX’s community includes 7,500+ curated attendees from more than 70 countries, over 500 ecosystem and media partners, and more than 300 VCs and investment funds. Roughly 60% of its attendees are C-level executives or founders, and independent feedback shows 94% of past partners say they would return, with 89% rating CoinFerenceX among the top 25% of Web3 events globally. The combined summit is designed around four experience tracks: The Leaders Summit: an invite-only, C-level gathering where governance decisions and strategic partnerships take shape. Protocol Deep Dives: technical workshops where protocols demonstrate what they are actually shipping. The Founders’ Den: a venue for early-stage builders to pitch directly to 200+ VCs and investors. The Innovation Showcase: live product demos from established players and emerging protocols alike. Early figures for the Singapore edition point to more than 4,000 curated attendees, 500+ VCs and investors, 400+ ecosystem and media partners, 85+ C-level speakers, and more than 8,000 total event registrations. As with prior CoinFerenceX editions, roughly 60% of attendees are expected to be C-level executives or founders. Organizers say the agenda will be co-created by founders and ecosystem leaders with skin in the game, focused on sessions that deliver actionable insight or substantive content over celebrity keynotes. “We’re incredibly excited for this edition, it’s bigger, sharper and more ambitious than anything we’ve done before. With the whole industry in Singapore that week, we’ve curated a stage and an audience that turns that energy into real conversations and real deals. This is CoinFerenceX The Best Event at its strongest,” shared Prince Gupta, Co-Founder of CoinFerenceX Tobias Bauer, Co-Founder of The Best Event, added, “This partnership is the best of both worlds: CoinFerenceX’s curated speaker line-ups meet The Best Event’s scale of 50,000 attendees a year, the largest Web3 event series globally. Together we’re bringing one of the biggest two-day conferences to Singapore, our home market, with frontier thought leadership and production quality unlike anything else in the space.” Event Details Event: CoinFerenceX The Best Event Singapore Dates: 5-6 October 2026 Venue: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Tickets & partner applications: coinferencex.com/singapore About CoinFerenceX CoinFerenceX is a global decentralized Web3 summit connecting founders, investors, blockchain companies, developers, and industry leaders to accelerate innovation and collaboration in the digital economy. Through its ecosystem-driven approach, CoinFerenceX creates a platform for meaningful networking, knowledge exchange, startup opportunities, and strategic partnerships shaping the future of Web3. The summit brings together the brightest minds across blockchain, AI, DeFi, gaming, and emerging technologies to explore industry trends, showcase groundbreaking solutions, and build the next generation of decentralized ecosystems. About The Best Event TBE is the events arm of TBV, an early-stage venture capital fund backing web2.5 and web3 startups across Southeast Asia and North America. TBE curates high-caliber gatherings that anchor the biggest weeks in web3, with a track record of 80+ delivered events across 10+ global cities. Every event is built around one goal: putting the right founders, funds, and operators in the same room so real deals and partnerships can happen. That network runs deep, backed by a 10,000+ strong Telegram community and a social following north of 100,000. Media Contact Anmol Malviya Head of PR CoinFerenceX media@coinferencex.com
Ethiopia Takes Centre Stage As the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards...
Ethiopia Takes Centre Stage as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 Opens in Addis Ababa Banking Leaders, Regulators and Global Technology Innovators Unite to Accelerate Ethiopia’s Digital Financial Transformation 12 August 2026 | Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – 12 August 2026 – Ethiopia today welcomed one of Africa’s premier banking and financial technology gatherings as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 officially opened at the prestigious Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the summit has brought together an influential gathering of banking leaders, central bank representatives, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, technology providers, cybersecurity experts, and digital transformation pioneers from across Ethiopia, East Africa, and the wider region. Held under the theme “Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets,” the summit serves as a strategic platform for industry collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation as Ethiopia continues to modernise its financial sector and expand access to secure, inclusive, and technology-driven banking services. As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the globally recognised Connected Banking Summit series, this landmark edition continues ICSA’s legacy of delivering executive platforms that foster meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and innovation across the global banking and financial services ecosystem. Ethiopia’s Banking Sector at a Defining Moment Ethiopia’s financial services industry is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. Regulatory reforms, rapid digital adoption, expanding fintech innovation, and increasing demand for secure, customer-centric banking solutions are reshaping the country’s financial landscape. Against this backdrop, the 29th Connected Banking Summit provides a timely forum for decision-makers to discuss the technologies, strategies, and partnerships that will define the future of banking. Throughout the summit, delegates are exploring key topics including: Digital Banking Transformation Core Banking Modernisation Real-Time Payments and Payment Interoperability Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Automation Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Open Banking and Open Finance Digital Identity and e-KYC Cloud Transformation Financial Inclusion Regulatory Innovation and Compliance Customer Experience and Digital Engagement Data, Analytics and Emerging Technologies These discussions align closely with Ethiopia’s National Digital Payments Strategy and the country’s long-term vision of building a resilient, inclusive, and digitally empowered financial ecosystem. The programme features keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, case studies, technology showcases, and high-level networking sessions designed to encourage collaboration between banks, regulators, fintech companies, and technology providers. Distinguished Industry Leaders Driving the Conversation The summit welcomes an exceptional lineup of speakers representing Ethiopia’s leading financial institutions, regulatory authorities, and technology organisations, including: Temesgen Busha – Chief Transformation Officer, Awash Bank Dr. Andualem Hailu – Deputy CEO, Strategy & Technology, Hibret Bank Muluken Demessie – Chief Retail & SME Banking Officer, Nib International Bank Tadesse Hatiya – President, Sidama Bank Assefa Amere – Chief Officer, Information Technology Office, Addis Bank S.C. Saminas S. – Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Director of Stakeholder Engagement, National ID Ethiopia Seyoum Damtew Metaferia – Vice President, Information System Security, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Mengistu Endalamaw – Director, Digital Banking, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Gutama Ashana – Director, Information Security Management, Awash Bank Tewodros Abay – Director, Acceptance Network, Bank of Abyssinia Yonas L. – Director, IT Risk & Cyber Security, Hibret Bank Mengistu Gemechu – Director of Strategy, Cooperative Bank of Oromia Temesgen Taye – Director of Cyber Security, Cooperative Bank of Oromia Mekdes Bekele – Director, Digital Banking Department, Global Bank Ethiopia Biruk W. – Director, Information Technology Security, Abay Bank S.C. Nejib (Ahmed) Aliyi – Director, Innovation and Strategy, Rammis Bank. Khalid Ahmed – Director, Application & Database Administration, Rammis Bank Ermoniem Brhanu Balcha – Digital Innovation & Partnership Division Head, Berhan Bank Solomon Damtew – Director, Banking, Payments & Settlements, National Bank of Ethiopia Fikru Tsegaye Wordofa – Member of the Board of Directors, Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) These distinguished leaders are joined by senior executives, policymakers, regulators, and technology experts who are collectively shaping the future of Ethiopia’s financial services industry. Global Technology Partners Supporting Banking Innovation The 29th Edition of the Connected Banking Summit is proudly supported by leading global technology organisations committed to accelerating financial innovation. Thunes As the summit’s Gold Sponsor, Thunes is a global cross-border payments infrastructure company connecting banks, mobile wallets, payment providers, and financial institutions across emerging and developed markets. Through its extensive global network, Thunes enables secure, real-time payments to billions of bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide, helping financial institutions simplify international payments and expand financial access. ManageEngine Supporting the summit as the Associate Sponsor, ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, delivers a comprehensive portfolio of IT management, identity and access management, cybersecurity, endpoint management, and network operations solutions trusted by enterprises and financial institutions around the world. Their participation reflects the growing confidence of global technology providers in Ethiopia’s rapidly evolving banking ecosystem and highlights the importance of strategic collaboration in driving digital transformation. Celebrating Excellence Through the Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 One of the most anticipated highlights of the summit is the Connected Banking Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, recognising organisations and visionary leaders that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in transforming the banking and financial services industry. The awards celebrate excellence across multiple categories, recognising institutions that have successfully leveraged technology, innovation, and customer-centric strategies to redefine banking. The awards honour excellence in areas including: Digital Banking Innovation Banking Leadership Digital Transformation Customer Experience Excellence Payments Innovation Financial Inclusion Artificial Intelligence in Banking Cybersecurity Excellence Fintech Collaboration Open Banking Innovation Risk Management Sustainable Banking Initiatives The Innovation & Excellence Awards have become one of the most respected recognitions within the Connected Banking Summit series, celebrating institutions and leaders whose vision and commitment continue to set new benchmarks for banking excellence across Africa. A Catalyst for Africa’s Banking Transformation Over the years, the Connected Banking Summit has established itself as one of the banking industry’s most respected executive leadership platforms. The series has successfully connected thousands of banking leaders, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, and technology providers across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, creating opportunities for collaboration that have accelerated digital transformation throughout the financial services sector. By facilitating strategic dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders, the summit continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of resilient, secure, inclusive, and future-ready financial ecosystems. As discussions continue throughout the day, delegates will exchange strategic insights, explore emerging technologies, and forge partnerships that will help shape the future of banking in Ethiopia and across the African continent. The summit will conclude with the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating the organisations and leaders whose vision, innovation, and commitment are transforming financial services across Africa. About the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a globally recognised organisation specialising in executive leadership conferences, strategic business summits, and industry forums that connect decision-makers across banking, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, public sector, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Through its flagship Connected Banking Summit series and other internationally recognised events, ICSA provides high-level platforms where policymakers, regulators, business leaders, innovators, and technology providers collaborate to exchange knowledge, build strategic partnerships, and accelerate digital transformation across industries. Driven by its vision to Connect, Integrate and Transform, ICSA continues to create meaningful business ecosystems that inspire innovation and deliver measurable impact worldwide. Media Contact International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) info@connected-banking.com +44 20 3808 8625 www.connected-banking.com Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopia Takes Centre Stage as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards...
Ethiopia Takes Centre Stage as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 Opens in Addis Ababa Banking Leaders, Regulators and Global Technology Innovators Unite to Accelerate Ethiopia’s Digital Financial Transformation 12 August 2026 | Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – 12 August 2026 – Ethiopia today welcomed one of Africa’s premier banking and financial technology gatherings as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 officially opened at the prestigious Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the summit has brought together an influential gathering of banking leaders, central bank representatives, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, technology providers, cybersecurity experts, and digital transformation pioneers from across Ethiopia, East Africa, and the wider region. Held under the theme “Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets,” the summit serves as a strategic platform for industry collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation as Ethiopia continues to modernise its financial sector and expand access to secure, inclusive, and technology-driven banking services. As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the globally recognised Connected Banking Summit series, this landmark edition continues ICSA’s legacy of delivering executive platforms that foster meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and innovation across the global banking and financial services ecosystem. Ethiopia’s Banking Sector at a Defining Moment Ethiopia’s financial services industry is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. Regulatory reforms, rapid digital adoption, expanding fintech innovation, and increasing demand for secure, customer-centric banking solutions are reshaping the country’s financial landscape. Against this backdrop, the 29th Connected Banking Summit provides a timely forum for decision-makers to discuss the technologies, strategies, and partnerships that will define the future of banking. Throughout the summit, delegates are exploring key topics including: Digital Banking Transformation Core Banking Modernisation Real-Time Payments and Payment Interoperability Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Automation Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Open Banking and Open Finance Digital Identity and e-KYC Cloud Transformation Financial Inclusion Regulatory Innovation and Compliance Customer Experience and Digital Engagement Data, Analytics and Emerging Technologies These discussions align closely with Ethiopia’s National Digital Payments Strategy and the country’s long-term vision of building a resilient, inclusive, and digitally empowered financial ecosystem. The programme features keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, case studies, technology showcases, and high-level networking sessions designed to encourage collaboration between banks, regulators, fintech companies, and technology providers. Distinguished Industry Leaders Driving the Conversation The summit welcomes an exceptional lineup of speakers representing Ethiopia’s leading financial institutions, regulatory authorities, and technology organisations, including: Temesgen Busha – Chief Transformation Officer, Awash Bank Dr. Andualem Hailu – Deputy CEO, Strategy & Technology, Hibret Bank Muluken Demessie – Chief Retail & SME Banking Officer, Nib International Bank Tadesse Hatiya – President, Sidama Bank Assefa Amere – Chief Officer, Information Technology Office, Addis Bank S.C. Saminas S. – Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Director of Stakeholder Engagement, National ID Ethiopia Seyoum Damtew Metaferia – Vice President, Information System Security, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Mengistu Endalamaw – Director, Digital Banking, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Gutama Ashana – Director, Information Security Management, Awash Bank Tewodros Abay – Director, Acceptance Network, Bank of Abyssinia Yonas L. – Director, IT Risk & Cyber Security, Hibret Bank Mengistu Gemechu – Director of Strategy, Cooperative Bank of Oromia Temesgen Taye – Director of Cyber Security, Cooperative Bank of Oromia Mekdes Bekele – Director, Digital Banking Department, Global Bank Ethiopia Biruk W. – Director, Information Technology Security, Abay Bank S.C. Nejib (Ahmed) Aliyi – Director, Innovation and Strategy, Rammis Bank. Khalid Ahmed – Director, Application & Database Administration, Rammis Bank Ermoniem Brhanu Balcha – Digital Innovation & Partnership Division Head, Berhan Bank Solomon Damtew – Director, Banking, Payments & Settlements, National Bank of Ethiopia Fikru Tsegaye Wordofa – Member of the Board of Directors, Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) These distinguished leaders are joined by senior executives, policymakers, regulators, and technology experts who are collectively shaping the future of Ethiopia’s financial services industry. Global Technology Partners Supporting Banking Innovation The 29th Edition of the Connected Banking Summit is proudly supported by leading global technology organisations committed to accelerating financial innovation. Thunes As the summit’s Gold Sponsor, Thunes is a global cross-border payments infrastructure company connecting banks, mobile wallets, payment providers, and financial institutions across emerging and developed markets. Through its extensive global network, Thunes enables secure, real-time payments to billions of bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide, helping financial institutions simplify international payments and expand financial access. ManageEngine Supporting the summit as the Associate Sponsor, ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, delivers a comprehensive portfolio of IT management, identity and access management, cybersecurity, endpoint management, and network operations solutions trusted by enterprises and financial institutions around the world. Their participation reflects the growing confidence of global technology providers in Ethiopia’s rapidly evolving banking ecosystem and highlights the importance of strategic collaboration in driving digital transformation. Celebrating Excellence Through the Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 One of the most anticipated highlights of the summit is the Connected Banking Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, recognising organisations and visionary leaders that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in transforming the banking and financial services industry. The awards celebrate excellence across multiple categories, recognising institutions that have successfully leveraged technology, innovation, and customer-centric strategies to redefine banking. The awards honour excellence in areas including: Digital Banking Innovation Banking Leadership Digital Transformation Customer Experience Excellence Payments Innovation Financial Inclusion Artificial Intelligence in Banking Cybersecurity Excellence Fintech Collaboration Open Banking Innovation Risk Management Sustainable Banking Initiatives The Innovation & Excellence Awards have become one of the most respected recognitions within the Connected Banking Summit series, celebrating institutions and leaders whose vision and commitment continue to set new benchmarks for banking excellence across Africa. A Catalyst for Africa’s Banking Transformation Over the years, the Connected Banking Summit has established itself as one of the banking industry’s most respected executive leadership platforms. The series has successfully connected thousands of banking leaders, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, and technology providers across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, creating opportunities for collaboration that have accelerated digital transformation throughout the financial services sector. By facilitating strategic dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders, the summit continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of resilient, secure, inclusive, and future-ready financial ecosystems. As discussions continue throughout the day, delegates will exchange strategic insights, explore emerging technologies, and forge partnerships that will help shape the future of banking in Ethiopia and across the African continent. The summit will conclude with the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating the organisations and leaders whose vision, innovation, and commitment are transforming financial services across Africa. About the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a globally recognised organisation specialising in executive leadership conferences, strategic business summits, and industry forums that connect decision-makers across banking, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, public sector, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Through its flagship Connected Banking Summit series and other internationally recognised events, ICSA provides high-level platforms where policymakers, regulators, business leaders, innovators, and technology providers collaborate to exchange knowledge, build strategic partnerships, and accelerate digital transformation across industries. Driven by its vision to Connect, Integrate and Transform, ICSA continues to create meaningful business ecosystems that inspire innovation and deliver measurable impact worldwide. Media Contact International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) info@connected-banking.com +44 20 3808 8625 www.connected-banking.com Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Crypto Investor Harry Yeh Found Dead After 30th-Floor Fall in Paraguay, Apartment Found Ransacked
Harry Chun Tak Yeh, a prominent cryptocurrency investor and founder of Quantum Fintech Group, was found dead outside a luxury residential tower in Asunción, Paraguay, on August 7, 2026, after what police believe was a fall from the building’s 30th floor. Paraguayan authorities have opened an investigation and say they have not ruled out any explanation — including accident, suicide, or third-party involvement. What Happened Police responding to a call at approximately 4:30 a.m. found a body outside the Jade Park residential complex in the Trinidad district of Asunción. According to local outlet La Tribuna, the man was preliminarily identified as Harry Chun Tak Yeh, founder and managing partner of Quantum Fintech Group. His body was reportedly found fully nude and covered with a black plastic bag. Investigators subsequently entered an apartment on the building’s 30th floor associated with Yeh and found the door open and the interior extensively disturbed. Authorities also identified and searched a second apartment linked to Yeh on the 27th floor of the same building. Forensic technicians collected evidence from both units as well as the area outside the building, and physical evidence has been turned over to prosecutors. Asunción police director Francisco Ávalos said the investigation remains at an early stage and that authorities have not yet determined how the fall occurred. Prosecutors are examining the case from multiple angles simultaneously — accident, suicide, and homicide — rather than treating any single explanation as established. Yeh’s body was transferred to Paraguay’s Judicial Morgue, where an autopsy and review of building surveillance footage are expected to help clarify the circumstances. According to a separate report, a 29-year-old Brazilian woman identified as Yeh’s girlfriend, connected to the 27th-floor apartment, told investigators she was unaware of the situation. It is important to note that no official finding from Paraguayan authorities has, as of this writing, attributed the death to another person, nor has any report established that the disturbed state of the apartment was connected to a robbery or any specific criminal act — those determinations remain part of the ongoing investigation. Who Was Harry Yeh Yeh, who had more than 25 years of experience in technology and business, entered the cryptocurrency market in 2013, when Bitcoin traded at roughly $60, launching his first fund with approximately $250,000. He later founded Quantum Fintech Group, an investment firm focused on cryptocurrency, blockchain, and digital-asset trading. Yeh became closely associated with the Fantom blockchain ecosystem, taking over the team behind Tomb Finance — an algorithmic stablecoin project — as a Fantom Foundation member in 2021. Through aggressive promotion and leverage, he helped push the project’s total value locked to an all-time high of roughly $1.6 billion in January 2022; the associated token has since fallen close to zero, and Tomb Finance’s official social media account has been inactive since February 2025. Yeh’s public biography also credits him as a founder and seed investor in LIF3 and L3 Reserve, alongside earlier involvement in projects including ZooCoin. Yeh’s own website and Quantum Fintech Group publicly claimed he managed more than $2 billion in digital-asset investments — with some sources citing a figure above $2.4 billion. These figures were self-reported by Yeh and his firm and have not been independently verified by outside auditors or regulators. Community Reaction News of Yeh’s death spread quickly across crypto social media, where he was a known figure within Fantom-adjacent DeFi circles. Given the unresolved circumstances — the ransacked apartment, the state in which the body was found, and the fact that Paraguayan police have explicitly said they have not excluded any cause — the case has generated significant speculation online. As of publication, however, that speculation remains unconfirmed, and Paraguayan authorities have made clear the investigation is ongoing, with an autopsy and forensic review still pending before any official conclusion is reached. What Comes Next The case now rests with Paraguayan prosecutors, who are pursuing physical evidence collection, an autopsy, and a review of security footage from the building in an effort to reconstruct Yeh’s movements before his death. No timeline has been given for when investigators expect to reach a conclusion. For the crypto industry, the case has drawn renewed attention to the personal security risks faced by high-net-worth individuals in the space — a reminder that substantial on-chain or reported wealth does not necessarily translate into physical safety, particularly for figures who may be publicly identifiable as holding significant digital assets.