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Webinar

Women in Web3: The Intersection of Fintech & Blockchain

Join us for an engaging webinar that explores the transformative impact of blockchain technology on the Fintech landscape. The year 2024 marks a pivotal moment for global blockchain regulation, as the cryptocurrency industry’s regulatory framework undergoes significant enhancements and crypto assets continue their integration into the mainstream financial system.

The approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the United States has accelerated the industry’s journey toward widespread adoption, reestablishing the U.S. as a key hub for the crypto market as we approach 2025. Whether you’re a Fintech innovator, blockchain enthusiast, or curious professional, this session will provide valuable insights to stay ahead in the ever-evolving financial technology ecosystem.

Webinar Highlights:

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    Explore the intersection of Web3 technologies with Fintech and traditional finance.
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    Focus on two transformative instruments: stablecoins and crypto ETFs.
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    Gain insights from industry leaders at Coinbase and Citi.
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    Discover perspectives on the future of this rapidly evolving space.

About your presenters

Sophia Zhao
Sophia Zhao

Partner, Blockchain Fund

Sophia brings a wealth of experience in capital advisory, corporate development, and operational optimization, establishing impactful collaborations with CXOs and Founders. With a diverse industry exposure encompassing cloud computing, mining and minerals, consumer goods, and Web3, Sophia has been at the forefront of transformative technologies. Since 2018, she has been immersed in the crypto universe, working at Galaxy Digital, Huobi US, and Crypto.com. In these roles, Sophia engaged with startups and institutional clients on capital raising and trading across the Americas, EU, and Asia regions.

Actively fostering innovation and mentorship, Sophia serves as a mentor and judge at prestigious institutions such as Yale’s Tsai City for Innovation, Berkeley’s Blockchain Xcelerator, Techstars, and Layer 1 protocols, including Ethereum, Algorand, and Solana. She maintains close ties with the blockchain communities at Stanford and Yale.

Driven by a passion for shaping the future through frontier technologies, Sophia is currently supporting AI data and applications deals within her team. She holds a BBA from Simon Fraser University, an MBA from the University of British Columbia, and an MAM from the Yale School of Management.

Lauren Abendschein
Lauren Abendschein

Institutional Sales at Coinbase

Lauren Abendschein leads Institutional Sales at Coinbase, where she is instrumental in helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency and blockchain landscape. With a deep understanding of both traditional finance and digital assets, Lauren specializes in bridging the gap between institutional investors and the crypto ecosystem.

Her work focuses on crafting strategic partnerships, providing tailored solutions for institutional adoption, and educating organizations on the benefits and challenges of blockchain technology. Lauren’s leadership has been pivotal in driving the mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies within institutional portfolios.

Passionate about innovation, Lauren is dedicated to guiding institutions toward the future of finance.

Ryan Rugg
Ryan Rugg

Global Head of Digital Assets at Citigroup

Ryan Rugg is a recognized leader in blockchain and digital assets, currently serving as the Global Head of Digital Assets at Citigroup. With extensive experience driving innovation in financial services, Ryan has been at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology into institutional finance.

Her expertise spans asset tokenization, decentralized finance (DeFi), and the development of scalable blockchain solutions for global financial institutions. A sought-after speaker, Ryan regularly shares her insights on the transformative potential of digital assets at industry conferences and events.

Ryan is committed to empowering organizations to leverage emerging technologies to unlock new efficiencies and growth opportunities.

Webinar Registration

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