Virtual Currency Today Summit Convenes in Boston April 29
The Virtual Currency Today Summit organized by Networld Media Group will look at the factors that will shape the adoption and growth of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. The event will be held April 29, 2015 at the Hilton Boston Back Bay in Boston, Mass. Expert panelists will offer insights on how market stakeholders can push through barriers to embrace digital currency as the next generation of payments and transaction solutions, which will ultimately change the end-user customer experience. This event is targeted to businesses and organizations seeking a better understanding of the market forces that will lead to greater consumer and merchant adoption of virtual currencies such as Bitcoin.
“We’re really excited about the speakers we’ve lined up for this event so far,” said Kathy Doyle, executive vice president and publisher of Networld Media Group. “Our attendees will certainly be impressed with the high level of virtual currency experience and expertise these individuals bring to the podium.” Networld expects attendees to come from a variety of industries, including retail, hospitality and financial services. Virtual currency solutions providers, cash networks and exchanges, industry analysts and regulatory authorities are also expected to be in attendance.
Tom Harper, president and CEO of Networld Media Group will give opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. following registration, which begins at 7:30 a.m. The keynote will be “Virtual Currency: The Next Disruptor in Payments is Here” from 8:45 to 9:25 a.m. The speaker has not yet been announced. A panel discussion from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. titled, “What’s Needed for Virtual Currencies to Become Mainstream for Merchant Acceptance?” will include Bryne Reese, vice president at Bitreserve. Bob Wilkins, CEO and founder of Ziftr, will moderate.
At 11 a.m., case studies will include “The Retailer’s View on Bitcoin” with Judd Bagley, director of communications at Overstock.com. Sam Ditzion, CEO at Tremont Capital Group, will moderate.A working lunch from Noon to 1 p.m. will include a keynote presentation, “The Underbanked,” by David Long, principal and senior consultant at Northern California Fraud Prevention Solutions.From 1 to 2 p.m., “Using the Blockchain Beyond Transactions” will examine the blockchain and the transparency it provides as having the potential to reinvent industries and reduce costs. The speaker is to be determined.
Also read: State virtual currency regulation policy model released by American bank supervisors
Consider Virtual Currency Regulation
A session on “Virtual Currency Regulation” from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. will tackle questions such as: How much self-regulation is necessary to fend off government involvement? Is government involvement needed for mainstream use? Why are countries so skittish about digital currency? What do you do when governmental agency rulings contradict each other? Panelists include David Cotney, commissioner of banks for the Massachusetts Division of Banks, and David Wilford, general counsel and chief compliance officer at Wave Crest. Kurt Helwig, president and CEO at the Electronic Funds Transfer Association will moderate.
A panel discussion from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. titled “What Will Be the Shakeout” will explore where litecoins, dogecoins and other virtual currencies stand in comparison with Bitcoin.
“The Future: Where Do We Go From Here?” from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. will consider the mindset of the virtual currency user. Panelists include Bruce Fenton, managing director at Atlantic Financial Inc. and George Peabody, senior director at Glenbrook. Will Hernandez, editor of Mobile Payments Today, will moderate.
A cocktail reception will follow from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
To register, visit virtualcurrencytoday.com/summit.
Registration is $695 for regular attendees and $195 for students and educators.
Images from Shutterstock.
