The Harvard Law School Blockchain and Fintech Initiative (HLSBFI), in collaboration with the Harvard Association for Law and Business (HALB), is proud to present its 1st Annual Blockchain, Fintech & the Law Conference:

April 15th-16th, 2019

Harvard Law School

Our conference will highlight the legal issues surrounding the use of blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and other financial technologies. The conference aims to teach and to connect law students to leaders, lawyers, regulators and other industry pioneers grappling with the legal treatment of these new innovations.

Discussion topics include:

Securities and commodities treatment of cryptocurrencies
Payments and blockchain
Fintech solutions in the payments sector
Fintech and financial inclusion
Voting and blockchain
International scalability of fintech and blockchain solutions
Regulation of fintech and cryptocurrencies
Practicing as an attorney in the blockchain and fintech industry

Conference Schedule:

Monday, April 15th

PANEL: The Fintech Ecosystem, Regulatory Challenges, and International Expansion Issues, 12-1 PM in Wasserstein Hall Room 1015

*Lunch from Dave’s Fresh Pasta will be provided.

–Benjamin Bai (VP and Chief IP counsel at Ant Financial)
–Daniel S. Friedberg (Chair of Payment Systems and Fintech practice counsel at Fenwick & West LLP)
–Joel Telpner (Head of Fintech and Blockchain practice group at Sullivan & Worcester LLP)
–Howell Jackson (Professor Harvard Law School) (moderator)

FIRESIDE CHAT with Tim Draper on the Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation (via Skype), 5-6 PM in Wasserstein Hall Room 1010

*Dinner from Flour Bakery will be provided.

Moderated by Harvard Law students.

Tuesday, April 16th

PANEL: The Blockchain Industry: Legal and Regulatory Challenges, 12-1 PM in Wasserstein Hall Room 2004

*Lunch from Sa Pa Vietnamese will be provided.

–Jeff Engerman (Partner at Gunderson Dettmer)

–Nimit Sawhney (CEO and Co-Founder of Voatz)

–Christina Spiliakos (Regulatory Counsel at Circle)

–Michael Welsh (Associate at Cooley)

–Dr. Philippa Ryan (University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Law) (moderator)

KEYNOTE: Gary Gensler (CFTC Chair, 2009-2014), 6-7 PM in Wasserstein Hall 1019