{"id":646,"date":"2025-08-11T16:10:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T16:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hlsorgs3stg.wpenginepowered.com\/hlsbfi\/?page_id=646"},"modified":"2025-08-11T16:36:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T16:36:30","slug":"2019-annual-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/orgs.law.harvard.edu\/hlsbfi\/2019-annual-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Annual Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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HLS BFI 2019 Annual Conference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Harvard Law School Blockchain and Fintech Initiative (HLSBFI), in collaboration with the Harvard Association for Law and Business (HALB)<\/a>, is proud to present its 1st Annual Blockchain, Fintech & the Law Conference on April 15 \u2013 16, 2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bOur 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bDiscussion topics include (i) securities and commodities treatment of cryptocurrencies; (ii) payments and blockchain; (iii) fintech solutions in the payments sector; (iv) fintech and financial inclusion; (v) voting and blockchain; (vi) International scalability of fintech and blockchain solutions; (vii) regulation of fintech and cryptocurrencies; and (viii) practicing as an attorney in the blockchain and fintech industry.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Agenda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Monday, April 15, 2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

12 PM – 1 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fintech Ecosystem, Regulatory Challenges, and International Expansion Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benjamin Bai (VP and Chief IP Counsel, Ant Financial)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniel S. Friedberg (Chair of Payment Systems and Fintech Practice Counsel, Fenwick & West LLP)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joel Telpner (Head of FinTech and Blockchain practice group, Sullivan and Worcester LLP)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moderated by: Professor Howell Jackson, Harvard Law School<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 PM – 6 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fireside Chat with Tim Draper on the Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bModerated by: Harvard Law School students<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

12 PM – 1 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Blockchain Industry: Legal and Regulatory Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Engerman (Partner, Gunderson Dttmer)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nimit Sawhney (CEO and Co-Founder, Voatz)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christina Spiliakos (Regulatory Counsel, Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Welsh (Associate, Cooley)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bModerated by: Dr. Philippa Ryan, University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Law<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 PM – 7 PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keynote with Gary Gensler (CFTC Chair, 2009-2014)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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