Results of Ukraine House Davos at WEF in Switzerland

During the 48th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Ukraine showcased to the world community its investment potential and unique business opportunities within the program entitled Ukraine: Creativity, Innovations, Opportunities. For the first time ever, Ukraine was represented on the international arena at the WEF in Davos by a multi-format space Ukraine House.

On January 24, 2018, the Ukraine House Davos program featured a discussion panel devoted to the theme of new crypto heaven on the world map. A record number of listeners (over 500 people, which is 5 times more than room capacity) attended the panel. Investors, the world's largest companies developing blockchain-based solutions, representatives of international delegations and governments of different countries came to participate in the discussion and listen to crypto experts from Ukraine, the United States and Switzerland.

The participants and speakers of the above-mentioned discussion panel included:

• Founder of Blockchain Hub Kyiv and Kuna Agency Mike Chobanyan (Ukraine);
• CEO of The Tapscott Group Inc Don Tapscott (USA);
• President of Swiss Finance + Technology Association John Hucker (Switzerlad);
• Fintech investor Marc Bernegger (Switzerland).

Lively discussion lasting for one and a half hours was devoted to the future of crypto-economy and touched on the most industry relevant topics, namely: 

• National cryptocurrencies;
• Countries opened for crypto-economy: how and why did they succeed?;
• What action mechanism should be used by a country to become the next crypto-heaven?;
• Alliance of start-ups with investment: what place will they take in the crypto-heaven?;
• Business: Do businesses need crypto laws or bans, or is everything not forbidden allowed?

Four experts participating in the discussion panel shared their experience in developing the cryptocurrency industry in different countries. In particular, the CEO of The Tapscott Group Inc. Don Tapscott told about the experience of the USA, the President of Swiss Finance + Technology Association John Hucker and the FinTech investor Marc Bernegger shared Switzerland's experience. The founder of Blockchain Hub Kyiv and Kuna Agency Mike Chobanyan represented Ukraine and the CIS. For his part, Mike Chobanyan spoke about the experience of developing and implementing blockchain technologies in the post-Soviet space. He elaborated on the important theme of steps to be taken by Ukraine to become the next crypto heaven.

All panel participants unanimously agreed on the opinion that the industry development is impossible without the government assistance. The proper development of technology will become possible only if the government supports the national crypto community and simplifies the implementation of blockchain-based projects in the public sector and large business. Discussion of issues on the cryptocurrency regulation should occur at the international level and the development of common rules for all countries will simplify their circulation. 

The key theses of the panel included:

• If the government supports the idea of national cryptocurrencies, this may significantly accelerate the development of the industry as a whole. The national cryptocurrency will make the financial system transparent. As a result, the blockchain technology will become a road to democracy.
• Use of the digital economy is a controversial issue in the global sense; on the other hand, there is a risk of loss of confidentiality and privacy.
• During the discussion panel, Mike Chobanyan voiced the opinion that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies faced different problems in Ukraine and throughout the world. Ukraine as one of the most corrupt countries of the post-Soviet space needs the blockchain technology the most.

All participants of the discussion panel arrived at a common view that the blockchain should become one of the key components in the process of reforming state programs and online platforms.

At the forum, one of the world's top blockchain experts and the author of the bestseller Blockchain Revolution Don Tapscott presented a map of the world with 14 countries labelled. They are leaders in the implementation of blockchain technologies. This list includes Ukraine, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Estonia, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and China.

On January 24, Ukraine House Davos presented to the wide audience a unique world project Blockchain Hub Kyiv to be the first network of hubs and blockchain accelerators throughout the CIS. It is a future home for cutting-edge start-ups, developers, investors and all innovation-driven minds. 

The hub will be opened for the Ukrainian community this March. The launch of this project will be the first step in the development of the chain of hubs; within a year, the similar centres of blockchain technologies will be opened in Minsk, Moscow, and Almaty. 

Thanks to the initiative of crypto enthusiasts and the emergence of such projects like Ukraine House Davos and Blockchain Hub Kyiv, Ukraine will have a chance to build a fundamentally new economy based on the blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Only by uniting and cooperating with like-minded people at one venue, experts from all over the world will be able to start the fourth industrial revolution and make a difference in this world. 

To keep on top of breaking news from Blockchain Hub Kyiv, please check out the website http://blockchainhub.one 

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