The 2019 SXSW Blockchain events will take place in Austin Texas, this week. The event is expected to receive the world’s biggest individual and corporate names in the cryptocurrency sphere but also general technology and finance. Discussions and deliberations likely to occur include topics ranging from the cannabis industry, adoption of cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and also venture capitalism.

Notable Keynote Speakers

Some of the biggest names from many blockchain focused companies are expected to serve as keynote speakers for the event. Some of the companies include Ethereum Labs, Coinbase, Gemini, Microsoft, MIT, IBM, ConsenSys Labs and Ripple.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (also known as the Winklevoss Twins) are co-founders of Gemini and are expected to speak at the event. Other names include David Schwartz – Ripple’s CTO, co-founder and Chief Editor of Crypto Briefing – Jon Rice and VP of IBM’s Blockchain Markets – Jesse Lund.

Sessions at the Event

Some sessions expected to take place at the event include

The Real World Applications of Blockchain

Taking place on the 13th of March from 5:00pm to 6:00pm at 77 Rainey Street, the session will have many stakeholders discussing notable advancements in Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) and how it can be used to handle safer transactions which will help secure trust and transparency in the sector. Also, the establishment by Australia of the first Blockchain Bond in the world, will be discussed. Some notable institutions whose top management will handle this session include Tide Foundation, Oracle, ShelterZoom and Kilroy Blockchain.

Blockchain Beyond The Hype: The Ripple Effect

This a session that will involve an interview of Ripple’s CTO – David Schwartz. The interview will be handled by Sara Silverstein from Business Insider and it will be a discussion on the possible effects of blockchain on the framework of the world’s current financial platform. This will be on the 14th of March and will go on for an hour, starting from 12:30pm. Venue is Hilton Austin Downtown Salon H 500 E 4th St.

The Future of Venture

This session will have a discussion involving top management from Republic Crypto, AIKON and ConsenSys Labs. The discussion will be based on how well startups could be powered and financed by blockchain and also a comparison between this type of cryptocurrency funding and other means of funding as it may affect the new sphere of cryptocurrency and digital finance in general. This will also be on the 14th of Match and will take place from 10:50-11:30. Venue is 606 E. 3rd Street, Austin TX, 78701.

The Future of Banking – De-Fi is Coming

The major discussion at this session will be Decentralized Finance or ‘De-Fi’. This will be handled by the Managing director and co-founder of CryptoBriefing – Jon Rice, Jeremy Millar from ConsenSys Labs and also the founder of Drum G Financial Technologies, Tim Grant. Other discussions would include the present banking industry and how it could be improved upon with the incorporation of decentralization. This is another session that will also take place on the 14th of March, happening between 1:00pm and 1:40pm. VENUE IS ALSO 606 E. 3rd Street, Austin TX, 78701.

Regulating Blockchain

This session will handle regulations of stakeholders in the cryptocurrency sphere as well as possible partnerships between stakeholders and the legislative arm of government, to create a more suitable environment for the sector. The session will happen on the 15th of March between 2:00pm and 3:00pm and will be handled by the Head of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Distributed Ledger Technology Working Group – Valerie Szczepanik – and will be moderated by Daniel Kahan who is a Corporate Attorney at Morrison & Foerster, an international law firm. Venue for this session is Hilton Austin Downtown Salon C 500 e 4TH St.

Aim of the Event

The event seeks to do a few things including give an opportunity for consumers and stakeholders to network and also create awareness and sensitize people regarding the blockchain world.