DLT Science Launch Event

One of the highlights was a presentation by Michael Donovan, focusing on his project, Mint Road. Mint Road aims to transform the entertainment landscape using blockchain technology. Donovan emphasised how blockchain could make content distribution cheaper and more efficient, significantly impacting how we consume and interact with media. He predicts that blockchain will be the definitive technology for content distribution in the future, leading to increased investment in the entertainment sector.

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Following Donovan, Alistair Moore introduced his project, Songbits, which seeks to revolutionise the music industry by financialising music assets. Using blockchain, Songbits enables the fractionalisation and sale of music royalties, creating a new way for artists and fans to engage with music monetarily. This model promises to open up new revenue streams for artists and provide fans with a deeper connection to the music they love.

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The event also featured a panel discussion led by Christina Lucrezia Corner, Editor-in-Chief of Coin Telegraph, focusing on restoring trust in cryptocurrencies. Panelists, including Fariel Salahuddin of UpTrade, Orona Scalera, Director of the Infinity Art Museum, and Tiana Baker-Taylor of Circle, shared their insights on the importance of community, transparency, and practical use cases in building trust in the crypto space.

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Salahuddin's experience using blockchain for agricultural and energy sectors, particularly in Pakistan, highlighted the technology's potential to empower smallholder farmers and marginalised communities. Scalera discussed the impact of blockchain on the art world, emphasising how artists now have more control over their work and its distribution. Baker-Taylor shared how Circle's stablecoins are used for efficient cross-border payments and humanitarian aid, showcasing blockchain's real-world applications beyond speculative trading.

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The DSF event showcased how we can harness blockchain technology for social good, creative economy, and trust-building in digital assets. The presentations and discussions highlighted the need for continued innovation, education, and regulatory clarity to realise the full potential of distributed ledger technologies in various sectors. As these technologies evolve, they promise to create more equitable and efficient systems that benefit a broader range of stakeholders in the global economy.

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16:30 - Opening remarks from the founders of the DLT Science Foundation, Paolo Tasca & Nikhil Vadgama

16:45 - Fireside chat led by  Max Walker-Williams with Mance Harmon, Co-CEO of Swirlds Labs

17:05 - Interview led by Nilmini Rubin with Timothy Lane, former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada

17:25 - First-round of grantee presentations

            · Michael Donovan, Mint Road

            · Alistair Moore, SongBits

17:45 - Panel discussion: Rebuilding trust in crypto: Answering the call to challenge - Teana BakerTaylor,  Fariel Salahuddin, Auronda Scalera and moderated by Kristina Lucrezia Cornèr.

18:15 - 19:30 - Garden drinks reception and networking
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