Distributed ledger technology is predicted to disrupt financial services by making existing processes more efficient, secure, transparent and inexpensive. Many are projecting that the impact will be similar to that of the Internet - disrupting traditional industries, challenging existing regulations, and significantly increasing the volume of commerce by dramatically lowering the cost to transact and establishing trust between two previously unknown parties.

Distributed ledger technology is a decentralized way to transfer any unit of value. Blockchain, which is a decentralized public ledger of debits and credits, is the underlying technology behind Bitcoin. This new system lets people transfer money without a bank; write simple, enforceable contracts without a lawyer; or, turn physical items like real estate or tickets to the ball game into digital assets that can be sold with low to no transaction fees.

Join Brian Forde, Director of Digital Currency, MIT Media Lab and Ashish Gadnis, Founder / CEO, BanQu as they discuss the latest developments in distributed ledger technology and implications for SME financial transactions. 

About the speakers

Brian Forde is Director of Digital Currency at MIT Media Lab. He founded the world's largest academic research initiative on cryptocurrencies at MIT Media Lab, where they are researching, and incubating high-impact applications and use cases of this emerging technology. Most recently, he was the Senior Advisor for Mobile and Data Innovation at the White House where he spearheaded efforts to leverage emerging technologies to address the President's most critical national priorities. In recognition of his work, Brian was named one of the top ten "Most Influential People in Bitcoin and Blockchain" and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Ashish Gadnis is the Founder / CEO of the award winning blockchain application BanQu. BanQu is the first ever blockchain Economic Identity platform (patent pending) and network that creates long-term economic resilience / independence for refugees and people living in extreme poverty across the globe. He is also currently, a senior strategic advisor to the UN Women leadership team on issues related to economic empowerment for women (living in extreme poverty, refugee camps and conflict zones) using mobile / global supply chain, mobile-money and blockchain applications.