Innovation & Regulation: the Next Frontier for Crypto in Australia

ALEX WENHAM

Global Digital Assets Product & Strategy Lead

BLOOMBERG L.P.

With over 15 years of Financial Markets experience, Alex is the Global Head of Cryptocurrency Product and Digital Asset Lead at Bloomberg. Prior to this appointment Alex has been a Leader within our Sales organisation managing territories within Emerging Markets and the Nordics. Alex started his career at Bloomberg as a FX and FX Derivatives specialist working with our Sellside and Buyside clients across the UK, Middle East and Emerging Markets. Prior to joining Bloomberg, Alex worked as a FX Derivatives structurer helping corporate clients hedge FX Risk. Alex holds a double degree in Science and Commerce from Sydney University and is a FRM charter holder.

Luke Marriott

Head of eFICC

ANZ

Luke is the Head eFICC, he is responsible for all electronic trading and distribution across ANZ Markets. In this capacity, Luke is responsible for driving and innovating our digital and data strategy and execution, upgrading our electronic platform and our trading systems, aligning infrastructure to compete with our global peers. Luke holds a Bachelor in Economics from the University of New England and a Masters in Applied Finance from Macquarie University. He has also studied Digitisation and Industrialisation at MIT Sloan School of Management. He has been with ANZ since 1989 in various roles, among those Head of FX Trading London, Global Head of FX Options, Chief Dealer Asian Currencies and most recently Global Head of Wholesale FX. In 2019, Luke completed the Leadership in Digital Transformation Strategy through Berkley Executive Education and is currently studying Block Chain Technology and Business Innovation at MIT Sloan Executive Education. Luke is a member of the Australian FX Committee and the Global FX Committee as well as a Board Member on ACI Australia. Luke has undertaken an active role with regards to CBDC and the adopting of the associated technologies, transforming virtual currencies into digital currencies. New technology adoption is required to ensure currency efficiencies align end to end, promoting innovation for the economy of the future. Luke has been a mentor on the Woman in Banking and Finance program since 2015. Luke also represents ANZ at the FINSA Institutional Education Council.

Ryan McCall

CEO

Zerocap

Starting his career as a self-taught software engineer, Ryan has worked around financial services for nearly 20 years, developing complex pricing and risk calculation engines for top-tier insurance companies and fund managers around the world. Ryan is co-founder and CEO of Zerocap, an institutional digital asset manager and technology firm which since 2017 has sought to bridge the worlds of traditional finance with digital assets, driving their mantra: zero friction, borderless finance.

Steve Vallas

Managing Director

Blockchain APAC

Steve is the Managing Director of Blockchain APAC. Deputy Chair of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources National Blockchain Roadmap Steering Committee. Steve is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Swinburne University and a mentor in several university accelerator programs including the Melbourne University MAP programme and the Deakin University Capstone programme He assists many budding entrepreneurs with their foray into the business world. A qualified lawyer, blockchain technology and digital strategist who has worked with a range of verticals including telecommunications, education and startups. Focusing on building value adding relationships with content producing professionals, social media strategists, SME’s and enterprise businesses who are looking to benefit from the paradigm shift to customer centric online marketing opportunities and emerging technologies.

Lisa Wade

CEO

DigitalX

Lisa Wade has over 30 years' experience in finance and financial markets, and a strong background in blockchain project development and funds management. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer of DigitalX in January 2022, Ms Wade was the head of digital innovation and sustainability at National Australia Bank, managing investment portfolios with the Clean Energy Fund and the ESCOR Group, director of Citigroup where she specialised in developing financial structures to facilitate the acceleration of impact investment including co-founding an early-stage investment in Future Super and co-creating Australia's first responsible investment ETF. Ms Wade was recognised as 'Gender & Diversity Leader of the Year' at the 2021 Australian Blockchain Industry Awards.

Jamie Kennedy

Country Manager

FTX Australia

Jamie is the Country Manager for FTX in Australia. He has been an active participant in the debate around crypto-asset regulation in Australia, including having made a substantial contribution to the Select Committee on Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre in partnership with Blockchain Australia. He has also advised the Australian Government on crypto-asset regulation, blockchain technology in financial services and financial services regulation. Jamie was a key contributor to the Australian Government’s Review of Initial Coin Offerings, the National Blockchain Roadmap, and helped to oversee the implementation of the CHESS replacement project.

Vimal Gor

CIO

Trovio

Vimal has over 28 years of asset management experience both in Australia and abroad. Prior to joining Trovio in July 2022 he spent 13 years at ASX listed Pendal Group as the Head of Bond, Income & Defensive Strategies (BIDS). At Pendal he raised over $10billon in FUM to manage a total of $22billion in assets. Prior to Pendal he spent 10 years at Aviva Investors in London and Scottish Mutual and Murray Johnstone in Scotland.

JAMIE COUTTS

Crypto Markets Analyst

BLOOMBERG/ INTELLIGENCE SYDNEY

Jamie is a crypto market analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence and is responsible for creating crypto market structure, asset, sector and thematic analysis content for clients. He takes a multi-disciplinary approach to his analysis of this emergent asset class, combining fundamental, technical, quantitative, macro and on-chain data. Jamie has over 20 years of experience in the financial markets, starting his career as a stockbroker in Australia. He went on to work as a hedge fund trader and in equity sales. He joined Bloomberg in 2014 as an equity specialist driving operational and alpha generation initiatives within the CIO office and investment teams for APAC buy sides. Over the past four years, Jamie has immersed himself in the crypto/digital assets space, helping shape the product offering and sales strategy. Jamie also holds a Chartered Markets Technician (CMT) designation and serves on the global board of the CMT Association.

CLAUDIA DONG

Quantitative Solutions Developer

BLOOMBERG/ SYDNEY OFFICE

Claudia is a Quantitative Solutions Developer at Bloomberg and co-leads the Australia and New Zealand arm of a global digital asset working group within Bloomberg. Prior to Bloomberg, Claudia worked as a quantitative trader in both the Equity and Crypto markets where she first developed an interest in blockchain technology and decentralised finance.