Industry experts to lead a light-hearted but fascinating talk to raise funds for the Save Valletta’s Skyline appeal.
Anyone interested in Blockchain will soon have a chance to learn from industry experts
in a unique talk being held at the beautiful Palazzo de la Salle in Valletta on 28 March.
Designed for absolute beginners to the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, the
exciting talk explores what the industry could mean for Malta’s future, in an event that
also includes a fun panel discussion and a Q&A session moderated by Jo Caruana.
In 2018 Malta cemented itself as ‘The Blockchain Island’, with the launch of three world-
first legal bills that established a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies,
blockchain, and DLT in general, and through the much-anticipated first Malta AI &
Blockchain Summit held last November.
Now, Malta is preparing to become an evengreater pioneer in the blockchain industry, with further regulation planned and the2019 Malta AI & Blockchain Summit to be held on 23 – 24 May at the Hilton Malta.
“Blockchain for Beginners will help prepare the next generation of potential blockchain
experts, just as Malta is becoming renowned worldwide as The Blockchain Island,”
explains organiser James Wicker. “Since we understand that the Maltese government is
considering a fourth bill regarding blockchain, and the Summit in May promises to be
another valuable opportunity to network and discuss this world-changing new
technology, there has never been a better time to learn about blockchain.”
Mr Wicker is a technology consultant with experience advising large multinational
corporations on the likely impacts of breakthrough technologies on their respective
industries and on the wider implications for society. For the past few years he has led
the marketing efforts of several Blockchain ventures and is a firm believer in the many
opportunities to leverage distributed ledger technologies as a force for good.
He will introduce the panel discussion by sharing a short presentation on Blockchain,
some of its use cases, and the reasons why some judge it to be “bigger than internet”.
The speakers at this one-off event will be three experts who are quickly becoming
leading names in this fast-growing global industry: Jasper de Trafford, Matthew Sacco
and Mark Bugeja.
With an extensive background in finance and asset management, Jasper de Trafford
moved back to Malta to take over his family interests including the landmark historic
estate of Villa Bologna. He is also a Director of Zeta, an advisory firm operating in the
fintech area with a focus on Blockchain.
Matthew Sacco meanwhile is a Blockchain Developer at Ledger Projects, with a focus on
the Ethereum Blockchain App platform.
Completing the speaker line-up is Mark Bugeja, who brings to the event a high-ranking
management background with the likes of Playmobil Malta, GlobalAir Travel and
Chamber College Malta, which he co-founded. Mr Bugeja joined the Fintech, crypto and
blockchain ‘revolution’, as he calls it, in 2017, delivering talks on this emerging
technology to various businesses across Malta. Today, he is Chairman of TECH MT,
which is a joint international marketing arm for the promotion of new emerging Fintech
companies wishing to invest in Malta.
While these new technologies look to Malta’s future, Blockchain for Beginners in fact
will also help to conserve a vital part of Malta’s past, namely Valletta’s iconic skyline.
The Save Valletta’s Skyline Appeal aims to raise more than €8 million to fund vital
restoration work on the tower, spire and structure of St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta,
which will ensure that the Cathedral’s silhouette will remain in the capital’s famous
skyline and continue to be a stunning backdrop for years to come for The Blockchain
Island.
Blockchain for Beginners – a talk in aid of Save Valletta Skyline will be held at Palazzo De
la Salle, Valletta on 28 March 2019 at 6.15pm. Tickets may be booked in advance via email
on petragd@guisthall.com. This event is kindly sponsored by Charles Grech and Fifth
Flavour.
