Our Speakers
We are deeply grateful to our distinguished speakers for joining us in Florence — leading experts from academia, central banks, and international organisations whose pioneering research and practical insights are actively shaping the regulatory frameworks, technological foundations and policy directions of digital currencies in our rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Fabio Araujo
Banco Central do Brasil
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Online
Research Spotlight
Dr. Fabio Araujo is an economist at the Central Bank of Brazil focused on digital currency initiatives. His work includes research on developing and implementing CBDCs in emerging economies and their implications for financial inclusion. He is leading the Drex project.
Keywords: CBDC, Financial Inclusion, Emerging Markets, Central Banking
Douglas Arner
University of Hong Kong & EBI
Panel 1: Digital Legal Tender
Online
Research Spotlight
Professor Douglas Arner specialises in economic and financial law, regulation and development. His research focuses on the intersection of finance, technology and regulation, particularly in the context of digital currencies and emerging markets.
Keywords: FinTech, RegTech, Digital Finance, Financial Regulation
Rosa Giovanna Barresi
School of Economics and Management, University of Florence & BABEL
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination (Chair)
Research Spotlight
Professor Rosa Giovanna Barresi is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florence and a key researcher in the BABEL group. Her research focuses on international financial regulation, cross-border banking supervision, and global monetary policy coordination.
Keywords: International Finance, Banking Regulation, Cross-border Coordination
Andreas Bielig
SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Panel 3: Balancing Innovation and Oversight
Research Spotlight
Professor Andreas Bielig is an expert in international economics and financial regulation at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics. His research examines regulatory approaches to financial innovation across different economic systems.
Keywords: International Economics, Financial Innovation, Regulatory Systems
Yuri Biondi
CNRS & PSL
Panel 3: Balancing Innovation and Oversight
Research Spotlight
Professor Yuri Biondi is a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) focusing on accounting, economics and financial regulation. His work explores the financial and economic implications of digital currencies from an accounting perspective.
Keywords: Accounting, Economics, Digital Finance, Monetary Theory
Andrea Bracciali
University of Turin
Panel 2: Technological Challenges
Research Spotlight
Professor Andrea Bracciali specialises in blockchain technologies and formal verification of cryptographic protocols at the University of Turin. His research focuses on distributed ledger technologies' technical and security aspects for digital currencies.
Keywords: Blockchain, Cryptography, Security, Formal Verification
Ross Buckley
UNSW & EBI
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination
Research Spotlight
Scientia Professor Ross Buckley is an ARC Laureate Fellow at UNSW Sydney. He serves on the Payments System Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and as the Chair of the Digital Finance Advisory Panel of Australia’s financial market conduct regulator. His research focusses on central bank digital currencies and the regulation of digital finance more generally.
Keywords: FinTech, RegTech, CBDC, International Coordination
Iris Chiu
University College London (UCL)
Opening Keynote
Online
Research Spotlight
Since 2009, Professor Iris Chiu has been a Corporate Law and Financial Regulation professor at UCL. As an academic member of the Centre for Ethics and Law, she promotes public and stakeholder engagement on issues related to the law and regulation of the banking, financial, and fintech sectors, the crypto economy, and broader business governance.
Keywords: Corporate Law, Financial Regulation, FinTech, Crypto Economy
Marko Dimijetrivic
University of Nis
Panel 1: Digital Legal Tender
Online
Research Spotlight
Professor Marko Dimijetrivic is a monetary law and policy expert at the University of Nis. His research examines the legal foundations of monetary systems and their adaptation to digital currencies.
Keywords: Monetary Law, Legal Tender, Digital Currency Policy
Helmut Elsinger
Austrian National Bank (OeNB)
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Research Spotlight
Dr. Helmut Elsinger is a financial stability expert at the Austrian National Bank. His work focuses on stress-testing methodologies and the implications of digital currencies for financial stability.
Keywords: Financial Stability, Stress Testing, Central Banking
Miguel Fernandez Ordoñez
Former Bank of Spain Governor
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Online
Research Spotlight
Dr. Miguel Fernandez Ordoñez is an economist and former Governor of the Bank of Spain. He brings extensive practical experience in monetary policy and central banking to discussions on the future of digital currencies.
Keywords: Monetary Policy, Central Banking, Euro System
Gérardine Goh Escolar
Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH)
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course (Chair) & Closing Keynote
Research Spotlight
Dr. Gérardine Goh Escolar is Deputy Secretary General of the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and head of the International Commercial, Digital and Financial Law (CODIFI) Division. Her work focuses on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), Digital Tokens, and private international law implications related to the digital economy.
Keywords: Private International Law, CBDC, Digital Economy, Carbon Markets
Geoffrey Goodell
University College London (UCL)
Panel 2: Technological Challenges
Research Spotlight
Dr Geoffrey Goodell is a lecturer at University College London who studies socio-technical systems in financial services. His research contributes to knowledge and policy at the intersection of finance, technology, and regulation.
Keywords: Payment Systems, Digital currencies, Decentralised Systems.
Christos Gortsos
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens & EBI
Roundtable 1 (Chair) & Panel 1
Research Spotlight
Professor Christos Gortsos is a distinguished financial, banking, and capital markets law scholar at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He serves as Chair of the EBI Academic Board and focuses on the legal framework for banking supervision and monetary policy about digital currencies.
Keywords: Banking Law, Financial Regulation, Monetary Policy, Banking Union
Seraina Grünewald
University of St. Gallen & EBI
Panel 1 & Panel 3 (Chair)
Research Spotlight
Professor Seraina Grünewald specialises in financial market law and regulation at the University of St. Gallen. Her research focuses on the regulatory challenges of digital currencies and their integration into existing legal frameworks.
Keywords: Financial Market Law, Regulation, Monetary Law
Christos Hadjiemmanuil
University of Piraeus & LSE & EBI
Panel 3: Balancing Innovation and Oversight
Research Spotlight
Professor Christos Hadjiemmanuil specialises in banking law, financial regulation, and central banking at the University of Piraeus and the London School of Economics. His work examines the legal challenges in balancing innovation with regulatory oversight in digital currencies.
Keywords: Banking Law, Financial Regulation, Central Banking
Teresa Rodríguez de Las Heras Ballel
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M)
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination
Research Spotlight
Professor Teresa Rodríguez de Las Heras Ballel specialises in commercial law, law and technology, and international transactions at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Her research focuses on the digital transformation of markets and platforms, emphasising digital currencies' legal implications for international commerce.
Keywords: Commercial Law, Digital Platforms, International Transactions
Bart Joosen
University of Leiden & EBI
Panel 3: Balancing Innovation and Oversight
Research Spotlight
Professor Bart Joosen is an authority on prudential supervision law and financial markets regulation at the University of Leiden and the European Banking Institute. His work examines the regulatory challenges of integrating digital currencies into the existing prudential framework.
Keywords: Prudential Supervision, Financial Regulation, Banking Regulation
Caroline Kleiner
Paris Cité University
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Online
Research Spotlight
Professor Caroline Kleiner specialises in international private law and its application to financial markets at Paris Cité University. Her research explores the legal frameworks necessary for cross-border digital currency transactions.
Keywords: International Private Law, Cross-Border Transactions, Digital Finance
Shuji Kobayakawa
Meiji University
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination
Research Spotlight
Professor Shuji Kobayakawa is a monetary economics and financial systems expert at Meiji University. Previously working at the Bank of Japan, he brings extensive experience in international financial cooperation and the Japanese perspective on digital currencies.
Keywords: Monetary Economics, Financial Systems, Central Banking
Rosa Maria Lastra
Queen Mary University of London & EBI
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Online
Research Spotlight
Professor Rosa Maria Lastra is an internationally recognised expert in international financial and monetary law at Queen Mary University of London. Her research focuses on central bank digital currencies and their implications for monetary sovereignty and financial stability.
Keywords: International Financial Law, Monetary Law, CBDC, Financial Stability
Mauro Lombardi
BABEL & University of Florence
Panel 2: Technological Challenges
Research Spotlight
Professor Mauro Lombardi focuses on digital economics and technological innovation at the University of Florence and is a member of the BABEL research group. His work explores the technological foundations of digital currencies and their economic implications.
Keywords: Digital Economics, Technological Innovation, Economic Systems
Marcello Miccoli
International Monetary Fund
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Research Spotlight
Dr. Marcello Miccoli is an expert in international financial systems at the International Monetary Fund. His work focuses on the global implications of digital currencies for monetary policy and financial stability from an IMF perspective.
Keywords: International Financial Systems, Monetary Policy, Global Financial Stability
Bitange Ndemo
Republic of Kenya Ambassador
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Online
Research Spotlight
Professor Bitange Ndemo is the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya and former Permanent Secretary of Kenya's Ministry of Information and Communication. His work focuses on digital transformation in emerging economies and the potential of digital currencies for financial inclusion in Africa.
Keywords: Digital Transformation, Emerging Economies, Financial Inclusion
Franklin Noll
Kansas City Fed
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Online
Research Spotlight
Dr. Franklin Noll is a monetary historian and researcher with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. His work examines the historical evolution of money and payment systems, providing valuable context for understanding current digital currency developments.
Keywords: Monetary History, Payment Systems, Currency Evolution
Sebastian Omlor
University of Marburg
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Research Spotlight
Professor Sebastian Omlor specialises in German civil law and private commercial law across German and European contexts, focusing on banking and capital market regulation. His research at the University of Marburg examines the intersection of traditional legal frameworks and emerging technological challenges in digital currencies.
Keywords: Civil Law, Commercial Law, Banking Regulation, Capital Markets
Reyes Palá Laguna
University of Zaragoza
Panel 3: Balancing Innovation and Oversight
Research Spotlight
Professor Reyes Palá Laguna is an expert in financial market regulation and corporate governance at the University of Zaragoza. Her research focuses on the Spanish and European regulatory approaches to digital financial innovation.
Keywords: Financial Market Regulation, Corporate Governance, Digital Finance
Panagiotis Papapaschalis
European Central Bank
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Research Spotlight
Dr. Panagiotis Papapaschalis is a specialist in digital currency research at the European Central Bank. His work focuses on the development of the digital euro and its implications for monetary policy and financial stability in the eurozone.
Keywords: Digital Euro, Monetary Policy, ECB, Financial Stability
César Pérez-Chirinos Sanz
Bank of Spain
Panel 2: Technological Challenges
Research Spotlight
Dr. César Pérez-Chirinos Sanz is a specialist in financial technology and digital payments at the Bank of Spain. His research examines the technological infrastructure required for central bank digital currencies and their integration with existing payment systems.
Keywords: Financial Technology, Digital Payments, CBDC Infrastructure
Christian Pfister
LÉO, Université d'Orleans
Panel 1: Digital Legal Tender
Research Spotlight
Dr. Christian Pfister is an expert in monetary economics and central banking at the Université d'Orleans. Having worked previously at the Banque de France, his research focuses on the implications of central bank digital currencies for monetary policy transmission and financial intermediation.
Keywords: Monetary Economics, Central Banking, CBDC, Financial Intermediation
Ruth Plato-Shinar
Netanya Academic College & EBI
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Research Spotlight
Professor Ruth Plato-Shinar specialises in banking law and regulation at Netanya Academic College. Her research examines the legal frameworks for digital currencies and their implications for consumer protection and financial stability.
Keywords: Banking Law, Consumer Protection, Financial Regulation
Poonam Puri
York University
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination
Research Spotlight
Professor Poonam Puri is an internationally recognised expert in corporate governance, corporate law, and securities regulation at York University. Her work examines regulatory frameworks for financial innovation and the governance implications of digital currencies.
Keywords: Corporate Governance, Securities Regulation, Financial Innovation
Arthur Rossi
Saudi Arabia Bank
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Research Spotlight
Dr. Arthur Rossi is a banking expert working on financial innovation at the Saudi Central Bank. His work focuses on the implications of digital currencies for Islamic finance and the Middle Eastern financial system.
Keywords: Islamic Finance, Middle Eastern Financial Systems, Banking Innovation
Deepankar Roy
National Institute of Bank Management
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination
Research Spotlight
Professor Deepankar Roy is an authority on banking regulations, financial inclusion, and digital payment systems at the National Institute of Bank Management in India. His research focuses on the potential of digital currencies to promote financial inclusion in emerging economies.
Keywords: Banking Regulation, Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments
Jürgen Schaaf
European Central Bank
Panel 4: Global Regulatory Coordination
Research Spotlight
Dr. Jürgen Schaaf is an advisor to the European Central Bank, focusing on digital currencies, payment innovations, and their implications for monetary policy and financial stability. His work provides insights into the ECB's approach to regulating digital currencies.
Keywords: Digital Currencies, Payment Innovation, ECB, Monetary Policy
Sandra Švaljek
Croatian National Bank (HNB) Deputy Governor
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Research Spotlight
Dr. Sandra Švaljek is the Deputy Governor of the Croatian National Bank with expertise in monetary policy and financial stability. Her work examines the implications of digital currencies for smaller European economies and their integration with the eurozone.
Keywords: Monetary Policy, Financial Stability, European Integration
Claudio J. Tessone
University of Zurich
Panel 2: Technological Challenges
Research Spotlight
Professor Claudio J. Tessone is an expert in complex systems and blockchain economics at the University of Zurich. His research applies statistical physics and network science methods to understand the behaviour and stability of decentralised currency systems.
Keywords: Complex Systems, Blockchain Economics, Network Science
Vincenzo Vespri
University of Florence
Panel 2: Technological Challenges (Chair)
Research Spotlight
Professor Vincenzo Vespri is a distinguished mathematician and computer scientist at the University of Florence. His research includes cryptography, computational mathematics, and security aspects of digital technologies, providing important insights into the technological foundations of digital currencies.
Keywords: Cryptography, Computational Mathematics, Digital Security
Marino Vollenweider
Bank for International Settlements
Roundtable 2: Charting the Course
Research Spotlight
Dr. Marino Vollenweider is an expert in international banking regulation at the Bank for International Settlements. His work focuses on developing global standards for digital currencies and their implications for financial stability and cross-border payments.
Keywords: International Banking Regulation, Global Standards, Cross-Border Payments
Heng Wang
Singapore Management University (SMU)
Panel 1: Digital Legal Tender
Online
Research Spotlight
Professor Heng Wang is a specialist in international economic law and digital currency regulation at Singapore Management University. His research examines the legal frameworks for digital currencies in Asia and their implications for international trade and financial regulation.
Keywords: International Economic Law, Digital Currency Regulation, Asian Financial Systems
Rolf H. Weber
University of Zurich
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Research Spotlight
Professor Rolf H. Weber is a renowned international business law and internet law expert at the University of Zurich. His research examines the legal challenges of digital finance and the regulatory frameworks necessary for digital currencies to function globally.
Keywords: International Business Law, Internet Law, Digital Finance
Dirk Zetzsche
Université du Luxembourg & EBI
Roundtable 1: Redefining Money
Research Spotlight
Professor Dirk Zetzsche specialises in financial law and regulation at the University of Luxembourg. His research focuses on the regulatory approaches to financial technology and digital currencies, emphasising European frameworks.
Keywords: Financial Law, Financial Technology, European Regulation
Filippo Zatti
University of Florence – BABEL & EBI
Panel 1: Digital Legal Tender (Chair)
Research Spotlight
Professor Filippo Zatti is a leading banking and financial law expert at the University of Florence and a member of the European Banking Institute (EBI). He specialises in cryptocurrency regulation and central bank digital currencies, focusing on their implications for monetary policy and financial stability.
Keywords: Banking Law, Financial Regulation, CBDC, Cryptocurrency