While your first Point Zero Forum will always hold a special place, each year just gets better. This year was packed with so much networking that even I, an extrovert, needed some recovery time! 😆

From the innovative tours like BGIN's Layer 2 Meetup (thanks to Casper Association) to panels hosted by thought leaders like Alan Lim, Sandra Ro 🇺🇦, Candace Kelly, and Chris Brummer, the event was filled with engaging discussions on the future of digital finance. I was honored to host the Insights Stage for the session on "Decoding Digital Assets," where, after three panels, I gained a newfound appreciation for how effortlessly Manisha Tank navigates these sessions.

A huge thank you to Ming En Liew, Jaskaran Bhalla, Jesselyn Tan, Yong Liang Mun, and the entire GFTN team for their dedication and hard work in making the forum an incredible experience. Although I missed the annual Epic Smackdown between Rene Michau and Dante A. Disparte representing "Team TradFi" and "Team Crypto," the energy was undeniable (and those collector’s shirts, Rene!).

The real heart of the event is the networking. For those in policy and regulatory roles focused on the global future of digital finance, there’s no better place to connect. Meeting leaders like Benedicte N. Nolens, Nico Hess, Ryosuke Ushida, and newcomers like Magdalena Wohlgemuth and Dr. Rhys Bollen was inspiring.

I was especially drawn to Darko Stefanoski’s roundtable on scams and consumer protection, where I could spotlight Erin West’s work with #OperationShamrock and commend BTC Markets’ commitment to fraud prevention. I was thrilled to see Caroline Bowler’s dedication to safeguarding customers, even at a potential cost to profits. If more exchanges follow this path, the future of crypto looks bright.

Thanks to Avishek Chandra and Shane Chesson for being good sports, even as I defended Amazon’s flawed customer experience for the sake of Prime. 🤣 And it was wonderful to meet and debate with brilliant minds like Isabella Chase, Dina Mainville, Francesca Brown, and Dr. Jochen Papenbrock, who assured us AI would solve all problems (before it takes over the world).

Thanks to all the sponsors, speakers, and attendees who make this forum feel like the adult summer camp we all can’t wait to return to each year. 💜 Until next time!