AOB - Assets on Blockchain conference

Learn and explore how real-world asset tokenization on the blockchain is redefining financial assets, trade finance, private equity, real estate, and luxury collectibles.
The AOB Conference covers and analyses in depth, the $16 trillion asset tokenization opportunity. Industry leaders and experts provide thought leadership, strategic directions, and insights.
Seize the moment to position yourself at the forefront of this economic and financial revolution.
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Welcome To Assets on blockchain

Assets on Blockchain (AOB) is a private, VIP, Application Only discussion and networking conference featuring leading blockchain, regulatory, finance, and investment experts on the future of asset tokenization and real world assets (RWA) on blockchain. AOB aims to chart the course of the next financial revolution by bringing together the best in both TradFi and DeFi and providing a collaborative environment to discuss and develop ideas that will shape the next generation

Real World Asset Tokenization is a $16 Trillion Opportunity

We believe the next step going forward is the tokenization of financial assets. Every stock and bond will have its own CUSIP on one general ledger.

Larry Fink – CEO of Blackrock

World Renowned Speakers & Experts

J. Christopher Giancarlo

Former Chairman
US Commodity Futures Trading Corporation

Fred Thiel

Chairman & CEO
Marathon Digital Holdings

Suresh Nichani

Managing Director
I-Chain Capital

Ryan Singer

General Partner
Vex Capital

Miguel Buffara

Core Contributor
Race

Austin King

CEO
Omni Labs

Matthew Higginson

Partner
Mckinsey & Company

Robert Baksa

Director
BCG Platinion

Vanessa Grellet

Managing Partner Arche Capital

Mark GerHART

DeFi Partnerships Manager
Optimism

DaVID WAchsman

CEO
Wachsman

Rob Massey

Global Tax Leader - Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Deloitte

Dominic Schaffer

VP of Growth
Crystal Intelligence

Allan Matheson

Founder
Golden Pear Capital

Matt Stafford

VP Global Ecosystem
Circle

John D’Agostino

Head of Strategy: Institutional
Coinbase

Colin Cunningham

Head of Tokenization & Alliances
Chainlink Labs

Eric Van der Kleij

Partner
EdenBase Fund

Thomas Cowan

VP of Tokenization
Galaxy

John Jackson Muller IV

POLICY DIRECTOR
THE DIGITAL CHAMBER

Dr. Nagendra Bharatula

Founder & CEO
G-20 Group

Raghav Chopra

Managing Partner
Tephra Digital 

Seth Ginns

Managing Partner & Head of Liquid Investments
CoinFund

Ron Klipstein

CSO & Co-Founder
Membrane Labs

Krisanth Sivarajh

Core Contributor
RACE

Teddy Fusaro

President
Bitwise

Robert Leshner

CEO
Superstate

Rob Hadick

General Partner
Dragonfly

Anjan Vinod

Principal
ParaFi Capital

Angela Angelovska-Wilson

Founding Partner
DLx Law

Scott Andersen

Principal
finLawyer.com

Sandy Kaul

Senior Vice President
Franklin Templeton

Ian de Bode

Chief Strategy Officer
Ondo Finance

David Duong

Head of Institutional Research
Coinbase

Matthew Homer

General Partner
The Department of XYZ

Mehdi Lebbar

Co-Founder
Exponential DeFi

Joshua Garcia

Partner
Ketsal

Thought leadership, insights & ideas from more than 30 industry speakers. Stay tuned for more updates.         

This event is for

Family Offices
UHNWI's
Endowments
Pension Funds
Foundations
Other related companies/individuals

Conference Highlights

AOB CONFERENCE TENTATIVE AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

07:30 - 09:00REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

09:00 - 9:10AM

INTRODUCTION TO AOB

SURESH NICHANI & ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ

09:00 - 9:10AM

INTRODUCING NOVEL RISK FRAMEWORKS FOR DIGITAL ASSETS

Digital assets are still viewed as risky, volatile, and unsafe—in large part because there aren’t adequate risk frameworks in place that delineate how to approach them. Robert will share relevant BCG research and the risk framework that the firm has developed from those findings.

BOB BAKSA,

DIRECTOR, BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP (BCG PLATINION)

09:25 - 9:55 AM

BLOCKCHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE & SECURITY: THE SCALING AND SAFETY OF TOKENIZED ASSETS

If tokenized RWAs are blockchain’s killer use case, the infrastructure must be very scalable, and as safe as possible. This panel will discuss the current state of cross chain infrastructure & blockchain security, looking at how it has evolved over the past few years, and what still needs to be done to ensure future success.

DOMINIC SCHAFFER,

VP OF GROWTH, CRYSTAL INTELLIGENCE

MEHDI LEBBAR,

COFOUNDER, EXPONENTIAL DEFI

MATTHEW HOMER,

GENERAL PARTNER, DEPARTMENT OF XYZ

RON KLIPSTEIN,

CO-FOUNDER, MEMBRANE LABS

AUSTIN KING,

CEO, OMNI LABS

Moderator:

ALLAN MATHESON,

FOUNDER, GOLDEN PEAR CAPITAL

09:55 - 10:00 AM

EDENBASE: INVESTING IN AI AND TECH INNOVATION

In conversation with David Wachsman, Eric will share insights into his current work and EdenBase’s approach to innovation, exploring its goals and vision for a supercharged future.

ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ,

PARTNER, EDENBASE FUND

DAVID WACHSMAN,

CEO, WACHSMAN

10:00 - 10:15 AM

CREATING PROSPERITY AND UNDERSTANDING TAX CHALLENGES IN THE BLOCKCHAIN LANDSCAPE

Exploring tax concerns in blockchain and tokenization involves complex ownership and cross-border elements. Key issues include the classification of digital assets, treatment of tokenized RWA for income and capital gains, and reporting requirements for blockchain transactions. Clear guidelines are essential for accurate tax reporting and compliance.

ROB MASSEY,

PARTNER, GLOBAL TAX LEADER - BLOCKCHAIN AND DIGITAL ASSETS, DELOITTE

10:15 - 10:30 AM

CONTINUED AMERICAN DOMINATION IN FINANCE VIA ASSET TOKENIZATION.
WILL ASSETS BE TOKENIZED AT MASS SCALE?

America has always been in the forefront of the most important innovations. Could tokenization of all assets at mass scale, along with US Dollar denominated stable coins be how America leads the way in the digital asset space.

CHRISTOPHER GIANCARLO,

FORMER CHAIRMAN, US COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING CORPORATION

10:45 - 11:10 AM POWERING ASSET TOKENIZATION GROWTH: THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE CREDIT, DEBT, AND FUNDS

This conversation will explore the evolving landscape of private credit, private debt, and investment funds and the role blockchain is playing in this dynamic sector. Industry experts will discuss the rise of alternative lending solutions, structuring private debt deals, the role of funds in facilitating access to these markets, and how blockchain can streamline processes across all of these areas.

DR. NAGENDRA BHARATULA,

FOUNDER & SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, G-20 GROUP

DAVID DUONG,

HEAD OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, COINBASE

IAN DE BODE,

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, ONDO FINANCE

ROBERT LESHNER,

CEO, SUPERSTATE

Moderator:

ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ,

PARTNER, EDENBASE FUND

This fireside chat with RACE will delve into the project’s approach to providing a full-stack solution to address the growing impact of RWAs on financial markets. The conversation will explore how RWAs are reshaping investment strategies by unlocking new opportunities for HNWI globally. Through engaging discussions and real-life examples, the discussion will provide valuable insights into the future of asset management and the opportunities RACE and RWAs present for investors and professionals alike.

MIGUEL BUFFARA,

LEAD FINANCIAL ENGINEER, RACE

MARK GERHART,

DEFI PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, OPTIMISM

KRISANTH SIVARAJH,

HEAD OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, RACE

Moderator:

ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ,

PARTNER, EDENBASE FUND

This group of panelists will discuss the best strategy to achieve the global adoption tokenization that so many analyses and experts have predicted. If tokenization is to reach $2T or more by 2030, what are the actual steps we need to take to get there? What assets should be prioritized first and what other considerations must be made to bring tokenization to a global scale?

MATTHEW HIGGINSON,

PARTNER, MCKINSEY & COMPANY

SANDY KAUL,

ENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FRANKLIN TEMPLETON

Moderator:

SURESH NICHANI,

MANAGING DIRECTOR, I-CHAIN CAPITAL

This panel will explore the regulatory landscape in the US and the need for proper guidelines for the country to remain competitive with others in the digital asset landscape. The discussion will touch on global coordination strategies and draw on real-world examples to emphasize the need for the US to focus efforts on navigating regulatory complexities and avoiding fragmented risk frameworks.

SCOTT ANDERSEN,

PRINCIPAL, FINLAWYER.COM

ANGELA ANGELOVSKA-WILSON,

SENIOR ADVISOR, DLX LAW PLLC

Moderator:

JOHN JACKSON MUELLER IV,

POLICY DIRECTOR THE DIGITAL CHAMBER

02:00 - 2:15 PMREAL WORLD ASSETS AND BITCOIN

FRED THIEL,

CHAIRMAN & CEO, MARATHON DIGITAL HOLDINGS

This panel of crypto VCs will discuss the funding opportunities present in the RWA landscape and key considerations to take into account, including emerging opportunities and the impact of regulatory changes. These experts will discuss where the value lies in RWA projects today, how they’ve evolved, and what is still lacking and explore what’s to come.

VANESSA GRELLET,

MANAGING PARTNER, ARCHE CAPITAL

ANJAN VINOD,

PRINCIPAL, PARAFI

RAGHAV CHOPRA,

MANAGING PARTNER, TEPHRA DIGITAL.

ROB HADICK,

GENERAL PARTNER, DRAGONFLY

Moderator:

SURESH NICHANI,

MANAGING DIRECTOR I-CHAIN CAPITAL

This panel will discuss public mistrust fueled by cryptocurrency scandals and explore ways to overcome misconceptions and negative perceptions of the industry. Panelists will strive to answer the question: What is needed to improve blockchain technology’s reputation with stakeholders from regulators, to asset managers to retail investors?

SETH GINNS,

MANAGING PARTNER AND HEAD OF LIQUID INVESTMENTS,
COINFUND

TEDDY FUSARO,

PRESIDENT, BITWISE

ALLAN MATHESON,

FOUNDER, GOLDEN PEAR CAPITAL

Moderator:

JOHN D'AGOSTINO,

HEAD OF STRATEGY INSTITUTIONAL, COINBASE

03:50 - 4:15 PMTOKENIZING TOMORROW THE MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE

This intimate conversation will focus on the infrastructure needed to support a global market for tokenized assets, ensuring efficient, secure, and scalable trading environments.

COLIN CUNNINGHAM,

HEAD OF TOKENIZATION & ALLIANCES, CHAINLINK LABS

MATT STAFFORD,

VP-GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM, CIRCLE

THOMAS COWAN,

VP OF TOKENIZATION, GALAXY

RYAN SINGER,

MANAGING PARTNER, VEX CAPITAL

This panel will focus on the innovations required to onboard the next billion users into the blockchain ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of account abstraction in creating more seamless processes and simplifying the way users manage their digital assets. Panelists will also discuss current barriers to entry for new users, as well as the need to design principles for user-friendly digital wallets and interfaces to reach widespread adoption in the industry.

MIGUEL BUFFARA,

LEAD FINANCIAL ENGINEER, RACE

RAM AHLUWALIA,

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, LUMIDA WEALTH

ALLAN MATHESON,

FOUNDER, GOLDEN PEAR CAPITAL

Moderator:

DAVID WACHSMAN,

CEO, WACHSMAN

In a final, anticipated fireside chat, Christopher Giancarlo will explore how upcoming elections could reshape the regulatory environment for RWAs and the broader digital finance ecosystem. This panel will delve into how political shifts might influence market dynamics, regulatory landscapes, and investment strategies within the tokenization space.

CHRISTOPHER GIANCARLO,

FORMER CHAIRMAN, US COMMODITY

FUTURES TRADING CORPORATION

Moderator:

DAVID WACHSMAN,

CEO, WACHSMAN

05:00 - 5:10 PMSUMMARY & CONCLUSION | AOB 2025

SURESH NICHANI & ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ

AT KELLARI TAVERNA, 19 WEST 44TH STREET (NEXT TO THE HARVARD CLUB)

07:30 - 09:00REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
09:00 - 9:10AM INTRODUCTION TO AOB

SURESH NICHANI & ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ

Robert Baksa

Digital assets are still viewed as risky, volatile, and unsafe—in large part because there aren’t adequate risk frameworks in place that delineate how to approach them. Robert will share relevant BCG research and the risk framework that the firm has developed from those findings.

BOB BAKSA,

DIRECTOR, BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP (BCG PLATINION)

Matthew Homer, Dominic Schaffer, Allan Matheson

If tokenized RWAs are blockchain’s killer use case, the infrastructure must be very scalable, and as safe as possible. This panel will discuss the current state of cross chain infrastructure & blockchain security, looking at how it has evolved over the past few years, and what still needs to be done to ensure future success.

DOMINIC SCHAFFER,

VP OF GROWTH, CRYSTAL INTELLIGENCE

MEHDI LEBBAR,

COFOUNDER, EXPONENTIAL DEFI

MATTHEW HOMER,

GENERAL PARTNER, DEPARTMENT OF XYZ

RON KLIPSTEIN,

CO-FOUNDER, MEMBRANE LABS

AUSTIN KING,

CEO, OMNI LABS

Moderator:

ALLAN MATHESON,

FOUNDER, GOLDEN PEAR CAPITAL

David Wachsman, Eric Van der Kleij

This panel will explore the regulatory landscape in the US and the need for proper guidelines for the country to remain competitive with others in the digital asset landscape. The discussion will touch on global coordination strategies and draw on real-world examples to emphasize the need for the US to focus efforts on navigating regulatory complexities and avoiding fragmented risk frameworks.

SCOTT ANDERSEN,

PRINCIPAL, FINLAWYER.COM

ANGELA ANGELOVSKA-WILSON,

SENIOR ADVISOR, DLX LAW PLLC

Moderator:

JOHN JACKSON MUELLER IV,

POLICY DIRECTOR THE DIGITAL CHAMBER

Suresh Nichani, Rob Massey

Exploring tax concerns in blockchain and tokenization involves complex ownership and cross-border elements. Key issues include the classification of digital assets, treatment of tokenized RWA for income and capital gains, and reporting requirements for blockchain transactions. Clear guidelines are essential for accurate tax reporting and compliance.

ROB MASSEY,

PARTNER, GLOBAL TAX LEADER - BLOCKCHAIN AND DIGITAL ASSETS, DELOITTE

J. Christopher Giancarlo

America has always been in the forefront of the most important innovations. Could tokenization of all assets at mass scale, along with US Dollar denominated stable coins be how America leads the way in the digital asset space.

CHRISTOPHER GIANCARLO,

FORMER CHAIRMAN, US COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING CORPORATION

10:45 - 11:10 AM POWERING ASSET TOKENIZATION GROWTH: THE FUTURE OF PRIVATE CREDIT, DEBT, AND FUNDS

Dr. Nagendra Bharatula, Ian de Bode, Robert Leshner, David Duong

This conversation will explore the evolving landscape of private credit, private debt, and investment funds and the role blockchain is playing in this dynamic sector. Industry experts will discuss the rise of alternative lending solutions, structuring private debt deals, the role of funds in facilitating access to these markets, and how blockchain can streamline processes across all of these areas.

DR. NAGENDRA BHARATULA,

FOUNDER & SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, G-20 GROUP

DAVID DUONG,

HEAD OF INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, COINBASE

IAN DE BODE,

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, ONDO FINANCE

ROBERT LESHNER,

CEO, SUPERSTATE

Moderator:

ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ,

PARTNER, EDENBASE FUND

Krisanth Sivarajh, Miguel Buffara, Mark Gerhart, Eric Van der Kleij

This fireside chat with RACE will delve into the project’s approach to providing a full-stack solution to address the growing impact of RWAs on financial markets. The conversation will explore how RWAs are reshaping investment strategies by unlocking new opportunities for HNWI globally. Through engaging discussions and real-life examples, the discussion will provide valuable insights into the future of asset management and the opportunities RACE and RWAs present for investors and professionals alike.

MIGUEL BUFFARA,

LEAD FINANCIAL ENGINEER, RACE

MARK GERHART,

DEFI PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER, OPTIMISM

KRISANTH SIVARAJH,

HEAD OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, RACE

Moderator:

ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ,

PARTNER, EDENBASE FUND

Suresh Nichani, Matthew Higginson

This group of panelists will discuss the best strategy to achieve the global adoption tokenization that so many analyses and experts have predicted. If tokenization is to reach $2T or more by 2030, what are the actual steps we need to take to get there? What assets should be prioritized first and what other considerations must be made to bring tokenization to a global scale?

MATTHEW HIGGINSON,

PARTNER, MCKINSEY & COMPANY

SANDY KAUL,

ENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FRANKLIN TEMPLETON

Moderator:

SURESH NICHANI,

MANAGING DIRECTOR, I-CHAIN CAPITAL

Scott Andersen, Angela Angelovska-Wilson, Joshua Garcia, John Jackson Mueller IV

This panel will explore the regulatory landscape in the US and the need for proper guidelines for the country to remain competitive with others in the digital asset landscape. The discussion will touch on global coordination strategies and draw on real-world examples to emphasize the need for the US to focus efforts on navigating regulatory complexities and avoiding fragmented risk frameworks.

SCOTT ANDERSEN,

PRINCIPAL, FINLAWYER.COM

ANGELA ANGELOVSKA-WILSON,

SENIOR ADVISOR, DLX LAW PLLC

Moderator:

JOHN JACKSON MUELLER IV,

POLICY DIRECTOR THE DIGITAL CHAMBER

02:00 - 2:15 PMREAL WORLD ASSETS AND BITCOIN

Fred Thiel

FRED THIEL,

CHAIRMAN & CEO, MARATHON DIGITAL HOLDINGS

Raghav Chopra, Anjan Vinod, Rob Hadick, Vanessa Grellet

This panel of crypto VCs will discuss the funding opportunities present in the RWA landscape and key considerations to take into account, including emerging opportunities and the impact of regulatory changes. These experts will discuss where the value lies in RWA projects today, how they’ve evolved, and what is still lacking and explore what’s to come.

VANESSA GRELLET,

MANAGING PARTNER, ARCHE CAPITAL

ANJAN VINOD,

PRINCIPAL, PARAFI

RAGHAV CHOPRA,

MANAGING PARTNER, TEPHRA DIGITAL.

ROB HADICK,

GENERAL PARTNER, DRAGONFLY

Moderator:

SURESH NICHANI,

MANAGING DIRECTOR I-CHAIN CAPITAL

Teddy Fusaro, Seth Ginns, John D’Agostino

This panel will discuss public mistrust fueled by cryptocurrency scandals and explore ways to overcome misconceptions and negative perceptions of the industry. Panelists will strive to answer the question: What is needed to improve blockchain technology’s reputation with stakeholders from regulators, to asset managers to retail investors?

SETH GINNS,

MANAGING PARTNER AND HEAD OF LIQUID INVESTMENTS,
COINFUND

TEDDY FUSARO,

PRESIDENT, BITWISE

ALLAN MATHESON,

FOUNDER, GOLDEN PEAR CAPITAL

Moderator:

JOHN D'AGOSTINO,

HEAD OF STRATEGY INSTITUTIONAL, COINBASE

03:50 - 4:15 PMTOKENIZING TOMORROW THE MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE

Matt Stafford, Thomas Cowan, Colin Cunningham, Ryan Singer

This intimate conversation will focus on the infrastructure needed to support a global market for tokenized assets, ensuring efficient, secure, and scalable trading environments.

COLIN CUNNINGHAM,

HEAD OF TOKENIZATION & ALLIANCES, CHAINLINK LABS

MATT STAFFORD,

VP-GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM, CIRCLE

THOMAS COWAN,

VP OF TOKENIZATION, GALAXY

RYAN SINGER,

MANAGING PARTNER, VEX CAPITAL

Allan Matheson, Miguel Buffara, David Wachsman

This panel will focus on the innovations required to onboard the next billion users into the blockchain ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of account abstraction in creating more seamless processes and simplifying the way users manage their digital assets. Panelists will also discuss current barriers to entry for new users, as well as the need to design principles for user-friendly digital wallets and interfaces to reach widespread adoption in the industry.

MIGUEL BUFFARA,

LEAD FINANCIAL ENGINEER, RACE

RAM AHLUWALIA,

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, LUMIDA WEALTH

ALLAN MATHESON,

FOUNDER, GOLDEN PEAR CAPITAL

Moderator:

DAVID WACHSMAN,

CEO, WACHSMAN

J. Christopher Giancarlo, David Wachsman

In a final, anticipated fireside chat, Christopher Giancarlo will explore how upcoming elections could reshape the regulatory environment for RWAs and the broader digital finance ecosystem. This panel will delve into how political shifts might influence market dynamics, regulatory landscapes, and investment strategies within the tokenization space.

CHRISTOPHER GIANCARLO,

FORMER CHAIRMAN, US COMMODITY

FUTURES TRADING CORPORATION

Moderator:

DAVID WACHSMAN,

CEO, WACHSMAN

05:00 - 5:10 PMSUMMARY & CONCLUSION | AOB 2025

SURESH NICHANI & ERIC VAN DER KLEIJ

AT KELLARI TAVERNA, 19 WEST 44TH STREET (NEXT TO THE HARVARD CLUB)

Topics of Focus

Discussing the Web3 infrastructure needed to support a global market for tokenized assets, ensuring efficient, secure, and scalable trading environments.

Discussing how account abstraction can streamline user interactions with blockchain technology by simplifying the way users manage their digital assets. There are at least 17 steps in order to buy and sell ETH, so account abstraction is a necessity for futureproof protocols.
Examining the current state and future outlook of the tokenized asset market, based on extensive research and data analysis from leading consulting firms like Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey.

Focusing on the legal landscape surrounding the tokenization of RWA and discussing the compliance requirements necessary to ensure legal integrity. Addressing the current challenges, discussing the role of legal advisors and compliance officers in tokenization projects.

Focusing on the innovations required to onboard the next billion users into the blockchain ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of easy-to-use wallets and seamless onboarding processes. Address current barriers to entry for new users, as well as the need to design principles for user-friendly digital wallets to reach widespread adoption in the industry.

Discussing which asset types, such as private credit, trade finance, luxury goods, real estate and commodities, will be the first to undergo tokenization. Highlight benefits like increased liquidity and accessibility, and analyse whether tokenization is a lasting trend by examining market adoption, technological progress, and regulatory impacts

Exploring pioneering research on secondary markets in digital assets and rethinking regulatory policies in centralized and decentralized environments. Insights from top institutions like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford will delve into how regulatory oversight can adapt to new decentralized frameworks while ensuring effective governance.
Discussing the challenges of regulating the crypto-asset ecosystem, including defining assets, adapting regulations, and integrating oversight. Explore global coordination strategies and draw on real-world examples to emphasize the need for collaborative efforts in navigating regulatory complexities.