The Lugano Business Forum: Shaping the Future, Together

Calling all visionaries, innovators, and changemakers!

The Lugano Business Forum is your chance to connect with a distinguished global community and co-create the future we all desire. 

Join us on May 7th-8th, 2024 as we explore the power of technology for social good through engaging discussions and collaborations.

This year’s forum dives deep into:

* Network States and the future of governance

* The cutting edge of HealthTech and longevity

* AI, automation, and DeepTech startups

* Innovations in agriculture and food security

* Global digital transformation and finance

* Renewable energy solutions and climate action

* Sustainable cities and smart urban development

Become part of the conversation!

Explore groundbreaking ideas, connect with like-minded individuals, and participate in discussions that are shaping the world around us.

Don’t miss your chance!

Secure your Early Bird tickets and mark your calendars for the Lugano Business Forum – together, let’s shape a brighter future.

Learn more: https://luganobusinessforum.ch/

$50 billion – approximately how much the Ukrainian economy lost due to the lack of regulation in the crypto market!

Such data is provided by a detailed analysis of the cryptocurrency market created by Ukraine Economic Outlook, commissioned by KUNA Family and the Blockchain Association of Ukraine.

Examining data from 2016 to 2022, losses amount to $48.8 billion in GDP and $4 billion in taxes. This means that the country loses approximately $7.0 billion and $0.6 billion respectively each year.

The main reason for these losses is the shadow economy in the cryptocurrency market, which arises due to the absence of clear and understandable regulatory rules and the ability to evade tax payments at minimal rates. To bring the crypto sector out of the shadow, it’s important to create a special tax regime for this sector.

With this purpose in mind, the report proposes an adoption scenario for Ukraine and the potential benefits of implementing cryptocurrencies!

We invite you to review the study at the link:

https://www.kuna.family/ukraine-crypto-outlook

About Lugano Bussines Forum

The Business Forum in Lugano, which took place on May 11-12, 2023, gathered more than 100 expert speakers in various sectors who strive to build a strong and prosperous Ukraine. The forum was also attended by more than 800 participants!

It was a powerful B2B & B2G platform for discussions about the development of Ukraine!

Recognized as part of the Ukraine Recovery Support Program 2023, the forum is a step towards the central Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine, which took place a little later in London on June 21-22.

The Business Forum in Lugano is an important step toward the reconstruction of Ukraine. As we very much look forward to next year’s conference, we welcome your suggestions for partners, sponsors, startups, or companies to include or invite. Collaboration is critical and we are excited to work together.

We will be glad to receive your proposals to our e-mail hello@bau.ai

We are also happy to inform you that we are already preparing for the second Lugano Business Forum, which will take place in 2024. So book these dates for May 7-8, 2024 now!

More details about the event and how to buy 20% off Early Bird tickets at this link:

https://www.luganobusinessforum.ch/

Ukraine has a chance to become the leading economy in Europe in terms of development pace in the next decade!

You have the opportunity to be a part of these processes and start building relationships with investors and partners from around the world.

The first Lugano Business Forum will take place on May 11-12.

This event will bring together representatives of European business, primarily from Switzerland and Ukraine, associations, organizations, government officials and opinion leaders!
The Lugano Business Forum for Ukraine’s recovery includes:

2 days;
15-panel discussions;
80+ confirmed speakers;
We are creating a vision of post-war Ukraine and establishing international connections for its recovery!

The number of places is limited. For additional information and tickets, please visit the link:

https://www.luganobusinessforum.ch/

Fintech Without Frontiers Joins With Ukrainian Finance Associations To Create United Front

Ukraine Initiative Aiming To Create Borderless Ecosystem Enters New Phase

Fintech without Frontiers (FWF) initiative today moves to a new phase of its mission to support Ukrainian fintech and talent, announcing a partnership with the leading financial associations of Ukraine.

FWF was launched to provide support to Ukrainian fintechs and talent affected by the war in Ukraine. Now it is extending the focus to help fuel the growth of the Ukrainian economy by enabling easier international collaboration between fintechs and talent whilst ensuring they are able to continue their work in the Ukrainian ecosystem.

To date, more than 25 global fintech players have joined FWF. Chris Skinner, author of a series of books on the future of fintech and the role of the financial sector in the world of the future, has also published a blog article about the initiative.

The Ukrainian Interbank Payment systems members association EMA, All-Ukrainian Association of Financial Companies and the Blockchain Association of Ukraine, have now partnered with FWF and will collaborate across borders to drive growth in Ukraine and contribute to the creation of a global fintech ecosystem.

Huw Davies, FWF founder and Co-founder & CCO at Ozone API, said: “Fintech aims to eliminate barriers and borders in terms of using financial products and help tackle challenges like financial inclusion. We now live and work in a way that is more internationally connected than ever. This international connectivity and remote working means Ukrainian fintech organisations and talent continue to drive growth, despite the impacts of the war.

“We’re excited that FWF has partnered with key Ukrainian fintech associations to create more opportunities for fintech talent and enable further collaboration. FWF will continue expanding the pool of global partners of this initiative, as well as inviting the Ukrainian financial and innovation community to partner and build bridges. We are pleased to welcome the EMA Payment Association, All-Ukrainian Association of Financial Companies and the Blockchain Association of Ukraine to our community. There is no doubt that our collaboration will bring even more added value to the development of Ukraine’s financial innovation market.”

Alexandr Karpov, director of the EMA Association, said: “Digital transformation and innovation development are always associated with the sharing of knowledge and best practices in the global market as well as finding the most appropriate way to adapt them to the needs of the local market. The EMA Association has always advocated the development of an open ecosystem in the Ukrainian financial market. Our partners are based in different countries and jurisdictions, and for us, the exchange of knowledge and building promising collaborations have always been a priority.  In recent years, we have started a number of international initiatives that thrive when a global community comes together.

“Our involvement in the global fintech initiative, Fintech Without Frontiers, is very timely and will become an effective support for the financial industry on the path of revolutionary development and maturity.”

Nataliya Drik, Director of Blockchain Association of Ukraine, said: “The DeFi market has never had borders, so the Fintech Without Frontiers initiative seems organic and timely to us. Today, in an unprecedentedly difficult time when the whole world is supporting Ukraine, we recognize the importance of creating a “united global fintech front” that will help Ukraine continue its progressive growth by creating new partnerships, products and initiatives.”

Alla Saviuk, president of the All-Ukrainian Association of Financial Companies, said: “Today, given the war, Ukraine needs the support of the global financial community, especially in terms of productive collaborations and knowledge sharing.

“We look forward to expanding the potential of the Ukrainian innovative financial sector through such initiatives, and are open to cooperation.”

About Fintech Without Frontiers

Fintech Without Frontiers is an industry initiative to connect fintech talent and businesses with global opportunities. The idea is simple, to help create opportunity for those affected by war by connecting them with the many fintechs who are open to collaborate on their own growth journey. The power of a global ecosystem will be far greater than each organisation operating on its own. 

Ukraine crypto leader: ‘Blockchain will help rebuild my country’

“Michael Chobanian, founder of the Kuna Exchange and president of the Blockchain Association of Ukraine, told the Senate Banking Committee that crypto sent to the relief campaign’s wallet addresses was used to secure humanitarian aid shortly after it was received.

His appearance highlighted a positive side of crypto after a long period where digital assets have mostly drawn criticism on Capitol Hill. The highlight on crypto’s contributions to Ukraine relief could help shape lawmakers’ views as Washington’s focus on crypto regulation intensifies.

“The minute the crypto landed on these addresses, the government could use them immediately,” Chobanian said. “No bureaucracy. We spent that immediately the next day.”

The campaign has already raised more than $50 million, and is aiming to reach $100 million, Chobanian said.

“I see that you are still discussing whether to ban or allow crypto in [the] U.S.,” he said. “I invite all U.S. companies to come to Ukraine and open up there. You can use Ukraine as a sandbox.”

Crypto, he said, “will basically change the world.” Blockchain “will be the technology that we’re going to use to rebuild my country,” Chobanian said.”

Link to the source:

https://www.protocol.com/fintech/michael-chobanian-congress-crypto

Information on the website of the Senate:

https://www.banking.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Chobanian%20Testimony%203-17-22.pdf

Video of the speech in the Senate with Ukrainian translation: