Smile-Expo always looks for the interested audience for its conferences. In 2017, we have held around 20 cryptocurrency and blockchain events in the CIS countries and Europe, and this year, we are scaling up. We are going to organize the company’s first ever conference on the other side of the Earth – in Sydney, Australia’s largest city.
Blockchain in Australia
Australia is one the countries being in the forefront of the blockchain integration. It has already launched several major international projects aimed at exploring and testing the technology and has established some promising blockchain startups. Besides, young specialists in this sector are trained from their school days.
National blockchain-based projects
Australian authorities have granted $8 million for the smart municipal services project based on blockchain. Its goal is to create a decentralized control and payment system for electric and water supply. The project was announced in the end of 2017. As of today, according to developers’ plans, the preparation for the project is completed, and it is launched in a test mode.
Another major project is already operating: Australia-based Westpac Bank along with the ANZ banking group (Australia, New Zealand) and IBM have shifted bank guarantees for commercial property rent to blockchain.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) have also introduced their own blockchain projects.
Startup support
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) signed an agreement on the support of fintech companies in the end of 2016. The document aims to reduce the market uncertainty and to create an advantageous environment for startups.
Currently, dozens of blockchain companies and ICO projects are working in Australia, including Power Ledger (energetics), Hcash (cryptocurrency), Chronobank (recruiting).
However, the country’s potential is not yet exhausted because one takes seriously specialist training. In the end of February, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) announced the launch of education project: students could complete a blockchain technology course. At the same time, students of Wooranna Park Primary School study distributed ledger technology from the first class.
Attitude to cryptocurrencies
Australian regulators have a quite cautious attitude to cryptocurrencies, warning citizens from risky investment in these assets. For instance, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia prohibits its customers from purchasing cryptocurrencies using credit cards (although purchases using debit cards are allowed).
Australia is actively working on the establishment of regulatory framework to control cryptocurrency payments and exchange activities.
The public and business interest in cryptocurrencies has been rapidly growing for the last few years: Australians see investment prospects in digital assets.
New platform for blockchain event
The attention to blockchain from business and government, the success of major blockchain projects, as well as private investors’ interest in cryptocurrencies are the reasons for us to hold Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference in Australia. Besides, we are also striving for establishing a platform for communication of community participants with foreign experts and government institution representatives. It is especially relevant ahead of the adoption of new laws on cryptocurrencies and exchanges.
Key topics of the conference:
• the development of blockchain and cryptocurrency payments in government technologies;
• blockchain in financial technologies;
• legislative issues related to cryptocurrencies;
• the blockchain integration into businesses;
• cryptocurrency regulation;
• investments in tokens.
Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Australia will take place on May 29.
Meantime, we are selecting speakers and complementing the program. Follow the news on the conference website!
