The Cardano Summit 2024 is right around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be of the the most exciting event in the Cardano ecosystem to date. This year’s summit is more than just a central gathering in one location—it’s a global event with community-hosted events in over 25 countries. Whether you’re a seasoned blockchain enthusiast or a newcomer curious about decentralized technologies, the summit offers a unique opportunity to understand and interact with the Cardano community.
The Summit will happen from October 4 to November 3 and features a range of community events across the globe. The summit events are spread out over several days, so no matter where you are, there’s likely an event near you. Each location will host its own activities, bringing together local blockchain enthusiasts, developers, Cardano advocates, and the community at large. The events are designed to engage and inspire the larger community through workshops, networking opportunities, and presentations on the latest developments in the ecosystem.
What’s New at Cardano Summit 2024?
This year’s summit will highlight major technological advances within the Cardano ecosystem, including:
- Interoperability: How Cardano is enhancing its ability to interact with other blockchain ecosystems.
- Decentralization: The latest in Cardano’s ongoing push towards complete decentralization and how it impacts governance.
- Sustainability: Updates on Cardano’s green initiatives and the environmental impact of blockchain technology.
- Real-world Adoption: Case studies of Cardano projects in action, focusing on real-world use cases in Africa, Latin America, and beyond.
In the next section, we’ll look into the details of the main summit and community events happening across the world.
Overview of the Main Event
The main event is set to happen in Dubai, UAE over two days- October 23 and October 24. The event will feature community-led events around the world, plus thousands of virtual attendees throughout the continents. There will be a main plenary event alongside three masterclass events during the two days. This event structure will help ensure maximum coverage of events around the world. Below is a summary of the main plenary events for the Cardano Summit 2024.
Summit Day 1 Main Plenary Events
Below is a summary of the key events, speakers, and topics discussed on October 23, the first day of the summit.
| Track | Session Title | Speaker(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keynote | Opening Keynote | Frederik Gregaard (CEO, Cardano Foundation) | Opening speech by the CEO of the Cardano Foundation. |
| Adoption | UAE Roadmap to Blockchain Adoption | Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni (Dubai Blockchain Center), Abdulla Al Dhaheri (Abu Dhabi Blockchain Center), Dr. Sameer Al Ansari (RAK DAO), Frederik Gregaard | Discussion on the UAE’s bold roadmap for blockchain adoption, innovation, and global leadership. |
| Adoption | Accelerating Blockchain Adoption in Enterprise: What are the Key Product Drivers? | Alex Apeldoorn (Cardano Foundation), Dr. Bernhard Kronfellner (BCG), Jon Woodard (Wolfram Blockchain Labs), Sunny Lu (VeChain), Dan Danay (Check Point) | Experts discuss the key product drivers for enterprise blockchain adoption. |
| Adoption | Cracking the Authenticity Code: Insights for Products and Brands | Alex Phelan (Merchadise), Levan Mekhuzla (Georgian Wine Agency), Björn Heinze (SmartPlaces), Jeremy Firster (Cardano Foundation) | Insights on product authentication and brand protection strategies. |
| Impact | The Year of the Dragon: Fueling Cardano’s Commercial Fire | Nikhil Joshi (COO, EMURGO) | Review of EMURGO’s initiatives to drive the commercial growth of the Cardano ecosystem. |
| Adoption | Blockchain and Social Impact: Leveraging Technology for Positive Change | Andrea Prazakova (AndreaNow), Billy Richards (Changeblock), Dhani Spiller (UNDP), Alexandre Maaza (Cardano Foundation) | Discussion on how blockchain is reshaping social impact for positive change. |
| Adoption | Co-Creating the Future: Public and Private Collaboration in Web3 | Capt. Eng. Mohammad AlShamsi (Dubai Police), Behrang Ravari (Scientific Analytical Tools), Belal Jassoma (DMCC), Dominik Nagiller (Scantrust) | Exploration of public-private collaboration in shaping Web3. |
| Adoption | Empowering Users: The Impact of Exchanges on Crypto Accessibility | Talal Tabbaa (CoinMENA), Bill Qian (Cypher Capital), Meera Judge (Binance), Daniel Carneiro Da Cunha (Mercado Bitcoin), Edward Chen (HTX Ventures) | Discussion on how crypto exchanges are transforming user access to digital currencies. |
| Sponsor | Redefining Industries: The Power of Blockchain in Supply Chain | Sergi Martín (Plastiks Token), Robin Hellman (Stahlo), Ali Katkhada (DEPA United Group), Ben Weiss (DL News) | Overview of blockchain’s potential to revolutionize supply chains for enhanced transparency and efficiency. |
| Adoption | Empowering Cardano Startup | Monty C. M. Metzger (LCX) | Session on building a regulated crypto exchange for Cardano projects. |
| Adoption | Cultivating Cultural Connections at the Intersection of Music, Gaming, and Blockchain | Cordell Broadus (Good Game Champ), Lenna Onto (Clay Nation), Yat Siu (Animoca Brands), Sheldon Hunt (EMURGO), Nikita Sachdev (Luna Media) | Exploration of the fusion of music, gaming, and blockchain technology for cultural connections. |
| Keynote | Binance X Cardano Foundation: Building Resilient, High-Performing Organizations | Richard Teng (Binance), Frederik Gregaard (Cardano Foundation), May Ben Khadra (CNBC Arabia) | Visionary CEOs discuss strategies for building resilient and high-performing organizations in the blockchain space. |
Summit Day 2 Main Plenary Events
The second day of the summit is also packed with some exciting sessions, starting with a keynote, followed by discussions around infrastructure, education, adoption, governance, and innovation within the Cardano ecosystem.
| Track | Session Title | Speaker(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keynote | Opening Keynote | Giorgio Zinetti (CTO, Cardano Foundation) | Opening remarks by the Chief Technology Officer of Cardano Foundation. |
| Infrastructure | From Concept to Reality: Charting the Course for Decentralized IDs | Giorgio Zinetti (Cardano Foundation), Lance Byrd (Verifiable LEI), Phillip Lord (Oobit), Jason Jiang (CertiK) | Exploration of decentralized IDs and securely managing personal identity on the blockchain. |
| Education | Enhancing Operations in Blockchain through Open Source Innovations | Yevheniia Broshevan (Hacken), Sebastian Bode (Cardano Foundation), Christina Gianelloni (Blink Labs), Gareth Jenkinson (Cointelegraph) | How open-source philosophies are driving transparency and problem-solving in blockchain operations. |
| Infrastructure | Environmental Resilience: Addressing Sustainability Concerns in Blockchain | Alexis Pappas (GuildOne), Lena Klaaßen (CCRI), Maher Al Kaabi (Alserkal Group), Clark Povey (Zumo), Alexander Moser (Cardano Foundation) | Insights into sustainability in blockchain, focusing on regulatory innovations like MiCA. |
| Governance | The Importance of Community: Building Support Networks for Sustainable Growth | Alex Chalmers (Stadia Ventures), Dr. Navjit Dhaliwal (Lagon), Mary McGilvray (The Interchain Foundation), George Chivi (Chainlink Labs) | Discussion on the importance of community building for sustainable blockchain growth. |
| Governance | How Intersect and its Members are Shaping Cardano in 2025 and Beyond | Jack Briggs (Intersect MBO) | Insights on how the Cardano community is shaping the ecosystem’s future through on-chain decision-making. |
| Impact | Democracy 4.0: Pioneering Governance Innovation on Cardano | Lloyd Duhon (GM Cardano), Eystein Magnus Hansen (Norwegian Block Exchange), Jack Briggs (Intersect MBO), Seira Yun (Socious), Adam Dean | Exploration of decentralized governance and on-chain voting in the context of advancing democracy. |
| Education | Goodwall Global Impact Challenge | Omar Bawa (Goodwall) | Discussion on the global impact challenge by Goodwall. |
| Adoption | Navigating Regulations: Legal Frameworks and Compliance | Leila Hurstel (Verse Estate), Irina Heaver (NeosLegal), Robert Kopitsch (Blockchain for Europe), Chengyi Ong (Chainalysis) | Discussion on evolving blockchain regulations, legal frameworks, and compliance strategies. |
| Education | Web3: From Rodeo Cowboys to Maestros | Ahmed Amer (EMURGO Labs) | Insights into RWAs (Real World Assets) being developed on Cardano by EMURGO Labs. |
| Governance | Cardano & Bitcoin: An interconnected and inclusive ecosystem | Vladimir Shapovalov (Cointelegraph), Fisher Yu (Babylon), Marvin Bertin (Maestro), Raul Rosa (Fluidtokens), Edan Yago (Bitcoin OS) | Discussion on the cross-pollination between Bitcoin and Cardano ecosystems. |
| Adoption | Unlocking the Future: Transparent and Efficient Decentralized Treasury Management | Amandeep (DAOstar), Tomi Astikainen (Polkadot), Massimo Morini (Univ. of Lugano), Andreas Pletscher (Cardano Foundation) | Exploration of decentralized treasury management for Cardano’s future. |
| Governance | Fueling the Disruptive Innovation of Web3 through Fundraising and Acceleration | Nikhil Joshi (EMURGO), Mongi Buckens (Antler – Ibex), Amarpreet Singh (EMURGO), Markus Bruderer (Antler), Saurish Basu (McKinsey) | Discussion on how collaborations between blockchain entities and venture capital firms are driving Web3 innovation. |
| Innovation | Text-to-Spaceship Vision: Accelerating Mission Development with AI and Emerging Technologies | Matthew Vaerewyck (NASA) | How AI and emerging technologies are transforming mission design and development at NASA. |
Major Community Events Across the Globe
The Cardano community is set to gather in various parts of the world, from Addis Ababa to Buenos Aires, and even Seoul. Below are some of the highlighted locations and what you can expect from each event. Please note that some of these events have already happened at the time of writing.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 7, 2024
Ethiopia has been a stronghold for blockchain adoption, especially through Cardano’s educational initiatives and digital identity solutions. The summit in Addis Ababa will focus on how Cardano is enabling financial inclusion in Africa, particularly through its partnership with the Ethiopian government.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, October 11, 2024
A major hub for European blockchain development, the Amsterdam event will bring together developers and thought leaders. Discussions will likely center on Cardano’s growing ecosystem of DeFi applications and its role in the broader European blockchain landscape.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 14, 2024
Argentina has seen a surge in crypto adoption, and the Buenos Aires event will explore how Cardano can provide financial solutions in countries dealing with inflation and economic instability. Expect panel discussions on digital currencies and local adoption.
Seoul, South Korea, October 21, 2024
As a global leader in technology, South Korea’s summit will spotlight the technical developments of Cardano, particularly its smart contracts capabilities and its use in gaming and entertainment.
New York City, USA, October 28, 2024
The NYC event will attract industry experts, investors, and academics. The summit here will be an excellent opportunity for networking and discussions on how Cardano can be integrated into mainstream finance and corporate operations.
Tokyo, Japan October 25, 2024
Cardano has a special place in Japan, where a strong community has been supporting the project since its inception. The event in Tokyo will focus on Cardano’s blockchain solutions for corporate applications, particularly in supply chain management and IoT (Internet of Things).
Sydney, Australia October 15, 2024
Australia’s event will emphasize the sustainability initiatives of Cardano, showcasing how blockchain can contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
London, United Kingdom November 1, 2024
One of the final major events of the summit, London’s gathering will feature a broad mix of presentations, including updates from the Cardano Foundation, governance discussions, and a look at Cardano’s role in Web3.
Why Attend?
Here are just a few reasons why attending the Cardano Summit 2024—whether in person or online—could be a transformative experience:
- Learn from Experts: Each event will host presentations and panel discussions from leaders within the Cardano community, providing valuable insights into the blockchain’s latest developments.
- Networking Opportunities: With so many events happening around the world, this is an excellent chance to meet like-minded individuals who are passionate about Cardano and blockchain technology.
- Engage in Real-World Projects: Many of the events will focus on Cardano’s real-world applications, such as digital identity in Ethiopia or financial solutions in Latin America, showcasing how blockchain is making a tangible impact.
- Hands-On Workshops: Some locations will offer hands-on workshops for developers and those interested in learning more about building on Cardano, giving attendees a practical understanding of its tools and capabilities.
How to Participate
You can participate in the Cardano Summit 2024 in multiple ways. Whether you plan to attend one of the in-person events or join virtually, there’s something for everyone. The Cardano Summit 2024 platform will also host a virtual summit, enabling anyone around the world to take part in the activities, regardless of their location. You’ll be able to stream keynote sessions, interact in live Q&A panels, and even engage in networking through virtual booths.
To register for an event near you, or to participate in the virtual summit, visit the Cardano Summit website for more information.
Final Thoughts
The Cardano Summit 2024 is not just an event; it’s a global movement. It’s where the future of blockchain is being shaped by innovators, developers, and thought leaders from across the world. Whether you’re in Africa, Europe, Asia, or the Americas, there’s a local event where you can learn, contribute, and grow with the community. So, mark your calendars and be a part of this transformative experience.
