An influential gathering poised to shape the trajectory of blockchain and digital finance, "Blockfesta 2025," will take place on October 26 at 10 a.m. KST at the Textile Center in Gangnam, Seoul. This landmark event, designed to advance discussions on the institutionalization of blockchain technology and digital finance, is set to host an impressive roster of lawmakers, academics, and global corporate leaders, positioning it as a pivotal moment for the digital finance ecosystem.

Driving the Legal and Policy Framework for Digital Assets

Setting the tone for Blockfesta 2025, the opening session will focus on the legalization and policy direction for digital assets. Key South Korean lawmakers, Min Byung-deok of the Democratic Party and Kim Jae-sup of the People Power Party, will deliver keynote addresses aimed at shaping legislative strategies. Adding a robust academic perspective, Professor Park Yong-beom of Dankook University—advisor to the Virtual Assets Committee and president of the Korean Blockchain Society—will present a keynote titled "Digital Assets: Beyond Today." His discourse will explore how blockchain-based finance can transcend traditional payment and investment paradigms to foster the development of groundbreaking industries and services.

A high-caliber panel will add depth to this session. Kim Ik-hyun, partner at Yulchon LLC; Lee Dong-gi, partner at Deloitte Consulting; and Im Dong-min, CEO of Indicon, will outline strategies to stimulate institutional investment in digital assets. Further expertise will come from Yoon Min-sup, Adjunct Professor at Soongsil University's School of Finance, and legal authorities Kang Ryeon-ho and Joo Sung-hwan, partners at Sejong and Gwangjang Law Firms, respectively. Kim Kap-lae, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute, will bring insights into the regulatory bedrock underpinning digital asset policies. Offering a global perspective, Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, will lend his expertise on emerging market trends and opportunities within the digital finance landscape.

Embracing On-chain Finance: A Transformative Leap

The second session will explore the revolutionary advancements and adoption of on-chain finance, emphasizing its potential to redefine global financial systems. Yoo Jae-soo, former financial policy director at South Korea’s Financial Services Commission and former deputy mayor for economic affairs in Busan, will kick off the session with a compelling address. He will analyze the regulatory philosophy of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and propose actionable reforms to Korea's financial frameworks to align with global institutional finance standards.

Innovative approaches to blockchain finance will take center stage as global thought leaders share their visions. Art Abal, co-founder of the Vana Foundation, will unveil innovative blockchain finance strategies devised by his organization. Vikram Arun, CEO of Superform, will advocate for financial inclusivity through a presentation titled "Unbank Yourself with Superform." Eddy Kim, Korea Head of Orbs, will discuss "Bringing CeFi to DeFi," while Chi Zhang, CEO of Kite AI, will introduce "Building the Base Layer for the Agentic Economy," blending artificial intelligence with blockchain to create next-gen economic ecosystems.

Korean contributors will further enrich this session. Park Young-sun, former Minister of SMEs and Startups, will address the convergence of AI and blockchain. Jeong-hwa Lee, team leader of LG CNS Digital Trust Services, will delve into "On-chain Finance: Unlocking the Future of Banking." Additionally, Lambda256’s Business Division Head, Won-ho Cho, will navigate the progression "AI to Stablecoin: Mainstream Applications of Blockchain."

Scaling the Web3 Investment Ecosystem

The final session will turn the spotlight to the exponential growth of the Web3 investment landscape. Professor Im Byung-hwa of Sungkyunkwan University’s Business School will examine shifting global perceptions of blockchain finance, setting the framework for further exploration of Web3 opportunities. Chase Chang, CEO of Story Korea, will showcase how Web3 is revolutionizing intellectual property through his presentation, "Story: Powering the Future of IP." Adrian Brink, co-founder of Anoma, will highlight the development of cutting-edge Web3 protocols in his talk, "Building Upward: Web3’s Super App on Anoma’s OS."

A dynamic panel discussion will broaden the session, featuring leading voices such as Park Hye-jin, CIO of Simsan Ventures Korea, and legal experts Kim Seo-ryong, partner at Mission Law Firm, and Jay Lee, partner at Hauzen in Hong Kong. Adding to the conversation will be digital finance veterans Kim Wan-sung, Head of Koscom Digital Asset Task Force, and Kim Hyo-bong, Attorney at Bae, Kim & Lee LLC. Finally, Seo Byung-yoon, Director of Future Financial Research at DSRV, and Oh Jong-wook, CEO of Waveridge, will contribute sharp insights on stablecoin developments. Ryan Yoon, Research Center Director at Tiger Research, will conclude with an in-depth analysis of Web3 markets and emerging industries.

A Global Outlook for Digital Finance Evolution

With a diverse lineup of speakers spanning government, academia, and the private sector, Blockfesta 2025 will comprehensively address the future of digital finance. By focusing on three thematic pillars—digital asset regulatory frameworks, on-chain financial innovation, and the dynamic Web3 investment ecosystem—this event promises actionable insights and forward-looking strategies that could redefine the blockchain and Web3 landscape on a global scale.

For detailed schedules and participation information, visit the official Blockfesta 2025 website at www.blockfesta.com.