The Business of Blockchain Technology Conference is a premier event for academics, industry professionals, and policymakers to explore the latest research and practical applications of blockchain in the business world. Hosted by the University of Miami's Miami Herbert Business School and the ICSRI, this conference provides a vital forum for sharing insights, discussing emerging trends, and addressing both opportunities and challenges within the blockchain ecosystem.
Scheduled for May 30-31, 2025, in Coral Gables, Florida, the event brings together thought leaders to examine how blockchain technology is reshaping industries, enhancing transparency, and creating new economic models. Participants can expect to engage with cutting-edge topics and network with peers who are driving innovation in this rapidly evolving field.
Key Themes and Topics
The conference program covers a wide range of subjects central to the understanding and application of blockchain technology. These themes reflect the diverse ways in which blockchain is influencing modern business practices and technological development.
Decentralized Finance and the Crypto Ecosystem
Decentralized finance (DeFi) has emerged as one of the most significant applications of blockchain technology. This session explores how DeFi platforms are challenging traditional financial systems by offering open, permissionless alternatives for lending, borrowing, and trading. Presentations will examine the growth of the crypto ecosystem, including the rise of alternative financial infrastructures and their implications for global finance.
Discussions will address both the innovations and the risks present in these systems, including smart contract vulnerabilities, regulatory challenges, and market volatility. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how DeFi is transforming financial services and what future developments may arise in this space.
Smart Contracts and Tokenization
Smart contracts represent a fundamental innovation in automating agreements and business processes without intermediaries. This topic delves into how these self-executing contracts are being implemented across various industries, from supply chain management to real estate transactions. Presenters will share research on the technical foundations, security considerations, and practical limitations of smart contract technology.
Tokenization—the process of converting rights to an asset into a digital token on a blockchain—will also be explored in depth. Sessions will cover how tokenization is creating new models for asset ownership, investment, and value exchange, potentially increasing liquidity in traditionally illiquid markets.
Regulation and Compliance Frameworks
As blockchain technology matures, regulatory frameworks continue to evolve around the world. This segment addresses the complex landscape of blockchain regulation, including anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, securities laws, and cross-border compliance issues. Experts will discuss how businesses can navigate these regulations while fostering innovation and maintaining ethical standards.
Panels will feature perspectives from policymakers, legal scholars, and industry practitioners on creating balanced regulatory approaches that protect consumers without stifling technological progress. This is particularly relevant for organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions with differing legal requirements.
Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence
The convergence of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence presents fascinating possibilities for enhancing data integrity, privacy, and computational efficiency. This theme explores how these two transformative technologies can work together, with blockchain providing verified data sources for AI systems and AI algorithms optimizing blockchain operations.
Presentations will examine specific use cases where this integration is already occurring, such as in secure multi-party computation, federated learning systems, and transparent AI decision-making processes. Researchers will share findings on how this combination might address current limitations in both fields.
Data Sovereignty and Digital Ownership
Blockchain's ability to create verifiable digital scarcity has profound implications for data sovereignty and digital ownership. This topic addresses how individuals and organizations can exercise greater control over their digital assets and personal information through blockchain-based systems. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will be discussed as both a cultural phenomenon and a technological innovation with business applications beyond digital art.
Sessions will explore how NFTs are being used to represent ownership of physical assets, intellectual property, and unique digital experiences. The discussion will extend to broader concepts of digital identity and self-sovereign identity systems built on blockchain foundations.
Global Adoption and Diffusion Patterns
Blockchain technology adoption varies significantly across different regions and industries. This segment examines the factors influencing how blockchain spreads through economies and societies, including technological infrastructure, regulatory environments, cultural attitudes, and economic incentives. Presenters will share comparative studies of adoption patterns in different countries and sectors.
The discussions will help attendees understand where blockchain is having the greatest impact currently and which regions or industries might see accelerated adoption in the near future. This global perspective is essential for organizations considering international blockchain implementations.
Conference Format and Participation
The Business of Blockchain Technology Conference is designed to facilitate meaningful exchange between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The event format includes several types of sessions to accommodate different learning styles and interaction preferences.
Research Presentations and Extended Abstracts
Academic researchers are encouraged to submit extended abstracts of conceptual and empirical work for presentation at the conference. These presentations allow for deep dives into specific research questions and methodologies, followed by Q&A sessions with audience members. This format enables presenters to receive valuable feedback on works in progress from knowledgeable peers.
The conference welcomes both theoretical contributions that advance understanding of blockchain fundamentals and applied research that demonstrates practical implementations and measurable outcomes. This balance ensures that the discussions remain both academically rigorous and relevant to real-world applications.
Panel Discussions and Expert Forums
Panel discussions bring together diverse perspectives on key issues in the blockchain space. These sessions feature experts from academia, industry, and government who engage in moderated conversations about controversial topics, emerging trends, and common challenges. Audience participation is encouraged through question-and-answer periods following the panel discussions.
These forums provide opportunities to explore complex topics from multiple angles and often surface insights that would not emerge in traditional presentation formats. The collaborative nature of these sessions makes them particularly valuable for identifying solutions to common implementation barriers.
Registration Information
Attendance at the Business of Blockchain Technology Conference requires registration through the official conference system. The standard registration fee is $150, which includes access to all conference sessions, materials, and specified light meals and refreshments during the event.
Doctoral students currently enrolled in recognized academic programs may attend the conference without paying the registration fee. Eligible students should use the provided code during the registration process to have the fee waived. This initiative supports the development of emerging scholars in the blockchain field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of the Business of Blockchain Technology Conference?
The conference focuses on the business applications and implications of blockchain technology, bringing together academics, professionals, and policymakers to discuss research findings, practical implementations, and regulatory developments. It covers topics including decentralized finance, smart contracts, tokenization, and the intersection of blockchain with artificial intelligence.
Who should attend this blockchain conference?
Researchers studying blockchain applications, business professionals implementing blockchain solutions, policymakers developing regulatory frameworks, and students interested in the business aspects of distributed ledger technology will all find value in attending. The conference is designed to appeal to both technical and non-technical audiences interested in how blockchain is transforming business practices.
How can I participate as a presenter at the conference?
The conference accepts extended abstracts of conceptual and empirical work as well as proposals for panel discussions. Submissions should address topics relevant to blockchain technology in business contexts and are typically submitted through the conference's online portal before the specified deadline. Both completed research and works in progress are considered for presentation.
What makes this conference different from other blockchain events?
This conference distinguishes itself by maintaining a strong academic foundation while ensuring practical relevance for business applications. Unlike many industry events focused primarily on investment opportunities or technical development, this conference emphasizes research-backed insights and critical analysis of blockchain's business implications, including regulatory and ethical considerations.
Are there virtual attendance options available?
The conference is primarily designed as an in-person event to facilitate networking and deeper engagement among participants. However, specific arrangements for remote participation may be available depending on technological capabilities and participant needs. Those interested in virtual attendance should contact the organizers for the most current information on available options.
What level of blockchain knowledge is required to benefit from the conference?
The conference programming is designed to accommodate participants with varying levels of blockchain familiarity. Sessions range from introductory overviews of key concepts to advanced discussions of specialized technical or regulatory topics. Participants can select sessions appropriate to their knowledge level and learning objectives throughout the event.
Conclusion
The Business of Blockchain Technology Conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with the latest developments in blockchain research and practice. By bringing together diverse perspectives from academia, industry, and policy, the event fosters meaningful dialogue about how this transformative technology is reshaping business models, regulatory approaches, and economic systems worldwide.
Whether you are researching blockchain applications, implementing solutions in your organization, or developing policies to guide responsible innovation, this conference provides valuable insights and connections. 👉 Explore more strategies for blockchain implementation that can help your organization leverage this technology effectively while navigating the complex landscape of opportunities and challenges it presents.