Could Digital Currencies pave the way to a more instant, transparent, and efficient payments ecosystem?

A world in which we all have the expectation and ability to move money instantaneously, 24/7, 365 days a year, and with full transparency – is it only a pipe dream, or could digital currencies be one of the paths to unlock such future? With an expectation for the digital currency to promote financial inclusion, to foster greater competition and better access to money, what is its potential to deliver not only as a payment method, but a whole new infrastructure enabling instant and frictionless payments?

14:00 Chair’s Welcome

Robert Courtneidge, Syndicate Director, the Payments Association

14:10 Fireside Chat: Digital Currencies and decentralised finance – a catalyst for payments innovation

Robert Courtneidge, Syndicate Director, the Payments Association (moderator)

Sendi Young, Managing Director, Europe & UK, Ripple

14:30 Panel Discussion: How can digital currencies make payment systems more cost-effective, competitive, and resilient?

• What types of crypto and digital assets are we dealing with, and which offer most promise now?
• Given how innovative, dynamic and competitive current payment system is, what are the advantages to be gained from the introduction of Digital Currencies?
• Will DLT-based solutions need to outperform existing ones, or merely provide an effective alternative, to foster greater competition?
• What are the missing pieces of the puzzle for the Digital Currencies to go mainstream? What are the infrastructure requirements – crypto acquiring, wallets, better on/off ramps?

Speakers

Robert Courtneidge, Syndicate Director, the Payments Association (moderator)

Jess Houlgrave, Crypto GTM & Strategy, Checkout.com

Jannah Patchay, Policy Lead & Steering Committee Chair, Digital Pound Foundation

Sendi Young, Managing Director, Europe & UK, Ripple

Christian Rau, Senior Vice President Fintech and Crypto Enablement Europe, Mastercard

Nicole Sandler, Head of Digital Policy, Barclays 

15:20 Chair’s Closing Remarks

15:30 Event End