About the speaker

Dr. Abela worked in the family law firm and has acted as the legal consultant of various organisations including public entities and trade unions. He was elected as Member of Parliament in June 2017 and was appointed as legal adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers. On 13 January 2020, he took office as the 14th Prime Minister of Malta after being elected as Party Leader by the members of Partit Laburista. Whilst steering the country through a global pandemic, Dr. Abela presented his vision for Malta’s future built on five pillars: quality of life, infrastructure, education, environment, and good governance. Despite the challenges and difficulties presented by the pandemic, the government led by Robert Abela continued to reap successful economic results which led to the country’s lowest unemployment rate in history, whilst in parallel, implementing unprecedented reforms in good governance and rule of law. Dr. Abela even relinquished the Prime Minister’s powers such as when appointing officials to key posts such as the Chief Justice, the Attorney General and Police Commissioner, to further strengthen democracy and the institutions that deliver it: a first for a Maltese Prime Minister. Dr Abela took office once again on 28 March 2022 after confirming victory in the General Elections of 26 March 2022 which saw Partit Laburista winning with the greatest majority in Maltese history.

About the speaker

Silvio Schembri is a an elected Maltese politician and academic currently serving as Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects. Hon Schembri was born in Luqa, the second child among four siblings. His father John Schembri has been occupying the office of Mayor of Luqa since 2001. Silvio is an experienced Lecturer In Economics with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Political Communication, Negotiation, Sustainable Development, Political Science, and Analytical Skills. Strong education professional with a Master of Arts and a Bachelors Degree of Honours focused in Economics from L-Università ta' Malta.

About the speaker

About the speaker

About the speaker

Mr Rodrick Zerafa graduated in European Studies and Communications in 2016. He has held key communications roles within the Government of Malta and is currently CEO of Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta & Government Representative on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD). Outside work, he is a vivid football enthusiast.

About the speaker

Olga Finkel is a partner at WH Partners, providing advice on strategic, regulatory, and commercial matters to businesses primarily focused on, or supporting, digital economy and emerging technologies. She has been advising stakeholders in the gaming and gambling industry for over 20 years. Olga is ranked as a top-tier gambling lawyer by Chambers & Partners Global and is recommended for Data Privacy & Protection, Data Security, and IT by Lexology Index (ex-Who’s Who Legal).

About the speaker

About the speaker

After over a decade in academia and technical roles, Matthew Felice Pace Co-Founded Simply Staking in 2018. As CEO, he has grown the company into a global blockchain infrastructure with a 50-person team across three continents, supporting key projects like Chainlink, Lido, Polkadot and Cosmos Hub.

About the speaker

Davinia Cutajar is a partner at WH Partners and the international secretary of the Malta Chamber of Advocates (Kamra tal-Avukati). Her main areas of practice are dispute resolution and corporate law. She also assists on private client matters and advises on AML compliance. At WH Partners, Davinia assists individuals and corporates on complex civil, commercial, and regulatory disputes. She regularly advises on cross-border matters, particularly in the EU, and is used to coordinating and co-operating with teams in multiple jurisdictions. Throughout her career, Davinia has settled a number of high-profile claims for damages linked to negligence or breach of law. Before joining WH Partners, Davinia was the Managing Partner of a law firm in Malta focusing on corporate law and financial services, employment law, real estate law, relocation services and yacht and trademark registration.  Her legal career started as a litigator with a well-respected law firm in Valletta. She later moved to corporate, trustee and compliance law, fulfilling the role of Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Compliance Officer for a corporate and trustee services provider in Malta, before taking on the role of director. Davinia was admitted to the Malta Bar in March 2006, and has been a member of the Chamber of Advocates since. She was elected international secretary of the Chamber of Advocates in 2023. Davinia is a member of the Institute for Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP) and forms part of the IFSP's Sub-Committee on Compliance.

About the speaker

About the speaker

About the speaker

Joined Traffic Devils in early 2022 as a Business Development Manager with a focus on understanding the company’s traffic sources, including PPC, Facebook, TikTok, UAC, and Influence traffic. Gained deep insights into the specifics of each source, the needs of internal teams, and key advertiser priorities. Over time, built strong partnerships, attended industry events, and contributed to strategic business growth. Currently leading the BizDev department, overseeing global partnerships and expansion. Under this leadership, the company’s network has grown to over 800 partners worldwide, emphasizing trust, transparency, and performance-driven results.

About the speaker

Natasa Stojcic is a seasoned commercial leader with over 11 years of experience in the iGaming industry. She’s known for building high-performing teams and turning smart strategy into measurable growth. Natasa leads with trust, transparency, and a strong belief in empowerment—fostering a collaborative, results-driven environment where everyone takes ownership of their work. She has a talent for turning big-picture vision into practical, impactful outcomes. She’s passionate about sustainable growth and developing talent—whether she’s shaping future-focused revenue strategies or mentoring the next generation of commercial talent in the industry. At Blexr, she leads the commercial chapter, with a strong focus on long-term impact and win-win partnerships.

About the speaker

Jonathan Low, a visionary entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, is transforming the global financial landscape as Founder and CEO of Biptap. By merging blockchain technology with traditional banking, he addresses challenges in payments, financial accessibility and privacy, creating innovative solutions that empower businesses and individuals.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Alan Decelis was appointed Head of Supervisory ICT Risk and Cybersecurity in July 2021. Alan brings over twenty years of experience in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), mainly with the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) including ten years in information security. He is a member of the National Cybersecurity Strategy Steering Committee and sits in various groups within the European System of Financial Supervision and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity. He has direct industry experience in ICT operations and service management, quality and security management systems, public key infrastructures, identity and machine-readable travel documents, and electronic signatures. He is also experienced in cyber incident management, forensic investigations, security testing, threat intelligence, and security operations centres. Alan pursued undergraduate studies in Electronics Engineering, Economics, Information Systems and Management and postgraduate studies in Information Security specialising in Security Testing and Digital Forensics. He is also GIAC, CISA, CIPP/E, CIPM, ITIL, and ISO/IEC 27001 certified.

About the speaker

Joseph Borg heads both the Fintech and the Gaming and Gambling practices of WH Partners. Joe is ranked in the Chambers FinTech 2024 guide in the FinTech Legal practice area in Malta. He is also ranked as a "Leading Individual" in the FinTech practice area in Malta by Legal 500 EMEA 2024 guide, where WH Partners is listed as a Tier 1 law firm in Malta. Joe practices in the areas of Esports, Corporate, IT, Telecoms and Intellectual Property Law. Joe is a Co-Founder and currently the Vice-President of Bitmalta, which is a non-profit organisation with a mission to promoting discussion about blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in Malta. Joe was an elected Member on the Board of Trustees of the International Association of Gaming Regulators. He originally joined the Authority in March 2007 as Director Legal and Enforcement and occupied this position for almost 4 years. He is a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and a lecturer in Gaming Law at the University of Malta. Joseph graduated with an LL.M. with Distinction in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow). He holds a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta.

About the speaker

Julian Goffin is a commercially minded C-level payments expert at Alunafi, with over 10 years experience in the payments industry. His expertise includes business development (B2B and B2C), solution oriented sales, high-risk markets, correspondent banking, SEPA and SWIFT payments and strategic collaborations. He has built multiple companies to multimillion- pound revenues.

About the speaker

Anton Golub is the Chief Business Officer of Freedx, a next generation centralised exchange for crypto newcomers and experienced traders. With 20 years experience in financial markets, his focus spans digital asset exchanges, market making, tokenisation of real-world assets and DAOs. He has held muliple C-level roles and board positions throughout his career.

About the speaker

Prof Alexiei Dingli is an AI expert and Professor at the University of Malta with over 20 years of experience. He has helped numerous companies implement AI solutions, earning international recognition and awards from organisations including the European Space Agency, WIPO and the UN. He has also been a core member of the Malta.AI task force.

About the speaker

Dr Jane Thomason is Chief Editor of Metaverse and Web3 at Frontiers in Blockchain and an Indsustry Associate at University College London. A global thought leader and author, she has recieved multiple honours, including Web3 Leader of the Year and Co-Founded the Women in Deep Tech Network.

About the speaker

Francisco Javier Fernandez de la Fuente has been a professional trader for 16 years, specialising in DeFi and swing cryptocurrency trading. He is Head of Trading and Co-Founder of Thebit Research, a position he has held for over two years. In 2022, he ranked among the top 3,000 on-chain reputations on Ethereum main net.

About the speaker

Isaac Zarb, Chief Technology Officer at Simply Stacking is passionate about technology, cybersecurity, blockchain and AI. he bring extensive experience across iGaming, fintech, cybersecurity, bloachain and AI combining deep technological knowledge with a strong focus on innovation and security in these rapidly evolving fields.

About the speaker

John Ellul is Co-Founder of Veracloud, a leading provider of innovative IT managed services. With over 16 years in IT, he is passionate about delivering tailored technology soltuions and exceptional customer service. He specialises in cloud, cybersecurity, compliance and infrastructure management, driving the company's growth and client success.

About the speaker

Prof Joshua Ellul is Director of the Centre of Distributed Ledger Technologies and Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Malta. The Centre runs a multidisciplinary Master's in blockchain and DLT, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. His research covers blockchain technology and related techno-regulatory issues.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Ramona Cassar Azzopardi is recognised as a leading taxation lawyer and practitioner in Malta. She is highly ranked in several directories including the Chambers Europe Guide, Legal 500 and Women in Tax Leaders Guide by World Tax. Prior to joining WH Partners, Ramona was at a noted Maltese law firm. Ramona advises on tax matters across various sectors, specialising in Tech and Fintech. Her niche expertise in these sectors uniquely positions her to provide expert advice on matters across several industries and on both direct and indirect tax matters related to cross-border transactions. Ramona is a Council Member of the Malta Institute of Taxation and Chair of the Taxation Committee. She is also Vice President of Ally Law, Committee Member of CFE, Member of the Chamber of Advocates and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners where she is a Committee Member on the Taxation Sub-Committee. Ramona is frequently invited to speak at IBA events and other international tax conferences. and she has contributed to several renowned tax publications. Head of the Private Client Team at WH Partners Ramona is regarded as a leader in this sector and advises High Net Worth Individuals on how they may manage and protect their assets. Ramona’s multijurisdictional expertise is internationally recognised.

About the speaker

Adrian Niculescu is a successful fintech investor and estate entrepreneur, spending more than 20 years building and developing companies. Adrian is the CEO of Meta Description but above all, he is the CMO EMEA of CloudCoin Consortium, a digital currency you can store offline in a PNG or TXT file. Adrian experience include 30 tech start-ups mentored since 2014, 250 real estate transactions completed since 2008 and a long career in senior position.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Since 2004, Jarek Bialek has been active in the fintech sector, dealing with several B2B products and, in addition taking responsibility for the areas of product management, team building, sales and automated support. He also actively involved in the global startup ecosystem: as a mentor, coach, educator and as an entrepreneur.

About the speaker

Jean Michel Azzopardi is a seasoned tech and business professional with over 15 years of experience in blockchain and startups. He is currently a self employed fintech Consultant offering a broad range of services in areas such as, technical compliance, GTM, and blockchain architecture.

About the speaker

Ritchie crafts cultural narratives through brand characters, helping brands amplify their identity with mascots that deeply resonate in digital and immersive environments. As founder of NFT Club and Archipals, reimagining Malta’s heritage, he has developed over 400 unique products. His work spans fashion, digital collectibles, large-scale public installations, and exhibitions. Collaborating with brands like Martini and Red Bull, and industry leaders such as Charles & Ron, Des Lucrece, and Deadfellaz, Ritchie combines curiosity and experimentation to create memorable, shareable experiences that drive engagement, using art to connect deeply with audiences.

About the speaker

Alex, Chief Executive Officer of Xremit, leverages extensive experience in VC and investment banking to redefine cross-border payments and financial inclusion. Under his leadership, Xremit specializes in customizable B2B payment and disbursement APIs, with a strong emphasis on prepaid and gift card solutions. By transforming traditional remittances into Remittance 2.0, Xremit empowers businesses to provide communities worldwide and especially developing nations with seamless and affordable access to new way to spend and remit funds. These innovative solutions open new economic opportunities, making financial inclusion a reality for more people worldwide by providing secure, discrete and reliable way to pay. Alex is committed to driving innovation at the intersection of traditional finance and cutting-edge technology.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Luke Todd, Founder and CEO of MadeYou, established the company in 2014 and has since led its growth and expansion into leadership training, executive coaching, employer branding, and 360-degree feedback, serving clients across Europe and internationally. As a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with over 25 years of experience, Luke brings a wealth of expertise in customer experience, as well as operational management across national and international SMEs. He has successfully founded and managed service, sales, technical support, RFP, design, and marketing teams. To maintain the focus and energy of learners, Luke is dedicated to building strong rapport, consistently applying real-world knowledge and experience to any topic or challenge. His extensive business background allows him to bring relatability and practicality to every learning environment.

About the speaker

Mikko Puhakka was born in Finland but has lived in 4 continents (Europe, US, Africa and Asia). Mikko relocated 8 years ago from Beijing, China back to Europe and to Malta after a more than a decade in China where he worked with both Chinese and international companies. Majority of his work during last 25 years has been result oriented leading to ‘’all sides of the negotiation table’’ successfully helping companies raise money, find customers in new markets, investing, selling and also buying companies in diverse cultural environments. His track record includes seed investment into MySQL which became the first Unicorn out of Finland. Currently Mikko works at his own consulting company Lion Partners with private clients such as Ventures Thrive and public sector clients. He also serves on select advisory roles e.g. Global AI Council, Fieldstream and Transtar Networks.