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Global Blockchain Colloquium 2021 organized by MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence

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India is inching closer to regulating cryptocurrencies within its borders. And soon the phased implementation strategy for central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be rolled out. MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence, a flagship initiative of MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune, concluded its 3-day Global Blockchain Colloquium on August 9, 2021. This is the largest blockchain colloquium ever held in an online mode addressed by 22+ international blockchain experts, and industry leaders to discuss the latest hot spots, use cases, tips, trends, insights and technological frontiers of blockchain technology.

The Valedictory keynote sessions were graced by Mr. Anthony Day – Blockchain Leader, Global Business Services, IBM Ireland, Mr. Andrea Frosinini- Senior Enterprise Analyst & Trade Finance Evangelist, Italy, Mr. Prasanna Lohar– Head Digital Innovation & Architecture, DCB Bank, Dr. Mohit Dubey -CEO, AIC-MITADT Incubator Forum, Prof. Dr. Atul Patil – Director, MIT School of Holistic Development and Prof. Suraj Bhoyar – Project Director, MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence, MIT ADT University, Pune, India.

MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence had organised the Global Blockchain Colloquium in association with India Blockchain Forum, Global Blockchain Business Council, & AIC-MITADT Incubator Forum from August 7 to 9, 2021. The Global Blockchain Colloquium was co-hosted by Blockchain ThinkLab of University at Buffalo, DCB Bank, Association for Emerging Technologies, IDEALABS Future Tech Ventures, EarthID, Stezy.io, SettleMint, Snapper FutureTech, Future Money WALLET and Aurigraph.io. The Global Blockchain Colloquium was an exemplary 3-day conclave on the most quintessential concepts related to Blockchain, Crypto, Tokens and Cybersecurity. Over a period of three days, the colloquium captivated the participants from over 21+ countries around the world. The colloquium is among the first of many efforts to transform India into a global blockchain powerhouse. The international event, one of its own kind, witnessed around 500+ blockchain enthusiasts including UG & PG Students, research scholars, faculty members, startup owners, and industry professionals.

The Global Blockchain Colloquium was aimed at bringing thought-provoking conversations on blockchain for enterprises, next generation financial services, developing blockchain applications, decentralized applications, and decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, sustainability & blockchain technologies for Central Bank Digital Currency, blockchain for trade finance, and blockchain platforms.

MIT Art, Design & Technology University, PuneIndia has always been a flag-bearer of engineering and technology in the country and has been at the forefront of offering innovative & industry relevant programmes including disruptive technologies,” said Prof. Dr. Mangesh Karad, Executive President & Vice Chancellor. “Continuing this tradition, we have also been deeply involved in blockchainAI & MLCloud ComputingCybersecurityRobotic Process Automation development & have been fostering a powerful support ecosystem across India, he said.

Global Blockchain Leader & Digital Strategist, Mr. Anthony Day congratulated & appreciated the endeavours by the MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence for organising this one of its own kind Global Blockchain Colloquium during the valedictory address. He shared his insights on use cases for accelerating post-pandemic transformation in supply chain, identity & sustainability. He also expressed his best wishes to MIT-ADT University that had taken up the mammoth task of promoting future skills for today’s and future generation.

Mr. Andrea Frosinini from Hyperledger TF-SIG deliberately answered how blockchain can be applied in an effective and cost-efficient way within trade finance. He said, “Blockchain technology holds the potential to change business processes by redefining value chain interactions, reducing operational complexity, and reducing transaction costs.”

Mr. Prasanna Lohar, Head Digital Innovation &Architecture, DCB Bank pointed out that the journey of emerging technologies is going really at a very fast pace in India. He reiterated, “Along with educational giants like MIT-ADT University, we are looking forward to taking the first step, i.e. creating a superior curriculum for a better ecosystem for emerging technologies and specifically in blockchain technology. He complimented the team MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence (MIT-FuSE) for bringing the Global Blockchain Colloquium 2021 with more synergy & relevant keynote sessions for the common benefit of global workplaces, as well as challenges in emerging technology for generation Z.

Dr. Mohit Dubey, CEO-AIC MITADT Incubator Forum stated, “Thanks to Fintech, technologies speak for finances, and innovations are only the beginning. Fintech is disrupting nearly every area of startups & businesses. A future where AI-boosted investment and advising platforms, blockchain-technology-enabled cryptocurrencies, are prevalent in every area of commerce and finance might be a way off.” He pointed out that the time was right for sessions like these to create awareness in these emerging technologies and congratulated MIT-FuSE on its 3-day exclusive deliberations. This would shape up the future generation and economy.

Blockchain is not new to India. It is being highlighted more with the introduction of e-RUPI & CBDC. India has a lot to gain from embracing blockchain technology and exploring it further. The first pre-requisite is creation of new career opportunities. Considerable job growth has been seen for positions like Blockchain Developers & Blockchain Architects in government agencies and other sectors such as retail, eCommerce, supply chain management, healthcare, education, agriculture, banking, etc. Blockchain developers can earn more than 50% than the other jobs in the IT market today. It means that there are innumerable high-paying jobs from all over the world now available to Indian developers in blockchain technology.

Prof. Suraj Bhoyar, Project Director summarised the gist of the sessions which were conducted over the period of three days. He specified that MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence is connecting and aligning with leading industries with the sole purpose of providing students and working professionals from all walks of the life, access to quality education and industry-relevant curriculum to ensure that they succeed in their careers. As the first step towards this, MIT Centre for Future Skills Excellence will be commencing with its Post Graduate Programme in Blockchain Technology soon. He said, “We are so humbled and overwhelmed by the huge response to this GBC 2021. And we had a great time interacting with the participants from countries like USAEnglandSingaporeSwitzerlandNigeriaMoroccoCyprusBrazilItalyIrelandBelgiumNetherlandsNew ZealandSouth AfricaGermanyUnited Arab EmiratesVietnamSri LankaIsrael, etc.”

The colloquium highlighted the latest& upcoming trends in the blockchain industry, provided an opportunity to meet industry leaders, helped to network with like-minded people & observed collaboration opportunities. The participants had a great fortune to listen to the distinguished keynote speakers across the globe on topics like viz. Blockchain Technology -Implementation & Governance, Blockchain Platforms, Digital Identity with KYC-Use Cases, Sustainability with Blockchain, Blockchain & Decentralized Applications, Crypto Metrics, Indexes & Stacks, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Blockchain Platforms as a Service, Global View of blockchain use-cases, Blockchain Reality vs Hype, Blockchain and Security, Decentralized Finance (DeFi),How Blockchain and Trade Finance delivering Global Solutions, Enterprise Blockchain for use cases in Supply Chain, Identity and Sustainability.

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Sleep interiors brand gets job offer from Peter Jones despite not securing investment in Dragons Den

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LONDON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tonight on BBC1, REMY founder Abeer Iqbal, entered the Den, and despite intense grilling and no investment, left with a six-figure job offer from Peter Jones

Abeer’s pitch began with the Dragon’s keen to experience his sleep-enhancing furniture. When Steven and Peter laid on his hero  ‘The Pod’, a reinvention of the beanbag, and under REMY’s best-selling ‘The Lounger’ weighted blankets, the dragons closed their eyes and pretended to snore. Which was ironic, as despite being told he’d enter the Den around 5pm, Abeer actually went in at 9.30pm, after the dragons had been receiving pitches since early that day, which to Abeer’s own admission “wasn’t easy”. Deborah Meaden said, “This might have been a fatal mistake to put your dragons to sleep before we start the pitch” – recognising that it had been a long day.

After 10+ years working in tech, helping multi-million pound businesses grow their empire at software giants like Shopify, Abeer experienced burn-out, which led him to develop REMY. Despite Abeer telling the dragons that he left the high-pressure industry due to stress and anxiety Peter Jones still offered him a job back in the rat race with a six-figure sum (which he still hasn’t taken). 

After leaving the Den, Abeer admitted feeling the “most anxious ever” and that he “just wanted to get back to his wife for a hug”.  Abeer shared, “I didn’t sleep for days, replaying every moment in my mind. I wanted to forget it.” But it’s not all bad, as Abeer explains, “the anxiety I experienced from the Den gave me a lightbulb moment and led me to create our most popular product yet – The Hugger Pillow. I needed a hug, so I created one”. 

Abeer continues, “I returned the next day to collect my items from the studio. I bumped into a fresh-faced Peter and Toukar in the carpark, they both praised my experience, Peter once again offered me a job and Toukar asked me to call him when I start the next business.”

The global ‘sleep economy’ is booming, projected to reach a record high of $585 billion this year. But Abeer felt he was unable to communicate this, “If I could have my time again, I would focus on the industry of Rest and Sleep rather than the specific products we were trying to innovate. I don’t think I articulated to the Dragon’s the size of the business opportunity that there is with REMY. In terms of what’s next, we are moving towards becoming a household name in rest and sleep but offering products in multiple categories.”

The Dragon that seemed to understand Abeer’s passion for this industry was Sara Davies, saying “I actually fundamentally don’t agree with what I’ve heard here. What I see in front of me, yes he is great at the e-commerce side of things but he gave up a career in corporate because he was passionate about this area. And if there’s one thing I know about business it’s that you will succeed when you pursue the thing you are passionate about. I wouldn’t discourage you to give up. Keep doing it and good luck. I think you could sell anything”.

You can watch Abeer Iqbal on Dragons’ Den on BBC iPlayer.

remysleep.com / @WEAREREMY

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Bitrue Coin (BTR) Analyzes User Behavior and Announces Upcoming Developments to Enhance Utility

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SINGAPORE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bitrue, a leading cryptocurrency exchange serving over 10 million users globally, announces a focus on user behavior analysis to further develop the utility of its native token, Bitrue Coin (BTR).

“Understanding how our users interact with BTR is crucial for its continued growth,” states Robert Quartly-Janeiro, Chief Strategy Officer of Bitrue. “This analysis will guide upcoming developments that enhance the value proposition of BTR within the Bitrue ecosystem.”

The announcement follows a recent surge in interest surrounding exchange tokens, and digital assets used to pay for services to unlock benefits within specific cryptocurrency exchanges. Currently, BTR offers a compelling range of benefits to Bitrue users, including:

  • Reduced Trading Fees: BTR holders enjoy lower trading fees on the Bitrue exchange, incentivizing active participation in the platform’s marketplace.
  • Governance Voting Rights: BTR grants voting rights on select new listings, allowing users to influence the direction of the Bitrue platform.
  • Staking Opportunities: BTR holders can stake their tokens to earn passive rewards, providing an additional avenue for generating income within the Bitrue ecosystem.
  • Exclusive Airdrop Potential: BTR holders may be eligible for airdrops of new tokens listed on the Bitrue exchange, offering the chance to discover promising crypto projects early.
  • VIP Investment Caps: BTR unlocks higher investment caps for certain cryptocurrencies on the Bitrue platform, catering to high-volume investors.

“BTR already plays a multifaceted role in the Bitrue experience,” Quarterly-Janeiro continues. “By strategically expanding its utility based on user behavior analysis, we aim to solidify BTR’s position within the exchange token market and elevate its value proposition for our user base.”

The specific developments based on user behavior analysis are not disclosed at this time. However, Bitrue assures its users of continued transparency and will share details in due course.

Media Contact: Lily Ho, [email protected]

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Affordability, customisation and convenience: Term plans from India become more attractive and accessible for NRIs

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Term insurance from India emerges as preferred choice for NRIs seeking affordability and convenience

DUBAI, UAE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Policybazaar, India’s leading online insurance marketplace, is witnessing a significant increase in non-resident Indians (NRIs) choosing term insurance from India via its platform. This surge is driven by the unparalleled ease, affordability and accessibility offered by the Indian insurance market. While several factors contribute to the growing interest in term insurance in India, affordability and convenience stand out as primary reasons. The demand among the 18-60 age group has seen an impressive 130% year-on-year growth, with India emerging as the preferred choice for NRIs.

The surge in demand from NRIs can be credited to several standout features and benefits. Term policies from India cost up to 30-50% less for NRIs residing in the UAE and Singapore. Additionally, policies with coverage of up to INR 5 crores can be easily obtained with tele-medical check-ups from India, eliminating the need for physical visits. Unlike some countries with restricted policy terms and coverage, Indian term plans offer coverage for longer duration, extending up to 99 years.

Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, Policybazaar, states, “We are witnessing exponential growth in term insurance purchases from NRIs, particularly from the Gulf nations and Singapore. Policybazaar has focused its efforts on expanding term insurance protection in both Indian and overseas markets. The unmatched benefits offered by India, including competitive pricing, larger covers, and streamlined processing through video/tele medicals, are significant contributors to this demand. It is heartening to see NRIs realizing the importance of securing their dependents’ future and choosing Indian term insurance policies.”

Term Insurance for a 35 year old male, non-smoker
Policy term – 30 years

Country

India

UAE

Cover Amount

INR 2 Cr / AED 881 K

AED 900 K

Max Cover Upto

99 years

80 years

Premium in AED

AED 977.8

AED 1,539

Premium in INR

INR 22,193.00

INR 34,892.00

Free Add-ons

Early Payout on Terminal Illness + Waiver of Premium

Price Benefit

36% cheaper in India

Source: Policybazaar.com

NRIs are also eligible for 18% GST exemption* upon purchasing term insurance plans from India, when paying via their NRE accounts. This attractive pricing, along with the availability of longer-term plans, has led to a rise in demand among NRIs, especially from Gulf nations, where 65% of term insurance buyers hail from, with the UAE alone contributing 35%.

Rhishabh Garg, Head of Term Insurance at Policybazaar, adds, “The evolution in the Indian term insurance industry is marked by innovative offerings designed to meet the distinct needs of consumers overseas. The consumer-centric features in term plans from India are increasingly appealing to NRIs, which include return of premium at no extra cost, early pay-outs for terminal illness, premium waivers for permanent disability, and immediate pay-out of up to INR 2 lakhs on claim intimation for immediate obituary expenses.”

The accessibility of these plans is further enhanced through seamless processing for NRIs, whose average annual income exceeds INR 35 lakhs. Insurers now also offer a sum assured of up to 5 crores, ensuring adequate coverage based on Human Life Value (HLV) calculations. NRIs can also leverage Policybazaar’s search and comparison engine to browse the best suitable plans as per their needs and preferences.

With a commitment to providing comprehensive coverage and protection, Policybazaar continues to redefine the landscape of term insurance for NRIs, empowering them to secure their loved one’s future with peace of mind. As NRIs continue to seek comprehensive coverage and value-driven solutions, Policybazaar remains dedicated to delivering innovative term insurance products and services tailored to their evolving needs.

*Tax benefits are subject to change in tax laws

About Policybazaar.com

Policybazaar.com is one of India’s largest insurance marketplace. It is the flagship platform of PB Fintech, which owns the fintech brand, Paisabazaar.com, and lending & insurance marketplace in the UAE region, Policybazaar.ae. Policybazaar.com started with the purpose to educate people on insurance products and with its offerings has addressed the large and highly underpenetrated online insurance markets.

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