Banking and Technology Network Meeting on Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation and Digital Assets Platforms
The Banking and Technology Network (BTN) is a forum where WSBI-ESBG experts in banking and technology can exchange knowledge and best practices with both each other and external speakers. The Chair of the BTN is Danith Valles, Chief Enterprise Architecture Officer at Cecabank.
On 21 March 2024, at 10:00-12:00 CET, the BTN will reconvene for a virtual meeting via Teams to explore the important topic of Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) and the evolving landscape of Digital Assets Platforms.
The MiCAR officially came into force in June 2023 and will start to apply from 30 June 2024 and 30 December 2024. This new regulation covers crypto-assets that fall beyond the remits of current financial services legislation. The main provisions apply to entities issuing and trading crypto-assets, encompassing asset-reference tokens and e-money tokens. They address important aspects like transparency, disclosure, authorization, and supervision of transactions.
The event will feature compelling presentations by the internal and external speakers followed by an engaging Q&A and discussion. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the regulatory landscape and advancements in digital assets platforms. Join us for a thought-provoking session, and contribute to the dialogue shaping the future of banking and technology.
Speakers and Agenda
10:00 - 10:05
Opening of the meeting by the Chair
Danith Valles, Chief Enterprise Architecture Officer at Cecabank
Chair of the Banking and Technology Network (BTN) and Chief Enterprise Architecture Officer at Cecabank. In addition to being a digital leader with extensive experience in the banking and financial services sector, Danith is an expert in business innovation, digital strategy and business transformation. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a Certificate in Digital Transformation Program, Management Science and Engineering from the Stanford University.
Danith Valles
10:05 - 10:30
Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation – Issuance activities and implications of the Regulation for banks
The focus of this presentation will be to
(1) provide a general introduction of the Regulation with a focus on requirements for banks issuing ARTs and EMTs,
(2) provide insights at the European market for stablecoins and
(3) describe possible challenges of MiCAR application from the perspective of the banking sector
Ruta Merkevičiūtė, Head of the Digital Finance Unit at the European Banking Authority
Followed by Q&A and discussion
Head of Digital Finance unit at the European Banking Authority (EBA). She is also leading work on digital operational resilience and crypto-assets. Previously she was Director of Financial Services and Markets Supervision Department at Bank of Lithuania. Ruta has professional legal qualification as an attorney-at law and for the past 12 years has been working both in private sector and financial sector’s supervision in the areas that include AML, payments, lending, investment and FinTech industry.
Rūta Merkevičiūtė
10:30 - 10:55
Innovative Retail Banks in Digital Assets
The presentation focuses on specific banks in Europe launching products and services incorporating digital assets. Ana Santillan Nieto, Head of EMEA Financial Institutions and Co-Country Head of Switzerland at Fireblocks, followed by Q&A and discussion
Head of EMEA Financial Institutions and Co-Country Head of Switzerland at Fireblocks. She has a diverse work experience in the finance industry. Ms. Santillan also held various roles at Covario, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the Emlyon Business School and a Master’s degree in in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Deusto
Ana Santillan Nieto
10:55 - 11:00 – Coffee break
11:25-11:40
Digital Assets Platform
This presentation will focus on the introduction to digital assets in banking, high level architecture, and solution architecture of digital assets platforms. Last part of the presentation includes a demo of Cecabank’s use case.
Danith Valles, Chief Enterprise Architecture Officer at Cecabank and
Pedro Frais, Blockchain Architecture Manager at EY
Chief Enterprise Architecture Officer at Cecabank
Danith Valles
Pedro Frias is the Blockchain Architecture Manager at EY. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, specializing in blockchain and decentralized applications. Mr. Frias has worked in various sectors, including the financial industry. His focus has been on developing blockchain platforms for the leading banks in Spain, with the aim of facilitating financial product management and regulatory compliance, such as MiFID II.
Pedro Frias
Followed by Q&A and discussion
11:40 - 12:00
Closure of the meeting – wrap up and next meeting inputs
