A Watershed Moment for Digital Assets in the Bahamas

Top innovators and disruptors in decentralized finance and emerging technologies recently descended on Nassau for the highly anticipated D3 Bahamas conference. Held over three vibrant days at the sprawling Atlantis Paradise Island resort, over 850 attendees from more than 20 countries engaged in thoughtful dialogue around securing a trusted future for digital assets.

Co-hosted by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas and the national government itself, the conference brought together diverse talents spanning scrappy startup founders to Fortune 500 firms and even global regulators. With substantial support from premier sponsors like OKX, Deltec and the Central Bank of The Bahamas, attendees gained insight from 80+ distinguished speakers.

A broad agenda ensured diverse voices were heard. Beyond examining trends like digital dollar adoption and decentralized infrastructure, panels unpacked timely issues such as the impact of shifting US policymaking and approaches to tokenized investment vehicles. Interactive workshops let conversation flow freely across sector silos.

For the Bahamian hosts, the stakes were high after recent turmoil. Yet Prime Minister Philip Davis radiated calm resolve in affirming the country's pioneering role. “Digital assets represent a remarkable opportunity for our country – an opportunity to leverage and build on our world-class financial services expertise and engage a whole new generation of Bahamians with new opportunities as we continue to lead the way as world-class innovators.”

Despite the nay-sayers, the digital assets industry is here to stay. The key to our success in the digital assets space is our commitment to developing an effective and stable regulatory framework within the context of a rapidly changing environment.”

Building the Ecosystem - Education and Startups
D3 Bahamas was also about building up the next generation of talent. The University of Bahamas now offers a coveted Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance FinTech and Innovation academic program to qualified Bahamian students. 

At the D3 Bahamas Startup Battle, In addition, nine finalists out of more than 130 applicants pitched before judges and a live audience of venture capitalists, policymakers, and potential partners. This year’s winner, Milicent Labs, a core contributor to the Millicent Network, was represented by Co-founders and Co-CEOs, Stella Dyer and Kene Ezeji-Okoye.

When all was said and done, the vision of a trusted digital assets future was clear. “We named this conference D3 because we believe in a future that's digital, decentralized, and disruptive,” Anthony Sar, Co-Founder and CEO of Finoverse said. “Over three days in The Bahamas, we’re proud to bring the industry together to create that future.”