36th Annual Monetary and Trade Conference: Cryptocurrencies in the Global Economy

On April 19, 2018, the Global Interdependence Center will host its Annual Monetary & Trade (AMT) Conference in partnership with the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. 2018 will mark the year of our 36th AMT Conference.

Regulatory and technological developments are changing the nature of financial markets, services, and institutions in ways completely unexpected. Technology innovations including Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies promise disruptions in global transactions and offer significant efficiencies in global markets. With an open, distributed source, cryptocurrencies allow for speedy and transparent transactions. However, despite these benefits, critics have raised concerned about regulation, proliferation of fraud and asymmetric impact on public vs. private information. The conference will add to the debate of the future of this disruptive technology to the global economy.

For a list of suggested regional-hotels, please contact GIC by emailing cmurphy@interdependence.org.

Attendees of The 36th Annual Monetary and Trade Conference can receive credit from the following organizations:

• AFCPE Post Certification (4.5 credits)
• CFP Board (4.5 CE credit hours)

Click here to view and download the program handout from this event.

Agenda

9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Registration and Continental Breakfast 

9:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks

• George Tsetsekos, Drexel University
• William G. Spaniel, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

9:45 a.m. | Opening Keynote: Valuing Cryptocurrencies

• Christine Parlour, University of California, Berkeley

10:30 a.m. | Session 1: Bitcoins and Other Cryptocurrencies

• Moderator: George Tsetsekos, Drexel University
• Speakers:
  • David Mills, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
  • Will Cong, University of Chicago
  • Kim Huynh, Bank of Canada
  • Susan Akbarpour, Mavatar
• Session Topics:
  • An update on Trends and Developments. Recent price volatility, the Korean Cryptocurrency, the new futures contract
  • Payments and Clearing Systems. Platforms and new developments
  • The economics. Currency vs. commodity, Supply and Demand, cost of mining, cryptocurrency utility

11:45 p.m. | Break

12:00 p.m. | Session 2: Are Cryptocurrencies Good Investments? Who Invests in Cryptocurrencies?

• Moderator: Michael Papaioannou, IMF
• Speakers:
  • Jim Cunha, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
  • Gregory Cipolaro, Digital Asset Research
  • Antoine Martin, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
  • Nolan Bauerle, CoinDesk
• Session Topics:
  • Market participants
  • Investment vehicles and trading Activities
  • Institutional participation banks and other intermediaries

1:15 p.m. | Lunch Keynote

• Jon Nicolaisen, Norges Bank

2:45 | Session 3: The Future of Fintech and Cryptocurrencies

• Moderator: Julapa Jagtiani, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
• Speakers:
  • William Nelson, The Clearing House
  • Isabelle Corbett, R3
  • Yaya Jata Fanusie, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
  • Mike Warner, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
• Session Topics:
  • The future in Global Regulations. Global Financial Stability Board, CBOE and BIS and other institutional positions on the future of cryptocurrencies
  • The future of technology and security for cryptocurrencies
  • The Future in Monetary Policy coordination

4:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks:

• Robert Hunt, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
• Julapa Jagtiani, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
• George Tsetsekos, Drexel University
• Michael Papaioannou, IMF

4:30 p.m. | Adjourn

The views expressed at this conference are those of the speakers and other conference participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia or the Federal Reserve System. Nothing in the speech, presentation, or discussion should be construed as an endorsement of any organization or its products or services.