Blockchain technology has become something that the FinTech community is currently betting on. Its potential to disrupt the conventional banking system is often discussed in media circles. More importantly, blockchain has been able to emerge from the shadows of being the underlying technology to digital currency bitcoin and continues to garner interest across multiple industries.

Major financial institutions and tech companies across the world are exploring potential use cases, various blockchain-based consortiums have been formed, many blockchain startups have been set up that seek to address everything from smart contracts to land registries; supply chain initiatives and clearing and settlements.

In addition, several conferences and events have been scheduled throughout this year to address the key factor that ensures mainstream blockchain adoption – education. These events offer an opportunity to know from experts in the blockchain space, various aspects of this technology, latest happenings, and much more.

On 28 April in London, The Mankoff Company is presenting another in its series of After the Bell events.  This one is entitled “Beyond POC: Blockchain Applications in the Real World”.  The event will bring together leading experts, investors, banks and others to network and engage with those working in the blockchain space and uncover new opportunities and applications. 

“What we look for is a balance” says Stacey Mankoff, Managing Principal of The Mankoff Company.  ”That is why the panels have representation from different businesses – in this case Peter Randall from Setl and Stephan Tual, formerly of Ethereum and now with Slock.it.  SETL is to deploy an institutional payment and settlement infrastructure based on blockchain technology and Slock.it looks to build the infrastructure of the sharing economy by enabling anyone to rent, sell or share anything without going through a middleman.  Jamie Burke of OutlierVentures is an investor in this space and is looking to bring other investors (and their capital) to the right product.”

These discussions are unique – they are not live streamed or recorded.  Instead, everyone must be in the room. 

“We feel that so much is impersonal these days – sitting at a computer and not really engaged,” said Ms. Mankoff. “Here’s an opportunity to come face-to-face with the champions of blockchain and get your questions answered without the ‘Big Brother’ presence of video or recording.  It allows for a freer exchange of ideas.”