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Blockchain in Kyoto 2020

 

Blockchain in Kyoto 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The organizers decided to postpone the conference for months due to our concern about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). [February 20, 14:30 JST, 2020]

Scope

The International Conference on Blockchains and their Applications aims at bringing together researchers and practioans from different scientific communities working on areas related to FinTech, Crypto-asset, and Blockchain.
Contributors are encouraged to submit both theoretical and applied papers on their research in Blockchains. Topics for the conference include, but are not limited to: crypto-asset, cryptocurrency, blockchain technologies, B2B and B2C solutions, regulation, anomaly detection, cyber security, digital assets market, credit network, smart contract, remittance, digital ID, energy application, financial inclusion, and innovation policy.

Organized by

See below for the list of co-sponsors

Keynote and Invited Speakers

Special Session

Date

February 27 (Thu) and 28 (Fri) , 2020

The organizers decided to postpone the conference for months due to the concern about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). [February 20, 14:30 JST, 2020]

Venue

International Science Innovation Building, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Important dates

  • CLOSED | Deadline of abstract submission (with registration) for general speakers: December 31, 2019
    (N.B. Those who wish to submit an abstract for presentation must register until the end of December.)
  • CLOSED | Notification of acceptance: January 7, 2020
  • CLOSED | Registration (without abstract submission); No registration fee is required.
    Thank you for a lot of interest! Full of capacity now!

Program

The program can be downloaded from here (as of Feb 17; pre-final version)

Banquet

CANCELLED

Co-sponsored by

(in alphabetical order)

  • The Bank of Kyoto ,Ltd
  • Fujitsu Laboratories,Ltd
  • Hitachi, Ltd.
  • IBM
  • Information Processing Society of Japan
  • The Institute of Electonics, Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE)
  • LINE Corporation
  • NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
  • NTT DATA Corporation
  • Ripple

Committee Members

  • Yuichi Ikeda (Kyoto University), Chairman
  • Naoyuki Iwashita (Kyoto University)
  • Hideaki Aoyama (Kyoto University)
  • Yoshi Fujiwara (University of Hyogo)

Keynote and Invited Talks

  • Keynote speaker
    • Sagar Sarbai (Ripple; Head of Regulatory Relations, APAC)
      Talk title: “Enabling an Internet of Value through Digital Assets”
      Abstract: The world is paying close attention to blockchain, and governments are moving quickly to understand this technology and its use cases. Ripple’s Sagar Sarbhai will discuss how digital assets can help usher in an Internet of Value – where value moves as easily as goods and information. He’ll detail where the industry stands today and what we can expect in the future in regards to real use cases and regulatory regimes in Asia.
  • Invited speakers (alphabetical order)
    • Yoshiharu Akahane (NTT DATA Corporation, Business Strategy Department, Financial Segment, Digital Strategy Section, Blockchain Team; Senior Manager)
      Talk title: “Application of Blockchain Technology in Trade Industry”
      Abstract: Can Japan take the initiative in digitizing trade information, or will it become the future “Galapagos” in digital revolution? The world is moving fast toward trade digitalization, where blockchain technology has the greatest potential for application. The platform businesses have surged worldwide, and competition is intensifying among global players in recent years. In this session, we will outline the background of introducing blockchain technology in trade industry, and discuss the challenges and possibilities of distributed ledger technology.
    • Yuzo Kano (bitFlyer, Inc., co-founder; bitFlyer Blockchain, Inc. CEO; representative director of the Japan Blockchain Association)
      Talk title: “How the Blockchain Revolution Will Lead Social Changes: bitFlyer Blockchain’s Initiatives”
      Abstract: Yuzo Kano, who says that the blockchain revolution is the next step in the Internet revolution, will hold a session. He will discuss how the upcoming blockchain revolution will change society and practical examples of how bitFlyer, Inc.’s independently-developed enterprise blockchain, miyabi, has been implemented. He will introduce examples of practical uses for miyabi including a real estate leasing program, translation platform for decentralized media, and a decentralized common ID concept called “bPassport”. Also, he will introduce our initiative to implement the travel rule to promote AML/CFT(Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism) globally from our domestic virtual currency exchange.
    • Shuji Kobayakawa (Meiji University, School of Political Science and Economics; Professor)
      Talk title: “Role of Central Banks in the Blockchain Economy”
      Abstract: A number of central banks around the world have been engaged with the blockchain technology for several years. For some, the technology will pave the way for introducing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs); for others, it could be a means to build innovative financial market infrastructures (FMIs) in the future. With the arrival of stablecoins and other cryptoassets, the case for central banks to issue CBDCs appears to be more imminent than ever. Accommodating the technology, either through its adoption for their own FMIs or setting the gateway, will come into sight to drive the blockchain ecosystem. Against such a background, the presentation will first sketch out different roles central banks have traditionally played in the financial system — an operator of core FMIs, an overseer of the financial system, and a catalyst of innovation. With reference to several blockchain-related FMI projects led by central banks, the presentation will then highlight a pivot those central banks are likely to play from the perspectives of underpinning trust, generating value-added in core FMIs, and fostering innovation in the blockchain economy.
    • Motonobu Matsuo (Financial Services Agency, Strategy Development and Management Bureau; Deputy Director-General)
      Talk title: “Crypto assets, blockchain and financial regulation: Overview of New Legislation of Crypto Assets and Governance of Blockchain”
      Abstract: With regard to crypto assets, new legislation was established last year as a systematic response to the occurrence of external leakage of new customer crypto assets and the financing of crypto assets (ICO), and preparations for enforcement proceeded. The main contents of this legislation are: (1) Considering international trends, name change from “cryptocurrency” to “crypto asset”; (2) Respond to operations related to the exchange and management of crypto assets; (3) Dealing with new transactions and unfair practices using crypto assets such as ICO. After reviewing the status of crypto asset transactions and confirming the background of the above-mentioned new legislation, I will explain the contents of the legal development as clearly as possible. In addition, blockchain, which is the basic technology of crypto assets, has features such as globality and anonymity due to the Person-to-Person network, which poses new challenges for financial regulators in each country. I also want to try to explain as easily as possible.
    • Kazumasa Miyazawa (Soramitsu, Co., Ltd.; President and Representative Director, and also Tokyo Institute of Technology, Management Systems; Appointed Professor)
      Talk title: “World’s First Blockchain Central Bank Digital Currency in Cambodia”
      Abstract: Solamits Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and the National Bank of Cambodia jointly developed token-type central bank digital currency “Bakong” and started test operation on July 18, 2019 aiming official launch in 2020 to realize safe, easy, quick and free payment and remittance using the blockchain “Hyperledger Iroha” to promote financial inclusion in Cambodia. With “Bakong”, the processing from small-amount retail payment to large-scale inter-bank settlement is consistently handled by the blockchain, and the nationwide settlement architecture has been greatly simplified and reduced in cost. Digital currency is different from crypto-asset(virtual currency) such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and has a stable value linked to legal currency, high settlement speed, high processing power and transaction finality. As a result, it is expected to spread as a highly convenient digital payment method, and is expected to have a significant impact on the real economy. Currently, the development of the Digital Yuan (DC/EP) in China and Libra on Facebook are underway. It has also been reported that the European Union (EU) has recommended the European Central Bank (ECB) to consider issuing digital currency. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, central banks in more than 40 countries around the world are considering payment systems using blockchain, but the blockchain systems being developed by these central banks are currently in the stage of PoC. Under such circumstances, digital currency “Bakong ” started test operation on July 18, 2019, and has already been working with 10 banks and settlement companies including Acreda, the largest commercial bank in Cambodia, thousands of active users transfer money and pay at the store daily using “Bakong” as real money. It can be said that Cambodia realized the world’s first practical application of central bank digital currency using a blockchain, and it has been a great honor for Japanese company Soramitsu to contribute to this historic achievement. Mr. Miyazawa will explain the development process and design philosophy of “Bakong” and why it was realized by blockchain.
    • Chinedum K. Umachi (Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Expert Product Manager for Blockchain)
      Talk title: “Insights into Exploring Blockchain within a Utility”
      Abstract: Since 2018, CK Umachi has been co-leading blockchain exploration at Pacific Gas and Electric, one of the largest utilities in the United States. In this talk, he will speak about his time exploring blockchain within the highly regulated environment of a California based utility company. This talk will highlight the challenges of exploring and testing the technology in this environment, both through CK’s experience and the experiences of his counterparts at other utilities and companies that have supported utilities exploring blockchain. These challenges include but are not limited to: the nascent state of the technology, education of key stakeholders, conflicting priorities, use case selection, funding of pilots, and regulatory uncertainty.

 

Special Session

  • Session Title: “Women in Blockchain: Driving Diversity and Inclusion to Build a Thriving Industry Ecosystem”
    Abstract: It is undeniable that the blockchain industry lacks gender diversity. Why are women underrepresented in the industry? Why does that matter? What can we do to correct the course? The panel of diverse professionals in the blockchain industry will discuss how we can build a thriving industry ecosystem by driving gender diversity and inclusion.

    • Chair: Emi Yoshikawa (Ripple)
    • Yokiko Nishimura (Japan Cryptocurrency Business Association)
    • Nat Sakimura (OpenID Foundation)
    • Kristina Yasuda (InternetBar.org)
    • Sachiko Yoshihama (IBM Japan)

Blockchain in Kyoto 2020