Strategically nestled between Dubai and London, Istanbul is emerging as Turkey’s financial nerve center, pulling global events and organizations into its vibrant orbit. Its unique geographic position offers event planners a canvas to meld Eastern and Western cultural nuances seamlessly, a feature that was palpably felt at Istanbul Blockchain Week 2023.
Spanning two eventful days in August at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti, IBW 2023 buzzed with a confluence of blockchain enthusiasts, both local and global. The itinerary was chiseled to encapsulate the multifaceted Web3 landscape, spotlighting topics ranging from the interfaces between artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to real-world applications of this groundbreaking technology.
Notably, IBW 2023 mirrored the broader narrative of the crypto ecosystem in the Middle East, particularly the burgeoning Web3 and crypto sector in the UAE. Region-centric discussions, such as Islamic finance’s synergy with a Shariah-compliant Web3 milieu, underlined the event’s relevance. The rapid proliferation of these sectors in places like Dubai and the UAE’s burgeoning interest in the Turkish market set the stage for EAK Digital’s timely decision to host the event, especially with the summer heat making Dubai a less appealing venue. Erhan Korhaliller, the visionary behind EAK Digital, elucidated this strategic move, emphasizing Istanbul’s appeal as an international fulcrum for the UAE’s major stakeholders.
One cannot overlook the sheer scale and diversity of the gathering. From government officials to influential financial institutions, the convergence was impressive. The venue teemed with blockchain aficionados, workshops, roundtable dialogues, and even a futuristic touch with participants getting scanned for metaverse entry. Not to mention the engaging interactions with Desi, the AI conversationalist developed by SingularityNET and Yaya Labs.
Yet, in a marked departure from the previous year, nonfungible tokens (NFTs) found limited representation. With a notable downtrend in NFT trading, organizers leaned into market feedback. Korhaliller noted the adaptability required, stating the clear lack of interest in NFTs this year.
Parallelly, the event witnessed spirited engagements around Islamic finance. As industry experts unraveled the intricacies of this ancient financial system, a cohort of budding developers was engrossed in the IstanHack hackathon, crafting innovative solutions that harmonized with the event’s overarching theme of ethical finance.
AI dominated many conversations, both within and outside the main hall. Loic Claveau of SingularityNET weighed in on the democratization of data, stressing the profound potential of decentralized AI on the blockchain. He painted a vivid picture of AI’s voracious appetite for data and the monopoly of tech giants in the field.
Istanbul’s growing role in the crypto sphere also saw reflections in the words of Eray Dengiz, CEO of Cointelegraph Turkey. With prominent Turkish banks actively participating and discussions centering on the future of finance, the city’s positioning as a financial hub was evident. Addy Crezee, the founder of NFT ticketing platform Ozaru, encapsulated the phenomenal growth of the crypto world, recalling the modest gatherings of yesteryears and contrasting them with today’s expansive events.
In conclusion, Istanbul’s Blockchain Week 2023 wasn’t merely an event—it was a testament to the city’s burgeoning role in shaping the future of finance and technology.
