techBREK network & learn: Harnessing the potential of Blockchain and Digital Assets

Michael Fox is the CEO for JP Morgan EU Merchant Services, as well as being the Ireland Country Payments Head. He has also served as branch manager for JP Morgan’s bank in Luxembourg while leading its Securities Services business, including all aspects of strategy, client service, product delivery and operations. Michael joined JP Morgan in 1993 and held also senior positions across Asset Management, Prime Brokerage and Securities Services. He is a senior advocate of its DE&I and Professional Development agenda while also being the ESG business sponsor for the Payments business.

Dr Joshua Daniel leads the R&D at ONYX Coin Systems. He has extensive experience in designing market infrastructures and settlement systems, and is a member of the Bank of England’s CBDC Technical Steering Committee. He has previously worked for SETL, a DLT company, as the director for Product Strategy and at British Telecom as a principal research scientist focused on applications of DLT, Cyber security and cryptography. Daniel holds a PhD and BEng in Aerospace Engineering from University of Southampton, UK. He is also an avid inventor holding more than 30 patents granted or pending.

Deborah Hutton is the managing partner of DEH Law, an Irish Legal and Consultancy Firm. She is the Country Chair for Ireland in the G100 Wing – Humanity, Technology & Innovation. Recognised as one of 100 global women leaders, Hutton is part of a collective that includes Nobel Laureates and former Heads of State, all championing opportunities for women. Deborah was previously the EMEA Head of Legal at Citibank and has sat as an expert at the ESMA roundtable, noting her deep involvement in the financial sector. Actively engaged in the blockchain community, Deborah is a member of the Blockchain Ireland Legal and Regulatory Group. DEH Law, known for its expertise in fintech and finreg, is also committed to social purpose and ESG projects both in Ireland and globally, with numerous pro bono projects in the industry. A staunch advocate for financial services and regulatory reform, and formerly a Partner with Eversheds Sutherland Ireland and Head of Department specialising in Asset Management and Regulation, Hutton’s rich background makes her a collaborative voice on the integration of blockchain and digital assets in financial services.

Mai Santamaria leads the Financial Advisory team in the Department of Finance in Ireland. The team carries out research for input into emerging and new areas of financial services and technology, advising and recommending policy. In 2017, she co-authored the Department’s Virtual Currencies and Blockchain discussion paper. She participated in World Economic Forum’s White Paper series on digital currencies, and co-authored the paper on the use of Stablecoins for cross-border aid, published in 2021. She was a member of the Blockchain Ireland Advisory board for 2 years (2018-2020). She organised the first government wide public services blockchain hackathon in 2019 and was a co-founder of BlockW and co-chair of BGIN. She is also a Bureau member of the OECD’s Committee in Financial Markets and member of its Ad-Hoc Expert Group in Digital Finance. Mai led the Market in Crypto Assets Regulations negotiations for Ireland with the EU Commission. Previously to joining the Department, Mai worked in finance executive roles in the banking and insurance sectors for more than 20 years in Ireland, UK, Africa and Switzerland. She is a native of Barcelona and a Fellow Chartered Accountant in Ireland.

Fiona Delaney is founder and CEO of Origin Chain Networks, and strategic lead at SEEBLOCKS.eu