Jan 16
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Panel Title: How DeFi and Staking are Changing the Crypto Landscape 🎙 Featured Panelists: Moderator: Erik Spivak, CEO & Founder, New Friendship Tech Ben Thalman, Senior Protocol Analyst – Ethereum, Figment Inc. Andrei Poliakov, CEO, APX Lending Alice Hou, Research Analyst, Messari DeFi and staking are transforming the crypto landscape, but most people still don’t fully understand how it works. This session breaks down what staking really is, why it matters, the risks no one talks about, and how institutions are preparing to enter the next era of decentralized finance. From protocol staking and node infrastructure to liquid staking, leverage, compliance, and the future of CeFi + DeFi integration, this panel brings clarity to one of the fastest-growing areas in crypto. What you will learn: • The real meaning of staking and how it differs from “earning rewards” • How DeFi lending, nodes, and yield mechanics actually work • Why compliance, privacy tech, and on-chain identity matter for institutional adoption • Where staking is heading next and what risks to watch for • How looping, leverage, and DEX integrations are reshaping rewards • Why simplicity, UI, and CDiFi onboarding will drive mass adoption • Key trends in DeFi expansion, integrations, and multi-chain growth Presented at the 8th Annual Blockchain Futurist Conference, the first-ever U.S. edition hosted in Florida To learn more about Blockchain Futurist Conference and get tickets, visit futuristconference.com 🇨🇦 Next show: Toronto, July 21-22, 2026 Follow Blockchain Futurist Conference on Social: Twitter: @futurist_conf Instagram: @untraceableinc LinkedIn: blockchain-futurist-conference