Corporate Innovation Day 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, offered a deep dive into blockchain’s potential, highlighting its transformative impact on finance, luxury, and social causes. Panelists and speakers emphasized the need for security, regulation, and practical blockchain use cases. The event, which took place on May 8th and was organized by STORM Partners, reinforced Geneva’s role as a hub for blockchain innovation and its capacity to drive positive change.
As the conference unfolded, various sessions highlighted the challenges and opportunities within the blockchain ecosystem. From discussions on how blockchain protocols drive corporate innovation to the importance of security in Web3, the event showcased the multi-faceted nature of the blockchain space.
Corporate Innovation Day 2025: Warm Welcome
The event began with a warm welcome by Elli Koch, setting the tone for the sessions ahead. The opening keynote, presented by Vincent Subilia, General Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIG), focused on the importance of innovation in Geneva. Subilia said:
“Geneva should be at the center of global innovation. Blockchain technology must be further stressed as a critical part of this movement.”
He emphasized that while the city had made progress in fostering innovation, more was needed to position Geneva as a global hub for blockchain and financial technologies.
Beyond the Code: How Protocols Drive Corporate Innovation
The discussion shifted to the role of blockchain protocols in driving corporate innovation. Moderated by DJ Bodden, the panel featured Alex Maaza from the Cardano Foundation and William De Ath from Hedera.
Maaza began by discussing the significance of Geneva as a hub for blockchain, saying:
“Geneva’s stability, trust, and regulatory framework make it an ideal environment for blockchain to thrive.”
He further explained that open-source solutions were vital, allowing businesses to adopt blockchain without being bogged down by technological complexities.
De Ath provided a counterpoint, highlighting the challenges of innovation. He stated:
“Innovation is difficult and risky, especially when it involves emerging technologies like blockchain.”
De Ath stressed the importance of abstracting blockchain terminology and focusing on practical use cases rather than getting lost in the technology itself. He added that “it’s crucial to support solutions that already work, instead of constantly reinventing the wheel.”
Corporate Innovation Day 2025: Security and Trust in Web3 Innovation
Security was another key theme of Corporate Innovation Day 2025, particularly in the context of Web3 innovation. Bryn Bennett, Senior BD Manager at Hacken, discussed the growing threat of hacks in the blockchain space. He stated:
“Blockchain is an easy target for hackers, and we need to take security seriously.”
Bennett highlighted that $2 billion was extracted through hacks in Q1 2025 alone, underscoring the scale of the issue.
Rebuilding Finance on Corporate Innovation Day 2025
As the event progressed, the discussion shifted to the intersection of trust, technology, and regulation in finance. Milko Hensel, Head of Tech Banking at Maerki Baumann, Victor Busson, CMO at Taurus, and Liburn Mehmetaj, Partner at Walder Wyss, shared their insights on rebuilding finance from the inside out.
Hensel said:
“For the crypto market to grow, we need clear, well-defined regulations.”
Blockchain for Good: Real Tools for Real Change
Another session was moderated by Jakub Dziadkowiec, Editor-in-Chief, for BeInCrypto Poland, focused on blockchain’s potential for positive social impact. Olivier Anselmo, Deputy Executive Director at Switzerland for UNHCR, and Elodie Jallet, Partner at Impactify, discussed how blockchain could be used to drive real change. Anselmo emphasized the importance of utilizing blockchain for humanitarian purposes, stating:
“Blockchain allows us to create more transparent and efficient systems that can benefit those in need.”
Jallet agreed, adding:
“Impact investing and blockchain are natural partners. Together, they can drive sustainable development.”
Hedging Fiat Treasuries with Crypto-Assets
Bassil Eid, Director of Finance & Risk at STORM Partners, presented a session on hedging fiat treasuries with crypto-assets. He explained how organizations can use hedging strategies to protect their assets and mitigate risks.
Eid explained:
“Hedging doesn’t mean going all-in on crypto. It’s about using smart strategies to protect your financial position.”
The Intersection of Luxury and Blockchain
The day concluded with a panel on how blockchain technology is transforming the luxury industry. Franck Garnier, Head of Digital Innovation at Hublot, Pedro Lopez-Belmonte Eraso, Ex-Richemont, and Davide Di Stefano, Strategy & Operations Manager at Aura Blockchain Consortium, discussed the potential of blockchain to change the way luxury goods are tracked and authenticated. The panel was moderated by Clio Godrèche, Senior Manager at FHH.
Di Stefano highlighted the value of blockchain in providing verified ownership and tracking data, especially in the secondary market:
“Blockchain introduces trust and verified data, which is crucial for the luxury industry.”
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