Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
Category Archives: Fintech and Networking Events
TC Webinar (May 21, 2020): FinTech, RegTech, and SupTech Community of Practice with Simone di Castri
Toronto Centre | May 8, 2020
FinTech and SupTech: how to leap forward?
The digital transformation of the global economy and the financial sector is accelerating. Cash use is declining, and digital currencies and channels are increasingly used. For millions of people, this digitization is transformative, and the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated this trend by disrupting consumers' payment behaviour and lowering the demand for cash.
See:
Fintech Innovation: Sandboxes as a Tool (Presentation by Randee Pavalow)
Podcast: A Regtech-based Blockchain KYC Solution for Document Custody with Brice Penaud, CEO Commercial Passport
However, two significant challenges emerge from this picture. First, financial authorities are in most cases ill-equipped to oversee the digital economy and its increasingly complex financial sectors. They need to access new datasets and deploy smart analytical tools to establish knowledge and evidence that drive targeted, risk-based decision-making to promote financial inclusion, maintain stability, pursue consumer protection, strengthen integrity, sustain competition, and drive innovation. Second, a new “Big Data divide” is forming between the digital financial services (DFS) providers who can leverage data for their respective ends and many public and private sector stakeholders who cannot. This imbalance of power has the potential to skew the development of digital financial ecosystems in favor of a few large players.
Webinar
Thu, 21 May 2020
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EDT
During this webcast, we will discuss about FinTech, supervisory technologies (SupTech), and Open Data Commons with Simone di Castri, the Managing Director of the RegTech for Regulators Accelerator (R2A), who will provide his views on how financial authorities around the world can leap forward and catch up on this digital transformation.
Register for this free webinar --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Online Partner Event (April 8, 2020): Capital Markets in the Digital Asset Era
Crypto Consilium | Austin Hubbell | April 3, 2020
Capital Markets in the Digital Asset Era", with speakers representing Asset Management, Exchange, Lending, Custody and Data & Technology. It's a 1-hour event that's focused around the current state of the industry and what needs to be done to move digital assets into the mainstream institutional capital markets world.
Online Event Date and Time
Moderator
- Michael Rabkin, Head of Institutional Sales & Head of Global Partnerships at DV Chain & DVeX
Speakers
- George Bordianu is the co-founder and CEO of Balance
- Austin Hubbell is the CEO and co-founder of Consilium Crypto
- Adam Reeds is the Co-Founder & CEO of Ledn
- John Willock is CEO and co-founder of Tritum Digital Assets
- Shaun Cumby is the Chief investment officer of 3iQ
Register for this event --> Now
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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FFCON20 RESCHEDULED JULY 8-9 DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
NCFA | FFCON20 TEAM | March 5, 2020
FFCON20 RESCHEDULED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
Canada’s Foremost Fintech Conference Rescheduled to July 8-9, 2020
TORONTO — March 5, 2020 — The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) today announced that its 6th annual Fintech & Financing Conference and Expo (#FFCON20) scheduled to take place March 23 through March 24, 2020 in Toronto, has been rescheduled due to concerns related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The conference, held in association with Toronto Finance International (TFI), will now take place July 8 through July 9, 2020. All prior registration terms including discounts and early bird rates will remain.
“As a global conference we have given careful consideration to the evolving situation around COVID-19,” said Craig Asano, Founder and CEO FFCON. “As the health and well-being of FFCON20 attendees is our priority we have decided to reschedule the conference to a later date. We are grateful to our partners, sponsors, speakers and delegates for their understanding and support and look forward to welcoming everyone to FFCON20 July 8-9.”
For more information please visit: https://fintechandfunding.com/
About the NCFA
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain and cryptocurrency, Regtech, and Insuretech sectors. To learn more about NCFA visit www.ncfacanada.org
About Toronto Finance International
Toronto Finance International (TFI) is a public-private partnership between Canada’s three levels of government, the financial services sector and academia. TFI’s mission is to lead collective action that drives the competitiveness and growth of Toronto’s financial sector and establishes its prominence as a leading international financial centre. For more information, please visit: www.tfi.ca
About FFCON
FFCON (Fintech and Financing Conference) is an annual conference hosted by Canada’s National Crowdfunding and Fintech Association (NCFA). Now in its sixth year, FFCON20 brings together professionals and innovators in fintech, AI, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and alternative finance.
Further information about the conference series can be found at www.fintechandfunding.com
FFCON Contacts
Craig Asano
Founder and CEO, NCFA
casano@ncfacanada.org
(416) 618-0254
Partnership Inquiries
Lauren Linton
Advisor, NCFA
lauren@ncfacanada.org
(416) 569-4349
Media Contact
Michele McDermott-Fox
The Top Floor Public Relations
pr@thetopflooragency.com
(905) 379-1893
FFCON20: RISE Event Challenges, Grows Canadian Fintech Industry
Global NewsWire | FFCON Team | Feb 6, 2020
TORONTO, Feb. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NetworkWire – The sixth annual Fintech & Funding Conference and Expo (RISE) convenes on March 23–24, 2020, in Toronto. The must-attend, two-day gathering features a fintech challenge, industry workshops, invaluable pitching, prime networking and a global education. Co-hosted by the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) and Toronto Finance International (TFI), the conference and expo is designed to forge crucial relationships between entrepreneurs, investors and major financial stakeholders.
“FFCON isn’t just about bringing people together,” said Craig Asano, NCFA Founder and CEO. “We are dedicated to creating an experiential environment designed to challenge and grow the Canadian fintech industry and bring markets to life. We have learned that when open-minded and innovative professionals get together and facilitate engagement, debate and share ideas, the opportunities flow. That is what happens at FFCON.”
This year’s event is expected to attract more than 750 attendees, participants and sponsors from leading fintech startups/scale-ups, investors, industry leaders and key stakeholders. Participants come to develop new leads, discover new market channels and forge partnerships around innovation, technology and financing outcomes.
FFCON has gained a reputation for gathering world-class speakers who drive lively debate and thought-provoking discussions. These professionals share new ideas, important experiences and interesting developments within the fintech space. Presentations also explore the latest topics and innovations along with emerging regulation and its impact on financial technology markets.
“We have the opportunity to leverage North America’s second-largest financial centre, combined with its third-largest tech cluster, and use this momentum to become a global fintech leader. Collaboration among industry stakeholders is a critical element required to move Toronto into the top tier of international fintech hubs, and we are pleased to be working with NCFA to support and grow the sector’s innovation ecosystem,” said Jennifer Reynolds, President & CEO, TFI.
FFCON events are built on the idea that all good business starts with an initial relationship, partnership or project. The FFCON20: RISE agenda is strategically designed to create invaluable opportunities for participants to meet and network with entrepreneurs, investors, regulators and government officials as they search for mentors, investment or funding.
Additional details about FFCON20: RISE, slated for March 23–24, 2020, can be found at https://fintechandfunding.com.
About FFCON
FFCON is a must-attend event focused on raising capital, blockchain technology and alternative investing as well as uncovering and celebrating the rising stars and who’s who of fintech, blockchain, and alternative finance. The conference and expo connect high-growth entrepreneurs and startups seeking seed and growth capital with venture capitalists, retail and accredited investors and institutional asset managers.
About National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners, and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech and insurtech sectors. For more information, please visit: ncfacanada.org
About Toronto Finance International
Toronto Finance International (TFI) is a public-private partnership between Canada’s three levels of government, the financial services sector and academia. TFI’s mission is to lead collective action that drives the competitiveness and growth of Toronto’s financial sector and establishes its prominence as a leading international financial centre. For more information, please visit: www.tfi.ca
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NetworkNewsWire Announces Official Newswire Status, Media Sponsorship of FFCON20: RISE Event
NNW Release | Jonathan Keim | Feb 4, 2020
NEW YORK, Feb. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NetworkWire – NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company and part of the InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), is pleased to announce its continued collaboration with the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (“NCFA”) and Toronto Finance International (“TFI”). NNW will serve as the official newswire partner for FFCON20: RISE, FFCON’s sixth annual Fintech & Funding Conference and Expo, held March 23–24, in Toronto. Co-hosted by NCFA and TFI, this premier event is designed to bring people together to focus on challenging and growing the Canadian fintech industry and bringing markets to life.
“We are pleased to be the official newswire of FFCON20: RISE and to be working with NCFA again,” said Jonathan Keim, communications director for NNW. “As with all our sponsored events, we will be utilizing InvestorBrandNetwork’s powerful suite of resources to bring greater awareness to the FFCON conference as well as the participants.”
As an official dissemination partner, NNW will distribute FFCON20 news and announcements. NNW will also release additional syndicated articles created by professional writers and communication experts. Information on the event will be further distributed through IBN, which has 1+ million social media followers collectively across 40+ brands.
FFCON20: RISE is expected to attract more than 750 attendees, participants and sponsors from leading fintech startups and scaleups, investors, industry leaders and key stakeholders. The two-day conference and expo is designed to provide invaluable opportunities for those in attendance to develop leads, discover new market channels, and forge partnerships around innovation, technology and financing outcomes.
See: NCFA and Toronto Finance International partner to co-host Canada’s ultimate fintech experience
A financial innovation ecosystem, the National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA) provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to the fintech community. The group is a network of entrepreneurs, investors and participants in the emerging fintech economy, with a growing membership that includes consultants, marketing and media specialists, investors, lawyers, accountants and social enterprise groups that support and encourage innovative capital markets and financial services.
In the past, NCFA and NNW worked together to heighten the visibility of VanFUNDING, a leading fintech and capital conference that explores the explosive growth happening relative to blockchain, AI, fintech and funding innovations, global market developments and alternative investing opportunities.
“We are thrilled to have NetworkNewsWire as an FFCON20: RISE media sponsor and active participant in the marketing efforts,” said Craig Asano, NCFA Founder and CEO. “This conference is a high-exposure opportunity for participants who wish to get involved as event partners while connecting with leading experts and investors interested in helping fintech businesses achieve success in funding and scaling efforts. NNW has the expertise, tools and global partnerships in place to share that message and bring added awareness to this must-attend event.”
Additional details about the FFCON20: RISE, slated for March 23–24 in Toronto, can be found at https://fintechandfunding.com.
About NetworkNewsWire
NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) is a financial news and content distribution company, one of 40+ brands within our InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), that provides: (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to 1+ million followers; and (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience comprising investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.
For more information please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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NCFA and Toronto Finance International partner to co-host Canada’s ultimate fintech experience
NCFA and TFI | January 23, 2020
Strengthening Canada's fintech and financial reach through collaboration, competition and networking at FFCON20
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 23, 2020 / The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) and Toronto Finance International (TFI) announced today a collaborative partnership and the joint launch of the 2020 Fintech and Financing Conference and Expo (FFCON20) to be held in downtown Toronto on March 23-24, 2020.
The theme for the 6th annual FFCON is RISE, reflecting the joint efforts of the two associations, NCFA and TFI, to build and increase the success and sustainability of Canada's fintech and financial sector.
With finance and fintech touching virtually every business and entity of people's lives, FFCON draws national interest and global participation from high-growth startups and leading industry experts across a variety of disciplines and backgrounds.
You will find fintech entrepreneurs from across all fintech sectors including digital banking, peer to peer finance, AI, capital markets, wealth management, payments, crypto and blockchain along with innovative financial institutions, investors, regulators, government and major industry stakeholders, all in one place.
FFCON facilitates thought-provoking and relevant discussions, lively debates and personal networking for the cross-pollination of ideas and experiences. The two-day event also provides a variety of competitions where investors can find deal flow and companies can get direct access to prominent investors.
FFCON, at its core, brings markets to life and provides an open forum for collaboration between emerging companies and major stakeholders.
"We're very excited to partner with TFI on co-hosting Canada's national fintech conference and look forward to advancing the development of Canada's fintech ecosystem through innovation, competitiveness, partnerships and inclusive industry support and growth." Craig Asano, Founder and CEO, NCFA
"We have the opportunity to leverage North America's second-largest financial centre, combined with its third-largest tech cluster, and use this momentum to become a global fintech leader. Collaboration among industry stakeholders is a critical element required to move Toronto into the top tier of international fintech hubs, and we are pleased to be working with NCFA to support and grow the sector's innovation ecosystem." Jennifer Reynolds, President & CEO, TFI
FFCON20: RISE provides a rich experience through a series of pre-conference and in-conference events including:
- The 30-day Fintech All Digital Challenge where celebrities and people at large will try to live for 30 days using only their mobile device for all daily transactions.
- A 30-day Alt-coin Trading Challenge provides participants with the ability to explore and compete in crypto trading in a fun and safe, simulated environment.
- The inaugural 2020 Fintech Draft will include live conference pitching, evaluation by prominent investors and access to a fintech export readiness program.
- And the RISE Exhibitor Expo, will provide emerging companies with the ability to showcase their innovations, give demos and interact with the diverse range of attendees.
For more information on FFCON20: RISE click here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. For more information, please visit: ncfacanada.org
Toronto Finance International (TFI) is a public-private partnership between Canada's three levels of government, the financial services sector and academia. TFI's mission is to lead collective action that drives the competitiveness and growth of Toronto's financial sector and establishes its prominence as a leading international financial centre. For more information, please visit: www.tfi.ca
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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[Brookings Institution Event Dec 5]: How to build guardrails for facial recognition technology
Brookings Institution | Dec 4, 2019
Facial recognition technology has raised many questions about privacy, surveillance, and bias. Algorithms can identify faces but do so in ways that threaten privacy and introduce biases. Already, several cities have called for limits on the use of facial recognition by local law enforcement officials. Now, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate proposes new guardrails for the use of facial recognition technology by federal law enforcement agencies.
See: Smart Cities Offer Promises and Concerns Over Privacy
On Thursday, December 5, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings will feature Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), who introduced the bipartisan Facial Recognition Technology Warrant Act this past November. The discussion will focus on how placing procedural safeguards on facial recognition technology, such as requiring warrants and limiting the duration of surveillance, can alleviate concerns over security and privacy while encouraging innovation.
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Brookings Institution
Falk Auditorium
1775 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC
20036
More information on registering for the Webcast or attending --> here
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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