A witness of development, but also propagator these new phenomena, at first in Polish fan groups of bitcoin, and later with businessmen from traditional branches of economy, was and is for seven years Digital Money & Blockchain Forum conference. In subsequent editions topics regarding digital currency and blockchain technology was not only widely propagated, but also gave an impulse for further actions, including innovative solutions for digitalization of our country, above all in the field of modern e-administration. As a part of government program “From paper to digital Poland” in the summer of 2016 “Blockchain and cryptocurrency” stream has started. It was one of first such advisory groups in the world. One of the world’s first accelerators specializing in blockchain technology was established in Warsaw as well as the second Blockchain Technology Center in Europe. The Polish parliament also joined the world leaders: in October 2016, the first public consultations on bitcoin and blockchain were held in Europe, and in November of the following year there was one of the first meetings of parliamentary committees (Public Finance Commission) in Europe devoted to public policy towards blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. One of the first projects in the world of self-regulation of the digital exchange market was also prepared.  

Unfortunately, 2018 is a continuation of threats to this issue initiated in 2017 by unprecedented activities of the central bank and a financial regulator on a national and global scale (pressure on banks to close accounts with digital exchange exchanges, financing campaigns warning against cryptocurrencies). These activities were not preceded by a deeper, substantive assessment of this phenomenon – both technology and global market processes. The escalation of tensions took place in May 2018 – a 300-strong demonstration of opponents of controversial tax interpretations took place in front of the Ministry of Finance. It was only the pressure of public opinion and politicians of one of the parties that led to the long-awaited work on the correction of tax solutions taking into account the realities of the digital currencies market. 

At that time, there was a competitive battle in the world about the huge (counted in billions of dollars) value of the startup from this new sector of the economy. In 2018 it was won by Malta. Lithuania, Estonia and Switzerland are among the leading countries, while in Asia – Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Also the Caribbean countries wanted to get something from this cake on the wave of ICO popularity. 

Poland, despite a very good start in the form of a well-developed digital currencies market (3rd place in the world in 2012-2013) and regulatory preparation (2016-2017), having several dozen startups from the blockchain industry financing themselves with own funds (without support from EU funds) – went to the background in the vicinity of the second ten countries. The vast majority of Polish startups in this industry had to find more friendly jurisdictions to run their businesses, and several companies were forced to leave their businesses or leave the country. All this in a country that officially declares a course on innovation, new technologies and entrepreneurship.  

Blockchain and digital assets – the prospect of the next decade 

of course, referring it mainly to the Polish and European perspective traditionally in our conferences in the context of such issues as: Technology, Business, Payments, Commerce, Security, Law and Compliance. 

We propose that during the seventh edition of Digital Money & Blockchain Forum discuss the following issues:  

• technology and security – will blockchain technology continue to be the safest information technology in the world? What would be the threat for her? 

• taxes, law and regulations – will digital currencies enter the mainstream of global finances or will they be blocked by regulators due to concerns about AML? Will countries compete with each other for capital located in digital currencies creating tax and regulatory facilitation, or will they fight it? 
• business and finance – will we wait for Polish unicorns in the blockchain industry? will registration of Polish startups abroad continue? will digital currencies remain mainly of interest due to speculation or other uses (e.g. decentralized applications and organizations, tokenization of assets)? 
• values ​​and attitudes – will the world strive towards centralization and authoritarianism or decentralization and democratization? What will be the greater primacy in 10 years: protection of privacy or the desire to protect citizens from threats? 

At the end of the conference, we propose to adopt a written Forum Position on the future of blockchain technology and digital currencies in Poland – to send it to the media and selected institutions in our country. We will prepare a working position in this area – along with the speakers – before the conference.

• Future of Polish startups abroad
• Regulation of ICO/STO
• Court of arbitration
• Presentations of law firms

• State of digital currency market
• ICO/STO companies
• Tokenization of assets
• Consulting companies and investment funds

• Payment systems (bitcoin, Stellar)
• Smart contracts (Ethereum, EOS, Ardor and others)
• Polish, ambitious projects
• Presentations of software houses, IT companies

• Applications in administration
• Domestic security
• Criminality