Voices of Tomorrow: Blockchain Guardians on the Future of Digital Assets and Innovation
Organised by Elevandi Education and supported by education partner, TRM Labs and industry partners, Amazon and Crypto.com, the Blockchain Guardians Programme is an intensive ten-week programme aimed at developing the next generation of fintech leaders with the dual skillsets of digital assets savviness and a robust compliance mindset.
Two of the graduating students joined senior leaders from Amazon, Crypto.com and TRM Labs to reflect on their experiences and their outlook of the future of fintech.
Key Highlights
1. The Blockchain Guardians Programme experience
- Diverse Cohort Experience
- Participants from varied academic and cultural backgrounds worked together, enriching their learning experience during activities like the Amazon Case Competition. Students valued teamwork and desired more opportunities for offline, interpersonal interactions.
- Mentor-Mentee Dynamics
- Structured mentorship emphasised both technical and soft skill development, bridging academic knowledge and industry insights.
- Mentors offered advice on networking, entrepreneurship, and resilience in the fast-evolving Web3 space.
- Mentors also valued the “reverse mentorship”, as they gained fresh perspectives from mentees throughout their sessions.
2. Importance of industry partnerships in talent development
- Strong industry support
- Sponsors like Amazon, Crypto.com, and TRM Labs highlighted the alignment of the program with their missions of nurturing talent and advancing compliance.
- Practical exposure complemented theoretical learning, giving students a competitive edge in emerging fields.
- Gap in formal education
- Panelists noted the challenges of incorporating fast-evolving domains like Web3 into traditional curricula, stressing the need for programmes like Blockchain Guardians to fill these gaps.
3. Developing future-ready skills
- Soft skills as cornerstones
- Panelists underscored the importance of skills like public speaking, stakeholder management, and adaptability, which empower students to thrive amid constant change.
- Building curiosity and conviction were highlighted as crucial traits for navigating the volatile Web3 landscape.
- Hands-on learning opportunities
- Real-world experiences through the case competition and networking events proved invaluable for developing both soft and hard skills.
- The panelists encouraged students to continue seizing hands-on learning opportunities including internships.
Conclusion
The Blockchain Guardians Programme exemplifies how partnerships between academia and industry can cultivate talent equipped to lead in dynamic sectors. The program’s success lies in fostering collaboration, mentorship, and hands-on learning, setting a high benchmark for future initiatives in digital assets and compliance.
Watch Full Session
Speakers:
- Ang Chin Tah, General Manager, Singapore, Crypto.com
- Angela Ang, Senior Policy Advisor, TRM Labs
- Kennie Ong, Payment Innovation Lead, Amazon
- Boin Kang, Student, National University of Singapore
- Daitein Kan, Student, Nanyang Technological University
Moderator:
- Matteo Rizzi, Investor, Author, Co-founder, FTS Group