What Innovation Day Revealed About Blockchain’s Next Wave

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.

Following Subilia’s keynote, Axel Sabbag, Innovation Manager at STORM Partners, discussed the complexities of corporate innovation. He introduced Lightningbox, a service aimed at making blockchain innovations easier for institutions to implement.

Sabbag elaborated on the practical aspects of using blockchain for real-world applications, stating:

“Blockchain is not just a buzzword; it’s a tool that can transform how institutions work and interact.”

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.

He also outlined Hacken’s mission to make crypto safer for everyone, offering services such as security audits, compliance advisory, and extended security. Bennett said:

“The trust in Web3 can only grow if we ensure that the infrastructure is secure.”

His emphasis on the need for robust security measures resonated throughout the session, as attendees recognized the importance of building trust in blockchain systems.

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.

Moderated by Sheraz Ahmed, Managing Partner at STORM Partners, the session focused on how regulations and tech could work hand in hand to rebuild financial systems.

The panelists emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity in fostering innovation. Hensel said:

“For the crypto market to grow, we need clear, well-defined regulations.”

Busson added that regulations could provide the foundation for businesses to innovate confidently, without the constant fear of future legal uncertainties. Mehmetaj pointed out that understanding the technology and its potential uses was just as important as navigating the regulatory landscape.

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.”

The session highlighted the growing interest in using blockchain to support social good and how organizations like UNHCR are exploring blockchain solutions to address challenges in humanitarian aid and global 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 illustrated different examples, such as using stablecoins or platforms like AAVE and COMP, which provide stable yields. He explained:

“Hedging doesn’t mean going all-in on crypto. It’s about using smart strategies to protect your financial position.”

The session provided valuable insights into how corporate treasuries can use blockchain and crypto-assets to diversify their portfolios and manage risk. Eid also discussed the importance of understanding concepts like impermanent loss in DeFi liquidity pools and how dollar-cost averaging (DCA) can be an effective strategy.

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.

Garnier discussed the concept of scanning watches and turning them into NFTs. 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.”

The panel also discussed the benefits of private blockchains for luxury brands, particularly in terms of cost reduction, data policy, and governance.