Day Zero Conference in Kyiv: Key Highlights
The cryptocurrency-focused Day Zero event was held at the Unit.City complex in Kyiv on May 20, brought together by Ethereum Kyiv and a multitude of partners.
According to the organizers, Day Zero is a test conference leading up to a major event scheduled for September 2023. The team at Gagarin News had the opportunity to attend the Saturday event, and we're eager to share our experiences.
Extensive partnership network
One of the first things that strikes you is a display featuring the names of the companies and organizations who participated in the conference as speakers, partners, and special guests. This included the cryptocurrency exchange WhiteBIT, well-known protocols such as HAPI, 1INCH, Trustee, as well as various crypto-media outlets and influencers.
The event was held at the expansive Unit.City complex, an ideal venue for networking among developers and startup founders.
Event format
Each speaker had the floor to discuss their chosen topic, after which they fielded questions from the audience. These presentations typically lasted between 15 and 25 minutes.
Here is a comprehensive list of speakers in the order of their presentations, along with key points from each one:
- Oleksandr Bornyakov (The Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine), Kyrylo Bondar (CFO & Partner at UNIT.City) and Yurii Boiko (member of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission). They discussed cryptocurrency market regulation in Ukraine and the prospects of implementing European legislation;
- Peter Bilyk (CIO Juscutum). He outlined the legal aspects of starting a cryptocurrency company, provided advice and life hacks on how to avoid penalties and properly organize activities within the blockchain industry;
- Volodymyr Nosov (CEO WhiteBIT). He discussed Ukraine's and Ukrainians' roles in global financial structures. Emphasizing the high demand for skilled professionals, he speculated that a possible default of the US dollar might prove beneficial for cryptocurrencies;
- Kseniia Zhytomyrska (CTO at Trustee). She presented on the operation of a crypto wallet and a cryptocurrency banking protocol. She also announced a contest with a 1 million satoshi ($270) prize for simply downloading an app. Her central point: "We have no competitors; all are partners";
- Ivan Arkhipov (representative of 1Inch). He elaborated on the operations of the 1inch protocol, a variety of novel features, and token use-cases;
- Oleksiy Chusov (Co-Founder of First NFT Agency). His talk focused on NFTs, the sector of non-fungible tokens, and their economic significance;
- Oleksandr Kurbatov (Distributed Labs). He outlined the optimal strategies for dealing with cryptocurrencies in a bear market;
- Mister (HAPI). He discussed the challenges facing the cryptocurrency sector in terms of cybersecurity.
Following a lunch break, the presentations continued:
- Alina Tustanovska, COO at INC4. She spoke about zero-knowledge proof protocols in cryptocurrency technology and the associated tokens;
- Kyrylo Gorokhovskyi (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Mathematics, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy). He shared insights about "Blockchain Technology" as part of the university curriculum;
- Yuriy Savchenko (CTO at AllBridge) and Dmytro Budorin (CEO at Hacken). They conversed about cryptocurrency regulation and the integration of blockchain technology into contemporary law;
- Vakhtang Chikhladze (Vareger). He unveiled the cryptocurrency protocol, zkSync;
- Viktor Yelizarov (Lead Analysis at Unicorn Factory Ventures). He offered an insider's view of a cryptocurrency fund and investing in blockchain start-ups;
- Ivan Pavlovsky (CEO at Incrypted). He discussed the roles that meme coins play in the cryptocurrency field;
- Serhii Androsiuk (CEO at Hackless). He addressed the issue of cryptocurrency breaches and sandwich attacks;
- Sasha Antropov, (Founder of UH). He emphasized the Web3 industry as a powerful instrument for raising donations and boosting volunteer engagement;
- Max Uperiaka, (CEO at Intropia). He shed light on aspects of cryptocurrency marketing and strategies for audience engagement.
The day concluded with a casual networking event, complete with music and cocktails.
A competition for 1 million satoshis
During the event, the Trustee team ran a contest offering a prize of 1 million satoshis, equivalent to $270. To have a shot at winning, event-goers needed to download the Trustee app.
The lucky victor was Volodymyr from Kyiv. Speaking to Gagarin News, he expressed his surprise:
"Winning has taken me by surprise, given that I was meant to be home today. I came along to keep a friend company, and it's one of the first times I've ever won a contest. My plan is to spend the money sensibly, likely investing it back into cryptocurrencies."
Pros and Cons of Day Zero
Day Zero proved to be a good event, pulled together in a relatively short span. Key positives of the conference included:
- The large number of engaging speakers and attendees, facilitating insightful interactions with various representatives of the Ukrainian cryptocurrency community;
- The event's lively and relaxed vibe;
- The punctual adherence to the event schedule;
- The compelling topics discussed by some speakers.
However, there were areas that need improvement before the main September event:
- Some of the presentations were too long and at times lacked engaging content;
- There was insufficient time allowed for questions from the floor;
- Certain speakers seemed unable to keep their emotions in check during their presentations, which impacted the quality of their delivery.
In summary, despite its fast pace, the conference offered a wealth of diverse experiences. It was a welcome change of pace for the cryptocurrency community of Kyiv and Ukraine, allowing attendees to enjoy time with fellow enthusiasts.
