Crypto Hipster

Ryan Davis is a digital pioneer and award-winning strategist at the intersection of politics, technology, and culture. Born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 1982, he’s been online since the dial-up era—launching a teen e-zine, organizing gaming nights, and volunteering for John McCain—all before finishing high school.He moved to NYC in 2000 to study theatre and political communications, working in both off-Broadway theatre and grassroots politics. In 2003, he joined Howard Dean’s groundbreaking digital team, producing for Blog for America and organizing in 36 states.Since then, Ryan has led digital strategy for campaigns (Mark Green, Norman Siegel), advocacy groups, and startups. At Blue State Digital, he helped shape strategy for Obama 2012, Microsoft, and the marriage equality movement, co-founding the award-winning campaign The Four 2012.He co-founded Bushwick Digital in 2014, partnering with Alicia Keys on criminal justice reform, and in 2019, launched People First, the first influencer marketing firm in Democratic politics. The agency has since won top Reed and Pollie Awards and led major campaigns in the 2020 election and COVID vaccine rollout.Outside of work, Ryan co-hosts Out of Office: A Travel Podcast and the Influencer Impact podcast. He publishes The Month in Digital newsletter and splits his time between Latin America and Europe. He serves as Board Chair of MJV and advises ag-tech startup Calyx, bringing his strategic mind and love of storytelling to every project.

Ryan Davis is a digital pioneer and award-winning strategist at the intersection of politics, technology, and culture. Born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 1982, he’s been online since the dial-up era—launching a teen e-zine, organizing gaming nights, and volunteering for John McCain—all before finishing high school.He moved to NYC in 2000 to study theatre and political communications, working in both off-Broadway theatre and grassroots politics. In 2003, he joined Howard Dean’s groundbreaking digital team, producing for Blog for America and organizing in 36 states.Since then, Ryan has led digital strategy for campaigns (Mark Green, Norman Siegel), advocacy groups, and startups. At Blue State Digital, he helped shape strategy for Obama 2012, Microsoft, and the marriage equality movement, co-founding the award-winning campaign The Four 2012.He co-founded Bushwick Digital in 2014, partnering with Alicia Keys on criminal justice reform, and in 2019, launched People First, the first influencer marketing firm in Democratic politics. The agency has since won top Reed and Pollie Awards and led major campaigns in the 2020 election and COVID vaccine rollout.Outside of work, Ryan co-hosts Out of Office: A Travel Podcast and the Influencer Impact podcast. He publishes The Month in Digital newsletter and splits his time between Latin America and Europe. He serves as Board Chair of MJV and advises ag-tech startup Calyx, bringing his strategic mind and love of storytelling to every project.

Mukarram Mawjood, Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity GroupMukarram Mawjood is the Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity Group, where he specializes in alternative investments and commodities. With over 20 years of experience in global markets, Mukarram possesses a sharp insight into market cycles, enabling him to navigate both bullish and bearish environments with expertise.Having lived in key financial hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, Mukarram understands the evolving dynamics of the global financial landscape. He has extensive trading experience in energy markets and precious metals, particularly physical gold and silver, as well as major asset classes including futures and equities.His impressive background includes critical roles in trading and investment strategy, where he has successfully guided stakeholders through pivotal market events such as the 2008 stock market crash and the subsequent surge in gold prices from 2008 to 2011, as well as the recent upswing in 2023 and 2024. Under Mukarram’s leadership, Blackstone Commodity Group has implemented innovative investment strategies in alternative assets that empower clients to protect and grow their assets and seize new opportunities.A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Mukarram believes in the power of knowledge to empower investors. He actively educates youth aged 16 to 22 on the fundamentals of investing and the importance of financial responsibility. Through his trading competition, “The Young Trader of the Year,” he inspires young minds and fosters a lasting respect for the financial world.In addition to his role at his company, Mukarram served as a guest lecturer in commodities and alternative investments at UCLA extension, sharing his expertise with the next generation of finance professionals.  

Mukarram Mawjood, Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity GroupMukarram Mawjood is the Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity Group, where he specializes in alternative investments and commodities. With over 20 years of experience in global markets, Mukarram possesses a sharp insight into market cycles, enabling him to navigate both bullish and bearish environments with expertise.Having lived in key financial hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, Mukarram understands the evolving dynamics of the global financial landscape. He has extensive trading experience in energy markets and precious metals, particularly physical gold and silver, as well as major asset classes including futures and equities.His impressive background includes critical roles in trading and investment strategy, where he has successfully guided stakeholders through pivotal market events such as the 2008 stock market crash and the subsequent surge in gold prices from 2008 to 2011, as well as the recent upswing in 2023 and 2024. Under Mukarram’s leadership, Blackstone Commodity Group has implemented innovative investment strategies in alternative assets that empower clients to protect and grow their assets and seize new opportunities.A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Mukarram believes in the power of knowledge to empower investors. He actively educates youth aged 16 to 22 on the fundamentals of investing and the importance of financial responsibility. Through his trading competition, “The Young Trader of the Year,” he inspires young minds and fosters a lasting respect for the financial world.In addition to his role at his company, Mukarram served as a guest lecturer in commodities and alternative investments at UCLA extension, sharing his expertise with the next generation of finance professionals.  

Agne Linge is the Head of Growth at WeFi, a decentralized on-chain bank. With over eight years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry, Agne has developed expertise in crypto trading and adoption and decentralized finance (DeFi), she is interested in stablecoin utilization in emerging countries and the evolving role of on-chain finance. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as Director at Binance and Head of Communications at DeGate, highlighting her influential presence in the digital finance sector.

Agne Linge is the Head of Growth at WeFi, a decentralized on-chain bank. With over eight years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry, Agne has developed expertise in crypto trading and adoption and decentralized finance (DeFi), she is interested in stablecoin utilization in emerging countries and the evolving role of on-chain finance. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as Director at Binance and Head of Communications at DeGate, highlighting her influential presence in the digital finance sector.

Niklas Kunkel began his crypto journey at IBM Research, where he worked on the Hyperledger blockchain and early supply chain finance applications. In 2017 he joined MakerDAO to create Dai, the first decentralized stablecoin on Ethereum. Nik is responsible for creating DSProxy, an industry-standard account abstraction primitive, OasisDEX, the first decentralized exchange on Ethereum with an order matching engine, and founding Chronicle Protocol which secures over $10B of assets locked in MakerDAO.

Niklas Kunkel began his crypto journey at IBM Research, where he worked on the Hyperledger blockchain and early supply chain finance applications. In 2017 he joined MakerDAO to create Dai, the first decentralized stablecoin on Ethereum. Nik is responsible for creating DSProxy, an industry-standard account abstraction primitive, OasisDEX, the first decentralized exchange on Ethereum with an order matching engine, and founding Chronicle Protocol which secures over $10B of assets locked in MakerDAO.

Violet AbtahiFounder & CEOViolet Abtahi is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a profound expertise in finance and blockchain technology. She has more than two decades of experience in the financial sector, blockchain and crypto ecosystems. Abtahi is a visionary leader on a mission to bridge the public and private blockchain worlds, shaping the next generation of financial infrastructures.As the founder and CEO of Platonic, Abtahi spearheads the development of enterprise-grade L1 blockchain solutions, addressing real-world challenges in financial services. Through her leadership, Platonic is dedicated to building the next generation of financial markets infrastructure, in issuance and distribution of real world and native assets on chain, focusing on scalability, security, and innovation.In addition to her role at Platonic, Abtahi is also the co-founder and president of Enya Labs, a leading blockchain developer, and the co-founder of Boba Network, a prominent public blockchain layer 2 solution. Her diverse portfolio of ventures reflects her commitment to driving innovation and advancing the capabilities of blockchain technology.Abtahi is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a dedicated investor and advisor to thriving projects with a profound purpose to serve the future of finance and humanity. Through her strategic guidance and support, she continues to shape the landscape of finance, fostering growth and innovation in the industry.

Violet AbtahiFounder & CEOViolet Abtahi is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a profound expertise in finance and blockchain technology. She has more than two decades of experience in the financial sector, blockchain and crypto ecosystems. Abtahi is a visionary leader on a mission to bridge the public and private blockchain worlds, shaping the next generation of financial infrastructures.As the founder and CEO of Platonic, Abtahi spearheads the development of enterprise-grade L1 blockchain solutions, addressing real-world challenges in financial services. Through her leadership, Platonic is dedicated to building the next generation of financial markets infrastructure, in issuance and distribution of real world and native assets on chain, focusing on scalability, security, and innovation.In addition to her role at Platonic, Abtahi is also the co-founder and president of Enya Labs, a leading blockchain developer, and the co-founder of Boba Network, a prominent public blockchain layer 2 solution. Her diverse portfolio of ventures reflects her commitment to driving innovation and advancing the capabilities of blockchain technology.Abtahi is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a dedicated investor and advisor to thriving projects with a profound purpose to serve the future of finance and humanity. Through her strategic guidance and support, she continues to shape the landscape of finance, fostering growth and innovation in the industry.