On 26 February 2024, Birmingham became the focal point for an engaging dialogue on the future of digital asset custody, hosted at the University of Birmingham (UoB). This event, named the “Palisade Guest Lecture on Digital Asset Custody”, marked a significant collaboration between UoB, the UK Centre for Blockchain Technologies, Palisade, and the XRPL Ecosystem. The UK CBT, playing a role as an enabler, facilitated an environment of innovation and knowledge exchange.

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The lecture featured Palisade co-founders, Tom Kiddle and Manthan Dave, who brought their wealth of experience as blockchain entrepreneurs and former Ripplers to the forefront. Addressing around 30 MSc FinTech students, their insights provided an in-depth look into the landscape of digital asset custody. Their talk, titled "Securing the Foundations of the New Digital Economy", offered a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities within the digital asset custody space.

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The event also featured a discussion with Moritz Platt on blockchain infrastructure at Google, adding a broad perspective on the technological underpinnings of the digital economy. UK CBT Deputy Director Francesco Pierangeli facilitated this gathering, underscoring the importance of academic and industry collaboration in educating and inspiring the next generation of financial and technological innovators.

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The event highlighted the commitment of the UK CBT to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary tools to contribute meaningfully to the blockchain ecosystem.

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