The University of Southern California, in collaboration with the USC Marshall VanEck Digital Assets Initiative and Blockchain@USC, is proud to present the VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference—a premier two-day gathering dedicated to advancing the future of digital assets and blockchain technology. Scheduled for March 11–12, 2025, this flagship event will take place at the iconic Bovard Auditorium and Trojan Grand Ballroom on the USC campus in Los Angeles.
Designed for students, faculty, innovators, and industry leaders, the conference offers a dynamic platform to explore emerging trends, groundbreaking research, and real-world applications shaping the next era of decentralized systems.
A Convergence of Minds: Who Should Attend?
This annual conference brings together a diverse ecosystem of thinkers and builders:
- Students and academics passionate about Web3 and distributed ledger technologies
- Entrepreneurs and startup founders developing next-gen blockchain solutions
- Venture capitalists and investors seeking high-potential digital asset opportunities
- Corporate executives exploring blockchain integration and tokenization strategies
- Policy experts and legal professionals navigating regulatory landscapes
With over 1,500 attendees from around the world at last year’s event, the conference continues to grow as a nexus for collaboration, learning, and community building in the heart of Southern California.
Featured Speakers (2025 Lineup)
The 2025 speaker roster features some of the most influential voices in blockchain, finance, gaming, and policy:
Faryar Shirzad
Chief Policy Officer, Coinbase
A leading advocate for responsible regulation in digital assets, Faryar will discuss the evolving policy landscape and how public-private partnerships can shape a sustainable crypto economy.
Jan van Eck
CEO, VanEck
As head of one of the most prominent asset management firms embracing digital assets, Jan will share insights on institutional adoption, ETF developments, and long-term market outlooks.
Sreeram Kannan
CEO, EigenLayer
A pioneer in restaking protocols and decentralized security, Sreeram will dive into modular blockchain architectures and their role in scaling Ethereum’s ecosystem.
Ariel Seidman
CEO, Hivemapper
Exploring decentralized mapping and geospatial data networks, Ariel will showcase how blockchain enables community-driven infrastructure innovation.
Geoff Garrett
Dean, USC Marshall School of Business
Dean Garrett will open the conference with a vision for integrating blockchain education into future business curricula and fostering interdisciplinary research.
Emmett Hollyer
General Manager, Solana Mobile
Highlighting mobile-first Web3 experiences, Emmett will discuss how Solana is bridging consumer accessibility with high-performance decentralized applications.
Frank Mong
COO, Helium
Frank will explore decentralized wireless networks and how token incentives are transforming physical infrastructure deployment.
John Nahas
Chief Business Officer, Ava Labs
John returns to the stage to discuss Avalanche’s enterprise use cases, interoperability advances, and ecosystem growth.
Paul Brigner
Founder, PGP for Crypto
Paul will present on digital identity, encryption standards, and how cryptographic tools can enhance user sovereignty in online environments.
Marisa Coppel
Head of Legal, Blockchain Association
Marisa brings clarity to current regulatory challenges facing developers and businesses operating in the U.S. digital asset space.
Theodore Agranat
Director of Web3, Gunzilla Games
Theodore will examine the convergence of blockchain gaming, NFTs, and player-owned economies in next-generation entertainment platforms.
Thomas Vu
Executive Producer, Riot Games
Bringing mainstream gaming expertise, Thomas will offer perspective on how traditional studios are approaching decentralized gameplay models.
Last Year’s Highlights: VanEck SoCal Blockchain Conference 2024
The 2024 edition set a new benchmark for academic-industry collaboration in blockchain. Attendees engaged in deep-dive panels on:
- Decentralized identity and zero-knowledge proofs
- The rise of Layer 2 scaling solutions
- Tokenomics design for sustainable protocols
- Regulatory clarity and compliance frameworks
Key moments included live demos of decentralized applications (dApps), student-led pitch sessions, and networking lounges connecting founders with investors.
👉 See what groundbreaking ideas emerged last year—and imagine what’s coming in 2025.
Past Conference Speakers
Previous editions have featured visionary leaders who continue to shape the global blockchain landscape:
- Chris Dixon – Founder & Managing Partner, a16z Crypto
- Anatoly Yakovenko – Co-Founder, Solana
- Emad Mostaque – CEO, Schelling AI
- Devin Walsh – Co-Founder, Uniswap Foundation
- Matt Sigel – Head of Digital Asset Research, VanEck
- Brian Brooks – Partner, O'Melveny
- Tarun Chitra – CEO, Gauntlet
- John Nahas – Former VP of Business Development, Ava Labs
Their contributions helped establish the conference as a thought leadership hub where academia meets real-world innovation.
Why This Conference Matters
As blockchain transitions from speculative frontier to foundational technology, events like the VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference play a crucial role in:
- Accelerating research-to-market pathways
- Bridging gaps between policymakers, technologists, and entrepreneurs
- Empowering the next generation of diverse Web3 leaders
With Southern California emerging as a major tech corridor rivaling Silicon Valley, this conference positions LA at the center of a decentralized revolution.
👉 Be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of finance, gaming, identity, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who can attend the VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference?
A: The event is open to students, faculty, industry professionals, developers, investors, and anyone passionate about blockchain technology. Registration details will be available closer to the event date.
Q: Is this an academic or industry-focused event?
A: It’s both. The conference blends rigorous academic research with practical industry applications, making it ideal for interdisciplinary engagement.
Q: Do I need prior knowledge of blockchain to benefit from attending?
A: No. While many sessions cater to advanced audiences, there are introductory tracks and panels designed for newcomers eager to learn.
Q: Will there be opportunities to network or present projects?
A: Yes. The conference includes dedicated networking zones, startup showcases, and pitch competitions for student teams and early-stage ventures.
Q: Are scholarships or student discounts available?
A: Limited complimentary passes may be offered to qualified students and researchers through USC departments and partner organizations.
Q: Where can I watch recordings from past events?
A: Highlights and select session recordings from the 2024 conference are available through official university channels and partner platforms.
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Final Thoughts
The VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference is more than just an annual event—it’s a catalyst for transformation. By uniting top minds across academia, industry, and policy, it fosters dialogue that drives progress in one of the most disruptive technological shifts of our time.
Whether you're a developer building on Layer 1 protocols, a student exploring career paths in Web3, or an executive evaluating blockchain strategy, this conference offers unparalleled access to insight, inspiration, and opportunity.
Mark your calendars for March 11–12, 2025, and prepare to engage with the future—live on the USC campus.