Ahmed Al-Balaghi

Ahmed Al-Balaghi is a co-founder at Biconomy, a blockchain and fintech researcher, and an investor. He is also the founder and co-host of the Encrypted podcast and the Community Partner for Fintech Connector in Dubai. Ahmed's current focus areas in the blockchain space are investments, media, and growing the blockchain and crypto ecosystem both locally and globally, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between East and West. With over two years of experience within the blockchain industry in China, the U.K., and Dubai, Ahmed has developed deep industry expertise and regularly delivers talks and workshops. His research and investments span across blockchain infrastructure and protocol layers, security tokens, digital identity, cryptoeconomics, and exchanges. Ahmed previously worked for Viewfin, a leading Chinese blockchain company, where he headed up their Middle Eastern expansion through office set up, deal sourcing, as well as government and investor relations. He has also launched the first podcast dedicated to blockchain in the Middle East called Encrypted. Ahmed graduated with a first-class degree from Queen Mary University of London, studying Economics and Maths. He was also awarded a scholarship to study Mandarin at Fudan University for two years, where he was the co-founder and President of the Fudan Blockchain Association and the FinTech Lead for an entrepreneurship project in Shanghai with a team of UK-China entrepreneurs and the British Government. Ahmed has also worked in institutions such as Citibank, Dow Jones, and Ofgem. He can speak Arabic and Chinese and enjoys playing FIFA and smoking shisha in his spare time. He also dares you to accept Bitcoin!