Each year, the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in the town of Davos, Switzerland brings together world leaders at the intersection of technology, economics and policy to discuss and debate the most pressing global challenges. This year’s theme ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ placed renewed emphasis on rebuilding confidence: in institutions, in markets, and in the technologies that are rapidly reshaping the new global economy.
Hedera returned to Davos engaging policymakers, enterprise leaders, and innovators in forward-looking conversations during panels, roundtables, and meetings on the importance of digital assets, tokenization, AI, and the future of payments.
A week defined by trust, AI and tokenization
Throughout the World Economic Forum and across the Promenade, tokenization was a primary theme. No longer seen as only for stablecoins, tokenization is expanding to every asset class and the world’s leading institutions and countries view it as a primary vehicle to move value faster, more securely and more efficiently.
The convergence of AI and blockchain was another defining topic at Davos this year. DLT enables AI systems to operate with greater accountability, integrity, and trust by providing a foundation for data provenance, model training, and automated enforcement of rules.
As one of the sponsors of the USA House, Hedera took part in discussions throughout the week on how tokenization delivers a more efficient and accessible financial system by lowering investment barriers to entry through fractionalization, and the possibility of always-on markets. Another key topic was the importance of the passage of the Market Structure bill to ensure the U.S.’s position as a leader in digital asset innovation globally.
The future of finance is here
Hedera leadership featured prominently in both media and industry conversations. Hedera Co-Founder and Council Chairman Mance Harmon joined CNBC to discuss key Hedera market differentiators, and how institutions are leveraging its unique governance model and best-in-class technology for the future of finance.
On Day 2, Eric Piscini, Hashgraph CEO, also participated in a fireside chat with Tim Adams, President and CEO of the Institute of International Finance, at the Nasdaq and IIF Igniting Innovation in Finance event. The discussion examined how digital assets, AI, and new market infrastructure are reshaping financial services, and what it will take to ensure these changes strengthen global financial stability.
At GBBC’s 9th Annual Blockchain Central Davos, Eric Piscini joined industry leaders from Ava Labs, GBBC and Filecoin Foundation to explore how these technologies intersect, where the opportunities are real, and why governance and practical use cases must guide innovation.
Policy at a pivotal moment
Policy conversations carried particular urgency throughout Davos as the United States approaches a pivotal moment for digital asset regulation. At USA House, Hedera Chief Policy Officer Nilmini Rubin joined a panel alongside leaders from Euroclear, Chainlink Labs, and Atlantic Council to examine what comes next for U.S. digital asset policy.
The conversation explored market structure, investor protection, and the growing role of stablecoins in payments and settlement, while highlighting the importance of global coordination as regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.
The Hedera sponsored USA House remained a key convening space throughout the week, hosting discussions on U.S. AI policy, innovation, competitiveness, and governance. These sessions brought policymakers and technology leaders together to examine how responsible innovation can be advanced on the global stage.
During the week, Nilmini Rubin was also recognized at GBBC’s Appreciation Awards for her leadership in blockchain and public policy, reflecting Hedera’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful governance and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Looking ahead
As Davos 2026 has wrapped up, the ideas and relationships formed over the past week are carrying forward into the year ahead, shaping conversations across governments and institutions around the world. Hedera is proud to contribute to this momentum, advancing trusted and transparent technological innovations that will inform the dialogue leading into Davos 2027.
