Our University's Centre of Research in Entrepreneurship, Finance and Strategy (CERFS) and the Department of Business Administration are organizing an online lecture on the cryptoasset ecosystem in Latin America and the lessons for Cyprus.

The one-hour lecture will be held via Zoom on March 13 at 14:00.

Speaker Dr Alex Zarifis will share insightful information based on a report conducted at the University of Cambridge on the cryptoasset ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean. Drawing on his role as a co-author of the report, Dr Zarifis will provide a balanced analysis of the opportunities and challenges arising by the many moving parts of the cryptoasset ecosystem in this region.

"I found it particularly interesting how some countries want to lead in the adoption of cryptoassets while others want to be more cautious", notes Dr Zarifis, explaining that "the countries that lead believe in their ability to regulate cryptoassets and manage any risks that emerge. They want to have first mover advantage. Other countries do not believe being an early, enthusiastic, adopter is worth the risks, and prefer to wait until the industry and the regulation mature. Both approaches are valid, but in both strategies it is important to follow developments closely. This is where this report can be helpful in gaining insights into this sector’s development, market trends, challenges and opportunities, as well as regulatory and policy issues. What strategy should the EU and Cyprus have on financial technology (Fintech) and cryptoassets? There are lessons for the public and private sector in Cyprus from the approaches taken in Latin America."

Reference:
Proskalovich R., Jack C., Zarifis A., Serralde D.M., Vershinina P., Naidoo S., Njoki D., Pernice I., Herrera D. & Sarmiento J. (2023) ‘Cryptoasset ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean’, University of Cambridge. Available here.

The speaker:
Dr Alex Zarifis' research and teaching are on the practical applications of technology in business. He has worked at several universities including the University of Cambridge, University of Manchester and the University of Mannheim. He is currently a research affiliate of the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance (CCAF). Dr Alex has worked on large EU and UK funded research projects at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Loughborough University. He also participated in creating the first, government recognised, university degree on blockchain technologies in the world. He obtained his PhD from the University of Manchester.
His research interests include trust, electronic business, artificial intelligence, blockchain, Fintech and Insurtech. He has over forty publications and his work has featured in journals such as Computers in Human Behaviour, Information Technology and People, Electronic Commerce Research, International Journal of Electronic Business and Internet Research.
Dr Alex has published extensively on trust in different technologies and business models. His research has explored the role of trust in (1) AI, (2) financial technology-Fintech, (3) insurance technology-Insurtech, (4) cryptocurrencies and blockchain, (5) multichannel retail, (6) virtual worlds and the metaverse, (7) the sharing economy, (8) online collaboration and learning, (9) e-health, and (10) ransomware attacks.

Join the event on Zoom by clicking here.