Representative of Blockchain Alliance Europe, Tanja Bivic Plankar, was part of the fireside talks on data science and entrepreneurship.

Tanja Bivic Plankar emphasised the importance of specialised initiatives such as Blockchain Alliance Europe, as they bring together experts in the field, track best practices, and educate about emerging technologies that are often demonised and sensationalised by mainstream media.

»Blockchain technology has existed since 2009, when the first Bitcoin block was mined. And still, we can find misconceptions and prejudice. One of those is that Bitcoin is mainly used for illegal activities, because it is anonymous. First, Bitcoin is pseudonymous, since not all transactions are linked to known identities, but every Bitcoin transaction is permanently logged. That is the reason Bitcoin is not the best means of payment for illegal activities, and even the research shows that criminals more often use cash than crypto assets,« explained Bivic Plankar. »This is just one of the examples where the initiatives play a crucial role, as educators and mythbusters for emerging technologies.«

Blockchain Alliance Europe is also one of the key connectors in the blockchain ecosystem and a bridge between the industry and regulators.

»This year, together with Bitcoin Slovenia, we were particularly active in Slovenia, and we discussed crypto assets tax proposals. Together, both initiatives sent many remarks on the proposal to the Ministry of Finance, many of which were critical of the industry and individuals in the state, « remarked Bivic Plankar. » Together, we can create an environment that is positive toward innovation and entrepreneurship.«

Many thanks to the organisers of the Data Fair and especially Dunja Rosina, for inviting Blockchain Alliance Europe to the event and allowing us to speak about our work and connect with women in data science.