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Main TakeawaysDay 1 of Binance Blockchain Week 2025 kicked off with packed sessions at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, featuring global leaders in policy, markets, and Web3 innovation.The program delivered high-energy insights across Bitcoin, stablecoins, real-world adoption, next-gen infrastructure, and institutional growth — with standout moments from Michael Saylor, Richard Teng, Brad Garlinghouse, Lily Liu, and many more.Don’t miss Day 2 tomorrow on Binance Live — including Raoul Pal’s 2026 market outlook and the headline debate between CZ and Peter Schiff.The action-packed Day 1 of Binance Blockchain Week 2025 has concluded, and what a day it has been! Returning once again to Dubai’s iconic Coca-Cola Arena on December 3 and 4, this year’s conference brought together the biggest names in crypto, the wider technology and financial industries, as well as top policy minds from around the world. Binance’s own leadership set the tone: The day opened with the announcement of co-founder Yi He becoming co-CEO alongside Richard Teng as the company nears 300 million users. Co-CEO’s Richard Teng and Yi He outlined the next chapter of Binance’s growth and user-first strategy, while H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE's Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, shared the country’s vision for digital assets.The agenda stayed high-octane from there: Michael Saylor made his first-ever UAE conference appearance with a high-conviction Bitcoin keynote, and leaders from BlackRock, Citi, Solana Foundation, Ripple, Polygon, Aptos, and more unpacked the trends shaping real-world adoption in 2025. Signature moments onstage ranged from Humans of Binance Live with CMO Rachel Conlan to deep dives into stablecoins, tokenization, and next-gen Web3 infrastructure, closing with Balaji Srinivasan’s big-picture look at the network-driven society of tomorrow.Missed the action? No worries — here’s a quick recap of Yi He’s headline appointment and the biggest moments from Day 1.Be sure to tune in tomorrow on Binance Live for Day 2’s livestream!Framing The Discussion And Introducing Binance JuniorOur CEO Richard Teng opened Binance Blockchain Week by sharing the news of Binance’s new leadership configuration. Richard framed Yi He’s appointment as co-CEO as a natural evolution of her role, strengthening Binance’s leadership as it nears 300 million users and positioning their combined, user-first vision to drive product innovation, responsibly expand global presence, and build the Web3 infrastructure needed to reach one billion users.He proceeded to describe 2025 as a turning point for money, markets, and digital trust, and highlighting why the UAE is the ideal backdrop for this new chapter. He reflected on the country’s steady transformation into a leading financial and innovation hub, drawing parallels with crypto’s own evolution from a niche fragmented money movement to global, borderless value transfer powered by blockchain and stablecoins. Teng underscored the “undeniable momentum” behind digital assets and emphasized how regulation is now acting as a bridge to scale, pointing to real cases of how clear rules and trusted infrastructure are accelerating real-world adoption.Against this backdrop, Teng used the stage to introduce Binance Junior, positioning it as a key part of Binance’s vision for responsible, long-term industry growth. Binance Junior is a new family-centric, parent-controlled app and sub-account for users aged 6-17, designed as a crypto savings environment rather than a trading product. Kids and teens can earn through Flexible Simple Earn, while trading is disabled and strict limits and permissions keep activity safe and transparent. By combining robust safeguards, practical savings tools, and age-appropriate education, the Binance Junior initiative aims to build the next generation’s financial literacy and confidence in digital finance, starting at home.His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama: The Digital Foundation of Tomorrow’s EconomyAs a startup nation, we woke up every single day and ask what can be done, and how the future is unfolding for us.His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama framed the UAE’s vision for AI and blockchain through the lens of a “startup nation,” contrasting a child of the desert, who imagines what can be built from nothing, with a child of the forest, who simply admires what already exists. He explained that the UAE wakes up every day asking what can be done and how the future is unfolding, rather than relying on centuries of inherited institutions. This ethos, he said, underpins the country’s long-standing, clear, and unwavering stance since 2015 to be one of the most favorable places in the world for blockchain: they see it as a fundamental technology where the UAE can add real value to the global community. Drawing on his years as Minister of AI “when people thought it was still science fiction,” he emphasized the government’s commitment to deploying technologies in ways that are so smooth and useful, like smart gates at the airport, that once people experience them, they wouldn’t want to go back.Michael Saylor: The Undeniable Case for BitcoinBitcoin is the foundation of economic markets — its trading power exceeds Google, Microsoft, and even the [U.S] Navy’s spending power.Strategy’s Michael Saylor argued that Bitcoin has moved from the fringe to the core of global finance, becoming “digital capital” as political and institutional support flips in its favor. He highlighted how, in just 12 months, U.S. banks have gone from hostility to adoption – eight of the top ten now engage in crypto lending – while Treasury guidance and highly successful spot ETFs from Wall Street giants like BlackRock signal that Bitcoin is now an accepted asset. Against this backdrop, he described his firm’s strategy of spending tens of billions to acquire more than 3% of all Bitcoin, with a mission of increasing “Bitcoin per share” for investors.Saylor then sketched a broader vision of Bitcoin as the base layer for a new digital credit system that could disrupt traditional banking, insurance, and money markets. He contrasted low-yield, ~3% money-market returns with Bitcoin’s historically higher performance, arguing that companies leveraging digital assets will outpace those tied to depreciating fiat. By using Bitcoin as collateral to build new, AI-enabled credit products – high-yield, tax-efficient, and designed to minimize drawdowns – he believes digital credit can offer real yields where banks “give you nothing,” reset the global financial system, and reward investors who embrace the volatility or, alternatively, access Bitcoin’s upside through structured credit products with smoother risk profiles.The Future of Client Asset AllocationWho’s going to be controlling wealth for the next 10-15-20 years? It’s a demographic question that warrants building bridges and an entire foundation layer of finance, – Tony Ashraf, Managing Director and Global Head of Digital Asset Transformation, BlackRockThe first star-studded institutional panel of the day featured Tony Ashraf, Managing Director and Global Head of Digital Asset Transformation at BlackRock; Ronit Ghose, Global Head of Future of Finance at Citi Institute; Catherine Chen, Head of VIP & Institutional at Binance; Mike Reed, SVP and Head of Digital Asset Partnership Development at Franklin Templeton; Michael Martin, Wealth Management & Digital Assets at Bank Julius Baer; and was moderated by Henri Arslanian, Co‑Founder and Managing Partner at Nine Blocks Capital Management.The session examined how crypto is shifting from curiosity to core allocation as traditional and digital markets increasingly interlink. BlackRock’s Tony Ashraf described “wrapping” traditional assets in crypto (and vice versa) to build bridges, enabled by regulation, maturing infrastructure, and growing demand for diversification. Ronit Ghose noted that what was commercially irrelevant in 2015 is now reshaped by tokenization and US‑backed stablecoins breaking out of the crypto silo. Catherine Chen pointed to far greater clarity and new Binance Wealth and Prestige offerings for previously hesitant clients, while Franklin Templeton’s Mike Reed argued that avoiding crypto is now an active choice given its risk‑return profile, and that products must be designed authentically on-chain. Moderator Henri Arslanian highlighted that half of global crypto users are under 34, as TradFi players race each other, not Binance, to adapt to this new investor base.The Path AheadPeople are starting to recognize that stablecoins really are stable and much easier to manage and move, especially in this region. – Brad GarlinghouseModerated by CNBC’s Dan Murphy, this session brought together Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple; Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation; and Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, to explore what’s next for crypto in a more regulated, institution-friendly landscape. Richard said he remains very bullish despite recent volatility, arguing that growing regulatory clarity and the steady arrival of institutions mean “the best is yet to come.” He stressed that big players take time to move but are clearly coming aboard, and highlighted stablecoins as a major driver of capital efficiency – cheaper, faster, and increasingly essential for institutions – while noting that Binance is now one of the most regulated entities in the space.Brad framed the current phase as just another turn in crypto’s risk‑on/risk‑off cycles, but said macro tailwinds, a “massive sea change” in the previously hostile U.S. market, and the rise of spot ETFs all underpin his optimism going into 2026. He pointed out that only 1-2% of the total ETF market is currently in crypto and said he would bet that share will rise within a year as institutions that once sat on the sidelines “crawl, then walk, then run.” Lily emphasized that volatility is simply part of being in this industry and said the market is “doing just fine” at current Bitcoin levels, joking that her guest Wi‑Fi password was “Bitcoin100K” back in 2016 when people thought she was crazy. She connected today’s themes of speed, low cost, programmability, and liquidity back to early Bitcoin forum discussions a decade ago, arguing that Solana’s vision has always been to bring all of these features together as “tech for finance.” The session came to a memorable close with Brad Garlinghouse predicting that Bitcoin would reach $180,000 by either December 23 or December 31, 2026.Rachel Conlan and Humans of Binance LiveThe Humans of Binance live segment brought the campaign’s documentary-style storytelling onto the main stage, with Binance community members from LATAM, South Asia, and MENA putting faces and specifics to the idea of financial inclusion. Drawing on the same themes as the online series — that financial inclusion starts with accessibility and education — the speakers emphasized how Binance products like Academy, Earn, P2P, and simple spot trading are empowering individuals, not just investors.Luis Jimenez from Latin America shared how discovering Binance in 2018 “felt like the beginning of the internet,” reinforcing that education must come first. “Use trusted resources like Binance Academy, educate yourself, and only then start investing.”Mohit Malhotra, representing South Asia, noted that while crypto can still feel intimidating, its evolution — from ETFs to increasing global adoption — shows that the technology is real and here to stay. “When in doubt, check the Binance homepage and see the growing number of users as proof that this is very real.”Guided by Binance Global CMO Rachel Conlan, the session brought the focus back to people — illustrating how Binance isn’t just shaping the future of finance, but transforming personal journeys today.Balaji Srinivasan: Building the Network StateBalaji Srinivasan laid out his Network State thesis – after coins come not just new companies, but entirely new countries. He argued that founding network-native countries is “possible, preferable, and profitable,” defining a network state as a physical social network that grows from a single individual to a million aligned citizens. With 38 UN member states under one million people and UN membership expanding over time, he frames sufficient traction – measured in people, capital, and coordination – as the new prerequisite for diplomatic recognition. In his view, the land is already negotiating with the cloud, as states contend with increasingly powerful digital platforms and corporations.He positions the network state as an exit option for those in failing systems — a digitally coordinated community that can migrate, invest, and build new institutions together using SaaS – society as a service. In his view, the next decade won’t just be about new products, but new opt-in network societies.Innovation Stage Day 1The Innovation Stage at Binance Blockchain Week 2025 delivered a dynamic lineup of forward-leaning panels and hands-on sessions, spotlighting the builders, applications, and technologies shaping the next era of Web3.While the Main Stage explored major market, regulatory, and infrastructure themes, the Innovation Stage offered a more interactive, application-driven program — bringing attendees closer to real-world use cases, practical tools, and emerging products across the ecosystem.The day opened with a welcome from the Stage emcee, followed by a deep dive into blockchain education and ecosystem growth across MENA, featuring leaders from King Saud University, the UAE Blockchain & AI Association, and Binance Academy.Attendees then heard insights from top infrastructure teams including WalletConnect, Ledger, Heima Network, and others, who explored how wallets, security, and user-centric design are evolving to support the next billion users.Other highlights included discussions on super-app architecture, the future of gaming and AI-driven economies, and practical sessions on payments, treasury innovation, and digital asset implementation, featuring speakers from Mastercard, First Digital, Better Payment Network, and Binance Fiat.The afternoon delivered panels on AI x Web3, decentralized cloud infrastructure from Alibaba Cloud and AWS, next-generation digital stadiums and fan engagement, and a showcase of wallet and security innovations across the ecosystem.Founders then took center stage during the Builders’ Showcase, giving rapid-fire pitches on new protocols, products, and market opportunities. The day wrapped with insights on DeFi liquidity trends heading into 2026, agentic payments powered by Binance Pay x Google Cloud, and a lively discussion on how culture and narratives continue to shape crypto markets.You can catch the full replay of Innovation Stage Day 1 on Binance Live.Celebrating the First-Ever Blockchain 100 AwardsDay 1 also featured a landmark moment for the global creator community with the inaugural Blockchain 100 Awards, held for the first time at Binance Blockchain Week. Sponsored by Celo and Lumia, the ceremony honored creators who have made exceptional contributions to blockchain education, storytelling, analysis, and community-building. Opening remarks by Binance Co-Founder Yi He set the tone for a night dedicated to recognizing voices shaping the way millions learn about crypto. Awardees from around the world — including researchers, traders, educators, meme creators, and cultural influencers — took the stage to share their journeys and the impact of their work.With media partners across major global outlets and an energized audience inside the Coca-Cola Arena, the ceremony highlighted just how influential creators have become in driving Web3 adoption. The Blockchain 100 Awards underscored Binance’s dedication to elevating the talent that pushes the industry forward through education, open knowledge, and the creativity that fuels this new digital era.See You on Day 2 Tomorrow! As Day 1 wrapped at the Coca-Cola Arena, one thing was clear: Binance Blockchain Week 2025 is setting the pace for where digital assets, regulation, and real-world adoption are heading next. From high-conviction perspectives on Bitcoin and stablecoins to deep dives into Web3 architecture, tokenization, and cultural narratives, today’s sessions highlighted how fast the industry is maturing, and how builders, institutions, and policymakers are converging to shape the next decade of innovation.But we’re only getting started. Day 2 brings a packed program of market insights, technical breakthroughs, and headline conversations — including Raoul Pal’s outlook for 2026, the Mastercard-Ripple-TON payments panel, the next wave of AI-driven trading intelligence, and of course, The Big Debate: Bitcoin vs. Tokenized Gold featuring CZ and Peter Schiff.Check out the full agenda of our Day 2 events here. Don’t miss a moment — tune in tomorrow on Binance Live for all Main Stage sessions and follow our real-time coverage from Dubai as we continue into Day 2 of Binance Blockchain Week 2025!Further Reading Brace for Impact – Binance Blockchain Week 2025 Is Almost HereBBW 2025 Speaker Line-Up: Exclusive Speaker Announcements for Binance Blockchain Week 2025Binance Blockchain Week 2024 Report: Dubai Celebrates a Community-Driven Crypto FestivalDisclaimer: Content above may include third party comments and opinions (such as, without limitation, those expressed by moderators, hosts or participants that are not employees of Binance). 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