Fintech on the Seas features a distinguished lineup of speakers industry pioneers, legal experts, and regulators who are shaping the global fintech and digital assets landscape through innovation, governance, and strategic insight.
Dr. The Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley, a distinguished political figure in the British Virgin Islands, currently serves as the Premier and holds multiple vital ministerial portfolios. Dr. Wheatley represents the Seventh District and is a dedicated member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). He was first appointed to the British Virgin Islands Parliament in 2019 as the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture and Representative for the Seventh District.
Dr. Wheatley’s educational background is marked by his 2016 Ph.D. in Languages and Cultures of Africa from the University of London. He also holds a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from Purdue University and an undergraduate degree in English from Clark Atlanta University.
In his current capacity as Premier, Dr. Wheatley simultaneously serves as the Minister of Finance, the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development. His diverse portfolio highlights his commitment to driving economic development, environmental sustainability, and cultural enrichment in the British Virgin Islands.
Dr. The Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley’s multifaceted background and his unwavering dedication to the betterment of the British Virgin Islands establish him as a respected and highly capable leader in the region, entrusted with multiple critical ministerial responsibilities.
Lorna Smith, OBE, MA, TEP, FCIS, is a distinguished public servant and business leader with decades of experience shaping the British Virgin Islands’ financial services and tourism sectors. She played a pivotal role in establishing BVI Finance and has been instrumental in promoting the BVI as a leading international finance centre and premier tourism destination.
Elected to the House of Assembly in 2023, Lorna served as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade. Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships across government, business, and non-profit sectors, providing strategic leadership on economic development and international engagement.
Lorna also played a key role in the BVI’s recovery following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, supporting both government-led and community recovery initiatives. She was awarded an OBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her outstanding contribution to public service in the British Virgin Islands.
Sir Richard Branson is the Founder of the Virgin Group, one of the world’s most recognized and admired brands, with businesses spanning travel, telecommunications, health, banking, leisure, and space tourism. He launched Virgin in 1970 as a mail-order record retailer before building Virgin Records into the world’s largest independent record label.
A lifelong entrepreneur and innovator, Richard has spent more than five decades using business as a force for positive change. In 2004, he established Virgin Unite, the Virgin Group’s non-profit foundation dedicated to tackling global challenges and creating opportunities for a better world.
In 2021, Richard fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming an astronaut, flying aboard Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22 mission. He is also a bestselling author, speaker, and advocate for entrepreneurship, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.
Knighted in 1999 for services to entrepreneurship, Richard lives in the British Virgin Islands and remains one of the world’s most influential business leaders.
Mr Glenford Malone was appointed Deputy Managing Director, Regulation in January 2022 and is responsible for implementing the Commission’s overall regulatory strategy. Mr Malone has over two decades of experience within the regulatory environment, having served many roles, such as Senior Regulator, Deputy Director, Investment Business and prior to 2002, assistant Registrar of Mutual Funds with the former Financial Services Department, now BVI Financial Services Commission. Mr Malone is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and is a trained Financial Examiner in the FATF Methodology of Assessing Compliance with the FATF 40 Recommendations.
Professional Qualifications
Kishelle Cameron is the Deputy Director of the Specialised Supervision Unit of the Financial Services Commission. She is responsible for the oversight of high-risk licensees, and those of systemic importance in the jurisdiction. This includes all banks, systemically important TCSPs, Insurance Companies and all high-risk Investment Businesses and Virtual Asset Service Providers. Kishelle leads the Commission’s FinTech Working Group and serves as the Deputy Chair of the Risk Monitoring Committee. She is also the former Deputy Director of the Investment Business Division. In her previous capacity as the Deputy Director of the Investment Business Division, Kishelle gained significant experience in supervising high-risk financial entities and has been instrumental in shaping policies and strategies within the financial regulatory framework. Kishelle is a certified member of several prestigious institutions and has completed various specialised training programs, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and expertise in her field.
Professional Qualifications
Claire Abrehart is a Managing Director of the BVI office and is also globally responsible for the directors, trusts and liquidation product service lines.
She is a professional director and serves on the boards of companies including private equity investment entities, real estate investment companies and, more recently, companies involved in the virtual asset and DeFi industry. She also sits on the board of regulated entities, including approved managers and fund structures.
Claire has many years of experience acting as a trustee and working closely with families to ensure their wealth is passed from generation to generation.
She has lived and worked in the British Virgin Islands for over 25 years. Prior to joining the company, she worked for other trust companies, large and small, and has held senior management roles for the last 18 years.
Claire holds a degree in business and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, having gained her TEP designation in 2006. She is also a full member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Kingsley Advani is Chairman of Advani Family Office and CEO of Allocations, where he oversees $2BN+ in assets. An active investor since 2013, he has completed over 200 investments including SpaceX, Anthropic, Coinbase and Robinhood. Kingsley is a prominent voice in finance and technology, appearing regularly on CNBC and featured in Bloomberg, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, The Wall Street Journal, and Yahoo Finance.
George Alayon is the Deputy Director, Supervision (FinTech) at the Bermuda Monetary Authority, where he leads initiatives supporting the supervision of Bermuda’s fintech sector, including the regulatory sandbox and innovation hub. He also serves on the Authority’s Insurance and FinTech Assessment and Licensing Committees, overseeing licensing for InsurTech and FinTech entities.
Before joining the Authority in 2015, George held senior roles at CTC Insurance Management, Caceis (Bermuda) Limited, and Ernst & Young Philippines. He is a Certified Public Accountant in both the Philippines and Bermuda, a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, and holds certifications in cyber risk, compliance, data analytics, blockchain, and AI.
Liz Barahona is a recognised expert in blockchain technology, virtual asset regulation, and AML standards for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). As Associate Director at FFP BVI Limited, she leads the firm’s VASP and SIBA practice and has played a pivotal role in shaping the British Virgin Islands’ digital asset regulatory framework.
She serves on the advisory committee for the revision of the BVI Virtual Assets Service Providers Act, advising the BVI Financial Services Commission on emerging regulatory developments. Liz is also the only BVI member of the Blockchain Lawyers Group, a global network of legal professionals dedicated to advancing digital asset regulation.
An internationally sought-after speaker and educator, she has participated in leading industry events including ETHCC Brussels, ETH Milan, Devcon Thailand, and the Fordham Law Blockchain Regulatory Symposium. A pioneer in blockchain education in the BVI, she developed and delivered the territory’s first VASP and Blockchain Technology course and continues to champion regulatory clarity, innovation, and the growth of the global Web3 ecosystem.
Laura Birrell is an Independent Director at Leeward and a recognized leader in the Cayman Islands digital asset industry. A pioneering founder, she established one of the first Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) registered under the Cayman Islands regulatory framework, helping develop regulated solutions that bridge digital and real-world assets. With a background spanning legal, compliance, and governance leadership roles, including serving as General Counsel for a FTSE 250 company, Laura brings extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and corporate governance. She is widely respected for her practical insights into navigating the evolving digital asset and regulatory landscape.
Debra Brookes is the inaugural Chief Risk and Compliance Officer of the Wyoming Stable Token Commission. Since October 2024, Debra created a risk and compliance program for the first U.S. dollar-based stable token issued by a state agency: the Frontier (FRNT) Token. Previously, she worked at the New York State Department of Financial Services, where she held several roles, including Deputy Virtual Currency Chief and Head of Supervision, overseeing more than 30 licensed virtual currency entities conducting virtual currency business activities in New York (e.g., Gemini and Coinbase). Previously, Debra was a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice through the competitive Attorney General’s Honors Program, where she investigated and criminally prosecuted white-collar crimes for nearly 15 years. Debra earned an M.A., B.A., and A.A. from New York University and graduated cum laude from Albany Law School, where she served as the Note and Comment Editor for the Albany Law Review.
Chris Buchan is a Counsel in the Corporate Practice Group of Appleby’s British Virgin Islands office. He previously worked in the firm’s Cayman Islands office before relocating to the BVI.
Christopher advises on public and private M&A, capital markets, finance, investment funds, private equity, fintech, digital assets, and a broad range of corporate transactions. He has extensive experience advising clients on the laws and regulations of both the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.
Prior to joining Appleby, Christopher practiced at leading offshore law firms in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. He also served as Partner and Head of the Funds Group and Co-Head of the Private Equity Group at Baker McKenzie in Hong Kong.
His experience includes advising fund managers, investment funds, financial institutions, private equity sponsors, and multinational corporations on complex cross-border transactions, regulatory matters, listings, restructurings, and digital asset projects.
David Byrd is a Partner at EY and serves as the firm’s Global Digital Asset Assurance Leader. Based in San Francisco, he specializes in audit, compliance, and assurance services for digital asset businesses, including funds, exchanges, custodians, miners, validators, and token issuers. David leads EY’s Digital Asset Research Center, helping clients navigate accounting, auditing, valuation, and regulatory considerations across the digital asset ecosystem. He regularly collaborates with regulators and industry groups worldwide to advance best practices in digital asset assurance and governance. Before joining the profession, he earned a PhD in Philosophy with a focus on Cognitive Science from the University of California, Davis, and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in California.
Lucien Charland is Director and Head of Geo Expansion at Payward (Kraken), where he leads strategic licensing and regulated market entry. He partners with regulators, government bodies, and internal teams to navigate complex licensing environments and support Kraken’s global growth.
Prior to Kraken, Lucien was Head of Strategy at Fortress Global, a consulting firm specializing in new market entry in the energy industry. He also served with the U.S. Department of State and on the strategic planning team for the U.S. National Park Service. He co-founded a sustainable agriculture company in St. Kitts and Nevis, and is the co-founder of Aedify, a financial literacy platform delivering personal finance education and interactive learning tools to young people in the United States.
He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and International Studies from the University of Central Florida.
Pamela Clegg is the Head of Growth Strategy at Inca Digital, where she leads global strategic initiatives and partnerships that advance Inca’s mission to deliver transparent, OSINT-first crypto intelligence to governments, financial institutions, and crypto-native enterprises worldwide. Her work focuses on scaling next-generation intelligence programs, identifying emerging risks in the digital asset ecosystem, and translating complex multi-source data into actionable insights.
Pamela previously served as Vice President for Latin America at IVIX, supporting government agencies with AI-powered intelligence solutions. Prior to that, she held senior roles in global crypto investigations and compliance at Ciphertrace/Mastercard and United Texas Bank, collaborating with regulators, law enforcement, and financial institutions across the world. She brings more than a decade of international investigative and operational experience from her tenure with the U.S. Government, primarily throughout Latin America. Pamela has trained and spoken globally on cryptocurrency, AML/CFT, and digital-asset risk for organizations including INTERPOL, the United Nations, EUROPOL, IRS, USSS, and Basel Governance.
She holds an MBA from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Aki Corsoni-Husain is a Partner and Global Head of Regulatory & Tax at Harneys, based in London. He advises on a broad range of financial services regulatory matters, with particular expertise in digital assets, fintech, sanctions, anti-money laundering, and tax information exchange. Aki regularly counsels financial institutions, digital asset businesses, and regulatory authorities on licensing, compliance, and emerging regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. Recognized for his leadership in financial regulation and fintech, he is ranked by Chambers and has been recognized in Lexology’s Client Choice Awards for his work in corporate tax and regulatory advisory.
Elise Donovan is the Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance, the organisation that promotes the British Virgin Islands as a premier international finance centre (IFC). She leads global outreach for a jurisdiction that facilitates roughly US $1.4 trillion in cross-border trade and investment, working closely with industry practitioners and policymakers on emerging trends.
Her career includes senior posts at the BVI Government, the BVI Financial Services Commission, and representative offices in London and Hong Kong—experience that gives her a broad perspective on policy, regulation and market development. Donovan’s work routinely takes her to major financial hubs in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, where she strengthens relationships and advances dialogue on fintech, sustainable finance, global trade and evolving regulation.
A frequent contributor to industry forums and journals, she writes and speaks widely on IFCs and the BVI’s role in the global economy.
Robert is a Partner at Loeb Smith in the Cayman Islands, advising clients on corporate and commercial transactions, banking and finance, investment funds, and crypto and digital asset matters. Prior to relocating to the Cayman Islands in 2021, he practiced as a Banking & Finance lawyer in the UK for 12 years.
Robert has extensive experience in cross-border M&A, private equity, fund formation, international finance transactions, and Web3 regulatory matters, including advising on VASP licensing and digital asset funds. He also holds qualifications in Real Estate Economics and Finance from the London School of Economics & Political Science, enabling him to provide commercially focused legal advice grounded in financial analysis.
Sara Galletly is a Partner at Mourant in the Cayman Islands and a member of the firm’s global financial services and regulatory team. She advises on Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands regulatory matters, including anti-money laundering, economic substance, sanctions, data protection, virtual assets, licensing, and investment fund regulation. Sara previously practiced in investment funds, corporate law, and structured finance, and has over a decade of offshore legal experience. She also serves as Secretary and Executive Committee member of AIMA Cayman and is a Director of the IFC Forum.
Alex Golubitsky is an international tax and crypto attorney. After many years practicing tax law in the US Virgin Islands, he pivoted to working in crypto and digital assets full time in 2021. He is presently general counsel for Baton Corporation, the development company develops and maintains the pump.fun token launching platform.
Shan Greer is an international arbitrator and mediator associated with ArbitraInternational in London and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the BVI International Arbitration Centre. Since assuming this role in January 2023, she has leveraged over two decades of experience to promote excellence in arbitration and dispute resolution globally.
Renowned for her pragmatic and commercially astute approach, Shan has advised and represented clients across a broad range of industries in diverse jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. Her ability to handlecomplex disputes with efficiency and fairness has positioned her as a trusted leader in the field.
Shan holds a Master’s degree in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution from King’s College London and is dually qualified as a barrister and solicitor in England, with admissions to practice in Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Belize.
A sought-after arbitrator, adjudicator, and mediator, Shan’s practice includes ad hoc, institutional, international, and domestic arbitrations, seamlessly bridging civil and common law systems. Her dedication to equitable and effective dispute resolution has earned her widespread recognition and respect.
Shan’s deep expertise and strategic insights make her a valuable voice in advancing arbitration and dispute resolution, particularly within the offshore sector.
Jackson is the Executive Producer at TheStreet Roundtable. He graduated from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN in 2023 with a degree in Political Science.
He leads all video content for Roundtable and TheStreet Crypto, one of the largest outlets for retail investors in the United States and has spoken to CEOs, regulators, public servants, developers, and others globally. A deep understanding of capital markets combined with a keen sense of storytelling allows him to consistently deliver content that resonates with both seasoned investors and newcomers.
Jackson is driven by a desire to make cryptocurrency and traditional markets understandable for the masses. He hopes his discussions will help people increase their financial literacy and achieve financial independence.
T’sa James Hodge is a seasoned compliance professional with more than 16 years of experience in regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terrorist financing (CTF). As Compliance Manager at Ogier, she leads compliance initiatives and is recognized for her expertise in governance, risk management, and regulatory oversight.
She has served as Chairman of the BVI Association of Compliance Officers and Practitioners (BVIACO) since 2019 and is a member of the BVI Joint Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Financial Advisory Committee. In 2022, she was appointed Director of the Caribbean Regional Compliance Association (CRCA), and in 2025 joined the Board of the National Bank of the Virgin Islands.
A two-time recipient of the BVI Finance Compliance Officer of the Year Award (2019 and 2020), T’sa is widely respected for her contributions to strengthening compliance standards across the Caribbean and advancing professional development within the financial services industry.
Ayana Hull is a Partner and Head of the Regulatory & Financial Services practice at the Maples Group in the British Virgin Islands. With more than 20 years of experience in BVI commercial and regulatory law, she advises clients on investment funds, regulatory compliance, licensing, digital assets, and financial services regulation. Widely recognized as a leading regulatory lawyer, Ayana serves on several industry and government advisory bodies, including the BVI FSC’s Virtual Assets Service Providers Act Advisory Committee and the Fintech on the Seas Steering Committee. In 2026, she was awarded Gold as Caribbean Woman of the Year at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards USA, reflecting her significant contributions to the financial services industry and public service in the Virgin Islands.
Amy Kalnoki is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bitwave, the #1 digital asset finance platform for enterprises.
As a seasoned entrepreneur and operator, Amy is a leading voice at the intersection of crypto accounting, on-chain tax reporting, and financial compliance.
Amy has spent years helping crypto-native and traditional businesses scale their finance operations to meet the demands of on-chain complexity. Her expertise spans everything from tax automation to ERP integration, making her a sought-after authority on how enterprises can stay compliant while moving fast.
Before Bitwave, Amy co-founded and led Synata, an enterprise search startup acquired by Cisco in 2016. Today, she brings that same focus on innovation and enterprise scalability to Bitwave, empowering finance teams to manage digital assets with the same confidence and clarity as fiat.
Michael Killourhy is a Partner at Ogier and a leading adviser on British Virgin Islands corporate, finance, and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private equity investments, corporate restructurings, and financial services regulation. Michael is particularly recognized for his expertise in fintech, digital assets, Web3 businesses, and innovative financial services, and has played a significant role in supporting the development of the BVI as a leading international financial centre. He regularly advises multinational corporations, investment funds, financial institutions, and technology companies on complex cross-border transactions and regulatory issues.
James Knox is the Regional Managing Director of Aon’s Blockchain and Technology Practice, leading growth across the technology and digital asset sectors. He advises many of the world’s leading blockchain and technology companies and has supported over 100 firms with insurance strategies for IPOs on U.S. and international exchanges.
A trained attorney, James previously served as CEO of Nasdaq’s international insurance division, Carpenter Moore PLC, and as an Assistant District Attorney in New York City. He is also a recognized speaker and moderator on blockchain, digital assets, and regulatory trends across global markets.
Ronan Kuczaj is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DLT Solutions, a blockchain advisory firm he established in 2021 to support digital asset and Web3 projects looking to establish operations in the Caribbean. With a background in international financial services and experience in the blockchain sector since 2018, Ronan advises entrepreneurs, investors, and innovative businesses on strategic growth and market entry. A Chartered Director with qualifications in International Relations, South East European Studies, and International Trust Management, he is recognized for his pragmatic approach, extensive regional network, and expertise in navigating the evolving digital asset landscape.
Mark Mariampillai is a Web3 entrepreneur and capital markets specialist focused on the tokenisation of real-world assets. He is the founder of Tokuti, a UAE blockchain and Web3 consultancy advising Tier-1 investment banks, hedge funds, and digital asset firms globally. Tokuti also develops platforms exploring the tokenisation of assets including private companies, real estate, commodities, music royalties & sports talent.
With over two decades of experience across financial services and emerging technologies, Mark has advised leading institutions including Credit Suisse, UBS, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, hedge funds such as Citadel & Gibraltar Stock Exchange. He has also worked with digital asset and blockchain companies including Valereum Plc, Damex, and DigiShares.
Combining a background in traditional finance with early experience in the music industry, Mark focuses on how blockchain infrastructure can reshape capital formation, ownership, and liquidity across global markets.
David Mathews is a Partner in Harneys’ Digital Assets & Blockchain practice in the Cayman Islands. He advises clients across the blockchain and digital asset ecosystem, including token issuances, DAOs, DeFi platforms, exchanges, NFT projects, GameFi ventures, and other Web3 initiatives. Prior to joining Harneys, David was Counsel in Ogier’s BVI transactional team, where he advised leading fintech and virtual asset businesses, including regulated VASP entities and prominent blockchain projects. Recognized by Chambers FinTech and named among Citywealth’s Top 50 Fintech, TMT & AI Lawyers, David is widely regarded for his expertise in crypto, DeFi, and emerging digital asset regulation.
LaNishka Farrington-McSweeney is a Partner and Banking & Capital Markets Sector Leader at EY, with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry across The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and the British Virgin Islands. She specializes in banking, wealth and asset management, governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and anti-money laundering (AML). A recognized industry leader, LaNishka has advised financial institutions, regulators, and multinational organizations on AML frameworks, cross-border regulatory matters, internal controls, and operational effectiveness, while also leading regional compliance and remediation initiatives throughout the Caribbean and North America.
Elizabeth Menke is Head of Finance – Americas for Copper Markets US Inc., where she is leading the build-out of the finance, accounting, governance, and regulatory infrastructure supporting the firm’s U.S. digital asset broker-dealer. She is also a FINRA-registered Financial and Operations Principal (Series 27).
With more than 25 years of experience spanning investment banking, restructuring, consulting, and financial services, Elizabeth has advised and operated within both established institutions and growth-stage businesses. Her career includes roles with Goldman Sachs, Rothschild, KPMG, and a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, with a focus on financial strategy, operational transformation, regulatory readiness, and organizational growth.
Elizabeth’s work sits at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets, with particular emphasis on custody operations, financial controls, governance, capital management, regulatory reporting, audit readiness, and the institutional adoption of digital asset products. She is especially interested in the practical challenges of translating innovative financial technologies into scalable, well-governed, and regulatorily compliant businesses.
In addition to her industry role, Elizabeth serves as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Fordham University, where she teaches financial and managerial accounting. She is a strong advocate for governance, transparency, and operational resilience as essential foundations for the continued evolution of digital asset markets.
Gbenga Omosuyi is Head of Global Business Development at Sphere Labs, a payments infrastructure company at the forefront of compliant cross-border money movement. He focuses on expanding the company’s global presence and forging partnerships that accelerate stablecoin innovation and adoption across global institutions. With over a decade of experience bridging traditional finance and crypto, Gbenga has held senior business development roles across some of the industry’s most influential companies: at BitGo, as Head of Strategic Partnerships, and at Fireblocks, as Strategic and Enterprise Business Clients Development for North America. He began his career began at Deutsche Bank, where he progressed through roles in OTC Derivatives Clearing, Prime Brokerage, and Wealth Management. Beyond his operational work, Gbenga is a Venture Partner at WAGMI Ventures, where he hosts the WAGMI Ventures Podcast. He holds an MBA from Yale University.
Lesley A. Pearson, CPA, CIA is Deputy Executive Director and Head of Internal Audit at the Securities Commission of The Bahamas, where she leads the Commission’s internal audit function and contributes to enterprise risk management and regulatory oversight initiatives. Previously, she served as Senior Manager, Risk Analytics and Examinations, leading regulatory examinations and supervisory reviews across the financial services sector.
A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor, Lesley brings extensive experience in accounting, risk management, governance, compliance, and financial regulation. She is actively involved in international regulatory initiatives, serving on the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Assessment Committee and participating in OECD working groups on tax transparency and reporting standards. A trained assessor with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), she has played a key role in mutual evaluations and national risk assessments, helping strengthen The Bahamas’ regulatory and compliance framework.
Christopher Simpson is Head Partner of the Commercial Department at O’Neal Webster, where he advises leading financial institutions, corporations, and law firms on corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, investment funds, fintech, and digital assets. His practice encompasses mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, corporate restructurings, project finance, private placements, and investment funds, including crypto-focused structures.
With extensive experience in complex cross-border transactions, Christopher has advised on numerous IPOs listed on major international exchanges, including NASDAQ, AIM, TSX, SGX, and the London Stock Exchange. Prior to joining O’Neal Webster, he practised with Harneys in both the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong. A graduate of the University of the West Indies, the Norman Manley Law School, and the University of London, where he earned an LL.M. in International Business Law, Christopher is also a former Treasurer of the BVI Bar Association and a Notary Public.
Alejandra has extensive experience working with over 300 global, Latin American, and Hispanic brands. This experience has allowed her to develop the ability to guide clients in implementing best-in-class branding and communication solutions. Her client portfolio includes notable companies such as Amerant, Itaú Private Bank, BCP Global, Insigneo, FlexFunds, Semantix, BlackRock, and The ETF Think Tank.
Trevaughn Smith is an experienced financial services professional with a diverse skill set spanning banking, insurance, and corporate administration. As a Senior Administrative Officer, he has a reputation for being resourceful and a problem solver, with a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions.
Recently, Trevaughn completed the Fintech Training Programme at the Robert Mathavious Institute for Financial Services at HLSCC, which has equipped him with the latest knowledge and expertise in the field of fintech. This training has positioned him to promote the British Virgin Islands as a jurisdiction ripe for digital transformation, and he is committed to supporting BVI Finance and its goals.
Trevaughn is dedicated to staying at the forefront of the latest fintech trends, ensuring that he remains an asset to his organization and the wider industry. His combination of experience, expertise, and commitment makes him an excellent candidate for roles that require a deep understanding of the financial services industry and an ability to navigate the challenges of digital transformation.
Nia Statham is a Senior Associate at Baker & Partners in the Cayman Islands and is admitted to practise in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and England & Wales.
She specialises in cross-border digital asset recovery, fraud and asset tracing, with a particular focus on DAOs, Web3 projects, and Cayman Islands Foundation Companies. Nia has advised on high-value cryptocurrency thefts, asset recovery strategies, insolvency proceedings involving digital asset businesses, and complex cross-border investigations.
A recognised speaker on digital asset recovery and crypto-related disputes, she has presented for organisations including the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Association of Women in Cryptocurrency, and the Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery (CFAAR) network.
Jonathan Sy is a Partner at KPMG specializing in asset management, with extensive experience advising hedge funds and alternative investment managers. He has played a key role in the firm’s pivot into digital assets, working with emerging and established crypto fund managers and digital asset businesses on financial reporting, governance and regulatory considerations. Jonathan combines his asset management background with an extensive understanding of the evolving digital asset ecosystem, and brings strong familiarity with offshore financial structures and cross-border fund operations.
Saraid is Counsel in the firm’s BVI Corporate, Investment Funds and Regulatory practice.
Saraid has significant experience advising on corporate transactions, including restructurings, mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets, and also advises on a range of regulatory matters in connection with corporate structures, investment funds and regulated entities across various sectors.
Saraid’s experience includes advising clients on anti-money laundering, beneficial ownership, economic substance, licensing applications, virtual assets, and the establishment of investment funds and managers.
Prior to joining Mourant in 2018, Saraid practised Jersey law at another leading offshore law firm and trained at Nabarro Nathanson (now CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP) in London.
Amardeep Thandi, Head of Digital Assets at JTC Special Situations and based in Dubai, has over 10 years of experience across blockchain, digital assets and the web3 ecosystem. He leads the firm’s global digital asset strategy, driving the integration of blockchain and digital asset capabilities across new and established markets. Before joining JTC, he was Head of Regulation and Compliance for Chainalysis in EMEA, where he advised VASPs, regulators and financial institutions on digital asset strategy, regulatory matters and market growth. His expertise spans digital financial infrastructure, licensing, regulatory compliance, onboarding, KYC and AML/CFT frameworks, as well as launching compliant digital asset solutions using blockchain analytics for risk management. He also specialises in fraud prevention, financial crime investigations, cross-border regulatory reviews, insider trading and retrospective investigations, and is a certified ACAMS member and founding member of the Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery Middle East Group.
Gareth Thomas is Managing Director of Leeward’s British Virgin Islands office, where he oversees operations, client delivery, regulatory engagement, and strategic growth. With more than 20 years of experience in offshore financial services, he has held senior leadership positions across the Caribbean, Bermuda, the UK, and Asia.
Prior to joining Leeward, Gareth served as Managing Director of Ocorian BVI and held leadership roles with Ogier and Conyers. His expertise spans corporate governance, fiduciary services, trust administration, and regulatory compliance.
Gareth has served on several BVI Government and Regulatory Advisory Committees, contributing to the development of legislation relating to company law, economic substance, beneficial ownership, and financial services regulation. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute (FCG), a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and a strong advocate for the BVI’s financial services industry.
Lodewijk van Setten is Chief Risk Officer at DLT Solutions and General Counsel at Trilitech, a leading organization within the Tezos ecosystem focused on blockchain innovation and protocol development. With extensive experience across traditional finance and digital assets, he advises on financial services, blockchain products, regulatory matters, fundraising, and corporate structuring. Prior to his current roles, Lodewijk held senior legal positions with State Street and Morgan Stanley, supporting asset management, investment funds, structured products, securities financing, and cross-border transactions across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. He holds advanced law degrees from Utrecht University and Duke University School of Law.
Ethan is a financial services executive with 15 years’ experience across traditional finance and digital assets. He has led initiatives in trading infrastructure, institutional partnerships, and regulatory engagement, working with regulators in HK, SG, the US, UAE, and BVI. As CEO of LTP’s Hong Kong office, he drives APAC expansion and policy dialogue, positioning LTP as a globally regulated leader in institutional digital assets.
Patrick White is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bitwave, the #1 enterprise finance platform for digital assets. With a deep technical background in crypto payments, accounting, and compliance, he is a leading expert on B2B stablecoin payments and the broader enterprise adoption of blockchain technology.
Pat’s involvement in crypto goes back to its earliest days, with contributions to the Bitcoin and Ethereum codebases.
His opinions and insights have been featured in Axios, Accounting Today, Cointelegraph, Blockworks, and other top publications, where he continues to advocate for stablecoin B2B payments and the power of on-chain technologies to reshape the future of finance.
As businesses rethink payments for a digital-first world, Pat is driving innovation and real-world adoption.
Amanda Wick served as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice for nearly a decade, specializing in money laundering and cryptocurrency. After detailing at the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), she left the government to serve as the Chief of Legal Affairs at Chainalysis, a blockchain analytics company. She then returned to government service to lead the financial investigation for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. After serving on the Committee, she founded and became the CEO of the Association for Women in Cryptocurrency, growing it to over 750 members across 22 countries in just three years. The Association was established to build a global network of women and male allies in the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and web3 industries who will advocate for the equal inclusion of women in the future of digital finance. In December 2025, she transitioned from CEO of the Association to become a Board Director and Strategic Advisor. She currently serves as the Head of Americas for VerifyVASP, a blockchain-native Travel Rule and compliance network that connects exchanges, VASPs, and regulators. Her debut book, “The Catalysts: The Accelerating Forces Forging the New World Financial Order,” was released in May 2025 and was a Montaigne Medal Finalist, in addition to winning the Silver IBPA Award in Politics/Current Events, and the Gold Medal AXIOM Business Book Award in the International Business/Globalization category.
Ashley Wright is a digital assets strategist, entrepreneur, and global speaker with over 8 years of experience in blockchain, fintech, and emerging technologies. She is the founder of The Wright Success and FemT3ch, organizations focused on advancing financial literacy, innovation, and opportunities in the digital economy.
Ashley has collaborated with leading organizations including CoinDesk, Chainlink, Stellar, Polkadot, and Near Protocol, and has spoken at major conferences across North America, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Her work focuses on the future of payments, digital assets, AI, and building more inclusive pathways into technology and entrepreneurship.
Ashley is currently building a new venture at the intersection of blockchain and AI data infrastructure.
Iona Wright is a Partner in Walkers’ Regulatory & Risk Advisory Group, based in the British Virgin Islands office, having joined in 2022. She has over 15 years’ experience advising on financial services regulation in the UK, the Cayman Islands, and the BVI.
Iona has extensive expertise in a wide range of BVI regulatory matters, including all forms of licensing and regulatory perimeter analyses, change in control and regulatory transaction support, anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance, the BVI’s implementation of OECD-related initiatives including economic substance and the Common Reporting Standard, and the application of the BVI’s beneficial ownership and data protection regimes. In her previous onshore work, she was a specialist in fund management, banking and investment firm regulations, senior management remuneration, governance and controls, and ESG investing. She has also spent time on secondment in-house to an investment manager and a global clearing house and exchange.
Iona is a crypto-regulation specialist and plays an active role in the BVI financial services community as a Director of BVI Finance, a member of the International Tax Association’s ad-hoc committees, a member of BVI Finance’s Digital Assets Working Group, a steering committee member of the Virgin Islands Virtual Assets Association, founder of Walkers’ BVI Women in Fintech network, and a member of the FSC’s VASP Advisory Committee.
Hao entered the digital asset space in 2013 and transitioned full-time in 2019. At OKX, he played a key role in scaling its market-making program and driving liquidity growth until 2021. With extensive experience in trading infrastructure, institutional solutions, and market dynamics, he now leads LTP’s business expansion and operations, driving innovation and ensuring scalable, compliant, and client-centric financial services tailored for institutional digital asset markets across global financial hubs.
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