The Future of Blockchain: Highlights from the MNblockchain Web3 & Law Conference

MNblockchain Web3 & Law Conference at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in downtown Minneapolis brought together a diverse group of law students, business professionals, and blockchain enthusiasts. This event positioned Minnesota as a hub for blockchain and Web3 technology discussions.

The conference began with a deep dive into the “Big Picture” of Web3 technology, led by technologist and futurist Robert Tercek. His talk offered insights into the history of centralized systems and the emerging potential of decentralized technologies. Following this, a panel of experts in Web3 solutions addressed corruption in centralized systems, focusing on innovative approaches like Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Breakout groups led by panelists with academic and industry expertise facilitated further discussion.

The event continued with sessions that shifted focus from theoretical discussions to practical applications of Web3 technologies. A key session on legal compliance for blockchain-related businesses featured attorneys, legal advisors, and blockchain entrepreneurs who shared their experiences navigating new and evolving legal landscapes.

Highlights included a panel on the implications of AI on intellectual property, led by prominent Minnesotan IP attorney William Schultz. Another session explored the future of commerce with insights into how Bitcoin and AI can revolutionize economic systems. A discussion on governance featured startup society investor Niklas Anzinger and Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer, who provided updates on blockchain advocacy efforts at the federal level.

Featured Videos

We went to Washington, D.C., first to hear from Minnesota’s own blockchain champion Congressman, Tom Emmer (MN-6). Emmer offered some words of encouragement for our blockchain builders in Minnesota and shared some updates on his advocacy work for the industry. The final presenter of the day discussed some of what Emmer addressed (regulations by federal agencies)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two videos from the conference are now available for viewing. The first is an interview on “Startup Societies Expert Niklas Anzinger,” offering a glimpse into the rise of new governance models worldwide. 

 

The second is a panel, “Commerce on Chain,” which discusses how Bitcoin and digital assets reshape commerce. These videos provide valuable insights and are a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of blockchain technology. 

Participant Feedback

Attendees were vocal in their appreciation of the event. Here are a few highlights:

• “There was some great content, and it always adds to what I teach my students.” – Lisa
• “Congrats on a fantastic event. I really felt like the whole day was well organized and went very smoothly.” – Spencer.

Acknowledgments

We thank the University of St. Thomas School of Law for cohosting the event, our dedicated event committee and volunteers, and our sponsors for their generous support.

• Merchant & Gould P.C.
• Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
• Moss & Barnett, P.A.
• Digi Frontier
• Quantum Lex

Full list of the event speakers and hosts included:

Robert Tercek (keynote speaker)
Wulf Kaal, PhD
Rafael Mojden
Tony Greenberg
Ladd Hoffman
Craig Calcaterra
Jonathan Kung
Joseph Reiben
Grant Cermak
Josh Bykowski
Hayley Drury Howe
William Schultz
Stephen Lee
Andrew Lagatta
Jim Sullivan
Christopher Ziolkowski
Brandon Quittem
Jeremy Drane
Donald Raleigh
Tom Emmer (recorded message)
Niklas Anzinger
Dominick Grande