The 2025 Corporate Innovation Day in Geneva, Switzerland dived deep into the possibilities of blockchain, highlighting its transformational impact on financial, luxury and social causes. Panelists and speakers highlighted the need for security, regulatory, and practical blockchain use cases. The event, held on May 8th and organized by Storm Partners, strengthened Geneva’s role as a hub for blockchain innovation and its ability to promote positive change.
As the meeting unfolded, various sessions highlighted the challenges and opportunities within the blockchain ecosystem. From discussions about how blockchain protocols drive corporate innovation to the importance of Web3 security, the event introduced the multifaceted nature of blockchain space.
Corporate Innovation Day 2025: Warm Welcome
The event began with a warm welcome by Eli Koch and set the tone for upcoming sessions. The opening keynote, presented by Vincentsville, general director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIG), focuses on the importance of innovation in Geneva. Subilia said:
“Geneva should be at the heart of global innovation. Blockchain technology must be further emphasized as an important part of this movement.”
He emphasized that while cities have made progress in promoting innovation, it is more necessary to position Geneva as a global hub for blockchain and financial technology.
Following Subilia’s keynote address, Axel Sabbag, Innovation Manager at Storm Partners, discussed the complexities of corporate innovation. He introduced LightningBox, a service aimed at making it easier for agencies to implement.
Sabbag has detailed the practical aspects of using blockchain for real applications.
“Blockchain is more than just a buzzword. It’s a tool that can change how institutions work and interact.”
Beyond the Code: How Protocols Drive Corporate Innovation
The discussion has shifted to the role of blockchain protocols in driving corporate innovation. The panel, hosted by DJ Bodden, featured Alex Maaza from Cardano Foundation and William de Ath from Hedera.
Maaza began by discussing the importance of Geneva as a blockchain hub.
“Geneva’s stability, trust and regulatory framework has made it an ideal environment for blockchain to flourish.”
He further explained that open source solutions are essential and allow businesses to adopt blockchain without the complexity of their technology.
De Ath highlighted the challenges of innovation and provided counterpoints. He said:
“Innovation can be difficult and dangerous, especially when it includes new technologies like blockchain.”
De Ath has abstracted blockchain terminology and emphasized the importance of focusing on real use cases rather than getting lost in the technology itself. He added, “It’s important to support solutions that already work, rather than constantly reinventing the wheel.”
Corporate Innovation 2025: Security and trust in Web3 innovation
Security was another important theme of the 2025 Corporate Innovation Day, particularly in the context of Web3 innovation. Hacken’s senior BD manager, Bryn Bennett, discussed the growing threat of hacking blockchain space. He said:
“Blockchain is an easy target for hackers and security needs to be taken seriously.”
Bennett highlighted that $2 billion was extracted through hacking in the first quarter of 2025 alone, highlighting the size of the issue.
He also outlined Hacken’s mission to provide services such as security auditing, compliance advisory and enhanced security, making crypto more secure for everyone. Bennett said:
“Reliance on Web3 can only grow if you ensure that your infrastructure is secure.”
His need for robust security measures resonated throughout the session as participants realized the importance of building trust in blockchain systems.
Reconstruction of Finances on 2025 Corporate Innovation Day
As the event progressed, discussion shifted to the intersection of financial trust, technology and regulation. Maerki Baumann, Victor Busson, CMO’s CMO Tech Banking Head Milko Hensel and Walder Wyss partner Liburn Mehmetaj shared insights on restructuring funds from Inside Out.
The session, hosted by Storm Partners’ managing partner Sheraz Ahmed, focused on how regulations and technology collaborate to rebuild the financial system.
The panelists emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity in fostering innovation. Hensel said:
“For the crypto market to grow, clear and well-defined regulations are needed.”
Basson added that regulations can provide a foundation for businesses to innovate confidently without constant fear of future legal uncertainty. Mehmetaj pointed out that understanding technology and its potential uses is just as important as navigating a regulatory environment.
Another session was moderated by Jakub Dziadkowiec, editor-in-chief of Beincrypto Poland, focusing on the potential positive social impact of blockchain. Olivier Anselmo, assistant executive director of UNHCR in Switzerland, and Elodie Jallet, partner at Implatefy, discussed how blockchain can be used to drive real change. Emphasizing the importance of using blockchain for humanitarian purposes, Anselmo said:
“Blockchain allows us to create more transparent and efficient systems that can benefit those in need.”
Jallet agreed, add:
“Impact investment and blockchain are natural partners. Together we can promote sustainable development.”
The session highlighted the growing interest in using blockchain to support social benefits and how organizations like UNHCR are investigating blockchain solutions to address the challenges of humanitarian aid and global development.
Hedge Fiat Treasury with Crypto Assets
Bassil Eid, director of Finance & Risk at Storm Partners, has announced a session using Crypto-Assets to hedge Fiat Treasuries. He explained how organizations can use hedging strategies to protect assets and mitigate risk.
Eid has given a variety of examples, including the use of platforms such as Stablecoins and Aave and Comp, which provide stable yields. He explained:
“Hedging doesn’t mean you’re all-in with crypto, that’s about using smart strategies to protect your financial position.”
This session provided valuable insight into how the corporate Treasury can use blockchain and crypto sets to diversify portfolios and manage risk. Eid also discussed the importance of understanding concepts like non-permanent loss in Defi Infisity Pools and how dollar cost averaging (DCA) can be an effective strategy.
The intersection of luxury and blockchain
The day concluded with a panel on how blockchain technology is changing the luxury industry. Hublot’s Head of Digital Innovation Franck Garnier, Pedro Lopez-Belmonte Eraso, Ex-Richemont, and Davide Di Stefano, Strategy & Operations Manager at Aura Blockchain Consortium, discussed the potential of blockchains that change the way luxury goods are tracked and authenticated. The panel was hosted by Clio Godrèche, senior manager of FHH.
Garnier discussed the concept of scanning watches and turning them into NFTs. Di Stefano highlighted the value of blockchain in providing verified ownership and tracking data, particularly in the secondary market.
“Blockchain introduces trust and verified data that is important for the luxury industry.”
The panel also discussed the benefits of luxury branded private blockchains, particularly in terms of cost reduction, data policy and governance.
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