As our world becomes increasingly digital, the systems that power innovation—financial technologies, data platforms, and global connectivity—are evolving faster than the frameworks designed to govern them. This dynamic raises a critical question: How do we ensure this digital world doesn’t turn into a surveillance state or an illicit finance free-for-all?
Join us for a one-hour virtual fireside chat with Yaya Fanusie, a leading expert at the intersection of national security, cryptocurrency, and financial technology. In this thought-provoking conversation, we’ll explore the delicate balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding privacy, security, and trust.
About the Speaker
Yaya J. Fanusie is the global head of policy at Aleo Network Foundation, where he leads global policy engagement and regulatory strategy to advance privacy-preserving blockchain systems and stablecoin adoption across consumer, enterprise, and institutional markets. A pioneer in assessing the national security implications of digital assets, Fanusie previously served as director of policy for anti-money laundering and cyber risk at the Crypto Council for Innovation, where he remains a senior advisor, and earlier spent seven years at the CIA as an economic and counterterrorism analyst. During his tenure, he regularly briefed federal law enforcement, U.S. military leadership, and senior White House officials—including personally briefing President George W. Bush—and provided on-the-ground analytic support to military officials in Afghanistan.
After government service, Fanusie supported a global financial asset-recovery investigation involving a kleptocratic regime, then became director of analysis at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance. In that role, he led research on sanctions evasion, terrorist financing, and the illicit use of cryptocurrencies. His early analyses helped expose some of the first terrorist crypto crowdfunding efforts and documented how Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and China pursue blockchain-enabled financial infrastructure.
Fanusie holds an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley.
Event Details
- This program will be held virtually on Zoom.
- A confirmation email with the access link will be sent following registration (please check your spam folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox).
- The event will take place at 11am Alaska Daylight Time / 3pm Eastern Daylight Time.
- Tickets are donation-based.
- Online registration closes at 8:00 PM AKDT on May 12.