From an academic concept, largely unknown to the general population, to an actively growing market continuing to gain traction – cryptocurrency is quickly becoming a part of the mainstream financial system. As our society is increasingly becoming digitally driven, join AKWorld for a timely conversation with Yaya Fanusie, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) whose research focuses on the national security implications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
Speaker:
Yaya J. Fanusie is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). His research focuses on the national security implications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Yaya spent seven years as both an economic and counterterrorism analyst in the CIA, where he regularly briefed federal law enforcement, U.S. military personnel, and White House-level policy makers—including President George W. Bush whom he personally briefed on terrorism threats. In 2009, he spent three months in Afghanistan providing analytic support to senior military officials.
After leaving government service, Yaya worked for a small consulting firm focused on financial asset recovery cases involving global corruption. Later, as director of analysis at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance, Yaya led research work on sanctions evasion, terrorist financing, and Bitcoin money laundering. Yaya has testified before Congress multiple times on illicit financing issues. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, and has been quoted in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. Yaya blogs at Forbes and is a frequent public speaker on cryptocurrencies and U.S. national security. He is certified with the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists.
Yaya is founder of Cryptocurrency AML Strategies, an advisory firm that helps financial institutions and technology firms address money laundering and terrorist financing risks associated with digital assets. In 2018, he developed and taught an Introduction to Blockchain Technology course at Morgan State University in Baltimore.
Yaya received an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley.
PROGRAM DETAILS
- Check-in will begin at 11:00am, all parties will have reserved seating. The program will begin at noon.
- Students will be presented with a lunch voucher for a pizza and lunch buffet prior to the start of the program.
- Those with online reservations do not need to present ticket confirmation at the door, we will have all confirmed attendees on a list at check-in.
- Lunch is available for individual purchase directly from Bear Tooth Theatre. If you wish to order food, please come a few minutes early to ensure your meal arrives during the program.
- Online registration closes at 6:00 pm on February 10. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door the next day, unless the program is sold out. Contact rsvp@alaskaworldaffairs.org with any questions.
This program is a part of the Evangeline Atwood Distinguished Speakers Series. Named after the the founder of the Alaska World Affairs Council, Evangeline Atwood, and with the generous support from The Atwood Foundation, these public programs feature world-class experts on a diverse range of topics.
Pre-registration is closed but there is still space available in the theatre for walk-in registrations!