«My vision was to utilize my expertise to bridge decentralized finance with traditional finance»

On Monday, 25.03.2024, my friend Florian Volery invited me to the super trendy «ViCAFE Münsterhof» in Zurich. The quality of the coffee there is legendary, and he ordered a croissant and a brioche to go with it. Sir Winston Churchill gave his legendary speech on 19.09.1946 (see link) in the very place where Florian drank his coffee (see photo 4). I was extremely impressed by the passion and expertise with which he explained Cardano and his business vision to me. Our country needs financial entrepreneurs like him! His knowledge will of course also be of interest to the local participants at the 1st Fundplat «The Desert Talks» Summit 2024. I am very much looking forward to welcoming my friend Florian in Dubai on Wednesday, 17.04.2024. Thomas J. Caduff, CEO, Fundplat LLC

• Caduff: Mr. Volery, you are a passionate entrepreneur, what is your mission?

Volery: Before embarking on my journey as an entrepreneur, I began my career in financial services. Through this experience, I gained deep insights into the limitations of traditional financial technologies. Recognizing the potential of blockchain to address many of these challenges, I founded Liqwid, a lending protocol built on the Cardano blockchain. My vision was to utilize my expertise to bridge decentralized finance with traditional finance. Conventional banking infrastructures are highly centralized and exclusionary, depriving hundred of millions of people access to essential financial tools. Cardano possesses all the necessary attributes to serve as a global financial system and has the potential to provide banking services to the unbanked. To me, blockchain represents the future of financial infrastructure. It securely decentralizes information transfer, reducing corruption, fostering trust, and empowering users. I am committed to contributing to the creation of a world where finance is decentralized, not controlled by a select few, and accessible to everyone, regardless of their location.

• Caduff: We all know Bitcoin, but what exactly is Cardano?

Cardano is poised to redefine the landscape of blockchain technology. Florian Volery

Volery: Cardano, founded by Charles Hoskinson, who is also a co-founder of Ethereum, is renowned for its groundbreaking technology. Recognizing that a blockchain can truly serve as a global financial infrastructure only when decentralized, Cardano stands out as the most decentralized blockchain today. Notably, it has maintained a flawless operational record over the past five years, unlike Ethereum, Solana, or Avalanche, which have experienced outages. What sets Cardano apart is its unique approach to blockchain development, rooted in academic peer-reviewed research. While its ecosystem is growing, its potential is evident, especially considering its comparatively low price in comparison to established blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Positioned as a leading contender in resolving the blockchain trilemma -balancing security, decentralization, and scalability – Cardano is poised to redefine the landscape of blockchain technology.

• Caduff: Sounds very promising: what solution have you created for investors?

Volery: Recently, a Cardano Staking ETP by Liqwid, named «CASL», has been listed on the SIX Stock Exchange, offering exposure to the Cardano token (ADA) and an additional return through staking rewards. CASL distinguishes itself as an institutional-grade, cost-effective (with a 1.5 percent management fee), and easily tradable vehicle designed to optimize ADA staking for investors. It provides unparalleled access to ADA tokens without requiring the management of a digital wallet. Furthermore, it is fully backed by Cardano (ADA), securely stored in cold storage custody, and contributes to the decentralization of the Cardano network while generating staking rewards.