At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where the event was held, a fierce debate unfolded that went beyond simple technological discussions to focus on the future of the global financial order. The clash between Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and French Central Bank Governor François Villeroy de Galhau ultimately boiled down to one question: who will take the lead in the future financial system—innovation and regulation, or national sovereignty?
There were also other important voices in this discussion. The panel, which included Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and Euroclear CEO Valerie Urquhart, seemed as if it were a global financial industry summit.