Blockchain startup Ripple has announced Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, as the keynote speaker for Swell, a conference bringing together world’s leaders in policy, payments and technology.
To be held in October in San Francisco, Swell 2018 will feature financial services companies using blockchain technology in production, new market opportunity in remittances, e-commerce and corporate marketplaces, and frameworks for regulating digital assets across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, among others.
“President Clinton helped usher in a period of extreme growth and adoption of the Internet, shaping what it is today. He also established programs that bridged the “digital divide” and brought new technology to underserved communities around the world,” Ripple said.
Gene Sperling, National Economic Council Director and Advisor under Presidents Clinton and Obama, will moderate a Q&A with President Clinton during the keynote address.
Collaboration with Madonna
In an announcement dated July 30, Ripple said that it is kicking off a month-long campaign in partnership with Raising Malawi, a non-profit founded by Madonna and Michael Berg in 2006, to raise funds for orphans and vulnerable children across the country.
According to Reuters, Madonna has launched a $60,000 fundraiser, saying that 100 percent of every contribution would go directly to Raising Malawi foundation’s rural orphanage, Home of Hope. The campaign has raised over $10,000 in the first 24 hours.
“From July 30 through August 31, Ripple will match all public donations in support of the cause and help individuals sponsor children directly through Facebook,” Ripple said.