Last week, the University of East London (UEL) launched the Centre of Fintech, a new hub that aims to leverage expertise within the University in research, finance, technology, law, and regulation.
The launch was hosted at the Houses of Parliament and included the participation of the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP and Fintech entrepreneur Ron Kalifa OBE, who provided the keynote speech. Kalifa was also the lead on the Kalifa Report on Fintech, a document that provided a roadmap for what the UK must do to support Fintech innovation.
As well as research, the Centre of Fintech says that it aims to provide practical regulatory support for the sector.
Last week, we launched our Centre of FinTech, a hub that aims to cut across a number of disciplines and leverage the expertise within the University in research, finance, technology, law and regulation.
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— Uni of East London (@UEL_News) May 2, 2022
Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-chancellor and president of UEL, commented:,
“The Fintech industry is evolving at a great pace, and the University of East London is at the forefront of this exciting and important new sector. As the careers-1st University, producing 4th economy-ready graduates and driving innovation for a rapidly changing world is key. The launch of the Centre of Fintech speaks to the core of this mission.”
The Centre expects to utilize the Kalifa review as a reference source in regard to its pursuit.
During the launch event, Nano, an eco-friendly crypto, was used for a “first-ever crypto transaction” to take place at an official event inside the Houses of Parliament.
Nano is “sustainable digital money” with instant transactions and zero fees over a secure, decentralized network. Since going live in 2015, 26 million individual Nano wallets have been created processing more than 136 million transactions on the network representing over $42 billion.
George Coxon and Colin LeMahieu, directors of the Nano Foundation, attended the launch and Coxon was confirmed as an Industrial Fellow to The Centre of FinTech, adding to her existing position as a founding member of the advisory board.
“London has long been the center of the financial universe, and with the advent of blockchain technology and the recent regulatory announcements concerning blockchain and cryptocurrency in the UK, we at the Nano Foundation see no sign of that changing,” said Coxon. “Our relationship with The Centre of Fintech at UEL is all about equipping students with the educational tools they need to build an incredible career in the industries and fields of the future. Students who engage with the programs on offer at The Centre of FinTech will be uniquely equipped to blaze a trail in this exciting and dynamic new space, and the Nano Foundation will be right there with them!”
LeMahieu commented that there is a focus on the wrong things from some in the crypto industry:
“We play a different “game” to the majority in the crypto space, focusing on solving real-world problems, and building real relationships like the one we have with UEL. Being able to work so closely with the students who will go on to shape the future of the industry in the UK is an amazing opportunity, and one we are not taking lightly.”