I’ve worked in financial services for over 20 years—both within institutions and as a researcher and consultant across their many layers. From group benefits and complex insurance products to regulatory frameworks, I’ve grown fluent in the industry’s complexities. It’s not often I find myself unsure of the terrain.
But this past year, I felt like a beginner again. Like I was standing at the base of a steep climb—daunted by the height, but energized by the view I knew was waiting at the top. And honestly? It was eye-opening.
Rediscovering My Learning Mindset
Thirteen years have passed since my MBA, and over twenty since earning my Canadian Securities Course (CSC). During that time, I’ve become fluent in the traditional language of finance—its ABCs: asset allocation, balance sheets, and compliance. But I’ve come to realize that finance is evolving a new dialect, shaped by a different set of ABCs: AI-powered tools, blockchains, and cybersecurity architecture. The rules are changing, and they’re no longer written in the vocabulary I knew by heart.
So I leaned into that discomfort.
I started with an 8-month cybersecurity program through the Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, Toronto Metropolitan University Mastercard Emerging Leaders in Cyber Initiative (ELCI)—learning how our financial systems are now built, protected, and increasingly attacked in the digital age. That opened a door. Then came CoinDesk Consensus 2025 in Toronto, and I walked right through it.
Consensus: Global, Intimidating, Energizing—and Exactly What I Needed
Last week, Consensus 2025 brought together over 15,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, spanning sectors from finance, technology, policy, and academia. It was a global convergence of builders, thinkers, regulators, and innovators—all exploring where blockchain and finance intersect.
I felt like a tourist in a foreign country—surrounded by unfamiliar terms, accelerated conversations, and a sea of acronyms I had to decode on the fly.
It felt like walking into a room mid-conversation—terms like smart-contract platforms, crypto interest models, and tokenized assets were tossed around with ease. I scrambled to translate, to anchor myself in a new grammar of financial systems. For someone who’s usually fluent, it was disorienting—and humbling.
But it was also electric. I could feel my brain stretching—just like it did in the early days of my career. There’s something magical about realizing you’re at the edge of something big and not fully understanding it… yet.
In the quiet gaps between sessions, I found myself turning to ChatGPT. A few years ago, the idea of learning the future of finance from an AI assistant would’ve seemed absurd. Now, it’s my go-to study buddy—helping me bridge the gap.
Outside the panels, Consensus also gave me the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces in the Toronto fintech scene and make new connections across the ecosystem. Conversations at booths, serendipitous run-ins between sessions, and shared curiosity created a network of insight that extended well beyond the stage.
A Hands-On Experience: Crypto in Real Life
One of the most memorable—and surprisingly nostalgic—moments from Consensus was stepping into a pop-up 90s-themed strip mall experience. I downloaded my first digital wallet on the spot and was given $1 in crypto to spend at four themed storefronts: “Blockchain Video,” a retro video rental store, a clothing shop, a nail salon, and a photo booth. While the tap-to-pay process had its kinks, the experience was incredibly eye-opening. It made crypto feel simple, accessible—even fun. It no longer felt like a fringe asset class for “crypto bros.”
Even better, I had the chance to meet the creative minds behind it: Drew Freedman and Anthony Rodriguez of Digital Spenders Club. Their playful but practical demo—especially the Blockbuster-style shop—brought back fond memories. I loved the mix of creativity and nostalgia, but more than anything, it showed how fast crypto usability is catching up with its vision.
What I’m Taking With Me: A New Language of Technology
The event featured dozens of panels and keynotes (available online). I was able to attend a few in person and walked away with some key takeaways that reshaped how I think about the future of finance. Here are five ways that shift took hold.
1. Crypto Is Growing Up
Recent Canadian data supports this shift as well. According to Environics Research’s 2025 Fintech Syndicated Study of 2,000 Canadians, the share of those interested in investing in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has risen from 11.5% in 2019 to 19.5% in 2024.
Crypto has evolved from something on the edges of finance to a structured space with real traction among institutional players. This isn’t about hobbyists or speculative trading anymore—it’s about hedge funds, pension plans, and sovereign strategies. The tools are familiar, the risk frameworks are becoming standardized, and the skepticism is shifting toward strategy. Companies are even beginning to include Bitcoin in their treasury strategy—some using a 95% T-bills, 5% BTC split as a hedge.
“You don’t want to hold your own coins if you’re an institution. That’s not your core competency. You need institutional-grade custody—secure, compliant, and insured. That’s how serious money gets involved.”
2. Bitcoin Is the Bridge, Not the Destination
Bitcoin opened the world’s eyes to what decentralized finance could be, but it’s not the final chapter.
The innovation happening on Ethereum, Solana, and other platforms is where the next layer of finance is being built—think smart contracts, tokenized assets, and decentralized applications. These are the building blocks of an entirely new ecosystem.
“Bitcoin is dominant—there’s no question it holds the crown today. But innovation doesn’t stop there. We’re seeing serious developer momentum behind Ethereum, Solana, and newer platforms. As the technology matures and use cases deepen, others will emerge to complement and challenge Bitcoin’s role.”
3. Canada’s Regulatory Role Is Bigger Than We Realize
It was surprising to learn just how often Canada has led when it comes to crypto regulation. We were the first to launch a Bitcoin ETF in North America and have supported staking-enabled products too. Panelists noted that the OSC continues to operate like a “petri dish”—a regulatory sandbox that promotes innovation. With the right leadership, Canada could regain its position at the forefront of global crypto policy.
“Canada always beats the U.S. to market first for every new type of ETF out there. It’s a reminder that while we might be a smaller market, our regulatory environment can move faster—and smarter—when it comes to embracing innovation.”
4. Beyond the Buzz: What Lasts in Crypto
The last few years have shown how quickly hype can fade—but also how powerful lasting utility can be. The NFT boom, once seen as the next frontier, left behind a trail of speculation and short-lived value. It was a reminder that crypto is a double-edged sword: the potential for real innovation exists alongside a sea of noise, distraction, and projects with little lasting purpose.
True value isn’t driven by virality—it’s measured by impact.
The technologies that endure will be those solving real problems, improving access, or redefining how financial services work.
“[NFT] never had a use case… now they’re basically worthless.”
You can’t selectively engage with only the “serious” or comfortable parts of crypto—you have to engage with the whole messy ecosystem, even the meme coins, to be part of it. This idea came through vividly in a comment about Trump’s regulatory legacy—how engaging with his administration meant accepting the whole package, not just the pieces you liked:
“There’s a buffet table. You don’t get to just pick the things you like—pro-crypto regulation or lower taxes. You have to eat everything, including the meme coins.”
5. Infrastructure Is the Smart Bet
While it’s tempting to chase the next big token, the most resilient opportunities lie in building the ecosystem itself. Exchanges, compliance platforms, wallets, and stablecoins are the financial plumbing of this new era—and they earn value regardless of market swings. In fact, one of the most powerful stats shared at Consensus was that stablecoins have now surpassed Visa in total on-chain transaction volume. It was framed as a turning point—a data point that signals real-world adoption at a global scale.
The message was clear: success in this space won’t come from picking the next speculative asset. It will come from supporting the rails that make the entire ecosystem function. As regulation strengthens, this infrastructure will only become more valuable.
“Stablecoin transaction volume has surpassed Visa. That’s not theoretical—it’s happening now, on-chain, in real time. It shows that this isn’t just innovation—it’s infrastructure.”
Final Reflection: Rediscovering Wonder
Crypto revealed a new language. One that weaves technology into every corner of financial decision-making. A language that reshapes how we define value, trust, and infrastructure. It also reminded me how important it is to stay teachable in a constantly evolving industry. Not just brushing up on trends, but immersing myself in something unfamiliar, messy, and still in motion.
I’ve spent most of my career helping others make sense of change. This year reminded me that we all have more to learn—and more to contribute—when we lean into that discomfort. Crypto isn’t just becoming an asset class. It’s becoming a parallel financial system, with its own syntax and grammar—grounded in transparency, code, and a reimagination of what financial participation can look like.
The learning curve is steep—but the climb has been the most exciting part. And if there’s one thing I now believe more than ever:
It’s never too late to be a beginner again.
