Blockchain, NFTs and the metaverse: Is arbitration ready to verse into a new universe?

In this hybrid in-person/remote event, Bird & Bird partners, arbitrators and key players from the industry will be diving into the hot topics of blockchain technology, including in relation to cryptocurrencies and NFTs, as well as the rising world of the metaverse. Beyond the basics of these novel technologies, the discussion will cover what they might mean for international arbitration, whether in terms of the disputes they may generate or their implications for the arbitration procedure itself.

Part 1, moderated by Géraldine Arbant, IP partner at Bird & Bird, Lyon, will cover blockchain technology, NFTs, and the metaverse. The speakers will present the basics of blockchain technology and how it works, together with case examples. This will be followed by an explanation of non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, which are stored on a blockchain, and the metaverse, including the technologies that make it possible.

In Part 2, moderated by Jalal El Ahdab, IA partner at Bird & Bird, Paris, the speakers will consider the arbitration of blockchain-related disputes and using blockchain tech in the dispute resolution process; arbitration in the field of arts and NFTs; and what the arbitration procedure might look like in the metaverse.

Both Part 1 and 2 will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

Speakers include:

• Jonathan Emmanuel, Partner, FinTech law, Bird & Bird, London
• Caroline Le Goffic, Professor of IP and digital law, Lille University of Law
• Sophie Nappert, Arbitrator in independent practice, 3VB, London
• Stan Putter, Partner, Smallegange Advocaten and Chief Executive Officer, CAfA (Court of Arbitration for Art), The Hague
• Margarita Kato, Legal Case Manager, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, Geneva
• Colin Rule, President and CEO of Mediate.com and Arbitrate.com, formerly Director of Online Dispute Resolution for eBay and PayPal, California
• Charles Neuner, Strategy, XR & Metaverse at PwC

We look forward to having you join us.

Watch the video here