NextBillion - A WDI Publication

The rapid rise of stablecoins—a form of cryptocurrency pegged to fiat currency or other assets—offers new possibilities for international development finance. Over the last five years, transaction volumes for stablecoins have ballooned to more than $1 trillion per month, and are track for even more explosive growth. Although the vast majority of stablecoins are linked to the US dollar, adoption is highest in developing economies where they offer low-cost alternatives to traditional payment systems and a more reliable store of value. Stablecoins are also being used to address humanitarian and development needs in low-income countries, including fragile and conflict states.

Join us for a timely panel discussion among practitioners to map the frontier of stablecoins in global development, exploring both the potential for economic benefit and the risks that will require careful navigation. The panel will examine how stablecoins are being used to support vulnerable populations and the challenges and opportunities for scaling.

Time: 10:00—11:30 AM ET | 3:00—4:30 PM GMT

Direct Air Capture is moving from pilot projects to commercial reality—but how do we know if it works at scale?

Join Boundless and Heirloom Carbon for an in-depth look at what independent analysis reveals about the economics, energy requirements, and environmental performance of commercial carbon removal.

We’ll explore:
-The real cost to remove a ton of CO₂—and how it changes from demonstration to megatonne scale
-Energy demands and the pathway to improved efficiency (64,266 MJ → 7,603 MJ per ton)
-Why demo facilities can be net emitters while scaled operations achieve net removal
-Breaking down the path to $100/ton carbon removal
-What third-party LCA/TEA analysis reveals that marketing claims don’t

This webinar offers a rare look inside independent carbon removal assessment—providing the data-driven transparency needed as the industry scales toward gigatonne impact.

Who should attend: Advanced Technology Innovators, Climate tech investors, corporate sustainability leaders, carbon credit buyers, policymakers, and anyone seeking evidence-based insights on carbon removal.

Time: 2:00 ET

Africa faces a defining challenge – and opportunity – in financing its green transition.

According to Convergence, blended finance has already mobilized over $90 billion across the continent, mostly in energy and infrastructure. Yet major opportunities remain in agriculture, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience – especially those tapping into local capital markets.

This webinar explores the next frontier of blended finance innovation – showcasing practical strategies to de-risk investments and attract both international and local private capital.

The webinar will feature:

• A clear view of Africa’s blended finance landscape and emerging trends
• Insights into deal structures that mobilize private investment
• Practical de-risking strategies to make projects bankable
• Case studies of successful climate and green economy transactions

Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM (GMT-05:00)

India’s growth story will be written in Bharat – in its farms, towns, and creative clusters. Sankalp Bharat 2025 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh brings together 600+ changemakers – entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, multi-lateral banks, and development finance institutions and governments – to unlock opportunities where they matter most.

We go beyond valuations to focus on impact, inclusion, and the Bharat Alpha – building businesses that are resilient, scalable, and future-ready.

You are invited to join us for the first informational webinar for our “Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets: 2026 Global Case Writing Competition.”

Discover how this exciting global competition is shining a spotlight on the powerful role entrepreneurship plays in emerging markets—and why these stories are essential to understanding innovation and connection in today’s rapidly changing world.
During the session, WDI Publishing’s Manager will share insider tips on crafting a compelling case and teaching note, including:

• What makes a great case stand out
• A breakdown of key case and teaching note components
• How to effectively use citations and endnote sources
• Practical strategies to overcome common writing challenges

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets and the 2026 Global Case Writing Competition, proudly sponsored by the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan, WDI Publishing, and the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship.

Vietnam Fintech Summit 2025 returns this year in Hanoi, as an official program within Techfest Vietnam 2025, under the Ministry of Science and Technology. This year’s theme, “Regulatory Sandbox & Digital Asset Market in Vietnam,” reflects Vietnam’s accelerated push toward establishing a safe, transparent, and innovation-driven digital finance ecosystem.

​The summit brings together senior policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology leaders, international experts, innovators, and investors to discuss the future of digital assets, emerging fintech models, and regulatory mechanisms that support responsible innovation.

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​Our dialogues will focus on key priorities such as:
​Developing Vietnam’s regulatory sandbox for digital assets

​Legal frameworks and risk governance

​AI, tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), and new business models

​RegTech for compliance and market safety

​Investor protection standards

​Cross-border cooperation and investment flows

​Building a sustainable digital finance ecosystem

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​With a combination of keynote addresses, expert roundtables, and an investment networking session, VFS 2025 will serve as a national platform to advance regulatory clarity, policy alignment, and fintech innovation.

Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM GMT+7

Innovation. Investment. Implementation.
The Marketplace for Thailand’s Entire Solar, Storage and Smart Energy Value Chain

Building on the extraordinary success of our editions in the Philippines and Vietnam, Solar & Storage Live Thailand is about the big ideas, new technologies and market disruptions enabling Thailand’s energy transition. We bring solar energy generation, solar technology, storage solutions, smart energy and clean energy innovations to the forefront.

Like every other industry, the energy sector is evolving. The future of energy will be more digital, there will be a global emphasis on renewable energy generation, especially solar and batteries will become the new gold. The race is on to ensure inexpensive, sustainable, and dependable power that can meet our energy needs and still protect the natural world for future generations.

At Solar & Storage Live Thailand, we work closely with Thailand’s government bodies and industry stakeholders to bring you a vibrant event for you to promote your brand, generate new leads and spearhead the growth of your business.

Solar & Storage Thailand is your one-stop shop to take the pulse of Thailand’s solar, energy storage and grid infrastructure market .