We ask the buidlers in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector for their thoughts on the industry… and throw in a few random zingers to keep them on their toes!
This week, our 6 Questions go to Annabelle Huang, the managing partner at Amber Group, a global leading digital asset platform.
Prior to Amber Group, I served as the Asia lead at AirSwap, a decentralized trading platform that enables peer-to-peer trading on the Ethereum blockchain. Before transitioning into digital assets, I advised private equity funds, U.S. corporates and hedge funds on structured solutions and risk management as an FX structurer at Deutsche Bank and Nomura in New York. My background in traditional financial markets, coupled with my experience in institutions and macro markets, has given me a unique vantage point in developing the product strategy and solutions delivered through Amber Group.
1 — What’s a problem you think blockchain has a chance to solve, but it hasn’t been attempted yet?
The gender divide is a key social challenge that blockchain technology can potentially address. I believe blockchain technology has the potential to unlock investment opportunities for women, and I am honored to be in this industry to help build awareness among women and other marginalized communities about the utility of crypto and blockchain technology in their financial journey.
The industry is also moving at such a rapid pace and the possibility for innovations are limitless — what more can we do to financially empower women? And how else can we smash the glass ceiling for women who are building a career at the intersection of finance and tech? I strongly believe these are questions which we must tackle together, as an industry.
2 — What will happen to Bitcoin and Ether over the next 10 years?
Bitcoin and Ether are not going anywhere. If anything, they are going to gain in popularity as crypto goes mainstream. The price and value will continue to fluctuate as in any given financial market, but as the size of the communities that support them grows and regulations become clear, Bitcoin and Ether are likely to drive innovation and become a mainstay in the industry and beyond.
3 — Do you subscribe to the idea of Bitcoin as a means of payment, a store-of-value, both… or neither?
Both! I believe Bitcoin works just like any other currency, and holds its own stored value. We are seeing its widespread adoption these days, with the millions of transactions online and ever-increasing interest in crypto exchanges and digital asset platforms. This is testament to Bitcoin’s utility — it is not only used for trading, instead doubling as a means of payment for goods, services, art and more.
4 — Which two superpowers would you most want to have, and how would you combine them for good… or evil?
I would opt for either teleportation or mind-reading. In my line of work, it’s always so busy, so the former would be helpful to help me go places quickly!
5 — Other than the present day, in what time and in which country would you like to have lived?
Throughout my life, I’ve been very fortunate to have lived in a few beautiful places. I grew up in China and got the opportunity to study abroad in Pittsburgh and Paris. I also count myself lucky to have been able to work in beautiful, cosmopolitan cities such as New York, Hong Kong and now, Singapore. In another life, I would be having tea in a quaint cafe in London.
6 — Thinking of a favorite poem or musical lyric, what is it, and why does it speak to you?
My favorite quote is from Le Petit Prince: “All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.” This quote is my go-to reminder to always stay curious and to approach each day with fresh eyes and a day-one mentality.
A wish for the young, ambitious blockchain community:
On behalf of Amber Group, we would like the young, ambitious blockchain community to continue becoming catalysts of innovation, and deliver new blockchain applications that transform industries while upholding the decentralized spirit of DeFi. We are excited to see innovations that advance our global economy without forgetting the spirit of opportunity and community when creating a better world for everyone.
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Introducing Annabelle Huang, the founder & CEO of Amber Group, a global financial technology company. Huang, a protégé of Twitter and Square founder Jack Dorsey, has been working in the global fintech and cryptocurrency space since 2017 and has since become a notable figure in the industry.
In this exclusive Q&A, we asked Huang about her journey and vision for Amber Group, how cryptocurrency is reshaping the financial infrastructure, and how she sees Amber Group at the forefront of this transformation.
1. What inspired you to found Amber Group?
From the time I first began to explore cryptocurrency, I was fascinated with what it meant to humanity’s financial infrastructure. This realization made me keen to put my considerable experience in payments and financial services to use in creating something special and disruptive.
That is when I founded Amber Group. My original concept was to combine low-latency trading algorithms and infrastructure with the power of distributed ledger technology. From there, I soon realized that we could offer the next generation of global infrastructure to financial services around the world.
2. What is the vision behind Amber Group?
We want to lead a revolution in how individuals and institutions access global financial services. We are focused on addressing the key friction points, including low latency, global reach and security, that are preventing us from realizing our mission of seamless, trustworthy, and secure financial services.
3. What sets Amber Group apart from other companies in the crypto and fintech space?
Our biggest differentiator is the deep expertise of our team. We have worked in some of the most cutting-edge technologies in the space, such as distributed ledger technology, algorithmic trading, and machine learning, and have a deep understanding of how to unlock their full potential.
4. How is Amber Group using distributed ledger technology to accelerate the development of financial services?
We are using distributed ledger technology to create highly efficient, secure, and compliant infrastructure for global financial services. We are firmly focused on improving existing systems, such as payments and money transfers, to make them faster, more secure, and better able to serve customers all over the world.
5. What are your views on the role of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in reshaping the financial services landscape?
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology present an opportunity for financial services to become more inclusive and transparent. We believe that these technologies can empower people around the world to access and control their financial data and resources with greater ease, ultimately creating a new financial ecosystem that is more equitable and accessible.
6. What is your vision for the future of Amber Group?
We aspire to become the world’s leading institution in creating financial infrastructure that is secure and accessible to all. We are focused on making the financial services of today more accessible, more secure, and more efficient. We see a future where anyone, anywhere in the world, can rely on our services to access global financial systems.
