# Welcome and Introduction | Kartik Talwar at Pragma Lisbon 2026

- Speakers: [Kartik Talwar](https://streameth.org/speakers/kartik-talwar)
- Channel: [ETHGlobal](https://streameth.org/ethglobal)
- Date: 2026-09-09
- Duration: 07:01
- Topics: ETHGlobal, Pragma Lisbon 2026, Lisbon, 2026, Kartik Talwar, Pragma, Ethereum, web3 conference, event introduction, institutional finance, DeFi, onchain banking, Ethereum ecosystem, AI agent payments, Pragma Lisbon, Pragma 2026, Ethereum conference, Ethereum Lisbon, crypto conference, web3 conference Lisbon, Ethereum ecosystem trends, institutional Ethereum, tokenized assets, onchain finance, crosschain liquidity, smart contract development, Ethereum builders, blockchain events
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/yt-fh8j0QLyeiA
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh8j0QLyeiA

## Description

Kartik Talwar opens Pragma Lisbon 2026 by explaining ETHGlobal’s two complementary formats: global hackathons for builders and focused Pragma summits for broader, forward-looking discussion. He describes Pragma as a single-day, single-track gathering built around executive speakers, accessible themes, and practical lessons rather than highly technical presentations. Kartik also shares the event’s scale, 330 attendees from 34 countries, and thanks the nine partners supporting the program. He explains why the name Pragma reflects a call toward pragmatism rather than the beginning of a developer journey. The program is intentionally designed so attendees do not need deep protocol knowledge to follow the strategic questions. Instead, founders and operators can compare lessons from the ecosystem, identify opportunities, and consider how earlier experiments can inform a more productive future. The event combines three fireside chats with eleven presentations in one continuous track.

He previews the day’s 14 sessions, spanning institutional finance, tokenized-asset risk, onchain retail banking, data and accounting infrastructure, crosschain composability, liquidity efficiency, market data, ENS identity, smart-contract development, AI-agent payments, and the future of DeFi. The introduction gives attendees a map of the program and connects each talk to a larger question: how Ethereum can turn lessons from its past into safer products, stronger institutions, and more useful onchain experiences. The preview connects named speakers and projects to the day’s agenda. Marius Smith covers an institutional front door for Ethereum, Alex McFarlane addresses tokenized-asset risk, Joao Alves discusses onchain retail banking, and Angelo Min examines reliable onchain data. Later sessions cover the Ethereum Economic Zone, 1inch Aqua, Pyth market data, ENS identity, WalletConnect payments, Plank smart contracts, Frames agent payments, DeFi yield, and community building. Kartik closes by directing attendees to the full schedule and welcoming the first speaker.

00:00 Introduction and Pragma Lisbon Welcome
00:31 ETHGlobal Hackathons and Summits
00:47 Why the Event Is Called Pragma
01:11 Single-Day and Single-Track Format
01:26 Executive Speakers and Future Themes
02:06 An Accessible Program for Attendees
02:24 Three Fireside Chats and Eleven Talks
02:41 Attendees From Thirty-Four Countries
02:57 Recognizing the Nine Event Partners
03:15 Ethereum Institutional Finance Preview
03:32 DeFi Evolution and Institutional Risk
03:49 Tokenized Assets and Retail Banking
04:14 Onchain Data and Accounting Topics
04:36 Traditional Finance Fireside Preview
04:58 Ethereum Economic Zone and 1inch Aqua
05:17 Pyth Market Data and ENS Identity
05:39 WalletConnect Payments and Plank EVM
06:06 Agent Payments and DeFi Yield
06:25 Community Podcast and Final Agenda
06:43 Opening the First Pragma Talk

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🇵🇹 *Pragma Lisbon 2026*
Pragma Lisbon 2026 was held on June 25th at the Carlos Lopes Pavillion in Lisbon, Portugal and was an in-person summit for builders and leaders in the web3 ecosystem. Watch the full Pragma Lisbon 2026 YouTube Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMxB4xW8JYdk

ETHGlobal's Pragma series takes place in cities around the world, and is designed to be a different kind of event. Pragma is a one-stage conference with founders-only on stage, bringing together a small group of curated attendees and speakers to discuss the future of web3 and reflect on the past. 

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✅ Follow Kartik Talwar
X: https://x.com/kartiktalwar

✅ Follow ETHGlobal
X: https://x.com/ETHGlobal​
Warpcast: https://warpcast.com/ethglobal
Website: https://ethglobal.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfF9ZO8Ug4xk_AJd4aeT5HA 

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