# Welcome & Introduction | Kartik Talwar (ETHGlobal) at ETHConf, Day 2

- Speakers: [Kartik Talwar](https://streameth.org/speakers/kartik-talwar)
- Channel: [ETHGlobal](https://streameth.org/ethglobal)
- Date: 2026-07-09
- Duration: 03:11
- Topics: ETHConf, ETHGlobal, Kartik Talwar, day two, Javits Center, New York, institutional Ethereum, DeFi, TradFi, stablecoins, protocol evolution, adoption, infrastructure, UX, regulatory, cryptography, distributed systems, builders, founders, engineering, main stage, EVM, Ethereum ecosystem, real shipped products, institutional finance, onchain, scale, blockchain, Web3, smart contracts, opening keynote
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/yt-xKbsQydqHpA
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKbsQydqHpA

## Description

In this brief opening, Kartik Talwar, co-founder of ETHGlobal, welcomes over 2,000 attendees to day two of ETHConf at the Javits Center. He reiterates that ETHConf is the first and biggest institutional Ethereum event in America, run by ETH Global with the goal of promoting the Ethereum ecosystem and getting the smartest people in the world building on the hardest problems in the space. New York was chosen intentionally to bring together the finance world with the broader crypto community, connecting DeFi and TradFi founders alongside builders working on cryptography and distributed systems so both sides can readily collaborate.

Kartik previews day two's structure across three continuing themes: how institutions are thinking about adopting stablecoins and DeFi in their day to day flows, how protocols are evolving from an engineering perspective (what's still outstanding, what's being worked on, what to expect in the coming months and years), and how these two threads connect to make it easy for everyone else to come on chain by simplifying UX, technical, and regulatory hurdles at scale. He emphasizes that speakers coming on stage will talk about work they've already shipped rather than work they're just thinking about, and encourages attendees to interact directly with founders throughout the day since decisions happen faster when you can chat with the people building the products.

00:00 Welcome to Day Two of ETHConf
00:30 Why New York and Why Institutional Focus
00:58 Bringing DeFi and TradFi Together
01:23 2,000 Attendees and 150 Speakers
01:51 Day Two Themes: Institutions, Protocols, Adoption
02:20 Real Stuff on Stage, Not Concepts
02:39 Meet Founders Throughout the Day
02:57 Kicking Off the First Talk

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  

*ETHConf 2026*
ETHConf is a 3 day event for founders, industry leaders, and builders who are excited about the possibilities of building on top of Ethereum.

Connect with 2,000+ top innovators in crypto, finance, technology, and policy at our inaugural three-day event packed with showcases, demos, partnerships, and conversations shaping the future of the global economy.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  

✅ *Follow ETHConf*
X: https://x.com/ethconf
Website: https://ethconf.com

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  

🎟️ Get your early bird tickets for ETHConf 2027: https://ethconf.com/2027#tickets
🎤 View the full ETHConf 2026 Speaker Schedule: https://ethconf.com/schedule

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _