Elias Ahonen

Elias Ahonen is a Finnish-Canadian blockchain author, consultant, and law PhD-researcher based in Dubai. His doctoral research at the University of Turku Law School concerns the intersection of blockchain and governance, and belongs to a Finnish government funded research group investigating the use of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) in sustainability. A columnist for industry publication Cointelegraph, his expertise is acknowledged by international media including The Wall Street Journal. With over 10 years in the industry, he launched consulting firm Token Valley in 2017 and serves on the Special Council of the Horizen Foundation DAO overseeing the Horizen blockchain.

Elias's PhD research into the intersection of blockchain technology and international law is focused upon the use of blockchain as a means for international cooperation between institutions, governments, and other organizations in pursuit of a shared future. Elias belongs to the Finnish Research Council-funded "CIDS – Critical Inquiry into DAOs working for SDGs" research group, for which he organized an international research symposium on 12.9.2023 in Helsinki.

The formal title of his article-based thesis at the University of Turku is "The investigation and evaluation of the blockchain metaverse as a sui generis (unique) area of international law." This research builds upon not only his MA work, but over a decade in the blockchain industry including two books and over 50 long-form articles he has authored for leading industry publication Cointelegraph.

In harmony with the 2023 theme of the World Internet Conference "Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Digital World Beneficial to All - Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", Elias's research, along with that of his wider group, is heavily focused upon the use of blockchain and digital finance as digitalization tools to bolster the internationally recognized SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals). In practical terms, this includes the investigation of Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) governance, and the evaluation of these models as suitable avenues for collaboration in the cyberspace of the future. Another is the role of state-issued digital finance.

With ample experience and connections in Europe, Elias hopes to contribute to the IDFI mission by building bridges of knowledge.