David Burt, the Premier and Minister of Finance, said Bermuda’s leadership in digital finance was recognised by global peers, as he co-chaired the Crypto Conclave at the ninth Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday.

“It was a productive discussion yesterday as I co-chaired the Crypto Conclave with Jeremy Allaire, [chief executive] of Circle, and Mastercard board chair, Merit Janow, at FII9,” Mr Burt said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

“The session examined the future of digital assets and how to broaden international regulatory co-operation. Bermuda’s leadership in digital finance was acknowledged by many in the invite-only conclave.”

Mr Burt’s participation in the FII9 conference — one of the world’s leading gatherings of policymakers, investors and innovators, known as “Davos in the Desert” — includes two high-level discussions of particular importance to Bermuda.

He served as co-chairman of the Crypto Conclave alongside Mr Allaire and Dr Janow, as well as Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajić. The session explores the evolution of stablecoins, central bank digital currencies and cross-border payments — key areas under Bermuda’s Digital Asset Business Act 2018 and regulatory regime.

Later this week, Mr Burt will turn his attention to sustainability, co-chairing a discussion on the blue economy titled “Can a Living Ocean Be an Investable Opportunity?” with Ralph Chami, CEO of Blue Green Future.

FII9 has drawn more than 9,000 delegates, including world leaders, ministers and technology executives from 90 countries. Mr Burt said Bermuda’s presence reinforces its reputation as a “trusted, well-regulated international financial centre that combines innovation with high standards”.