I'm Stephen DeMeulenaere, a pioneer in the world of digital currencies with a strong passion for leveraging these technologies to achieve ecological, circular and impact-driven outcomes. I have dedicated over three decades to exploring their potential to make a tangible difference primarily in Asia, but also on other continents where that I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of digital currencies in expanding access to credit and unlocking opportunities for financial inclusion primarily among the unbanked. Throughout my career, I have immersed myself in diverse roles ranging from design and implementation to extensive research across numerous countries. I’ve been in leadership roles, management roles and team player roles in marketing, communications, training, sales, business development and project management. Long before Bitcoin revolutionized the financial landscape, I was actively involved in early digital currency projects, including the first generation of Ripple. Collaborating with pioneering programmers, I contributed to the development and exploration of digital and cryptographic currency concepts from 1991. As an early adopter of blockchain technologies, in 2015 I became a Certified Digital Currency Professional with the Digital Currency Council and have completed the University of Nicosia Digital Currency Course several times with a top grade. My dedication to promoting understanding and education in this domain led me to serve as an official reviewer for the Princeton University textbook, "Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies." By sharing my knowledge and insights, I aim to empower others to navigate this complex landscape with confidence. My commitment to driving global impact through digital currencies extends beyond theoretical contributions. I organized the inaugural and largest session to date on the potential of blockchain technologies to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the 2018 World Investment Forum at the United Nations HQ in Geneva, and I’ve held an executive position in a blockchain payments company, actively steering strategic initiatives, partnerships and innovation in this space. My contributions and thought leadership have been recognized in several publications, including "The Future of Money", "New Money for a New World," and "Rethinking Money: How New Currencies turn Scarcity into Prosperity" by Bernard Lietaer, "The End of Money and the Future of Civilization" by Thomas Greco, "Healthy Money, Healthy Planet" by Diedre Kent.