Vasilisa Marinchuk is a global blockchain executive and the co-director of the DEXT FORCE Festival, a blockchain and Web3 festival featuring new technologies, notable speakers, and the larger DEXTools community. ^[1][2]

Education

Marinchuk graduated from the Higher School of Economics with a Bachelor’s in Management in 2007. She also studied abroad at The London School of Economics and Political Science in 2006. She received her IMBA in Business Administration and Management from the IE Business School in 2015. ^[3]

Career

After graduation, Marinchuk worked as an advanced audit assistant at Ernst & Young, performing external audits of large Russian and international companies until August 2009. She then worked as a senior specialist in the corporate control department of Rostelecom until April 2010, when she moved to Inchcape UK to work in commercial finance reporting and business development. In August 2012, Marinchuk became project manager in strategic planning at Ford Motor Company, where she worked until February 2014. Two years later, she joined the WaveCrest Group as a senior manager in business partner services, building partner support teams and managing strategic business partners until July 2017. She then worked as an advisor for SIBUR’s polymer sales and supply chain management until February 2019. ^[4][5]

In March 2019, Marinchuk became a managing director at Decentralization4all (D4A), a Web3 event organizer. In September 2020, she was a founding member of Centre Blockchain de Catalunya, a blockchain technology adoption promoter in Catalonia, where she served as a member of the executive board and director of international relations and engagements until May 2023. She was also an international partner for the Worlds Business Angel Investment Forum, an organization focused on easing access to finances for start-ups, and a visiting lecturer at the High School of Economics, where she teaches a course on emerging technologies. ^[4][5]

Marinchuk co-founded the Barcelona chapter of OffChain Global, a global community of Web3 professionals and enthusiasts with over seventy chapters, in November 2021. In March 2022, she co-founded Anima, a company specializing in creating private virtual worlds and digital selves for the metaverse, where she serves as the COO. She was head of partnerships and communications at BSV Blockchain Hub MENA & South Asia from May 2022 to December 2022. In August 2022, Marinchuk worked as COO and PR for Meme The Gathering, a digital collectible card game and SaaS for indie studios. In January 2023, she became a member of InvoiceMate’s board of advisors, and in June, she became co-director of the DEXT FORCE Festival. ^[4][5]

Interviews

DEXT FORCE

In an April 2024 interview, Gordon Einstein spoke with Marinchuk and Jorge Palomino about the DEXT Force Festival. They discussed their backgrounds, with Marinchuk's experience in the blockchain space since 2016 and Palomino's transition from architecture to a focus on music and event production. The conversation highlighted the novel blend of blockchain technology, arts, and culture that defined DEXT Force, emphasizing its unconventional venue and vibrant atmosphere. Marinchuk and Palomino aimed to create an environment where attendees could form meaningful connections and experience the fast-paced energy of the festival. ^[6]

Panels

European Regulations

At Malta Week 2021, Marinchuk moderated “The Evolution of Token Offerings and Regulation Across Europe” panel, with panelists Tobias Seidl (Stokr), Anna Agu (Lex Law Office), Celine Moille (Deloitte), and Jaguar-Adva Gal (Jaguar Lawyers). They discussed the progress made since 2017, when Estonia became one of the first countries to introduce regulations for cryptocurrency service providers. The panelists highlighted the significance of the EU's MiCA regulation, which aimed to unify the regulatory framework for virtual assets across member states, easing compliance for companies operating within the EU. They also addressed the challenges posed by traditional banking systems, particularly in Israel, where legal battles forced banks to accept funds from crypto-originated fiat. The panel concluded with insights on choosing the right jurisdiction for crypto businesses and the need for standardized international regulations to support the industry's growth. ^[7]

Women in Blockchain

At AIBC CIS 2022, Marinchuk moderated a panel about women's involvement in blockchain, featuring four women who shared their experiences and challenges in the industry. The panelists included Aleksa Mil (WACEO), Megan Nilsson (Crypto Megan), and Eloisa Marchesoni (Def.ai Inc). They highlighted the need for more female representation, support networks, and educational efforts to empower women in blockchain. While some panelists reported positive experiences, noting male support and encouragement, others pointed out persistent gender biases and the lack of investment in female-led projects. The conversation emphasized the importance of collaboration between men and women to foster a more inclusive blockchain environment. ^[8]

Metaverse Regulation

At AIBC CIS 2022, Marinchuk moderated a panel about the regulation of the metaverse, focusing on its implications for user identity, privacy, and enforcement. Featured panelists included Srdjan Dejanovic (Legal Transformers), Edwin M. Mavarro (Brickken), Dr. Naveen Singh (Inery), and Klemen Gradisar (Ballies.gg). Speakers highlighted that while the metaverse presents opportunities for a connected digital experience, it also raises challenges in balancing regulation with the decentralized nature of Web3. They debated the need for KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, the role of self-regulation by communities and companies, and the potential involvement of governments in standardizing and enforcing rules. The conversation underscored the complexity of creating a secure yet innovative metaverse environment. ^[9]

P2E Gaming

At SIGMA Dubai 2023, Marinchuk moderated a panel about the booming gaming market, particularly in the Middle East, forecasting it would reach $5 billion within two years due to heavy investment from cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Featured panelists included Lucy Chow, Eran Elhanani (BullsPerks, GamesPad), Carl Runefelt (CryptoJobs.com), Darrach Campbell (Esports Management Group), Paul Dawalibi (Holodeck Ventures), and Jeremie Davinci. The panel debated the efficacy of play-to-earn models, criticizing their focus on financial rewards rather than enjoyable gameplay. It also discussed the potential of technologies such as AI, NFTs, and immersive experiences like Holodecks. They also emphasized the importance of educational initiatives and infrastructure development to support the region's growing gaming sector. ^[10]