How Open-Source Communities Are Shaping CBDC Innovation

Karen Ottoni, Sr. Director of Ecosystem & Strategic Initiatives at LF Decentralized Trust joins the Fintech Center at Morgan State University and the HBCU network to share her presentation on the CBDC space and how it is being impacted by Open–Source

Shaping CBDC Innovation

an Online Workshop

Presenter: Karen Ottoni, Sr. Director of Ecosystem & Strategic Initiatives at LF Decentralized Trust

Monday, March 31, 2025

12:00–1:00 PM EST / (9:00–10:00 AM PST)

About the Workshop!

This webinar will demystify CBDCs and highlight the collaborative nature of their development, particularly the critical contributions of open–source communities in designing, testing, and securing innovative digital currency infrastructure. We will also discuss the role of the U.S. federal government in advancing CBDC research, including policy considerations around privacy, cybersecurity, and economic stability.

• What are CBDCs, and how do they differ from stablecoins and cryptocurrencies?

• The open–source model: collaboration, transparency, and innovation

• Case studies from global CBDC pilots and the use of open–source tools

• Regulatory and policy frameworks in the U.S.

• The importance of public-private partnerships in fintech innovation

Faculty, students, administrators, and staff interested in FinTech, cryptocurrencies, and economic innovation are encouraged to attend. The workshop will also provide valuable insights for those guiding students in these emerging fields.