Cover Ronnie Potel is the co-founder and council member of Hypha, a Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) builder (Photo: Billy Chan/Tatler Hong Kong)

Ronnie Potel, co-founder and council member of Hypha, a DAO solutions builder, spoke about how blockchain financial systems will offer transparency and accountability

After two decades of climbing the finance ladder, Ronnie Potel had an epiphany that drastically changed the trajectory of his life. Starting as a trained barrister, Potel ascended in his career and swiftly reached the highest ranks among the top 100 bankers in the Asia Pacific region.

But it was a literal dream that gave Potel the drive to change up his life’s focus and embrace blockchain and all its potential.

During the inaugural Tatler Gen.T Summit in Hong Kong, Potel, a co-founder and council member at Hypha, a Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) builder, shared his hope of building an alternative finance system. Here are five memorable quotes from his session.

Read more: Why humans still have the upper hand over AI—for now

On his awakening

“I was shared a vision of a brighter future. The only way I can describe it is that my whole body, with every cell in it, came into a full-body sense of knowing. I thought to myself, ‘I can see how we can solve our global challenges.’ I realise what a ridiculous statement that is. But I could feel it to the very core of every cell.

The vision that was shared with me was: We have the will. If you ask the majority of this planet, they want to solve global challenges. We have the capital—plenty of money—and we have the technology, blockchain in particular.”

On creating new solutions

“The ability for humanity to interact and scale without middlemen or hierarchy is a game changer for our species. So, what’s the problem? Well, it’s our economic and governance systems, they’re no longer fit for purpose. Well, now we can build new ones.”

Tatler Asia
Above Ronnie Potel spoke on day two of the Tatler Gen.T Summit (Photo: Billy Chan/Tatler)

On our own potential

“Do you think we truly understand the power of one human yet? We haven’t got a clue. Do we think we understand the collective power of humanity? [We have] not even started to scratch the surface.”

On necessary transparency

“If you have a transparent system where you can see where all the money goes, it’s a game changer. Because if you can see where it goes, you [will] see where the corruption is.”

On AI versus humanity

“I think AI is great but how does AI fit into that ideology? For me, it is very powerful in the sense-making. But I’m interested in proof of humanity and humanity making the final decisions in our system. I think ideology, for me, comes down to a really simple principle that transparent and secure systems are the antithesis of tyranny and corruption.”


Read more articles from the Tatler Gen.T Summit 2023 here.

The Tatler Gen.T Summit is sponsored by Standard Chartered Private Bank, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong and MTR Lab, organised in partnership with M+, Regent, Black Sheep and Cathay Pacific and supported by Brand Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tourism Board and InvestHK.

Topics