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Town Hall

Inaugural Concordium Town Hall

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• 11 min read
Inaugural Concordium Town Hall

Go Behind the Chain: Concordium’s Strategy Is No Longer a Vision, It’s a Roadmap in Motion

On February 19th, Concordium held its first-ever Town Hall—a packed, high-signal session that marked more than a quarterly update. It was a turning point. From protocol-level stablecoins and identity-verified payments to programmable money and escrow-free deposits, this wasn’t about aspirations. It was about execution—already underway. With Boris at the helm and a newly restructured leadership team firing on all cylinders, Concordium is no longer explaining what it could become. It’s showing what it will be. Here’s the full breakdown of insights, roadmap, and a strategy that’s finally aligned with the chain’s true potential.

1. Welcome & Town Hall Format

  • The session is recorded and will be shared across various channels.
  • This format will take place at least once a quarter.
  • The team has improved communication cadence across all channels.
  • Community engagement is crucial—feedback from the community informs decision-making.

2. Introduction of the Leadership Team

  • Mike Milner (Chief Commercial Officer) – Focus on business growth.
  • Peter Mariosans (Chief Technology Officer) – Leading the technological direction.
  • Varun Kabra (Chief Growth Officer) – Driving marketing and engagement strategies.

3. Concordium’s Strategic Direction

  • Refocusing on Core Principles
    • The blockchain space has drifted from its original mission.
    • Current trends (e.g., meme coin mania) dilute the true potential of the technology.
    • Concordium is committed to solving meaningful problems rather than fueling speculation.
  • Identifying Concordium’s Unique Strengths
    • Extensive research conducted to align Concordium’s unique selling propositions (USPs).
    • Focused on delivering programmable money solutions with real-world applications.
    • Smart contracts should enforce conditionality, not act as custodial entities (“dumb banks”).
    • Addressing legal uncertainties, security risks, and implementation challenges that plague the industry.
  • Comments

4. Target Market & Key Use Cases

  • Stablecoin Issuers & Payment Providers
    • Addressing key issues like distribution, geo-fencing, and compliance.
    • Solutions must be implemented at the root level rather than relying on complex Layer 2s or rollups.
  • Financial Institutions & Payment Solutions
    • The goal is beyond just trading stablecoins on exchanges.
    • Identity integration is a crucial component to unlock real-world adoption.
  • Comments

5. Focus on Execution Over Hype

  • Concordium will let actions speak louder than words.
  • No premature announcements—only communicating tangible, signed successes.
  • The session will now transition to a technology deep dive, led by Peter.
  • Comments

6. Concordium’s Built-in Identity Layer

  • Concordium is unique in integrating identity at the protocol level—no other blockchain has this.
  • The system ensures privacy while enabling regulatory compliance.
  • Identity verification follows a zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) model:
    • Users verify credentials without exposing personal information.
      • Example: A merchant can confirm someone is over 18 without seeing their birthdate.
  • The disclosure process only reveals identity under legal conditions:
    • Requires a Swiss court order and a multi-step verification process involving lawyers and identity providers.
  • Comments

7. Fork-Free Consensus & Instant Finality

  • Many blockchains suffer from chain splits (forks), causing lost transactions.
  • Concordium’s consensus model avoids forking—instead of competing chains, nodes pause and sync before continuing.
  • Benefit: No lost transactions, providing absolute finality.
  • The chain can process 2,000 transactions per second (TPS) today, with plans to scale 100x faster.
  • Comments

8. Protocol-Level Stablecoins (PLTs)

  • A new approach to stablecoin issuance—not through smart contracts but at the protocol level.
  • Smart contract-based stablecoins are security risks (honeypots for hackers).
  • With PLTs:
    • Balances are held directly in wallets, not in smart contracts.
    • Prevents fake tokens—each one is uniquely identifiable on-chain.
    • Enables geofencing using zero-knowledge proofs to restrict usage by location.
  • Comments

9. “Verify & Buy” – Seamless Payments with Privacy

  • Concordium is introducing a one-click purchase model, similar to Amazon’s Buy Now button.
  • Use cases include age-restricted purchases (e.g., alcohol, gambling, weapons).
  • Process:
    • User clicks “Verify & Buy.”
    • System confirms age/location with zero-knowledge proofs.
    • Payment and identity verification occur in one seamless transaction.
  • Comments

10. Programmable Money & Smart Locks

  • Introducing “lockable” stablecoins at the protocol level—money can be reserved without leaving a user’s wallet.
  • Types of Locks:
    • Basic Lock – Funds are held until a condition is met.
    • Third-Party Lock – A trusted verifier releases the payment.
    • Multi-Signature Lock – Multiple approvals required.
    • Scheduled Release – Payments are unlocked in intervals (e.g., salary payments).
    • Hashed Time Locks – Payments are only released when a specific cryptographic condition is met.
  • Comments

11. Real-World Use Cases for Programmable Money

  • A. Trade Finance (Cross-Border Payments & Logistics)
    • Example: A UK-based buyer orders $500,000 worth of goods from a Chinese manufacturer.
      • The buyer locks funds in their wallet instead of using expensive letters of credit from banks.
      • As goods move through checkpoints, payments are automatically released (verified by IoT devices or port check-ins).
    • Benefits:
      • Faster transactions.
      • Reduced costs (no bank intermediaries).
      • Full transparency.
  • B. Rental Deposits (Eliminating Delays & Disputes)
    • Example: A tenant rents an apartment for $3,000/month and must provide a deposit.
      • Instead of transferring the deposit, the tenant locks the funds in their wallet.
      • The landlord sees the locked funds but cannot access them unless conditions are met.
      • At the end of the lease, funds are instantly released if no damage is found—no 30-day delays or disputes.
      • Potential expansion: Third-party inspectors could mediate disputes and verify property conditions.
  • C. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Marketplaces
    • Example: A buyer orders a book from a seller through an online marketplace.
      • Instead of prepaying, the buyer locks the funds.
      • The delivery company (Sam) confirms shipment, triggering automatic payment release.
      • Fraud prevention:
        • If needed, the delivery agent also locks an equivalent amount to ensure fulfillment.
        • Multi-signature approvals can further prevent fraud.
  • Comments

12. Roadmap for 2025

  • Q1 2025:
    • Launch of Protocol 8 upgrade.
  • Q2 2025:
    • Protocol-Level Tokens (PLTs) ready for partners & developers.
  • Q3 2025:
    • Smart locks integrated into the protocol.
  • Q4 2025:
    • Expansion to multi-party locks, hash time locks, and scheduled payments.
  • Open call to developers & merchants—Concordium wants collaborators to build on this foundation.
  • Comments

13. Final Thoughts & Strategic Outlook

  • A) The Simplicity of Concordium’s Approach
    • The core vision aligns with Satoshi’s original white paper:
      • Peer-to-peer transfer of value (not just speculation).
    • Simplifying blockchain technology for real-world applications.
    • Many consumers don’t realize the complexity behind traditional financial systems.
    • Concordium abstracts away unnecessary intermediaries, making blockchain technology accessible and usable.
    • The goal is beyond just trading stablecoins, expanding their use into real financial applications.
  • B) The Readiness of the Technology
    • Core functionalities already exist—they are being restructured for greater efficiency.
    • Stablecoin solutions are being validated and verified.
    • Concordium is preparing for various stablecoin types:
      • Yield-bearing & non-yield-bearing stablecoins.
      • Synthetic stablecoins for programmable finance.
  • C) Expanding Access to the U.S. Market
    • Regulatory landscape has shifted—previously, Concordium was cautious with U.S. engagement.
    • As of today, U.S. users can:
      • Download the Concordium wallet.
      • Hold CCD.
      • Developers & enterprises can build on the platform.
    • Access to U.S. exchanges remains a challenge, but work is ongoing.
    • Concordium’s approach: Announce only confirmed news, not speculation.
  • D) The Importance of Sequencing & Execution
    • The biggest challenge has never been what to do, but when to do it.
    • Previous efforts did not live up to their promise—this time, execution is clear and simplified.
    • Concordium is focused on delivering tangible results, not just hype.
  • E) Closing Remarks
    • Concordium’s strategy is pragmatic, structured, and designed for real-world adoption.
    • More updates will follow as milestones are hit.
  • Comments

14. Q&A 1: Grants & Developer Retention

  • All grant recipients (past and future) will be judged based on their alignment with Concordium’s roadmap.
  • Grant evaluations will consider relative merit, not in isolation—competing proposals will be compared.
  • The grant program will continue as a strategic tool to grow the ecosystem.
  • However, technology should be the primary magnet for attracting talent and projects.
  • This organic attraction is already beginning to happen.
  • Comments

15. Q&A 2: Institutional Interest

  • Yes, there is increased institutional attention.
  • The team is selective about who, how, and to what extent they engage.
  • The strategy has been carefully prepared over months to determine specific targets.
  • Conversations are taking place and responses are "amazing".
  • Comments

16. Q&A 3: Native Stablecoin from Circle or Tether

17. Q&A 4: Why is CCD Still Unknown?

  • Initially, Concordium assumed its built-in ID layer would make it Ethereum by default without needing active promotion.
  • That strategy failed—success must be attracted, not assumed.
  • Now, by simplifying and abstracting away complexity, Concordium will gain recognition.
  • CCD’s visibility depends on execution and delivering on promises—the market will recognize real success.
  • Comments

18. Q&A 5: Preventing Sybil Attacks & Ensuring Unique Identities 

  • Proof-of-Stake (PoS) architecture already makes Sybil attacks costly.
  • The identity layer is continuously researched and improved.
  • New developments in identity protection will be announced throughout 2025.
  • Comments

19 Q&A 6: How Do Existing Projects Like AesirX & PTAG Fit In?

  • Concordium is open-source—anyone seeing product-market fit is welcome to build.
  • Business sustainability depends on monetization, which requires:
    • 1. A stablecoin as a unit of value transfer.
    • 2. A secure blockchain to facilitate payments.
  • This aligns with Concordium’s core strategy, making it valuable for all builders.
  • Comments

20 Q&A 7: Where is the Team Growing After the C-Suite Reshuffle?

  • Major reshuffling already happened—entire leadership team is new except for Joergen.
  • London is the central hub, but tech roles are distributed globally.
  • Commercial roles may be more London-focused for efficiency.
  • Varun is finalizing his team, and overall, the structure is set—execution is already underway.
  • Comments

21 Q&A 8: Increasing Exchange Volume & Market Makers

  • Two key parts to the strategy:
    •  1. Organic demand creation through real utility (as outlined in today’s discussion).
    • 2. Building out the ecosystem—enhancing infrastructure & accessibility for CCD.
  • Upcoming announcements will cover:
    • Exchange listings.
    • Transaction monitoring.
    • Market makers.
    • Third-party wallet integrations.
  • Boris adds
    • Careful sequencing is crucial—listing too soon (e.g., Binance) could hurt more than help if market sentiment isn’t strong.
    • Confidence needs to be built first, then listings will follow strategically.
  • Comments

22. Q&A 9: Can CCD Handle High Volume?

23. Q&A 10: Supporting the EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI/EID)

  • Concordium is already in conversation with the EU Commission regarding integration.
  • Seamless onboarding & regulatory compliance are part of the plan.
  • More details will follow as discussions progress.
  • Comments

24. Q&A 11: When Will There Be a New Website?

  • The current website has improved significantly (better core vitals, backlinking, domain authority, and traffic).
  • A brand-new website is coming next month.
  • The new site will launch in phases, with new sections and pages added over time.
  • Comments

25. Q&A 12: How Have the Strategy Assumptions Been Validated?

  • The strategy has been validated through direct industry engagement.
  • The team has leveraged an extensive network of issuers and market participants from previous roles.
  • Validation covers non-yield-bearing & yield-bearing stablecoins, tokenized money market funds, and industry use cases.
  • Organic demand has been assessed—the assumptions hold.
  • Comments

26 Q&A 13: Declining Number of Validators & Security Concerns

  • Currently, there are 146 validators.
  • The number is expected to grow in 2025 as more use cases are deployed.
  • No fixed target for five years—the goal is continuous expansion.
  • Comments

27. Q&A 14: Wallet Onboarding & Recovery Without Seed Phrases

  • Wallet improvements are already in progress as part of the broader system upgrades.
  • The focus is on enhancing usability, security, and compliance alongside protocol development.
  • SDKs and tooling around the chain are also being improved.
  • Discussions with partners are ongoing, and solutions are actively being worked on.
  • Comments

28 Q&A 15: Explanation of Large CCD Transfers (250M CCD)

  • The transaction was related to treasury management.
  • The foundation is deploying funds to support the ecosystem, decentralization, and development.

29. Q&A 16: Concordium’s Privacy Strategy & Timeline

  • Privacy-focused features (e.g., shielded transactions) exist in the code but are not currently a priority.
  • If demand arises, they can be reintroduced or enhanced.
  • Right now, the focus is elsewhere, with bigger priorities in execution.
  • Comments

30. Q&A 17: Are There Concrete Partnerships Under NDA?

  • Yes, there are partnerships under NDA.
  • Most significant commercial deals happen under NDA until publicly disclosed.
  • Updates will be shared in the next commercial-focused town hall.
  • Sequencing matters—announcements will come at the right time.
  • Comments

31. Q&A 18: How Will the Community Be Updated More Regularly?

  • Regular town halls will now happen at least quarterly, possibly more often.
  • Bi-weekly X (Twitter) Spaces & topic-focused updates will be launched.
  • Revamped Discord will be a key hub for async updates—community should join.
  • Web3 model encourages direct engagement—projects themselves can provide updates.
  • Curated updates will be created, but real-time interaction is encouraged.
  • Comments

32. Q&A 19: Should AMAs Be Replaced with Professional Interviews & Podcasts?

  • AMAs are not going away—they are valuable for community engagement & updates.
  • Town halls, community calls, and deep dives will continue and even increase.
  • Press coverage has already doubled in the last three months (Nov–Jan).
  • Podcasts are part of the strategy and will be introduced soon.
  • The focus is on sequencing—ensuring the right story is told at the right time.
  • Comments

33. Q&A 20: How Does Concordium Approach Large Financial Institutions & Central Banks?

  • Direct outreach is inefficient—long sales cycles (18+ months) can waste resources.
  • Instead, Concordium works through channel partners who are already advising financial institutions.
  • The strategy is to educate & support these partners, so they bring Concordium into the conversation at the right time.
  • This approach is resource-efficient and ensures Concordium is in the room when it matters.
  • Comments

34. Q&A 21: Is There Institutional Interest in CCD? Why Aren’t They Buying?

  • Past challenges likely deterred institutional interest.
  • Sequencing is crucial—key developments are lined up, and execution must be flawless.
  • There is significant attention on Concordium right now—but institutions will only commit once confidence in execution is established.
  • The buying will follow successful execution.

35. Q&A 22: Has There Been Execution Since the Leadership Change?

  • Strong disagreement—significant execution has already happened.
  • The focus since September was on internal structuring:
    • Hiring the right team.
    • Defining the strategy.
    • Creating an execution plan that is feasible within a short timeframe.
  • Leadership team is still new (CTO ~2 months, CCO ~2.5 months, CMO ~2.5 months).
  • Execution is now moving into full speed, and the team is excited about what’s coming.
  • Patience is requested—the groundwork has been laid, and results will follow.
  • Comments

36. Q&A 23: Has Concordium Engaged with Tether?

  • Cannot comment on specific commercial discussions due to NDAs.
  • Concordium’s identity & compliance features (geofencing, jurisdiction verification) could benefit stablecoin issuers navigating regulations.
  • No direct confirmation, but the platform is well-positioned for regulatory-compliant stablecoin issuance.
  • Comments

37 Q&A 24: Bridging the Gap Between Web2 & Web3—In Human Terms

  • Web3 has isolated itself—it became a speculative space rather than solving real problems.
  • Web2 scaled because it improved user experience massively (100x better).
  • Web3 must do the same—solve real problems, not just create financial speculation.
  • Blockchains offer solutions Web2 can’t (because Web2 is centralized and controlled).
  • Concordium’s approach (e.g., “Verify and Buy”) is about making blockchain useful in real-world applications.
  • Comments

38. Q&A 25: USA & Global KYC, US Exchange Listings & Expectations

  • US KYC is now open.
  • US exchange listings will follow, but only at the right time.
  • A premature listing without strong commercial milestones would be damaging.
  • Market sentiment matters—price action hasn’t been great, and investor confidence needs to be built first.
  • Execution is already happening, with progress made over the last three weeks.

39. Closing Remarks

  • Boris says: 
    • This is an incredibly exciting opportunity from a technology perspective.
    • Concordium is delivering on the core promise of blockchain.
    • Community engagement remains crucial—stay involved.
    • Looking forward to showcasing results and shaping the industry.

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