Financial Technologies Forum

One of the first Bitcoin enthusiast and miner in Georgia (from 2011). He is member of Association Blockchain Georgia (from 2011). Adviser on 3 Georgian mining Data-centers from 2014 year.

Crypto investor and entrepreneur. Founder and CEO  of  Bitcoin Embassy Georgia. Honor member of   Blockchain Georgia Association. Founder of A-Star Investment Foundation (ICO and cryptocurrency investment).

Crypto trader & Investor. Adviser on some current international ICO.

Teacher of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain technology in Tbilisi IT-STEP, Georgia Tech-Park, Fablab Georgia academies.

Andrei Drozdov is working as Senior Manager in Information Risk Management Group of KPMG Moscow.

Has graduated with Master of Science Degree (MSc) from Applied Mathematics in Moscow, Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov.

Andrey has more than 30 years of professional experience as IT consultant and trainer in leading Russian companies and international organizations.

Andrei actively involved in professional associations: vice-president of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) of Moscow Chapter, as expert of Russian Information Systems Security Professional Association (RISSPA), Association for Banking Information Security Standards (ABISS) and  Association for Strategic Outsourcing (ASTRA).

Competencies include:

IT Audit within Financial Audits and Process Based Audits;

IT Due diligence as part of M&A and IPO;

IT processes maturity assessment based on CobiT;

ISO 27001 assessment and implementation;

SAS 70 attestations for service providers in financial sector;

Information security audit against Information Security Standard and Privacy requirements of Central Bank of Russia;

SOX reviews and implementation;

Information security standards and policies development;

Teaching on IT Governance and Information Security.

Teaching on IT Governance and Information Security.

Andrei's clients have been Central Bank of Russia, Central Bank of Azerbaijan, National Bank of Kazakhstan, Sberbank, VTB Group, Alfa Bank, Major German bank, Major Japanese bank, RaiffeisenBank, Renaissance Capital Bank, Gazprombank,, Citibank, URSA Bank, CSFB, Bank of America, TNK-BP, Lukoil, Metro Cash and Caryy, Severstal and others.

He has CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), ISACA – (Information Systems Audit and Control Association); CGEIT (Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT); Certified auditor and trainer for the Central Bank of Russia Security Standard certification.

Boris Spremo has an MS in ICT from University of Zagreb, an MBA from Cotrugli Business School, and fintech certification from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He is Operations Director of Business Development and Architecture. Boris is one of the blockchain leads in the New York Mellon Bank. He is responsible for blockchain research, and development of related business models and products. He previously worked as an independent consultant specializing in payments and integration, also led the consulting team.

He has helped establish the national clearing and settlement networks in Central and Eastern Europe and led to the development of several modern payment systems for most global financial services organizations. In addition to his technological advancement, he has taught this area in Europe by showing smaller initiatives.

Bulent Mushlu is working as the Senior VP of InfoSec, IT Compliance and Service Management at BKM.

He has been working in the Information Technology industry since 1991.  He has extensive experience in Information Security, IT Risk & Compliance, Business Continuity, Service Management, Data Center Operations, System & Network Management, Infrastructure Design, Project Management, Software Develeopment fields at corporate and multinational companies like BKM, HP, Alarko as head and consultant positions. Also he is known as “Unix Guru” being certified as “HP Certified Advanced IT Professional”.

He has been managing the BKM Information Security, IT Compliance and Service Management units since April 2016, besides his Business Continuity Coordinator responsibilities.

He has completed BS and MS at Istanbul Technical University, Computer Science and has ISO 27001 LA, ITIL® Expert (MALC) and CEH certifications.

Daniele joined the EBF in 2015. He is a policy advisor operating within the EBF Digital team where he leads the blockchain and virtual currencies projects. In particular, Daniele manages the EBF blockchain taskforce.

He also represents the EBF within the ECB Ami-Seco Fintech taskforce where he specifically focuses on DLT Governance. Furthermore, Daniele currently coordinates all the EBF initiatives related to Financing Growth, with a specific emphasis on the business finance and post-trade aspects.

Prior to joining EBF, Daniele worked as an Account Manager in a consultancy dealing with financial services and developing lobbying strategies.

Daniele has master’s degrees in international relations from the LUISS University of Rome and in European interdisciplinary studies from the College of Europe.

An Italian national, Daniele’s working languages are English, French, Italian and Spanish. He can speaks some German and Romanian.

Ashraf Hasanov is a graduated Azerbaijan Technical University in Industrial Electronic. He is also certified as Business Continuity Management (BCM) System BS25999 Lead Auditor since 2011 by British Standard Institute. He is successfully leading BCM program in Azerconnect LLC (Joint Venture of Bakcell and Azerfon) since 2016.

Ashraf has been associated in operation of multiple Telecommunication industry over 20 years and last 7 years in corporate Business Continuity program.

He has an extensive experience in ICT operation management, development BCM program, Business Impact Analyses, Risk Assessment and Mitigation, Disaster Response, setting BCM strategy of company.

Also he has been BCM experienced in Vodafone UK during 2011 based on partnership program of Azerfon and Vodafone.

He is business continuity expert-tutor of Baku Business Training Center of Ministry of Economic of Azerbaijan Republic.

Currently working on the own project to achieve BCM program deployment within critical players of private sector and government agencies to improve operation and services (product) resilience in Azerbaijan.

Georgiy Verbechki has more than 10 years experience in global markets such as Finance, Commerce and Asset Management. He is Blockchain’s enthusiast.

He has worked in various positions related to business development in such companies as "Microsoft Rus", "Thomson Reuters", "Tradingview".

George participated in launch of several startups, including communities of private traders, consulting company, he is also the strategic adviser for the financial strategy of the cryptocurrency fund, investing in cryptotechnologies and  blockchain industry.

At present he is included in the Legal Support Council of the Financial Market Committee of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Now he is the head of “eToro” in Russia and CIS, international investment social network for traders. The social network “eToro” totals more than 9 million registered users from 140 countries of the world. The mission of the company - radical change of the way of working with financial markets for traders, simplification of system and maximum transparency of all trade operations.

As a Senior Account Manager in VeriPark, Görkem Gökçe is responsible for the most known Finance and Insurance companies in Turkey to drive their digital transformation journey for customers and colleagues with the solutions which VeriPark develops in the field of Omni-Channel Delivery, CRM and Loan Origination.

Görkem Gökçe has an extensive experience in IT sector and experienced in understanding different business structures and processes in finance industry. He also lived in Azerbaijan more than 3 years and has a notable experience in local market and customer base.

He has Computer Engineering degree from Bahcesehir University in Istanbul.

For the period of 2006 – 2013 he has been working as Senior IT Auditor and Head IT Audit division in Central Bank of Azerbaijan Republic.

From 2013 he supervised and implemented introduction of international standards on information technology, strengthening of information / cyber security assurance and control projects for financial institutes, Banks, telecommunication, industrial, energy and manufacturing companies. 

Implementation of complex models of operational risk management and improvement. From 2017 he is the Head of Practice in Management and Information Security of Prima Consulting.

He is member of International ISACA Association since 2006.

Kanan Aliyev has about 7 years experience as expertise in Information Technology (IT) Audit and Security Exspert in this area.

He worked a long time for “Big 4” companies, in particular Deloitte and KPMG, and currently works as an independent researcher in the field of Information Security. Kenan analyzed the controls built on IT and Automated business processes within financial auditing projects in many banks in Azerbaijan.

On top of that, he participated in the projects on assessment of Information Security processes based on ISO 27001(2):2013, maturity level of the processes related to management of İT in accordance with COBIT standards.

Kanan’s industry experience covers Telecommunications, Manufacturing and Insurance along with Banking sector.

He got bachelor degree in Applied mathematics from Baku State University, earned master degree in MBA: Computer Information Systems at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy. Kanan is Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Mr. Mahammad Mammadov graduated with honors from the Faculty of International Economic Relations of Istanbul University of Turkey in 2001 and from Master of Arts in Banking of Banking and Insurance Institute of Marmara University of Turkey in 2004.

His career began in 2003 as credit specialist in Para Bank. From 2005 to 2006, he worked as a leading accountant in Sabail branch no 2 of Kapital Bank. From 2006 to 2009 he worked as a leading specialist and chief specialist at the newly created  Plastic Cards and Riteyl Department of Kapital Bank. He has been working as a head of division of Kapital Bank’s  Riteyl Department in 2009-2011 and has been promoted tp position of Deputy Director of this department in 2011.

He continued his career in 2013 as Deputy Director of the Alternative Distribution Channels Department, newly created in Yapi Kredi Azerbaijan. He has been promoted to position of Director of Alternative Distribution Channels Department in 2015 and is currently continuing his career in Yapi Kredi Bank Azerbaijan/

Mr. Mahammad Mammadov is the Chairman of the Expert Group on Paymetn Systems and AlternativeDistribution Channels ,established in 2016 under the Azerbaijan Banks Association. He active participates in discussions of the current situation in the banking system,problems faced by banks and other related issues related to card payment systems, alternative  distribution channels (Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, ATM, Call Center, etc.) payment systems security and other non –cash payments within the expert group as well as styding innovative approaches of foreign experience, advanced, countries, as well as making substantiated proposals for relevant agencies, developing legal and regulatory framworks and standarts and other similiar activities.

Mehmet Ali Citpis has a bachelor's degree in business administration. Mehmet Ali has spent the last 14 years working full-time as a fraud specialist

During his career he has worked various fraud management positions in various banks in the Turkey

Since 2014, Mehmet Ali is Fraud Management Officer at ZiraatBank Turkey

Areas of expertise are card fraud, ATM fraud, merchant fraud, internet and mobile banking fraud and fraudulent applications.     

Mehmet Izzet Hajialioglu has worked as an Information Technology Auditor for almost five years and has been working as Digital Banking Security Manager at Garanti Bank for over five years.

 He is responsible for deciding policy and procedures for digital banking, ATM processes regarding authentication and security and conducts projects specifically on fraud and compliance issues. 

In 2007, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering.

 In 2015 he completed his master's degree in Information and Technology Law. In 2017, he became a CISM certified owner.

He is 34 years old, married and father of two children.

Meiram Burataev has studied at the Kazakh Transport and Communications Academy named Tynyshpayeva in 2002-2007. He has 10 years experience in sales.

 Meiram Burataev has worked as a sales manager for "KaR-Tel" TOO, Smartcom LLP and as Business Development Manager in Streamline Central Asia.

He has worked as Regional Manager at Tiger Optics since 2014. Meiram has been working as cyber security sales manager  at Cisco since 2018.

He is a criminal investigation officer in Russia and the Internet Security Center (CIS)

He has more than six years of consulting experience and more than five years of experience in oil and gas industry. Nikolai has worked for financial, telecom, and governmental institutions in the USA and has specialized in Perspective technologies and innovations, Oil&Gas, Information security, Forensic, IT management.

He has professional experiences on:

 Implementation of ERP and business application in Russian and foreign oil and gas companies and innovation management systems on manufacturing enterprises;

Application of innovative management systems in production facilities;

Automation of anti-fraud systems in oil & gas, and metallurgy companies; IT projects, Fraud investigations and anti-fraud, Business processes optimization projects;

Implementation of data analytics technologies in economic security systems, including technologies of automatic procurement analysis, counterparty due diligence and anti-fraud systems on oil plants, oil refineries and service stations;

Prevention of cyber crimes and fraud investigations through information technologies;

Setting up Project Management Offices (international and IT projects);

Business-processes’ optimization in downstream divisions of leading oil companies in Russia;

Managing programs aimed at implementation of material balance and minimization of oil and petroleum products’ losses.

He has graduated with honors from Russian State University of Oil and Gas named Gubkin, INSEAD Business school and Moscow State University named Lomonosov (Polymer Physics). Nikolai has CFE, CISSP, PMP professional certification. He speaks Russian, English, Spanish and Ukrainian.

Pavel joined SWIFT Moscow office in the beginning of 2013 as Account Director for financial institutions in Russian and CIS countries.

Pavel had many years of experience in Financial Institutions in the top Russian banks and was responsible for relationship with Russian and CIS countries banks.

Mirzayev Gachay graduated from Baku State University with honors diploma of Economic Cybernetics profession of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics faculty in 2001.

In 2002, he participated in special refresher courses on Information Technology and specialization courses in Kiev, UK, Biriminhem, South Korea, Seoul, Busan and Kwangju and was a certified IT specialist.

He worked as Instructor at the Regional Academy for the preparation of Global and Local Computing Networks Administrators in 2001-2005, as technical operator on devices for BP Caspian in 2005-2008, Director Department of Information Technology In the Administrative Department at the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Since July 2012 he has been a Strategic Technology Adviser at Microsoft Azerbaijan, Since February 2017, he has been working as an Expert on Infrastructure solutions at Azure Platform in Microsoft CIS.

Seçil Arslan has her B.S and M.Sc. degrees in Computer Engineering department of Middle East Technical University. She holds an Executive MBA degree from Koç University Turkey.

She has worked for 9 years at ASELSAN A.Ş in air defence and national warship projects. She has attended Yapı Kredi R&D team in 2013 and has been working as head of R&D and Special Projects.

She is managing several AI and Natural Language Processing projects that aim to automize and digitize different business processes of Yapı Kredi. In scope of those projects, she has several national and international awards.

After graduating from the secondary school he was admitted to the department of “Accounting” at Azerbaijan State Economic University and completed the full course on the speciality of “Economist” in 1981. 

Zakir Nuriyev started his labour activity as Leading Accountant at the “Control and Inspection” department of the Ministry of Communications, Azerbaijan Republic in 1981.

 Zakir Nuriyev did his military service during 1981-1983. He worked in the capacity of Accountant – Inspector, Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Accountant at the “Control and Inspection” department of the Ministry of Communications, Azerbaijan Republic from July, 1983 until January, 1989 after having served in the military.

 He was appointed to the post of Manager of the “Control and Accounting” division at “Regional Communication” Production Association of the Ministry of Communications, Azerbaijan Republic in 1989. Zakir Nuriyev worked in the capacity of Chairman of the Management Board at “Rabitabank” Joint-Stock Commercial Bank during 1993-1998 and has been acting as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at “Rabitabank” Open Joint-Stock Company since 1998 up to date. He was elected President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association in 1996 and worked in that capacity until 2006. He has been member of the Presidium at Azerbaijan Banks Association from 2006 till 2015. He was re-elected President of Azerbaijan Banks Association in 2015.