Rio Crypto Hub welcomes IMPA Tech students to Maravalley
Undergraduates took part in discussions on technology and innovation
31/1/2025
IMPA Tech undergraduates took part in a meeting on Thursday (30) about the power of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in developing Rio de Janeiro as a global hub for startups. The event, promoted by the Rio Crypto Hub (RCH) organization, debated topics that are shaping discussions about technology, the future and innovation, in the auditorium of Porto Maravalley.
The students’ participation was made possible thanks to IMPA Tech’s strategic location in the innovation hub of Porto Maravalley, next to startups and technology companies. The event is one of the opportunities for integrating academia with the job market, providing a creative environment with extensive networking and interdisciplinary discussions.
Júlio Cesar Azevedo, director of Maravalley, explained how the hub was conceived. “Maravalley was created to be the epicenter of innovation in Rio de Janeiro. There was a lack of a meeting point for the technology community in the city. We want to solve real problems through technology. Eight thousand people, including 20 global delegations, have already been here. This shows the opportunities that this space can generate,” he said.
With this integration between the market and academia in mind, undergraduate students attended two discussions: “DREX and the Real Assets Market” and “Blockchain as Urban Innovation”. The event was attended by RCH members, startup founders, BNDES employees and other guests.
Vanessa Arantes, digital innovation manager at the BNDES, highlighted what is being done within the government in the area of innovation and digital currencies, such as the development of DREX. “DREX is a smart financial contract platform. One of its functions is to program transfers based on the receipt of assets through technology, facilitating the trust and credibility of large transactions.”
She also reinforced Brazil’s position on the global technology scene. “Several countries around the world are trying to launch their digital currencies issued by central banks. We are well on this agenda because Brazil already has the project in pilot development,” she added.
Blockchain is a decentralized technology for recording immutable transactions in real time. It can be applied to the financial market, health, governance and logistics. Student Pedro Carvalho is interested in the area and has been following technological advances. “I believe that blockchain networks are an evolution of the transaction system we currently use. They have brought more security, privacy and independence than traditional institutions were able to provide.”
For him, being able to take part in discussions with professionals from different areas is an initiative that should be expanded. “It’s a learning opportunity with huge potential for the future. I think companies themselves can benefit from this integration and it’s a culture that needs to be cultivated more,” he added.
Student Gabriely Rocha took advantage of the event to see the market applications of technology. “Opportunities like this show us what’s happening outside the academic bubble, and are important for our specialization and integration with the job market. I wasn’t familiar with the concept of blockchain, but I saw the paths, possibilities and intersections with our bachelor’s degree.”
Read more: Marcelo Viana receives ‘IMSA Mathematician Award’
See also: IMPA Tech Regulation 2025 is available on the website
