Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Sends, will lead an industry discussion at The Blockchain Show Riyadh, moderating a panel titled “AI, Risk & Blockchain: Building the Next Generation of Digital Banking.” The panel will bring together experts from cybersecurity, banking, blockchain infrastructure, and digital asset innovation to explore how artificial intelligence, risk management frameworks, and distributed ledger technologies are shaping digital banking. The discussion will focus on four key themes: foundations of secure digital banking; blockchain’s role in financial infrastructure and digital trust; responsible AI governance; and the future of digital finance across the Middle East and global markets. Particular attention will be given to Saudi Arabia’s growing position as a regional hub for digital innovation. Earlier this month, Alona Shevtsova was shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the Established Business of the Year category. Her team is also preparing for the Fintech Connect conference in London later this year, where Sends will be a leading sponsor. In July 2025, Alona Shevtsova announced the first stage of a project in collaboration with Sends Messenger, aiming to integrate payment functionality directly into the messaging app for users across the UK, Europe, Ukraine, and beyond.