We have learned straight from the horse’s mouth, that is directly from Krypto Jam, that Daria Gaca joined its team of analysts. Her job is to focus on analysing the cryptocurrency market and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). We can read in the company’s official announcement that “she specialises in screening ICO ventures and auditing ICO marketing campaigns. She is socially committed to the development of the Blockchain technology and regulations related to cryptocurrencies and ICOs in Poland”, as well as forming part of the team working with the Polish Ministry of Finance (MF) on the tax on civil law transactions in relation to cryptocurrencies.
We have had an opportunity to interview Daria and talk to her about the newly announced plans of cooperation between Krypto Jam and Merlin Group, her duties pertaining to her position and plans for the future. Below we present a transcript of that interview.
Comparic: You have recently joined the ranks of Krypto Jam (KJ), which has attracted a lot of publicity since last Friday in the context of a letter of intent KJ signed with Merlin Group S.A. The company’s shares soared, and many investors ever since have been racking their brains on what tokenisation of companies is. Can you tell us a bit more about the very process it involves?
Daria Gaca: Hello and many thanks for your invitation. Indeed, Merlin Group has been back on the headlines of business portals following the announcement about signing a letter of intent with KJ regarding cooperation related to the blockchain technology. The companies are due to embark on developing the first innovative loyalty programme in Europe based on tokenisation.
Our objective is to make this token for e-commerce accessible not only for Merlin stores, but to expand it into a broad programme for the whole sector. We would like the market to assess its value, which will be possible as the token will be quoted on an exchange and everyone will be able to buy and sell it. This will distinguish it totally from other systems that operate these days, whose functionality can be very limited.
Moreover, the existing systems are expensive to maintain. Our project prioritises minimisation of costs through the application of the blockchain technology.
C: What’s the story behind your interest in the crypto market? How did it all begin?
D.G: My story has a lot in common with other people’s experience. I found out about Bitcoin from a friend. However, before that I traded on the forex market and DAX, which I treated more like a hobby than a form of earning money. I am very cautious when it comes to investments. That’s why before I invested anything in cryptocurrencies, I read up extensively on them.
C: What will be your role at KJ?
D.G: When it comes to my responsibilities at KJ, I am focusing on what I am best at, i.e. analysis of projects based on the blockchain technology and audits of Initial Coin Offerings. We aim at being one of the institutions that will civilise that market and, at the same time, marginalize any projects being Ponzi schemes, scams or attempts at illegal enrichment.
Cryptocurrencies create an immense potential and trigger off ease of capital flows, which is considerably impeded in the current rigid and out-of-date financial system. Unfortunately, as is the case with all new technologies, we come across fraudsters, too. We would like to help eliminate all scammers and ensure that investors will be getting what project developers promise in original whitepapers.
C: What are your professional plans for the future? Are they related solely to KJ?
D.G: I Joined the team headed by Rafał Zaorski at the beginning of July and for now my career plans are focused entirely on KJ. However, I wouldn’t like to neglect my social engagements in the development of cryptocurrencies and the blockchain technology in Poland. We are about to start off a website called poznajkryptowaluty.com (get to know cryptocurrencies), which is a response to the campaigns that have been launched recently by KNF (Financial Supervision Authority) and NBP (National Bank of Poland) – both warning against cryptocurrencies.
C: What do you think the nearest future holds for the market. How long could the current bears’ trend last and at what point are we now?
D.G: At the beginning of April, we had a situation that is similar to what is going on now in July. The price of BTC oscillated within a similar band, only to break out upwards, giving premature hopes that the downward trend is over. I believe this time we will end up seeing the same outcome. After having a closer look at the charts, I estimate that the price will retreat at around 8,500 USD and dive back down. I assess it may go down to roughly 5,000 USD and then I am planning to return to the market by investing in altcoins. In my opinion, if BTC slips below the 5k level or even lower, there will be a sideways trend going on for several months, so until the bulls’ market is back, we need to arm ourselves with some patience.
C: You are also part of the team that was strongly involved during the campaign aimed at the Polish Ministry of Finance (MF), seeking to advise its officials against introducing the tax on civil law transactions [on cryptocurrencies]. You have been successful and are there any further steps being taken by the Government?
D.G: Yes, I am engaged, among other things, in the team that participated in the talks held with the MF. There were several rounds as part of a working group, during which we put forward significant information about the markets, including how various exchanges work, and our proposals for taxation of cryptocurrencies in Poland. Further work in this area is being done behind closed doors and the information we have right now corresponds with what is currently covered by the media.
Translation: Mirosław Wilk
