1inch, a decentralized exchange aggregator, is co-hosting a one-day forum titled Groundwork on October 16, 2026, at the National Union Building in Washington, DC. The event is part of DC Fintech Week and is organized in partnership with the Blockchain Association.
The forum aims to facilitate dialogue between students, policymakers, professors, and DeFi protocol developers. The program includes seven panels, six roundtables, and sessions moderated by students. Key topics include the evolution of DeFi, smart contract security, and career opportunities.
Speakers include Orest Gavryliak, Chief Legal Officer of 1inch, along with representatives from Uniswap, Circle, and Robinhood Crypto. Academic participants include faculty from Columbia, NYU, Rutgers, and George Mason universities.
Groundwork is an extension of the 1inch Forward initiative, launched in early 2026 to encourage US business and law schools to incorporate digital assets and blockchain into their curricula. This initiative was introduced via an open letter on March 18, 2026, signed by over 20 DeFi projects and advocacy groups.
In addition to the forum, 1inch relaunched its DeFi Academy in June 2026 to provide educational resources on core DeFi concepts. The company is also offering travel sponsorships for a limited number of student attendees to facilitate their participation in the Washington event.
