XDC Network’s Saloi Benbaha Honored at House of Lords for Blockchain Leadership
Blockchain just got a royal nod. Saloi Benbaha, a key architect behind the XDC Network, was recognized at the UK's House of Lords for driving real-world enterprise adoption.
Why This Recognition Matters
It's not every day a blockchain builder gets a hat-tip in the halls of Parliament. The honor spotlights a growing, if reluctant, institutional acknowledgment that distributed ledger tech is moving beyond speculative trading and into the plumbing of global trade finance. XDC's focus on streamlining cross-border transactions for businesses—cutting out intermediaries and slashing settlement times from days to minutes—finally has the attention of policymakers.
The Enterprise Blockchain Play
While retail traders chase memecoins, networks like XDC are quietly building the infrastructure for a new financial system. They're bypassing the hype cycle and targeting the multi-trillion-dollar trade finance sector, where efficiency gains translate directly to corporate bottom lines. It's a boring, practical, and potentially massive use case that makes crypto's wild price swings look like a sideshow.
A Nod to Pragmatism Over Hype
This recognition isn't about moon shots or lambos. It's a signal that utility and regulatory engagement are becoming the new benchmarks for success in the sector. For the traditional finance crowd still scoffing from the sidelines, it's another inconvenient data point that the technology underpinning their next-generation settlement layer is being built by the very industry they dismiss. The future of finance is being coded, and sometimes, it gets invited to tea at the House of Lords.
Saloi Benbaha, Head of XDC Network Enterprise Alliance & Ventures received the Policy Pioneer Award at the Digital Assets Global Forum’s 100 Commonwealth Impact Leaders Dinner, held at the UK House of Lords by Baroness. The award was presented by Dr. Lisa Cameron, former UK Member of Parliament and founder of the UK-US crypto Alliance.
The Policy Pioneer Award recognizes exceptional contributions to digital asset policy and cross-border regulatory collaboration between the United Kingdom and United States. Saloi’s work in trade finance innovation and blockchain integration has positioned her as a leading female voice in the sector.
“I’m deeply honored by this recognition received at the House of Lords. It highlights how collaboration between policymakers, innovators, and institutions can shape a more inclusive and transparent future for blockchain, AI and digital trade finance. At XDC Network, we remain committed to bridging traditional finance and blockchain to unlock real impact across global trade,” said Saloi Benbaha, Head of XDC Network Enterprise Alliance & Ventures.
Saloi has led strategic initiatives integrating blockchain into global trade workflows, including MLETR-compliant digital trade documents and partnerships with regulators, banks, and enterprises across the MENA region but also participating regularly in policy discussions around the globe. Her contributions have advanced frameworks for stablecoin regulation, capital market integration, and cross-border cooperation.
The evening featured keynote addresses from Lord Taylor of Warwick and Dr. Lisa Cameron, with discussions focused on stablecoins and their role in strengthening transatlantic financial ties.
The UK-US Crypto Alliance, founded by Dr. Lisa Cameron, promotes cross-border collaboration in digital asset policy and regulatory harmonization between the United Kingdom and United States.
