Building Trust in the Digital Age: Key Takeaways from DEF Bodrum

The first Digital Economy Forum Bodrum (DEF Bodrum) provided a clear view into Turkey’s growing commitment to digital transformation.The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss the future of blockchain, AI, and digital trust – and to explore how Turkey aims to position itself within the global digital landscape.

Representatives from Super How Group (SH Group) – Andrius Bartminas and Linas Būtėnas – were among the participants and contributed directly to these discussions. Both were invited on stage to share insights from SH Group’s work in blockchain adoption including central bank digital currencies and stablecoins, digital trust frameworks, AI industry needed automated payments and enterprise innovation.

Turkey as a Bridge Between Regions

DEF Bodrum reinforced Turkey’s role as a connector between Europe and the Middle East. Many regional companies see themselves or would like to act as facilitators of cross-border initiatives and international cooperation.

“Turkey positions itself as a gateway to Asia – both geographically and culturally – and this creates strong opportunities for digital collaboration and market expansion. This strategic mindset was evident throughout the conference,” says Andrius Bartminas, Co-Founder and EVP of SH Group.

A Strategic Focus on Digital Advancement

A consistent theme at DEF Bodrum was the country’s deliberate approach to enhancing its digital economy. Public institutions, major enterprises, and technology-focused organizations demonstrated a strong interest for deeper expertise, international cooperation, and future-oriented digital capabilities.

According to Andrius Bartminas, there is a clear willingness across the ecosystem to expand knowledge, adopt new tools, and accelerate digital maturity. Discussions focused not on limitations but on ambition, readiness to learn, and openness to innovation.

Emerging Themes at DEF Bodrum

The forum covered a range of topics central to digital transformation: Digital Transformation and AI,  Blockchain Applications in Business and Finance, Enhancing Trust in Digital Age and many more.

Speakers emphasized the importance of strong governance models, reliable data, and responsible AI deployment. Questions on data quality, bias, and trust surfaced repeatedly, underscoring the central role of transparency in AI-driven decision-making.

The blockchain-focused sessions highlighted practical applications such as asset tokenization, payments, compliance, and enterprise trust infrastructure. As Linas Būtėnas, our CTO & CRO, remarked, the discussions centered on realistic, operational scenarios rather than hype, reflecting a mature perspective on blockchain’s role in business.

A Strong Foundation for Future Editions

As a first-edition event, DEF Bodrum delivered a focused program supported by strong engagement and networking. DEF Bodrum set a solid foundation for future development and has the potential to evolve into important regional platform for digital dialogue.

As Andrius and Linas noted, the current momentum and openness to global partnerships create meaningful opportunities for joint initiatives. We would also like to thank the whole DEF Bodrum team, Merter Özdemir, Aynur Namli Ducray and our partners Serhat Onay and Emrah Kozan for their consistent support and warm hospitality.