The India Blockchain Alliance (IBA) stands as the country’s premier blockchain think tank, dedicated to advancing innovation, policy dialogue, and education in emerging technologies. By fostering collaboration among industry, government, and academia, IBA empowers enterprises, startups, and professionals while building a strong ecosystem and global partnerships for sustainable growth.
Voyager’s World speaks to Raj Kapoor, Founder of the India Blockchain Alliance (IBA), in an exclusive interview. As one of the most influential voices in the blockchain ecosystem, Raj shares insights on IBA’s vision, the transformative role of blockchain across industries and associations, and how emerging technologies like AI, Web3, and the metaverse are converging to shape the future.
To begin with, could you tell us about the vision and core objectives of the India Blockchain Alliance (IBA)? How does it engage with industry associations across sectors?
The India Blockchain Alliance was established with one unapologetic mission—to make India the global hub for blockchain innovation, policy, and talent. Our vision is to move blockchain from being seen as an “emerging” technology to becoming an “everyday” trust layer across industries. It should not be reserved for crypto enthusiasts but rather be the invisible backbone of supply chains, healthcare, education, governance, finance, and more. To achieve this, we bring together policymakers, corporates, startups, academia, and global alliances, building an ecosystem that is unified and action-oriented. Our objectives are clear: awareness, adoption, advocacy, and acceleration. At IBA, we are not just preparing India to be blockchain-ready but to be blockchain-led. We act as the bridge between policy, people, and possibilities—igniting adoption, breaking silos, and ensuring blockchain becomes a national priority.
Blockchain is often associated with finance and cryptocurrency. How do you see its relevance for associations and professional bodies in India?
That stereotype needs to be broken. Blockchain is not just a fintech toy. For associations and professional bodies, it can redefine credibility, efficiency, and member engagement. Imagine issuing tamper-proof digital certificates, protecting sensitive data against breaches, automating renewals and compliance, or enabling transparent grant allocations. When associations adopt blockchain, they not only safeguard internal processes, but they also send a strong signal to members that they are future-ready. I like to say blockchain is the ultimate credibility engine. It turns integrity into a built-in feature—not just a buzzword.
What are some key sectors or associations where blockchain adoption is accelerating—and what can others learn from them?
The most visible momentum is in supply chain, healthcare, and education. These sectors handle high-value data and demand transparency and compliance. For example, pharma supply chains are leveraging blockchain to trace medicines, preventing counterfeit drugs from entering the market. Universities are issuing blockchain-based degrees, instantly verifiable anywhere in the world. Logistics players are cutting cross-border paperwork delays from days to minutes using blockchain documentation. The key takeaway is: don’t begin with “we need blockchain.” Instead, ask, “Where is trust broken or processes inefficient?” That’s where blockchain adds real value.
From attendee registration to event security and ticketing, how do you see blockchain transforming the meeting and event management industry?
Events are about people, but behind the scenes, they’re about trust, security, and flawless execution. Blockchain is a natural fit here. It can eliminate fake passes through tamper-proof ticketing systems, secure attendee data end-to-end, and ensure compliance with privacy laws. Imagine an international congress where every ticket is a unique NFT—impossible to forge and doubling up as a collectable. Sponsorship tracking, speaker contracts, and even post-event feedback can be blockchain-enabled. In short, blockchain becomes the silent backbone that makes events seamless, hacker-proof, and trustworthy.
Could you share some use cases where blockchain has already been successfully implemented in global events?
There are several real-world examples. The FIFA World Cup used blockchain ticketing to prevent scalping and counterfeit sales. Coachella issued NFT passes that gave fans lifetime access, creating loyalty far beyond a single festival. The World Economic Forum in Davos adopted blockchain-based access passes to cut check-in queues drastically. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, blockchain was used to secure the supply chain of official merchandise, ensuring authenticity. Even in India, startups like Ticketroot are innovating with Web3 solutions for events. These are not pilots anymore—they’re proven, large-scale implementations that protect revenue, enhance attendee experience, and reduce risks for organisers.
Do you think blockchain can bring greater transparency and trust in areas like association elections, voting, or membership management?
Absolutely. Blockchain is the ultimate audit trail. In elections, every vote is verifiable, immutable, and transparent—while still preserving voter anonymity. This eliminates disputes, missing ballots, or questionable results. For membership management, records stored on blockchain mean instant validation of eligibility, payments, and credentials. The biggest win here is restoring faith in governance processes. When members trust the system, they participate more actively.
What role is IBA playing in building awareness and skills in blockchain, particularly among students, SMEs, and associations?
Our philosophy is simple: awareness precedes adoption. We run blockchain literacy programs nationwide—from college hackathons and masterclasses to SME workshops and industry roundtables. Thousands of students have already been trained in blockchain fundamentals, decentralised applications, and Web3 career paths. For MSMEs, we emphasise practical, low-cost solutions that don’t require a complete tech overhaul. For associations, we conduct tailored sessions on governance, certification, and event technology. Our goal is to build a pipeline of blockchain-fluent professionals ready to drive adoption in their own ecosystems.
Could you elaborate on IBA’s collaborations with government bodies and international organisations?
Yes, policy and collaboration are critical. We work with Indian ministries on blockchain pilots for agriculture, land records, and public procurement. Internationally, we engage with the UN, OECD, and World Bank to align Indian innovations with global best practices. On the education side, we’ve partnered with universities and EdTech firms worldwide to integrate blockchain into curricula. Policy engagement is equally important—we translate technical realities into actionable recommendations for lawmakers. Regulations can either accelerate or stifle adoption, and our role is to ensure India moves forward. With the Bureau of Indian Standards, we’re even helping to define blockchain standards for India and beyond.
With AI, Web3, and the metaverse gaining traction, how do you see these technologies converging with blockchain to influence associations in the next five years?
Think of blockchain as the trust layer, AI as the intelligence layer, and the metaverse as the experience layer. Individually, they’re powerful. Together, they’re transformative. Associations will soon host immersive conferences in the metaverse, where your credentials are secured on blockchain, your session recommendations are AI-powered, and your networking data is safe from misuse. It may sound futuristic today, but this convergence will define how associations engage with members in the coming decade.
As a thought leader in the blockchain ecosystem, what message would you like to share with the delegates of the India Association Congress 2025?
If you’re waiting for the “right time” to experiment with blockchain, you’re already late. The leaders of tomorrow are the ones making bold moves today. Don’t treat blockchain as a tech experiment—see it as a strategic investment in credibility, efficiency, and relevance. My advice is to start small, fail fast, learn faster, and scale big. In a rapidly changing world, standing still is the biggest risk.
Lastly, what is your vision for a future-ready, tech-empowered association ecosystem in India by the end of this decade?
By 2030, I see associations built on secure, transparent, and interoperable digital infrastructures. Membership management will be fully automated, voting fraud-proof, and events will be seamlessly hybrid. AI-driven personalisation will make every member feel individually valued. These won’t be “tech upgrades” anymore—they’ll be the default way associations operate. Those who embrace it early will not just survive, they’ll lead, inspire, and set global benchmarks.
