Invite-only cryptoassets investor summit puts KC at crossroads of blockchain, AI infrastructure

A trio of high-profile industry speakers are expected to rally a hand-selected group of private investors from across the region this fall when the Heartland Digital Asset Exchange (HDAX) returns to Kansas City for a summit drawing a throughline from cryptoassets to banking, energy and AI infrastructure.

(opens in new tab) Grant Cardone, Cardone Capital, speaks during the inaugural Heartland Digital Asset Exchange (HDAX) in September 2025 in Kansas City; photo courtesy of KC Digital Drive

“Kansas City is a natural gathering point for the institutions, infrastructure leaders and investors shaping the next economy,” said Jim Starcev, co-founder of HDAX, a serial entrepreneur and program manager at KC Digital Drive, which produces the summit alongside Heartland Futures Lab. “HDAX creates a highly curated setting where national capital and expertise can connect with the opportunities and innovation emerging across the Heartland.”

Designed specifically for family offices, institutional investors and select industry leaders, HDAX is set for Sept. 14-15 — opening with an investor breakfast on the rooftop of the Crossroads Hotel, followed by a full day of programming at The Guild in Kansas City’s Crossroads district.

The audience is intentionally limited, organizers said, though invitations can be requested from HDAX.

Attendance is intentionally limited. To request an invitation, visit HDAX.io.

Featured speakers include Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple; Michael Sonnenfeldt, founder and chairman of TIGER21; and Anthony Bassili, president of Coinbase Asset Management. Additional industry experts from BlockChange Ventures, Coinbase, Critical Materials Crossroads, Gamma Prime, Lead Bank, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Multicoin Capital, PayPal, Starframe Capital, and Willis are planned.

“The next chapter of digital assets will extend far beyond financial markets — supporting cross-border payments, capital formation and the financing of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects,” said Heidi Lehmann, co-founder of HDAX. “HDAX connects the Heartland’s advantages — including available land, abundant energy, established banking rails and a growing innovation ecosystem — with the family offices and institutional investors positioned to finance what comes next.”

The HDAX summit is set to explore:

• Banking — Stablecoins, custody, payments, settlement and tokenized financial markets.
• Energy — The financing and tokenization of power generation, critical materials and behind-the-meter energy assets.
• AI Infrastructure — The capital, energy and digital rails required to support data centers and the next generation of computing.
• Global Family Office Capital — Private capital and cross-border networks financing digital, energy and infrastructure assets.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves as the strategic sponsor of HDAX 2026, with additional education sponsors including Alliant Private Client, BTM Energy, Collaborative Capital, KPMG, Mariner, Polsinelli and Stellar Forge Mining.