Crypto Hipster Podcast

Tristan Thoma, Managing Director @ Impera Strategywww.imperastrategy.comTristan Thoma led the implementation of the first and only operating national crypto system in the world, in El Salvador. His firsthand experience in system & business design, technical architecture and policy creation applies to both creative high-level strategic initiatives and the execution of precise tactical decisions. Working throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Tristan has built more than two dozen Blockchain-integration models for Fortune500 companies, governments and startups. His current focus is supporting governments and financial institutions develop National Digital currencies with the objective of increasing financial inclusion and resilience.Since 2016, Tristan has pioneered innovative strategic solutions for private and public sector implementing blockchain and advanced technology. Working throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, he has led executive blockchain strategy for Fortune500 companies and Startups for industries including Banking, Payments, Asset Management, Supply Chain, IOT, Biotech, Transportation, Gaming, Agriculture, Real Estate and Trading.With a background in Organizational Psychology and IT Systems Management, Tristan bridges the gap between technology and sustainable human-centric design. He is passionate about Blockchain's potential for social impact and sustainability. Tristan is an avid speaker at Universities and conferences around the world.

Tristan Thoma, Managing Director @ Impera Strategywww.imperastrategy.comTristan Thoma led the implementation of the first and only operating national crypto system in the world, in El Salvador. His firsthand experience in system & business design, technical architecture and policy creation applies to both creative high-level strategic initiatives and the execution of precise tactical decisions. Working throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Tristan has built more than two dozen Blockchain-integration models for Fortune500 companies, governments and startups. His current focus is supporting governments and financial institutions develop National Digital currencies with the objective of increasing financial inclusion and resilience.Since 2016, Tristan has pioneered innovative strategic solutions for private and public sector implementing blockchain and advanced technology. Working throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, he has led executive blockchain strategy for Fortune500 companies and Startups for industries including Banking, Payments, Asset Management, Supply Chain, IOT, Biotech, Transportation, Gaming, Agriculture, Real Estate and Trading.With a background in Organizational Psychology and IT Systems Management, Tristan bridges the gap between technology and sustainable human-centric design. He is passionate about Blockchain's potential for social impact and sustainability. Tristan is an avid speaker at Universities and conferences around the world.

Samantha Yap, Founder and CEO of YAP Global ⁠Samantha⁠ is the Founder and CEO of ⁠YAP Global⁠, an international PR and communications consultancy that works with meaningful companies and organizations in the cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi) and web3 sector. With her expertise and stewardship, she has built YAP Global to be the link between complex cryptocurrency technology and mainstream press.Since establishing YAP Global in 2018, Samantha has grown the team across continents and launched ⁠YAP Cast⁠ (a podcast series exploring the history of money, in turn allowing listeners to make sense of the world of crypto and DeFi), and⁠The Context ⁠(a newsletter that provides a grounded perspective on developments in crypto, DeFi and web3 industries).Prior to delving into PR, she worked as a broadcast journalist and producer for Channel NewsAsia Singapore. Samantha also gained extensive international journalism experience in Melbourne, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

Samantha Yap, Founder and CEO of YAP Global Samantha is the Founder and CEO of YAP Global, an international PR and communications consultancy that works with meaningful companies and organizations in the cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi) and web3 sector. With her expertise and stewardship, she has built YAP Global to be the link between complex cryptocurrency technology and mainstream press.Since establishing YAP Global in 2018, Samantha has grown the team across continents and launched YAP Cast (a podcast series exploring the history of money, in turn allowing listeners to make sense of the world of crypto and DeFi), andThe Context (a newsletter that provides a grounded perspective on developments in crypto, DeFi and web3 industries).Prior to delving into PR, she worked as a broadcast journalist and producer for Channel NewsAsia Singapore. Samantha also gained extensive international journalism experience in Melbourne, Jakarta, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

Stacy Spikes is a disruptor and visionary entrepreneur who has spent his career breaking barriers in entertainment. He founded Urbanworld Film Festival to amplify underrepresented voices in film, bringing new stories to light that Hollywood often overlooked. He later launched MoviePass to revive in-person moviegoing by making theaters and ticket prices more accessible. When he was ousted from his own company and MoviePass collapsed due to poor leadership and business decisions, Stacy bought it back and rebuilt it from the ground up.Now, with Mogul, Stacy is disrupting Hollywood again – this time, by creating a platform where fans will be able to actively engage in shaping entertainment. His mission has always remained the same: democratize accessibility, elevate new voices, and revolutionize how stories are made.

Stacy Spikes is a disruptor and visionary entrepreneur who has spent his career breaking barriers in entertainment. He founded Urbanworld Film Festival to amplify underrepresented voices in film, bringing new stories to light that Hollywood often overlooked. He later launched MoviePass to revive in-person moviegoing by making theaters and ticket prices more accessible. When he was ousted from his own company and MoviePass collapsed due to poor leadership and business decisions, Stacy bought it back and rebuilt it from the ground up.Now, with Mogul, Stacy is disrupting Hollywood again – this time, by creating a platform where fans will be able to actively engage in shaping entertainment. His mission has always remained the same: democratize accessibility, elevate new voices, and revolutionize how stories are made.

Adam Bergman is a well-known figure in the world of retirement planning, particularly for his pioneering work in the self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account) industry. As the founder of IRA Financial, a leading firm specializing in self-directed retirement accounts, Adam has built a reputation as a highly respected expert on alternative investments and tax-advantaged retirement strategies.Before founding IRA Financial, Adam worked as an attorney specializing in tax law, focusing on retirement and investment strategies. His extensive knowledge of tax codes, ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), and IRS regulations gave him a unique perspective on the potential benefits of self-directed retirement accounts, which at the time were relatively underutilized.In 2010, Adam Bergman launched IRA Financial with the goal of facilitating the setup of self-directed IRAs and also providing comprehensive guidance on how to structure these accounts and navigate the legal intricacies involved. A self-directed IRA allows individuals and business owners to invest in a wide range of assets, including real estate, private equity, cryptocurrencies, precious metals, and even startups, which traditional IRAs do not permit. Under Adam's leadership, IRA Financial Group grew into one of the largest and most recognized firms in the self-directed IRA space with over 25,000 clients and over $5B in assets invested.Adam has written extensively on topics such as self-directed IRAs, the legality of alternative investments, and tax strategies. In addition to authoring 9 books, his work has been featured in over 100 prominent media outlets such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Business Insider. In addition to his writing, Adam has appeared as a speaker at numerous financial and investment conferences and podcasts, where he shares his insights on the future of retirement planning and alternative investments. His expertise and ability to simplify complex tax and legal concepts have made him a trusted resource for both individual investors and financial professionals.

Adam Bergman is a well-known figure in the world of retirement planning, particularly for his pioneering work in the self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account) industry. As the founder of IRA Financial, a leading firm specializing in self-directed retirement accounts, Adam has built a reputation as a highly respected expert on alternative investments and tax-advantaged retirement strategies.Before founding IRA Financial, Adam worked as an attorney specializing in tax law, focusing on retirement and investment strategies. His extensive knowledge of tax codes, ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), and IRS regulations gave him a unique perspective on the potential benefits of self-directed retirement accounts, which at the time were relatively underutilized.In 2010, Adam Bergman launched IRA Financial with the goal of facilitating the setup of self-directed IRAs and also providing comprehensive guidance on how to structure these accounts and navigate the legal intricacies involved. A self-directed IRA allows individuals and business owners to invest in a wide range of assets, including real estate, private equity, cryptocurrencies, precious metals, and even startups, which traditional IRAs do not permit. Under Adam's leadership, IRA Financial Group grew into one of the largest and most recognized firms in the self-directed IRA space with over 25,000 clients and over $5B in assets invested.Adam has written extensively on topics such as self-directed IRAs, the legality of alternative investments, and tax strategies. In addition to authoring 9 books, his work has been featured in over 100 prominent media outlets such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Business Insider. In addition to his writing, Adam has appeared as a speaker at numerous financial and investment conferences and podcasts, where he shares his insights on the future of retirement planning and alternative investments. His expertise and ability to simplify complex tax and legal concepts have made him a trusted resource for both individual investors and financial professionals.

Ryan Davis is a digital pioneer and award-winning strategist at the intersection of politics, technology, and culture. Born on Maryland's Eastern Shore in 1982, he's been online since the dial-up era—launching a teen e-zine, organizing gaming nights, and volunteering for John McCain—all before finishing high school.He moved to NYC in 2000 to study theatre and political communications, working in both off-Broadway theatre and grassroots politics. In 2003, he joined Howard Dean's groundbreaking digital team, producing for Blog for America and organizing in 36 states.Since then, Ryan has led digital strategy for campaigns (Mark Green, Norman Siegel), advocacy groups, and startups. At Blue State Digital, he helped shape strategy for Obama 2012, Microsoft, and the marriage equality movement, co-founding the award-winning campaign The Four 2012.He co-founded Bushwick Digital in 2014, partnering with Alicia Keys on criminal justice reform, and in 2019, launched People First, the first influencer marketing firm in Democratic politics. The agency has since won top Reed and Pollie Awards and led major campaigns in the 2020 election and COVID vaccine rollout.Outside of work, Ryan co-hosts Out of Office: A Travel Podcast and the Influencer Impact podcast. He publishes The Month in Digital newsletter and splits his time between Latin America and Europe. He serves as Board Chair of MJV and advises ag-tech startup Calyx, bringing his strategic mind and love of storytelling to every project.

Ryan Davis is a digital pioneer and award-winning strategist at the intersection of politics, technology, and culture. Born on Maryland's Eastern Shore in 1982, he's been online since the dial-up era—launching a teen e-zine, organizing gaming nights, and volunteering for John McCain—all before finishing high school.He moved to NYC in 2000 to study theatre and political communications, working in both off-Broadway theatre and grassroots politics. In 2003, he joined Howard Dean's groundbreaking digital team, producing for Blog for America and organizing in 36 states.Since then, Ryan has led digital strategy for campaigns (Mark Green, Norman Siegel), advocacy groups, and startups. At Blue State Digital, he helped shape strategy for Obama 2012, Microsoft, and the marriage equality movement, co-founding the award-winning campaign The Four 2012.He co-founded Bushwick Digital in 2014, partnering with Alicia Keys on criminal justice reform, and in 2019, launched People First, the first influencer marketing firm in Democratic politics. The agency has since won top Reed and Pollie Awards and led major campaigns in the 2020 election and COVID vaccine rollout.Outside of work, Ryan co-hosts Out of Office: A Travel Podcast and the Influencer Impact podcast. He publishes The Month in Digital newsletter and splits his time between Latin America and Europe. He serves as Board Chair of MJV and advises ag-tech startup Calyx, bringing his strategic mind and love of storytelling to every project.

Mukarram Mawjood, Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity GroupMukarram Mawjood is the Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity Group, where he specializes in alternative investments and commodities. With over 20 years of experience in global markets, Mukarram possesses a sharp insight into market cycles, enabling him to navigate both bullish and bearish environments with expertise.Having lived in key financial hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, Mukarram understands the evolving dynamics of the global financial landscape. He has extensive trading experience in energy markets and precious metals, particularly physical gold and silver, as well as major asset classes including futures and equities.His impressive background includes critical roles in trading and investment strategy, where he has successfully guided stakeholders through pivotal market events such as the 2008 stock market crash and the subsequent surge in gold prices from 2008 to 2011, as well as the recent upswing in 2023 and 2024. Under Mukarram's leadership, Blackstone Commodity Group has implemented innovative investment strategies in alternative assets that empower clients to protect and grow their assets and seize new opportunities.A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Mukarram believes in the power of knowledge to empower investors. He actively educates youth aged 16 to 22 on the fundamentals of investing and the importance of financial responsibility. Through his trading competition, “The Young Trader of the Year,” he inspires young minds and fosters a lasting respect for the financial world.In addition to his role at his company, Mukarram served as a guest lecturer in commodities and alternative investments at UCLA extension, sharing his expertise with the next generation of finance professionals.  

Mukarram Mawjood, Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity GroupMukarram Mawjood is the Chief Investment Officer at Blackstone Commodity Group, where he specializes in alternative investments and commodities. With over 20 years of experience in global markets, Mukarram possesses a sharp insight into market cycles, enabling him to navigate both bullish and bearish environments with expertise.Having lived in key financial hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, Mukarram understands the evolving dynamics of the global financial landscape. He has extensive trading experience in energy markets and precious metals, particularly physical gold and silver, as well as major asset classes including futures and equities.His impressive background includes critical roles in trading and investment strategy, where he has successfully guided stakeholders through pivotal market events such as the 2008 stock market crash and the subsequent surge in gold prices from 2008 to 2011, as well as the recent upswing in 2023 and 2024. Under Mukarram's leadership, Blackstone Commodity Group has implemented innovative investment strategies in alternative assets that empower clients to protect and grow their assets and seize new opportunities.A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Mukarram believes in the power of knowledge to empower investors. He actively educates youth aged 16 to 22 on the fundamentals of investing and the importance of financial responsibility. Through his trading competition, “The Young Trader of the Year,” he inspires young minds and fosters a lasting respect for the financial world.In addition to his role at his company, Mukarram served as a guest lecturer in commodities and alternative investments at UCLA extension, sharing his expertise with the next generation of finance professionals.  

Agne Linge is the Head of Growth at WeFi, a decentralized on-chain bank. With over eight years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry, Agne has developed expertise in crypto trading and adoption and decentralized finance (DeFi), she is interested in stablecoin utilization in emerging countries and the evolving role of on-chain finance. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as Director at Binance and Head of Communications at DeGate, highlighting her influential presence in the digital finance sector.

Agne Linge is the Head of Growth at WeFi, a decentralized on-chain bank. With over eight years of experience in the cryptocurrency industry, Agne has developed expertise in crypto trading and adoption and decentralized finance (DeFi), she is interested in stablecoin utilization in emerging countries and the evolving role of on-chain finance. Her professional journey includes significant roles such as Director at Binance and Head of Communications at DeGate, highlighting her influential presence in the digital finance sector.

Niklas Kunkel began his crypto journey at IBM Research, where he worked on the Hyperledger blockchain and early supply chain finance applications. In 2017 he joined MakerDAO to create Dai, the first decentralized stablecoin on Ethereum. Nik is responsible for creating DSProxy, an industry-standard account abstraction primitive, OasisDEX, the first decentralized exchange on Ethereum with an order matching engine, and founding Chronicle Protocol which secures over $10B of assets locked in MakerDAO.

Niklas Kunkel began his crypto journey at IBM Research, where he worked on the Hyperledger blockchain and early supply chain finance applications. In 2017 he joined MakerDAO to create Dai, the first decentralized stablecoin on Ethereum. Nik is responsible for creating DSProxy, an industry-standard account abstraction primitive, OasisDEX, the first decentralized exchange on Ethereum with an order matching engine, and founding Chronicle Protocol which secures over $10B of assets locked in MakerDAO.

Violet AbtahiFounder & CEOViolet Abtahi is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a profound expertise in finance and blockchain technology. She has more than two decades of experience in the financial sector, blockchain and crypto ecosystems. Abtahi is a visionary leader on a mission to bridge the public and private blockchain worlds, shaping the next generation of financial infrastructures.As the founder and CEO of Platonic, Abtahi spearheads the development of enterprise-grade L1 blockchain solutions, addressing real-world challenges in financial services. Through her leadership, Platonic is dedicated to building the next generation of financial markets infrastructure, in issuance and distribution of real world and native assets on chain, focusing on scalability, security, and innovation.In addition to her role at Platonic, Abtahi is also the co-founder and president of Enya Labs, a leading blockchain developer, and the co-founder of Boba Network, a prominent public blockchain layer 2 solution. Her diverse portfolio of ventures reflects her commitment to driving innovation and advancing the capabilities of blockchain technology.Abtahi is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a dedicated investor and advisor to thriving projects with a profound purpose to serve the future of finance and humanity. Through her strategic guidance and support, she continues to shape the landscape of finance, fostering growth and innovation in the industry.

Violet AbtahiFounder & CEOViolet Abtahi is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a profound expertise in finance and blockchain technology. She has more than two decades of experience in the financial sector, blockchain and crypto ecosystems. Abtahi is a visionary leader on a mission to bridge the public and private blockchain worlds, shaping the next generation of financial infrastructures.As the founder and CEO of Platonic, Abtahi spearheads the development of enterprise-grade L1 blockchain solutions, addressing real-world challenges in financial services. Through her leadership, Platonic is dedicated to building the next generation of financial markets infrastructure, in issuance and distribution of real world and native assets on chain, focusing on scalability, security, and innovation.In addition to her role at Platonic, Abtahi is also the co-founder and president of Enya Labs, a leading blockchain developer, and the co-founder of Boba Network, a prominent public blockchain layer 2 solution. Her diverse portfolio of ventures reflects her commitment to driving innovation and advancing the capabilities of blockchain technology.Abtahi is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a dedicated investor and advisor to thriving projects with a profound purpose to serve the future of finance and humanity. Through her strategic guidance and support, she continues to shape the landscape of finance, fostering growth and innovation in the industry.

Nick Motz (CIO, Forbes 30 under 30) is an experienced investment professional and entrepreneur. Nick has over ten years of investment experience in the credit sector. As CIO of Soil, Nick is in charge of all investment activities and managing the performance of the protocol's loan pools. Prior to Soil, Nick was the youngest founder of Mount TFI, a licensed asset management company in Poland focused on Private Debt investments. Mount TFI has become one of the leading private debt funds in Southern Eastern Europe. Prior to Mount TFI, Nick gained experience working at Aabar Investment, Abu Dhabi as well as real estate investment managers Capital Park Group and Patron Capital London. Nick strongly believes in democratizing access to private credit and believes that blockchain technology, with specific focus on DeFi can lead this revolution.

Nick Motz (CIO, Forbes 30 under 30) is an experienced investment professional and entrepreneur. Nick has over ten years of investment experience in the credit sector. As CIO of Soil, Nick is in charge of all investment activities and managing the performance of the protocol's loan pools. Prior to Soil, Nick was the youngest founder of Mount TFI, a licensed asset management company in Poland focused on Private Debt investments. Mount TFI has become one of the leading private debt funds in Southern Eastern Europe. Prior to Mount TFI, Nick gained experience working at Aabar Investment, Abu Dhabi as well as real estate investment managers Capital Park Group and Patron Capital London. Nick strongly believes in democratizing access to private credit and believes that blockchain technology, with specific focus on DeFi can lead this revolution.

Anthony Rodriguez, Founder of LineageAnthony Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Lineage, a pioneering agency and creative studio built on the belief that the future belongs to brands that inspire fandom. Since launching Lineage in 2002, Rodriguez has spent over two decades helping athletes, artists, and brands take control of their narratives, build communities, and monetize influence at scale.Today, Rodriguez is channeling that same vision into a new venture: The Digital Spenders Club, a fandom-driven business rooted in crypto values like ownership, privacy, and equity.

Anthony Rodriguez, Founder of LineageAnthony Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Lineage, a pioneering agency and creative studio built on the belief that the future belongs to brands that inspire fandom. Since launching Lineage in 2002, Rodriguez has spent over two decades helping athletes, artists, and brands take control of their narratives, build communities, and monetize influence at scale.Today, Rodriguez is channeling that same vision into a new venture: The Digital Spenders Club, a fandom-driven business rooted in crypto values like ownership, privacy, and equity.

Leo Fan is Co-Founder of Cysic, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Rutgers University, and a former core researcher at Algorand. He leads the development of ComputeFi, Cysic's hardware tokenisation model that turns real-world compute into on-chain assets — part of Cysic's broader mission to build low-latency, cost-efficient infrastructure for real-time Web3, AI, and decentralised applications.

Leo Fan is Co-Founder of Cysic, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Rutgers University, and a former core researcher at Algorand. He leads the development of ComputeFi, Cysic's hardware tokenisation model that turns real-world compute into on-chain assets — part of Cysic's broader mission to build low-latency, cost-efficient infrastructure for real-time Web3, AI, and decentralised applications.

Erick Ho is CEO and co-founder of Function Network, a decentralized AI protocol launching on Base. Prior to this, Erick served as a Senior Software Engineer at Coinbase and advised seed to Series A startups as a Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services. He focuses on scalable infrastructure and decentralized systems. He holds a Computer Science degree from Louisiana State University.

Erick Ho is CEO and co-founder of Function Network, a decentralized AI protocol launching on Base. Prior to this, Erick served as a Senior Software Engineer at Coinbase and advised seed to Series A startups as a Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services. He focuses on scalable infrastructure and decentralized systems. He holds a Computer Science degree from Louisiana State University.

 Oleg Fomenko is the co-founder of SWEAT, which is establishing the Movement Economy by rewarding physical activity through the non-custodial Sweat Wallet with ~3 million active users. SWEAT's native token, $SWEAT, has over 20 million token holders, making it the 9th most widely held token in the world. Oleg has more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, business leader, and innovator. Eight years before the launch of SWEAT, Oleg co-founded Sweatcoin, a web2 health & fitness mobile application partnering with the National Health Services (NHS) in the UK, which has achieved more than 250 million installs. Oleg's expertise lies in the field of building consumer mobile products used by tens of millions of people.

 Oleg Fomenko is the co-founder of SWEAT, which is establishing the Movement Economy by rewarding physical activity through the non-custodial Sweat Wallet with ~3 million active users. SWEAT's native token, $SWEAT, has over 20 million token holders, making it the 9th most widely held token in the world. Oleg has more than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur, business leader, and innovator. Eight years before the launch of SWEAT, Oleg co-founded Sweatcoin, a web2 health & fitness mobile application partnering with the National Health Services (NHS) in the UK, which has achieved more than 250 million installs. Oleg's expertise lies in the field of building consumer mobile products used by tens of millions of people.

Altan Tutar is the Co-Founder and CEO of MoreMarkets, a global liquidity marketplace that transforms idle tokens into productive assets. He has previously worked at NEAR Foundation both as a Core Contributor and a member of the Senior Technical Business Development team.

Altan Tutar is the Co-Founder and CEO of MoreMarkets, a global liquidity marketplace that transforms idle tokens into productive assets. He has previously worked at NEAR Foundation both as a Core Contributor and a member of the Senior Technical Business Development team.

Nikolay Filichkin is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Compute Labs, a cutting-edge infrastructure company transforming access to compute by financializing GPU assets. With over a decade of experience in technology, M&A, and strategic partnerships, Nikolay plays a key role in creating the financial ecosystem for compute as an asset class.Prior to Compute Labs, Nikolay spent 6+ years at Xsolla, where he led strategic partnerships and helped scale the company from 200 to over 1,200 employees. He drove five acquisitions, launched three new product lines, and helped expand Xsolla's global presence across gaming and digital commerce.Nikolay is a builder and operator who understands how to take ideas from 0 to 1 and then scale them. At Compute Labs, he leads business development and investor relations, helping institutional allocators and partners gain access to the financial upside of AI infrastructure during this key period of growth.

Nikolay Filichkin is the Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Compute Labs, a cutting-edge infrastructure company transforming access to compute by financializing GPU assets. With over a decade of experience in technology, M&A, and strategic partnerships, Nikolay plays a key role in creating the financial ecosystem for compute as an asset class.Prior to Compute Labs, Nikolay spent 6+ years at Xsolla, where he led strategic partnerships and helped scale the company from 200 to over 1,200 employees. He drove five acquisitions, launched three new product lines, and helped expand Xsolla's global presence across gaming and digital commerce.Nikolay is a builder and operator who understands how to take ideas from 0 to 1 and then scale them. At Compute Labs, he leads business development and investor relations, helping institutional allocators and partners gain access to the financial upside of AI infrastructure during this key period of growth.

Rowan Stone, Chief Executive Officer at Sapien, previously led Business and Operations at Base and was Director of Onchain BD at Coinbase, driving growth for products like cbETH and USDC. He joined Coinbase through the acquisition of Totle, where he was COO. Prior to Totle, Rowan co-founded Horizen Labs and Launch Code Capital, bringing over a decade of experience from energy and engineering sectors into the crypto space.

Rowan Stone, Chief Executive Officer at Sapien, previously led Business and Operations at Base and was Director of Onchain BD at Coinbase, driving growth for products like cbETH and USDC. He joined Coinbase through the acquisition of Totle, where he was COO. Prior to Totle, Rowan co-founded Horizen Labs and Launch Code Capital, bringing over a decade of experience from energy and engineering sectors into the crypto space.

 Bowen Wang is the Founder of NEAR One, the core research and development team advancing the technical frontier of the NEAR Protocol.A foundational figure in NEAR's evolution, Bowen was the original architect behind key innovations such as Nightshade, NEAR's sharding design, and Chain Signatures, a novel way to enable cross-chain interoperability. His deep expertise in distributed systems and software engineering has been instrumental in scaling NEAR into one of the fastest and most efficient Layer 1 blockchains in the industry.

 Bowen Wang is the Founder of NEAR One, the core research and development team advancing the technical frontier of the NEAR Protocol.A foundational figure in NEAR's evolution, Bowen was the original architect behind key innovations such as Nightshade, NEAR's sharding design, and Chain Signatures, a novel way to enable cross-chain interoperability. His deep expertise in distributed systems and software engineering has been instrumental in scaling NEAR into one of the fastest and most efficient Layer 1 blockchains in the industry.

Christopher G. Fox, PhD, Founder, Ideas-Led Growth. Chris amplifies voices. As a communications and marketing strategist, ghostwriter, and mentor, he helps people who have a passion for change to develop and deliver messages that influence and inspire. He works with founders and C-level executives in fintech and financial services organizations of all sizes. He also helps innovators and entrepreneurs increase their presence and impact in the communities they serve. Prior to his corporate world career, Chris taught literature and culture at the undergraduate and graduate level. He holds a PhD in French Literature from The Johns Hopkins University.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergfox/Newsletter: https://www.ideasledgrowth.com/newsletter/

Christopher G. Fox, PhD, Founder, Ideas-Led Growth. Chris amplifies voices. As a communications and marketing strategist, ghostwriter, and mentor, he helps people who have a passion for change to develop and deliver messages that influence and inspire. He works with founders and C-level executives in fintech and financial services organizations of all sizes. He also helps innovators and entrepreneurs increase their presence and impact in the communities they serve. Prior to his corporate world career, Chris taught literature and culture at the undergraduate and graduate level. He holds a PhD in French Literature from The Johns Hopkins University.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergfox/Newsletter: https://www.ideasledgrowth.com/newsletter/

Sam Mudie, Co-founder and CEO of Savea, has worked in the wine investment industry since 2012, including 9 years at Cult Wines, the world's largest specialist advisor with USD 360m assets under management. He founded Cult Wines Singapore office, managed the business across Southeast Asia and was on the Investment Committee.

Sam Mudie, Co-founder and CEO of Savea, has worked in the wine investment industry since 2012, including 9 years at Cult Wines, the world's largest specialist advisor with USD 360m assets under management. He founded Cult Wines Singapore office, managed the business across Southeast Asia and was on the Investment Committee.

Jeroen Offerijns is the Chief Technology Officer of Centrifuge, the open standard for tokenized finance. With 10+ years of software development experience and co-founder of several startups, Jeroen brings deep expertise as an engineering & product leader. As the author of ERC-7540, the leading tokenized vault standard for RWAs, as well as ERC-7575, Jeroen has collaborated with key DeFi protocols to push the space forward.

Jeroen Offerijns is the Chief Technology Officer of Centrifuge, the open standard for tokenized finance. With 10+ years of software development experience and co-founder of several startups, Jeroen brings deep expertise as an engineering & product leader. As the author of ERC-7540, the leading tokenized vault standard for RWAs, as well as ERC-7575, Jeroen has collaborated with key DeFi protocols to push the space forward.

Months before Ethereum's mainnet launch, Jason Teutsch introduced the Verifier's Dilemma in the first-ever scientific publication about Ethereum (CCS 2015). His solution to the Verifier's Dilemma, known as “Truebit,” ranked among Ethereum's earliest scaling protocols. While optimistic “Layer-2” platforms use Truebit's Verification Game as a secure basis for high transaction throughput, Jason has continued to expand this technology's application trajectory beyond smart contracts through Truebit Verify. Before NFTs existed, Jason kicked off the art and blockchain movement with the steel-and-plexiglass Dogethereum #ArtProject as a medium to showcase Truebit's original raison d'être. He has persisted in his role as Founder and Chief Scientist at Truebit for the past decade.

Months before Ethereum's mainnet launch, Jason Teutsch introduced the Verifier's Dilemma in the first-ever scientific publication about Ethereum (CCS 2015). His solution to the Verifier's Dilemma, known as “Truebit,” ranked among Ethereum's earliest scaling protocols. While optimistic “Layer-2” platforms use Truebit's Verification Game as a secure basis for high transaction throughput, Jason has continued to expand this technology's application trajectory beyond smart contracts through Truebit Verify. Before NFTs existed, Jason kicked off the art and blockchain movement with the steel-and-plexiglass Dogethereum #ArtProject as a medium to showcase Truebit's original raison d'être. He has persisted in his role as Founder and Chief Scientist at Truebit for the past decade.

Justin Banon is a technology, market, and thought leader in Web3, focused on the tokenization of physical real world assets.Justin has contributed op-eds to Coindesk, Blockworks, and The Defiant, and has been featured in Tatler, The Drum, and Cointelegraph. He's appeared on CNBC and is an active speaker and panellist at tier one events such as DEVCON, Davos, NFT NYC and EthCC. Justin founded Boson Protocol - Web3's decentralized commerce layer.  In 2021, Boson raised $36 million and was later named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. In 2024, he announced the launch of a second protocol, Fermion, for the verified tokenization and fractionalization of high-value assets. Together, Boson and Fermion serve as the de facto decentralized infrastructure for tokenizing any physical asset.Boson has partnered with brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Hogan, as well as technology platforms like WooCommerce, the world's largest e-commerce platform. As a partner at Outlier Ventures, a leading Web3 accelerator, he mentors startups and helps shape the future of Web3. Justin holds a bachelor's degree in physics and two master's degrees in Digital Innovation and Crypto Technology. He is actively involved in research, focusing on the Web3 computable economy, and has co-authored several papers on the subject, including with blockchain economist Professor Jason Potts. Justin's mission is to enable a new computable economy—unlocking exponential wealth and driving a step change in human progress—by building the general-purpose decentralized infrastructure for tokenizing physical assets.

Justin Banon is a technology, market, and thought leader in Web3, focused on the tokenization of physical real world assets.Justin has contributed op-eds to Coindesk, Blockworks, and The Defiant, and has been featured in Tatler, The Drum, and Cointelegraph. He's appeared on CNBC and is an active speaker and panellist at tier one events such as DEVCON, Davos, NFT NYC and EthCC. Justin founded Boson Protocol - Web3's decentralized commerce layer.  In 2021, Boson raised $36 million and was later named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. In 2024, he announced the launch of a second protocol, Fermion, for the verified tokenization and fractionalization of high-value assets. Together, Boson and Fermion serve as the de facto decentralized infrastructure for tokenizing any physical asset.Boson has partnered with brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Hogan, as well as technology platforms like WooCommerce, the world's largest e-commerce platform. As a partner at Outlier Ventures, a leading Web3 accelerator, he mentors startups and helps shape the future of Web3. Justin holds a bachelor's degree in physics and two master's degrees in Digital Innovation and Crypto Technology. He is actively involved in research, focusing on the Web3 computable economy, and has co-authored several papers on the subject, including with blockchain economist Professor Jason Potts. Justin's mission is to enable a new computable economy—unlocking exponential wealth and driving a step change in human progress—by building the general-purpose decentralized infrastructure for tokenizing physical assets.

Dylan Dewdney Kuvi.ai CEO and Co-Founder Dylan Dewdney is a seasoned entrepreneur and crypto pioneer with over 14 years of experience in the blockchain space. He discovered Bitcoin in 2011 with high conviction, and was a participant in Ethereum's ICO. As an angel investor and advisor, he supported numerous foundational projects in the crypto ecosystem before 2017. From 2017 onward, Dylan has been instrumental as a multiple-exit founder, guiding and raising over $20 million across various influential projects, contributing to a combined market capitalization exceeding $10 billion.  He has shared stages with industry luminaries such as Edward Snowden and Gavin Wood.Currently, Dylan serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of Kuvi.ai, an AI-driven crypto interface that is rapidly gaining traction. He leverages his expertise as an analyst, growth strategist, and independent researcher to identify innovative products and market opportunities that others may overlook. A steadfast believer in the transformative power of blockchain, Dylan is dedicated to harnessing its potential to positively impact the world.

Dylan Dewdney Kuvi.ai CEO and Co-Founder.Dylan Dewdney is a seasoned entrepreneur and crypto pioneer with over 14 years of experience in the blockchain space. He discovered Bitcoin in 2011 with high conviction, and was a participant in Ethereum's ICO. As an angel investor and advisor, he supported numerous foundational projects in the crypto ecosystem before 2017. From 2017 onward, Dylan has been instrumental as a multiple-exit founder, guiding and raising over $20 million across various influential projects, contributing to a combined market capitalization exceeding $10 billion.  He has shared stages with industry luminaries such as Edward Snowden and Gavin Wood.Currently, Dylan serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of Kuvi.ai, an AI-driven crypto interface that is rapidly gaining traction. He leverages his expertise as an analyst, growth strategist, and independent researcher to identify innovative products and market opportunities that others may overlook. A steadfast believer in the transformative power of blockchain, Dylan is dedicated to harnessing its potential to positively impact the world.

Andrew Hill is CEO and co-founder of Recall Labs, the onchain AI arena for evaluating, ranking, and rewarding the best AI agents. A long-time builder at the intersection of crypto, data, and decentralized infrastructure, Andrew previously co-founded Textile and has been shaping the peer-to-peer web since 2017. With a background in big data and machine learning, and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, he brings a systems-thinking approach to Recall. Andrew is passionate about empowering developers beyond hype cycles and aligning AI with human needs through open, community-driven competition.

Andrew Hill is CEO and co-founder of Recall Labs, the onchain AI arena for evaluating, ranking, and rewarding the best AI agents. A long-time builder at the intersection of crypto, data, and decentralized infrastructure, Andrew previously co-founded Textile and has been shaping the peer-to-peer web since 2017. With a background in big data and machine learning, and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, he brings a systems-thinking approach to Recall. Andrew is passionate about empowering developers beyond hype cycles and aligning AI with human needs through open, community-driven competition.

Kyle Tut is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pinata, the leading company in crypto file storage, backed by Pantera Capital and Greylock. Since 2017, he's been building in crypto with a clear goal: to create trusted markets through verifiable data. From AI to NFTs, Kyle's work bridges developers, users, and protocols with tools that make data trusted.