Talkonomics

Keen on exploring how securitization and tokenization of assets could offer a safer alternative to retail investment, Alan resigned from his day job and relocated with his family to Malta. After being told by numerous law firms that it couldn’t be done, Alan realized he needed a business partner “as crazy as him”. Thus he found the technical brains to shape his ideas about securitization, and the firm grew from a handful of people to 18. On legal alternatives to marketing security tokens, Alan says being the most human is the most natural form of marketing. According to him, “it's just a matter of being confident in what you do and who you are and what you are offering...” From Mongolian gas miners looking to tokenize revenue shares, to purchasing equity in a pizzeria, Alan takes us on a wild ride through tokenization and equity crowdfunding in this episode of the Talk-o-nomics podcast.

After 12 years in tech and bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, Canadian-born Galya jumped headlong into the space in early 2018 -- just past the hype peak. But diminishing crypto appeal did little to dampen her interest, and when Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal came to light, discussions around how blockchain could overcome the “Facebook Wall” ushered her into blockchain. Juggling the seemingly glamorous life of conferences in Europe and TEDx in Vancouver to the loneliness of tech addiction and social media, she tells us of the stress of entrepreneurs always trying “to be a little bit more than what we actually are in reality”. In connecting with audiences, Galya notes how “instead of focusing just on the protocol and just on the project”, she had to speak about much bigger and more relevant issues -- hence, the importance of data privacy and concepts of digital assets resonated more with audiences. Is decentralized data the way brands can avoid “fakeness” in marketing? From owning our own digital data, to taking big concepts into something people can understand and consume, and digital coins for Mexican students and union workers, Galya tells it like it is on Episode 8 of the Talkonomics Podcast!

Erhan Korhaliller, the founder and CEO of EAK Digital talks about relationships in the space and shares his opinion on blockchain marketing, with the experience of leading a blockchain PR agency. An opinionated and vocal advocate for blockchain, Erhan tells us how the work of getting the largest projects as much media coverage as possible today involves a wide range of activities from publications, podcast appearances and even speaking gigs on podcasts. An advocate of putting your face out there, he tells projects that a crucial step to non-paid PR is to build mutually beneficial relationships with journalists. Tips on thought leadership (simply having an opinion works!), tips on finding journalists on Telegram, the “pushback document” that helps you see outside your own bubble, advice for CEOs looking to appear on stage.

Owen McCall, advisor to ethical reforestation project TreeCoin, tells us why Liechtenstein's Blockchain Law could set the tone for a pragmatic approach to regulations globally. He describes how TreeCoin's Hybrid Token model reflects a dual quest for sustainable timber and social impact in Paraguay, and gives us a lesson on eucalyptus! Equitable wage, self-sustaining economies and a security wedged in at once!

Tom Shaughnessy tells us what it was like being one of the early Wall Street players looking in on blockchain technology -- before jumping down the rabbit hole himself. Tom talks about investor appetite, new projects turning to equity, and a critical shift away from B2C to C2S (customer to smart contracts). Trends to watch out for? Layer One projects, Ethereum 2.0, DeFi built on ETH. Catch it all on Episode 4!

Seasoned investor and entrepreneur Amit Pradhan believes that everything he invests in, influences or creates, must lead to positive impact on society. We look at what an evolving environment he calls "applied blockchain utilization", where we are shifting from pop culture-influenced impressions of the tech to real-world use where an understanding of the tech is no longer necessary. Can decentralized data models take the fight to the GAFABATT "mega monsters of data"? Can tattooed anarchists sit at the same table with banks? How does one play the collaborative sport of disruption? All this and more, on Episode 3 at www.talkonomics.com

Possibly the most connected person in meatspace in the industry, City AM's Crypto Insider James Bowater has come a long way from entering Level39 through a window...on Level 49! James shares his experience of not being a crypto journalist (!), being hands on with interviewing at blockchain events, and keeping everybody's five minutes of fame informal. He explains the fundamental changes he's seen in the space from a period of being thoroughly excited to the current era of quiet buildup, venturing that the messages accompanying the birth of Bitcoin are not lost on people. James also talks volatility, avoiding being overtly political and maintaining a balanced approach before hinting at launching the first Crypto Awards. Listen in... "There are people who are passionate for the right reasons and will see it [blockchain] through but ultimately, if the technology is true and works, they will win." -- James Bowater

25 minutes was all it took for Yavin to make the decision to enter blockchain. In this episode, the Cointelligence founder talks about banking frustrations, adoption being at least a decade away, the Libra "crapcoin," a coming financial crisis, and how he's helping build a data analysis solution for impartial blockchain ratings. Listen as we pick the brains of a man who confesses: "I'm completely obsessed with blockchain and crypto."

If you’re tired of corporate jargon, hackneyed market analysis, token shilling and all that blockchain hype; if you’re sick of hearing about moon and lambos, yet love crypto with all your heart, you’ve come to the right place.