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Rafe Furst is a World Series poker champion, five-time founder, and author of the number one bestselling book on venture capital. He joins host KJ to challenge the VC status quo. Rafe breaks down why the 10-year lockup model is broken, how misaligned incentives are quietly killing early-stage innovation, and why the future of venture capital runs on blockchain. He also shares the story behind The Crypto Company and their newly acquired Frame blockchain, which aims to unify liquidity across fragmented crypto ecosystems. Four Key Takeaways: 3:32 — VCs have quietly abandoned true venture capital by flooding money into later stages. Early-stage investments are treated as lottery tickets rather than genuine bets on founders and their vision. 20:22 — The number one structural flaw in venture capital is not bad founders or bad ideas. It is the total absence of liquidity for a decade or more, which creates misaligned incentives for everyone involved. 21:57 — Liquidity is the magic unlock for early-stage investing. Blockchain technology is the most powerful mechanism to finally deliver that liquidity to founders, investors, and employees alike. 37:47 — AI and blockchain are converging at an exponential pace. Founders who start building on-chain infrastructure now will be positioned to ride the wave rather than get swept away by it. Quote of the Show (38:03):"The way to not get swept away is to get in front of the wave." — Rafe Furst Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Rafe Furst:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafefurst/ Company Website: https://www.thecryptocompany.com/ How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlD YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=disruption+%2F+interuuptionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This podcast is made possible by our listeners and viewers. If this show has brought you value, you can support it by becoming a member of The Way Forward, our platform designed to help you find the health and freedom community (people, practitioners, schools, farms, and more) near you. Your membership directly supports the podcast and the work we do.Want more crypto insights and a community to back you up? Join the Crypto Freedom Academy today. It's 100% free and designed to help you master the markets.
Is the rise of prediction markets unstoppable? Companies like Polymarket and Kalshi have boomed and so have the controversies that surround them. US Senators are now banned from using such sites, and a US soldier has been charged over bets placed on the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. How is it already changing our reality? In this episode: Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn), NPR Tech Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K. Li and Noor Wazwaz with Spencer Cline, Marcos Bartolome, Catherine Nouhan, and our guest host, Tamara Khandaker. It was edited by Alexandra Locke. Alex Roldan is our sound designer. The Take production team is Marcos Bartolomé, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Chloe K. Li, Alexandra Locke, Catherine Nouhan, Alex Roldan, and Noor Wazwaz. Our host is Malika Bilal. Our editorial intern is Tuleen Barakat. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
How can we build technology that's not only innovative, but truly safe for its users—especially in a world of rapid AI and crypto development? This episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast explores the critical intersection of safety, user empowerment, and digital progress in today's tech landscape. Our guest, Karima Williams, is a leader in crypto and AI who has brought communities together, educated newcomers, and, following personal adversity, created Crash Out Diary—a wellness app designed to help people regulate emotions and find support online. In this wide-ranging conversation, you'll learn about practical safety strategies for both crypto and AI applications, hear Karima's vision for human-first technology, and get inspired by her drive to create tools that meet users where they are. If you care about the ethical side of tech and want real stories from the front lines, this episode is a must listen. To get the latest from Karima Williams, you can follow her below! https://www.linkedin.com/in/idodigitalmedia/ https://www.crashoutdiary.xyz/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing! Website: www.marciadawood.com Do Good While Doing Well Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com And don't forget to follow us wherever you are! Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
This episode walks through how to generate DUST on the Midnight network using a Lace wallet setup. Peter explains the dual-token model, where NIGHT is the transferable asset and DUST is used for gas fees, then shows the full registration flow from connecting a Cardano wallet to pairing a Midnight wallet and confirming the transaction.The tutorial also covers the practical steps needed before DUST generation can begin, including swapping ADA for NIGHT, authorising the Midnight registration flow, and reviewing the transaction details carefully before signing. Peter closes with a reminder about wallet security, the importance of never sharing seed phrases, and why self-custody remains a key part of the Midnight experience.Key Takeaways:Midnight uses a dual-token model where NIGHT is the transferable asset and DUST is used for gas fees.Lace Wallet now supports the steps needed to register a wallet for Midnight integration.You need to connect a Cardano wallet first, then connect or create the matching Midnight wallet.If your wallet does not already hold NIGHT, you may need to swap ADA for NIGHT before pairing and registration.The registration flow includes authorising the application and signing a transaction to pair the Cardano and Midnight addresses.DUST generation does not require handing over custody of your ADA or NIGHT assets to a third party.The interface may take time to sync, so patience is important during the early stage of the network.Wallet security still matters: never share your seed phrase and verify every transaction before signing.Website: https://learncardano.ioX/Twitter: https://x.com/LearnCardanoDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Nothing constitutes financial advice.DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.
In this episode, Lex chats with Marc Boiron — CEO of Polygon Labs. Marc shares his journey from law to blockchain, discussing the challenges of navigating crypto's evolving legal landscape and the complexities of structuring compliant DeFi projects. He explains Polygon's strategic pivot to focus on stablecoin payments, leveraging its proven blockchain and global partnerships. Marc highlights Polygon's real-world adoption, competitive edge, and vision to become the leading platform for on-chain payments. The episode offers insights into regulatory hurdles, industry trends, and Polygon's mission to transform digital money movement. NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS: The Labs-Foundation Structure Is a Frankenstein - and Its Creator Knows It: Marc helped architect the legal frameworks behind major DeFi token launches but openly calls the outcome a “complete Frankenstein.” The arm's-length separation between labs and foundations was necessary to survive regulatory hostility, but makes coherent execution nearly impossible. He argues projects still copying this structure today are doing so out of habit, not legal necessity. Generalist Blockchains Are Dead - Polygon Is Betting Everything on Payments: As chain architectures converge, Boiron believes differentiation through speed and low fees is over. Polygon analysed its actual usage, found stablecoin payments was the standout vertical - $2.3 trillion already moved, fintechs across LatAm, Africa, and Southeast Asia already on-chain - and went all-in. The thesis is binary: if all money moves on-chain within a decade, even the 50th-best payments chain wins big. Polygon's Real Moat Is Enterprise Trust Built During the NFT Era: The 2022–23 enterprise NFT push looked like a dead end after FTX collapsed, but it left behind institutional due diligence and credibility. Fintechs evaluating payments chains find that Polygon has years of live production use, Fortune 500 relationships, and Stripe already defaulting to it - a trust advantage no newly launched chain can replicate. TOPICS Polygon Labs, Polygon protocol, blockchain, crypto, decentralized finance, DeFi, legal frameworks, token launches, meme coins, stablecoins, payments, fintech, Ethereum, ICO boom, web3, NFT, Stripe, Circle ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT
Chad Masterson & Charlie Plainview are the co-founders of OPNET: a protocol that brings smart contracts, DeFi & stablecoins to Bitcoin's base layer. No tokens, wrappers, or bridges are required. But how does it really work & how is it different from Omni, Counterparty, and Citrea? Time stamps: Time stamps: 00:00:36 Introducing Danny and Chad from OPNET 00:01:37 Defining OP NET and Consensus Protocols 00:03:19 Comparison to Counterparty and EVM Compatibility 00:05:39 Technical Implementation: Witness Field and Bitcoin Compliance 00:07:32 Leveraging Bitcoin's Native Scripting 00:09:03 Problems with Meta Protocols and Off-Chain Indexers 00:12:48 Potential for DeFi and Institutional Use 00:14:07 Layer Two Limitations and Liquidity Issues 00:15:35 Scaling and High Fee Environment 00:20:52 Stablecoins and OP 20 Token Standard 00:23:18 Freedom, Use Cases, and Bitcoin's Limitations 00:27:36 Critique of Liquid and Bridging Solutions 00:31:38 Lightning Network, Taproot Assets, and Payments Use Case 00:34:49 Bitcoin Yield, Loans, and Productive Capital 00:37:44 Criticism from Bitcoin Maximalists: Spam and Competing Tokens 00:42:06 Spam, UTXO Bloat, and Account-Based Model 00:44:51 Miner Incentives, MEV, and Transaction Ordering 00:50:04 Sponsor Plugs and Giveaway 01:04:52 OP NET's Target Audience and User Adoption 01:13:00 Bitcoin's Role: Peer-to-Peer Cash or Financial Layer? 01:23:00 Permissionless Innovation and Resilience 01:26:39 Emergent Use Cases and Historical Parallels 01:30:16 Airdrops, Incentives, and Early User Rewards 01:32:33 Security and Comparison Between OP-20 and BRC-20 01:34:18 Live DeFi Applications and Fee Experience 01:36:53 AI Coding FUD and Development Process 01:39:51 Decentralization, Node Operation, and Team Size 01:42:26 Final Questions: Criticisms, Wallets, and How to Try OP NET 01:45:37 Outro and Thanks
If you want to build a diversified portfolio, you need to assemble assets that respond to different return drivers. Digital assets can play a central role. For starters, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin behave differently than traditional equities or commodities, giving portfolios exposure to unique sources of risk and return. And within the crypto universe, you can find coins, protocols, and equities that all behave differently under different market conditions. By investing in a wide range of digital assets you can potentially both mitigate risk and improve returns. Our guests for this episode are: Omid Malekan - an author and an adjunct assistant professor at Columbia Business School where he teaches college students about crypto and blockchain. Cosmo Jiang - General Partner and Portfolio Manager with Pantera Capital, one of the earliest and most established investment firms focused exclusively on blockchain and digital assets. For more about this series visit us at:https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/media/coinbase/evolving-money
his is the fifty-sixth episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with:Marc Tillement, Director @ Pyth Network (3/6/2025, Season 8)Adam Simmons, Chief Strategy Officer @ RDX Works (4/14/2024, Season 7)Victor Vernissage, co-founder @ Humanode.io (2/13/2025, Season 8)Steven Pu, co-founder @ Taraxa (2/9/2025, Season 8)
In this episode, Lex chats to Joseph Chalom, CEO of SharpLink, a Nasdaq-listed leader in digital asset treasury management focused on Ethereum. Joseph shares his journey from BlackRock and the Aladdin platform to pioneering digital asset strategies, including staking and tokenization. The discussion explores the evolution of fintech, the integration of crypto into institutional finance, and the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) and AI-powered financial agents. Joseph highlights SharpLink approach to making Ether productive for investors and the growing institutional adoption of blockchain technologies. NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS: SharpLink's scale and “productivity” pitch for ETH We hear that SharpLink (Nasdaq listed since July 2025) has raised a little over $3B in equity, holds ~$3B of ETH, and claims it stakes nearly 100% of its ether—framing itself as a public equities “one click” way to get both ETH upside and yield. A rare behind the scenes look at BlackRock's crypto playbook We get specifics on how BlackRock approached digital assets through three pillars—Circle/USDC reserves, the Coinbase integration (announced Aug 4, 2022) to make crypto trading “boring” for institutions, and tokenization via BUIDL on Ethereum with Securitize, which he calls the largest tokenized fund. The next wave thesis AI agents + Ethereum rails Chalom argues the underestimated unlock is autonomous AI agents using Ethereum for programmable settlement, continuously reallocating capital across staking, lending, liquidity, and DeFi while monitoring smart contract risk—replacing manual “yield farming” with always on optimization. TOPICS Sharplink, BlackRock, FutureAdvisor, Ethereum, ETH, Buidl, Aladdin, digital assets, treasury management, decentralized finance, tokenization, Bitcoin, AI, AI Agents, Roboadvisors, Autonomous Agents ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT
Crypto has become increasingly integrated into the financial system, from the use of stablecoins for payments, to the trading of tokenized equities on blockchains, to the adoption of crypto holdings by corporate treasuries. We explore how PNC Bank, one of the first movers in this space, has been expanding access to crypto and the challenges it has had to overcome.Our guest for this episode is: Amanda Agati is the Chief Investment Officer for PNC Asset Management – a firm with over $215 billion in total assets under management. For more about this series visit us at:https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/media/coinbase/evolving-money
In less than three years, the amount of tokenized real-world assets has grown eightfold, to more than $30 billion across equities, fixed income, private assets, real estate and more. And that's just the start of the tokenization revolution, experts predict, because of four main drivers: Increased liquidity for illiquid assets, broader investor access, operational efficiency, and global distribution and interoperability.Our guests for this episode are:Ric Edelman, who launched Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, the first education platform helping financial advisers responsibly navigate crypto, blockchain, and tokenized assets.Scott Lucas, Head of Markets Digital Assets for J.P. Morgan, who was instrumental in brokering a $50 million commercial paper issuance on a public blockchain. For more about this series visit us at:https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/media/coinbase/evolving-money
This is the forty-second episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with:Mike Romanenko, CVO and co-founder @ Kyrrex (8/31/2024, Season 8)Danny Chong, co-founder @ Tranchess (7/13/2024, Season 7)Kurapika, founder and CEO @ Factor (10/24/2024, Season 8)Alex Botte, Partner @ Hack VC (3/13/2025, Season 8)
What does it take for an entrepreneur to recognize—and embrace—a groundbreaking technological innovation, especially when skepticism is the initial reaction? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores this very question with special guest Anthony Scaramucci, diving deep into the evolution of trust, disruption, and adoption in the world of digital assets.Anthony Scaramucci, a renowned financier and author, candidly shares his decade-long journey from Bitcoin skeptic to blockchain advocate. Known for his roles in finance and politics, he details his transformation, inspired by his persistent curiosity and the pivotal influence of friends such as Michael Saylor. As the founder of Skybridge Capital and the author of The Little Book of Bitcoin and his latest book, Solana Rising, Anthony Scaramucci offers a unique perspective on making complex ideas accessible to mainstream investors.This episode covers the fundamentals of Bitcoin and blockchain, why cryptocurrency may be the “perfect money,” and how legacy institutions are slowly but surely embracing this technology—even as old systems resist change. Listeners will gain insight into the mechanics behind crypto, its potential to revolutionize everyday transactions, and the challenges that remain. If you're wondering how digital currency fits into the future of entrepreneurship or curious about how big banks and regulators are shifting their stance, this conversation is an absolute must-listen. To get the latest from Anthony Scaramucci, you can follow him below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/anscaramucci/https://www.instagram.com/scaramucci/?hl=enThe Little Book of Bitcoin: What You Need to Know that Wall Street Has Already Figured OutSolana Rising: Investing in the Fast Lane of Cryptohttps://www.skybridge.com/ https://www.salt.org/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comDo Good While Doing WellLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood
This is the thirty-second episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with:Mary McGilvray, Product Marketing Lead @ Interchain GmbH (12/2/2023, Season 6)Angus Tookey, Marketing and Communications @ Chronicle (6/7/2024, Season 7)Chris Hermida, co-founder and CEO @ Switchboard (5/20/2024, Season 7)Benedetto Biondi, CEO @ Folks Finance (10/28/2024, Season 8)
This is the twenty-eighth episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with:Max Galash, CEO @ Coinchange (7/28/2024, Season 7)Hedi Navazan, Chief Compliance Officer @ 1inch Group (2/9/2025, Season 8)Nick Motz, CIO @ Soil (5/29/2025, Season 8)Cecilia Hsueh, co-founder and CEO @ Morph (2/14/2025, Season 8)
As we kick off 2026, the economic headlines are loud, but the real story is in the data and the incentives behind it. In this episode, Jeremy Houser sits down with Dr. Campbell Harvey, Duke professor and Research Affiliates Director of Research, known for early work on the inverted yield curve, to break down what matters most for growth, markets, and resilience in 2026. Campbell discusses: Why the U.S. fiscal picture raises the stakes for stronger real GDP growth Why tariffs function like a tax, plus when they may act more like “risk management” than growth policy Why “AI is just 1999 again” can be a misleading comparison, and what's different this time What a steepening yield curve may be signaling about long rates, inflation expectations, and growth ahead Why rebalancing is an active decision, and how mechanical timing can create hidden performance drag How products that limit downside exposure can fit into a broader, diversified approach His thoughts on Fixed Indexed Annuities And more Resources: AMP Path to Prosperity one-pager: https://insurmarkamp.com/jhouser/ (Click “Learn More”) Connect with Campbell Harvey: LinkedIn: Campbell Harvey Cam Harvey, PhD Connect with Jeremy Houser: jeremy.houser@simplicitygroup.com 713-808-8548 Schedule a Call Our Teams Website Connect with Jeremy @jeremyhouser_amp @jeremyhouserAMP About Our Guest: Campbell R. Harvey is a Professor of Finance at Duke University and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He served as Editor of The Journal of Finance from 2006 to 2012 and as the 2016 President of the American Finance Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Chicago. Professor Harvey has served as Partner and Director of Research for Research Affiliates, LLP, and Investment Strategy Advisor to Man Group, PLC, contributing to both research and product design. Professor Harvey received the 2015, 2016, 2022, and 2023 Bernstein Fabozzi/Jacobs Levy Award for the Best Article from the Journal of Portfolio Management for his research. He has also received ten Graham and Dodd Awards/Scrolls for excellence in financial writing from the CFA Institute. He has published over 125 scholarly articles on topics spanning investment finance, emerging markets, corporate finance, behavioral finance, financial econometrics, and computer science. For the past nine years, Professor Harvey taught Innovation and Cryptoventures – a course that focuses on the mechanics and applications of blockchain technology and web3. He offers a certificate in Decentralized Finance on Coursera. He also teaches the advanced elective Global Asset Allocation and Stock Selection which focuses on systematic investment strategies. Disclosure: 5078176 – 0126
Il primo episodio della nuova serie dedicata alla stablecoin con ospiteCristiano Ventricelli attualmente Vice President - Decetralized Finance & Digital Assets di Moody's , la società con sede a New York che esegue ricerche finanziarie e analisi sulle attività di imprese commerciali e statali.Moody's, insieme a Standard & Poor's, è una delle due maggiori agenzie di rating al mondo.Cristiano ha oltre dieci anni di esperienza nei servizi finanziari, con una formazione accademica in finanza quantitativa. Ha lavorato a lungo nella consulenza e nel settore bancario, concentrandosi sulla gestione del rischio di credito e di mercato. ha trascorso più di tre anni nel settore della finanza decentralizzata, contribuendo a diversi protocolli di lending. Oggi la sua esperienza sostiene il suo ruolo in Moody's, dove applica le sue competenze per far progredire la valutazione del rischio e la crescita strategica nell'ambito della Finanza Digitale.A guidare la conversazione di oggi è Albertina Nania, ricercatrice dell'Università Roma Tre, specializzata in finanza internazionale, sistemi monetari e trasformazioni dell'economia globale. La sua esperienza in progetti europei, attività di ricerca applicata e analisi macro-finanziaria consente di affrontare il fenomeno stablecoin con uno sguardo multidisciplinare, che integra dati, economia reale, policy, geopolitica, strumenti digitali emergenti e nuove forme di moneta.Questi i temi di oggi:Le stablecoin sono davvero “stabili”?E cosa c'entrano con il debito pubblico americano, il futuro dell'euro e la geopolitica monetaria?Un episodio per capire perché le stablecoin non sono più un fenomeno di nicchia, ma uno dei fronti più strategici della finanza globale.Albertina e Cristiano parleranno di come USA ed Europa stanno giocando due partite molto diverse tra stablecoin, deposit token e CBDC, di cosa rende davvero solida – o fragile – un'infrastruttura di “digital cash” e di quali rischi sistemici si nascondono dietro l'idea apparentemente semplice di avere “1 a 1” con la moneta tradizionale.Un episodio per chi vuole capire, oltre la buzzword, come sta cambiando il denaro e perché, nel mondo delle valute digitali, la vera arma competitiva sarà la capacità di farsi più domande.Questo è una produzione Zero IN – Sharing Knowledge. Stiamo definendo le prossime personalità da intervistare o coinvolgere nelle tavole rotonde di Inside Finance.Se desiderate proporre una segnalazione di reale rilevanza, potete scrivere a segreteria@zeroin.it.
With Igor Data, CEO and co-founder of Blin Analytics, we dig into the real mechanics of crypto crime and why the difference between loss and recovery often comes down to minutes, not months. Igor pulls back the curtain on demixing methods, behavior pattern analysis, and how AI and automation sift millions of transactions before a human makes the call. The theft may be digital, but the tells are human: tempo, timing, liquidity choices, and the inevitable mistake that cracks a years-long laundering chain.We unpack how mixers actually work, why law enforcement pressure has reshaped their use, and what it takes to trace funds from wallet to exchange in a way that stands up to scrutiny. Ethics are non-negotiable here: no release of sensitive leads without a confirmed case and a verified victim, and evidence goes to police to request KYC and freezes. That principle reflects a deeper theme—trust the math, not the marketing. Blockchain's transparency is architectural, while personal privacy must be preserved until due process kicks in.The conversation turns practical and strategic. You'll hear why phishing still dominates loss events, how to design a 24/7 incident playbook that actually gets funds frozen, and what role game theory plays in predicting laundering routes. We explore the case for ultra-low-cost microtransactions to reduce the web's dependence on surveillance ads, and we look ahead to the near future: AI-powered anomaly detection, black-market evasion tools, and why decentralized trust still pairs best with centralized enforcement. If you hold digital assets, lead a security team, or want a clear-eyed view of blockchain investigations, this is your blueprint for acting fast, staying ethical, and seeing patterns where others see noise.If this conversation helped you think differently about crypto security and digital trust, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway or question—we read every one.Send us a textSupport the showCheck out "Protection for the Inventive Mind" – available now on Amazon in print and Kindle formats.
In this episode, Lex speaks with Jess Houlgrave, CEO of WalletConnect. In this episode Jess explains how WalletConnect bridges wallets and decentralized applications (dApps), simplifying secure blockchain interactions for millions of users.Together, Lex and Jess discuss the platform's origins, technical innovations, and massive scale - supporting over 700 wallets and 70,000 projects. The conversation covers challenges in integrating traditional finance with Web3, regulatory compliance, and WalletConnect's decentralized, token-incentivized network. Jess also shares insights on the future of on-chain commerce, global adoption trends, and the evolving relationship between fintech and blockchain infrastructure.NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS:WalletConnect Becomes Web3's Financial Backbone: Once a simple UX fix, WalletConnect now connects 700+ wallets and 70,000+ apps, moving $400B annually. It's evolving into the universal connectivity layer for on-chain finance - a “Visa for Web3.”Fintechs Are Forcing Crypto to Grow Up: As players like Stripe and Shopify enter Web3, they demand frictionless UX and regulatory-grade compliance, not crypto-native clunkiness. This wave will make crypto invisible but usable through embedded fintech experiences.Stablecoins Will Power On-Chain Commerce and Dollarization: Jess predicts commerce, not trading, will drive the next cycle. As stablecoins become spendable everywhere, users won't need to off-ramp - accelerating global dollarization via open financial rails. TOPICSWalletConnect, ReOWN, Circle, Stripe, Checkout.com, MetaMask, Solana, blockchain, decentralized finance, DeFi, crypto, wallet, Web3, web2, UX, wallet infrastructure, stablecoins, tokens, token economy ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT
My Interview with Sergej Kunz, Co-Founder of 1inch. - DeFi trading volumes soar amid Bitcoin's all-time highs - How 1inch is bridging the gap between CeFi and DeFi through aggregation and APIs - The Coinbase–1inch partnership and what it means for Web3 adoption - Hyperliquid's rapid rise — and what it reveals about DeFi simplicity - Decentralization, security, and the evolving role of KYC in trading - U.S. regulatory shifts that are shaping the next phase of DeFi growth - Why institutional players are increasingly entering the decentralized space Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: http://bit.ly/3LtUO7P
Tan Gera is a CFA charterholder with a background in investment banking, Tan made a bold pivot - leaving behind the traditional world to pioneer the future of decentralized finance.#crypto #decentralizedfinance #tangera All Episodes can be found at www.thecryptopodcast.org Join my PodFather Podcasting SKOOL Group https://www.skool.com/podfather/aboutAll about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants athttps://roycoughlan.com/Brain Fitness SKOOL Group https://www.skool.com/brainfitness/about Who is Tan Gera, CFACo-Founder Decentralized Masters , Ex-Investment BankerTan quickly emerged as a rising star in the world of finance - earning recognition in global investment circles from a young age.Fluent in four languages and having lived in Paris, New York, Amsterdam, and Dubai, his international experience built a powerful cross-continental network and a rare global perspective.A CFA charterholder with a background in investment banking, Tan made a bold pivot - leaving behind the traditional world to pioneer the future of decentralized finance.Today, as a respected Nasdaq Contributor, he develops innovative frameworks that fuse the discipline of institutional portfolio management with the speed and edge of next-gen financial technology.Through Decentralized Masters, his battle-tested strategies have helped thousands navigate and thrive in the fast-evolving DeFi landscapeWhat we Discussed: 00:30 Who is Tan Gera 01:40 Getting from Investmen t Banking into Crypto03:55 Why investing in himself paid off06:00 His Crypto Journey07:30 See the Banks making a high % on just a wire transfer09:00 The cost he payed to transfer Bitcoin that opened his eyes10:50 How more efficient if the Bank system was 24/711:20 How Roy could see the massive fees that Banks were making12:30 How Western Union took a massive commission13:54 How PayPal get away with such high charges15:23 Stripe and other Platforms debanking Crypto Companies20:55 Is your Money safe in the Bank?23:39 How the Insurance from a Stockbrocker fraud did not pay25:10 Would you Rather cusody of your own funds26:40 The costs taking out your Crypto in FIAT29:35 When a Project wants to list on the main Exchanges31:25 Does full transparency in the founder of a project ensure its a success33:10 THey have all there information public33:50 Not all reviews of a company are True35:00 They have a 25 yr plan and Ten Principles37:30 How they have human to Customer and Not Ai Bots39:00 How they Use Ai in the Company40:15 Be Aware the Ai can Lie42:40 How Small Changes can ruin a company46:35 The Long term plan for the Company52:45 Onboarding Process and where to find the companyCo Founders Own Interview as Mentioned https://youtu.be/bpkYje_0hic?si=mleR7hRa_C_0dYK5How to Contact Tan Gera, CFA Website https://www.decen-masters.com/IG: @decen_mastersLI: linkedin.com/company/decentralized-masters/FB: facebook.com/DecentralizedMastersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tan-gera-cfa/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanujgr/Twitter/X: https://x.com/juniortgrWebsite: https://www.decen-masters.com/All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at https://roycoughlan.com/
My interview with Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet. - Trust Wallet surpasses 210M users globally - Growing adoption of stablecoins for remittances - Balancing ease of use and full control in self-custody - The future of data ownership and digital identity - Why self-custody is a fundamental right in the U.S. - How blockchain, not wallets, may become banks' true competitor Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: http://bit.ly/3LmwUuU
The Chrisman Commentary Daily Mortgage News Podcast delivers timely insights for mortgage lenders, loan officers, capital markets professionals, and anyone curious about the mortgage and housing industry. Hosted by industry expert Robbie Chrisman, each weekday episode breaks down mortgage rates, lending news, housing market trends, capital markets activity, and regulatory updates with insightful analysis, expert perspectives, and conversations with top professionals from across the mortgage industry. Stay informed, gain actionable insights, and keep up with developments in mortgage banking and housing finance. Learn more at www.chrismancommentary.com.In today's episode, we go through some first time home buyer statistics. Plus, Robbie sits down with Figure's Mike Cagney to discuss the company's successful IPO last week and how decentralized finance is going to change the mortgage industry for the better, and soon. And we close by looking at what to expect from today's Fed meeting.CreditXpert is the all-new credit optimization platform that helps you close more loans. CreditXpert is committed to making homeownership more accessible andaffordable for ALL.
DeFi (Decentralized Finance) is one of the most exciting areas in crypto—but it can also feel overwhelming when you're just starting out. How does it work? Why is everyone talking about it? And how do people actually earn with DeFi?In this beginner-friendly episode of New To Crypto Podcast, I break it all down: ✅ What DeFi really is and how it works without banks or middlemen ✅ The key differences between DeFi and traditional finance ✅ Why people are so excited about DeFi (and the risks you need to know) ✅ Three simple ways you can start earning passive income with DeFi today: • Staking • Liquidity pools • Lending platformsYou'll walk away with a clear understanding of how to take your first steps in DeFi—safely and confidently.
In this episode of the Jake & Gino Show, we dive deep into the future of blockchain and real estate investing with Aly Madhavji — Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, UN consultant, author, and venture capital leader. Aly shares his journey from a refugee background to running a global VC fund with over 200 portfolio companies, while also breaking down how blockchain, crypto, and tokenized real estate could disrupt traditional finance and transform access to wealth creation. If you're serious about real estate investing, technology, and building financial freedom, this conversation will expand your perspective.From crypto adoption to tokenized real estate and venture capital strategies, Aly explains the opportunities and risks in today's fast-moving digital economy. We cover the rise of decentralized finance, the potential of central bank digital currencies, how blockchain can streamline inefficiencies, and where real estate investing intersects with tokenization. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or simply curious about financial innovation, this episode highlights why blockchain is more than hype — it's a shift with real-world impact.Connect with Aly Madhavji:Website: https://blockchainff.com Chapters:0:00 - Introduction 2:33 - Investing in Early-Stage Companies & Building Unicorns 6:26 - Crypto's Ideological Roots vs Practical Applications 12:02 - Central Bank Digital Currencies & Risks of Government Control 20:46 - Singapore's System vs U.S. Inefficiencies 25:19 - Blockchain, Crypto, and Real Estate Investing Opportunities 32:40 - Success Rates & Liquidity in Venture Capital 47:23 - How to Connect with Aly & Learn More 48:24 - Gino Wraps it Up We're here to help create multifamily entrepreneurs... Here's how: Brand New? Start Here: https://jakeandgino.mykajabi.com/free-wheelbarrowprofits Want To Get Into Multifamily Real Estate Or Scale Your Current Portfolio Faster? Apply to join our PREMIER MULTIFAMILY INVESTING COMMUNITY & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. (*Note: Our community is not for beginner investors)
Lex chats with Matthew Le Merle - CEO of Blockchain Coinvestors, a leading blockchain and AI fund-of-funds. He reflects on the limitations of large institutions in adopting disruptive technologies and why he chose to back innovators over incumbents, using stablecoins as an example of asymmetric value creation. Le Merle explains his evolution from angel investor to institutional LP, highlighting the benefits of leveraging top-tier venture capitalists' expertise in inefficient early-stage markets. He outlines the psychological challenges of venture investing, where failures appear early and outsized wins often take a decade, contrasting this with the faster liquidity but higher existential risk in token markets. Finally, he critiques institutional allocators for over-relying on efficient markets, under-allocating to venture despite its role in driving future value, and positions his strategy as fully committed to early-stage blockchain and AI as the highest-returning segments. NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS:1. Innovation Threatens Incumbents, Benefits Disruptors: Major technological shifts, from the internet to blockchain and AI, create winners and losers. Incumbents often resist disruptive change because it threatens existing revenue models, while nimble startups and tech-first companies can rapidly capture new market opportunities.2. Venture Success Requires Navigating High Failure Rates: In early-stage investing, most portfolio companies will fail, often within the first 3–4 years. Returns are driven by a small number of outsized successes, usually via acquisitions rather than IPOs, requiring patience, resilience, and a disciplined investment strategy.3. Inefficient Markets Offer the Greatest Asymmetric Upside: Early-stage venture and emerging technologies like blockchain and AI are inefficient markets where superior access, insight, and execution can generate returns far above those available in traditional, efficient markets like public equities or bonds. TOPICSBlockchain Coinvestors, Band of Angels, AngelList, Blockchain Capital, Pantera, Sequoia, Andreessen, BlackRock, Fidelity, Blockchain, DeFi, Decentralized Finance, Investment, Venture Capital, Angel Investment, Fund of Funds ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT
What's it really like moving to El Salvador? In this episode, Gaelle Wizenberg shares her story of starting over in Berlin, El Salvador, a small town with a growing Bitcoin circular economy and one of the few places in the world where living on Bitcoin is actually possible. From community building to starting a boutique wellness hotel, Gaelle breaks down the practical, emotional, and financial realities of creating a life from scratch abroad.We get into the challenges and rewards of real estate in El Salvador, how expats are investing in regenerative farming and helping grow small local economies, and what digital sovereignty looks like when applied to daily decisions. Gaelle shares why she left the US, how she built a business that runs on decentralized finance, and why she believes real opportunity comes from embracing simplicity and slowing down.This episode speaks directly to those thinking about relocating, building something new, or stepping away from high-friction systems. If you're curious about the expat experience, building a life aligned with Bitcoin values, or finding clarity outside the noise, you'll find this conversation grounding and useful.Like what you hear? Tap subscribe, share with someone thinking of making a move, and tell us your biggest fear or hope about living abroad in the comments.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about Gaelle Wizenberghttps://www.instagram.com/rabbithole.berlin/ https://www.instagram.com/gaellewizenberg/ Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: @BitcoinBeachIG: @bitcoinbeach_svTikTok: @livefrombitcoinbeachWeb: bitcoinbeach.comBrowse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 Why does feeling at home matter when moving abroad?01:51 What's behind the recent wave of Bitcoiners leaving El Salvador?02:43 How did growing up on a boat shape Gaelle's global mindset?07:55 How she launched a software company in the toy industry13:12 What makes starting a business in the US so frustrating now?19:08 Why she chose Berlin, El Salvador after leaving Florida25:00 How she renovated a local home and built a wellness retreat36:02 What expats need to know before moving to El Salvador49:32 Can you actually live fully on Bitcoin in Berlin, El Salvador?52:38 Why financial literacy is more critical than just Bitcoin knowledgeLive From Bitcoin Beach