Olivier Dang is rewriting the rules of institutional finance. As the force behind Nomura's Laser Digital and COO of KAIO, he's built a $200M tokenization platform that's bringing hedge funds, private credit, and alternative assets on-chain. From convincing a conservative Japanese megabank to embrace crypto to creating institutional-grade DeFi infrastructure, Olivier's journey reveals how traditional finance is quietly adopting blockchain technology. He shared his contrarian takes on CBDCs, the coming stablecoin wars, and why every asset will eventually be tokenized in this candid conversation with host Srikumar Misra. This episode unpacks the strategies behind one of crypto's most successful institutional plays. With insights on regulatory arbitrage, composable finance, and the intersection of Wall Street and DeFi, it explains how traditional finance meets decentralized protocols. Olivier's blueprint for bridging these worlds offers crucial lessons for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the future of money.Key Highlights: 👉How Olivier Dang built KAIO into a $200M RWA tokenization platform inside Nomura 👉Lessons from convincing traditional banks to embrace DeFi and blockchain technology 👉KAIO's strategy for making hedge funds and private credit accessible through tokenization 👉Regulatory insights on stablecoins, CBDCs, and the global race for digital currency dominance 👉The future of composable finance and why institutional adoption is accelerating 👉Contrarian takes on DeFi regulation and the tokenization of traditional securitiesChapters:00:00 - Olivier Dang's Nomura to DeFi Journey 03:32 - Building Laser Digital Inside Traditional Banking 07:18 - Japan's Crypto Innovation Leadership Strategy 11:37 - KAIO's $200M RWA Tokenization Platform 16:07 - On-Chain Asset Management vs TradFi 20:22 - DeFi Composability and Institutional Adoption 24:33 - RWA TVL Integrity and Market Transparency 30:00 - Global Stablecoin Regulation and CBDC Debate 41:43 - USD Stablecoin Dominance and Geopolitical Impact 47:12 - Crypto Market Outlook and Fed Policy #RWATokenization #InstitutionalDeFi #OnChainAssetManagement #DeFiAdoption #BlockchainFinance #TokenizationPlatform #CryptoRegulation #StablecoinRegulation #CBDCDebate #TradFiMeetsDeFi #InstitutionalCrypto #AlternativeAssets #HedgeFundTokenization #PrivateCreditDeFi #ComposableFinance #DigitalAssetManagement #CryptoInnovationJapanDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
How did Jakob Palmstierna turn GSR into crypto's premier capital markets partner working with 500+ projects? In this episode, we explore the evolution of market making in DeFi, and his bold $10 trillion crypto prediction for 2030.Jakob Palmstierna, President of GSR, shares his journey from traditional hedge fund trading at Two Sigma to building one of crypto's most influential market making and capital markets firms. GSR has evolved far beyond market making, now serving as a comprehensive capital markets partner to over 500 crypto projects through market making, OTC trading, DeFi strategies, venture investing, and systematic liquidity distribution. In this candid conversation with host Sri Misra, Jakob reveals why DeFi yields can sustainably beat traditional finance through composability and disintermediation, discusses GSR's strategic shift from DeFi participant to architect through co-creating Katana blockchain with Polygon, and explains his contrarian pro-regulation stance for crypto's institutional future. He breaks down the technical differences between AMMs and order books, shares insights on managing risk during volatile markets, and offers his bold prediction that crypto markets will reach $10 trillion by 2030. Key Highlights: 👉 How Jakob built GSR into a capital markets partner serving 500+ crypto projects across market making, OTC, DeFi, and venture investing 👉 Why DeFi yields can sustainably exceed traditional finance returns through composability and reduced intermediation 👉 GSR's strategic evolution from DeFi participant to architect through co-creating Katana blockchain with Polygon Labs 👉 Technical insights comparing AMMs versus central limit order books for liquidity provision and trading efficiency 👉 Jakob's contrarian pro-regulation stance and why compliance will drive crypto's next billion users 👉 Bold market prediction: crypto reaching $10 trillion market cap by 2030 and the catalysts driving institutional adoptionChapters00:00 - Jakob's Journey from TradFi to Crypto 05:30 - GSR's Evolution Beyond Market Making12:45 - DeFi Yields vs Traditional Finance 18:20 - AMMs vs Order Books Explained 25:10 - Co-Creating Katana Blockchain with Polygon 32:40 - Pro-Regulation Stance in Crypto 38:15 - Managing Risk in Volatile Markets 44:50 - Institutional DeFi Adoption Barriers 51:30 - $10 Trillion Crypto Prediction 2030 57:20 - Future of Market Making#cryptomarketmaking #DeFiinnovation #cryptotrading #marketmaking #cryptoliquidity #DeFiyields #cryptoregulation #institutionalcrypto #cryptoventures #blockchaintrading #cryptoOTC #DeFicomposability #cryptopredictions #cryptomarkets2030 #tradfivsdefi #cryptocapitalmarkets #polygonkatana #cryptofundingDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
How is China quietly building the world's largest blockchain infrastructure while crypto remains banned? In this episode, we uncover the BSN (Blockchain Service Network) - China's answer to public blockchains that's powering everything from national digital identity to enterprise applications across 2,500+ companies.Yifan He, CEO of Red Date Technology and core architect of China's BSN, reveals the intricate web of blockchain innovation happening behind China's crypto ban. From converting popular public chains like Ethereum and Cosmos into compliant "open permissioned" networks to launching the world's first government-issued DID system, China is quietly rewriting blockchain infrastructure. Yifan shares candid insights on how BSN bundles 12 different blockchain networks into one seamless platform, why Chinese regulators are suddenly paying attention to stablecoins ahead of Hong Kong's licensing regime, and his bold prediction that there's a 50% chance China lifts its crypto ban through a "crypto connect" system similar to Hong Kong Stock Connect. In this conversation with host Sri Misra, Yifan also unveils the UDPN project - a SWIFT-like network for tokenized banking that could transform how banks operate globally, and explains why he believes institutional adoption, not retail, will drive blockchain's mainstream breakthrough.Key Highlights: 👉 How BSN converted Ethereum, Cosmos, and 10 other public chains into China-compliant blockchain infrastructure 👉China's revolutionary national DID system using BSN that enables anonymous KYC verification for 1.4 billion citizens 👉Why Hong Kong's stablecoin licensing regime could trigger China's crypto policy shift 👉The UDPN consortium's vision for token-based core banking systems that could replace traditional bank accounts 👉Yifan's 50% prediction that China opens crypto trading through Hong Kong Stock Connect infrastructure 👉How 2,500+ Chinese enterprises are using BSN for supply chain, NFTs, and data sharing without touching cryptocurrencyChapters:00:00 - China's Secret Blockchain Revolution Revealed 05:20 - BSN: Converting Public Chains for China 13:15 - China's National DID System Breakthrough 21:40 - Hong Kong Stablecoin Licensing Game Changer 32:50 - UDPN: Building SWIFT for Token Banking 44:25 - China's 50% Crypto Ban Reversal Prediction 53:10 - Institutional vs Retail Blockchain AdoptionDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
What draws crypto pioneers to build infrastructure instead of chasing consumer apps? In this episode, Alvin Foo reveals his 10-year framework for separating signal from noise in Web3 and why Asia is the sleeping giant of tokenized assets.Alvin Foo has spent over 25 years at the intersection of technology and finance, transitioning from senior roles at Google and Nokia to become a pioneering force in real-world asset tokenization. As Co-Founder of NASDEX and Venture Partner at Zero2Launch, Alvin has raised over $1.2 million with 16x oversubscription for Asia's first regulated RWA marketplace. In this candid conversation with host Sri Misra, Alvin shares his unique "picks and shovels" philosophy for building Web3 infrastructure, reveals why he pivoted Zero2Launch from crypto VC to AI automation, and breaks down his framework for identifying which technologies will create massive impact versus mere noise. From his early days bringing satellite broadband to remote Asia to tokenizing private credit markets, Alvin offers contrarian insights on China's crypto influence, the future of stablecoins, and why the next decade will see everything valuable move on-chain. This episode provides rare insights into the strategic thinking behind successful Web3 infrastructure plays in Asia's rapidly evolving digital economy.Key Highlights: 👉 How Alvin built his 10-year technology vision framework and applied it from satellite internet to crypto infrastructure 👉 The strategic pivot story behind Zero2Launch's evolution from crypto incubator to AI automation platform 👉 NASDEX's approach to tokenizing Asia's $30 trillion private credit market and regulatory navigation strategies 👉 Why China's crypto ban creates opportunities for Asian RWA infrastructure despite official restrictions 👉 Alvin's prediction for blockchain's hybrid future and which technologies will survive the next consolidation wave 👉 The "picks and shovels" philosophy for building defensible Web3 infrastructure businessesChapters:00:00 - Alvin's Tech Journey: From Law to Web3 Pioneer03:30 - Building Satellite Internet Before Starlink Era08:02 - The 10-Year Framework for Technology Bets15:46 - Why Stablecoins Power the Web3 Economy21:26 - NASDEX: Tokenizing Asia's Private Credit Markets27:28 - China's Crypto Paradox and Asian Opportunities34:01 - Zero2Launch Pivot: From Crypto VC to AI43:16 - Web3's Hybrid Future: On-Chain vs Traditional48:06 - The Consolidation Coming to Blockchain Infrastructure#RealWorldAssets #TokenizationExplained #Web3Infrastructure #AsianCrypto #PrivateCredit #StablecoinAdoption #TradFiMeetsDefi #CryptoRegulation #Web3Builder #TokenizedEquity #CryptoCareerPivot #BlockchainAsia #DecentralizedFinance #CryptoEntrepreneur #Web3TransitionDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
How is custody in crypto evolving from simple storage to the backbone of institutional trust?In this episode, Zodia Custody CEO Julian Sawyer unpacks the global digital asset custody landscape and why banks and institutions are betting big on regulated solutions.Julian Sawyer, former co-founder of Starling Bank and ex-CEO of Bitstamp, now leads Zodia Custody, a Standard Chartered–backed platform redefining institutional crypto custody. In this candid conversation with host Sri Misra, Julian shares the Zodia founding story, its global expansion, and the new products reshaping custody beyond safekeeping - from staking to settlement networks. He breaks down why regulation is not a roadblock but a catalyst, how Interchange is tackling FTX-style counterparty risk, and why Gateway could connect institutions to crypto yield in a bank-friendly way. Timely, insightful, and global in scope, this episode is a must-listen for anyone tracking the future of digital assets, DeFi, and regulated crypto custody.Key Highlights:👉Julian Sawyer’s journey: from Starling Bank to Bitstamp to scaling Zodia Custody👉Why custody is now about yield, staking, and settlement — not just storage👉Zodia’s Interchange and how it could have prevented FTX-style collapses👉How bank DNA and regulation are shaping institutional crypto adoption👉The future of custody bridging CeFi, DeFi, and TradFi👉Zodia’s global growth strategy and recent UAE expansion via Tungsten acquisition
#DigitalAssetCustody #InstitutionalCrypto #Blockchain #DeFi #Web3 #CryptoRegulation #TradFi #DigitalAssets #CustodyServices #CryptoInfrastructure #Bitcoin #Ethereum #Stablecoins #CryptoCompliance #FinTech #CryptoSecurity #BlockchainTechnology #CryptoCustody #InstitutionalAdoption #cryptoecosystem Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"A billion people are going to have crypto wallets, which they won't even call crypto wallets. They'll just call wallets. And once you have a wallet, you're one step from DeFi." - Matthew HouganThis insight reveals how stablecoin adoption could trigger the next wave of DeFi mass adoption.In this episode of alpha un#, Sri Misra sits down with Matthew Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, who oversees $5+ billion in crypto assets and manages the world's largest crypto index fund. Matt brings a unique perspective from his previous role as CEO of ETF.com, where he helped legitimize the ETF industry before transitioning to crypto in 2018.Key Insights from the Conversation:
👉Crypto asset management is 30x under-penetrated compared to traditional finance 👉DeFi lending has flipped from 80% CeFi to 60% DeFi in just two years👉Regulatory risk, not volatility, is the biggest barrier to institutional adoption 👉The 4-year crypto cycle may be ending due to institutional flows 👉Second-order effects of stablecoin growth could 100x DeFi usageChapters: 00:00 What Keeps a $5B Crypto CIO Awake at Night 05:55 From $10M to $5B: Bitwise's Incredible Growth Journey 14:28 Why Crypto Asset Management is Massively Under-Penetrated 22:26 The Institutional Appetite for Alt Coins is Changing 27:22 Stablecoins Will Create a Billion Crypto Wallet Users 31:06 How Crypto Regulation Became Rocket Fuel for Growth 38:38 The Death of Crypto's 4-Year Cycle Theory 42:43 Why ETF Veterans Are Flocking to Crypto 47:55 Building a Global Crypto Asset Management Empire 51:00 Bold Predictions: Bitcoin $200K and ETH All-Time Highs#Crypto #Bitcoin #Ethereum #DeFi #CryptoInvesting #BitcoinETF #EthereumETF #CryptoAssetManagement #Stablecoins #Web3 #Blockchain #CryptoNews #InstitutionalCrypto #CryptoRegulation Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"We're going to have tens of thousands of blockchains" - Marc BoironThis isn't crypto speculation - it's the inevitable result of specialized infrastructure beating general-purpose solutions.In this episode of alpha un#, host Sri Misra sits down with Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, to explore why the blockchain landscape will fragment into thousands of purpose-built chains and how unified liquidity layers will make this complexity invisible to users.Marc brings a unique perspective as both a former securities lawyer and crypto operator who has witnessed the evolution from enterprise partnerships to crypto-native focus at one of Web3's most significant infrastructure companies.Key Insights Discussed: 👉 Liquidity fragmentation as DeFi's core problem 👉 Why "opinionated" chains outperform permissionless competition👉 Impact of FTX on enterprise adoption👉Sustainable yields through revenue redirection 👉 Trust trade-offs in centralized sequencers vs L1 block builders#DeFi #Blockchain #Web3 #Crypto #Layer2 #CrossChain #Interoperability #Polygon #Infrastructure #Ethereum #Liquidity #MultiChain #AggLayer #Katana #BlockchainScaling #CryptoInfrastructure #DecentralizedFinance #Web3Infrastructure #BlockchainTechnology #CryptoPodcastDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
What if the financial system could be fair, open, and built for the people - not just Wall Street?
In this episode, host Sri Misra sits down with Jeremy Almond, Founder & CEO of Paystand, to unpack his journey from the 2008 financial crash to building a $15B+ commercial blockchain payment network.
Jeremy shares:
👉How witnessing the 2008 crash led him to Bitcoin and a mission-driven company
👉Why "money as software" is the key to modernizing B2B payments
👉The Bitcoin-first, Layer 2 infrastructure powering 1%+ of U.S. commercial payments
👉How Paystand integrates with ERPs to replace banks and card networks
👉Why 10% of their profits go to Bitcoin-based empowerment programs in the Global South
This is more than a fintech story - it's a blueprint for how decentralized tools can drive real-world impact, financial inclusion, and rebuild trust in capitalism.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Jeremy Almond, Founder of Paystand
02:02 – Jeremy’s Journey: From Enterprise Tech to the 2008 Financial Crisis
02:21 – Discovering Bitcoin: A Mission Born From Systemic Injustice
05:01 – Sri’s Story: How DeFi Inspired aarna protocol
07:10 – Bitcoin & DeFi as a Societal Movement
09:11 – Jeremy’s Encounter with the Bitcoin White Paper
12:34 – What Paystand Does: Modernizing B2B Payments On-Chain
15:24 – Blockchain Architecture: Bitcoin-First, Layer 2, Ethereum Smart Contracts
19:54 – Corporate Card & Full-Cycle Payment Automation
24:35 – Who Paystand Serves: The Real Economy (Manufacturing, Logistics, Services)
26:20 – Scaling Revenue: Paystand Crosses $75M+ ARR
27:20 – Strategy: “Value-Forward, Tech-Back” to Drive Real Adoption
34:48 – The Future of Decentralization: 3 Epochs of Use Cases
42:26 – Decentralization: Architecture vs Feature
45:48 – Silicon Valley vs Frontier Zones: Where Innovation Is Real
50:57 – Financial Inclusion: 10% of Profits to Bitcoin Circular Economies
#CryptoForBusiness #DeFi #Bitcoin #Fintech #Web3 #Decentralization #blockchain #bitcoin #defi #web3 #crypto #b2bpayments #enterprise #fintech #layer2 #stablecoins #paymentprocessing #bitcoinadoption #cryptoadoption #financialinclusion #cryptopodcast #web3podcast #defipodcast
Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
In this episode of alpha un#, host Sri Misra sits down with Shawn Douglass, CEO and Co- founder of Amberdata, to unpack how crypto data infrastructure is transforming the future of finance.Shawn shares his journey from Bitcoin mining in 2010 to building Amberdata, now the go-to analytics platform for institutions navigating DeFi, CeFi, derivatives, and stablecoins. With clients like Fidelity, Citibank, Galaxy, and NASDAQ, Amberdata powers real-time decision-making across some of the most sophisticated players in digital assets.Shawn explains how Amberdata built the equivalent of Bloomberg or Refinitiv for crypto, indexing everything from DEX activity and stablecoin flows to dealer gamma and on-chain risk analytics. He dives into why tokenization of $70 trillion in real-world assets (RWAs) is inevitable - already underway at firms like Goldman Sachs, Franklin Templeton, and Apollo - and how stablecoins are set to disrupt global payments, FX, and trade finance at scale.The conversation also covers the maturing landscape of crypto derivatives, the rise of structured products in DeFi, and why platforms like Coinbase and Kraken may one day rival traditional stock exchanges by trading tokenized equities.Shawn reflects on Amberdata’s evolution - from a pivot away from enterprise blockchains like Quorum to early instrumentation of public DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave - and what it takes to deliver Wall Street-grade telemetry for digital asset markets.He also shares candid insights on the operational nature of custody risks, the flaws in the accredited investor framework, and the symbolism behind a striking Bitcoin-themed painting in his background.Whether you're building in Web3, allocating capital, or navigating compliance in a digital asset world - this episode delivers an inside look at the data layer powering the next wave of financial infrastructure.Watch now to understand why data is the backbone of digital finance, and how Amberdata is helping institutions navigate and dominate crypto markets.#crypto #bitcoin #defi #blockchain #web3 #digitalassets #institutionalcrypto #derivatives #stablecoins #fintech #tradfi #onchain #ethereum #cryptodata #tokenization #alphaunhashed #cryptopodcast #web3infrastructure #decentralizedfinance #cryptocurrencies #blockchaindata #cryptoanalytics #digitalfinance #cryptoinstitutional #web3investingDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"We don't need decentralization for banks" - Alex BuelauThis counterintuitive insight from a blockchain infrastructure builder reveals why traditional financial institutions are finally ready to adopt blockchain technology.In this episode, we dive deep with Alex Buelau (Co-Founder & CPTO, Parfin) and Marcos Viriato (Co-Founder & CEO, Parfin) who are building Rayls - the blockchain infrastructure bringing major banks on-chain. With backgrounds spanning early Bitcoin mining and 11 years at BTG Pactual, they're uniquely positioned to bridge the $100 trillion traditional finance world with DeFi.Key Insights Discussed: 👉Privacy trilemma solution using zero-knowledge proofs 👉Why banks specifically demand EVM compatibility 👉The misconception that blockchain replaces accounting systems 👉How user experience complexity limits mass adoption 👉Cross-border regulatory navigation strategiesChapters: 0:00 - The $100 Trillion Vision for Blockchain Adoption 5:39 - From London Startup to Brazilian Banking Giant 10:31 - Rayls Architecture: Private Nodes Meet Public Chains16:32 - Why Banks Don't Want Decentralization 22:08 - EVM Dominance in Enterprise Blockchain 28:33 - Ethereum Price Predictions and Market Utility 36:10 - Enigma Protocol: Privacy Without Anonymity41:15 - Real-World DeFi Integration Through Banks 49:21 - Traditional Finance Misconceptions About Blockchain 56:14 - From Bank Skepticism to Client Adoption #blockchain #defi #tradfi #ethereum #banking #fintech #web3 #crypto #institutionaladoption #cbdc #tokenization #evm #layer2 #rails #parfin #brazilianfintech #bankinginfrastructure #digitalassets #cryptobanking #financialinnovation #blockchaininfrastructure #enterpriseblockchainDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved. You may share this video using the YouTube share function.
The regulatory shock in 2018 completely reshaped India's cryptocurrency landscape, gifting millions of users to new exchanges while established players faced extinction.In this episode, we dive deep into India's crypto evolution with Ajeet Khurana, Founder of Reflexical and former CEO of Zebpay. From witnessing Bitcoin's early days to navigating regulatory uncertainty, Ajeet shares firsthand insights into how India's crypto ecosystem transformed from a niche experiment to a derivatives-dominated market.Key Insights from the Conversation:👉Trading Volume Shift: 90% of crypto volume is now derivatives, not spot trading 👉Regulatory Arbitrage: New exchanges thrived while established ones faced scrutiny 👉 P2P Dilemma: Why some exchanges chose user safety over survival tactics 👉 Decentralization Challenge: Starting truly decentralized is harder than progressive decentralization 👉 Ecosystem Building: Why buzzwords like "advisor" and "mentor" have lost meaningChapters[00:00] Guest Overview[01:12] What is an Ecosystem Builder in Crypto?[03:13] Ajeet's Journey into Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency (2014-2016)[04:47] The Princeton Bitcoin Course That Changed Everything[06:17] Early Indian Crypto Associations: DABFI to IAMAI[08:11] Supreme Court Victory and Industry Representation[08:53] Zebpay's Role in India's First Crypto Exchange Era[10:21] India's Oldest Crypto Exchanges: The Real Story[12:15] Order Books vs OTC Trading: Market Evolution[15:02] The 2018 RBI Banking Ban: A Market-Changing Moment[19:17] Peer-to-Peer Trading: Why Zebpay Said No[22:52] New Exchanges vs Old Players: Regulatory Arbitrage[27:59] Current State: Derivatives vs Spot Trading in India[30:26] Building Reflexical: From Advisory to Studio Model[37:11] Web3 Product Development and Decentralization Challenges#Crypto #Bitcoin #India #Web3 #DeFi #ZebPay #CryptocurrencyExchange #Blockchain #RegulatoryPolicy #CryptoTrading #Derivatives #P2PTrading #CryptoEcosystem #DigitalAssets #CryptocurrencyIndia #Web3Startups #BlockchainIndia #CryptoRegulation #DecentralizedFinance #CryptoPodcast Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"Would you upload all your private information like your bank statement, your personal ID to ChatGPT?"This crucial question from Dr. Max Li highlights the fundamental trust barrier hindering the massive adoption of AI agents in our daily lives.In this episode, host Srikumar Misra sits down with Dr. Max Li, Adjunct Professor at Columbia University and Founder & CEO of OORT, to explore the burgeoning field of Decentralized AI (DeAI). They dive deep into why DeAI is essential for building trust, the components of the decentralized AI stack, the role of blockchain, the challenges ahead, and the future trajectory of AI technology.Key Insights:👉The Trust Deficit: Centralized AI models lack transparency, creating a trust issue for users hesitant to share private data.👉Blockchain's Role: Blockchain provides verifiable data/model traceability and enables crypto payments for decentralized contributors.👉Decentralized Stack: DeAI aims to decentralize the entire AI pipeline: data collection, storage, compute (training/fine-tuning), and inference.👉Compute Challenges: While decentralized compute offers cost benefits, reliability remains a major hurdle compared to centralized providers for critical tasks.👉Reinforcement Learning (RL): RL mimics human trial-and-error learning and can optimize reward mechanisms within decentralized AI systems.Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:00:38 Why is Decentralized AI Important? The Trust Factor00:05:10 Dr. Li's Journey: From 5G Research to Academia and Decentralized AI00:09:17 Deconstructing the Decentralized AI Stack00:12:31 Blockchain's Role: Verification and Payment00:16:39 Decentralized Storage vs. Traditional Distributed Storage00:20:10 Decentralized Compute: Potential and Reliability Challenges00:27:33 The Future Trajectory of AI: Smaller Models, Powerful GPUs00:31:35 The Vision Behind OORT00:44:05 Reinforcement Learning: Potential and Intersection with DeAI00:50:05 Can Decentralized AI Solve the "Rogue Agent" Problem?00:57:56 Celebrating Milestones & Toast#DecentralizedAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Web3 #Crypto #Blockchain #DeFi #TrustInAI #DataPrivacy #Decentralization #ReinforcementLearning #Podcast #Technology #FutureTech #DataScience #machinelearning Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
The LIBOR scandal, where TradFi's most important interest rate was manipulated for decades, wasn't just a failure of trust – it was a blueprint for how not to build financial benchmarks.This episode explores how DeFi can learn from these past mistakes to create transparent, verifiable, on-chain financial infrastructure from the ground up.Host Sri Misra chats with Darren Camas, CEO & Co-founder of IPOR Labs, a company focused on bringing benchmark interest rates and derivatives to the DeFi space. Darren shares insights from his journey in crypto, starting back in 2011.Tune in to hear about:👉The serendipitous (and slightly confusing) entry into Bitcoin in 2011👉Why benchmark rates (like LIBOR/SOFR) are crucial financial primitives👉Understanding the mechanics and importance of interest rate swaps👉The unique challenges and volatility of the DeFi yield curve👉Innovating in DeFi asset management for simplicity and securityChapters
(00:00) Introduction(02:21) Getting into Bitcoin in 2011: A Barbecue Story(07:32) Lessons from Early Crypto Mistakes & Building Through Cycles(11:25) Why DeFi Needs Benchmark Rates: Learning from LIBOR(18:39) The IPOR Index & DeFi Interest Rate Swaps Explained(27:06) Challenges of Building the DeFi Yield Curve(30:31) Simplifying DeFi: The Fusion Asset Management Concept(41:26) Trustless Architecture & Building Secure DeFi Vaults(45:49) Balancing Deep Tech Development with Market Narrative(51:47) Future Strategy: Protocol Rebranding & Token Utility(56:46) Final Thoughts: Simplifying DeFi for the Future#DeFi #Crypto #Blockchain #Web3 #InterestRates #Derivatives #Finance #DecentralizedFinance #IPOR #CryptoPodcast #fintech Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"Any business, whether you're in digital assets or not, can see both time and cost savings by using blockchain payments, especially stablecoins."This insight highlights the practical, efficiency-driven advantages that digital assets, particularly stablecoins, can offer to traditional businesses beyond the crypto-native world.In this episode, host Sri Misra sits down with Amy Kalnoki, Co-Founder and COO of Bitwave. Bitwave is an organization focused on providing digital asset finance and payment management software designed to help enterprises navigate the complexities of crypto accounting, tax, compliance, and payments.Further insights from the conversation include:👉The significant role of stablecoins in enhancing B2B payment efficiency, especially cross-border.👉Bridging on-chain data with traditional ERP systems is a core challenge for businesses.👉The potential of Real-World Assets (RWAs) versus their current adoption rates in the enterprise space.👉Perspectives on whether Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) might adopt DeFi solutions before larger enterprises.👉The nuances of building and scaling a fully remote global team in the tech industry.Chapters:02:17 Introducing Amy Kalnoki & The Mission Behind Bitwave04:58 Differentiating in Crypto Finance: Volume, Payments & Enterprise Focus07:01 Why Non-Crypto Businesses are Adopting Digital Assets: The Stablecoin Advantage12:15 Deep Dive into Stablecoins: Platform Usage, Volumes & Yield Opportunities18:14 The Complex World of RWA: Compliance and Accounting for On-Chain Assets27:47 Enterprise DeFi Adoption: Are SMBs the Early Adopters?29:46 The Founder's Journey: From B2B SaaS to Building Bitwave36:04 Inside Bitwave: Cultivating a Remote-First Company Culture41:10 Strategies for Managing and Thriving as a Remote Workforce44:51 The Evolution of DAOs: Governance Models and Practical Challenges51:11 Key Milestones: Launching an On-Chain B2B Payments Network#DigitalAssets #EnterpriseCrypto #Stablecoins #B2BPayments #CryptoAccounting #BlockchainTechnology #Web3 #FutureofFinance #Tokenization #Fintech Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"This whole industry hasn't started yet..."Despite reaching multi-trillion dollar valuations, the digital asset space might still be in its infancy compared to traditional markets. In this episode, we explore why the real growth could be yet to come.Joining host Sri Misra is Vineet Budki, Managing Partner & CEO of Sigma Capital, a venture capital firm focused on Web3 investments. Vineet shares his unique journey into crypto VC and his insights on navigating the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.Tune in to hear about:👉Finding signal vs noise in crypto investing👉Why founder capability often trumps narrative👉Bridging traditional finance with Web3👉Key sectors poised for real user adoption👉The future of regulated digital asset fundsChapters:(00:00) Episode Start(02:45) Biggest Challenge: Separating Builders from Noise(06:05) Vineet's Unconventional Journey into Crypto VC(08:09) Launching Sigma Capital: Building a Regulated Fund(12:30) Sigma Capital's Investment Strategy Explained(15:03) Investment Philosophy: Backing Teams & Use Cases(20:27) Bringing Traditional Investors into Digital Assets(25:27) Navigating Crypto's 'Casino Culture'(29:33) The True Potential: Why Crypto Has Barely Begun(35:01) Sectors Driving Real Adoption: Beyond the Hype(40:44) Views on Regulation and Building in India(52:03) The Rise of Global Crypto Hubs like Dubai(54:24) Celebrating the Launch of a New Journey#Crypto #Web3 #DeFi #Blockchain #Investing #VentureCapital #DigitalAssets #Podcast #SigmaCapital #Finance #Technology #Decentralization #Tokenization #Web3Investing #CryptoVCDisclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"You should want privacy. You should not want anonymity."This critical distinction, often lost in Web3 debates, highlights the need for tools that protect users without enabling illicit activity, a core challenge for responsible innovation.In this episode of alpha un#, host Sri Misra sits down with Amanda Wick, a former US prosecutor. They delve into the complex realities of crypto beyond the headlines, tackling regulation, crime, geopolitics, and the future of decentralized finance.Key insights discussed include:👉The nuanced reality of illicit finance in crypto vs. TradFi.👉How crypto mixers function and the risks they pose, even to legitimate users.👉Crypto's growing impact on geopolitics, sanctions, and de-dollarization.👉The vital role of diverse voices and inclusion in building a better Web3.👉Navigating the turbulent waters of US crypto policy and regulation.Chapters:00:02:09 From Federal Prosecutor to Crypto Advocate00:04:19 Understanding Grifters vs. Actual Criminals in Crypto00:09:56 Why Measuring Illicit Finance in Crypto is So Difficult00:18:41 The Role & Limits of Crypto On/Off Ramps00:21:27 Is Code Law? Tornado Cash and Regulatory Challenges00:23:39 The Critical Difference: Privacy vs. Anonymity00:29:28 How Crypto Mixers Work and Why They Are Risky00:37:50 US Politics, Policy, and the Impact on Crypto's Future00:45:12 How Crypto is Reshaping Geopolitics and the Dollar's Dominance00:59:37 Why Founding the Association for Women In Crypto (AWIC) Matters01:03:51 Social Engineering, Narratives, and Shaping Crypto's Image01:06:57 Discussing Amanda's Upcoming Book, "The Catalyst"#Crypto #Blockchain #DeFi #Web3 #Regulation #Fintech #Cryptocurrency #DigitalAssets #AML #Geopolitics #Privacy #Anonymity #womenincrypto Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved.
"Digital assets is the most transparent asset in the world."Contrary to common belief associating crypto with illicit activities, the inherent traceability of blockchain transactions makes digital assets remarkably transparent compared to traditional fiat systems.In this episode, Sri Misra chats with Tal Zackon, CEO & Co-founder of TRES Finance, a platform providing financial compliance solutions for digital assets. They dive into the operational realities, challenges, and evolving landscape of crypto finance, accounting, and regulation.Key Insights:👉The surprising scale of crypto transaction volume even for small teams.👉How global regulations (MiCA, VARA) are bringing increasing clarity.👉Critical financial hygiene practices for crypto projects.👉The complexities and automation involved in cross-chain accounting.👉Why specialized tooling is essential for navigating Web3 finance.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:13) Tal Zackon's Journey: From IDF & VC to Crypto Founder(05:54) Defining Crypto Accounting & Financial Compliance(10:25) US Regulations: Wallet vs. Asset Cost Basis Explained(12:42) The Global View: Regulation Trends in Europe, UAE & Beyond(18:47) Managing High-Volume On-Chain Transactions & Data Labeling(21:51) The Crypto Audit Challenge: Why It's Difficult & How Tech Helps(25:22) Tackling Cross-Chain Bridge Transactions in Accounting(31:12) Mythbusting: Crypto Transparency vs. Fiat in Illicit Finance(38:22) Essential Financial Best Practices for Crypto Companies(41:13) The Founder's Perspective: Building a Team & Vision(44:11) The Future: Critical Infrastructure for Digital Asset Finance#Crypto #Web3 #DeFi #Blockchain #Finance #Accounting #Compliance #DigitalAssets #CryptoRegulation #Fintech #Podcast Disclaimer: The information presented is for educational purposes only. Views expressed are those of the speakers, not necessarily the channel. You are responsible for your own research and decisions.Copyright: © 2024 Aarna AI Pte Ltd, Singapore. All rights reserved. You may share this video using the YouTube share function.
"If you put the whole map of The Sandbox, it's as big as a megacity like New York, London or Paris in equivalent."This perspective hints at the immense scale and ambition behind building persistent, blockchain-based virtual worlds. In this episode of alpha un#, Sri Misra talks with Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder & COO of The Sandbox, delving into the creation of these expansive digital frontiers and the economies within them.Key Insights:True Digital Ownership via NFTsBlockchain Solving Creator MonetizationRise of Metaverse EconomiesDeFi Potential in Virtual WorldsInteroperability as a Core Web3 GoalChapters:00:02:10 What is a Blockchain-Based Metaverse?00:08:39 Introducing The Sandbox: Origins & Evolution00:15:30 Why Blockchain Gaming/NFTs Found Product-Market Fit00:23:56 The Growth of Blockchain Gaming in Asia00:28:04 Tackling UX Challenges in Web3 Gaming00:33:43 Understanding Virtual Land in The Sandbox00:40:25 Social Impact: Real Connections in Virtual Worlds?00:44:35 Security Challenges in the Metaverse & Crypto00:52:08 The Intersection of DeFi and the Metaverse00:58:03 Sebastien's Entrepreneurial Journey & Motivation#Metaverse #BlockchainGaming #NFTs #Web3 #Crypto #DeFi #DigitalOwnership #VirtualWorlds #PlayToEarn #CreatorEconomy #Decentralization #CryptoPodcast
"NFTs are not JPEGs that you collect, buy, sell, make money. They are a technology to digitally represent, secure and do everything online for any unique asset type." In this episode of alpha un# podcast, Alexander Mitrovich, CEO of Unique Network, challenges the common perception of NFTs as mere digital collectibles. He reveals their profound potential as a fundamental technology for certifying and managing unique assets, particularly in the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence. This core insight sets the stage for a thorough exploration of how blockchain can address critical challenges in AI development and deployment.Other Key Insights:✅NFTs have crucial applications beyond collectibles, including real-world asset tokenization, Web3 gaming, and digital identity.✅The legal and social frameworks surrounding real-world asset tokenization (especially real estate) present significant, but not insurmountable, hurdles.✅Web3 gaming is finding product-market fit by focusing on genuine utility and sustainable value creation, rather than speculative hype.✅NFTs can play a vital role in ensuring the authenticity and trustworthiness of AI by certifying inputs (training data), outputs (generated content), and even the AI models themselves.✅Unique Network's infrastructure on Polkadot offers the scalability and low cost necessary for widespread NFT adoption in data-intensive applications like AI.✅The intersection of Unique Network and BitTensor represents a promising approach to solving complex incentive problems in decentralized AI.Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction to alpha un# and Alexander Mitrovich00:03:39 - Alexander's Big Picture Vision for NFTs00:05:52 - NFTs, Identity, and Ownership on the Blockchain00:07:44 - The Social and Legal Challenges of NFT Adoption00:09:58 - NFTs and the Future of AI: A Promising Intersection00:14:43 - Tokenizing Real-World Assets: ERC-20 vs. NFTs00:16:16 - Fractionalizing NFTs: How it Works and Why it Matters00:21:16 - Bridging the Gap: Bringing Off-Chain Assets On-Chain with NFTs00:23:01 - Web3 Gaming: Finding Product-Market Fit with NFTs00:33:53 - The Future of NFTs in Music, Ticketing, and Digital Rights00:38:44 - AI Agents and NFTs: Authenticity, Ownership, and On-Chain Activity00:50:51 - Unique Network: Scalable NFT Infrastructure on Polkadot00:54:46 - Unique Network and BitTensor: Solving Decentralized AI Challenges01:06:17 - The Future of NFTs: A Toast to What's Next#NFTs #Web3 #Blockchain #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Crypto #DeFi #Tokenization #RWA #RealWorldAssets #Gaming #DigitalIdentity #Polkadot #BitTensor #DecentralizedAI #TechInnovation #FutureofFinance #DataAuthenticity #Podcast #Interview
For businesses built on strong communities, the question isn't if Web3 matters, but how to effectively integrate it. This episode of alpha un# provides a practical roadmap.Join host Srikumar Misra as he dives deep with Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Co-Founder & CEO of Zo World (and the innovator behind the Zostel hostel chain), to explore how to leverage Web3 technologies to enhance, not replace, your existing community. Dharamveer shares his unique journey from fostering real-world connections at Zostel to building a global, decentralized community with Zo World, proving that IRL (In Real Life) interaction is more important than ever.This video is a must-watch if you want to:👉Understand the real value proposition of Web3 for community-driven businesses.👉Learn how to seamlessly blend online and offline engagement.👉Discover practical strategies for using NFTs as membership tools, access keys, and identity markers.👉Master the art of using tokens to incentivize participation and reward loyalty (without the hype).👉Develop a sustainable, long-term Web3 strategy that aligns with your core values. 👉Avoid common Web3 implementation mistakes. 👉Build a thriving community that spans both the physical and digital worlds.Chapters:[03:18] Introduction to Dharamveer and alpha un#[03:35] Sri Reminisces his stay at Zo House[04:47] The Genesis of ZoWorld and ZoHouse: From Hostels to Web3 Hubs[07:51] ZoWorld vs. ZoHouse: Understanding the Ecosystem[08:52] ZoHouse as an Incubator: Fostering Web3 Projects[10:29] DeFi's Philosophical and Technological Impact[12:22] Bridging Zostel's Community to the Web3 Version[15:03] Zostel's Decentralized Model: Empowering Local Entrepreneurs[17:57] Connecting On-Chain and Off-Chain: NFTs, Tokens, and Real-World Utility[21:53] Zostel's Craziest Stories: Travelers Seeking Truth[24:50] Zostel and ZoWorld: Deep Web3 Integration[26:55] NFTs: Beyond Digital Art, Establishing Identity[28:37] Building a Community, the value of ZoWorld's Founders NFTs#Web3 #Crypto #DeFi #CommunityBuilding #NFT #Zostel #ZoWorld #ZoHouse #Decentralized #Blockchain #IRL #Metaverse #Startup #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #Hospitality #Travel #DigitalNomad #DAO #Tokenomics #LoyaltyProgram