In this episode, Yitzy is joined by Yehuda Lindell—founder of Unbound Security (acquired by Coinbase), longtime professor and one of the earliest researchers in secure multiparty computation (MPC).
We trace his journey from Australia to Israel and from theory to industry, then dive into how Coinbase secures customer assets using layered cryptography: MPC, secure enclaves, HSMs, cold elements, and rigorous review processes. Yehuda explains MPC in plain English (with a great DNA example), why “defense-in-depth” beats any single fortress, how insider threats are modeled, and what Coinbase’s production bar looks like.
We also talk CS education in the age of AI, and why students should learn to program with AI rather than fear it. Yehuda closes with a pointer to CB-MPC, Coinbase’s open-source MPC engine, and a broader call for rigor when turning cryptography papers into production systems.
Resources and Links:
Yehuda on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yehudalindell/
Yehuda on X: https://x.com/LindellYehuda
Coinbase's CB-MPC library: https://github.com/coinbase/cb-mpc
Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro & Yehuda’s background
05:43 — What is cryptography (for non-experts)
16:00 — MPC 101 (privacy, correctness, shard thresholds)
19:36 — Real-world key splitting; surviving full IT compromise
23:38 — Coinbase’s defense-in-depth philosophy
24:34 — What secure enclaves are (and side-channel realities)
28:52 — Cold elements, cross-domain guards, layered participants
31:31 — Coinbase’s production bar & independent reviews
35:54 — CS, AI, and training “with” AI
41:59 — CB-MPC and parting advice
In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Steve Epstein — a distinguished systems/cybersecurity & AI engineer with roots at Bell Labs (alongside Peter Shor & Lov Grover), decades at NDS/Cisco/Synamedia, and currently working at Rafael, in Israel’s defense sector.
Steve explains, in plain English, why quantum computing threatens today’s internet (RSA, ECDH, ECDSA), what Q-Day means, and when [it might be] coming, and how post-quantum cryptography (PQC) must be rolled out across clouds, hardware, supply chains, and especially blockchains.
We cover the journey from satellite-TV smart cards and anti-piracy cat-and-mouse, to Netflix’s cloud migration and account-sharing detection (one of Steve’s 40–50 patents), to the stark reality of “harvest-now, decrypt-later”.
Bottom line: crypto agility and PQC migration have to start now if we want banking, messaging, and crypto ledgers to survive the 2029–2035 Q-Day window.
Topics & Timestamps
00:00 Intro — who is Steven Epstein (Bell Labs → NDS/Cisco → Rafael; 40–50 patents)
07:45 Smart cards, satellite TV security, and why hardware upgradability mattered
12:20 Cloud era: Netflix, AWS, microservices — and the collapse of legacy pay-TV models
18:45 Piracy at scale: finding and knocking down illegal streams (and why it barely works)
23:30 Quantum 101: Shor’s algorithm, RSA/ECDH/ECDSA risk, Q-Day timelines
31:40 PQC overview: Kyber, Dilithium, Falcon, SPHINCS+, HQC; crypto-agility in practice
36:50 Harvest-now/decrypt-later and why blockchains are uniquely exposed
41:50 Migration realities: cars, routers, military systems, supply chains
47:30 What to do now: prioritize PQC for wallets, ledgers, key exchanges, and messaging
In this episode, investigative journalist Jake Adelstein (Tokyo Vice) joins Yitzy to discuss his newly published book, The Devil Takes Bitcoin, a front-row narrative of the Mt. Gox collapse, where ~850k bitcoin went missing, and the cast of characters that shaped crypto’s formative years—from exchange founder Mark Karpelès to law-enforcement sleuths and the corrupt agents who derailed the Silk Road case.
We trace Jake’s path from police beat reporting in Japan to human-trafficking investigations, dig into what Jake refers to as Japan's “hostage justice” system, and debate regulation vs. libertarian ideals in crypto.
Enjoy!
Links:
Substack: Tokyo Paladin (Jake’s essays and investigations): https://tokyopaladin.substack.com/
Wikipedia overview (bio, books, and TV adaptation of Tokyo Vice): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Adelstein
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Takes-Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency-Connection/dp/1964992176
X (Twitter): https://x.com/jakeadelstein
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeadelstein/
In this episode, Yitzy sits down with Jake Chervinsky — currently Chief Legal Officer at Variant, and previously Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association - one of the most recognizable voices in crypto law and policy.
From his early days as a litigator at Baker McKenzie to his transition into crypto Twitter threads, DeFi, and policy advocacy in Washington, Jake’s journey offers an insider’s look at how law, innovation, and regulation collide.
We cover:
Jake’s path from mock trial competitions to Big Law and eventually into the heart of crypto;
His move from courtroom litigation to becoming General Counsel at Compound Labs during the early DeFi boom;
How a viral Bitcoin ETF Twitter thread shifted his career into crypto full-time;
The behind-the-scenes fight over the 2021 infrastructure bill — and how it marked crypto’s arrival in Washington;
Lessons from his time as Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association during the FTX fallout;
His current role at Variant, helping founders navigate the legal and regulatory minefields of building in Web3;
Jake’s take on the future of stablecoins, the Clarity Act, and why “boring” regulation may actually be a win for the industry.
Whether you’re a lawyer, builder, or policy wonk, this episode is packed with insights on how crypto regulation is shaped — and what’s coming next.
🔗 Follow Jake on X: @jchervinsky
In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy is joined in-studio for the very first time by Ido Bar-On — defense-tech investor, former CBO at XTEND, IDF reservist, and ex-VC at LOOL Ventures.
From scaling a startup to $40M in sales to deploying capital from a bomb shelter during the Iran attack, Ido shares a candid, deeply informed perspective on the intersection of defense, venture capital, and innovation in times of war. The conversation explores:
Why now is a pivotal moment for defense-tech startups;
The shifting role of VCs in backing military innovation;
Risks and rewards of R&D-heavy government funding;
AI’s real-world use in modern combat (yes, including Raspberry Pi-powered drones);
And how Israel’s unique ecosystem is shaping the global defense landscape.
We also get personal — from growing up in Jerusalem to reflections on reserve duty, family, and the weight of living in a region where tech, war, and purpose collide.
Whether you're a founder, investor, or just defense-curious, this episode is packed with insight and edge.
In this rollercoaster episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Samuel Cardillo to uncover the jaw-dropping journey of a self-taught prodigy who went from selling computer viruses at age 9 to co-founding RTFKT, the NFT sneaker company acquired by Nike.
What starts with microphone troubles quickly spirals into a high-speed chronicle of early cybercrime, international arrests, military service in the IDF, intelligence ventures, and creating some of the most iconic digital fashion drops in Web3 history.
Samuel pulls no punches as he walks us through:
His childhood hacking days and getting arrested at 14 after a televised DDoS stunt;
The rise and grind of RTFKT, building CloneX with Takashi Murakami, and managing NFT chaos;
What it really took to land the Nike acquisition—and the stress that came with it;His work in satellite intelligence and geospatial analytics via ShadowBreak;
The surprising backstory of being married to a UAE princess and his unlikely reserve role in the L.A. Sheriff’s Department;
Brutally honest political takes on Israel, Gaza, and Middle East diplomacy;
Why storytelling, utility, and community—not just speculation—must define the next era of NFTs.
A fast-paced, unfiltered episode packed with wild stories, ethical questions, and deep tech reflections.
🔗 Follow Samuel:
X: @samuelcardillo
IG: @ledomain
This week on Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with one of the most outspoken minds in crypto law: Gabriel Shapiro. Known for his deep legal chops, unfiltered takes, and pioneering work at the intersection of smart contracts and governance, Gabe takes us through his journey—from tech M&A prodigy to crypto lawyer and decentralization maxi.
We dive into:
Gabe’s early big law career and how Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp led him down the crypto rabbit hole;
The real reason “decentralization” became crypto's favorite legal strategy;Why current DAO structures are flawed—and how MetaLex and the Borg concept aim to fix them;
A deep look at on-chain legal engineering: how entities, trusts, and smart contracts can blend into a new governance paradigm;
The emergence of $GOR, a meme coin inspired by Gabe himself;
The state of crypto regulation in the U.S., Trump’s pivot on Bitcoin, and why Gabe’s bullish on the new market structure bill;
Big law’s limitations in crypto and the rise of agile, crypto-native legal shops;
Anonymity in crypto—how to build trust without a legal name;
And yes—we talk politics, Israel, identity, and whiskey.
In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Aaron Payas — partner at Hassans International Law Firm in Gibraltar, CFA charterholder, and former international footballer. From the early days of Gibraltar’s DLT licensing regime to holding a Bored Ape and co-leading one of the first fully SEC-approved token offerings, Aaron brings a unique blend of legal precision, mathematical logic, and personal passion to everything he touches.
Together, Yitzy and Aaron explore:
Aaron’s path from math grad to fund lawyer to crypto specialist;
The rise (and recalibration) of Gibraltar as a blockchain jurisdiction;
Behind-the-scenes of INX — the first SEC-registered security token offering;
Why Aaron went deep into NFTs and still proudly displays his Bored Ape;
The maturing of the tokenization ecosystem — and why it hasn’t scaled yet;
Honest takes on MiCA, regulatory arbitrage, and how startups should choose jurisdictions;
How football, legal practice, and crypto law can all be driven by the same thing: passion.
And yes — Spurs fandom makes a guest appearance too.
Follow Aaron on LinkedIn and X (@AaronPayas) for more.
In this episode of Beyond the Code, I’m joined once again by Justin Wales, Head of Legal for the Americas at Crypto.com and author of the Crypto Legal Handbook — now in its newly released second edition.
Justin and I dive into:
The real-world impact of the SEC's changing posture on crypto enforcement;
Why version 2 of the Crypto Legal Handbook is more than just a light update — and how it was rewritten to reflect today’s evolving landscape;
Crypto.com’s legal journey through Wells notices, proactive litigation, and ultimately a no-action letter;
How the shift in administration is restoring confidence and innovation to the U.S. crypto ecosystem;
The tension between traditional finance and crypto-native companies;
Big Law, legal rankings, and why the current system of legal prestige is broken;
And a candid take on what excites Justin about the future — including AI x crypto, real product innovation, and global regulatory convergence.
We also plug some amazing legal tools like Justin’s AI-powered GPT search tool for the Crypto Legal Handbook and Crystal, the AI platform purpose-built for crypto lawyers.
Whether you’re in-house, in practice, or just trying to understand the regulatory momentum in crypto today, this episode is essential listening.
🎧 Listen now.
📚 Grab the Crypto Legal Handbook v2 on Amazon.
📰 Subscribe to Justin’s newsletter at https://thecryptolegalhandbook.com/.
💬 Follow Justin on LinkedIn for his no-BS takes on crypto law and legal culture.
In this episode of Beyond the Code, I sit down with the brilliant and trailblazing Joni Pirovich — a lawyer, entrepreneur, and the mind behind Crystal, an AI-powered legal tool tailored for the crypto industry.
We trace Joni’s remarkable journey: from growing up on a mango farm in Australia to becoming one of the most forward-thinking crypto lawyers in the space. She shares how her passion for tax reform led her into international law, and eventually into crypto — long before it was cool.
Along the way, we talk about:
🔹 The origin story of bdas'l (pronounced "bedazzle"), her crypto-focused law firm;
🔹 What it was like advocating for blockchain-based tax reform at the OECD;
🔹 The evolution of crypto legal services and why “full stack” lawyering is essential;
🔹 The creation of Crystal — an AI tool trained on global crypto regulation and designed to support lawyers and compliance professionals;
🔹 What makes Crystal different from ChatGPT (hint: it's smarter at crypto);
🔹 Building for privacy, scalability, and the future of agentic compliance;
🔹 Visions of a future with Crystal Companion, an always-on co-pilot for DeFi and legal workflows;
Plus, we dive into the challenges of building in AI, the overlap with legal ethics, and what makes crypto still worth believing in.
Whether you're a lawyer, builder, or investor in the crypto space — this one’s packed with insight.
🎧 Explore Crystal: 💡 https://www.cryptococounsel.com
USE THIS CODE FOR A 10% DISCOUNT: f3nxueod0ermu43zfs8s9wwd
👤 Follow Joni on LinkedIn: Joni Pirovich
In this unforgettable episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Bitcoin OG and serial entrepreneur Charlie Shrem for a raw, unfiltered journey through the birth of Bitcoin, the collapse of early crypto infrastructure, and the deeply personal trials that shaped one of the industry's most iconic—and controversial—figures.
Charlie opens up about how a small Israeli charity called Tikvot led him to Bitcoin, the early anarchic energy of the online forums where Satoshi once roamed, and how he helped pioneer one of the world’s first Bitcoin exchanges, BitInstant, with nothing but bar mitzvah money and a handshake agreement.
They talk Mt. Gox, the founding of the Bitcoin Foundation, and how a single Skype message from Roger Ver changed the course of Charlie’s life. But this episode doesn’t shy away from the dark turns: Charlie reflects on the moment federal agents arrested him at JFK, his experience in solitary confinement, the fallout with his family and community, and the harrowing prison conditions that tested his spirit.
We also explore the redemption arc: house arrest in Pennsylvania, quiet reintegration into the crypto world, life on a boat, podcasting, venture investing—and a spiritual journey that defies binaries.
Topics Covered:
How PayPal freezing donations led to discovering Bitcoin;
The mechanics of BitInstant and why it succeeded;
Mt. Gox, Silk Road, and the cracks in early crypto;
Charlie’s arrest, conviction, and incarceration experience;
Leaving Orthodoxy, family estrangement, and Jewish identity;
Starting over, rebuilding wealth, and finding purpose;
This is more than a conversation about Bitcoin—it's a story about resilience, belief, exile, and finding your people on the internet.
🔗 Connect with Charlie: Website: charlieshrem.com Podcast: Untold Stories Twitter/X: @CharlieShrem
What if your law firm felt more like an art studio than a courtroom?
In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Vivek Jayaram, founder of Jayaram Law and one of the most creative minds in the legal space. They go deep on how Vivek built a law firm that refuses to look or act like one, why authenticity and originality are at the heart of his practice, and how he went from Big Law burnout to representing the most interesting names in tech, fashion, and digital art.
They talked about:
🎸 Growing up on guitar solos, Bulls championships, and indie film;
🎨 His early vision for a “law firm for creators,” long before it was cool
🧠 The firm’s unique mission to enable original ideas—not just win cases;
🧾 How Jayaram Law became a go-to shop for NFTs, and digital artists;
💥 Why your legal practice should feel more like a cultural movement than a service business.
Vivek also shares reflections on IP law, digital authenticity, and Vivek's wildly popular (and highly recommended by yours tuly) Taylor Swift IP Course, Blank Spaces.
Whether you're a lawyer, a founder, an artist—or all three—this is an inspiring look at what legal practice can look like when it breaks out of the mold.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Yitzy sits down with Dr. Shmuel Abramzon, Israel’s Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance, to unpack his unique role at the intersection of policy, macroeconomics, and innovation.
They dive into the evolution of digital assets in Israel, what it really means to “regulate” crypto, and the story behind the Ministry’s landmark report on digital asset regulation.
Dr. Abramzon shares insights into the bureaucratic complexity of crafting policy, Israel’s cautious dance with stablecoin regulation, and his thoughts on the prospects of a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
From reflections on his time at RAND Corporation to a philosophical take on decentralization, this episode offers a rare look into how one of Israel’s top economic voices is navigating the future of crypto and fintech.
On March 26, 2025, Collider. VC hosted Building Blocks 2025, as part of ETH TLV. Our host, Yitzy Hammer was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.
In the last of the Building Blocks Conversations, Yitzy Hammer sat down with Adam Benayoun, managing partner at Collider, to unpack the highlights and aspirations emerging from Building Blocks 2025.
Adam recounts his journey from founding startups in France to steering crypto investments in Israel, offering candid reflections on the personal convictions that drive his work.
They dive into the unique hurdles of moving from entrepreneur to venture capitalist, the art of spotting novel blockchain business models, and the need for standardized legal frameworks to support sustainable growth.
Along the way, Adam makes a compelling case for greater inclusivity and collaboration within the VC community—and shares why he believes Israel is poised to become a leading global crypto hub. Tune in for an inside look at the legacy he’s building and the future he envisions for the ecosystem.
On March 26, 2025, Collider. VC hosted Building Blocks 2025, as part of ETH TLV. Our host, Yitzy Hammer was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.
Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy interviews Josh Schwartz, CEO and Co-Founder of FORDeFi, about bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems.
Josh shares his journey from Wall Street to Web3, and how ForDeFi is tackling the critical security, governance, and usability challenges in DeFi wallet infrastructure. We explore how institutional adoption is picking up pace, what regulators are (finally) getting right, and why the future of crypto lies in the seamless integration of TradFi and DeFi.
On March 26, 2025, Collider. VC hosted Building Blocks 2025, as part of ETH TLV. Our host, Yitzy Hammer was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.
Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy interviews Ben Samocha, the founder of Crypto Jungle, discussing the evolution of the platform, its role in the Israeli blockchain community, and Ben's personal journey into the crypto space.
They explore the importance of education in the blockchain sector, the challenges of fundraising in crypto, and the optimism surrounding the future of cryptocurrency amidst global economic challenges.
Ever worry about what will happen to your bitcoin after you die?
On March 26, 2025, Collider. hosted Building Blocks 2025, as part of ETH TLV. Our host, Yitzy Hammer was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.
Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy sits down with Eyal Gruper, Co-Founder of Peaceful21, an innovative self-custody solution for bitcoin recovery and inheritance.
On March 26, 2025, Collider. hosted Building Blocks 2025, as part of ETH TLV. Our host, Yitzy Hammer was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.
Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy sits down with Iri Zohar, CEO and founder of Bring, a crypto cashback platform that allows users to earn cryptocurrency rewards while shopping. They discuss the unique features of Bring, its partnerships with various wallets and retailers, and the challenges the company faces in user acquisition and integration. Iri shares insights into the cashback model, emphasizing its potential to engage users and drive purchases in the Web3 space.
On March 26, 2025, Collider. VC hosted Building Blocks 2025, as part of ETH TLV. Our host, Yitzy Hammer was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.
Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Eva Beylin, Board Member of Optimism and Former Director of The Graph Foundation.
They explored Eva's journey from management consulting to the crypto world, her experiences with NFTs, and her role at The Graph. They discuss the evolution of the Ethereum ecosystem, the importance of leadership honesty, and the current state of the crypto market, emphasizing the need for a return to fundamentals and realistic expectations in the industry.
In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Carlo D’Angelo, the "DeFi Defender," a veteran criminal defense lawyer turned crypto law expert. Carlo shares his fascinating journey—from his early days as a public defender in Florida to becoming a key figure in the crypto legal community. He dives into his current work defending "money mules" caught in crypto fraud schemes, shedding light on the human cost of transnational crime and the complexities of U.S. prosecution policies. The conversation also explores the vibrant crypto lawyer community, the evolution of NFTs, and the seismic shift in U.S. crypto regulation under the current administration. Carlo offers an optimistic outlook on blockchain’s future, from tokenized assets to a national Bitcoin reserve, urging listeners to seize the moment in this "crypto renaissance." Tune in for an insider’s take on law, tech, and the blockchain revolution.
Carlo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-d-angelo-425756a/
Carlo on X: https://x.com/TheDeFiDefender
Carlo's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/carlodangelo
The DeFi Defenders FREE NFT Mint: https://defidefenders.xyz/
https://defidefenselawyer.com/