This episode of Blockcast's Licensed to Shill features Gracie Lin, OKX Singapore CEO, alongside usual panelists Nikhil Joshi, Lisa JY Tan and host Takatoshi Shibayama, who revisit the contentious topic of token listing practices on exchanges. The conversation covers the evolving roles of centralized (CEX) and decentralized (DEX) exchanges, with Lin highlighting that regulatory clarity will ultimately guide the industry's structure. All panelists agreed on the urgent need for standardiza...

In this episode of Blockcast, host Takatoshi Shibayama meets Jeff Feng, co-founder of Sei Labs, who was in town for Token 2049, to discuss the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology with a focus on Singapore's unique position in the crypto ecosystem. Jeff shareed his personal journey into the crypto world, emphasizing the core value proposition of financial transactions and the importance of decentralized finance (DeFi). The conversation explored the integration ...

In town for Token2049, Fredrick Gregaard, CEO of the Cardano Foundation, joined host Takatoshi Shibayama in the studio to discuss the evolution of the crypto space, highlighting the importance of technology maturity and adoption challenges. He emphasized the need for digital identity management and the role of quantum security and AI in blockchain solutions. The pair also talked enterprise adoption, governance, and the emerging trend of digital asset treasuries among corporations. Grega...

In this episode of Blockcast, Takatoshi Shibayama interviews Daren Guo, co-founder of Reap, a company pioneering stablecoin infrastructure for modern finance. Daren shares his journey from a traditional finance background, having been part of Stripe's growth team, to becoming a key player in the crypto space. They explore the transformative role of stablecoins in global payments, particularly their impact on cross-border transactions and financial inclusion in emerging markets. 🎙️ Hey t...

In this episode, the Licensed to Shill panel is joined by Blockhead's DeFi writer, Jon Liu, to discuss the infamous Blockchain Trilemma – the challenge of balancing decentralization, security, and scalability – and why shared security might be the key to a thriving multi-chain future. From there, the conversation shifts to one of the most disruptive forces in global finance: stablecoins. Using real-world examples like JPYC, the panelists discuss why digital assets are transforming cross-borde...

In this episode, the chairman and co-founder of Animoca Brands discusses the implications of AI on jobs, the importance of nurturing creativity in education, and the launch of Moca Network, a new blockchain initiative aimed at enhancing digital identity and reputation. Yat emphasized the need for a shift in how we view data ownership and privacy, as well as the role of speculation in the crypto space. Takeaways AI will not replace humans; it will augment our capabilities.Creativity is innate,...

Lido Ecosystem Foundation's head of institutional relations Kean Gilbert hops on Blockcast to confirm that institutions are here, after a long journey of discovery and education. Discover what happens during the shift from traditional finance to the forefront of blockchain innovation, and explore the strategic moves shaping the future of Ethereum and liquid staking. Key Points: Kean Gilbert's transition from Deloitte to ConsenSys and his role in Lido. The challenges and opportunities in insti...

The passing of the CLARITY Act last month was a landmark moment for the industry. At last, lawmakers committed to writing legislation to classify digital assets and clarify the boundaries of regulatory authority for agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In this episode of License to Shill, Takatoshi Shibayama is joined by Lisa Tan and Nikhil Joshi as they delve into the implications of the recently passed GENIUS and&nbs...

In this episode, we dive into the world of crypto payments with Joey Isaacson, CEO and co-founder of Nook. Joey shares his journey from working at tech giants like Facebook and Uber to entering the crypto space through Coinbase. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in making crypto accessible to the masses, focusing on simplifying DeFi lending and the importance of user-friendly design. Key Highlights: Joey's career path and how he got into crypto. The importance of simplifyin...

Takatoshi Shibayama speaks to Kapil Dhiman, co-founder and CEO of Quranium, a quantum-proof blockchain. They discuss Kapil's journey from a CPA to an entrepreneur in the blockchain space, the significance of quantum computing, and the dual nature of technology – its potential benefits and risks. Kapil emphasized the urgency of preparing for a quantum future, the importance of security in digital assets, and the roadmap for Qudanium's innovations in creating a secure environment for cryptocurr...

Takatoshi Shibayama, Lisa Jy Tan, and Nikhil Joshi look at a token transparency framework and the responsibilities of disclosure. They also chat about the implications of tokenized securities, the risks associated with tokenized assets and the future of tokenization in the financial ecosystem. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Crypto Transparency 02:59 Token Allocation and Market Structure 05:49 The Role of Standardization in White Papers 08:58 Responsibility of Transparency in Projects 12:01...

In this episode of Blockcast, host Takatoshi Shibayama interviews Eric van Miltenberg, SVP of Strategic Initiatives at Ripple, discussing the APEX 2025 conference, Ripple's evolution from a payment-focused company to a broader financial solutions provider, and the future of the crypto industry. They explore the similarities between the internet boom and the current blockchain landscape, the importance of regulatory clarity, and the potential of tokenization in various sectors. Eric shar...

This week, host Takatoshi Shibayama explores the intersection of AI and blockchain technology with guests Abhinav Ramesh and Vinay Mohan, co-founders of Node Foundry. The conversation covers their backgrounds in crypto, current adoption challenges, and the potential of decentralized AI infrastructure to address rising compute costs. Central to the discussion is Node Foundry's approach as "a two-sided marketplace" that simplifies access to decentralized AI solutions. The guests emphasize their...

In this episode of Blockcast, host Takatoshi Shibayama discusses the recent regulatory changes in Singapore's crypto landscape with guests Hagen Rooke and Lisa J.Y. Tan. They explore the implications of the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) new licensing requirements for digital token service providers, the impact on centralized and decentralized platforms, and common misconceptions surrounding the regulations. The conversation also touches on the future of decentralized finance (...

In this episode, Takatoshi sits down with Anastasia Plotnikova, CEO of Fideum, a regulated digital asset infrastructure company operating across Lithuania and Canada. They dive into what it's like to build in Europe under the new MiCA regulation, the practical challenges of regulation, and the global dichotomy between CeFi and DeFi. Anastasia shares her journey from law enforcement to crypto, and how growing up in the post-Soviet era shaped her deep appreciation for decentralized finance. Top...

In this episode of Licensed to Shill, the Blockcast crew dives headfirst into the industry's accelerating maturity, turbocharged by eye-popping M&A deals and the convergence of TradFi and crypto. Your host Takatoshi Shibayama is joined by Lisa J.Y. Tan (Economics Design), Nikhil Joshi (Emurgo), and Valentin Fournier (BRN) for a no-holds-barred analysis of the industry's most compelling narratives. Topics Discussed: Crypto’s Billion-Dollar Shopping Spree: Coinbase acquires Deribit, Kraken...

In this episode, Taka sits down with Davide Menegaldo, a true crypto OG, to explore his journey from Bitcoin maximalism to building infrastructure at Neon EVM, which enables EVM-based dApps to run on Solana. Davide shares insights on the evolution of blockchain infrastructure, Ethereum's Layer 2 challenges, Solana’s rapid growth, and the future of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. He also discusses developer onboarding, AI integrations, DeFi composability, and how Solana Mobile might...

This week we have a special guest, Jeremy Tan, the independent candidate for Mountbatten SMC who garnered a surprising 36% of the vote in Singapore's general election by centering his campaign on, among other things, Bitcoin adoption. Jeremy discusses his motivations for bringing Bitcoin into the political arena, highlighting the need for Singapore to consider it as a hedge against US dollar instability, and addresses the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) cautious stance on crypto, sugg...

In this episode, Takatoshi Shibayama speaks with Alex Ryvkin, founder of Rho Labs, about the launch of Rho Protocol, the first institutional-grade market for crypto interest rates. Alex explains the significance of "crypto-native" rates like staking yields and perp funding rates, highlighting the extreme volatility of the latter and the need for hedging tools. He explains how Rho Protocol enables traders to manage funding rate risk, enhance basis trading strategies, and potentially shap...

In the latest episode of Blockcast, host Takatoshi Shibayama sits down with Hassan Ahmed, the Country Director for Coinbase Singapore, for an insightful conversation that unpacks Coinbase's ambitious plans in the Asia Pacific region and the broader evolution of the crypto industry, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of digital assets. Ahmed's journey into crypto is as compelling as the company he now leads in Southeast Asia. Hassan shares his fascinating jou...