Crypto In America

Is crypto regulation holding back innovation, or is the industry finally moving beyond politics and speculation?Live from Lisbon, Portugal, Crypto in America brings together Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, and Russ Behnam, former CFTC Chairman, for a conversation about the future of U.S. crypto regulation, global blockchain adoption, and the shift toward real-world financial applications.As Washington continues debating crypto market structure legislation and the Clarity Act, the conversation explores how political divisions, competing industry interests, and regulatory complexity have shaped the U.S. approach to digital assets. Denelle and Russ also examine what American regulators can learn from blockchain adoption in Africa and Latin America, how Europe's MiCA framework compares with U.S. regulation, and why the industry's focus on token speculation may have overshadowed practical innovation. From Stellar's growth in tokenized real-world assets to the legal limits facing the SEC and CFTC, this discussion raises a critical question: Can blockchain adoption move forward even when legislation struggles to keep up?Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Live From Lisbon01:03 What Does Crypto in America Mean Today?03:06 U.S. Crypto Regulation vs. Europe's MiCA04:27 Can the U.S. Learn From Europe's Regulatory Approach?07:44 What America Can Learn From Emerging Markets10:13 How Crypto Regulation Became a Political Battle14:30 SEC, CFTC & Regulatory Innovation16:24 Midterm Elections and the Future of the Clarity Act20:29 The Legal Limits of CFTC Crypto Oversight23:04 Did Crypto Focus Too Much on Speculation?25:17 Why Token Markets Created Regulatory Friction27:11 Stellar's Real-World Asset Growth27:52 Moving Beyond Speculation and Toward Real Utility🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrettPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.#CryptoInAmerica #CryptoRegulation #Stellar #Blockchain #DigitalAssets

Crypto was supposed to replace traditional finance. Now, some of the world's biggest financial institutions are building with blockchain. But who will adapt and who risks getting left behind?In this special Crypto in America episode from TOKEN2049 Singapore 2026, Jacquelyn Melinek moderates a conversation with Jake Chervinsky of Hyperliquid Policy Center, Charles Cascarilla, CEO and co-founder of Paxos, and Scott Lawin, President of Pantera Capital.The panel explores the growing competition between traditional banks and onchain finance, why institutional crypto adoption may still be in its early stages, and how stablecoins, real-world asset tokenization, perpetual futures, and AI-powered finance could reshape financial infrastructure.They also discuss Hyperliquid's potential entry into the U.S., the industry's path forward after the Clarity Act, and what the upcoming midterm elections could mean for crypto policy.As Wall Street moves onchain, will established institutions evolve fast enough to compete with the next generation of financial innovators?Timestamps00:00 Introduction to TOKEN2049 Singapore01:01 Meet the Panel: Hyperliquid, Paxos & Pantera Capital01:26 Moving Forward Without the Clarity Act06:04 U.S. vs. Global Crypto Adoption08:19 Bringing Hyperliquid to the United States09:49 Is Institutional Crypto Adoption Still Early?13:54 From DeFi to Onchain Finance15:48 Where Washington, Wall Street & Blockchain Converge16:12 Will Onchain Finance Become Just Finance?17:59 Why Crypto Companies May Stop Calling Themselves Crypto20:06 Stablecoins, Tokenization & the Next Phase of Finance22:43 Can Traditional Banks Adapt to Blockchain?23:19 Innovators vs. Financial Incumbents25:22 What's the Biggest Opportunity in Crypto?25:39 The Future of Real-World Asset Tokenization26:47 AI, Agentic Finance & Blockchain Infrastructure28:34 How the U.S. Midterms Could Affect Crypto Policy🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrettPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.#CryptoInAmerica #TOKEN2049 #Blockchain #OnchainFinance #Tokenization

Trevor Traina, founder and CEO of Kresus and Chief Business Officer at Tools for Humanity, joins Crypto In America to discuss why blockchain could become as fundamental as the internet, transforming everything from finance and stablecoins to AI and digital identity.The former U.S. ambassador to Austria also shares how he helped popularize Trump's "crypto president" label, weighs in on the failure of the Clarity Act, and discusses America's technological leadership.Plus, his conversations with Peter Thiel, why he thinks AI doomsday fears are overblown, and why your personal data may not be worth as much as you think.Timestamps 00:40 What Does Crypto In America Mean to Trevor?01:38 From Silicon Valley Entrepreneur to Crypto Founder06:51 Why Blockchain Needs to Be Simpler08:26 America's Crypto Comeback10:21 Trevor Traina's Conversation With Trump About Crypto12:07 Why the Clarity Act Failed17:27 Tokenizing Everything From Stocks to Sports Teams20:13 How Stablecoins Could Boost Demand for U.S. Debt25:13 Your Wallet Could Hold More Than Just Crypto29:15 Sam Altman, World ID and Digital Identity31:19 AI, Blockchain and the Future of Crypto41:08 AI, Financial Markets and the Value of Personal Data47:19 Crypto Politics and America's Technological Leadership🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett🔹Follow Trevor https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevortrainaPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.#CryptoInAmerica #Blockchain #Stablecoins #Tokenization #AI

What happens when AI agents start managing your money and who will actually control them?Joseph Chalom, CEO of Sharplink, joins Crypto in America to explain why Ethereum, stablecoins, tokenization, and artificial intelligence could fundamentally reshape Wall Street.Joseph shares why he left BlackRock’s digital asset team' to later build an Ethereum-focused treasury company, what institutional investors are getting wrong about blockchain infrastructure, and how AI agents could transform banking, investing, and personal finance.But there's a bigger question: Will this financial revolution give consumers more control or create a new generation of powerful gatekeepers?Timestamps 00:00 Introduction02:30 Why Crypto Could Revolutionize American Finance03:48 Is America Leading the Crypto Race?04:56 Why Joseph Left BlackRock for Sharplink06:30 A New Era for Institutional Crypto07:20 Stablecoins, Tokenization and AI Agents08:38 Inside BlackRock's Crypto Strategy10:29 BlackRock's Biggest Blockchain Mistake11:10 Building Sharplink's Team12:39 Sharplink's Ethereum Treasury Strategy14:09 Why Permanent Capital Matters15:31 Making Ethereum More Productive17:05 Bitcoin vs. Ethereum18:10 Ethereum's Institutional Advantage20:09 The Future of Ethereum and AI Agents21:13 Why AI Could Revolutionize Finance22:42 How AI Agents Could Manage Your Money25:54 The Risk of AI Financial Gatekeepers27:30 When Will AI Agents Become Mainstream?31:22 Trillions in Financial Services Fees at Stake33:01 Why Stablecoins Could Transform Payments33:52 Sharplink's Long-Term AI Strategy35:32 Crypto Regulation and the Clarity Act38:12 Institutional DeFi and Liquid Staking38:53 Why Regulating AI Could Be Harder Than Crypto40:32 The Battle for Control of Your Money42:15 Why Open Standards Matter🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett🔹Follow Joseph Chalomhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/josephchalomhttps://x.com/joechalom?lang=enPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.#CryptoInAmerica #Ethereum #BlackRock #AIAgents #Stablecoins

In this episode of Crypto in America, Eleanor Terrett, Jacquelyn Melinek and Gerald Gallagher sit down with Raagulan “Raags” Pathy, founder and CEO of Kast and former Circle APAC executive, to explore how stablecoins are transforming global banking, cross-border payments, and access to U.S. financial markets.Raags explains why stablecoins continued growing during crypto's bear market, how Kast is building financial services for globally connected businesses, and why dollar-backed stablecoins could strengthen America's financial dominance. They also discuss the GENIUS Act, stablecoin rewards, tokenization, Bitcoin's unexpected bull case, and the economic risks that could shape the next phase of crypto adoptionTimestamps 01:27 Why America Matters for Crypto02:16 Why Raags Founded Kast04:01 Stablecoins and the Global Dollar05:50 Tokenization and U.S. Capital Markets07:44 Kast's Expansion Into America09:30 From Crypto Cards to Global Banking11:03 Banking for Freelancers and Businesses13:25 The Challenge of Cross-Border Payments16:01 The GENIUS Act and Global Regulation18:05 Interest Rates and Economic Risks21:26 Bitcoin's Unexpected Bull Case22:50 Crypto Adoption Beyond Price23:16 Stablecoin Rewards and the Clarity Act26:54 America's Global Financial Advantage🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast 🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett➡️ Follow Raags Pathyhttps://x.com/raagulanpathy?lang=enhttps://sg.linkedin.com/in/raagulanpathyPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.#CryptoInAmerica #Stablecoins #Kast #DigitalBanking #Tokenization

In this episode of Crypto in America, Eleanor Terrett, Jacquelyn Melinek, and Gerald Gallagher sit down with Charley Cooper, President & COO of Ava Labs, to discuss how Wall Street is moving toward blockchain infrastructure, why 24/7 markets could accelerate that transition, and what comes next for crypto innovation after the Clarity Act failed to advance.Charley explains why Ava Labs and the Avalanche blockchain are focused on institutional adoption, what traditional financial firms actually need from blockchain technology, and why he believes 24/7 trading could become a forcing function for settlement, reconciliation, collateral movement, and other parts of the financial system to move onchain. He also breaks down why institutions aren’t putting their crypto plans on hold while waiting for Washington.The conversation explores the future of tokenized assets, the SEC and CFTC’s role after the Clarity Act, why the New York Stock Exchange and other legacy financial infrastructure providers are experimenting with blockchain rails, the relationship between crypto and traditional finance, and what it could take for onchain finance to become part of the global financial system.Timestamps00:00 Charley Cooper Joins Crypto in America00:42 What Crypto in America Means to Charley Cooper02:40 From Washington and Wall Street to Blockchain06:20 How Charley Cooper Entered Crypto09:40 What Crypto Builders Can Learn From Wall Street15:21 How Ava Labs Approaches Institutional Adoption17:14 Why Crypto and Wall Street Still Misunderstand Each Other23:16 What Went Wrong With the Clarity Act?28:31 Are Financial Institutions Still Building in Crypto?30:53 Why Innovation Can’t Wait for Washington33:40 What Regulatory Clarity Does Crypto Need Now?35:58 Can the SEC and CFTC Fill the Regulatory Gap?39:10 Could Crypto Rules Change Under a New Administration?42:24 The Politics of Crypto Regulation45:36 What Does an Onchain Financial System Look Like?48:35 Why 24/7 Markets Could Force Wall Street Onchain49:02 What the SEC’s Tokenization Exemption Could Unlock49:55 Why Does the NYSE Need Blockchain?50:21 What Happens When Finance Moves Onchain?🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRj... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrettPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.#Avalanche #AvaLabs #Tokenization #WallStreet #CryptoInAmerica

In this episode of Crypto in America, Eleanor Terrett and Jacquelyn Melinek sit down with Blue Macellari, Head of Digital Assets at T. Rowe Price, to discuss how one of Wall Street’s major asset managers is approaching crypto, tokenization, and the future of financial markets.Blue Macellari explains why tokenization has become a major focus for financial institutions, what it would actually take to move U.S. markets onchain, and why Wall Street still needs a clearer playbook before committing significant capital to new blockchain infrastructure. She also discusses growing board-level interest in tokenization and why she believes programmable assets and funds could automate significant parts of financial services.The conversation also explores T. Rowe Price’s actively managed crypto ETF, the challenge of tokenized financial products developing offshore, why institutional adoption doesn’t necessarily depend on the Clarity Act, how AI and blockchain could work together, and what the collapse of FTX revealed about combining crypto trading and custody under one roof.Timestamps 00:00 Blue Macellari Joins Crypto in America01:35 What Crypto in America Means to Blue Macellari02:43 How T. Rowe Price Started Experimenting With Crypto05:16 How Bitcoin Brought Macellari Into Crypto08:10 Building T. Rowe Price’s Digital Asset Strategy11:53 What FTX Taught Traditional Finance About Crypto15:19 How T. Rowe Price Tests New Crypto Products17:25 Building an Actively Managed Crypto ETF19:30 Active vs. Passive Crypto ETFs22:56 Why Tokenization Is Wall Street’s Next Big Focus25:25 What It Takes to Move U.S. Markets Onchain28:24 Does Wall Street Know How to Move Onchain?30:38 Why Crypto Markets Are Already Global32:29 Is the U.S. Winning the Digital Asset Race?33:38 Why U.S. Tokenization Is Moving Offshore35:39 Can the U.S. Bring Crypto Innovation Back Onshore?38:11 Does Wall Street Need the Clarity Act?40:45 Why Institutional Interest in Tokenization Is Growing41:56 Could Tokenization Automate Wall Street?44:00 How T. Rowe Price Is Using AI46:01 What FTX Taught Crypto About Market Structure46:10 Why Crypto Should Separate Custody and Trading47:18 Who Protects Retail Crypto Investors?47:21 What Blue Macellari Is Watching Next🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRj... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett🔹Follow Blue Macellarihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/blue-mccleary-68b466111Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.This show is sponsored by Sei. Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/

In this episode of Crypto in America, Eleanor Terrett sits down with Russ Behnam, former Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), to discuss the rapidly evolving prediction market industry, the regulatory line between financial markets and gambling, and why Congress may ultimately need to establish clearer rules for the sector.Behnam explains how prediction markets have expanded in both scale and scope, why sports and election contracts raise new regulatory questions, and how ongoing litigation could shape the future of the industry. He also discusses whether prediction market disputes could eventually reach the Supreme Court and why regulators must balance financial innovation with market integrity and customer protection.The conversation also turns to crypto regulation following the Clarity Act’s failure to advance. Behnam explains the limits of the CFTC’s existing authority, why regulating digital assets without new legislation can feel like using “scotch tape and paperclips,” the challenge businesses face when agency rules could change under future administrations, and why federal regulatory gaps remain unresolved.Timestamps 00:00 Russ Behnam on the Future of Prediction Markets04:04 Does Congress Need to Regulate Prediction Markets?07:07 Could Prediction Markets Reach the Supreme Court?07:43 What Changed in U.S. Crypto Regulation?10:42 Why Crypto Still Has a Regulatory Gap11:19 How Much Can the CFTC Do Without Congress?12:52 Why Crypto Regulation Feels Like “Scotch Tape”13:52 Can Agency Crypto Rules Survive a New Administration?15:49 Can the CFTC Protect Crypto Customers Without Congress?16:36 Could Bankruptcy Reform Help Crypto Investors?17:04 Why Crypto Market Structure Is So Difficult17:15 Life After Leading the CFTC🔹 Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRj... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 🔹Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett#PredictionMarkets #CFTC #CryptoRegulation #DigitalAssets #CryptoInAmerica

Ripple spent years fighting the SEC over how U.S. securities laws should apply to crypto. Now, Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty says the regulatory environment is finally moving toward the clearer rules the industry has been seeking.Alderoty joins Crypto in America at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, speaking both as Ripple's Chief Legal Officer and President of the National Cryptocurrency Association, to discuss Ripple's legal battle with the SEC, the agency's evolving approach to digital assets, and what clearer regulation could mean for the next phase of crypto adoption in the United States.The conversation explores the SEC's shift away from regulation by enforcement, XRP's regulatory status, the debate over “sufficient decentralization,” why blockchain transactions can give law enforcement advantages over cash, the outlook for the Clarity Act, crypto education and adoption, and why traditional financial institutions may ultimately embrace blockchain for efficiency, customer experience, and profit.Timestamps 00:00 Stuart Alderoty Joins Crypto in America00:31 The National Cryptocurrency Association02:37 67 Million Americans Own Crypto05:55 Why Education Is Crypto’s Biggest Barrier09:25 Bringing Crypto Education to Washington11:33 What Crypto in America Means to Stuart Alderoty14:03 How Alderoty Joined Ripple16:52 What Crypto Taught a Traditional Finance Lawyer19:50 Crypto, Cash and Illicit Finance23:02 Why Compliance Matters for Crypto’s Future24:45 Bitcoin Was Meant to Be “Human Friendly”26:47 How Ripple Fought SEC Regulation by Enforcement28:28 Why Ripple Decided to Fight the SEC30:44 Ripple’s XRP Ruling and the New SEC32:35 How Ripple Helped Shape Today’s Crypto Rules34:56 Is “Sufficient Decentralization” Dead?37:28 What the SEC’s New Crypto Framework Could Unlock38:00 Should the SEC and CFTC Move Ahead of Congress?38:30 What the Clarity Act Means for Ripple38:34 Why Wall Street Is Leaning Into Crypto Follow Us https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRj... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrettFollow Stuart Alderotyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stu-alderotyhttps://x.com/s_alderoty?lang=enPlease note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.This show is sponsored by Sei. Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/#Ripple #XRP #CryptoRegulation #SEC #CryptoInAmerica

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce and Crypto Task Force Chief Counsel Taylor Lindman join us to discuss the SEC’s innovation exemption for tokenized stocks, the implications for DeFi and self-custody, and preparations for 24-hour trading.Former House Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry breaks down what went wrong with Clarity, whether negotiations can restart, and the risks of building crypto policy without legislation.The American Bankers Association’s Brooke Ybarra discusses stablecoin rewards, banks’ concerns about deposit flight, and whether the banking industry’s push for restrictions backfired.Follow Ushttps://x.com/CryptoAmerica_https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRj...https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Follow HostsJacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinekGerald: https://x.com/thatgeraldEleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrettFollow our guests:https://x.com/HesterPeircehttps://x.com/taylor_lindmanhttps://x.com/PatrickMcHenryhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brookeybarra#CryptoInAmerica #ClarityAct #CryptoNews #SEC #Tokenization #Stablecoins