Hashing It Out

In this episode of Hashing It Out, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw sits down with Moe El-Shibib and Selim Sezgin, co-founders of Ponder One, to explore the evolving Web3 landscape. They discuss the challenges of usability and adoption, the role of AI in simplifying blockchain interactions and the importance of interoperability in a multichain world. The conversation also touches on governance, decentralized ownership and what the future holds for Web3 applications.(00:28) - Host and guest introduction(01:21) - Founders’ journey into Web3(03:26) - Web3 adoption and usability trends(05:45) - What is Ponder One?(10:41) - AI’s role in simplifying Web3(13:49) - Governance and user involvement(17:16) - Crosschain usability solutions(19:54) - Ponder One’s 2025 roadmap(21:35) - Closing thoughts on Web3’s futureThis episode of Hashing It Out was brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by Elisha Owusu Akyaw, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu Akyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

The global fixed-income market is massive, yet it’s nearly absent in crypto. In this episode of Hashing It Out, Elisha Owusu Akyaw sits down with Treehouse CEO Brandon Goh to explore how DeFi can integrate fixed-income products, why benchmarks matter and what’s next for institutional adoption. They dive into risk management, yield generation and the future of decentralized finance.(00:03) – The fixed-income gap in DeFi(01:15) – Brandon Goh’s journey to Web3(02:53) – Why fixed income matters in crypto(05:43) – DeFi’s missing infrastructure(07:39) – Treehouse: a new DeFi primitive(09:58) – Risks in yield-generating products(14:46) – Decentralized offered rates (DOR)(18:29) – Treehouse’s growth to $340M TVL(21:20) – Choosing the right blockchain for DeFi expansion(25:38) – The future of DeFi and institutional adoptionThis episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha Owusu Akyaw, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu Akyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this episode of Hashing It Out, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw sits down with Armani Ferrante, CEO of Backpack, to discuss the evolution of centralized exchanges, Backpack’s innovative approach to trading and the role of compliance in crypto. From proof of reserves to Backpack’s new perpetual futures system, they dive into how exchanges can build trust in a post-FTX world.(00:00) – Intro and guest Introduction(01:12) – Crypto in 2025(06:02) – The birth of Backpack(09:51) – Lessons from FTX(15:04) – Proof of Reserves debate(22:05) – What makes Backpack unique?(27:32) – Traders’ reactions(29:04) – New blockchain integrations(31:22) – Solana’s future(35:50) – DEXs vs. centralized exchanges This episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha Owusu Akyaw, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu Akyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Wearable technology is evolving, and blockchain is playing a key role in reshaping how health data is owned and used. In this episode of Hashing It Out, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw speaks with Edison Chen, CEO of CUDIS, about the intersection of wearables, Web3 and AI. They dive into everything data privacy, blockchain’s role in securing health information and the future of user-controlled data in a decentralized world.(00:00) – Introduction(01:00) – Meet Edison Chen(03:00) – The wearables market(05:00) – Why CUDIS?(07:30) – Data ownership and privacy(10:00) – Security and AI(13:00) – Crypto incentives for wellness(16:00) – Solana vs. other blockchains(19:30) – Web3, AI and the future of wearables(22:30) – Final thoughts and what’s next This episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha OwusuAkyaw, produced by Savannah Fortis, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu Akyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this episode of Hashing It Out, Elisha Owusu Akyaw sits down with Michael Heinrich, co-founder and CEO of 0G Labs, to explore the intersection of Web3 and AI in 2025. They hash out the hype of Web3 AI, the best applications, the pros and cons of AI agents and what goes into a decentralized AI operating system. [02:15] - AI simplifies Web3 user experiences[04:38] - Functionality of AI agents[05:17] - What is verifiable inference and why we need it[08:02] - Journey to Web3 AI development [12:02] - Urgency of decentralizing AI and preventing monopolization[14:50] - What makes a decentralized AI operating system?[18:55] - Challenges in AI alignment and blockchain's role[21:23] - Is an AI apocalypse possible?[23:49] - Working with a modular tech stack [27:11] - Use cases for decentralized AI in critical applications[32:50] - 2025 roadmap and the Web3 AI supercycle[36:00] - Web3: Two truths and a lieThis episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha Owusu Akyaw, produced by Savannah Fortis, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu Akyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X  @ghcryptoguy. Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Dive into the future of decentralized infrastructure with Elisha Owusu Akyaw and Fluence Labs CEO Tom Trowbridge on this episode of Hashing It Out. Discover how DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) disrupts centralized giants, enables real-world utility and shapes blockchain's next frontier. Tom unpacks the challenges, opportunities and innovations driving Fluence Labs and the broader DePIN ecosystem, offering a compelling vision for 2025 and beyond.(00:03) Introduction to Tom Trowbridge and DePIN(01:24) Tom’s Journey into Web3 and DePIN(03:26) What is DePIN? A Clear Definition(05:20) Is DePIN a Meme or a Game-Changer?(08:26) Why Fluence Labs? Tackling Centralization in the Cloud(11:53) How Decentralization Enhances Security and Scalability(13:42) Marketing DePIN: Product First, Crypto Second(19:27) Role of Tokens in DePIN Projects(23:28) DePIN Use Cases: What Excites Tom Most?(27:07) Lessons Learned from Building in DePIN(28:58) What’s Next for Fluence and DePIN in 2025?(30:32) Closing RemarksFollow Tom Trowbridge on X: @TheTomTrowThe views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this episode of Hashing It Out, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw chats with Jana Bertram, Head of Strategy at Rari Foundation, to explore the current state and future of nonfungible tokens (NFTs). Together they discuss the challenges and opportunities in the NFT space, including the impact of royalties, scalability, and adoption in real-world applications. Jana also reflects on her journey into Web3 and shares insights into how NFTs evolve beyond the speculative market to support diverse use cases such as digital identity and asset ownership. The conversation also examines other shifting dynamics of the NFT ecosystem and its broader implications for the blockchain industry.00:00 – Introduction01:34 – Are NFTs Really Dead?03:05 – Real-World Asset Tokenization06:21 – Jana’s Journey into Web309:26 – Rethinking Royalties in the NFT Space13:53 – Why Launch a Custom Chain?15:45 – Scalability and Affordability18:07 – Decentralization and Security19:22 – Barriers to NFT Growth21:05 – The Future of NFTs22:16 – Clarifying Rari Foundation and Rari Chain24:26 – What’s Next for Rari and NFTs?25:23 – Closing RemarksThis episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha Owusu AKyaw, produced by Savannah Fortis with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu AKyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Follow Jana on X at @yannauCheck out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are the participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this episode of Hashing It Out, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw chats with Blake Capozza, the co-founder of crypto rewards platform Moso, about revolutionizing the shopping experience through crypto cashback rewards. Learn more about how Web3 is changing the way people spend their money, how shops can incentivize customers via rewards and what this means for cryptocurrency adoption in the greater scheme. (00:03 - 00:20) Intro: crypto cashback and its potential(01:45 - 00:02:16) Blake's journey (3:00 - 03:46) The rise and fall of crypto cashback(03:51 - 04:18) Earning crypto while shopping(04:18 - 06:43) Enterprise and consumer perspectives(06:43 - 08:03) The crypto native advantage(08:03 - 09:56) User experience and chain abstraction(09:56 - 11:35) The challenges of onboarding (12:50 - 14:07) Navigating the regulatory landscape(14:22 - 19:21) The future of crypto cashbackThis episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha Owusu AKyaw, produced by Savannah Fortis with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu AKyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Follow Blake Capozza on X @lablakers24Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are the participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this episode of Hashing It Out, Elisha Owusu Akyaw and Nicholas Zaldastani, co-founder and chairman of CESS, discuss the evolution of Web3, focusing on data sovereignty, privacy and the role of decentralized storage. Zaldastani shares his journey from Oracle to founding CESS Network, emphasizing the importance of data security in the blockchain era. The conversation explores various use cases, including NFTs and AI, and how blockchain technology addresses data censorship and storage efficiency challenges. (0:00) Introduction(1:34) Data sovereignty and privacy(3:38) Nicholas Zaldastani’s journey and CESS’s vision(13:41) Decentralized storage approach(18:40) AI and data infrastructure(23:14) CESS network and node structure(26:40) Data censorship and Web3 adoption(30:17) DeOS: Decentralized Object Storage Service(34:09) Driving Web3 adoptionThis episode of Hashing It Out is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted by  Elisha Owusu AKyaw, produced by Savannah Fortis with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up).Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow this episode’s host, Elisha Owusu AKyaw (GhCryptoGuy), on X at @ghcryptoguy.Follow Nicholas on X at @Nicholas_CESS Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are the participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this episode of Hashing It Out, host Elisha Owusu Akyaw (GhCryptoGuy) delves into the rapidly evolving world of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) with Harrison Hines, CEO and co-founder of Fleek Network, and Kyle Okamoto, CTO of Aethir.They explore how DePIN reshapes industries by decentralizing access to resources such as GPUs and cloud infrastructure. The aim is to break the oligopoly of traditional cloud giants like AWS and Google.(00:03 - 01:30) - Introduction and Guest Introductions(06:36 - 09:17) - What is DePIN?(16:49 - 19:28) - DePIN vs. Traditional Cloud Computing(19:46 - 27:40) - Decentralization in DePIN(27:57 - 31:11) - Bringing Developers to DePIN(31:11 - 32:46) - Fleek Network's Unique Offering and Next.js App Hosting(34:10 - 38:14) - The Future of DePIN and Traditional Cloud Companies(38:14 - 39:31) - Challenges and Future of Ether(39:31 - 41:25) - Challenges and Future of Fleek NetworkThe views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.