MoneyNeverSleeps

Mark McLaughlin is an Irish entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of the ticketing industry since 2006. Mark is the co-founder and CEO of Coras, a company that's been revolutionizing the ticketing landscape with its powerful API solutions, boasting clients like Ryanair. But Mark’s journey doesn’t stop there—he’s now leading Coras into a new frontier with Fida, a cutting-edge loyalty platform that's merging the best of web2 and web3 worlds. In this episode, we’ll explore Mark’s entrepreneurial journey from founding Ticket Text and Ticket ABC to building Coras, and now, innovating with Fida. We’ll dive into the recent €1.3 million funding round led by Irish VC DataOp and the unique challenges of navigating the web2 and web3 investment landscape. Mark will share insights on balancing traditional and forward-thinking approaches for those straddling the web2 and web3 worlds, and what it means for getting these businesses funded. 00:36 Meet Mark McLaughlin: Revolutionizing Ticketing 03:24 The Ticketmaster Saga 05:52 Building Ticketing Solutions: Challenges and Innovations 07:02 Navigating Financial Crises and Raising Funds 10:59 The Evolution of Coras and the Impact of COVID-19 15:50 Introducing Fida: The Future of Loyalty Programs 25:48 Tokenized Commerce and Loyalty Programs 27:12 Building a Universal Loyalty Program 28:05 Challenges in Raising Funds for Web3 Projects 29:54 Pitching to Investors: Lessons Learned 36:04 The Importance of Timing and Luck in Fundraising 38:20 Exploring New Applications for Blockchain 39:05 Advice for Founders in Web2 and Web3 43:02 Mark's Journey from Music to Tech Entrepreneurship 46:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts LINKS: Follow Mark McLaughlin on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmclaughlin1/ -Twitter/X: https://x.com/markwmcl Learn more about and follow Coras & Fida -Website: https://www.coras.io/ -Website: https://www.fidaapp.io/ -X-Twitter: @corasdotio | https://x.com/corasdotio -X-Twitter: @fidaapp | https://x.com/fidaapp -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coras-io/ -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/fidaapp/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Returning from our summer hiatus, Laura Walsh joins the show again this week as guest co-host as we dive into Crypto Politics by unpacking Donald Trump's campaign promises involving bitcoin and crypto. Laura and I worked together closely in the first two years of the Techstars Web3 accelerator, and she is a Techstars All-Star Mentor, advisor, founder, web3 O.G. and friend.   In this episode, Laura and I are diving into a hot topic that's been making waves in both the political and crypto spheres. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Donald Trump has been making some bold promises regarding the future of crypto in the United States—from boosting Bitcoin mining to shaking up the regulatory landscape. We take a close look at each of Trump's crypto promises, evaluating their feasibility and potential impact. We explore his claims about ending the so-called ‘crypto crackdown,’ his controversial pledge to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and his ambitious goal of making the U.S. a dominant player in Bitcoin mining. We also discuss Trump's proposal to build a national Bitcoin stockpile and defend self-custody rights, along with his strong stance against the introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). But how much of this actually holds water? Can these promises be realistically fulfilled, or are they just campaign rhetoric designed to win over the crypto community? We break down each promise, tally up the results, and consider who in the tech and crypto space is lining up to support Trump—and why. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s at stake and whether these promises could shape the future of crypto in America, or if they’re just a play for votes. Jump right in as we unpack the reality behind the rhetoric. TIMESTAMPS:  03:38 Debate Reactions and Crypto Politics 05:03 Trump's Bitcoin Conference Appearance 14:13 Crypto Regulation and Political Maneuvering 16:42 Trump's Crypto Crackdown and Mining Proposals 26:47 Crypto and Politics: A Misunderstood Relationship 29:01 Bitcoin Stockpile: A Baffling Proposal 34:12 Self Custody and Legislative Processes 35:49 The Controversy of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) 40:46 Ross Ulbricht: A Presidential Promise 42:17 Evaluating Trump's Crypto Promises 49:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell LINKS: Connect with Laura Walsh on social media: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralwalsh/ -Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOGLauraWalsh Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Pranav Kanade, Portfolio Manager of VanEck's Digital Assets Alpha Strategy joins the show this week. VanEck is an American investment management firm headquartered in New York City with over $100bn in assets under management. Although they’re well known for their passive exchange-traded funds or ETFs, they also manage active portfolios such as Pranav’s Digital Assets Alpha Strategy.   Pranav Kanade joined VanEck in 2022 from Millennium Management where he was a Credit Portfolio Manager working closely with a team of six investment professionals. Prior to Millennium, he was the founding member of the Head of Research for the Liquid Credit investing business at Angelo, Gordon & Co. and also spent time with Hutchin Hill Capital focused on technology and energy. In this episode, Pranav and I dig into his transition from traditional finance (TradFi) to the crypto world, his investment philosophy, and the catalysts for growth in digital assets. Pranav details his journey, the differences between traditional and liquid token investments, and how stablecoins, decentralized physical infrastructure, gaming, and social finance can drive mass adoption. We also delve into regulatory landscapes, tokenomics, and the challenges and opportunities in token project investments. TIMESTAMPS:  00:18 Meet Pranav Kanade: From TradFi to Crypto 01:55 The Evolution of Digital Assets 04:10 Understanding Tokenomics and Market Dynamics 16:20 The Future of Stablecoins and Tokenized Securities 21:13 Managing a Liquid Venture Portfolio 26:03 The Role of Regulation in Crypto Adoption 38:05 Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights LINKS: Follow Pranav Kanade on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkanade1/ -Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/vaneckpk -Substack: https://killerapps.substack.com/ Learn more about and follow VanEck: -X-Twitter: @vaneck_us  |  https://twitter.com/vaneck_us -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaneck/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/-MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Rita Martins joins the show to discuss her new book, Web3 in Financial Services, which explores how blockchain, digital assets, and cryptocurrency are disrupting traditional financial services.  In this episode, Rita and I riff on her inspiration for writing Web3 in Financial Services and how she tackled the process of writing a book for the first time.  We also talk about the present and the future of Web3 technologies in finance, the book’s key messages, and how Rita aimed to make the content evergreen with the fast pace of change in web3. Rita was kind enough to feature a conversation with me in the book, so thank you Rita for including my thoughts.  Rita Martins is a strategic senior leader with a distinguished track record in financial services, fintech and Web3. She serves on the advisory boards of a range of startups at the intersection of finance and DeFi, blockchain, digital assets and crypto, and is a mentor for the Techstars Web3 accelerator. Previously, Rita was the Global Head of Fintech Partnerships at HSBC, where she played a key role in incubating and accelerating disruptive technologies, creating significant advancements in the fintech landscape. Her extensive background also includes strategy and digital transformation roles at Accenture and Ernst & Young, where she led large-scale digital transformation projects, helping clients achieve strategic milestones. TIMESTAMPS:   00:43 Meet Rita Martins: Author, Financial Services Executive and Board Member 01:20 Diving into Web3 and Financial Services 02:43 Rita's Journey in Financial Services 05:23 The Inspiration Behind the Book 06:52 Understanding Blockchain and Its Impact 10:58 Writing the Book: Challenges and Insights 15:07 The Future of Web3 in Finance 26:16 Evolving Ecosystem and Challenges 28:10 Dynamic Nature of Writing in Crypto 29:05 Podcasting vs. Publishing 30:31 Killer Apps in Crypto 31:18 Political Influence on Crypto 34:07 Global Impact and Future Predictions 38:09 Reactions and Feedback 41:22 Marketing and Promotion Efforts 44:34 Personal Insights and Experiences LINKS: Connect with Rita Martins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartins2/ Follow Rita Martins on X: https://x.com/RitaMartinsUK Buy/download Rita Martin’s book Web3 in Financial Services:  Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714 KoganPage https://www.koganpage.com/accounting-finance-banking/web3-in-financial-services-9781398615717 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

This week, we dive into decentralization with Kenny Ezeji-Okoye and Stella Dyer from Millicent, Ilya Orlov from FileMarket, alongside Rita Martins, author and Techstars Web3 mentor. The discussion covers the journey from centralized to decentralized models, the impact of decentralization on users and developers, and insights into decentralization in financial services. The episode also includes a sneak peek into Rita Martins' new book, Web3 in Financial Services. Decentralization generally refers to the transfer of control of an enterprise from a small group of stakeholders to a distributed network. At the earliest stages of a startup’s life, the co-founders usually put a plan in motion to keep the control of the business within the hands of the co-founders as a centralized business.  With many web3 projects, however, the project leads or co-founders decide to create a distributed network, where the enterprise value accrues to a token rather than to the equity of a centralized operating company. Decentralization is not a point-in-time decision, however. For example, it took 5 years for the Maker Protocol to fully decentralize.  Most web3 projects that do become decentralized originally start as a centralized operating company and then decentralize over time, like Maker Protocol became Maker DAO.   Does this matter to users whether or not a project is decentralized or plans to decentralize?  Do they actually care?  What about developers, i.e., those building apps/dapps on top of web3 protocols?  What’s in it for them? Kene and Stella from Millicent, Ilya from FileMarket, and author Rita Martins tell us what they think about decentralization and when it matters and when it doesn’t. TIMESTAMPS: 00:57 Understanding Decentralization 02:12 Perspectives from Millicent and FileMarket 03:31 In-Depth Discussion on Decentralization 10:36 User and Developer Perspectives 18:33 Advice for Web3 Founders 23:18 Rita Martins on Decentralization in Financial Services 32:35 Conclusion and Closing Remarks LINKS: Connect with this week’s guests on LinkedIn: -Kene Ezeji-Okoye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pronouncedkenny/ -Stella Dyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stelladyer/ -Ilya Orlov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlov-ilya/ -Rita Martins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritamartins2/ Follow this week’s guests on X/Twitter: -Kene Ezeji-Okoye: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pronouncedkenny/ -Stella Dyer: https://x.com/MillicentLabs/ -Ilya Orlov: https://x.com/UnderKong -Rita Martins: https://x.com/RitaMartinsUK Learn more about each founder’s business: -Millicent Labs: https://www.millicent.io/  |  https://x.com/MillicentLabs -FileMarket: https://filemarket.xyz/  |  https://x.com/FileMarket_xyz -Rita Martins’ book: Web3 in Financial Services https://www.amazon.co.uk/Web3-Financial-Services-Blockchain-Traditional/dp/1398615714 Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Alejandro Gutierrez, CEO of npayme Labs and co-founder of ETH Dublin joins me again as guest co-host this week. We start with Alejandro's Token2049 Dubai ‘tsunami-in-a-yacht’ story, the upcoming ETH Dublin 2024, and the Techstars Web3 demo day on June 6th in NYC. We then cover the challenging venture capital funding market for Web3 projects, political and regulatory developments in the U.S. concerning crypto, and the in-flight approval of Ethereum ETFs. As we recorded this episode a few hours before the SEC took the first step in authorizing Ethereum ETFs, we unpacked the political and legislative climate towards crypto in the U.S., and how things like SAB121 and the FIT21 Act are driving real change.  We also touch on the broader impact of blockchain technology on financial markets and the context of tokenization, consumerization, and infrastructure improvements in the crypto space. TIMESTAMPS: 01:53 Alejandro's Dubai Adventure at Token 2049 04:40 ETH Dublin 2024 Preview and Techstars Web3 Demo Day 07:16 npayme Labs and the Future of Web3 12:14 The State of Venture Capital in Crypto 23:00 The Impact of Political Climate on Crypto 25:04 Trump's Crypto Strategy 26:18 Crypto Donations and Political Influence 28:43 Ethereum ETFs and Regulatory Challenges 32:25 Political Shifts and Crypto Regulation 37:19 The Future of Crypto Legislation 45:09 Pizza Day and Bitcoin's History STORIES WE COVERED: VC Funding in Crypto Galaxy Ventures bemoans ‘challenging’ market as crypto VC funding set for measly 27% gain (DL News, 20-May-24) CryptoRank:  Recent Crypto Investments and Fundraising Rounds (early stage only) ETH ETF Approval Expectations Ether jumps 20% on renewed optimism for an ETF, bitcoin also rallies (CNBC, 20-May-24) Ether ETFs Filing Process Sees Abrupt Progress, Though Approval Not Guaranteed: Sources (CoinDesk, 20-May-24) Fidelity Drops Staking Plans in Updated Ether ETF Filing (CoinDesk, 21-May-24 Blockworks’ BTC ETF Tracker US Crypto Regulatory Ups and Downs House To Vote On Who Will Regulate Crypto (21-May-24) Proposed DeFi Carve-out from Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Hayden Adams on X/Twitter, 20-May-24) Uniswap Labs Urges SEC to Drop Pending Enforcement Action in Wells Response (CoinDesk, 21-May- LINKS: Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez: -X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/A_gutierro -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/ Learn more about: -npayme Labs: https://npayme.com/ -ETH Dublin:  https://ethdublin.io/ Register for the Techstars Web3 Demo Day:   -Livestream: https://lu.ma/usaj1l7k -In-Person (NYC): https://lu.ma/3wlbvrih Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us:  [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

This week, we dive into Aleph Zero, a privacy-enhancing layer one blockchain renowned for prioritizing scalability, security and speed, with co-founder Antoni Zolciak and Head of Investments Piotr Saczuk.  Antoni discusses his transition from technology marketer to blockchain, emphasizing the humanist aspect of technology and the broad scope of blockchain's potential applications. Piotr shares his journey from TradFi to blockchain investments, highlighting the importance of values and adaptability in the fast-paced crypto industry.  The discussion explores the challenges and strategies involved in building the Aleph Zero community, driven by transparency, support, and a user-focused approach. We also talk about the nuances of ecosystem investing, the importance of UX, and the integral role of a strong community in fostering innovation and adoption. Additionally, we look inside Aleph Zero’s relationship with the Techstars Web3 accelerator, and the related benefits to web3 founders. 00:24 Introducing Aleph Zero: A Privacy-Enhancing Blockchain 01:16 The Journey to Aleph Zero: Antoni’s and Piotr’s Stories 01:24 Building a Thriving Ecosystem and Community in Web3 05:30 The Art of Keeping Up with Blockchain's Pace 10:48 From Concept to Ecosystem: The Growth of Aleph Zero 21:27 Investing in the Future: The Ecosystem Funding Program 25:05 The Importance of UX and Security in Web3 Development 32:34 Finding the Right Founders to Build on Aleph Zero 38:33 Closing Thoughts and Personal Revelations Antoni Zolciak is co-founder of the Aleph Zero Foundation and Cardinal Cryptography, the core developer of the Aleph Zero blockchain.  Antoni is a technology marketer with over 10 years of professional experience in public relations and content creation projects for global brands such as ING, Samsung, Sony, Olympus and Nikon.  But now, he’s here to tell the story of incredibly smart people working on decentralized innovations. Piotr Saczuk is the Head of Investments at the Aleph Zero Foundation.  After university, Piotr had a short spell in TradFi before going down the crypto rabbit hole with Finoa, Unmind DAO, Soonami, and then finally to Cardinal Cryptography and Aleph Zero, first as ecosystem investments manager and then into his current role as Head of Investments. LINKS: Follow this week’s guests on X/Twitter: -Antoni Zolciak:  https://twitter.com/antonizolciak -Piotr Saczuk:  https://twitter.com/Piotr_Saczuk Learn more about and follow Aleph Zero: -X-Twitter:  @aleph__zero  |  https://x.com/aleph__zero -Linktree:   https://linktr.ee/alephzero   Connect with this week’s guests on LinkedIn: -Antoni Zolciak:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonizolciak/ -Piotr Saczuk:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/piotr-saczuk-0347521bb/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

This week, I’m joined by guest co-host Mai Santamaria, the head of the financial advisory unit for the Department of Finance in Ireland. We delve into the world of digital identity, discussing the projects of World ID and TON, iris and palm scanning, and how humans are incentivized to digitalize their identity. Mai and I explore the broader implications of digital identity on economic freedoms and the geopolitical landscape that influences the sovereignty of digital infrastructure.  Additionally, we touch upon the impact of digital identity in securing basic human rights and the potential shifts towards universal basic income facilitated by emerging technologies. The discussion also includes insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by decentralization, the significance of maintaining digital infrastructure sovereignty, and the ongoing regulatory hurdles faced by companies at the intersection of finance and technology. TIMESTAMPS: 02:54 The Evolution and Impact of Digital Identity Technologies 03:31 World ID, TON and Digital Identity: A Closer Look 08:45 Exploring the Future of Universal Basic Income and Digital Identity 14:07 The Ethical and Practical Implications of Digital Identity Verification 15:57 Reflecting on the Broader Implications of Digital Identity and Personhood 20:34 Exploring Mobile Wallet Security and User Comfort 21:26 Revolutionizing SIM Technology with eSIMs and Wallet Integration 23:10 The Future of Identity: From Physical to Digital 24:29 Digital Infrastructure and Sovereignty: A European Perspective 30:01 Innovations in Mapping and the Importance of Open Infrastructure 35:03 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in the Crypto Space 36:58 Optimism for the Future of Digital Identity and Infrastructure Mai originally featured on episode 5 of MoneyNeverSleeps back in 2018, she made a cameo on our 200th episode, and she’s a Techstars mentor.  Two of the episodes that I did with Mai recently, episode 241 on the crossover of blockchain and AI and episode 247 on the crossover of blockchain and digital identity, have been very popular with our most loyal listeners, so make sure you check those out. STORIES WE COVERED: Worldcoin tightens privacy checks, allows users to unverify World ID (9-Apr-24, Cointelegraph) TON’s $5M incentive program aims to drive digital ID verification (Cointelegraph, 8-Apr-24) Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation (ESA, 29-Apr-24) SEC issues Robinhood Crypto with Wells Notice, citing alleged securities violations (The Block, 6-May-24) LINKS: Follow our guest co-host Mai Santamaria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mai07/ Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

I’m joined by three of the founders from the Techstars Web3 class of 2024 to help me identify the mainstream adoption path for blockchain technology, including Andrea Miele, Co-Founder and CEO of The Colony, Fabien Arneodo, Co-Founder and CEO of SportSyncTech, and Nick Mason, Co-Founder and CEO of ProofSpace. As William Gibson, author of the 1984 book Neuromancer, famously said: “The future is already here, it’s just not that evenly distributed”.  I think of this quote every time I get pushback from naysayers on the long-term usability of blockchain technology. In the intro to a recent episode with the first group of 4 founders from Techstars Web3 we talked to about common misconceptions about web3, I referred to the estimated less than 20 million daily active users of crypto. Crypto in all of its shapes and forms is accountable for the overwhelming majority of the use of blockchain technology around the world today. Recently, Lex Sokolin from the Fintech Blueprint (shout out to Lex!) summarized things nicely by pointing out that the daily active users of major blockchain protocols such as Ethereum, Binance Chain, Polygon, and Solana increased from 5 million to nearly 8 million this year.  Whether we’re talking about 8 million daily active users or 20 million users, with blockchain, we’re only in the ballpark of the number of Robinhood daily active users or the population of the Netherlands. Given how much of my time I spend in crypto and blockchain it feels like we’re already mainstream, and that the future is already here. But, back to the reality of today and our 20 million daily active users, we have some work to do. We’re on a trajectory with crypto adoption similar to that of the internet in the 1990’s, and if the growth projections hold water, blockchain by association will become ‘mainstream’ during the 2030s. That’s a 10-year range, so what’s the timeline to where more of humanity with internet access are using blockchain daily than not? In terms of adoption, what are the things we need to do more of (or less of) in web3 to trigger blockchain adoption by web2-only users? Do they even need to know they’re using blockchain? To answer these questions and more this week, I asked Andrea Miele from The Colony, Fabien Arneodo from SportSyncTech, and Nick Mason from ProofSpace what they think about the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology. LINKS: Connect with this week’s guests on LinkedIn: -Andrea Miele:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/agriffin717/ -Fabien Arneodo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabien-arneodo/ -Nick Mason: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mason-762316b/ Follow this week’s guests on X/Twitter: -Andrea Miele: https://twitter.com/NFTeafor2 -Fabien Arneodo: https://twitter.com/FabienArneodo -Nick Mason: https://twitter.com/nick__mason Learn more about each founder’s business: -The Colony: https://thecolony.xyz/   |   https://twitter.com/thecolonyxyz -SportsyncTech: https://www.sportsynctech.com/  |   https://twitter.com/SportSyncTech -ProofSpace: https://www.proofspace.id/  |   https://twitter.com/proof_space Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

Gray Webb is co-founder and CTO at Liquibit Capital, and we kick things off with a look at what’s happened with BTC since the latest bitcoin halving.  Gray and I then riff on the evolution of bitcoin into a long-term holding with huge opportunities for financial innovation.  We also look at the mainstreaming of stablecoins as the killer app for crypto and how stablecoins have only scratched the surface by nudging past Visa in quarterly settlement volume. Gray Webb is an entrepreneur and technology professional specializing in Digital Asset & Equity Capital Markets. With over 20 years of experience, he has expertise in high-frequency trading, risk management, and post-trade systems. He is currently the Co-Founder and CTO of Liquibit Capital, an algorithmic-driven trading and asset management company. Gray is also involved in mentoring, teaching, and startup mentoring in the blockchain and Web3 space, and is one of the fantastic mentors for founders in the Techstars Web3 accelerator program. He has a strong background in product management and technology delivery, having worked with companies like Digital Asset and JPMorgan.  Liquibit Capital⁠ is a best-in-class investment management firm focused on producing consistent and uncorrelated returns in the emerging digital asset class. You can also listen to more of Gray’s backstory and that of his Liquibit co-founder Joseph Chang in episode 138 from 2021.  STORIES COVERED: BTC as a long-term holding Hong Kong's six spot bitcoin, ether ETFs see $11 million in volume on first trading day (The Block, 30-Apr-24) Blockworks’ BTC ETF Tracker Stablecoins mainstreaming PV01 Issues First Digital Bond to Blue-Chip Stablecoin Investors (PRNewswire, 16-Apr-24) Tether, USDC and DAI transaction volume surpasses Visa's 2023 monthly average: Nansen (The Block, 29-Apr-24) Stripe Brings Back Crypto Payments Via USDC Stablecoin (Yahoo Finance, 25-Apr-24) Making sense of stablecoins (Visa, 25-Apr-24) LINKS: Learn more about Liquibit Capital:  https://liquibit.io/ Connect with Gray Webb on socials: -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/graywebb/ -X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/cryptopacific Leave a review and subscribe on  -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at [email protected] Follow on X(Twitter):  -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow   Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/