147 : Bankless by Design: Rob Segers on Bitcoin Self-Custody, Risk, and Resilience

What happens to smart contracts in a post-quantum world? In this episode, Tarusha sits down with Ian Smith, the founder of Quantum EVM, to discuss what it takes to make blockchain infrastructure resilient to quantum threats. A Web3 builder since 2016 and a polymath developer fluent in 25+ programming languages, Ian shares how Quantum EVM is reimagining smart contract execution using post-quantum cryptography—without sacrificing compatibility with Ethereum. From threat models and performance tradeoffs to tooling for developers and the risks of kicking the can down the road, this is a deep yet accessible conversation about the future of secure, decentralized compute. His X profile : @IanSmith_HSA

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, I sit down with Rob Segers, the sharp mind behind Bitsaga, to explore what it truly means to live bankless by design. Rob is a staunch advocate for Bitcoin self-custody, personal sovereignty, and building systems that reduce reliance on traditional financial infrastructure. We dig into: Why Rob believes Bitcoin is not just an investment but a lifestyle shift How self-custody unlocks freedom (and responsibility) What he’s learned from running Bitsaga — and where the project is headed The psychology of risk in decentralized systems Whether regulation is a threat, or a distraction This isn’t just a conversation about crypto. It’s a deeper look at how values, systems, and individual choices intersect in the Web3 age. If you’re thinking about sovereignty, censorship resistance, or just want a fresh perspective from someone who’s actually walking the talk, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, I sit down with Temujin Louie, CEO of Wanchain, the pioneers behind the world’s first decentralized cross-chain bridge. Tem brings a unique perspective shaped by a decade of experience in transformative tech and an early academic deep dive into Bitcoin's impact at the London School of Economics. In this conversation, we explore: 🧠 Why simplifying blockchain is key to mass adoption 🔗 The critical role of interoperability in enabling a truly connected Web3 🧭 The journey behind Wanchain and building for a multi-chain future 🚀 How cross-chain protocols unlock real-world use cases beyond trading Whether you’re a developer, investor, or just Web3-curious, Temujin breaks down complex ideas in a way that’s smart, actionable, and accessible. 🎧 Tune in to discover how Wanchain is making blockchain infrastructure more inclusive—and why the future might just be cross-chain by default.

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, we sit down with Sathvik Vishwanath, the co-founder and CEO of Unocoin—India’s first and leading Bitcoin exchange. We dive into: The early days of Bitcoin in India and how Unocoin was born Navigating regulatory ambiguity and building trust in a skeptical market The future of crypto adoption in India and globally Lessons in resilience, innovation, and building for the long haul Whether you're a crypto-curious listener, a builder navigating Web3, or a founder fascinated by India's regulatory challenges—this episode delivers perspective straight from the front lines. 🎧 Tune in and hear how Sathvik helped bring Bitcoin to India, one block at a time.

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, we dive into one of the fastest-growing names in decentralized trading: Hyperliquid. Built on its own custom Layer 1 chain, Hyperliquid isn’t just another DEX — it’s a high-performance, MEV-free, orderbook-style perpetuals exchange that feels shockingly centralized… in all the right ways. We cover: ⚡ How Hyperliquid achieves sub-second finality and high throughput 📈 The HYPE token: utility, incentives, and its $11B+ market cap 🛡️ Security measures, open interest caps, and recent incidents 👨‍💻 The anonymous team and their growing cult following 🧪 Real user experience: what it feels like to actually use the platform 🚨 Criticism, decentralization concerns, and what to watch going forward If you're a builder, trader, or DeFi degen wondering what’s next in crypto derivatives — this is a must-listen.

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, I’m joined by Janna Scott, founder of DeFi Tax, the real-time, audit-ready platform reshaping how Web3 users approach crypto compliance. Janna brings unmatched clarity to a topic most of us avoid — crypto taxes. Drawing from her rare perspective bridging regulators and users, she shares: Why most crypto tax tools fail to meet IRS standards How audits are actually triggered What users can do to prep for tax season with confidence and precision How DeFi Tax is solving for outdated compliance systems What the future of crypto tax regulation could look like Whether you're a DeFi native, casual trader, or founder building in Web3, this conversation is full of practical insights and regulatory wisdom that will make you rethink how you manage your on-chain activity. 🎧 Tune in to demystify crypto taxes and gain a new lens on building trust-first products in blockchain.

In this deep dive, we explore Zetachain, the trailblazing blockchain designed to unify all chains—with and without smart contracts. Whether you’re a developer navigating fragmented ecosystems or a founder eyeing true cross-chain UX, Zetachain is solving one of Web3’s most pressing problems: seamless interoperability. We cover: What Zetachain is and how it works The novel use of ZRC-20 tokens How Zetachain enables native asset swaps across chains Use cases that go beyond bridges and wrapped assets Why this could be the TCP/IP of blockchains Whether you’re bullish on multichain or skeptical of complexity, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this Deep Dive episode of Living on Blockchain, we explore Vaultro Finance — a newly launched decentralized finance protocol built natively on the XRP Ledger. Vaultro is aiming to bring high-speed, low-cost DeFi services like lending, borrowing, and yield farming to the XRP ecosystem, all while leveraging XRP’s ultra-fast settlement capabilities and low fees. We break down: What makes Vaultro different from typical EVM-based DeFi platforms How XRP Ledger changes the game for on-chain financial products The long-term implications of DeFi beyond Ethereum Explore the project: 🌐 Website: https://www.vaultro.finance/   📘 Docs: https://vaultro-finance.gitbook.io/docs   🎧 Tune in now — and let us know which project we should Deep Dive next.

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, we sit down with Jaime Schwarz, founder of MRKD and the author of the first-ever NFT patent filed in 2017. Jaime is no stranger to the intersection of art, tech, and intellectual property. From collaborating with cultural legends like Public Enemy’s Keith Shocklee to building tools that empower creators to mint, manage, and monetize their digital work — his insights go far beyond the noise. We explore: The original vision behind NFTs (and what went wrong) Why creator royalties still matter — and how to protect them How MRKD is building infrastructure to make Web3 invisible for everyday creators Lessons from the early days of crypto IP and what’s coming next If you’re interested in long-term value, creator rights, and how NFTs evolve from collectibles into infrastructure, this episode is for you. 🎧 Tune in and explore how digital ownership is being redefined — one smart contract at a time.

In this episode of Living on Blockchain, we sit down with Avidan Abitbol, Project Director at Data Ownership Protocol (DOP) — an Ethereum-based privacy protocol that’s redefining how data is handled in decentralized systems. Avidan shares insights from his journey across MedTech AI, Kaspa, and now leading privacy innovation at DOP. We dive deep into the concept of Selective Transparency, the friction traditional companies face in adopting blockchain, and how partnerships with zkMe and Chainalysis are helping bridge the trust gap. We’re also joined by Ziv, DOP’s Head of Marketing, who shares the broader vision of how DOP is communicating and positioning blockchain privacy in a time of AI regulation, data sovereignty, and enterprise hesitancy. Topics Covered: The institutional shift to Web3 in 2025 Blockchain’s most viable real-world use cases Why privacy infra matters more than ever Lessons from AI’s data protection crisis Regulation, compliance, and scaling trust