The Policy Layer

Liquid staking tokens may sound like a niche corner of crypto, but they raise a much bigger question: can regulation actually keep up with decentralized systems? Juan Ignacio Ibañez of the MiCA Crypto Alliance dicusses why LSTs are so hard to classify under MiCA, and why that ambiguity creates real compliance risk for platforms and service providers. The conversation moves beyond labels to a deeper issue: what happens when existing rules are built for assets with issuers, managers, and clearer boundaries than Web3 often provides. Listen on Spotify and Apple Music. Discover more in their working paper: Crypto-asset Taxonomy for Investors and Regulators

Yes, illicit finance in crypto exists, but it's not the whole story. Ari Redbord (TRM Labs) walks us through the real numbers, how blockchain data is used as evidence, and what better enforcement could look like. From sanctions to smart compliance tools, we get into what’s working and what still needs to improve. 🔎 Discover more in TRM's 2026 Crypto Crime Report 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Crypto says it’s for everyone — but who’s actually building the future? Michelle O’Connor, founder of The Digital Future, joins us to talk about inclusion, innovation, and why the next wave of Web3 depends on who’s in the room. From breaking down crypto’s insider language to creating real access for builders across different backgrounds and regions, Michelle shares how diverse voices are shaping the next era of Web3. Together, we explore what happens when the people designing the technology finally reflect the world it’s meant to serve. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

What happens when Bordeaux meets blockchain? Connor Daly, CTO of CruTrade, explains how tokenizing wine on the blockchain is transforming a $25B industry with transparency, traceability, and a whole new kind of cellar. By unlocking instant liquidity and aligning incentives, the model empowers producers with fairer economics and gives collectors and consumers trusted access to the world’s finest bottles. Discover more at crutrade.io 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Keith Bear, Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School, joins us to break down what digital money really looks like in a tokenized economy. From stablecoins to CBDCs, we explore what’s working, what’s missing, and what still needs to be reimagined.

Lord Chris Holmes explains how tokenization could reshape identity, finance, and trust across the UK and beyond. He breaks down what digital assets really are and why they matter for everyone, not just technologists. From refugee ID to football cards, this episode connects the dots between everyday life and emerging tech. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Is DeFi truly decentralized? Is it more than just finance? Join Yvette Valdez (Latham & Watkins), Diana Barrero Zalles (GBBC), Joe Cutler (Perkins Coie), and Lee Schneider (Ava Labs) as they discuss DeFi’s opportunities, risks, and more. Learn more in the GBBC's DeFi report: https://www.gbbc.io/uploads/reports/gsmi50/DeFi-Stand-Alone.pdf 🎧 Listen in Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Nehan Sethi and Jordan Teague (Web3 Attorneys at Campbell Teague) explore how AI challenges traditional notions of authorship and creativity, and the potential for blockchain to revolutionize IP protection. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Dimitrios Psarrakis (Financial Economist and co-founder of Value Verse) provides expert insights on blockchain regulation and its implications for financial competitiveness in the EU. He explores the intersection of blockchain, AI, and financial innovation, emphasizing the importance of education and collaboration in shaping the future of finance.

John Belitsky, Co-founder and Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer at Balcony sheds light on how they’re leveraging blockchain technology for greater transparency and efficiency in real estate, offering a glimpse into the innovative solutions reshaping the industry. 🌐 Discover more: Balcony | Home | The Global Standard For Real Estate Tokenization 🔍 To learn more about blockchain: Explainers 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Akash Gupta (GM at Ava Labs) shares how transformative crypto wallets can be—from identity verification to the integration of social elements. Gain insights into the decentralized future and the large role of crypto wallets in shaping a secure and user-friendly digital landscape.