The Policy Layer

Erwin Voloder of Blockchain for Europe joins us to unpack why euro stablecoins still struggle to gain traction under MiCA, despite Europe’s push for regulated digital finance. From remuneration and reserve design to legal uncertainty and central bank infrastructure, this episode looks at the frictions shaping the market now and the monetary future Europe may be building toward. The conversation is grounded in Blockchain for Europe’s report, Reforming MiCA for Euro Stablecoins: A Status Report, which lays out a sharper case for recalibrating key parts of the current framework. Check out the full report: https://www.blockchain4europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Reforming-MiCA-for-Euro-Stablecoins-26426.pdf 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

This episode starts with a simple argument: Europe cannot buy its way into digital sovereignty. Professor Roman Beck explains why the real issue is not nationality, but control, and why blockchain and decentralized systems belong in that conversation. From governance and key custody to resilience and execution, this is a policy discussion about what blockchain infrastructure can offer when institutions are thinking seriously about sovereignty.

Adam Zec, CEO of MyStandard, joins us to talk about fixing one of the most broken parts of the digital economy: data ownership. MyStandard is building infrastructure that lets individuals control and monetize their workforce data instead of handing it over to platforms by default. The conversation covers hiring, privacy, bias, and why useful blockchain products should lead with what they solve. Discover more in MyStandard.io 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Adrian Ang (Partner at Allen & Gledhill) at brings a clear view of how Singapore approaches stablecoins, blockchain regulation, and the risks that come with digital money. He lays out the logic behind MAS’s framework, from technology-neutral regulation to the higher standards expected of serious market participants. Adrian also explains why regulatory clarity has become one of Singapore’s biggest strengths as a financial hub. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

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

Stablecoins were the main character in policy circles this year, and for good reason. Urszula McCormack, Andrew Whitworth , and Laura Navaratnam walk us through how 2025 played out across Hong Kong, the EU, UK, and Australia. From what got finalized, what’s still fuzzy, and what signals to watch in early 2026... it's the year-end reality check for anyone dealing with digital money, law, and regulation. 🎧 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.

Can blockchains ever truly be privacy-compliant? Clifford Chance lawyers walk through the gray areas, from wallet addresses to pseudonymous data, and explain what regulators are starting to expect. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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.

Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of London, joins Owl Explains to unpack how blockchain can help cities govern smarter: from planning records to transit data. From congestion charges to building permits, Mainelli explains why cities need better memory systems and not just better apps. It’s local meets ledger, and a reminder that blockchain’s real power might lie in fixing what cities forget to track. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Professor Michele Neitz (University of San Francisco) makes the case for tech courts, a bold idea that could help us rethink how justice works in a digital-first world. As AI and blockchain reshape everything from contracts to crime, our legal system needs to evolve. Tech-savvy justice isn’t a luxury anymore but a necessity for protecting rights and resolving disputes in the age of code. 📝 Check out Michele's paper here. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.