Illia Polosukhin, co-founder NEAR Protocol, and George Kikvadze, executive vice chairman at BitFury Group, both of whom have called Ukraine “home” at one point in their lives, discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the role crypto is playing in the war, and the various avenues crypto users can donate to. Show topics:

George and Illia’s background in crypto
George and Ilia’s connection to Ukraine
why crypto is so popular in Ukraine
what supplies are being purchased with donated crypto
how to donate crypto to Ukraine
why Patreon blocked donations to Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian NGO
George and Illia’s estimation of the amount of crypto donations received by Ukraine
what department of Ukraine’s government spearheaded its adoption of crypto
what happened with the canceled airdrop
the different organizations accepting crypto donations in Ukraine

Upcoming Book Events

Friday, March 25: I’ll be on the Harvard campus at HBS Aldrich 011 from 4 pm ET - 5 pm ET. This is *not* open to the general public, but we have a few spots we can give away, first come, first serve. Email hello@unchainedpodcast.com, subject line "Harvard reading."

Wednesday, March 30: I’ll be speaking (remotely) with Six Senses about The Cryptopians at 2 pm ET. Be sure to save your spot soon – space is limited!

Tuesday, April 5: I will be doing a reading and signing hosted by the City of Miami Beach and Future Perfect Ventures at Sky Yard from 6-8 pm. Jalak Jobanputra, CEO of Future Perfect Ventures will be interviewing me. You need to RSVP by April 1 to dianafontani@miamibeachfl.gov.

Saturday, April 9: I will be on a panel at the Annapolis Book Festival at 11 am.

Tuesday, April 12: I will be at StartupGrind’s global event in Redwood City, which is focused this year on Web3 (time → TBD).

May 4-7: I will be at the PBS Seattle Crosscut Festival, which takes place from May 4-7.

May 23-25: I will be at the Oslo Freedom Forum which takes place from May 23 to 25. Details on these events are TBD.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.onelink.me/J9Lg/unconfirmedcardearnfeb2021

Beefy Finance: https://beefy.finance

Cross River Bank: https://crossriver.com/crypto

Episode Links

George Kikvadze, executive vice chairman at BitFury Group

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BitfuryGeorge
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-kikvadze-6256175/

Illia Polosukhin, co-founder NEAR Protocol

Unchain Fund: https://unchain.fund/

Come Back Alive: https://www.comebackalive.in.ua/

Government Website for Crypto Donations: https://donate.thedigital.gov.ua/

Ukraine x Crypto

Ukraine purchasing supplies
- https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2022/03/07/ukraine-is-buying-bulletproof-vests-and-night-vision-goggles-using-crypto/
- https://twitter.com/abornyakov/status/1502231351273172992?s=21
Live update from on Ukrainian crypto funds received
- https://www.elliptic.co/blog/live-updates-millions-in-crypto-crowdfunded-for-the-ukrainian-military
Ukraine accepting crypto: https://twitter.com/Ukraine/status/1497594592438497282
Ukraine NFT launch to reflect history
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/13/ukraine-nft-history-of-russian-invasion-war

Unchained Coverage

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#153 - Caleb Hearon

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Internships, Class, and Early Career Hustle

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