CoinDesk Podcast Network GEN C: The Interspecies Economy: How Animals Could Join the Crypto Revolution
Jul 14, 2025
In this fascinating conversation, Jonathan Ledgard, CEO of Tehanu and a visionary in robotics and AI, introduces the groundbreaking idea of 'interspecies money.' He discusses how animals could receive digital identities and crypto payments for their ecological services. The podcast highlights a pilot project with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, emphasizing the urgent need to recognize nature's economic contributions. Ledgard also explores the potential for stable coins linked to conservation, transforming our relationship with the environment.
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Interspecies Money Concept
- Interspecies money allows natural species to have digital identities with wallets linked to them via computational proxies.
- This enables payments to animals and plants for the ecological services they provide to humanity.
Urgency of Biodiversity Crisis
- Human expansion and population growth increase competition with other species, accelerating biodiversity loss.
- This crisis necessitates urgent and innovative solutions like interspecies money to protect endangered species.
Origin Story With Cardano Founder
- Jonathan shared his initial discussions on interspecies money over chess with Charles Hoskinson of Cardano.
- These early talks helped shape the concept and connected him with blockchain innovators.