Unchained How Crypto Neobanks Make It Easier to Earn Passive Income - Ep. 930
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Oct 22, 2025 
Mike Silagadze, founder of EtherFi and Top Hat, and Itamar Lesuisse, co-founder of Ready (formerly Argent), delve into the revolutionary world of crypto neobanks. They discuss how these self-custodial platforms redefine asset control, combining savings, spending, and investing. The guests explain the role of layer 2 networks in making crypto cards viable, the innovative approach to credit without credit scores, and the potential of on-chain FX markets, particularly in Africa, as a breakthrough for the crypto banking landscape.
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Custody Defines Crypto Neobanks
- Crypto neobanks are self-custodial alternatives to traditional neobanks that combine saving, spending, and investing on-chain.
- Custody is the key dividing line: self-custody prevents third parties from taking users' funds and provides extreme transparency.
Argent's Shift To Ready
- Argent (now Ready) started with self-custody and evolved from complex wallets for whales into a consumer-focused crypto neobank.
- The team rebranded to mark the shift from general wallets to opinionated, bank-like products.
Why Crypto Cards Work Now
- Layer 2 settlement plus regulatory appetite made viable self-custodial crypto cards possible after years of failed attempts.
- L2s cut gas costs and enable stablecoin settlement, unlocking low-fee card experiences.