

Blockchain Won't Save the World
Anthony Day
Cutting through the hype, telling inspiring stories from people and organisations who are creating real change in the world with Blockchain and Exponential technologies.
Listened to in 150+ countries worldwide.
Hosted by: Anthony Day, Blockchain Leader at Midnight
Listened to in 150+ countries worldwide.
Hosted by: Anthony Day, Blockchain Leader at Midnight
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 30, 2020 • 37min
S1E13 Blockchain Open Source Ecosystems with Marta Piekarska from Hyperledger Foundation
Getting the inside track on the Open Source movement and some of the Hyperledger Projects you may never have heard of... Marta is an Ecosystem Director for Hyperledger and is responsible for growing the community, progressing projects from ideas to Labs to Projects, and has worked with developers, enterprises and consortia worldwide. She also supports technical governance for Sovrin, and shares her views about the intersections between Sovrin, Hyperledger and Indy. In this episode we talk about:
- The importance of open source technology for developers, enterprises and governments
- The mission and goals of the Hyperledger Foundation
- The process and governance for starting and progressing Hyperledger Projects
- The origins of Cactus, the latest project in the Hyperledger 'greenhouse'
- A comparison between Sovrin and Hyperledger, and where they intersect with Hyperledger Indy
- Encouraging diversity, growing a Blockchain community and how to keep the peace
- Key learnings from Marta's past projects, including Caliper ('A Working Group that did real work'), Iroha ('Hyperledger's Greatest Hidden Secret') and Ursa ('Don't Implement Your Own Crypto')
- What's Next: Why interoperability and on-chain governance are needed, but the importance of defining 'how' and 'where'
Links to content discussed on the show:
Marta's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martapiekarska
Hyperledger YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_X0WkMtkWzaVUKF-PRBNQ
Hyperledger Website (for Developers): https://wiki.hyperledger.org
Hyperledger Website (for non-Developers): www.hyperledger.org
Marta's New Book: https://www.manning.com/books/permissioned-blockchains-in-action

May 23, 2020 • 43min
S1E12: How to Patent Blockchain Inventions with Keir Finlow-Bates
This is one for the culture! Veteran inventor and holder of numerous Blockchain patents, Keir Finlow-Bates takes us through what it takes to innovate in the Blockchain space, why some of the world's largest companies are rushing to create Blockchain patents, and what it takes to get one. We also talk about Keir's approach to identifying where Blockchain can be disruptive, using the subconscious mind to create content, and why it's better to invent in a van than in a shed! In this episode we cover:
- Why companies like Visa, GM, Baidu and Walmart are churning out Blockchain patents
- Why Vitalik Buterin is wrong on patenting Blockchain innovations
- The process for patenting Blockchain propositions
- Why Keir became an inventor and how to generate new-to-world inventions
- Some of Keir's most famous Blockchain inventions (Proof of Location, Alternative Mining Power)
- How Blockchain could support the patent value chain (registration, licensing, transfer of ownership)
- Where P2P Networks, Asymetric Key Cryptography, Hash-Linked Lists and Byzantine Fault Tolerance provide most value
- The source material for Kier's legendary Blockchain vlogs
- The power of subliminal processing (this one is really cool!)
Links to topics discussed in this episode:
Keir's Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/keirf/
ChainFrog: www.chainfrog.com
ThinkLair: www.thinklair.com

May 16, 2020 • 60min
S1E11: Digital Cash: Rewiring Payments and Remittances with Jack Nikogosian, CEO of Aryze
What is Digital Cash, and how does it fit in a world with Libra, Central Bank Digital Currencies and Crypto? Jack Nikogosian has made the transition from Bitcoin to ICO to regulated digital bank, and explains the unique value of central bank-backed Digital Cash for enabling access to banking for all, and the goal of zero fee remittances worldwide. A truly transformative opportunity.
In this episode we discuss:
- The challenge of bringing Bitcoin to traditional banking systems
- The difference between Digital Cash, Stablecoins, CBDCs and Cryptocurrencies
- The cost of cross-border payments and remittances for migrant workers
- How digital cash could be a better underlying asset for Facebook's Libra
- The technology architecture for a digital cash bank (core banking, Ethereum, cloud, compliance, data centres)
- How to scale a digital cash ecosystem worldwide
- Migrating from an ICO token model to a traditional shareholding and buyback model (this is really cool...)
Links to topics discussed on the show:
Aryze: https://aryze.io/
Jack's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacknikogosian
Coinify: https://coinify.com

May 9, 2020 • 46min
S1E10: Blockchain and The Internet of Things (IoT) with David Sønstebø, Founder of IOTA
Combining the exponential capability of both Blockchain and IoT is seen by many as the next major horizon for technology innovation, and few know more about this topic than David Sønstebø who takes us through everything you need to know in this space, from the use cases to the architecture, and when he expects the Blockchain+IoT fusion to reach the mainstream. In this episode we cover:
- Why the Internal of Things needs its own network, and why traditional connectivity and payment rails will not work
- The genesis of IOTA - from Internet Forums to International Foundation
- Key domains where Blockchain and IoT can have the greatest impact: Automotive, Supply Chain, Smart Cities
- A detailed comparison of Blockchain and Direct Acyclic Graph (DAG) architecture
- Interoperability with Hyperledger, Ethereum and other Blockchain protocols
- Unified Identity Protocol, IOTA Enterprise Edition and Distributed Identity for COVID-19
- Forecast for when IOTA and DAG infrastructure will be production ready and scaled
Links to topics discussed on the show:
IOTA: https://www.iota.org
Unified Identity Protocol: https://blog.iota.org/the-first-step-towards-a-unified-identity-protocol-7dc3988c8b0e
David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-sonstebo-760319a5/
David's Twitter: @DavidSonstebo

May 2, 2020 • 1h 3min
S1E9: Blockchain and Self Sovereign Identity with Arwen Smit from Outlier Ventures
As the entire world is looking to Self Sovereign Identity (SSI) as a potential solution to COVID-19, Arwen Smit gives us some home truths about the complexity of identity management, what is required to develop SSI networks, and potential business models for private sector enterprises. Arwen is hugely knowledgeable and a pleasure to listen to - essential for anyone who wants to learn more about the digital identity space.
In this episode we cover:
- An overarching framework for identity and trust (human trust, cryptographic trust)
- The major problems that SSI aims to address (and some that is should not)
- How SSI could be applied to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Critical challenges to consider (governance, ethics, fraud, commercial models)
- The relevance of Blockchain as an enabler for SSI
- Case studies including Estonia, MOBI, Sovrin, the UN and more
- Arwen view on 'If data is the new oil, is SSI the electric motor?' and,
- Her most valuable, most impactful, and favourite SSI use cases for the future
Links to topics discussed:
- Arwen's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arwensmit
- Arwen's Website: https://arwensmit.com
- Identity Reboot: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Identity-Reboot-Reimagining-Privacy-Century/dp/1916314414

Apr 25, 2020 • 52min
S1E8: Blockchain in the Danish Construction Industry with Niels Falk from HD Lab
A uniquely Danish view on construction, design and the disruptive impact of Blockchain. Niels has been working with the Danish Industry Foundation to explore technologies and use cases that can bring transparency, efficiency and solve age-old problems within the sector, and he explains why he thinks Blockchain offers something very different to what has gone before.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why the Construction industry has a data and transparency problem
- Ideation and prioritisation of the 150+ Blockchain uses cases that Niels and the team developed
- Deep dives on the team's priority use cases: Material traceability, IoT devices, Client decision making, Component tracing, and 'Proof of Work'
- Working with Stellar, Azure, Hyperledger, Quorum
- The future of BIM, 3D models, reality capture, generative design and exoskeletons
- Key challenges of working with Blockchain in the Construction industry
- Niels' prediction for when we'll see true digital transformation in the sector
How to find Niels:
Niels' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsfalk/
HD Lab: https://www.hdlab.dk/
*Apologies for some glitches in Niels' audio in this episode - Zoom was not having a good day...

Apr 18, 2020 • 55min
S1E7: Stablecoins, CBDCs & Libra (Diem) with Gorazd Ocvirk and Gavin Pacini from Sygnum
Everything you wanted to know about Stablecoins in one podcast. The boys from Sygnum talk through how they created their own Swiss Franc Stablecoin under Swiss banking regulation, the different classifications of Stablecoin, and how the future may unfold in terms of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Facebook's Libra. A must for anyone wanting to understand Stablecoins in more detail.
In this episode we cover:
- Stablecoin classification: Centralised crypto-collateralised, Decentralised crypto-collateralised, FIAT collateralised and CBCDs
- How to develop a Stablecoin using Ethereum ERC20 tokens
- Integrating Public Blockchain and HSMs with traditional core banking platforms
- The differences between permissionless cryptocurrencies and regulated stablecoins (KYC, Whitelists, Pauses and Confiscation)
- How many Stablecoins does the world need? Will there be one to rule them all, or multiple domain or country-specific coins?
- The value and potential impact of Libra and Central Bank Digital Currencies
References made in the show:
Sygnum: https://www.sygnum.com/
Gorazd's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gorazd-ocvirk-phd-43ba4763/
Gavin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinpacini/

Apr 11, 2020 • 43min
S1:E6 Blockchain in Supply Chain Management with Martijn Thijsen from the Port of Rotterdam
A great introduction to how Blockchain is being applied in the business of international supply chains and logistics. Martijn talks through how the Port of Rotterdam began exploring Blockchain business networks, creating partnership ecosystems and developing its own Deliver platform with ABN-AMRO and Samsung, along with a number of other topics, including:
- The role of a port in the wider technology innovation landscape
- Benefits of Blockchain in trade, logistics and trade finance
- How to form and govern a global business network
- Details about PoR's Deliver platform and its learnings and challenges to-date
- Interoperability between Blockchain networks (Hyperledger and Ethereum)
- The role of other exponential technologies in supply chains, including AI, Drones, Quantum and Digital Twins
References to topics mentioned on the podcast:
Port of Rotterdam: www.portofrotterdam.com
Blocklab: www.blocklab.nl
Deliver platform: www.deliver.community
Martijn's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martijnthijsen

Apr 4, 2020 • 55min
S1E5: Blockchain Technology Maturity with Antonio Senatore, Deloitte Global CTO
A Blockchain technology Master Class with Antonio Senatore, Deloitte's Global CTO for Blockchain. We discuss what he sees as the 'core' Blockchain technologies for enterprise, his key learnings from taking both Public and Private Blockchain platforms into production, and his forecast for when we will see emerging domains like Zero Knowledge Proofs, Interoperability and Blockchain-enabled AI being ready for prime time.
On this episode we discuss:
- What it takes to be considered a 'mature' Blockchain platform
- Relative maturity of Ethereum, Hyperledger, Corda, VeChain and others
- Key challenges for implementing Public and Private Blockchains in enterprise
- The importance and time horizon for Interoperability between Blockchain networks
- Why we should be excited about Blockchain and AI, and what can they bring together
- What are Zero Knowledge Proofs, and what is required for broader adoption
- What questions to ask of emerging Blockchain technology vendors looking for partnerships
- Where Antonio gets his reading list
References mentioned during the show:
Antonio's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-senatore-b759273/
Andreas Antonopoulos: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aantonop/
QEDIT: https://qed-it.com/
Polkadot: https://polkadot.network/
Constellation Network: https://constellationnetwork.io/

Mar 28, 2020 • 49min
S1E4: Blockchain Business Case and Network Design with Krystal Webber from IBM
Krystal is a global expert in designing and forming consortia and business networks using Blockchain technology. She shares critical thinking and experience in the areas of network design, business case and governance models, with a number of real-world examples. Crucial topics for anyone looking to scale Blockchain networks and initiatives.
In this episode we discuss:
- Network intent - rationale and objectives for forming Blockchain networks
- Building the business case - Business value, incentive structures and return on investment
- The implementation challenge of creating new digital businesses with non-digital participants
- Comparing market utility, founder-led and for-profit network models
- Governance design using BOLT: Business, Operations, Legal and Technology
- Member management - onboarding, offboarding and ‘the rules to change the rules’
- A lot of ‘cake talk’: Scaling by Cupcake, Birthday Cake and Wedding Cake
Krystal’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalwebber/
Krystal Webber on Twitter: @krwebber1
Initiatives mentioned by Krystal in the podcast:
Tradelens: https://www.tradelens.com
FoodTrust: https://www.ibm.com/IBM-Food-Trust/Blockchain