block by block

This Block by Block episode features AirTM CEO Ruben Galindo on the economics of global payroll. AirTM has processed more than $1B in stablecoin payments, paid 250,000 workers in 150+ countries, and reports 20–25% cost savings on cross-border payouts. Galindo explains how stablecoin payments are converted to local currency in minutes, why the “last mile” is the real challenge in international payroll, and what reliable settlement means for enterprises looking beyond traditional payment processors.

In this episode of block by block with Denelle Dixon, Austin Campbell (Founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, NYU Stern professor, former Paxos, JP Morgan, Citi) talks through the parts of the financial system most people never see — settlement, velocity, trapped capital, and the tradeoffs between openness, privacy, and control. Drawing from experience in traditional finance and crypto infrastructure, Austin explains why most tokenization efforts fail, what blockchains actually make possible, and why copying legacy systems onchain won’t lead to greater adoption.

In this episode of Block by Block, Denelle Dixon sits down with Brian Pellegrino, CEO and Co-Founder of LayerZero Labs, to explore how blockchain interoperability is evolving beyond traditional bridges and wrapped assets toward true omnichain infrastructure. What You'll Learn: -How omnichain tokens eliminate fragmented liquidity and security risks -Why LayerZero is a messaging protocol, not a bridge -The importance of immutable, censorship-resistant infrastructure -How blockchain interoperability will become as invisible as HTTPS

This episode explores how Etherfuse is using Stellar to build open, interoperable financial rails that keep money, and access, truly open. Dave Taylor, Co-Founder and CEO of Etherfuse, joins Denelle to share how bringing local-currency sovereign bonds onchain through stablebonds can create transparent, yield-bearing opportunities for savings and payments. Together, discussing what it takes to keep these rails permissionless, ensure composability across builders, and expand real-world access to trusted financial assets - all while helping local economies thrive without relying solely on the U.S. dollar.

In our third and final episode in our mini-series on how to make a real-world impact, Denelle talks with Elisabeth Carpenter, COO of Circle. Denelle and Elisabeth talked about the value stablecoins have for global users, why enterprise innovation is not just compatible but complementary to social impact, and why skepticism about a new technology can be healthy, and where we are on the transformation journey in movement of money. Join us to hear how to make it happen…block by block.

In our second episode in our mini-series on how to make a real-world impact, Denelle talks with Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking. Denelle and Mary Ellen talked about how access and inclusion are different, how financial institutions improving their customer experience for women are driving big business improvements, and why it’s important not to lose sight of the long game. Join us to hear how to make it happen…block by block.

Denelle kicks off Season 3’s miniseries on real-world impact with Rick Martin of decaf. Rick and the decaf team have built a blockchain-powered mobile wallet, leveraging digital assets integrated with local cash in and out points, that is giving people a new found sense of pride in their work and for some, provides greater physical security. They explore these real world impacts and how it’s important to create and maintain trust with users, all while being a voice at the table for those that don’t have a seat. Join the conversation to learn how to make it happen….block by block.Learn more about the Decaf Digital Wallet: https://bit.ly/decaf_builds_better

Discover Jed McCaleb's journey from early coding passion to shaping the future of blockchain, space, and AI. Explore his innovative ventures, challenges faced, and plans for space habitation and AI research. Dive into the regulatory landscape for blockchain and AI, and learn about the evolution of smart contracts with Stellar.

Denelle Dixon, and Alex Holmes, CEO of MoneyGram, unpack MoneyGram's transformative journey from conventional remittance services to a digital powerhouse. Denelle and Alex cover the company’s strategic shifts and pivotal moments in embracing digital innovation, showcasing Holmes' insights into the company's evolution. Dixon emphasizes the collaborative efforts that led to the creation of MoneyGram Access and the recent launch of their non-custodial wallet, unveiling a vision to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology, revolutionizing cross-border payments and fostering financial inclusion on a global scale. How does a more than 80 year old company adopt new technologies and reshape the financial landscape? Listen to find out. 

Denelle dives into the dynamic world of crypto with Konstantin Richter, the visionary founder of Blockdaemon.  From reflecting on personal growth and lessons learned to exploring the intricate balance between disruption and collaboration, Konstantin shares insights on building trust, navigating the crypto landscape, and Blockdaemon's journey in simplifying crypto infrastructure for major institutions. This conversation provides a thought-provoking glimpse into the evolving future of decentralized technologies and Blockdaemon's pivotal role in shaping it.