
Blockchain Insider Podcast by 11:FS
Blockchain Insider, hosted by Mauricio Magaldi and Cuy Sheffield, is a dedicated podcast specialising in crypto, blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT). Make it your home for cryptocurrency news!
Since the price of Bitcoin has rocketed, and Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin have become household names, Blockchain Insider has charted their rise in a way that's accessible to new listeners.
Blockchain Insider is putting out 2 episodes a month - one news show looking at all the biggest news in the sector, and the other an insights show where we deep dive into a particular subject, topic or trend in the industry.
Whether you're a cryptocurrency expert or you've been avidly following its rise from afar and need to know more - this is the podcast for you!
Latest episodes

Jul 11, 2019 • 44min
104. Banks, Tezos & Tokens
Simon and Colin are back this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, including: Brazilian bank, Tezos and $1 Billion, IBM tries to make paper the past, and Swiss STO's!
First up, the pair look at how the Swiss central bank was asked to issue stock exchange digital currency. This is so that the cryptocurrency could be used to settle payments on the Swiss Stock exchange's new digital securities trading platform. The two discuss whether this is really a stable coin or just tokenised central bank money, whether it's a more long term play or more focused on PR, and loads more! (1:07)
Next up, Simon and Colin talk about the Banco BTG Pactual SA, Latin America’s biggest standalone investment bank, which has teamed up with Dubai asset manager Dalma Capital to sell more than $1 billion worth of so-called security tokens. BTG Partner Andre Portilho explained that capital markets still have infrastructure that was designed for an analog, local world. He then went on to say it's their responsibility to understand and lead the implementation of new technologies which could change the market. (7:19)
Other stories include:
Banks, IBM and Scentre Group join forces to overhaul bank guarantees (16:46)
Digital currency operators must comply with rules: Bank of Japan's Amamiya (22:09)
We also have a great Tweet of the Week from @Zhusu about Singapore tax authority's proposal to exempt all use of cryptocurrency (as a medium of exchange) from goods and services tax! (27:17)
We also have another brilliant interview for you, this week from Matthew Pollard, Founder of Archax! (29:32)
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guest: Matthew Pollard.Links:
Swiss central bank asked to issue stock exchange digital currency
Brazil’s BTG Pactual Plans $1 Billion Crypto Token Partnership
Banks, IBM and Scentre Group join forces to overhaul bank guarantees
Digital currency operators must comply with rules: Bank of Japan's Amamiya
Arrington-Backed Crypto Loans Firm to Accept Telegram’s Token as Collateral
Venezuela's President tells the leading bank to start accepting the country’s cryptocurrency, Petro
Facebook’s David Marcus: Libra Crypto Users Won’t Have to Trust Us

Jul 4, 2019 • 1h 9min
103. Tethery’licious Bitcoin
Simon and Colin are back this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, including: Libra fallout continues, Polkadot and tethery’licious volume!
First up, we take a look at how central banks plan to create digital currencies, and it recieves backing! Augustin Castens, The GM of the Bank of International Settlements, has said that Global central banks may have to issue their own digital currencies sooner than expected! When asked about Libra, Castens said “The issue is how will the currency be used? Will there to be a discovery of information or data that can be used in credit provision and how will data privacy be protected?". A couple of months ago, the conversation was more around how you don't need central bank digital currencies, has libra changed the tone of the conversation? (01:13)
Next we talk about the 5 Reasons why Facebook’s new cryptocurrency ‘Libra’ is bad news for Africa! The reasons stated are as following:
Libra Coin is Digital Colonization by Proxy
Libra Coin Is a Threat to African Central Bank and Monetary Policy
Libracoin is Threat to African Sovereignty and the African People
Africa Will Give Up Control Over It’s Digital Economy to Libra coin and Facebook
Big Brother Africa
Colin argues that one big caveat in this article is that Africa is not one big country, and a lot of statements in this article are rather generalising. Simon argues that this article is written looking through a very dystopian lens. Could Libra be considered dystopian? (08:44)
Other stories include:
UK crypto scene set for boost as London firm poised for FCA approval (14:11)
Globacap Launches FCA-Regulated Digital Security Offering Platform (18:07)
Ethereum Co-Founder’s Polkadot Closes Token Sale, Claims $1.2 Billion Valuation (23:33)
Wha-Tether could be going on with the bitcoin price? (30:27)
We also have another brilliant interview for you, this week from Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director of the Hyperledger Project!
We also have a great Tweet of the Week from @APompliano, about all the exciting things that's happened in crypto this week.
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guest: Brian Behlendorf.Links:
Subscribe to read | Financial Times
5 Reasons Why Facebook’s New Cryptocurrency ‘Libra’ is Bad News for Africa – Kioneki
UK crypto scene set for boost as London firm poised for FCA approval
Globacap Launches FCA-Regulated Digital Security Offering Platform | Finance Magnates
Ethereum Co-Founder's Polkadot Closes Token Sale, Claims $1.2 Billion Valuation - CoinDesk
Subscribe to read | Financial Times
Pomp 🌪 on Twitter: "This week in crypto: 1. Cash App adds Bitcoin deposits 2. LedgerX physical BTC futures ok 3. Henry Kravis backs crypto fund 4. Gemini opens Chicago office 5. Amun launches Bitwise 10 ETP 6. Samourai Wallet releases CoinJoin 7. Bitcoin still not dead :) The virus is spreading🔥"

Jun 27, 2019 • 46min
102. Libra: The banks are sh***ing themselves
Colin and Simon are back this week with some brilliant stories for you!
First up, we take a look at libra, libra and even more libra! We discussed it last week, but it really is all crypto twitter is talking about at the moment! Simon and Colin take a look at some of the responses to the announcement, and they start with the Congress wish for Facebook to stop the coin until the Congress can fully understand it! Colin argues that it is massively positive that people are watching and taking notes and that we now have the congress reacting! The only problem is that, according to Colin, it can take years until the Congress fully understands what libra actually is... (01.26)
Next, we talk about what libra means for the world of crypto! Investors put record levels of money into bitcoin futures at regulated exchanges in the United States and Britain last month. Colin argues that bitcoin seems to do better than the other cryptocurrencies at the moment, so maybe that is a sign that if there is an institutional activity going on, is it happening more so in bitcoin than elsewhere? (25:52)
We wrap up this episode by talking about all the all the enterprise announcements! (31:43)
This week, the tweet of the week is somewhat different as we bring you a website of the week instead! (43:24)
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Links:
'I Don’t Trust Facebook With Anything:' The World Reacts to Facebook's Libra - CoinDesk
Facebook Cryptocurrency Plan Faces Opposition in France - Bloomberg
Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency 'poses risks to global banking' | Technology | The Guardian
Is bitcoin growing up? Regulated futures boom as investors seek a safer ride - Reuters
SWIFT Gives Blockchain Platforms Access to 'Instant' GPI Payments Following R3 Trial - CoinDesk
J.P. Morgan may start JPM Coin trials for clients soon, citing high demand - The Block
IBM Unveils Upgraded 2.0 Version of Enterprise Blockchain | CoinDesk
Digital Asset eyes enterprises as it rolls out more widely compatible app-software - The Block
98% of Bitcoin Satoshi Vision’s activity comes from a dumb weather app

Jun 20, 2019 • 55min
101. Libra: Facebook's world domination
In today's episode, Simon and Sarah are joined by a host of brilliant guests and friends of the show, to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, which this week largely involves Facebook! Today's guests include:
Teana Baker-Taylor, GDF Executive director
Anthony Macey, Director of Emerging Technology at Barclays
First up we take a look at Facebook's big news! So, has Facebook just started the next generation payment network? Libra is a "low volatility" cryptocurrency and Facebook said they are mainly working on addressing two problems: banking the unbanked and transferring money globally. So, what does this mean for the cryptocurrency ecosystem? Is this going to propel virtual assets into the mainstream? (01:02)
Next up, we talk about how Block.One launching a social media platform! The platform is called Voice, and is currently raising $150m to launch. So, social pursues crypto, and now crypto is pursuing social? Is this a trend we will see more of? The panel argues that whilst it is an interesting move into micropayments within a social media platforms, it remains to be seen whether it will be successful or not. (26:19)
We also have a great Tweet of the Week from @mdm_z on Facebook’s new initiative name and how it's not working down under... (30:40)
Before we leave you, we have another awesome interview, this time from the mainstage at Money20/20 where Simon was joined by Wei Zhou, CFO over at Binance! (31:46)
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guests: Anthony Macey and Teana Baker-Taylor.Links:
Facebook’s New Cryptocurrency, Libra, Gets Big Backers - WSJ
Jack Dorsey, Twitter and Square CEO, Talks Up Company's Nascent Crypto Development Team | Crowdfund Insider
Block.One Is Launching a Social Media Platform on the EOS Blockchain - CoinDesk

Jun 18, 2019 • 20min
Bonus: Sir Geoffrey Vos, Chancellor of the High Court
In this bonus episode, we bring you an interview with the Chancellor of The High Court, Sir Geoffrey Vos, to hear his views on the current state of English law and blockchain technologies. Is there a substantial legal ground in place to solve disputes arising on a blockchain? Are coders disregarding the need for a strong legal foundation?
The Chancellor is currently working with the lawtech delivery panel on a public consultation on the status of crypto assets, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts under the English law. They are currently accepting feedback on the document until the 21st of June. The Chancellor joins us to discuss the current state of the English law around crypto technologies and why there is a need for this consultation.
If you want to get involved, click on this link, review the consultation paper and fill out the form before the 21st of June.
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/stories/cryptoassets-dlt-and-smart-contracts-ukjt-consultation/
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guest: Sir Geoffrey Vos.

Jun 13, 2019 • 49min
100. Live: Bitcoin - not just for Lamborghinis!
We are turning 100 episodes old! In this live episode, Simon and Colin are joined by a host of brilliant guests to talk about the last 99 episodes and topics including ICOs, STOs, PTKs, Regulation, Bitcoin, Crypto, DLT, Banking, Consortia and much, much more. Our brilliant guests include:
Teana Baker-Taylor, Exec Director GDF
Peter McCormack, ‘What Bitcoin Did’ Podcast
Oliver Harris, Head of Quorum & Crypto-Assets Strategy at J.P. Morgan
This live panel discussion is about 3 topics: Bitcoin & Adoption, Crypto, Regulation & Tokens, and DLT & Banking. To start off, Peter tells us how bitcoin can really be used to change peoples lives! He gives the example of how a woman transferred bitcoin from the UK to her father in law in India to pay for his hospital fees. Bitcoin is not only for buying Lamborghinis!
Next, the panel talk about Crypto, Regulation & Tokens! Back when this podcast started there were many tokens created out of thin air, according to Simon, but then the regulators came... Now, the language has changed and the panel asks, where are we at now?
Last but not least, CLT & Banking. So, is there anything going on in DLT and Banking? Is it dead? Colin argues yes and no. At least there is a lot to talk about in this area!
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guests: Oliver Harris, Peter McCormack, and Teana Baker-Taylor.

Jun 6, 2019 • 35min
Live from Money20/20: Why tokens might be the future of finance
In today's bonus episode Simon joined by a host of brilliant guests directly from the stage at Money20/20, including:
Matthew Pollard, Founder Archax
Sandra Ro, CEO, CBBC
Lasse Meholm, Head of Blockchain & DLT Strategy, DNB Bank
First up the panel discuss Centralised VS Decentralised. Is the word decentralisation scary? Should we use the word distributed instead? Banks are already decentralised, but would it be more efficient to have one bank to rule them all? Can we move to a world where there is a mutable ledger? Or are we just dropping buzzwords at this point?
Next, we talk about Utilities VS Securities! So, what is a token? What is the difference between a token and a traditional accounting entry? Can you think of tokens as loyalty points? What about the word security? Also, salt, squirrels and gold dragons, have you got your historical currencies straight? Join us for a quick quiz on what items used to be treated as currency!
Finally, our panel talks about the future of programmable money. First of all, what does it mean? Could there be a case of social money granted from the government getting programmed to only be useable in the way the government wants you to use it? Should the government have access to that information? Or, could it mean a more frictionless way for companies to participate in capital formation?
All this and so much more on this week's bonus episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guests: Lasse Meholm, Matthew Pollard, and Sandra Ro.

May 30, 2019 • 53min
99. Blockchain for mashed potatoes
Colin and Simon are back this week with some brilliant stories for you!
First up, Facebook do a thing, Facebook do a coin! We take a look at Facebook's announcement to launch global coin by 2020. They want to provide a digital currency that offers affordable and secure ways or paying regardless of whether or not the user has a bank account. Simon notes that numerous attempts have been made and with David Marcus' leading this initiative they might be on to something. Also, with global coin, you probably have to have gone through some sort of identity KYC somewhere, so will this make Facebook a popular platform to hack?
Next, we talk about EY.com who are planning on helping Blockchain Wine Pte. Ltd build a blockchain platform for wine distributors across Asia and worldwide. Colin... hates it. In his opinion, companies with limited knowledge of the value proposition of blockchain, are selling other companies really bad use case ideas. Colin thinks it is going to be inefficient and clunky and compares it to a French company that tried to sell instant mashed potatoes using the same method. Simon argues that there is only so much fun you can have with your own blockchain...
We also have a great Tweet of the Week from @fredwilson, on why the next big tech sector will centre itself in Asia rather than the USA...
Before we leave you, we have another awesome interview. We spoke to Diogo Monica, CO-Founder and President at Anchorage!
Other stories include:
Hollywood producer raises $100m for media focused Security token
Vitas Vasiliauskas: Central bank digital currencies
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex WoodhouseSpecial Guest: Diogo Mónica.Links:
Facebook plans to launch 'GlobalCoin' currency in 2020 - BBC News
EY to help Blockchain Wine Pte. Ltd. build blockchain platform for wine distributors across Asia and worldwide
Hollywood Producer Raises $100 Million for Media-Focused Security Token - CoinDesk
Vitas Vasiliauskas: Central bank digital currencies
Fred Wilson on Twitter: "In 5-10 years when we look back and consider why the next big tech sector centered itself in Asia and not in the US, it will be the SEC's unwillingness to create new rules to regulate new assets that will be the cause"

May 23, 2019 • 55min
98. Do the crime, do the time
Colin is nowhere to be seen today, but luckily Simon is joined by Blockchain Insider favourite Sarah Feenan!
First up, JPMorgan says the bitcoin price has jumped beyond its intrinsic value! JPMorgan seems to previously have treated bitcoin as a commodity and priced it calculating its cost of production. Sarah remarks it is interesting that JPMorgan treated it like a commodity, as there have been attempts to value cryptocurrencies over the years, and treating it as a commodity is not a way known to her. Simon describes bitcoin as gold with a teleporter, it's not always accepted as a form of payment, but it is clearly a valuable object. (02.02)
Next up, ABN AMRO eyes launch of blockchain inventory platform and are said to be dropping their bitcoin wallet plan. The new platform is for trade inventory and is called Forcefield. It is designed to provide a real-time view of bitcoin trade inventories. Sarah points out that unfortunately, ABN keeps getting reminded of their bitcoin plan each time they release a new product but that idea was, in fact, dropped years ago! Simon wonders about the product side of this. What is the interface going to look like? Will it solve problems people actually have? (07.10)
We also have a great Tweet of the Week from @60 minutes, about how a mans want for pizza cost him hundreds of millions of dollars! Oh dear.
For those of you who thought we would make it through this whole episode without Colin Platt, well, we did not! Here is a great interview with Anton Roudakov the Head of Sales at Kaiko!
Other stories include:
Beyond KYC: Regulators Set to Adopt Tough New Rules for Crypto Exchanges
Brave Browser to Raise Over $30 Million in Series A Equity Round
Sean Coonce -The Most Expensive Lesson Of My Life: Details of SIM port hack
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Links:
Bitcoin’s price has pumped beyond its ‘intrinsic value,’ JPMorgan says
Brave Browser to Raise Over $30 Million in Series A Equity Round: Sources | CoinDesk
ABN AMRO Eyes Launch of Blockchain Inventory Platform, Dropping Wallet Plan - CoinDesk
Beyond KYC: Regulators Set to Adopt Tough New Rules for Crypto Exchanges - CoinDesk
The Most Expensive Lesson Of My Life: Details of SIM port hack

May 16, 2019 • 51min
97. Democratization of Bagholding
Simon Taylor is back in the hosting seat and is as always joined by Colin Platt all the way from sunny France!
First up, Nordea launches a blockchain-based trading platform for SMEs. The new offering is built on the we.trade platform developed by a group of 12 banks using IBM blockchain technology. Nordea hopes by building an ecosystem for the buyer and seller, the bank will take on a new role of interacting with customers as early as from the order, not just at the time of payment. Colin is largely positive to this, but is a bit more sceptical to how this will fit in with supply systems. However, were it to be successful, could it be a way of enabling trade and create an ecosystem for global trading? (01:19)
Next up, NeSEC’s Crypto Czar says exchanges that list IEOs (initial exchange offerings) may face legal risks! A top Securities and Exchange Commission official has said that certain exchanges that facilitate IEO's may be breaking U.S. securities laws. The duo argues that there are a lot of rules put in place for these things, and you can't just do all that fun stuff that is regulated but without any of the regulations. Also, let's remember, the US’s arms go way pass its border, better follow the rules! (04:34).
To round up, we've got a great interview with Muneeb Ali - CEO of Blockstack, who tells us all about Blockstack and what the reggae plus offering was all about. (36.37).
Other stories include:
Microsoft Launches Decentralized Identity Tool on Bitcoin Blockchain
Facebook rolls back the ban on cryptocurrency ads as it ramps up its own blockchain efforts
A Loan Shark Situation’: MakerDAO Is Leaving Crypto Borrowers With Rising Bills
Bitcoin's Bulls Are Revving Up the Lamborghinis
We've got a great Tweet of the Week from @paoloardoin on Bitfinex's ability to raise 1b USDt in ten days!
All this and so much more on this week's episode of Blockchain Insider. And why not send us your best tweets? See if you can get a shout out on the show!
We hope you enjoy the show and, as ever, don't forget to subscribe!
Want to join the conversation on all the topics discussed? Tweet the show @bchaininsider and if you really love the show, please leave us a review on iTunes.
This week's episode of Blockchain Insider was produced by Laura Watkins and Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.Special Guest: Muneeb Ali.Links:
Nordea launches blockchain-based trading platform for SMEs
SEC's Crypto Czar Says Exchanges That List IEOs May Face Legal Risks - CoinDesk
Microsoft Launches Decentralized Identity Tool on Bitcoin Blockchain - CoinDesk
Facebook rolls back ban on cryptocurrency ads
'A Loan Shark Situation': MakerDAO Is Leaving Crypto Borrowers With Rising Bills - CoinDesk
Bitcoin's Bulls Are Revving Up the Lamborghinis Again - Bloomberg