

Around The Coin
Stephen Sargeant and Mike Townsend
Around The Coin is a podcast exploring finance, fintech, and the future of money. Hosted by industry experts, it features deep dives into payments, crypto, banking, and disruptive innovations shaping the global economy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 10, 2025 • 54min
The Evolution of Wallet Infrastructure in Web3 - Jess Houlgrave | ATC #589
Join host Stephen Sargeant on this episode of the Around The Coin podcast as he sits down with Jess Houlgrave, the CEO of WalletConnect. Discover how WalletConnect is integrating hundreds of wallets and thousands of applications to build a seamless ecosystem that connects diverse elements of the crypto world. Jess shares her insights on the future of AI agent wallets, stablecoin payments, and how WalletConnect is similar to Visa in the digital space. From her early ventures into crypto, creating Codex for art provenance, to her experience at checkout.com and predictions for 2026, Jess provides a deep dive into the evolving landscape of crypto and embedded finance. This is a must-watch episode for anyone interested in FinTech, crypto payments, and the future of blockchain technology. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud

Dec 3, 2025 • 55min
How Embedded Wallets Transform Global Payments - Itai Turbahn | ATC #588
In this episode of the Around The Coin podcast, host Stephen Sargeant sits down with Itai Turbahn, co-founder and CEO of Dynamic, to discuss Dynamic's recent acquisition by Fireblocks. Itai dives deep into the details of different types of crypto wallets, comparing Fireblocks and Dynamic, and the intricacies of wallet infrastructure in the fintech and crypto industries. He explains the importance of wallets in various applications—from payroll remittances to cross-border payments, and how blockchain and digital assets are transforming these sectors. Itai also shares his entrepreneurial journey, offers advice to founders building their own companies, and discusses the challenges and surprising elements of working in crypto and fintech. This episode is packed with insights about the future of wallet infrastructure and the role of embedded wallets in next-gen financial technology. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud

Nov 26, 2025 • 23min
How Will MPC Wallets Change Finance? - Clarisse Hagège | ATC #587
In a lively discussion live from Money 20/20, Clarisse Hagège, founder and CEO of Dfns, shares her journey from banking to spearheading a wallet-as-a-service firm focused on crypto security for traditional finance. She highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity standards in digital assets, revealing Dfns' innovative MPC technology to eliminate single points of failure. With insights into their collaboration with IBM and the evolving landscape of web3, Clarisse paints a promising future for digital asset adoption by banks.

Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 13min
Will Agentic AI Define The Future? - Victor Orlovski | ATC #586
Join host Stephen Sargeant on the Around The Coin podcast, as he interviews Victor Orlovski, General Partner at R136 Ventures. Victor shares his unconventional journey from being a CTO of a major European bank to founding R136 Ventures, a firm focused on early growth stage FinTech and B2B enterprise startups. In this episode, Victor discusses the challenges and strategies for scaling startups, the rapid adoption of stablecoins in developing countries, and the future of AI in various industries. Learn how Victor identifies potential investment opportunities and his unique approach to supporting founders. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a startup founder, or an investor, this episode is packed with valuable insights! We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 8min
Earning Real Yield Safely in Crypto - Vik Arun | ATC #585
In this episode of the Around The Coin podcast, host Stephen Sargeant interviews Vik Arun, CEO and co-founder of Superform, a company pioneering new levels of decentralization through their innovative app. Stephen and Vik discuss the current investment landscape, the potential impact of regulations, and the technicalities of deploying blockchain technology. Vik shares his journey from engineering to finance to crypto, revealing insights about Superform's mission to make DeFi accessible and secure for everyone. They delve into the challenges of earning yield, maintaining user trust, and bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of digital assets and decentralized finance. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud

Nov 5, 2025 • 59min
Do We Really Need More Blockchains? - Anthony Day | ATC #584
In this episode of Around The Coin, host Stephen Sargeant sits down with Anthony Day, Marketing Director at VeChain, to discuss the future of blockchain applications. Anthony emphasizes the need for purpose-filled, impactful applications over simply creating more blockchains. They delve into VeChain's journey, its significant partnerships like UFC, and the innovative V Better platform, which hosts over 50 applications aimed at promoting sustainability and community growth. Anthony also shares his insights from working at Deloitte Ireland in their blockchain lab since 2012 and the practical use of AI agents in Web3. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on how VeChain is setting new standards for real-world asset tokenization and mass blockchain adoption. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Oct 29, 2025 • 57min
Why Security Is Crypto’s Biggest Challenge - Ido Ben Natan | ATC #583
Join host Stephen Sargeant on the Around The Coin Podcast as he converses with Ido Ben Natan, the CEO and Co-founder of Blockaid. Discover the story behind significant hacks like the Buy Bit incident and the ongoing cybersecurity challenges in DeFi. Ido discusses his journey from traditional cybersecurity to Web3, the persistent vulnerabilities in the crypto space, and Blockaid's innovative solutions to proactively prevent hacks. The episode also delves into the future of AI-driven payments and the crucial role of robust security measures in the evolving world of blockchain. A must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of cybersecurity and decentralized finance.We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloudCheck out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Oct 22, 2025 • 58min
What’s Driving the Rise of Asset Tokenization? - Angie Walker | ATC #582
In this episode of the Around The Coin podcast, host Stephen Sargeant speaks with Angie Walker, the commercial head of Apex Digital. Angie discusses the launch of Apex Digital's 3.0 platform, which focuses on tokenizing all asset classes, making them available 24/7, and bridging traditional finance with digital assets. They dive into Angie's rich experience with R3, Corda, and Chainlink, as well as the regulatory landscape and upcoming trends in real-world asset tokenization, stablecoins, and digital infrastructure. Angie also sheds light on the Apex Invest Summit and the transformative potential of tokenized funds, commodities, and securities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the future of on-chain assets and the evolving digital financial ecosystem. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Oct 15, 2025 • 55min
Future of Crypto ETFs and Industry Outlook - Federico Brokate| ATC #581
Welcome to another edition of the Around The Coin podcast! In this episode, host Stephen Sargeant sits down with Federico Brokate, Head of US Business at 21Shares, to discuss the dynamics of crypto ETFs and ETPs, focusing on the regulatory landscape and the challenges faced by the industry. Federico delves into his journey from BlackRock to 21Shares, highlighting their pioneering role in bringing the world’s first Solana ETP to market in 2021. The conversation covers everything from the evolution of crypto regulations under different administrations to the exciting prospects for Solana and other emerging blockchains. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of crypto assets and the institutional interest driving it.We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloudCheck out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Oct 8, 2025 • 56min
Will AI Replace Payment Gateways Soon? - Roberto E. Kafati | ATC #580
Join host Stephen Sargeant in an insightful conversation with Roberto Kafati (Reks), the CEO and founder of DEUNA, about the future of payments in North, Central, and Latin America. Roberto shares his journey from DEUNA's inception to becoming an innovative payment infrastructure that leverages AI and agentic intelligence. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the payment industry, the integration of stablecoins, and the impact of digital adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain valuable insights into the resilience required to build a successful payment infrastructure and hear about DEUNA's future plans, including their presence at Money 2020 in Las Vegas. Don't miss this engaging discussion with a true industry visionary.We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumX FacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!


