The Scoop

Latif Peracha, General Partner at M13 with expertise in Bitcoin, and Mark Grace, M13 Principal focused on early-stage crypto investments, dive into the complex world of liquid tokens. They discuss the balancing act crypto founders face between immediate liquidity and long-term project potential. The conversation also touches on the volatility of tokens, opportunities within CeFi versus DeFi, and the necessity of regulatory clarity for innovation. Both guests share insights on evolving investment strategies amid the dynamic crypto landscape.

Cody Carbone, President of the Digital Chamber, advocates for progressive crypto policies and discusses the rapid shifts in Washington D.C.'s approach to the industry. He highlights emerging bipartisan support for stablecoins and the removal of restrictive IRS DeFi rules, forecasting a brighter future for crypto legislation. Carbone emphasizes the importance of lobbying efforts and voter influence in shaping policy, while also outlining the need for clear regulations to foster innovation in decentralized finance.

The Scoop's host, Frank Chaparro, was joined by Paris Blockchain Week Chairman Michael Amar.In this episode, Chaparro and Amar discussed the origin and development of Paris Blockchain Week. Amar shared anecdotes of the various challenges and milestones reached over the years, and gave tips on curating a top-tier crypto conference.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction00:56 - Sponsor break02:49 - Michael Amar’s journey into crypto06:55 - The development of Paris Blockchain Week08:57 - Capturing the Zeitgeist each year11:11 - Crypto conference oversaturation13:40 - The Biggest Challenges in Running a Crypto Event18:28 - The European crypto landscape20:35 - Expectations for 202522:20 - Emerging sectors and trends25:33 - Advice for founders entering the crypto space30:38 - ConclusionGUEST LINKSMichael Amar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarmic/Michael Amar on X - https://x.com/amarmicParis Blockchain Week - https://www.parisblockchainweek.com/Paris Blockchain Week on X - https://x.com/ParisblockweekThis episode is brought to your by our sponsors:FidelityExplore Fidelity crypto careers today. Go to crypto.FidelityCareers.com to learn more.Uranium.ioInvesting in uranium is now widely accessible. Visit uranium.io to learn more.

The Scoop's host, Frank Chaparro, was joined by Yellow Card Financial CTO and Co-Founder Justin Poiroux.In this episode, Chaparro and Poiroux discussed the rapid adoption of stablecoins in emerging markets, particularly in Africa. They explore how stablecoins are solving cross-border payment issues, and how Yellow Card is looking to bridging the gap between the developing world and the global financial system.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction00:58 - Sponsor break03:44 - Understanding Yellow Card05:56 - Challenges of building in Africa08:04 - How Yellow Card addresses cross-border payments15:53 - Yellow Card’s origins20:02 - Early challenges25:03 - Educating users & building trust in emerging markets28:26 - Looking ahead34:40 - ConclusionGUEST LINKSJustin Poiroux - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinpoiroux/Yellow Card Financial - https://yellowcard.io/Yellow Card Financial on X - https://x.com/yellowcard_appThis episode is brought to your by our sponsors:FidelityExplore Fidelity crypto careers today. Go to crypto.FidelityCareers.com to learn more.Uranium.ioInvesting in uranium is now widely accessible. Visit uranium.io to learn more.

Matthew Graham, Founder and Managing Partner of Ryze Labs, dives into the fascinating intersections of AI, crypto, and robotics. He discusses how AI companions, like Eliza, could redefine human connection, while also reflecting on the implications of passing the Turing test. The conversation shifts to the future of humanoid robotics, addressing challenges in balance and movement. Additionally, Graham explores innovative investment opportunities at the crossroads of these technologies, painting an exciting picture of our economic future.

In this discussion, Jeff Dorman, CIO of Arca with deep insights into the crypto market, explores the confusing disconnect between crypto advancements and prevailing market sentiment. He highlights how memecoins overshadow genuine use cases and serious developments in the industry. Dorman argues for a balanced narrative around cryptocurrency, breaking down token valuations and emphasizing the significance of blockchain's untapped potential. He predicts that traditional finance will embrace crypto, marking a transformative shift in the financial landscape.

Aya Kantorovich, Co-founder and CEO of August, dives deep into the evolving world of DeFi and its potential integration with traditional banks. They discuss why many institutions are hesitant to embrace DeFi, despite its resilience in downturns. Aya highlights the shift in perception of Bitcoin as a reserve asset and examines the emergence of meme coins versus institutional investments. Additionally, they explore the impact of AI on financial decision-making and how it can enhance trading experiences in a decentralized landscape.

The Scoop's host, Frank Chaparro, was joined by Lightspark Co-Founder and CEO David Marcus.In this episode, Chaparro and Marcus discuss the vision and technology behind scaling Bitcoin as a global payment network. Marcus explained how new developments, including stablecoins on Bitcoin, could transform worldwide financial systems and directly lead to an increase of GDP.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction01:52 Lightspark's mission and Bitcoin's Role04:39 Challenges in scaling Bitcoin09:44 Lightspark's evolution16:10 Stablecoins x Bitcoin21:27 Stablecoin improvements over traditional payments27:20 Past regulatory challenges30:23 Changing regulatory climate35:19 Future outlook41:37 ConclusionGUEST LINKSDavid Marcus - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmarcus/David Marcus on X - https://x.com/davidmarcusLightspark - https://www.lightspark.com/Lightspark on X - https://x.com/Lightspark

Patrick Kim, CEO of SonarX, discusses his insights on managing blockchain data, emphasizing the challenges of handling petabytes of information across multiple chains. Jesse Bornstein shares strategies on standardizing this data for institutional use, while Everton Fraga from AWS highlights the role of cloud services in addressing these complexities. They delve into the intersection of blockchain and AI, exploring innovative tools to enhance data analysis and consumption, and offer valuable advice for developers navigating this evolving landscape.

In this discussion, Congressman Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip and a prominent figure in crypto policy, addresses the significant disconnect between Democrats and the electorate on cryptocurrency issues. He critiques recent government actions, asserting that they undermine the crypto industry’s growth. Emmer emphasizes the necessity for bipartisan support in digital asset legislation and calls for stronger Congressional oversight to tackle fraud in government spending. Insights on stablecoin regulations and the need for consistent federal guidelines also feature prominently.