The Scoop

Justin Slaughter, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Paradigm, delves into the recent election's impact on the crypto landscape. He critiques the Democratic Party's lackluster engagement with crypto voters and examines Kamala Harris's defeat, attributing it to a misplaced focus on Trump over voter concerns like inflation. Slaughter highlights the shifting dynamics of split ticket voting and the need for political strategies that resonate with younger and non-white crypto advocates. He also discusses the potential of cryptocurrency in addressing economic challenges and calls for improved regulatory frameworks.

Alex Gluchowski is the Co-Founder CEO of Matter Labs, a company focused on scaling Ethereum using zero-knowledge proofs, and Matthias Broner is their Head of Growth for Latin America.In this episode, Gluchowski and Broner discuss the QuarkID project in Buenos Aires, which uses zero-knowledge proofs to give citizens control over their digital identity and serve as a model for decentralized digital identity systems.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 04:25 Blockchain Scaling 07:19 Buenos Ares ZK-Powered 12:01 Government Innovation 16:40 DID Tech Stack 18:25 ZK 101 19:57 Impact on Argentinian 21:39 DID Expansion 25:59 Crypto's Utility 31:33 Development Roadmap 32:42 Public Services Onchain 34:50 DID Security 36:24 ZKsync Roadmap This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Robert Leshner, CEO of Superstate and co-founder of Compound Labs, dives into the future of tokenized assets in decentralized finance. He highlights the benefits of 24/7 operation and real-time interest accrual in DeFi compared to traditional finance. Leshner discusses the evolving regulatory landscape and growing institutional interest, emphasizing how these factors create exciting opportunities for innovative financial products. He also touches on the significance of continuous pricing and the bridge between traditional finance and crypto, shaping a new era for investment strategies.

Erik Voorhees and Teana Baker-Taylor, co-founders of Venice, discuss their vision for an open-source AI chatbot. They compare AI to Bitcoin, emphasizing its potential and the risks of centralized models. The conversation covers the debate between open-source and proprietary AI, touching on censorship and user freedoms. Privacy issues in AI interactions are explored alongside economic implications of AI agents. They advocate for user awareness and the need for a balanced regulatory approach to navigate these evolving technologies.

Michael Shaulov, Co-Founder & CEO of Fireblocks, dives into the evolving world of stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets. He emphasizes the importance of resilient infrastructure for safe transactions as traditional finance looks to crypto for innovation. The conversation explores the rising adoption of stablecoins, integration challenges between TradFi and crypto, and the need for compliance within the digital asset landscape. Shaulov also shares insights on partnerships in cybersecurity, reflecting a hopeful outlook on the future of crypto adoption.

Sam Hallene and Aryan Sheikhalian, analysts at CMT Digital, dive into the transformed landscape of crypto venture capital. They discuss the shift from investment frenzy to a mature, measured approach in the VC market. The duo highlights the integration of blockchain and AI, emphasizing improved user data ownership and governance. They also provide insights into the future of decentralized finance, the importance of stablecoins, and emerging blockchain technologies like proof of useful work. A thought-provoking conversation on the next wave of innovation!

Sandy Peng is the co-founder of Scroll.In this episode, Peng discusses scaling Ethereum and particularly emphasizes the importance of business insight and experience outside of crypto in driving application-level innovation.OUTLINE00:00 Intro01:07 Peng's Journey to Scroll04:27 Peng's Regulatory Background07:52 Industry Headwinds 10:31 Ethereum Scaling Competition 15:00 Consumer Crypto Apps 16:49 Improving Crypto UX 23:06 Stepn's Success 26:11 ZK Advantages 29:45 Scroll's Roadmap 34:14 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Join Alvin Kan, COO at Bitget Wallet, Ricky Wong, co-founder of Catizen, and Miles from Tomarket as they dive into the explosive growth of the TON blockchain fueled by Telegram's massive user base. Discover how Telegram Mini Apps are simplifying blockchain access and driving user engagement. The trio discusses strategies for attracting non-blockchain gamers, ambitious goals of reaching hundreds of millions of users, and the future of crypto gaming within the TON ecosystem. Their insights reveal a promising landscape for seamless user experiences and innovative applications.

Vishal Gupta, co-founder and CEO of TrueX, discusses the groundbreaking features of his stablecoin-native trading platform. He highlights how TrueX targets institutional clients, focusing on asset safety and effective risk management. The conversation delves into innovations in crypto exchanges, comparing TrueX with traditional platforms. Gupta explains the importance of a robust matching engine and shares insights on the evolving needs of the cryptocurrency market, emphasizing the potential for options trading as the market expands.

Steve Kurz, the Global Digital Head of Asset Management at Galaxy Digital, shares insights on the evolution of crypto asset management. He discusses the growth of Bitcoin ETFs and the challenges facing crypto hedge funds. The conversation highlights strategies for integrating cryptocurrency into traditional finance and the importance of innovative investment vehicles. Kurz emphasizes the impact of regulatory changes on market confidence and the need for new products to attract diverse investors in the rapidly changing crypto landscape.