The Smart Economy Podcast: Real-World Blockchain Applications with Crypto, DeFi, NFTs, and DAOs

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Anthony Day, head of strategy and marketing at Midnight, a Layer 1 protocol developed by Input Output (IOHK).Join them as they discuss:The importance of data protection and privacy more broadly and on-chainWhy Web3 needs to be professionalized for mass adoptionThe value of blockchain for enterprise and large-scale entitiesHow Midnight is building itself to be a fourth-generation blockchain networkThe multi-asset model for MidnightHow the team is creating tools to onboard traditional and Web2 developersAnd much more!With a rich background in blockchain and Web3 technologies since 2016, Anthony has helped spearhead digital transformations across large organizations and startups. His extensive leadership experience in companies like Deloitte, IBM, and Parity Technologies has given him a unique perspective on integrating decentralized technologies into commercial and scalable business models.Episode Highlights:[00:00] Intro[02:17] The hidden cost of data sharing[07:58] Web3’s dark side[10:30] How blockchain won over Anthony[15:28] Why some companies won’t go on-chain[20:16] Why Web3 needs to professionalize for mass adoption[29:38] How crypto is changing finance[34:18] Betting big on Midnight and Web3[38:52] Building the fourth-generation blockchain network[47:35] Why building privacy tech in the U.S. is a regulatory tightrope[51:07] The night & dust dual-token model[53:54] Countdown to Midnight launchPrevious guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Ganesh Swami, CEO and co-founder of Covalent.Join them as they:Explore the three facets of AI in blockchain: decentralized training, inference, and dataAnalyze Covalent's role in bridging Web2 and Web3 technologiesDiscuss the evolution of blockchain data needs from 2017 to the presentExamine the development and importance of the Ethereum Wayback MachineUnpack the challenges and opportunities in blockchain infrastructureDelve into the future of AI and blockchain integrationAnd much more!Ganesh Swami is the CEO and co-founder of Covalent, a company that started as a data analytics provider and has evolved into a comprehensive infrastructure services provider. With a background in physics and pharmaceutical research, Ganesh brings a unique perspective to blockchain technology and its potential for creating transparent, verifiable systems.Episode Highlights:[00:01:11] The three facets of AI in blockchain[00:06:09] Ganesh's journey into crypto and blockchain[00:10:07] Evolution of blockchain data needs[00:31:22] Covalent's clients and use cases[00:36:45] Supporting multiple blockchain networks[00:46:38] The Ethereum Wayback Machine and blockchain resilience[00:57:27] Future outlook and reasons for optimismPrevious guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by JP Thor, Founder of THORChain, a network that facilitates native asset settlement between Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Cosmos Hub, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin.Join them as they discuss:How THORChain is building a more interconnected DeFi ecosystemThe possibilities of cross-chain liquidityWhy SwapKit could be the key to decentralized wallet integrationThe role of RUNE in facilitating more secure and efficient cross-chain transactionsAnd much more!JP is a founder, engineer, entrepreneur, and explorer. He was part of the Air Force and studied Aeronautical Engineering, graduating at the top of his year in 2009 with First Class Honors. After finishing his pilot training, he began Fighter training in 2012. In 2013, JP transitioned to crypto. In 2018, he began building THORChain under the pseudonym “Leena” along with a team of 5 engineers. Within 18 months of launching, THORChain reached a market value of $1 billion.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Introduction[00:00:28] How close are we to mainstream crypto adoption?[00:02:56] From fighter jets to Bitcoin[00:17:40] Why liquidity is the answer[00:23:07] How THORChain approaches cross-chain swaps[00:29:40] How THORChain keeps your crypto safe[00:31:17] Is RUNE the secret ETF of crypto?[00:33:07] Why SwapKit could be the key to decentralized wallet integration[00:36:56] Censorship in decentralized networks[00:41:18] The secrets behind THORChain's resilient codebase[00:45:04] What the Kujira Alliance means for THORChain's app layer[00:50:41] The future of secure crypto transactions[00:55:11] Where can you find JP?Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Fabian Gompf, Chief Executive Officer of the Web3 Foundation, created to nurture and steward technologies and applications in the field of decentralized web software protocols, particularly those that utilize modern cryptographic methods to safeguard decentralization for the benefit and stability of the Web3 ecosystem.Join them as they discuss:Polkadot's early daysPractical and impractical uses for blockchain technologiesModular versus monolithic blockchainsWhy enterprise giants are eyeing PolkadotHow Polkadot empowers its communityThe recent uproar about the Polkadot ecosystem’s treasury spendingAnd much more!Fabian brings vast experience in blockchain and decentralized technologies, having been VP at Parity Technologies before leading the Web3 Foundation. With degrees in electrical engineering and business administration, he is dedicated to advancing Web3 technologies and empowering users to own their data and control their digital lives. His efforts aim to develop innovative applications and support a fair, decentralized internet, aligning with the foundation's mission to enable the next billion users to embrace self-custody in Web3.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Introduction[00:00:18] From Oxford to Ethereum[00:05:38] Blockchain's evolution from cyberpunk dream to mainstream revolution[00:13:26] How Parity drives Polkadot's ecosystem forward[00:16:19] Modular versus monolithic blockchains[00:22:01] Why enterprise giants are eyeing Polkadot[00:26:52] Is blockchain gaming finally ready to go mainstream?[00:35:02] How Polkadot empowers its community[00:42:55] The Polkadot's treasury experiment that shook up the crypto world[00:48:38] What’s next for Polkadot’s future funding?[00:57:32] Why smaller, nimble teams succeed in Polkadot and EthereumPrevious guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Ken Timsit, head of Cronos Labs, a Web3 startup accelerator focusing on decentralized finance and blockchain games, and on developing the Cronos chain ecosystem.Join them as they discuss:Crypto as a viable solution to modern bankingThe relationships between centralized exchanges and their blockchain ecosystem counterpartsHow politics influences the regulatory crypto environmentCronos’ tri-blockchain ecosystemLessons learned from building on the zkEVM and Cosmos tech stacksThe forthcoming Cronos triple yield-bearing thesis for the zkCRO tokenAnd much more!Ken Timsit is a seasoned professional with vast experience in the blockchain and Web3 industries. He previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at Consensys, a Management Committee Member at the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, and Managing Director at ECKT.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Rebecca Liao, co-founder and CEO of Saga, a protocol designed to simplify blockchain integration for game developers. Join them as they discuss:The challenges of onboarding Web2 indie game developers into the Web3 spaceHow Saga's 'Indie Summer' initiative supports game developers in building and launching Web3 gamesThe concept of cross-game economies and the benefits they offer to developers and playersSaga's approach to intellectual property collaborations and ensuring scalabilityAlternative monetization strategies for indie games on Saga that don't rely heavily on tokens or NFTsThe transformative potential of Web3 technologies in redefining gaming experiencesSaga's goals for Gamescom and the long-term impacts of the 'Indie Summer' initiativeThe future of Web3 gaming and how Saga is preparing to lead and adapt to changesAnd much more!Rebecca's diverse background in law, politics, and blockchain technology provides unique insights into the evolving landscape of Web3 gaming. Her passion for empowering individuals through technological innovation and democratizing financial services shines through in her leadership at Saga.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Laurent Benayoun, CEO of Acheron Trading, a financial services company that builds liquid markets for digital assets.Join them as they discuss:The rise of crypto-backed ETFs and their impact on the marketThe shift from trading pairs against Bitcoin to stablecoins like USDT and USDCAcheron Trading's role in providing essential liquidity to the crypto marketThe importance of staying ahead of evolving blockchain technologies and liquidity modelsEmerging trends in decentralized finance, including EVM-based models and Layer 2 solutionsThe uncertain future of crypto regulations and their potential implicationsAnd much more!Laurent joined Acheron Trading after the acquisition of HedgeTech. He is passionate about algorithmic trading strategies and market microstructure. In addition, Laurent serves as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Quantitative Finance, an expert for Alumni Ventures, an interviewer for the Master of Finance at Princeton, and a mentor for the Harvard Blockchain Incubator.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Kurt Hemecker, CEO of the Mina Foundation, the entity tasked with growing the ecosystem of the “world's lightest ZK blockchain.” Join them as they:Discuss the evolution of information and money-sharing protocols from Web0 to Web3Explore Kurt's journey through the tech industryDelve into the importance of ZK technology for privacy, identity, and scaling solutionsAnalyze the growth of the Mina ecosystem and opportunities for buildersExamine interoperability solutions offered by Mina's ZK technologyUnpack the significance of having a programmable ZK Layer 1 blockchainAnd much more!Kurt Hemecker is the CEO of the Mina Foundation. With a background that spans from the pre-internet era to the current Web3 landscape, Kurt has experience across significant roles in telecom, payments, and blockchain. He was part of the initial team of the Libra Association (later renamed DM), where he played a pivotal role in navigating regulatory challenges and advocating for stablecoins. Kurt's extensive knowledge and innovative vision in blockchain and zero-knowledge technology position him as a respected leader in the sector.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Max Hillebrand, CEO of zkSNACKs, a development team dedicated to building and implementing privacy solutions in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Join them as they:Shine a light on the importance of privacy in BitcoinUnpack the cypherpunk ethosDelve into why and how cypherpunks continue to thrive amid regulatory challengesAnalyze how Bitcoin is embracing the evolution of open-source innovationsDiscuss the historical context of money and the need for a stable digital currencySpeculate on the road ahead for privacy and innovationAnd much more!Max Hillebrand is the CEO of zkSNACKs. With a deep understanding of Austrian economics and the cypherpunk ethos, Max has been actively involved in advancing technologies that foster financial privacy and security. Under his leadership, zkSNACKs has worked on creating cutting-edge tools like the Wasabi Wallet, emphasizing the importance of open-source software and freedom of information in the digital age.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Matt Leising, Co-founder of DeCential Media, a publication committed to telling the stories of founders, builders, and visionaries in the decentralized economy. Join them as they:Shine a light on the power of personal narratives in blockchain innovationExplore Matt’s journey from Bloomberg to DeCential MediaUnpack the DAO Hack and the birth of Ethereum's resilienceAnalyze the challenges of traditional journalism in crypto mediaDelve into the future of blockchain innovation from a storyteller’s perspectiveDiscuss Matt’s book, 'Out of the Ether'Examine DeCential Media's approach to blockchain storytelling and independenceAnd much more!Matt Leising is the co-founder of DeCential Media. With a background in journalism, specifically at Bloomberg News, Matt has extensive experience in reporting on Wall Street and financial markets. He began covering crypto in 2015 as one of the first mainstream journalists to understand what the breakthrough of blockchain technology could mean for finance, culture, and industry in general. His expertise lies in the Ethereum blockchain world, where he knows the people who invented and then built the world’s most-used blockchain. He’s written extensively on the intersection of Wall Street and decentralized finance and how new peer-to-peer systems can change the way the current internet works. He’s one of the foremost experts on the Ethereum DAO hack and is the author of ‘Out of the Ether, the Amazing Story of Ethereum and the $55 Million Heist That Almost Destroyed It All’.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts; instructions on how to do this are here.Previous guests include: Rusty Matveev, Chief Strategy Officer at Calaxy; Andrew Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Censo; Zac Townsend, CEO and Co-Founder of Meanwhile; Jesper Johansen, CEO and Co-Founder of Northstake; Tama Churchouse, COO of Cumberland Labs; Holly Wood of Boson Protocol; Sid Powell of Maple Finance; Chad Barraford of THORChain; and many others.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Laying the Groundwork for a Billion-User Blockchain with Rich Rines, Contributor at Core DAOStaking the Future: From Blockchain Beginnings to Institutional Innovations with Chen Zhuling of RockXThe Unstoppable Nature of Blockchain: A Conversation with Bonart Mati of ObligateAttention all blockchain, crypto, and Web3 professionals! If you're a founder, CEO, or expert doing something innovative in this space, we're interested in speaking to you! Apply to be a guest on our platform and connect with our vibrant community of blockchain professionals:  https://fame.so/nnt-guestThe Smart Economy Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at fame.so