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 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

In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Pavel Sinelnikov, Developer Relations Lead at ZKM, a network focusing on zero-knowledge virtual machines (ZKVM) for universal settlement.Join them as they:Discuss lessons learned in Ethereum growth and applying them to BitcoinAnalyze the importance of Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) co-existingUnpack the different types of L2 rollupsDelve into the ethos of decentralization and how ZKM applies that to its sequencer networkUnpack how ZKM offers Sustainable Yield GenerationShine a light on ZKM’s decentralized sequencer network and the security that it offersAnd much more!Pavel Sinelnikov is the Developer Relations Lead at ZKM. With a strong background in blockchain technology and a keen interest in decentralized systems, Pavel has previously worked with notable blockchain projects like Metis, where he was instrumental in developer relations and ambassador coordination. He has also provided educational components on decentralized finance (DeFi) to prominent financial institutions like the Royal Bank of Canada.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 Meg Lister, General Manager of Grants Labs at Gitcoin, a platform that has helped to disseminate grant funding to more than 4,000 projects within the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors.Join them as they:Discuss the catalytic effect of transparent funding mechanismsAnalyze the success rates in grant fundingUnpack the evolution of Gitcoin and the emergence of 2.0Delve into the balance between centralized and decentralized processes in GitcoinUnpack quadratic funding and the role of community contributions in GitcoinShine a light on Meg's perspective on finding a career aligned with personal missionsAnd much more!Meg Lister is the General Manager of Grants Labs at Gitcoin, where she spearheads initiatives aimed to revolutionize grant funding through the use of blockchain technology. With a background in philosophy and environmental studies, Meg transitioned from a traditional tech career to the crypto industry, driven by a desire for transparency and equity in funding mechanisms. Meg's work emphasizes community-driven solutions and strategic use of open-source resources to foster a more just and accountable global ecosystem. Beyond her role at Gitcoin, Meg contributes to the broader crypto community through mentorship initiatives and as a key participant in industry discussions on policy and innovation at local and global levels.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 Alejo Pinto, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Pontem, a product studio working toward global financial inclusion powered by blockchains.Join them as they:Discuss Pontem’s contribution to the evolving DeFi landscapeUnpack the suite of products under the Pontem Network umbrellaExamine how Pontem is building for a multi-chain worldShine a light on the significance of enabling people to transact freely in crypto Delve into the importance of building on the Move Virtual MachineDive into Pontem's strategies to abstract blockchain specifics from the end userAnd much more!Alejo Pinto is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Pontem Network, a product development studio building Move, as well as EVM-compatible applications and products to enable a more developer- and user-friendly Web3. He has an extensive background in the tech industry, including a significant stint at IBM, where he gained valuable experience in blockchain applications. Alejo's journey into the cryptocurrency space began around 2014 when he first discovered Bitcoin. This sparked his interest in blockchain technology and its potential to transform economic interactions on the internet. His expertise extends beyond just technical knowledge; he is deeply involved in developing applications that leverage different blockchain architectures to enhance transactional freedom and efficiency across various networks.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 Caspar Sauter, the Co-founder of Quantena and D8X Exchange, a perpetual futures decentralized exchange.Join them as they:Explore D8X’s mission and the importance of building decentralized financial machinesDiscuss why D8X chose to focus on perpetual futuresDelve into how D8X is building white-label solutions for banks and financial institutionsShine a light on the importance of cross-chain liquidityUnpack the lessons learned from being live on two chainsDive into the importance of privacy and oracle solutions in the DeFi spaceExamine the impact of Bitcoin halvingReview the role of institutions in the crypto spaceAnd much more!Caspar Sauter is a seasoned expert in the field of quantitative economics with significant experience in the financial sector. Before co-founding D8X, a decentralized exchange focusing on perpetual futures, Caspar worked extensively at a large financial institution where he honed his skills in quantitative analysis and financial modeling. His academic background is equally impressive, marked by a PhD that explored the intersection of economics, political science, and social sciences, with a particular focus on the global distribution of emissions and economic activities. Caspar's transition from academia and traditional finance to the forefront of DeFi showcases his commitment to leveraging technology to create more transparent and fair financial systems. His work at D8X is particularly innovative, demonstrating his strategic vision of merging traditional financial mechanisms with the revolutionary potential of blockchain technology.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 Rowland Graus, Director of Product Management & Developer Relations at Agoric, a smart contract platform designed to enhance the usability of blockchain networks for end users.Join them as they:Explore Agoric's approach to blockchain and smart contractsDiscuss Agoric's specialized smart contract platform for JavaScript developersDelve into Agoric's focus on cross-chain interoperability within and outside the Cosmos InterchainShine a light on key lessons learned from attracting new builders to the Agoric platformUnpack how MetaMask leveraged Agoric's Hardened JavaScript toolkit for SnapsExamine Agoric's approach to chain abstraction, simplifying cross-chain operations for usersReview Agoric’s vision for stablecoins and their integration into the ecosystem Dive into Rowland’s perspective on the evolving blockchain developer landscapeAnd much more!Rowland Graus is the Director of Product Management & Developer Relations at Agoric. Involved in the blockchain and crypto space since 2016, Rowland brings a strong background in economics and product management to his role. His professional journey is marked by a passion for innovation and the challenges of building new and transformative technologies in the evolving blockchain landscape. At Agoric, Rowland has been instrumental in advancing chain abstraction techniques that unify fragmented liquidity across blockchain networks. His leadership and deep understanding of economic principles drive the strategic development of Agoric’s products, aiming to keep the platform on the cutting edge of the smart economy.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 Jon Trask, CEO and founder of Dimitra, an AgTech company that leverages cutting-edge technology to help farmers increase yields, reduce expenses, and mitigate risks.Join them as they:Unpack how Dimitra leverages blockchain to empower farmersDiscuss the various technologies integrated by the Dimitra PlatformDelve into Dimitra's analytics value to governments and banksWeigh in on the immediate impact of Dimitra's technology on various stakeholdersShine a light on on-chain deforestation-related transactions estimatesExplore the many use cases and learning opportunities for farmers through the Dimitra applicationAnd much more!Jon Trask is the CEO and founder of Dimitra. With a background in programming and cryptography, John has been involved in the blockchain space since 2011. He has extensive experience in supply chain management and has worked with various organizations and governments to implement blockchain solutions in the agriculture sector. Jon has worked for companies like ISO - International Organization for Standardization, the Blockchain Research Institute, and the Government Blockchain Association.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