The Crypto Explorer - by Sygnum Bank AG

Thibault B, co-founder of Hibachi, dives into the future of decentralized trading. He reveals how trustless infrastructure and proof of solvency are critical in shifting traders from centralized exchanges. Fast-paced discussions cover cutting-edge technologies like RISC Zero and Celestia, which bolster security and scalability. Thibault explores the obstacles to mainstream DeFi adoption and shares insights on cross-chain liquidity. Amid market downturns, he emphasizes the need for resilience and innovation in the evolving crypto landscape.

In this discussion, Kean Gilbert, a contributor to Lido DAO focusing on institutional adoption of ETH, shares insights into the rapidly evolving world of staking. He highlights key trends influencing both retail and institutional marketplaces and contrasts decentralized versus centralized staking solutions. Kean explains Lido’s innovative offerings, including the introduction of stVaults in Lido V3 and how liquid staking solutions like staked ETPs are bridging DeFi and TradFi. He also addresses the challenges that institutional players face in navigating this landscape.

Is VC in 2025 a bull run, a reset, or something else? We sit down with Diana Biggs of 1kx to discuss what sets them apart, shifting capital trends, the IPO & M&A outlook, and the hottest sectors—from AI to Web3. Plus, how AI is changing venture, and the big question: profitability or growth? Tune in for expert insights on questions like: How would you describe the current state of the VC market? Are we in a bull run, a reset phase, or something else entirely? How do you work with start ups to ensure success beyond the funding round? What’s your take on the IPO and M&A landscape? Is 2025 shaping up to be a good year for liquidity events? What sectors or themes are you most excited about in 2025? (e.g., AI, Web3, ClimateTech, DeepTech, HealthTech) Has AI changed the way VCs source, evaluate, or support startups?What’s more important in 2025: profitability or aggressive growth? What’s your biggest piece of advice for founders looking to raise in this environment? Read the disclaimer here: https://www.sygnum.com/disclaimer

In this episode, host Deborah Tan-Pink dives into an important conversation with Aliya Das Gupta, SVP Business Development at Sygnum, and Hassan Ahmed, Country Director Singapore at Coinbase. Together, they explore how the crypto industry can foster diversity and inclusion to create a stronger, more innovative future.From breaking down barriers in male-dominated spaces to actionable steps for driving inclusion, this episode sheds light on how diverse talents are key to transforming the crypto space.Tune in for an inspiring discussion packed with insights on leadership, representation, and practical strategies to build a better, more inclusive blockchain ecosystem.Read the disclaimer here: https://www.sygnum.com/disclaimer

Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, discusses her journey from private equity to the innovative world of Web3. She highlights Solana's rapid evolution, unique scalability features, and its vibrant community. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by so-called 'Solana-killers' and the interplay between traditional finance and decentralized finance. Additionally, Lily reflects on the philosophical shifts in how we perceive money and the future innovations that could further redefine the crypto landscape.

Samar Sen, Head of Asia-Pacific at Talos, and Nicholas Foo, SVP of Trading at Sygnum Singapore, dive deep into the evolving world of institutional crypto. They explore how major institutions are reshaping the crypto landscape and the implications for investors. The conversation also touches on the growing educational needs for both institutions and retail investors, highlighting the crucial tipping point for cryptocurrency adoption. Plus, they tackle rapid-fire questions revealing their insights on misconceptions and future trends in digital assets.

Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the world of restaking with Freddie Allen from Eigen Labs and Lucas Schweiger from Sygnum. We explore the fundamental mechanics of restaking, its benefits for validators and delegators, and how restaking affects network security and decentralization. Questions we cover include: Can you walk us through the basic mechanics of how restaking works?What are the primary benefits of restaking for both validators and delegators?How does restaking impact the security and decentralization of a network?In what scenarios does restaking provide the most value to participants?What are the main risks associated with restaking, and how can they be mitigated? How does restaking compare to other incentive mechanisms, like yield farming or liquidity mining?How do you see the role of restaking evolving as the blockchain ecosystem matures?What other new innovations in the space are you excited about? Read the disclaimer here: https://www.sygnum.com/disclaimer

In the 4th podcast episode of Sygnum’s The Crypto Explorer, we look at the pressing issue of Ethereum’s scalability and explore the challenges and critical role of Layer 2 solutions.Ryan De Souza from Offchain Labs and Rico Müller, Head of VC at Sygnum, discuss the current Layer 2 landscape and the dominance of Arbitrum with podcast host Aliya das Gupta.Episode highlights:🔹 The current state of Ethereum’s scalability challenges and why Layer 2 solutions are essential 🔹 Areas where Arbitrum is leading and why it stands out 🔹 Promising Layer 2 projects and what sets them apart in terms of innovation and adoption 🔹 How to approach fragmentation across Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions 🔹 Addressing concerns around the security and centralisation of Layer 2 solutions 🔹 The role of Ethereum’s upcoming upgrades like ETH 2.0 in supporting Layer 2 🔹 Arbitrum’s roadmap and key trends for the future of the Layer 2 ecosystemRead the disclaimer here: https://www.sygnum.com/disclaimer

In "What it Means for a Market to be 'Crypto-Ready'", podcast host Deborah Tan-Pink quizzes Sim Yew Ng, Head of Wealth and Investment Solutions at Azimut and Benedict Yap, SVP of Asset Management at Sygnum Singapore, about the conditions and considerations required for a market to be "crypto-ready".  It has been more than 10 years since crypto entered the consciousness of the Singapore public and today, it remains a much-discussed issue whether investors here are ready to participate in the ecosystem. Episode Highlights:🔹 How has the crypto landscape in Singapore evolved since the introduction of crypto here?   🔹 Why certain segments continue to think the market is not ready for crypto 🔹 What does it mean for a market to be "crypto-ready"🔹 Discussing the synergies between institutional adoption and retail participation 🔹 Are there any gaps in market that need to be addressed  🔹 Famous last words? Read the disclaimer here: https://www.sygnum.com/disclaimer

Sean Lawrence, Head of APAC at Kaiko, and Jason French, Head of Clients at Sygnum Singapore, discuss the state of crypto in the APAC region. They cover sentiments towards crypto, markets to watch, data insights, institutional investor strategies, differences in bull cycles, and regulatory outlook. The conversation explores increasing institutional interest, market dynamics, and considerations for investors in the evolving crypto landscape.