
The Owl Explains Hootenanny
Owl Explains is a proud project of the Ava Labs Legal team that is committed to helping policymakers break through hype and navigate the blockchain world. Owl Explains hosts podcasts with industry leaders seeking to build a better Internet. Check out our X profile @OwlExplains, and visit our website owlexplains.com, where you will find practical explainers, quizzes, and more fun resources on all things Web3.To stay in the know, subscribe to News from the Nest
Latest episodes

Oct 9, 2024 • 38min
Ep 39: Tokenizing Securities for Decentralized Finance Applications
Professor Andreas Park from the University of Toronto discusses how blockchain can transform the trading and management of securities. In this episode, he shares his research on overcoming the complex challenges of integrating stocks, dividends, and voting rights into decentralized systems, offering insights into the future of finance.Learn more in his paper: https://edas.info/showPaper.php?m=1571031828

Sep 25, 2024 • 36min
Ep 38: Learning from DeFi. Would Automated Market Makers Improve Equity Trading?
Andreas Park (University of Toronto) and Katya Malinova (McMaster University) discuss their research on how automated market makers (AMMs) from DeFi could revolutionize equity trading. We explore the potential savings, challenges, and future of finance in a digital age.Check out their paper below:Learning from DeFi: Would Automated Market Makers Improve Equity Trading?

Sep 10, 2024 • 27min
Ep 37: Revolutionizing Women's Non-Reproductive Health with Web3 (Asterisk)
Join Veronica Kirin, founder of Asterisk Women’s Health, as she discusses her groundbreaking approach to women’s non-reproductive health using blockchain and DAO models. Discover how technology can empower women and transform the healthcare landscape.Learn more about Asterisk's mission: https://asteriskdao.xyz

Sep 3, 2024 • 23min
EP 36: US Congress Yadira Caraveo
Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo shares insights on navigating the complex world of digital asset regulation and bipartisan collaboration. She highlights the conversation highlights the FIT21 bill, Colorado’s leadership in tech, and the need for financial inclusion in modern legislation.

Jul 31, 2024 • 23min
Ep 35: Rep. Shri Thanedar
Congressman Shri Thanadar (D-MI-13) discusses his early adoption of cryptocurrency and emphasizes the transformative potential of blockchain technology. He highlights the importance of financial inclusion, arguing that digital assets can democratize access to financial services.

Jul 17, 2024 • 49min
Ep 34: Stablecoin Runs and the Centralization of Arbitrage
Yiming Ma from Columbia Business School and Anthony Zhang from UChicago explore the intricacies of stablecoins and their impact on financial stability. Learn about the critical role of arbitrage in maintaining price stability and the potential risks associated with these digital assets. Check out their paper here.

Jul 3, 2024 • 37min
Ep 33: Intersection of AI, IP and Web3 Law
Nehan Sethi and Jordan Teague (Web3 Attorneys at Campbell Teague) explore how AI challenges traditional notions of authorship and creativity, and the potential for blockchain to revolutionize IP protection.

Jun 19, 2024 • 22min
Ep 32: Congressman French Hill (R-AR 2nd District)
Congressman French Hill (R-AR 2nd District), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, discusses the groundbreaking H.R. 4763 bill and its impact on the future of blockchain regulation. Tune in to understand how this bipartisan effort aims to balance innovation and consumer protection in the digital asset space.

Jun 5, 2024 • 33min
Ep 31: The Impact of Blockchain and AI on the EU's Financial Landscape
Dimitrios Psarrakis (Financial Economist and co-founder of Value Verse) provides expert insights on blockchain regulation and its implications for financial competitiveness in the EU. He explores the intersection of blockchain, AI, and financial innovation, emphasizing the importance of education and collaboration in shaping the future of finance.

May 21, 2024 • 27min
Ep 30: Congressman Wiley Nickel
Congressman Wiley Nickel, member of the House Financial Services Committee, joins Norma Krayem from Van Scoyoc Associates to discuss the critical topics of blockchain, digital assets, and regulatory certainty in the United States.