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Owl Explains
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
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

May 8, 2024 • 33min
Ep 29: Balcony - Revolutionizing & Tokenizing Real Estate
John Belitsky, Co-founder and Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer at Balcony sheds light on how they’re leveraging blockchain technology for greater transparency and efficiency in real estate, offering a glimpse into the innovative solutions reshaping the industry. Discover more about Balcony here Learn more about blockchain here

Apr 24, 2024 • 30min
Ep 28: Crypto Wallets as the Browsers of the Future
Akash Gupta (GM at Ava Labs) shares how transformative crypto wallets can be—from identity verification to the integration of social elements. Gain insights into the decentralized future and the large role of crypto wallets in shaping a secure and user-friendly digital landscape.

Apr 10, 2024 • 33min
Ep. 27: Global Blockchain Trade Associations and 2024 Policy (Part 2)
This is the second episode from our “trade associations” miniseries for 2024. We are joined by Sandra Ro (Global Blockchain Business Council), Ian Taylor (KPMG and Crypto UK), Alison Mangiero (Proof of Stake Alliance), and Jannah Patchay (Digital Pound Foundation) discussing key blockchain developments, policy updates, and interesting use cases.

Mar 27, 2024 • 42min
Ep. 26: Global Blockchain Trade Associations and 2024 Policy (Part 1)
Join Marina Markezic (EU Crypto Initiative) , Ron Hammond (Blockchain Association), Tommaso Astazi (Blockchain For Europe), and Cody Carbone (Digital Chamber) as they delve into the complexities of blockchain regulation and its impact on global policy. Explore how trade associations are shaping the future of technology governance.

Mar 6, 2024 • 27min
Ep 25: Emerging Technology's Language Wars - Smart Contracts
Professor Carla Reyes (SMU) unpacks the interdisciplinary perspectives on smart contracts, highlighting the unique vantage points each group brings to the table. She explores the divergence between legal definitions of ‘contracts’ and their technical counterparts in smart contract technology, uncovering the potential impacts of this disparity on the regulation and understanding of these innovative digital agreements.Read her full paper here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4380724

Feb 7, 2024 • 30min
Ep 24: DeFi Innovation and Regulation
Yesha Yadav (Vanderbilt Law School) delves into the complexities of decentralized finance (DeFi), exploring market structures, regulatory challenges, and the pivotal role of smart contracts in shaping the future of financial landscapes.Find out more in our explainer:What is DeFi?

Jan 10, 2024 • 36min
Ep 23: Shaping the Future of Currency: the Digital Dollar
Chris Giancarlo (Chamber of Digital Commerce and former CFTC commissioner) discusses the Digital Dollar and sheds light on the role of privacy, economic liberty, and leadership in navigating the ever-changing landscape of digital innovation and its impact on global economies.Learn more about CBDCs, stablecoins, blockchain, and more on: Owl Explains.