Episodes
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This week marks the first iteration of Blockcast hosted by Copper Head of Revenue APAC, Takatoshi Shibayama, who will take on the role of host in upcoming episodes.
In this edition of Blockcast, we sit down with Aneirin Flynn - the formal Navy Diver turned Ethlas CBO and now FailSafe CEO. Flynn reflects on his deep sea diving days and how his experience with the navy unit helped to shape his risk appetite for Web3.
Having managed a successful team under Ethlas, Flynn has taken his Web3 and military expertise one step further to lead and protect on a wider scale. FailSafe, the ultimate active wallet firewall against Web3 cyberattacks, goes beyond blockchain audits to protect digital assets and smart contracts from hacks and scams in real-time. Flynn explains how. -
Becoming a yearly tradition, Blockhead caught up with Yat Siu once again in Bali at Coinfest 2024. Since our last catch-up with the Animoca Brands founder, the crypto industry has experienced floods of TradFi money flowing into the market, bolstered by the likes of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. But how does this renewed interest from old-school money fair for old-school Web3 projects like the metaverse and blockchain gaming?
Yat Siu shares his insights on how TradFi can complement these facets of Web3 and how Animoca Brands is adjusting to new market demands as well as fulfilling its long-term needs.
Additionally, we learn about why Saudia Arabia deserves the crypto industry's attention and how regional developments are shaping the landscape. -
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Ready to bask in the SOL, it's that time of the year for the Blockhead team to put on their shades, sunscreen, and slides. Returning to Bali for the third year in a row, the Blockhead team headed down to Coinfest to see what the industry's most exciting/chill conference had to offer this year.
Bitget's Christopher Rodil and Punnara Akamatsu who explained why the firm was sporting a human-sized cardboard cutout of Lionel Messi at their booth
With a swathe of institutional money flooding into crypto in 2024, the Blockhead team feared this year's Coinfest might be drier than the conference's notorious degen-fuelled antics but we needn't have feared.
To get the lowdown on what the attendees were up to this year, Blockhead interviewed a range of Coinfest-goers on scene to find out exactly what they were up to (other than partying).
We heard from:
TRIVE General Partner, Daryl Lim, who detailed why he's leaving his Metapal Teletubbies behind and venturing into Venture Capital
ZKEX Founder Balal Khan, who was just happy to be back in Coinfest with the Blockhead boys- Ripple's Senior Director, Ross Edwards, who revealed that it was his first time not only at Coinfest but also Bali
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In this episode, we explore the world of crypto trading with Kelvin See, the Head of Trading at CoinHako. Kelvin brings a unique perspective, having transitioned from traditional finance to the Web3 space. We discuss the key differences between trading in TradFi and crypto, CoinHako's approach to trading and risk management, including their use of derivatives, hedging strategies, and technical analysis, the tools he uses to manage risk and capture opportunities, and the future outlook for the crypto market. Listen to the full episode to gain a comprehensive understanding of the world of crypto trading and the strategies used by experts in the field.
Kelvin See is the Head of Trading of Coinhako, Singapore’s market-leading crypto platform where he spearheads the trading team and oversees the positions, risk and profitability of Coinhako via derivatives trade and hedging strategies. Before joining Coinhako, Kelvin was instrumental in setting up the Asia options trading desk for Citibank in New York and he held a senior position in OCBC Singapore’s FX options team.
Kelvin has over 15 years of FX Options Trading experience with a focus on higher volatility markets in the Asia EM options space under his belt. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelor in Computer & Electrical Engineering / Economics and an MSc from MIT.Website: https://www.coinhako.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/s/CoinhakoOfficial
Twitter/X: https://x.com/coinhako
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From practising M&A law in Beijing and Singapore for various law firms to serving as the Director of Legal and Corporate Development at Coinhako Collin Cheong is no stranger to navigating the legal minefield of deploying capital. After more than three years of immersing himself in crypto legal intricacies with Coinhako, Cheong has now launched his own stablecoin initiative, Trillion Network
Backed by Coinhako, Mirana, Etherscan, and more, Trillion Network aims to transform the way money moves in the new digital economy by creating a well-regulated, borderless, accessible, and efficient digital payments network powered by its stablecoins.
Cheong joins us on this episode of Blockcast to discuss his transition from traditional law to the ever-changing landscape of crypto regulation and discusses why a Singapore-dollar stablecoin might just be what we all need. -
In this episode of Blockcast, we take a deep DeFi dive into the murky waters of liquid staking with former Product Lead of Persistence Labs and co-founder of pSTAKE Finance, Mikhil Pandey.
Developed by the Persistence Labs team, which founded Persistence One, a Layer 1 blockchain; pSTAKE Finance offers Bitcoin liquid staking solutions built atop Babylon’s protocol.
As tokenization becomes an increasingly hot topic, the question of what liquid staking can bring to the sector is of developing interest for the DeFi world.
Pandey walks Blockhead through their journey on why they chose to build pStake on Babylon, what led to their decision to halt their Solana liquid staking solution and explains why Bitcoin might offer the best form of liquid staking for the market. -
In this episode of Blockcast, we reconnect with Jaye Foo, a familiar face in the Web3 scene. We delve into his journey as a musician, entrepreneur, and Web3 advocate. We explore the challenges of bridging Web2 and Web3 in Southeast Asia, and Jaye's unwavering belief in the potential of the space. Jaye also spills the beans on what he’s been building at Wush, a Web3 onboarding platform he co-founded with Gregg Lewis. We discuss the inspiration behind Wush, its unique offerings compared to competitors, and its potential to accelerate retail adoption of Web3 in the region.
Navigating Web3 can be challenging and risky for new users. Wush simplifies the onboarding process by curating secure, popular projects and services, helping users build Web3 literacy and confidence. Our mission is to make Web3 accessible and safe, fostering organic and sustainable growth by creating an ecosystem centered around the user.
https://www.wush.co/
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This episode of Blockcast dives into the world of stablecoins with stablecoin guru Raagulan Pathy, the former Asia Pacific lead for Circle. We'll explore his journey from traditional tech to crypto, including his role as CIO of JaffCap, a crypto investment fund. We'll unpack the current state of stablecoins, including the competition between USDC and USDT, and Tether's dominance. Raagulan will also introduce Kast, his stablecoin spending card aiming to revolutionize user experience. We'll hear about Kast's vision as a neobank and its potential impact on mainstream crypto adoption, and also Raagulan's insights on future trends in crypto investments and how JaffCap evaluates new projects.
*This episode is recorded on 5th July, and any content is not financial advise. -
Quickly becoming a household name for crypto supporters, as well as an equally recognisable brand for sports fans, Crypto.com has already established a global footprint. But what are the challenges facing a global crypto exchange?
In this week's Blockcast, we sit down with Crypto.com's GM for APAC & MEA and Global Head of Banking Partnerships, Karl Mohan to learn more about regulatory differences, branding, and cultural reception of crypto across borders. Having moved recently from Melbourne to Singapore, Mohan is new to the Little Red Dot but is more than familiar with tackling challenges across state lines.
Additionally, Mohan reflects on his transition from his decade-long career in TradFi to the disruptive field of crypto, and how the exchange is retaining a dominant lead in the space. -
In this episode of Blockcast, we welcome regular guest Going OnChain/Huat Kueh and BRN analyst Valentin Fournier to discuss the latest market movements, including the impact of Jerome Powell's comments on inflation and rate cuts and the bullish outlook for Ethereum ETFs despite launch delays. We compare Ethereum ETF pre-launch expectations with Bitcoin ETF experiences and consider whether Ethereum can outperform Bitcoin. The conversation also covers Solana’s rise and the growing dominance of its ecosystem in the blockchain space, and the potential for a spot SOL ETF, alongside the latest trends in memecoins.
Links:
BRN: http://www.thebrn.co
GoingOnChain: https://x.com/goingonchain
Dca1000x: https://x.com/dca1000x*Episode is recorded on Thursday 4th July 2024
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This episode of Blockcast dives into the convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and blockchain technology. We explore Nikhil Joshi's journey from Barclays to EMURGO, and how his experience bridges the gap between these two worlds. We discuss:
The rise of blockchain: Nikhil shares his insights on the evolution of the blockchain industry and the inspiration behind his career shift.
Cardano Explained: Nikhil sheds light on his role at EMURGO and the unique aspects of the Cardano blockchain platform.
Web3 revolution: We explore the potential impact of Web3 technologies on various industries and the future of decentralized finance (DeFi).
The future of digital assets: Nikhil offers his predictions on emerging trends and potential disruptions in the digital asset and blockchain landscape.
Additional Resources:
EMURGO Website: https://www.emurgo.io/
Cardano Website: https://cardano.org/
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This week you join us from SuperAI - Asia's premier and largest artificial intelligence (AI) conference. Held in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands over two days, SuperAI covered key topics for the AI industry including large language models, generative AI, robotics, decentralized AI, regulation, ethics, and AI's role in fintech, education, healthcare, and cybersecurity.
Crypto and AI aren't exactly synonymous but both are often framed as disruptive technologies that potentially can transform industries around the world. To find out more about the AI-Web3 intersection, Blockhead chatted with a range of companies that are building the bridge between the two industries.
We chat with:
- Matthew Luu from Opsec on decentralized cloud solutions
- Retainna Lin from Bitdeer on the evolution of crypto mining to AI
- CEO and co-founder of Sahara AI, Sean Ren, on the viability of the Web3-AI bridge
- 0G Labs founder, Michael Heinrich, on the potential and limitations of Web3 for AI -
Julian Hosp has spent the last decade establishing a formidable name for himself in the crypto space. As a Cake Group co-founder, Hosp left his TenX days behind him, building a renewed reputation as a crypto industry leader in Singapore. Overnight, his efforts crumbled before his eyes as his company and reputation were publicly dragged through the mud by his very own co-founder, U-Zyn Chua.
In an exclusive podcast interview with Blockhead, Hosp reveals his side of the tale, which ultimately led to a judicial ruling in his favor. -
This week, we take a closer look at the crypto media space and the exciting opportunities for Web3 adoption in Southeast Asia.
The state of crypto media and strategies for growth in Web3
Our guest, Steven Suhadi, co-founder of Indonesia Crypto Network (ICN) and Coinfest Asia, and board member of the Indonesian Blockchain Association shares his insights on building a successful Web3 media business, navigating the current market trends, and the potential of Web3 projects in the region. We also delve into ICN's publications and the upcoming Coinfest edition.
Topics Covered:
Web3 adoption trends and opportunities in Southeast Asia
Indonesia Crypto Network (ICN) publications and their impact
Growing Coinfest Asia to becoming a key crypto event, and its upcoming edition
Get ready to connect with 6,000+ people from 2,000+ companies at the largest Web3 festival in Asia. Get your tickets now with Blockhead's 10% discount code: CA24BLOCKHEAD -
You've heard of digital money, you may have heard of digital identities, but have you heard of a digital country? Draper Startup House Global Founder, Vikram Bharati, is leading Draper's initiative to build a digital country with help from the blockchain. Known as Draper Nation, the abstract concept feeds rather seamlessly into the Web3 narrative of decentralisation and community building, but how realistic is it?Join us as we ask Bharati more about his vision for a world where physical and digital countries can coexist, and what citizens can expect from such a paradigm-shifting form of government.
Vikram is the Global Founder of Draper Startup House, a concept inspired by his two-year backpacking journey across more than 50 countries on six continents. His vision is to create a global network of economic and soulful landing pads for entrepreneurs, effectively forming a new type of global chamber of commerce in every major city worldwide. Vikram is also the Co-Founder of Draper Nation and the Founder of Draper Startup House Ventures, which focuses on investing in early-stage startups globally.Before establishing Draper Startup House in 2018, Vikram led venture capital investments at REAPRA, where he invested in early-stage ventures across Asia. His career began at J.P. Morgan, where he was an early member of several new ventures. Vikram grew up in Los Angeles and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Riverside, followed by an MBA from the University of Southern California.
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From Diablo to FIFA to Final Fantasy to Pokemon, here at Blockhead, we're big fans of gaming. But despite our love for gaming and our ardent passion for Web3, blockchain gaming has yet to convince us to abandon our Articunos for Axies.
Join us as Jeremy Foo, who serves as the Global Head of Gaming for TrilliTech and Tezos, tells us how blockchain gaming is restoring its reputation from deafening backlash, and why we should delve into the vibrant Web3 worlds of Meta Pals, Battle Tabs, Stars Symphony, and Dogami.Jeremy Foo is an experienced gaming industry leader with deep experience in strategy, operations, and investment. Today, he leads the gaming vertical at TriliTech, and is responsible for the success of gaming on the Tezos blockchain.
Previously, he has successfully guided senior management at Sea Group on key strategic initiatives. He also drove major investment deals, improved the monetization of Garena Free Fire, and led the League of Legends publishing team in Thailand. As a passionate gamer, he adopts a first principles understanding of gaming trends.
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Here at Blockhead, we love working in Web3. But what are the challenges in securing a job in crypto? With markets wildly fluctuating from bull to bear overnight, is job security in Web3 one of the most unstable among all industries?
With over 8 years in Web3 recruitment, Randstad Associate Director, Rumi Mohd, has seen it all. From ruthless mass layoffs to ambitious mass hirings, Mohd has helped countless candidates rotate within the industry over the years.
Join us as Mohd reveals what it takes for candidates to survive in the Web3 workforce, as well as offering guidance for newcomers to the market.Mohd is a passionate leader in talent recruitment and employer consultancy services at Randstad Singapore, specialising in the sales, marketing, and communications industry. He partners with companies across exciting sectors like Web3, Fintech, and Crypto – from pre-seed start-ups to listed Unicorns – to identify top talent with the perfect blend of technical expertise, personality fit and culture match. Rumi’s dedication to his work extends beyond talent acquisition; as he is consistently recognised as a top performer within Randstad Singapore, demonstrating exceptional loyalty and growth since 2017. -
Greetings from the heart of Southeast Asia! This week, we're coming to you live from Bangkok, Thailand, where the buzz of Money 20/20 Asia and Southeast Asia Blockchain Week filled the air with discussions about the future of finance.
Meow, Founder of Jupiter: Dive into the world of Solana-focused DEX aggregation and how it's shaping the future of decentralized exchanges.
In this episode, we delve into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and the powerful tools that empower investors and institutions to navigate this dynamic landscape. Joining us on the show are industry leaders who are shaping the future of DeFi. We'll hear from:
Tanawat Chiewhawan, CEO and Founder of TokenUnlocks: Gain insights into how token lockup information is revolutionizing DeFi investment strategies.
Yura Mizin, Founder of cryfi.app: Discover innovative solutions for navigating the complexities of DeFi.
Pavel Goldman Kalaydin, Head of AI and Machine Learning at Sumsub: Explore how cutting-edge AI is transforming KYC/AML compliance within the blockchain sphere. -
Credited with being one of the world's first bitcoin exchanges – accounting for up to 80% of trading volume during its peak – Mt Gox first launched in the summer of 2010 but suspended operations in February 2014 amid heightened speculation about potential untoward activity. The fall of the Japanese exchange in 2014 was prompted by 750,000 bitcoin – at the time worth around $500 million, and now in the billions – that went missing, putting crypto’s future in doubt. Its former CEO Mark Karpeles remains a controversial figure.
Mark Karpeles rose to prominence as the CEO of Mt. Gox, once the world's largest Bitcoin exchange. Founded in 2010 by American programmer Jed McCaleb, Mt. Gox quickly became the go-to platform for buying, selling, and trading Bitcoin, handling a significant majority of all Bitcoin transactions at its peak.
However, Mt. Gox's meteoric rise was accompanied by mounting controversies and technical challenges. From security breaches to regulatory scrutiny, the exchange faced numerous setbacks that ultimately culminated in its catastrophic collapse in 2014. Hundreds of thousands of Bitcoins belonging to users vanished, sparking outrage and legal battles that continue to this day.
Mark Karpeles found himself thrust into the spotlight as the face of Mt. Gox's downfall, grappling with accusations of mismanagement, negligence, and even embezzlement. Despite maintaining his innocence, Karpeles faced a grueling legal battle and endured intense public scrutiny in the aftermath of the exchange's demise.
In this candid and unfiltered interview, Karpeles opens up about his experiences navigating the tumultuous landscape of early cryptocurrency adoption, and the state of the cryptocurrency industry a decade later.
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Katherine Ng might be leaving her Tezos days behind her, but the former TZ APAC MD is taking her experience and channeling her Web3 wisdom into a new project: Katashe. Focusing on Venture Building, Katashe has just signed its first partner, Filliquid (the premier decentralized liquidity pool on Filecoin), through which Katherine serves as the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer.
Join us as we sit down with Katherine to discuss the challenges of reshaping your personal brands in Web3 and why working with your significant other might just be the best business decision you can make. Katherine also shares her experience working with Filliquid and her plans to grow Katashe. - Show more