WuBlockchain Podcast

This episode features a fireside chat at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 between Brian McGleenon, Global Head of News at BeInCrypto, and Ben Zhou, Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit.
The conversation focuses on the accelerating convergence of crypto and the global financial system. Ben argues that exchanges used to compete mainly on execution and liquidity, but over the past three years the real edge has shifted to compliance, licensing, and global distribution. As stablecoins, tokenized assets, smart contract-based payments, and 24/7 markets gain traction, crypto platforms are evolving from trading venues into financial infrastructure connecting capital, assets, and users worldwide.
For traditional financial institutions, the appeal is not necessarily direct crypto exposure. It is the ability to use crypto rails for cross-border allocation, asset tokenization, portfolio diversification, and yield enhancement.
Ben also compares the regulatory landscape across jurisdictions. In his view, the EU is ahead in tokenization, the UAE has attracted a large number of crypto firms through a more pragmatic regulatory approach, and the US remains the key variable for large-scale institutional adoption. The UK, meanwhile, appears to be taking a more constructive stance.
On DeFi, Ben says the sector is still in a regulatory "honeymoon phase," but will likely face clearer rules over time, much like centralized exchanges did. On AI Agent payments, he sees strong interest, but believes the space remains largely focused on data access and analytics rather than large-scale transaction execution.
Timeline:
00:00 Intro: Crypto merges with global finance as exchange competition shifts to compliance and licensing
01:06 The new role of crypto platforms: global distribution rails for assets and users
03:02 Is TradFi ready for stablecoins, agent payments, and RWAs?
04:51 Why distribution is becoming crypto's most valuable infrastructure layer
07:34 TradFi still resists the "crypto" label, but embraces the underlying rails
09:33 Comparing global regulation: the EU, UAE, and US each take a different path
12:14 US regulatory clarity will determine when major institutions scale in
15:08 DeFi is still in a "honeymoon phase"; DEXs and tax may be the first targets
18:09 AI Agent account use cases: strong demand for analytics, limited trading execution for now

# Binance Founder CZ on His New Book & Advice for Young People
This AMA focused on CZ's new book, Freedom Of Money, touching on his entrepreneurial journey, why he wrote the memoir, and his views on young people, founders, investors, and the future of crypto.
CZ said he has no plans to start another company at this point. Instead, he prefers backing projects as an advisor and investor. When evaluating founders, he cares most about mission-driven people who can survive bear markets and execute through tough cycles.
On setbacks and major life decisions, CZ stressed the importance of keep moving, adjusting direction when needed, staying disciplined on spending, and committing to long-term learning.
For young people, he believes the opportunity set today is actually bigger than before. In his view, AI, the internet, and blockchain will continue creating new paths for upside.
CZ also remains highly bullish on crypto. He believes blockchain adoption is still in its early innings, with much bigger roles ahead in payments, FX, commodities, and AI agent-driven transactions.
He added that the process of writing and publishing Freedom Of Money helped him reexamine his own journey, gain fresh perspective on some major events in his past, and find a sense of personal closure.
Timeline:
00:00 Intro
02:21 Will he start another company? Why he's focused on advising and investing instead
05:28 Where the confidence to build from scratch came from
09:52 How to keep going in low moments — and how to know when you're on the wrong path
15:42 The long process behind publishing Freedom Of Money and what he wanted to say with it
21:02 How he evaluates projects today — and how not to miss the next Binance
26:35 How to judge whether a crypto narrative can survive cycles
30:05 The most overlooked part of Binance's early growth: extreme intensity behind the scenes
32:35 Advice for young people: consume less, learn more, and go after new opportunities
38:57 Simplified Chinese edition updates, piracy, and his take on Meme culture
46:31 Whether writing the book changed how he sees his past and identity
50:45 Why he chose to publish a book after years of controversy
53:36 Whether ordinary people still have life-changing upside in today's Web3

This interview delves into the evolution of BitMart and the broader cryptocurrency industry. Nenter Chow, Global CEO of BitMart, shares his journey from traditional finance to Web3, emphasizing the market's shift from pure speculation to fundamental utility and real financial plumbing.
Key topics include BitMart's strategic focus on omni-asset access, including RWAs and US equities, global compliance with operations in 50 US states, and user education through initiatives like the UNICEF partnership. The discussion also covers the integration of AI in internal operations such as audits and surveillance, the growing convergence between traditional finance and crypto, career advice for entering Web3, and an honest assessment of the current sell pressure and future opportunities in the crypto venture capital landscape.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:48 BitMart's Evolution and Shift Towards Utility
05:26 Market Maturation and Fundamental Value
08:41 BitMart's Key Differentiators and Compliance
11:03 US Market Strategy and Global Expansion
13:55 Roadmap, TradFi Products, and Education
17:05 Integrating AI in Exchange Operations
18:54 Convergence of TradFi and Crypto Markets
20:45 Market Outlook and Structural Shifts
23:45 Transitioning from TradFi to Web3 Careers
26:40 Hiring Criteria and the 24/7 Web3 Mindset
28:57 The Current State and Future of Crypto VC

On February 3, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin sat down with Michel Bauwens, founder of the P2P Foundation, at the ETHChiangmai Summit 2026 for a wide-ranging conversation on Web3, crypto, and new forms of social coordination.
Vitalik reflected on Ethereum's original vision and shared his concerns about the current state of the crypto space, arguing that technological progress must ultimately serve broader social and political goals. Beyond technical breakthroughs, he questioned how crypto can respond to a growing global crisis of trust.
Michel introduced the idea of "regenerative accelerationism," advocating for technology that actively supports sustainable social development, especially by connecting crypto with the real, productive economy. Together, they explored decentralized social models, the role of technology in enabling global collaboration and shared resources, and the challenges Web3 faces in moving beyond speculation toward deeper economic and social transformation.
Timeline:
00:00 Vitalik reflects on early Ethereum ideals and why a return to core values matters
03:53 The TRUMP memecoin moment and a broader identity crisis for crypto
06:38 Regenerative accelerationism and accelerating alternatives during global breakdown
10:28 Examples of crypto aligned with regenerative practice
15:25 Why users resist unfamiliar crypto mechanisms and default to ERC20 and dollars
17:43 Funding models in Web3 and NGOs, and why real-world practices stay marginal
20:00 Ethereum's next five years and a return to the original Web3 vision
24:21 DAO design trade-offs and over-optimization for legal safety
26:00 Rethinking finance, collusion, and limits of interoperability
29:35 Michel on P2P as a human system and global self-organization
32:07 AI as "stigmergy without humans" and the edge of a new civilization
33:34 Future expectations for 4seas, hackers, and the Chiang Mai ecosystem
34:12 From extractive to generative economies and contribution-based value creation

This episode of WuBlockchain Podcast explores the long-term evolution of Vietnam’s crypto market through the perspective of Thanh Le, CEO of G98 and Founder of Ninety Eight. Drawing on his experience since entering the industry in 2017, Thanh discusses how Vietnam’s crypto ecosystem has matured from an early high-risk phase into a highly active market shaped by retail participation, developer talent, and emerging regulation.
Ninety Eight builds practical Web3 products, including multi-chain wallets and DeFi tools, from Vietnam. Through G98, a joint venture with G-Group, these technologies are localized and deployed using domestic infrastructure to support digital-asset-related products and services in the Vietnamese market.
Timeline:
00:00 Opening & Guest Background: A long-term, on-ground perspective since entering the crypto industry in 2017
01:15 Evolution of Vietnam's crypto market: From widespread scams to recognition as a new asset class
03:21 Market size and activity: Vietnam's user base characterized by high ownership and high trading activity
07:19 User entry paths: Generational shifts from Bitcoin to GameFi, DeFi, and memecoins
10:16 User profiles and risk appetite: From CEX-dominated trading to a growing understanding of on-chain activity and strategy allocation
13:26 Regulatory environment: A conservative yet supportive policy stance and expectations around a 2025 inflection point
16:41 Shifts in asset and narrative preferences: A return to BTC and major assets alongside interest in emerging narratives
19:04 Cooling of Vietnam-based projects: The impact of the bear market, talent outflows, and regulatory uncertainty
22:58 Developer ecosystem and city distribution: A technical talent pool spanning both Solana and EVM ecosystems
26:18 Changes in the fundraising environment: From pro-cyclical fundraising in 2021 to a broadly tighter capital market
29:11 Vietnam's long-term advantages: Strong learning willingness, community mobilization, and talent supply