EP-37 xStocks: Unlocking Global Equity through Tokenization
In this podcast episode, Valentin Gui, General Manager of xStocks at Kraken, discusses the potential of equity tokenization, differentiating from competitors like Robinhood, navigating regulatory hurdles, and future expansion plans. xStocks aims to provide global users, especially those without direct equity access, with synthetic exposure to stocks through fully collateralized tokens. Valentin emphasizes the platform's permissionless, multi-chain capabilities, its inclusive partnership model, and long-term ambitions to become a foundational infrastructure for Web3 financial systems.Timeline:00:00 Opening00:43 Clarifying xStocks' Connection to Previous Ventures and Ensuring Token Collateralization02:16 Why xStocks Chose Stock Tokenization: Expanding Financial Inclusion through Synthetic Equity Exposure03:20 How Kraken's Interest in RWAs and Strategic Partnerships Accelerated xStocks' Adoption05:57 Differentiating xStocks from Robinhood through Permissionless, Multi-chain Tokens07:11 Competitive Strategy: Welcoming Binance and Coinbase as Potential Partners07:57 Addressing Liquidity Challenges across Centralized and Decentralized Exchanges09:24 Regulatory Challenges and Strategy: How xStocks Avoids the Pitfalls Faced by FTX and Binance in the U.S.10:17 Impact of SEC's Regulatory Approach on Tokenized Securities and xStocks' EU Launch via Cyprus Entity11:21 Major Regulatory Hurdles: Educating Regulators on Classifying Tokenized Equities12:22 Exploring Opportunities in Tokenizing Pre-IPO Equity12:42 xStocks' 2025 Roadmap: Geographic Expansion, Increased Token Utility, and Scaling Offerings13:57 The Potential of Perpetual Contracts and Derivatives on Tokenized Stocks14:17 Growth Outlook: Significant Expansion Anticipated due to Global Demand15:06 Collaboration with Gate.io and Potential Partnerships including Hyperliquid15:51 Discussing Potential Collaboration with Trump Family Projects16:19 IPO versus Token Issuance: Backed's Potential Path Forward16:44 Could Tokenized Equities Replace Traditional Stocks?17:51 Expanding beyond US Equities: Prospects for Tokenizing Hong Kong and Chinese Stocks18:26 Building a Cross-chain Ecosystem for Tokenized Stocks and Enhancing Utility19:42 Accessibility as the Main Driver for Mass Adoption of Tokenized Equities21:09 Long-term Vision: Positioning xStocks as Financial Infrastructure Rather than Just a Retail Product22:36 Misconceptions about Market Potential and Global Demand for Tokenized Stocks
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EP-34 Jeff Garzik: Satoshi Ties & Hemi's Dual-Chain Tech
In this podcast, Jeff Garzik, who was involved in the early development of Bitcoin, shared significant events and development obstacles in Bitcoin's early days and his experiences working with Satoshi. He then focused on introducing Hemi, which combines the security of Bitcoin and the programmability of Ethereum. Hemi enhances its functionality through unique mechanisms and is expected to expand its market after financing. Jeff also shared his views on Hemi's relationship with other projects and the challenges it faces.Timeline:00:00 Opening and brief introduction01:20 Early key events of Bitcoin04:03 Early development difficulties of Bitcoin and their influence on current development06:14 Experience of working with Satoshi and his decentralization concept07:37 Satoshi's anonymity maintenance and unique Bitcoin development approach09:21 Bitcoin's open-source development model and its fulfillment of expectations10:26 Alignment of Bitcoin's development with Satoshi's vision11:19 Current state of Bitcoin, ecosystem development and its relation with Layer 2 tools12:33 Reasons for creating Hemi as a Bitcoin-Ethereum dual-chain solution14:06 Debate on evolving Bitcoin core protocol or confining innovation to Layer 214:46 Origin of Hemi model: flaws in Bitcoin infrastructure?15:53 Hemi's Proof of Proof mechanism and its enhancement of Bitcoin utility17:14 Risks of the Proof of Proof mechanism18:22 Role of Hemi Virtual Machine in Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems and its differences from other Layer 2 solutions20:08 Relationship between Hemi and projects like Lightning and Stacks (competition or complement)21:13 Hemi's interaction with existing infrastructure22:22 Compatibility between EVM and Bitcoin and potential application scenarios23:50 Hemi's financing and how partnerships aid its growth25:23 Reasons for investors' choice to invest in Hemi26:48 Non-financial support of Finance Lab for Hemi27:21 Response to Bitcoin community's doubts about financed projects28:51 Hemi's solutions for DeFi liquidity and scalability 29:44 Key milestones to attract more liquidity with $1B TVL 30:57 Testing phase insights for mainnet launch readiness 32:37 Challenges in launch plan and ensuring smooth rollout 33:41 Navigating regulations with Bitcoin security & Ethereum programmability 35:30 Attracting institutional investors to BTC & ETH 38:11 Bitcoin maximalism vs. multi-chain future--Hemi as a bridge
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EP-33 Story: Transforming IP into Programmable Assets
In this episode, we feature Jason Zhao, co-founder of Story, who delves into how Story leverages blockchain to transform IP management. Jason shares his background in AI and blockchain, explaining how Story converts IP into programmable assets. The platform addresses major issues in the traditional IP system, such as high costs, lack of transparency, and complex legal barriers. With the rapid growth of AI reshaping the IP landscape, Jason emphasizes that efficient IP management will become crucial for global industries. Story aims to serve as the foundational infrastructure for a global IP system and has already secured over $100 million in funding from investors like Stability AI and A16Z. Timeline:00:00 Opening & Introduction00:33 Jason's Background and Interest in Blockchain01:43 Story's Vision: Bringing IP On-Chain05:07 Why Address Modern IP Challenges07:51 Issues with Traditional IP Infrastructure10:17 How Story Enables a Global IP Framework14:37 Funding Journey and A16Z's Support18:20 Blockchain's Growing Influence on Global Institutions21:23 Story's Technical Innovation and Market Opportunity27:39 Core Technology: ERC-6551 Token-Bound Accounts30:17 Cross-Chain and System Interoperability Plans33:33 Mainnet Launch and Future Milestones
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EP-32 Interview with MicroStrategy Founder Michael Saylor
In this interview, Colin from WuBlockchain discussed the following topics with MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor, including: Will MicroStrategy continue acquiring Bitcoin indefinitely? Could MicroStrategy face risks in the future? How does he view the cyclical nature of cryptocurrencies and the potential upcoming bear market? Will MicroStrategy lend or stake Bitcoin to earn interest? What does he think about Asian companies imitating MicroStrategy? Will MicroStrategy develop its own Bitcoin network? How much Bitcoin does Michael personally hold, and why did he announce that he would destroy his private keys after his death? Does he still believe that "bank custody is safer than self-custody"? How does he view Trump's new policies and the idea of a national Bitcoin reserve? Is Bitcoin becoming too centralized in the U.S.? Is Bitcoin too expensive, accessible only to the wealthy and institutions? What are his thoughts on young people investing in memecoins? Is Bitcoin a religion? And what advice does he have for Chinese investors? Text summaryAs of February 9, 2025, MicroStrategy holds 478,740 BTC, with a total acquisition cost of $31.1 billion and an average purchase price of $65,033, making it the largest Bitcoin-holding entity in the world. Timeline:00:00 Introduce yourself and MicroStrategy02:03 Will MicroStrategy keep buying Bitcoin?03:23 Concerns about MicroStrategy's average purchase price04:30 Thoughts on Bitcoin price cycles and a possible bear market07:05 Will MicroStrategy lend or stake Bitcoin?08:34 How do you see Asian miners adopting MicroStrategy's strategy?09:45 Will MicroStrategy develop or support Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions?11:22 How much Bitcoin do you personally own? Any other crypto?12:02 Why not leave your Bitcoin to family or donate it after death?15:02 Are banks safer than self-custody for Bitcoin?19:55 How would Trump's election affect crypto? Would he create a national Bitcoin reserve?21:10 Is Bitcoin still decentralized?23:22 Are other cryptocurrencies worth considering? Thoughts on meme coins?29:30 Is Bitcoin too expensive for average investors?33:14 Will MicroStrategy continue promoting Bitcoin globally?36:10 Will Bitcoin's protocol evolve?38:45 Is Bitcoin a religion? How does it compare to meme coins?41:24 Any message for Chinese investors?
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EP-30 How It Won Recognition from Paradigm & a16z
This interview features Art Abal, Managing Director of Vana Foundation and co-founder of Vana Protocol. Vana focuses on empowering individuals to own and benefit from their data, addressing key challenges in AI and Web3 through innovations like Data DAOs and Data Liquidity Pools.Art discusses how Vana ensures data quality, engages its community, and differentiates itself from other Web3 projects. He also highlights the role of Vana tokens in governance and transactions, the speculative potential of dataset-specific tokens, and plans for the upcoming mainnet launch. This conversation provides a concise look at Vana’s mission to transform data ownership and unlock its value for AI.Text summary: wublockchain.medium.comTimeline:00:00 Background and founding purpose of Vana Protocol03:17 How did Vana establish its partnership with Paradigm?05:17 Key strengths that attracted Paradigm's investment06:07 Specific reasons why Paradigm recognized Vana's potential07:38 What strategic support did Paradigm provide beyond funding?09:57 Collaboration and interaction with the a16z team11:38 How does Vana stand out to attract investors in a competitive space?13:44 Thoughts on VC-backed projects and the rise of meme coins18:02 How does Vana build trust with data contributors and the community?21:00 How do data liquidity pools and Data DAOs operate?24:12 How is Vana different from other Web3 data projects?28:04 How does Vana ensure data quality, and what is the role of its token?30:09 Growth potential of dataset-specific tokens31:44 How does Vana secure user data and ensure privacy?34:11 Why was Telegram chosen as the platform for user interaction?36:38 Mainnet launch plans and future roadmap
A podcast from professional media brand WuBlockchain that discusses and analyzes important news in the crypto world, with a special focus on Asia. https://twitter.com/WuBlockchain
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