Colin and Sara are joined by a host of brilliant guests this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, including: Aman Kohli, CTO of Banking and Cap markets UKI at DXC Technology Isabel Woodford, Reporter at The Block Richard Crook, Director at LAB577 First up, we take a look at Project Libra. Facebook's long-rumored stablecoin will be at the center of a brand new payments network and is in discussions with payment networks Visa and Mastercard. The group discusses whether Fa...
May 09, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Simon and Colin are here this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. First up, we take a look at banking culture hindering blockchain adoption. Emmanuel Aidoo, the head of digital market assets at Credit Suisse, has stated - it is banking culture that has so far slowed the adoption of blockchain technology in the financial industry. Colin comments it's a refreshing thing to hear and that banks need to learn how to take small risks. Simon adds that companies moving from wh...
May 02, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Simon and Colin are here (well Simon is, Colin's still in a field) to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain this week. First up, we take a look at Societe Generale issuing the first covered bond as a security token on a public blockchain. Societe Generale SFH, the covered bond vehicle of Societe Generale, issued the first covered bond (EUR 100m) as a security token on a public blockchain. Colin remarks that as far as he can tell it appears to be a live transaction on the public E...
Apr 25, 2019•32 min
Simon and Colin are here this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. First up, we take a look at Blockstack Files With SEC to Raise $50 Million in Reg-A+ Crypto Token Sale. Blockstack, who aim to create the infrastructure for the decentralised internet, has announced it aims to raise $50m in a token sale that would leverage the SEC’s regulation A+ crowdfunding exemption. Colin comments that it's good that the process is being done correctly, it's right that they're doing ...
Apr 18, 2019•36 min
Simon and Colin are joined by a host of brilliant guests this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, including: Teana Baker-Taylor, Executive Director at GDF Todd McDonald, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer R3 Stephane Malrait, MD Global Head of Market Structure & Innovation for Financial Markets at ING Paul Gordon, Founder & Director of Coinscrum First up, we take a look at Big banks backing a new international blockchain alliance. Barclays, BBVA, Deutsche B...
Apr 11, 2019•54 min
Simon is in Singapore this week but he's not alone. He's joined by Antony Lewis, Director Digital Assets at R3 to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. First up, we take a look at Google adding hardware security extensions for Firefox and Edge browsers. Antony comments that the technology being used was developed by blockchain companies years ago and Simon adds that we might see an increase in this sort of thing happening across mainstream sectors (1:46). Next we talk about Bith...
Apr 04, 2019•48 min
Sara is joined by Tim Swanson, Founder and Director of Research at Post Oak Labs, this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. First up, we take a look at Bitwise ETF filing - The ‘real Bitcoin market. A majority of bitcoin trading volume is artificially created by unregulated exchanges, according to Bitwise Asset Management. The firm attached a report, in a bitcoin-based ETF submission, in which it collected and analyzed Bitcoin trading data, over four days in March, acro...
Mar 28, 2019•48 min
Colin and Simon are here in the studio to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, including: First up, we take a look at Binance Coin. The pair talk about why the cost has gone up so much and Simon comments that this isn't too dissimilar to a company doing a share buy-back to grow the value of the shares and if this makes the coin more like a security (01:26). Next we talk about Citi scrapping its plan for a JPM coin-lke bank-backed crypto having decided that other technologies pr...
Mar 21, 2019•56 min
Colin is joined by a host of brilliant guests this week to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain, including: Michael Coletta, Lead blockchain architect, LSEG Stefan Loesch, Managing Partner at LexByte Noelle Acheson, Editorial Producer at Coindesk Dr. Vic Arulchandran, COO Nivaura Ric Burton, CEO Balance Fair warning - this is a firey episode. First up, we take a look at claims that BitGo may have exaggerated its insurance coverage. One of the underwriters behind BitGo’s $100 mil...
Mar 14, 2019•57 min
Today we have a very special bonus episode of Blockchain Insider for you, from the Omaha blockchain summit we have a rare chance to get some real leaders in the field all together in the same room to discuss some of the most pressing issues in blockchain and how the industry is reacting to changes. Amber Baldet is joined by a roundtable of some very special blockchain guests including: Sandra Ro, CEO GBBC Steven Becker, President & COO MakerDAO Richard Burton, CEO Balance Ingrid Wadell, Dire...
Mar 12, 2019•26 min
Simon and Colin are joined by Antony Lewis, Director of Research, Cash & CBDC Strategy at R3. First up, Thailand has now approved a total of 4 cryptocurrencies. But the regulator has made clear that approval doesn't make the coins legal tender. Antony explains that there's a bit more going on here than meets the eye, it means that ICOs can accept the cryptocurrencies for funding (01:20). Next, it turns out that blockchain isn't the only option for APAC bankers. SWIFT is being touted as a gre...
Mar 07, 2019•1 hr
Simon and Colin are in the studio, together again. First up, Brazil's BTG Pactual is the latest bank to embrace crypto assets. Colin explains how the biggest sole investment bank in Brazil have been moving into the crypto-asset market, making them the first in South America to do so. Colin remarks how the real story is that a bank is letting people pay for things with crypto, it's interesting to see how this will work out and the pair dive into the story (01:17). Next, a Yen-pegged Stablecoin is...
Feb 28, 2019•57 min
Simon's in the studio joined by 11:FS Head of Delivery Adam Davis and David Nicol, Digital Assets at R3. First up, JPM Coin (01:12). You may have noticed that we're focusing pretty hard on this story but that's because it's huge news for crypto and we wanted to do a bit of a special on it. The panel gets into what makes this coin so special and why it's such a surprise to see JPM go in this direction. Adam shares why he thinks the term cryptocurrency is so loaded and argues that JPM Coin isn't r...
Feb 21, 2019•48 min
Simon's in the studio joined by Colin who's finally left his field. But they're not alone. Sara Feenan, Business Development Manager at Clearmatics, Anthony Macey Blockchain/DLT at Barclays and Ville Sointu, Head of Emerging Technologies at Nordea Bank. First up, There Is No Such Thing As 'Dormant Funds' In Banking 02:02 Simon and Colin explain how the money doesn't really exist with an intriguing AirBnB analogy. Anthony Macey explains how nostra vostra accounts work and what they really are, as...
Feb 14, 2019•52 min
Simon's back in the studio, Colin's standing near a field. And they're ready to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. Crypto Exchange Kraken Raises $100m, Acquires london Futures Firm 02:24 We ask if Kraken are pivoting to a more Coinbase-y model, if there's any significance raising money from OGs rather than VC and revist Colin's comments from last week. Swift links up with R3 for trading on blockchain 07:43 There's a lot of big words and acronyms going on in this story, but Co...
Feb 07, 2019•47 min
Simon's back in the studio joined by a very distant Colin to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. Chat App Kik Says It Will Fight SEC Over Possible ICO Action 01:36 Galaxy S10 Leak Suggests Built-In Cryptocurrency Wallet 11:46 Short strategy helped Multicoin Capital post solid 2018 results 22:30 Cryptos Would Only Have Value in ‘Dystopian’ Economy: JPMorgan 31:03 Research Firm Messari CEO: Threatening Calls After Critical XRP Report Were Made by ‘Punk Kids’ 40:23 We've got a gr...
Jan 31, 2019•59 min
Simon's back in the studio joined by a very distant Colin to talk about the latest and greatest news in blockchain. Core Ethereum devs push Constantinople upgrade out 6 weeks; ProgPoW decision put on hold 00:52 Sara Feenan explains it all 02:35 Was Bitcoin Really Manipulated 08:55 Beyond the doomsday economics of "proof-of-work" in cryptocurrencies 13:33 ING are working in partnership with R3 18:45 Ford to use Blockchain in pilot to trace cobalt mined in Congo 19:50 Binance targets EU-UK traders...
Jan 24, 2019•37 min
Colin and Sara are back in the studio joined by guests: Anthony Macey, Blockchain/DLT Lead at Barclays, Teana Baker-Taylor, Board Member at GDF and David Nicol, Digital Assets at R3. First up, Greenspan: XRP Not A Security But Community Still Too Aggressive 01:49 Bitmain to appoint new CEO as co-founders Wu & Zhan step aside 10:12 Federal Reserve Blames Altcoins for Dragging Down the Bitcoin Price 17:36 Institutional investors are just as prone to FOMO as retail, says Circle Trade exec 23:50...
Jan 17, 2019•1 hr 4 min
Simon's in the studio joined from a field by Colin. First up, Crypto’s 2019 goal: Technology people can use 02:01 7 legal questions that will define blockchain in 2019 06:57 Japan’s Mizuho Bank To Launch its Own Stablecoin By March, 2019 16:46 Stablecoin projects are paying rebates to traders, and it caused a big headache for Paxos 20:38 Crypto exchange Kraken says US subpoenas becoming ‘barrier to entry’ 24:48 City watchdog targets bitcoin dealing 28:49 Tesla stock on a blockchain offers hint o...
Jan 10, 2019•45 min
Far from a field, Simon and Colin are in the studio talking about what they think's going to happen around blockchain in 2019. First off, we take a look at some of the predictions from last year. Some worked out great...others not so much. For the predictions our hosts have some interesting theories and touch on quite a few... Before we get started with our predictions, Bitflyer COO Andy Bryant let us know what he thinks 2019 has in store for Crypto. Simon: The crypto part of "crypto" becomes mu...
Jan 03, 2019•34 min
Happy New Year's Eve to all of our listeners. To give you one last blockchain laugh before the end of the year we've got a quick collection of the stumbles, fumbles and absurdly mispronounced names from all the recordings this year. Lots of mispronounced names, it's Simon after all. This is the stuff that doesn't usually make it in. We hope you have a great celebration tonight and enjoy our blockchain bloopers! Produced by Petrit Berisha. Edited by Alex Woodhouse.
Dec 27, 2018•5 min
Simon's in the studio with Teana Baker-Taylor of GDF and John Detrixhe, Future of Finance Reporter at Quartz. First up, Mike Novogratz Explains Why He’s Still All-In on Crypto. We look at what’s next for cryptocurrencies, how strategy for Galaxy evolved as crypto imploded and if there's still a sense of inevitability around crypto. This Brazilian Bank Is Using Ethereum to Issue a Stablecoin. State owned, Brazilian national social development bank will launch pilot in Jan 2019. Since the bank has...
Dec 20, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Simon's in the studio...and Colin's coming to us from a field. In our first interview from our new offices in Devonshire Square we're talking to Vitalik Buterin about blockchain and Ethereum. We dive deep into a wide array of topics, so don't be afraid to rewind when you need to. Our hosts ask the founder of Ethereum some interesting questions on the blockchain as a whole, smart contracts, gatekeeping partcipants and the uses of blockchain outside of financial incentives. We hope you enjoy the s...
Dec 13, 2018•54 min
Simon's in the studio with Sara Feenan. First up, Bitfinex Raises Fiat Withdrawal Fee, New Hardware Wallet Announced. The Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange now charges at least $60/€60, or 0.1 percent of the withdrawn amount. Users who want 24-hour money transfers on working days will have to pay a 1 percent fee. Bitmain Faces $5 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Unauthorized Crypto Mining. On Nov. 19, lead plaintiff Los Angeles County resident Gor Gevorkyan Bitmain, alleging that the firm’s de...
Nov 29, 2018•34 min
Simon's in the studio with Adi Ben Ari, Founder of Applied Blockchain. First up, the SEC settles Securities Registration charges against 2 ICO startups. The SEC’s announcement centred on two firms: CarrierEQ Inc., also known as Airfox, and Paragon Coin Inc., both of which conducted token sales last year. Airfox raised $15 million through its sale, while Paragon raised $12 million. After Friday’s SEC actions, experts say ICO party ‘Is truly over’. U.S. regulator stated that “there is a path to co...
Nov 22, 2018•44 min
Simon's in the studio with Teana Baker-Taylor from the GDF and Patrick Mang, Innovation Lead for Global Markets at HSBC. First up, China Lifts Bitcoin Ban; Individuals and Businesses Can Now Own Cryptocurrencies Legally. Bitcoin (BTC) is now recognized as a legal asset to be owned, transferred and utilized as a medium of payment for goods and services in China as decreed by the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration after ordering the Bitcoin ban in 2017. Fake News: China Did Not End its Cr...
Nov 15, 2018•1 hr 7 min
Simon and Colin are in the studio with Alex Batlin, Founder and CEO of Trustology. First up, Bitcoin turns 10. Halloween 2008 Bitcoin was born, although it wasn't traded until a couple of years later we take a look at what BTC has given us in the last 10 years, if it's here to stay and what's in store for the future of Bitcoin. Why “the Institutionalization of Cryptocurrency” is a paradox. Jackson Palmer writes that If you stay up-to-date with the cryptocurrency news cycle, a recent trend you ma...
Nov 08, 2018•43 min
Live from Money20/20 USA, we start this episode with an in-depth interview with Marco Santori on where the crypto industry is right now. We also have a panel on the relationship between crypto investors and regulators. Regulation is evolving but remains patchy, with uncertainty on issues ranging from exchanges and ICOs to securities laws. As institutional players move into crypto, these issues have taken on a new urgency. Tanaya Macheel from Cheddar, Marco Santori, the "Dean of Blockchain lawyer...
Nov 01, 2018•55 min
Sara is in the studio with Noelle Acheson, Editor at Coindesk, Vinay Gupta, CEO at Mattereum, Teana Baker-Taylor, on the Advisory Board at GDF. First up, Two-thirds fail cryptocurrency agents exam. Under the Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Act coming into force in November, financial services practitioners looking to act as agents in the field, which includes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, had to undergo a short training course and sit for an exam, the first of which took place in September. Sour...
Oct 25, 2018•46 min
Simon and Sara are in the studio with Hugh Karp, Founder of Nexus Mutual. First up, Fidelity launches company to facilitate crypto trading. Fidelity has launched a company to facilitate cryptocurrency trading for hedge funds, endowments and family offices. The Boston-based investment giant said it would offer institutional investors access to “enterprise-quality custody and trade execution services” for cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin or ethereum, as a first step towards creating a full platfo...
Oct 18, 2018•1 hr 1 min
