Stonks Go Moon

Is AI actually in a bubble… or are we looking in the wrong place?In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom sits down with Itamar Novick, Founder and General Partner at Recursive Ventures, operator, investor, and one of the early minds behind scaling companies from startup to IPO. The discussion dives deep into the current AI landscape, separating hype from reality and asking where the real opportunities are emerging.While everyone is slapping “AI-powered” onto products, Itamar argues the real bubble isn't AI applications — it's AI infrastructure. Data centers, energy, large language models, and the underlying stack are attracting enormous attention, while the real application layer may still be early.⚡ Topics covered:Are we in an AI bubble or an infrastructure bubble?Why vibe coding may be one of AI's first real winnersWill white-collar jobs disappear?AI and the future of reskilling the workforceWhy governments, VCs, and big AI companies all share responsibilityAI in sales, content creation, and autonomous agentsAdvice for founders raising capital in the AI eraWhy VCs no longer fund ideas — they fund tractionThe rules for startups are changing. The barrier to building has dropped dramatically, but standing out may be harder than ever.

What if Bitcoin wasn’t just something you hold… but something you actually use every day?In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom sits down with Ben Blaine from MoneyBadger to unpack a quiet shift happening in South Africa right now:You can walk into a store, scan a QR code, and pay with Bitcoin - instantly.No banks. No selling. No friction.We break down:How Bitcoin payments actually work in real-world retailThe role of Lightning wallets and QR paymentsWhy major retailers like Pick'n Pay are already liveThe surprising adoption is happening across thousands of storesWhy this could completely change how people think about moneyFrom surf towns using Bitcoin to pay kids...to grocery stores accepting crypto at checkout.

Quantum computing just went from “sci-fi” to “this might break things sooner than we thought.”In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom sits down with Ian Smith (Quantum EVM) to unpack Google’s latest research and why it’s not just a crypto problem, but a global systems problem.Google’s findings suggest modern encryption could be broken within the next decade, potentially as early as 2029.That impacts far more than Bitcoin.We’re talking about:Financial systemsMilitary infrastructureAI accelerationGlobal data securityCrypto just happens to be the canary in the coal mine.In this episode:What Google actually revealed about quantum computingWhy current encryption across industries is vulnerableThe real timeline to “Q-Day”US vs China in the quantum raceWhy crypto communities are underestimating the riskWhat needs to happen before impact

Cars sit parked about 95% of the time, while people struggle with rising mobility costs. EV prices are volatile, and cities are trying to reduce emissions without building more infrastructure. So a new question is emerging: What if mobility isn't about owning bigger fleets, but unlocking the ones that already exist?In this episode, Rei Vardi, founder of Eon, shares how he built a national virtual fleet of premium electric vehicles without raising venture capital. Eon is like Airbnb for EVs, a peer-to-peer platform combined with advanced tech that makes renting shockingly easy and fully contactless.Book exactly the car you want, verify via facial scan and ID in the app, and use your phone as a Bluetooth key. No counters, no paperwork, no talking to the owner - just walk up, unlock, and drive.Rei dives deep into:• His origin story: Taking over his dad's 2015 Tesla Model S in college, trying to rent it out manually, and facing disasters (scratches, smoking, dents, late returns, and even one renter using the car in a bank robbery).• Why raw peer-to-peer car sharing is risky (like "handing someone a gun") and how Eon automates handoffs, insurance, education, and support to make it safe and passive for owners.• Why Eon focuses exclusively on EVs: to accelerate adoption, increase utilization for greater carbon impact, and leverage the most advanced in-car tech.• Bootstrapping through near-shutdowns, VC pitching struggles (wrong timing in mobility, burned investors, profitability vs. hypergrowth), living in a van in San Francisco, and why going solo allowed sustainable building.• Real impact: Thousands of cars in the network, major customers like Netflix and Four Seasons, owners earning passive income from idle cars, and renters converting to EV buyers.

DeFi was supposed to make capital more efficient. Instead, it created a new kind of fragmentation.In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom sits down with MacBrennan Peet, founder of Project 0, to talk about why DeFi users still get stuck with scattered collateral, disconnected venues, poor capital efficiency, and unnecessary liquidation risk. Project 0 is building a prime brokerage layer on Solana designed to unify portfolio management across venues like Kamino, Drift, and Jupiter Lend.MacBrennan’s background is unusually deep for someone still so young. He started trading biotech and pharma names as a teenager, later worked on projects with Morgan Stanley and in private equity, helped build marginfi, and has spent years inside Solana DeFi infrastructure. That background shows up in this conversation because this is not a hype-driven crypto interview. It is a practical discussion about market structure, fragmented liquidity, basis trades, unified margin, and what DeFi still gets wrong.We get into:why DeFi became more fragmented even though blockchains were supposed to unify everythinghow users lose yield and capital efficiency when assets sit across multiple venueswhy “unified margin” matters more than most retail users realizehow Project 0 is approaching Kamino, Drift, and Jupiter integrationsthe difference between DeFi-native opportunities and simply rebuilding TradFi onchainwhy Solana is becoming a serious environment for more advanced trading infrastructurewhat comes next once lending and perps are tied together more efficientlyOne of the most interesting ideas in this episode is that DeFi may not win by copying traditional finance feature for feature. It may win by leaning harder into what only onchain systems can do well: composability, speed, transparency, and new forms of capital efficiency. That is where Project 0 is aiming.

Stablecoins aren't just surviving crypto winters; they're exploding into the backbone of global finance. In this episode of Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom talks with Chunda McCain, Co-Founder of Paxos Labs, about how regulated stablecoins are quietly becoming the most-used digital dollars on EarthFrom powering PayPal's PYUSD (now billions in circulation) to cross-chain compliance, trust, and enterprise adoption, Chunda explains why stablecoins won over memecoins, NFTs, and much of DeFi (for now). He shares war stories from building in tough regulatory times, how Paxos navigated uncharted territory to issue branded assets, and why more branded stablecoins are coming.Key highlights:Why stablecoins are the foundational layer for all finance (faster, cheaper, better margins)Enterprise crypto is thriving while grassroots is in chaosPaxos Labs helps companies issue branded stablecoins, generate yield, borrow against assets, and go full crypto without breaking rulesChunda's journey: Bitcoin whitepaper at ~12 → DeFi epiphany inspired by his grandfather's restaurantFuture: Once companies integrate stablecoins, DeFi yields are next

While U.S. headlines obsess over ETFs and enforcement, Asia is quietly building.In this episode, Rocco Strydom sits down with Marc Liew, Head of APAC at Jito, to unpack how stablecoins, staking, and Solana infrastructure are reshaping institutional crypto adoption across Asia.Marc’s background spans R3, Ripple, PayPal, and years inside cross-border payments. He has been in the room with regulators, central banks, and financial institutions as they experimented with CBDCs, stablecoins, and blockchain settlement rails.Now at Jito, he’s focused on institutional-grade staking infrastructure on Solana.What We Cover:Why stablecoins found product-market fit in Asia before the U.S.How remittances are accelerating real crypto adoptionWhy institutions are entering crypto through ETFs instead of direct on-chain tokenizationThe difference between traditional staking and Jito’s liquid staking modelMEV rewards and how they change staking economicsSolana’s infrastructure upgrades and block assembly marketplaceWhy decentralization matters for regulatorsThe growing convergence between AI agents and crypto paymentsWhy Asia leads in retail adoption, but the U.S. still leads institutionallyFrom Payments to Web3Marc shares his early “aha” moment when blockchain settlement clicked for him:If we can send a text in milliseconds, why can’t we move money the same way?That question led him from traditional payments into Web3 in 2016, deep into CBDCs, stablecoins, and now into building yield-generating infrastructure on Solana.The Big ThemeCrypto is maturing.Stablecoins are no longer theoretical. Institutions are no longer experimenting quietly. Liquid staking is evolving into a capital efficiency tool rather than just passive yield.And Asia isn’t debating whether crypto works. They’re deciding how to deploy it.

Markets feel louder than ever, but somehow less clear.In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom sits down with Matt Ober, Managing Partner at Social Leverage, to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface of today’s markets.With AI-generated research flooding Twitter, Substack, and trading platforms and capital pouring into anything labeled “AI” even professional investors are struggling to separate real signal from machine-amplified noise.Matt brings a rare perspective shaped by:Building data systems inside quantitative hedge fundsBuying and operationalizing alternative data before AI was mainstreamServing as Chief Data Scientist at a major activist hedge fundNow backing early-stage founders simplifying finance instead of overcomplicating itIn this conversation, we break down:Why “alternative data” is no longer alternative, it’s just dataHow AI is changing market sentiment, research, and investor behaviorWhy email, ownership of audience, and direct distribution still matterHow consumption-based data pricing could reshape finance and AI economicsWhat founders misunderstand about AI, noise, and real leverageIt’s a grounded look at how markets, media, and investing are evolving in an AI-saturated world and what still actually matters.

Most founders still believe scale means hiring faster.Amos Bar-Joseph doesn’t.In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, we break down how Swan AI is building what may be one of the first truly AI-native companies — a business where autonomous agents handle outbound sales, lead qualification, research, and execution, while just three humans focus on strategy and creativity.We go deep into:Why the traditional startup “hire → burn → raise” loop is breakingHow AI agents can replace entire go-to-market teams without killing qualityThe idea of revenue per employee as the real metric that matters nowWhat “zone of genius” actually means in an AI-first workplaceWhy future companies may scale intelligence instead of headcountThis isn’t theory.This is a live experiment in how businesses may actually run over the next decade.If you’re a founder, operator, or investor trying to understand where AI is really going — this conversation will challenge how you think about work, teams, and scale.

Founders love talking strategy.But strategy doesn’t break companies; people do.In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom sits down with Chris Hallberg, a military veteran, entrepreneur, and EOS coach who has scaled and exited companies through some of the toughest economic cycles in modern history.As AI accelerates execution and pressure inside companies intensifies, Chris explains why leadership failures show up long before financial ones and how weak systems, misaligned teams, and tolerated bad behavior quietly kill growth.This is a grounded conversation about what actually breaks when companies scale.In this episode:Why the right people matter more than perfect systemsHow culture degrades when leaders avoid hard decisionsThe six core components that determine whether a business scales or stallsWhy vision without execution is hallucinationWhen remote work works and when it failsHow AI exposes leadership blind spots instead of replacing humansWhy smaller, aligned teams will outperform bloated orgs in the AI eraThis episode is for founders, operators, and leaders navigating growth without losing control of their company or themselves.

$2.7 TRILLION erased from the S&P 500 as Bitcoin plunges to a 7-month low around $88K. Is this the end of the bull run... or the perfect coiled spring for a massive rebound?In this explosive episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom goes deep with Wenny Cai, COO of SynFutures – the #1 decentralized perpetuals DEX on Base and one of the fastest-growing DeFi derivatives platforms.Wenny pulls back the curtain on what REALLY happened beneath the headlines:Why derivatives amplified the drop (and cleared out excessive leverage)The key difference between retail panic and sophisticated players' calm hedgingWhy open interest and funding rates show this is an orderly deleveraging, not a full-blown crashSmart money already bidding at $70-75K – signaling a maturing marketAltcoin season? We might have missed it (AI agents peaked, now RWAs are next)SynFutures' massive upgrades coming Q1 2026: Own infrastructure, tokenized stocks/RWAs, bridging TradFi & DeFi liquidity

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Tamara Laine, founder and CEO of MPWR, to break down how AI and behavioral data are reshaping access to credit for gig workers, freelancers, creators, and underbanked founders.Tamara started as a freelancer, won top journalism awards, and now runs a fintech startup building AI-driven lending infrastructure for the new economy. We unpack why banks still struggle with irregular income, how agentic AI models assess real creditworthiness, and why ethical AI decisions now sit squarely with founders.In this episode:Why traditional banks fail gig workersHow AI models assess thin-file and irregular incomeThe rise of agentic systems in fintechWhy female-founded companies still face funding gapsEthical AI in finance and who is accountable

Most people still think AI is just a chatbot on a screen. That era is already over.AI is now signing transactions, executing smart contracts, interacting with DAOs, and moving assets onchain without a human clicking a single button. This is not AI for Web3. This is AI becoming an onchain actor.In this episode, Dana Love, founder of Poohbah AI, joins the show to unpack what happens when autonomous AI agents can execute, transact, and govern directly on the blockchain — no middle layer, no human in the loop.We break down:How AI agents are now interacting directly with smart contracts and DAOsWhy Web3 has locked out 99 percent of buildersThe real reason decentralization is both Web3’s biggest strength and its biggest weaknessWhether AI agents can ever have legal standing or ownershipWhy “code is law” was always a lieHow Poohbah AI turns ideas into onchain execution using low-code and no-code toolsThe rise of the “virtual co-founder” and what that means for startups and VCsWhere AI hallucinations come from and why they are not going awayQuote from the episode:“The law is law. Code is code. Have fun figuring out the difference.” — Dana LoveIf AI can execute, transact, and govern onchain, the real question is simple:What exactly are humans still in charge of?

In this episode, Daniel Martin, COO of JobJack, breaks down how the platform is automating frontline recruitment across South Africa. JobJack replaces travel, paper, and manual screening with mobile-first hiring, psychometric assessments built for the local market, and fast matching that connects employers with job seekers in hours instead of weeks.We unpack:Why traditional entry-level hiring fails both businesses and job seekersHow paper CVs and manual screening silently hurt retention and productivityThe hidden cost of bad hires, discipline cases, and turnoverWhy JobJack runs assessments before interviews, not afterHow mobile-based hiring removes the R900 monthly cost job seekers faceReal results from major employers in retail, logistics, and QSRWhat it takes to scale hiring tech in one of the toughest labour marketsWith over 50,000 people placed into jobs, JobJack is proving that better hiring isn’t just about speed. It’s about fairness, fit, and long-term impact on the economy.

Retail investing is having a moment. Markets are volatile, AI is everywhere, and busy professionals are trying to build wealth using tools designed two decades ago. Tradesk, led by Eric Chu, wants to change that.It is a mobile-first brokerage built for real people with real jobs. Clear design. Calm decision-making. And an AI co-pilot that supports investors instead of overwhelming them.In this episode we unpack:Why most retail platforms feel like casinosThe “intimidation gap” and why professionals freeze when markets moveHow Tradesk builds confidence with paper trading, thematic investing, and recurring strategiesWhat Eric learned from two decades on Wall Street, starting in the chaos of 2008How AI can become your investing assistant instead of another distractionWhere Tradesk fits in a world of Robinhood, eToro, and legacy brokeragesQuote to remember:“Busy professionals want clarity, not chaos. Our job is to remove fear and simplify the path to long-term wealth.” — Eric Chu

Screens are everywhere, but AR is finally breaking out of the frame. Michael Guerin, CEO of Imvizar, is building reality-layered storytelling, from European museums to immersive trails in Ireland and now a major rollout in Hollywood.In this episode, we unpack how AR is moving from gimmick to global storytelling infrastructure, why VR stumbled, and what true spatial computing means for brands, creators, and fan experiences.In this episode:Why AR creates emotional impact VR can’tSnap Spectacles, Meta glasses, and the fight for real-world computingThe Hollywood AR takeover, Chinese Theatre & Dolby Theatre experiencesSports, culture & tourism: the next multi-billion-dollar AR opportunity“AI slop” fatigue and why people crave meaningful real-world techInvisar’s new no-code platform for building location-based AR anywhere

Everyone’s talking about AI, automation, and the next big tool. But Barbara Wittmann, founder of the Digital Wisdom Collective, says the real upgrade isn’t in the tech - it’s in us.Her framework has helped over 100 tech leaders build a mindset that evolves as fast as the machines around it.In this episode, Rocco Strydom and Barbara explore:Why Accenture, Amazon, and other giants are struggling to balance AI with peopleHow companies can embed human infrastructure into digital transformationThe dangers of one-off AI consulting and why continuous training winsEmpowering the “middle layer” - the real innovators inside organizationsHow smaller firms can outpace big tech through culture and adaptabilityWhy Europe’s cautious approach to AI could actually be its secret advantageQuote to Remember:“The survival of the wisest matters more than the speed of the machine.” — Barbara Wittmann

What happens when intimacy becomes a transaction? When validation feels like a drug and “love” turns into labor? Author Justin Bridges (pen name) joins Rocco Strydom to unpack his explosive new novel, Service, a thinly veiled fiction about a tennis pro who spirals through sex/love addiction, hits bottom, and finds recovery.We dig into:Masculinity myths, dopamine loops, and why “rescue” isn’t loveThe porn/AI economy and industrialized intimacyParasocial fandoms, OnlyFans, and algorithmic wiringAbstinence, 12-step recovery, and rebuilding self-worthWhy community (not clicks) is the antidote to isolation

While global ride-hailing giants take up to 25% from every trip, Bro Cabs takes zero.Founded by Persy and Msizi, this Johannesburg-based startup is flipping the power dynamic in mobility by putting drivers first — a radical move in an industry dominated by global platforms like Uber and Bolt.From challenging e-hailing laws in Parliament to running grassroots activations across Joburg, Bro is building a movement around fairness, local innovation, and shared value. Their app is subscription-based — R600 a month, flat — and drivers keep 100% of their earnings.In this episode, Rocco Strydom dives into how they’re scaling the business, what makes South Africa a testing ground for global disruption, and how tech, talent, and purpose collide when you decide to take on the giants.What You’ll LearnWhy Bro charges zero commission — and how that works sustainablyHow South African founders are building tech with local contextThe real economics behind ride-hailing and driver payoutsLessons from bootstrapping a tech startup without VC backingWhy Uber drivers are leaving and what Bro learned from itThe road to Africa-wide expansion — and what comes nextQuote to Remember“We’re not just building an app — we’re building a fair system where drivers finally win.” — Persy, Co-Founder of Bro Cabs

Startups love to talk about product, markets, and money. But when hypergrowth hits, people ops is where things break, hiring goes sideways, culture frays, and compliance gets ignored until it’s too late.In this episode, Dr. Michelle Griffin, founder of Griffin Resources, joins Rocco Strydom to unpack how companies can stay human while scaling fast. The conversation kicks off with Accenture’s recent decision to cut 11 000 jobs , citing AI reskilling challenges and explores whether that’s a warning sign for every industry facing automation.What You’ll LearnWhy big firms like Accenture are struggling to “reskill” for AIHow AI is transforming HR, payroll, and workforce planningThe first people systems every startup needs before scalingWhen founders should not outsource HR or accountingHow to protect culture when growth or M&A hits hardWhy listening beats speed in 2025’s hiring landscape

Algorithmic trading is finally getting democratized. Robert Grzesik, founder of Botspot and LumiWealth, has built a platform where anyone can turn plain English prompts into live trading bots — no coding required.In this episode, we dive into how AI is reshaping the trading landscape, why execution is becoming instant, and how the line between idea and deployment is shrinking fast.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Botspot turns English prompts into fully functional trading botsWhy AI is closing the gap between strategy and executionThe power of backtesting and live data to improve performanceHow market signals like tweets and Reddit posts can influence automated tradingThe vision for a bot marketplace where you can buy and sell strategiesWhy democratizing algo trading makes markets more efficient and fairUpcoming features: AI agents, analytics, and monetization for creatorsQuote to Remember“We’re not just hiding the code — we’re giving you a flowchart, a plain-English explanation, and the data to make better trades.” — Robert Grzesik

Half-built businesses often collapse under their own success. Without governance, compliance, and succession planning, big wins become fragile legacies. My guest today, Remco Coerman, has spent more than 25 years advising entrepreneurs, investors, and family offices across Africa and the Middle East. He helps build the scaffolding behind businesses, ensuring wealth and impact survive beyond the first generation.In this episode:What the global minimum tax really means for founders and multinationalsWhy “substance and structure” are now essential in low-tax jurisdictions like the UAEGovernance as the foundation for scaling family officesWhy talent and technology follow strong structuresHow to design investment committees and Chinese walls to avoid conflict of interestLessons from advising families where succession planning went wrongWhy only a third of family businesses survive to the second generationWhen it makes sense to start a family office and how little as €200,000 can get you started abroadThe UK’s tax crunch, inheritance tax, and why more families are moving to the UAEQuote to remember:“You need a system stronger than family emotions.”

AI at work is more than chatbots. Ravenna is rebuilding internal support systems with modern helpdesk and automation tools designed for Slack, Teams, and everyday workflows. After raising $15 million from top investors like Madrona and Khosla, co-founder and CEO Taylor Halliday (ex-Zapier Engineering / AI lead) joins to talk product, market fit, and what AI really means for operations.In this episode:Why legacy help desks needed rethinkingWhat Ravenna builds beyond bots and macrosLessons from Zapier: deeper automation vs simple integrationsThe listening tour that shaped Ravenna’s directionHow they landed $15M in fundingUsing AI to improve efficiency, not just replace peopleCompeting in a mature internal ops space while staying nimbleWhat real feedback does for product growthWhere AI architecture may plateau, and how Ravenna is preparingRavenna’s roadmap: Slack first UX, analytics, scaling

Most athletes are more than players. They are brands, investors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. But until now, getting reliable data on endorsements, reps, front office contacts and off-field ventures has meant sifting through rumours and broken links. AthleteAgent.com, formerly OSDB, has rebranded and launched a subscription product that aims to solve that problem. Think IMDb for sports people, with verified contact data and a focus on accessibility for brands, agencies and fans.In this episode:Why AthleteAgent pivoted from a broad sports portal to a focused contact and outreach platformHow the team validated a market need: thousands of monthly users asking for reps and contact info, not stats or editorialWhat makes AthleteAgent different from an AI scrape or a Google search: verified emails and phones, multilayer validation, and industry relationships that unlock previously guarded contactsPricing and model decisions, and why a subscription made sense for teams both large and smallReal user impact, from LinkedIn execs who got replies in hours to minor league teams reconnecting with playersRoadmap priorities: current pro athletes first, later expansion into retired players, NIL and underserved sports like UFC, cricket and lacrosseSafety and trust measures, and how AthleteAgent responds when agents request changes to contact listingsWhy it mattersAthleteAgent.com is built for people who need verified access, fast. For brands and PR teams that used to waste days chasing the right rep, it can be a time saver that pays for itself in a few outreach wins. For athletes, it creates new revenue pathways by making them discoverable for local deals and media opportunities without sacrificing control.Quote to remember"We're not selling gossip. We're selling access with verification. If an email bounces, why would anyone pay for it?"

Most marketing is smoke and mirrors: follower counts, empty impressions, “we went viral!” moments that never move revenue. My guest, Ethan Monkhouse, says the agency game is over. As founder of Naviro (Naviro.ai), he’s building a live-intent graph that tracks who cares, not who clicks - decoding millions of behavioral signals to engineer real digital revenue.In this episode:Why “going viral” usually hurts your funnel (wrong audience, noisy signals)The shift from attention economy to intent economyHow Naviro infers true personality types behind online behavior, then maps content “personality” to maximize resonanceThe surprise finding: opposites attract! Polar-opposite content often hooks bestSentiment that matters: comments that show “I feel seen” beat generic engagementCommunity beats influencers: why trust in paid promos is collapsing and referrals/advocacy convert bestUsing AI without sounding like AI: let models do the heavy lifting, you add the human edgeTrend surfing without FOMO: filtering what’s relevant to your pillars and audience stageQuote to remember:“Don’t measure reach. Measure resonance. The goal isn’t views, it’s viewers who feel seen.”

AI got centralized. Crypto promised the opposite. What happens when you mash them together?On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Rocco Strydom speaks with Shashank, co-founder of Gaia, the decentralized AI network now running 700,000 active nodes and powering trillions of inferences. From ex–Chief Investment Officer to Web3 builder, Shashank bridges founder and fund.In this conversation:How Gaia works: open-source agent nodes, domain-node architecture, and staking mechanics.Why decentralization matters when AI models are locked up by a handful of companies.The story of how Gaia’s founders met on a boat in LA.Pilots with NASA, Qualcomm, LA Fashion Week, and 180+ Web3 projects including ConsenSys and MetaMask.The launch of a Samsung Galaxy AI phone at Korean Blockchain Week.Why agents may soon outnumber humans—and what that means for business, finance, and everyday life.“We think agents are the next big point of interaction for humanity, whether it’s commerce, social media, or education.” – Shashank

When your guest doesn’t show, what do you do? You call in AI.Streaming from South Africa to the world, Rocco Strydom is joined by Chatty aka ChatGPT, for a first-of-its-kind Stonks Go Moon episode.In this unfiltered conversation:The state of generative AI video: from VEO3 to challengers like Lumiere and Pika Labs.Why current AI video is more “showpiece” than “solution” and when it could actually disrupt industries.The impact on creators and platforms like Fiverr, and how freelancers can adapt by incorporating AI.A heavy topic: the lawsuit after a teenager misused an AI model, and what it means for AI guardrails and responsibility.Speculating like PolyMarket: what are the odds the courts rule against AI companies in cases of harm?

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Gabriel Jiménez, founder of Ugly Cash, to unpack how he built a stablecoin-based financial platform, first in Venezuela’s hostile regulatory climate, now reaching users across Latin America, Africa, and the U.S.In this conversation:Tackling 188% inflation and a collapsing bolívar by building crypto solutions where the state had said it was banned—until regulators invited him in via the central bank.How he turned political silence into legal entry by positioning crypto as a technical lifeline, not a partisan issue.The origin and philosophy behind the name Ugly Cash—a provocative alternative to traditional banking designed to provoke thinking and stand out.How Ugly Cash enables global financial access: stablecoin wallets, Visa cards, remittances, and high-yield APYs, all in a single app.A bold vision: reaching 100 million users to provide equal financial services worldwide—not just trading tools, but real opportunity.“Crypto is one of our tools—not the only one. I’m not dogmatic about crypto. I’m dogmatic about access to financial services.” – Gabriel Jiménez

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom talks with Curt Hopkins, CEO of MCQ Markets, about how blockchain is moving from crypto-native hype into the heart of global finance.With over $100 billion invested by banks in blockchain infrastructure since 2020, and giants like Goldman Sachs and HSBC running tokenized trades, Hopkins explains why Wall Street is finally embracing blockchain, how regulation is shifting, and where tokenization is opening new markets.In this conversation:Why banks are becoming the biggest blockchain adoptersHow regulation and innovation are pulling crypto back to the USThe rise of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and treasury marketsExotic cars, handbags, and the next wave of alternative asset tokenizationWhy EVs won’t stop classic car collecting — and how MCQ Markets is creating access for everyday investors“The most profitable business in the world on a per-employee basis is Tether. That drives banks crazy.” – Curt Hopkins

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Preston Van Loon, co-founder of Prysmatic Labs and core Ethereum developer, to celebrate Ethereum’s 10-year milestone of 100% uptime and look ahead at the future of the network.Van Loon, who helped lead the Prysm client during Ethereum’s historic transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, explains what makes Ethereum’s architecture so resilient, the challenges of keeping nodes running, and why the next decade will be about scaling Ethereum for mass adoption.In this conversation:How Ethereum achieved 10 years of uninterrupted uptimeThe behind-the-scenes challenges of running nodes at scaleThe transition to proof-of-stake and the role of PrysmThe roadmap for scaling Ethereum with faster blocks and L2sWhy stablecoins and institutions continue to bet on EthereumWhat Ethereum needs to enable everyday use in the next decade“We want to go from novelty to commodity. I want to buy groceries with Ethereum like it’s cash.” – Preston Van Loon

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom talks with Ali Din, CEO of Premier NX and former executive at ADP and Indeed, about why the mid-market is the overlooked battleground for AI adoption.Ali makes the case that AI is no longer optional for companies caught in the middle — too big to be scrappy, too small to have innovation labs. He explains why financial planning and analysis, scenario modeling, and business operations are prime areas for AI transformation, and why building an “AI muscle” is critical before it’s too late.In this conversation:Why mid-market companies are already behind if they aren’t experimenting with AIHow scenario planning and FP&A can make businesses shockproofThe importance of building internal AI champions without big budgetsWhy Excel still runs the world, and how AI can work alongside itThe role of co-sourcing and “human in the loop” approachesWhat a successful AI-ready mid-market company will look like in 2025“Mid-market companies can have the agility of a startup, but the capabilities of an enterprise.” – Ali Din

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Arrash Yasavolian, CEO of Taoshi, to explore how AI, crypto, and decentralized finance are converging to open elite trading strategies to everyone, not just hedge funds and insiders.Built on Bittensor, Taoshi is creating one of the top-performing AI trading networks in the world, turning the prop trading model on its head. Instead of predatory practices and low payout caps, Taoshi rewards top traders, combines their strategies, and makes them available to the public via Glitch, its SaaS platform.In this conversation:How decentralized prop trading works and why it’s a first of its kindWhy most prop firms want traders to fail The role of AI and machine learning in finding winning strategiesBuilding an open hedge fund for the many, not the fewThe challenges of scaling a sub-second latency trading platformThe goal to become the biggest prop firm in the world“Built for the many, not the few.” – Arrash Yasavolian

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Bigga$tate, the Chicago mogul, rapper, and celebrity publicist turning viral moments into global business plays.From being homeless as a kid to closing WWE sponsorships for his new single Safari, Bigga$tate breaks down:How he turned rejection into fuelWhat artists don’t know about brand deals and perpetuity clausesWhy AI in music is both a revolution and a warning signThe playbook for turning clout into capitalHow he’s signing and mentoring young artists to avoid industry traps

On episode 200 of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom welcomes Brian Kenny, Co-Founder and CEO of Momntum, for a conversation about what’s really broken in customer service and how AI can fix it.Brian shares how Leila, Momntum’s emotionally intelligent AI, is changing the game by not just responding to customer queries, but actually building relationships. From remembering your last appointment to checking in on how your dog is doing months later, Leila’s not just a chatbot; she’s a trust engine that turns CX into ROI.Rocco and Brian also explore:Why most AI chatbots fall short of real customer needsThe role of "Relationship Language Models" (RLMs) in modern businessPrivacy, consent, and setting ethical guardrails for AI behaviorReal-world results from Leila's deployment at clinics like SISUWhat makes customers stay loyal and how to measure thatIf you're building a customer-facing business, this is one episode you can’t afford to miss. It’s AI with empathy.🔗 Learn more: https://momntum.com🎧 Subscribe for more: linktr.ee/SGMPodcast

How do you tokenize equity legally without ending up on the SEC’s radar?In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Joris Delanoue, Co-Founder of Fairmint, to unpack how streaming equity, token warrants, and the Open Cap Table Protocol are transforming the financial infrastructure behind startups. With over $1B in tokenized equity already flowing through Fairmint's rails, this isn't theory; it's happening.We talk about:🔹 Why SAFTs are dead🔹 How Fairmint is bringing Wall Street on-chain🔹 The real role of lawyers in a DeFi world🔹 What happens when capitalism becomes composableIf you've ever wondered what "fixing capitalism" looks like in code, this is it.📍 Powered by curiosity. Built for the next era of finance.🔗 Learn more: https://fairmint.com🎧 Subscribe for more episodes: linktr.ee/SGMPodcast

In this episode, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Michael Mo, CEO of KULR, a NASA-grade energy management and manufacturing company turning heads with its Bitcoin-first treasury strategy, blockchain-secured supply chain, and AI-enhanced exoskeleton robotics.Topics we cover:How KULR tech powers the Mars rover, ISS & Artemis missionsWhy KULR is investing 90% of its surplus cash into BitcoinBlockchain NFTs for supply chain transparencyUsing AI & robotics to reduce workplace injuryPartnering with German Bionic to bring exoskeletons to North AmericaMichael’s thoughts on Bitcoin strategy, MicroStrategy, and Michael SaylorThis one’s for everyone who wants to understand the convergence of energy, crypto, AI, and space tech.Connect with Michael Mo & KULR:https://kulr.ai/

On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Lucas Poelman, co-founder of PeachWeb, the world’s first no-code 3D website builder.Lucas went from pro tennis player to tech founder, building a platform that’s changing the internet as we know it, one floating fish at a time. PeachWeb lets anyone create stunning, interactive 3D websites without writing a single line of code. Think Unreal Engine meets Lego, made for designers.From early WebGL breakthroughs to why static websites are becoming obsolete, Lucas explains how PeachWeb makes immersive storytelling simple, scalable, and ridiculously fun. Whether you're building a brand, launching a product, or just want your website to feel alive, this one’s for you.Guest BioLucas Poelman is the co-founder of PeachWeb, a drag-and-drop builder powering the next evolution of the internet: spatial, animated, and fully 3D. With clients ranging from startups to global brands, PeachWeb helps bring digital identities to life without a single line of code.Explore PeachWebhttps://peachweb.io

In this episode, we sit down with Johanna Cabildo, CEO and Founder of Data Guardians Network (D-GN), to unpack one of the most important—and overlooked—questions in AI today: Who trains the AI, and who benefits from it?Johanna is on a mission to flip the data economy. Her platform empowers users to own, train, and monetize their data through decentralized agentic avatars—a radically different model from Big Tech’s extractive systems.Topics We Cover:Why most AI models are trained using your data—without consent or compensationWhat agentic avatars are and how they let users participate in AI trainingHow D-GN is building decentralized data training communitiesThe concept of proprietary LLMs that value human data differentlyWhy Johanna believes blockchain is essential for ethical AILessons from her time leading enterprise work at droppGroupWhat an AI-powered user-owned economy looks likeThe future of identity, consent, and transparency in an AI worldConnect https://dataguardians.xyz/

AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a business imperative. But most leaders still don’t know where to begin. In this episode, Rocco sits down with Kathleen Perley, Rice University professor, founder of Demystify AI, and author of AI Made Simple: Results Made Real. Kathleen breaks down how to actually integrate AI into your organization, without the smoke and mirrors.Topics include:The biggest myths executives believe about AIWhy small businesses might beat big corporations in the AI raceReal-life case studies from Kathleen’s students building AI tools for space missions and neurodivergent teensWhy AI literacy matters more than coding skillsHow Agentic AI is unlocking new workflows and freeing up executive timeIf you're a founder, executive, or just trying to make sense of AI without the hype, this episode is your no-nonsense playbook.🧠 Learn more: https://www.demystifai.com/📕 Buy the book: AI Made Simple: Results Made Real🚀 Hosted by Rocco Strydom | Follow the pod: https://linktr.ee/sgmpodcast

In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, host Rocco Strydom sits down with Max Pace, CTO of BlockTrustIRA, to unpack one of the most compelling intersections in finance today: crypto and retirement.Topics Covered:How BlockTrustIRA lets you stack crypto tax-free in your IRA or 401(k)Why traditional retirement providers are falling shortHow BlockTrust’s quant-driven strategies protect against crypto volatilityThe role of AI in sentiment analysis and trade executionBitcoin vs. altcoins: What really belongs in a long-term portfolio?Why Bitcoin is increasingly seen as “freedom money” in a broken financial systemWith nearly a decade of crypto quant research under his belt, Max is bringing hedge-fund-level insights to the everyday investor—without handing over control of your assets.🔗 Connect : https://blocktrustira.com

In this episode, Rocco Strydom sits down with Nikolay Filichkin, Chief Business Officer of Compute Labs, to explore how compute infrastructure—specifically GPU clusters—is becoming an investable asset class. Forget equities and tokens. We're talking teraflops, tokenized ownership, and IRR on silicon.Topics covered:Why GPUs are the new gold in the AI ageHow Compute Labs connects institutional capital with live compute marketsTokenizing compute infrastructure for liquidity and scaleThe future of compute ETFs, AI hardware, and energy infrastructureCompeting with Nvidia and the rise of GPU-based investingConnect https://x.com/Compute_Labs

Today’s guest is Akash Gupta, VP of Core Wallet at Ava Labs, the powerhouse team building on the Avalanche blockchain.With a background that spans Meta, Uber, and startups out of the MIT Media Lab, Akash brings Web2 scale and discipline to the frontier of Web3. At Ava Labs, he’s spearheading the mission to make crypto invisible yet indispensable — starting with Core Wallet, a next-gen platform introducing gasless transactions and intuitive UX for the next billion users.In this no-fluff conversation:Why Avalanche is winning the speed and cost race in blockchainThe secrets behind launching gasless transactions at scaleWhat wallets will look like in 5 years (hint: AI agents might run them)Lessons from Meta and Uber that now power decentralized product designThe mindset shift from product manager to ecosystem stewardWhether you're a crypto native, Web2 veteran, or new to blockchain, this episode gives you a masterclass in product thinking, scaling ecosystems, and building for the future.Connect with Akash Gupta:X (Twitter): @akash90guptaAva Labs: avalabs.org🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share!📲 Listen on all major podcast platforms🌍 Follow the pod: https://linktr.ee/SGMPODCAST

Most traders don't fail because of the market, they fail because they treat trading like a hobby, not a business. On this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, we sit down with Brian McAboy, founder of Inside Out Trading, who brings a unique perspective as a former mechanical and quality engineer turned trading mentor.Brian shares his journey from blowing up a $47,000 account to building a structured, repeatable system for trading success, rooted in the principles of business and engineering. We talk about why most traders are sabotaged by overconfidence, how bad training leads to emotional rollercoasters, and why treating your trading like a business is the single most important mindset shift.In this episode:Why traders fail (and what to do instead)Lessons from Six Sigma and quality control for consistent profitsThe myth of easy money and the danger of TikTok tradingWhy strategy alone isn’t enough, your mental operating system mattersHow to design a trading plan that actually worksConnect with the Guest https://insideouttrading.com/

AI is everywhere, from homes to classrooms, and kids are interacting with it before they can even spell “algorithm.” But what is this doing to their ability to think critically and solve problems independently?In this episode, Rocco Strydom is joined by Dr. Akli Adjaoute, AI expert, entrepreneur, and former university lecturer in France and San Francisco. Together, they unpack the unintended consequences of over-relying on AI, especially in education.Dr. Adjaoute shares stories from his own life, from growing up poor and building AI startups, to witnessing students outsource basic problem-solving to machines. He raises an alarming question: Are we raising a generation that no longer trusts its own ability to think?Key Takeaways:Why AI tools might be short-circuiting curiosity and independent thoughtReal stories about children losing basic math and problem-solving skillsHow imagination, struggle, and critical thinking drive true innovationWhy we need to foster debate, curiosity, and resilience in kidsWhat parents and educators can do right now to balance AI exposureWhether you're a parent, educator, or just concerned about the next generation, this conversation is a wake-up call.

David Rhodus is the CEO of Permissionless Labs and the visionary behind Pipe Network, a decentralized content delivery network built on Solana.From scaling Amazon’s Elemental Cloud to building a protocol with 200,000+ nodes, David shares how Pipe Network is transforming how the internet works—moving data closer to users, cutting costs, improving resilience, and rewarding contributors in real time.Topics include:What a CDN is and why decentralizing it mattersReal-world benefits like censorship resistance, lower costs, and improved performanceWhy Pipe Network chose Solana to power its infrastructureHow AI applications are already leveraging Pipe’s ultra-low latencyThe $25 billion CDN market ripe for disruptionWhat’s next for Pipe Network and the future of the internetLearn how you can participate by running a node or connecting with the team at pipe.network.🔗 Follow Pipe Network : https://x.com/pipenetwork🔗 Follow Rocco Strydom: https://linktr.ee/SGMPODCAST

As decentralized finance (DeFi) evolves, the lines between traditional banking and Web3 are starting to blur. On this episode, we sit down with Agne Linge, Head of Growth at WeFi, to explore how the platform is building the future of banking with under-collateralized lending, AI-powered KYC, and self-custodial wallets.We discuss:What a DEO Bank is and how it differs from neobanks How AI can make KYC faster, smarter, and more private Helping people in hyperinflationary economies like Argentina, Africa, and Southeast Asia Why community-first product development matters The future of banking, financial literacy, and the role of self-custody Agne also shares insights from her 8+ years in crypto at Binance, DGT, and Yellow, and why she believes DeFi and AI are on a collision course to reshape global finance.

Welcome back to the Stonks Go Moon Podcast. Today, we sit down with Yves La Rose, CEO of the EOS Network Foundation—now rebranded as Vaulta—to discuss the next chapter in blockchain’s evolution.From early Bitcoin mining and the cypherpunk movement to leading one of the largest blockchain rebrands in history, Yves shares his journey and bold vision to transform Vaulta into "the Web3 Banking OS"—bringing institutional-grade financial products to everyday users through decentralized infrastructure.We dive into BlackRock's aggressive Bitcoin accumulation, whether big players threaten crypto's decentralized ethos, and how Vaulta aims to bridge traditional finance with DeFi. From tokenized payments and cross-border remittances to blockchain-powered insurance and credit solutions, Yves explains why Vaulta isn’t just a name change, but a mission to unlock financial access at a global scale.Guest LinksWebsite: https://vaulta.comYves La Rose on X: @BigBeardSamurai

Who Owns Your DNA? | Dr. Anmol Kapoor on Genetics, Privacy, and Blockchain23andMe collapsed, exposing millions of DNA records. Your genes—your most personal data—might now be in the wrong hands. Dr. Anmol Kapoor, MD, Founder & CEO of BioAro and Anryton, joins host Rocco Strydom on the Stonks Go Moon Podcast to reveal the shocking risks of compromised genetic data and how blockchain technology could put you back in control.Dr. Kapoor, a physician and tech innovator, breaks down:Why 23andMe’s collapse matters beyond North America.How stolen genetic data could implicate innocent people.Blockchain-native solutions that empower individuals, not corporations.The surprising economic value of your genetic information.About Dr. Anmol Kapoor:Dr. Kapoor is a medical doctor, entrepreneur, and founder of BioAro and Anryton—pioneering blockchain solutions for genomic data privacy and ownership. Passionate about blending technology and healthcare, he advocates for patient empowerment and transparency.Websites: bioaro.com | anryton.com

Risk. Reward. Ruin. From the knucklebones of ancient Greece to the slot machines of Vegas and the swipe-to-spin casino apps in your pocket - gambling has always been a mirror of society. In this episode of the Stonks Go Moon Podcast, Jonny Caplan returns to talk about his new six-part docuseries, "Place Your Bets", delving into the highs and lows of the gambling industry.Caplan - an entrepreneur, poker player, and media visionary - opens up about what inspired him to tackle the topic in this exclusive interview, how the digital revolution changed the game, and why networks don't always like the whole truth. He shares untold stories from inside Vegas, dramatized tales of addiction, and rare interviews with legends like Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Tilly, and Meyer Lansky’s grandson.Highlights:Why FedEx only exists because of a last-ditch blackjack gambleHow gambling shifted from vice to mainstream entertainmentWhy Caplan independently funds his documentaries to keep the message honestWhat Vegas is really selling in 2025 (Hint: it’s not just gambling)The secret ingredients behind making docudramas that inspire, not destroyPlace Your Bets premieres Q3 2025.https://www.techtalkmedia.tv/

In this mind-bending episode, host Rocco Strydom sits down with digital sovereignty pioneer Preska Thomas, the visionary founder of DebitMyData. Long before NFTs hit OpenSea and ChatGPT learned your name, Preska was building blockchain-secured identity systems and architecting AI to value human beings—not replace them.From drafting identity token frameworks in 2001 to launching DebitMyData in 2024, Preska has been decades ahead of the curve. She unveils how her Proof of Future consensus model empowers you to own and monetize your agentic avatar—a digital version of yourself trained to earn for you in the open AI economy.Topics include:Why you are the most valuable data set in the worldThe shocking truth behind avatars, anime filters, and AI exploitationWhy big tech wants your soul—but Preska wants you to own itHer documented journey from Homeland Security to NFT sovereigntyHow DebitMyData is redefining cyber security, copyright, and compensationWhether you're a tech founder, crypto rebel, or creator tired of being the product, this is a call to reclaim your digital identity—and get paid for it.Visit debitmydata.com to join the beta and build your agentic avatar now.Like, subscribe, and comment with your thoughts.