Blockchain Finance Podcast

The GENIUS Act is now law — the first major U.S. legislation on stablecoins. In this episode, we break down what it means for founders, issuers, and investors: who can issue, what reserves are required, how foreign projects can participate, and why stablecoins are no longer securities or commodities.

"Valuation of Digital Assets"  As digital assets flood into our financial system, one question is becoming unavoidable: how should we determine their valuation?  In this episode, I go through important questions as listed below:✅ Why does valuation of digital asset matters?✅ What digital assets are subject to valuation? ✅ How are they valuated (valuation methodologies)?✅ Who is doing these valuations?  As we move forward, it is critical for the parties and legal advisors to be familiar with valuation methodologies appropriate for their digital assets in question. With such knowledge, you should choose a valuation firm that best meets your goals. Firms like Lukka, Kroll, Andersen, Chainalysis, and Armanino provide digital asset valuation, and I discuss about their services with the goal of enhancing our general understanding in this regard.  This episode also covers best practices for lawyers involved in transactions and cases that require valuation of digital assets.1:20 - Why Valuation of Digital Assets Matters in a Legal Context3:22 - What Digital Assets Are We Valuing?7:55 - How Do We Value Digital Assets?11:18 - Valuation in Practice - Who's Doing It?15:14 - Challenges and Best Practices for Web3 Advisors and Practitioners19:16 - Conclusion

If you're in blockchain, finance, or just love decoding crypto regulation, this episode is for you.  On the latest Blockchain Finance Podcast, I break down two major developments from the SEC that could reshape how the U.S. approaches the digital assets industry:  Proof-of-Work Mining (Solo mining or mining pool) = NOT Securities : On March 20, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance made it official: solo and pooled PoW mining activities don’t require SEC registration. That’s a green light for miners—and a regulatory breath of fresh air.  Stablecoins (Certain Ones) = Also NOT Securities : Specifically, “Covered Stablecoins”—those pegged 1:1 to the USD—do not meet the criteria of securities under the Howey or Reves tests.  What does this mean?Builders can build without fear of retroactive enforcement.Certain POW Miners can operate without SEC registration.Issuers of certain stablecoins now have a blueprint for staying compliant.And the bigger story? These aren’t one-offs. From rescinding SAB 121 to public statements about ending “gotcha” regulation, the SEC is pivoting—from enforcement to regulatory clarity.   Whether you're a miner, developer, investor, or policy nerd—this episode is packed with insights you can actually use.00:46 - SEC Statement on Certain PoW Mining Activities07:35 - SEC Statement on Stablecoins19:30 - Conclusion

Blockchain is revolutionizing carbon markets and driving real environmental impact.In this episode of Blockchain Finance Podcast, I explore how blockchain technology is making carbon trading more transparent, secure, and efficient.  This episode discusses:The flaws in traditional carbon markets and how blockchain solves them  The Blockchain for Energy (B4E) Consortium and its B4ECarbon initiativeCoorest’s innovative approach to carbon credit issuance and tradingThe future of blockchain in carbon markets and how it's shaping global sustainability effortsWith projects like B4ECarbon and Coorest, blockchain is proving to be a game-changer in the fight against climate change.

In the latest episode of the Blockchain Finance Podcast, I dive into two game-changing topics shaping the future of finance and security: Blockchain Data Management & Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs).Why is blockchain potentially more secure for data management?What is Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs)?How does ZKPs impact data management on blockchain?  Join me as I explore this important use case of blockchain technology! Data management is an area where we'll likely see most exciting applications of blockchain.   2:00 - Reasons why is blockchain potentially more secure for data management?8:23 - What is Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs)?9:52 - How does ZKPs impact data management on blockchain?

What are different types of blockchain system?  While we talk often about public blockchain, it's not the only type of blockchain available.Listen to this episode to learn about types of blockchain system, including public, private, consortium and hybrid blockchains.It's important to know advantages and disadvantages of different blockchain systems so that you can choose the best type that can help solve your problem.

We're seeing the rise of Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) around the world.  UK started one last year and moving forward by selecting three participants and getting Euroclear on board.  EU started its DLT Pilot Regime in 2023, although progress has been slow.  HK started its Project Ensemble Sandbox with four major banks (HSBC, Standard Chartered HK, Bank of China HK, Hang Seng Bank) conducting trials.  Bank of Japan launched CBDC API Sandbox, and Thailand created Digital Asset Regulatory Sandbox…  So, what's the US doing?  Nothing yet, but I predict we'll see something starting this year.  SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce previously proposed a cross-border sandbox with the UK DSS.   During the Biden administration and the SEC with a D-majority, this proposal got nowhere.  When Paul Atkins is confirmed as SEC Chair, the SEC with a R-majority will likely push this forward.But it won't be the same as other DSS around the world.Listen to this episode to learn more!1:05 - Introduction: What's Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS)?2:38- UK DSS7:15 - Three entities that passed UK DSS Gate 18:45 - EU DLT Pilot Regime10:55 - HK Project Ensemble Sandbox12:52 - What will US do?17:38 - Conclusion

When I speak to Web3 CEOs who want to scale their business in a healthy and sustainable manner, anti-money laundering (AML) is one of the key topics discussed.       Why is it important for Web3 CEOs to comply with AML regulations?  There are many bad actors that try to take advantage of technical and regulatory gaps to carry out their illicit activities.   You don't want your business to be a platform for such illicit activities.  Also, criminal and civil penalties for violating AML regulation are too risky to ignore.   Episode 4 of Blockchain Finance Podcast discusses this particular issue to help you become more familiar with AML regulations and requirements.  As you take steps to comply with important AML regulations, remember three acronyms as below:KYS (Know Your Self)KYC (Know Your Customer)KYT (Know Your Transactions)1:50 - Bank Secrecy Act and Amendments through the USA Patriot Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act5:15 - FinCEN and FINRA8:08 - Why AML Compliance is Important 10:02 - AML Compliance Requirements10:43 - Key Acronyms to Remember (KYS, KYC and KYT)16:00 - Concluding Remarks

If you've been stressed about SEC's enforcement-led posture towards the digital asset industry, that's about to change!  Give a listen to this episode of Blockchain Finance Podcast to find out why.  Episode 3 also discusses the dynamic between the SEC and the CFTC during the Biden administration and outlook for that relationship during the second Trump administration.1:55 - SEC and CFTC during the Biden administration7:35 - SEC and CFTC during the second Trump administration14:02 - Key take-aways

Who owns your crypto assets on platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood?  When Voyager and Celsius filed for bankruptcies in 2022, many customers had their accounts frozen and became unsecured creditors without even knowing that they made a loan to those companies.  What do certain user agreements say about the ownership of crypto assets on their platform?  In the second episode of Blockchain Finance Podcast, I discuss my involvement with the Voyager bankruptcy and review user agreements of Coinbase and Robinhood to see what they say about the ownership of customer's crypto assets.02:50 Voyager Bankruptcy - My Experience and Key Issues06:55 Celsius Bankruptcy - Key Issues 13:06 User Agreement Review - General and Governing Law16:07 Coinbase User Agreement - Ownership Clause22:50 Title vs. Ownership25:11 Robinhood Customer Agreement - Ownership Clause29:15 Final Thoughts

Introduced in 2022 and enacted by 25 states as of today, Article 12 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governs the perfection and priority of a security interest in digital assets. If you have digital assets or if you're a financial institution conducting secured financings using digital assets, you must listen to this. 01:19 - Introduction and Brief History of the UCC03:00 - UCC Article 12 in the 2022 Amendment05:43 - Current Status of the 2022 Amendment08:54 - Important Issues for Lenders13:45 - Important Issues for Borrowers18:06 - Concluding Remarks