In this episode of The Smart Economy Podcast, host Dylan Grabowski is joined by Kurt Hemecker, CEO of the Mina Foundation, the entity tasked with growing the ecosystem of the “world's lightest ZK blockchain.”

Join them as they:

Discuss the evolution of information and money-sharing protocols from Web0 to Web3
Explore Kurt's journey through the tech industry
Delve into the importance of ZK technology for privacy, identity, and scaling solutions
Analyze the growth of the Mina ecosystem and opportunities for builders
Examine interoperability solutions offered by Mina's ZK technology
Unpack the significance of having a programmable ZK Layer 1 blockchain
And much more!

Kurt Hemecker is the CEO of the Mina Foundation. With a background that spans from the pre-internet era to the current Web3 landscape, Kurt has experience across significant roles in telecom, payments, and blockchain. He was part of the initial team of the Libra Association (later renamed DM), where he played a pivotal role in navigating regulatory challenges and advocating for stablecoins. Kurt's extensive knowledge and innovative vision in blockchain and zero-knowledge technology position him as a respected leader in the sector.

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Vatican & World News 15.01.2026