CoinDesk Podcast Network John Nahas on Why One-Size-Fits-All Blockchains are Failing Global Institutions
Mar 10, 2026
John Nahas, Chief Business Officer at Avalanche, builds institutional blockchain adoption with sovereign L1s and embedded finance. He explains why custom, purpose-built chains are replacing one-size-fits-all platforms. Real-world use cases from FIFA to tokenized markets are highlighted. The conversation covers pitching blockchain to firms, responding to mainstream skepticism, and integrating AI and micropayments.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Customized Chains Fit Business Needs
- Avalanche prioritizes tailored blockchains over one-size-fits-all networks to meet business, geographic, and compliance needs.
- John Nahas frames this as shifting tech to fit businesses, not forcing businesses to fit existing chains, focusing on embedded finance.
Real Projects Using Custom Avalanche L1s
- John Nahas lists real-world L1 examples including Denari issuing tokenized equities and FIFA using RTBs for World Cup ticket options.
- He notes Programat moved $2 billion of tokenized assets from Corda to an Avalanche L1 and Bergen County uses Avalanche for deeds.
Sovereign L1s Solve The Ever Expanding Pipe
- Avalanche built subnets (now called L1s) as sovereign layer ones to avoid the 'ever-expanding pipe' problem of general-purpose chains.
- Nahas compares the model to WordPress and a highway C-Chain liquidity hub with specialized lanes for business needs.