Beyond the Code

EY’s Global Blockchain Leader Paul Brody joins Yitzy on Beyond the Code to peel back the curtain on how big companies really operate (“chaos on the inside”), why public blockchains beat private networks, and what it takes to ship serious enterprise workflows on Ethereum. We trace Paul’s zig-zagging path—Nigeria during a coup, Apple’s textbook S&OP, a Samsung prototype with a young Vitalik—to EY’s privacy stack (Nightfall/Starlight) and his “pragmatic ETH-maxi” thesis. Also: the lore behind EY’s most coveted swag.Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbrody/Paul on X: https://x.com/pbrody Book — Ethereum for Business (in Plain English): https://www.amazon.com/Ethereum-Business-Plain-English-Generate-Management/dp/1954892101Buenos Aires event:⁠ https://luma.com/kylnbzb8EY Blockchain (Nightfall/Starlight code): github.com/eyblockchain ・ blockchain.ey.comTimestamps:00:00 EY boxer-shorts 😄07:06 Paul’s backstory: Africa studies → Nigeria mobile → first trip to Israel10:49 The coup, payroll, and a Swissair IOU13:35 “Chaos on the inside”: Samsung & big-company reality21:33 Apple’s S&OP masterclass (sales/marketing/supply chain in lockstep)33:48 Bitcoin → Ethereum: CES 2015 prototype with Vitalik; the light-bulb moment37:43 EY Blockchain: services + software; why zero-knowledge privacy mattered45:36 OpsChain, tokenizing “stuff,” notarization, contract manager; Xbox case study51:15 “Pragmatic ETH-maxi”: why standardization and network effects matter54:37 Enterprise Ethereum Alliance: becoming chair; back to public-chain roots56:50 ETH as an asset; closing notes & where to follow Paul

In this episode, Yitzy is joined by Yehuda Lindell—founder of Unbound Security (acquired by Coinbase), longtime professor and one of the earliest researchers in secure multiparty computation (MPC). We trace his journey from Australia to Israel and from theory to industry, then dive into how Coinbase secures customer assets using layered cryptography: MPC, secure enclaves, HSMs, cold elements, and rigorous review processes. Yehuda explains MPC in plain English (with a great DNA example), why “defense-in-depth” beats any single fortress, how insider threats are modeled, and what Coinbase’s production bar looks like. We also talk CS education in the age of AI, and why students should learn to program with AI rather than fear it. Yehuda closes with a pointer to CB-MPC, Coinbase’s open-source MPC engine, and a broader call for rigor when turning cryptography papers into production systems.Resources and Links:Yehuda on LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yehudalindell/ Yehuda on X: https://x.com/LindellYehudaCoinbase's CB-MPC library: https://github.com/coinbase/cb-mpc Timestamps:00:00 — Intro & Yehuda’s background05:43 — What is cryptography (for non-experts)16:00 — MPC 101 (privacy, correctness, shard thresholds)19:36 — Real-world key splitting; surviving full IT compromise23:38 — Coinbase’s defense-in-depth philosophy24:34 — What secure enclaves are (and side-channel realities)28:52 — Cold elements, cross-domain guards, layered participants31:31 — Coinbase’s production bar & independent reviews35:54 — CS, AI, and training “with” AI41:59 — CB-MPC and parting advice

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Steve Epstein — a distinguished systems/cybersecurity & AI engineer with roots at Bell Labs (alongside Peter Shor & Lov Grover), decades at NDS/Cisco/Synamedia, and currently working at Rafael, in Israel’s defense sector.Steve explains, in plain English, why quantum computing threatens today’s internet (RSA, ECDH, ECDSA), what Q-Day means, and when [it might be] coming, and how post-quantum cryptography (PQC) must be rolled out across clouds, hardware, supply chains, and especially blockchains.We cover the journey from satellite-TV smart cards and anti-piracy cat-and-mouse, to Netflix’s cloud migration and account-sharing detection (one of Steve’s 40–50 patents), to the stark reality of “harvest-now, decrypt-later”. Bottom line: crypto agility and PQC migration have to start now if we want banking, messaging, and crypto ledgers to survive the 2029–2035 Q-Day window.Topics & Timestamps00:00 Intro — who is Steven Epstein (Bell Labs → NDS/Cisco → Rafael; 40–50 patents)07:45 Smart cards, satellite TV security, and why hardware upgradability mattered12:20 Cloud era: Netflix, AWS, microservices — and the collapse of legacy pay-TV models18:45 Piracy at scale: finding and knocking down illegal streams (and why it barely works)23:30 Quantum 101: Shor’s algorithm, RSA/ECDH/ECDSA risk, Q-Day timelines31:40 PQC overview: Kyber, Dilithium, Falcon, SPHINCS+, HQC; crypto-agility in practice36:50 Harvest-now/decrypt-later and why blockchains are uniquely exposed41:50 Migration realities: cars, routers, military systems, supply chains47:30 What to do now: prioritize PQC for wallets, ledgers, key exchanges, and messaging

In this episode, investigative journalist Jake Adelstein (Tokyo Vice) joins Yitzy to discuss his newly published book, The Devil Takes Bitcoin, a front-row narrative of the Mt. Gox collapse, where ~850k bitcoin went missing, and the cast of characters that shaped crypto’s formative years—from exchange founder Mark Karpelès to law-enforcement sleuths and the corrupt agents who derailed the Silk Road case. We trace Jake’s path from police beat reporting in Japan to human-trafficking investigations, dig into what Jake refers to as Japan's “hostage justice” system, and debate regulation vs. libertarian ideals in crypto. Enjoy!Links: Substack: Tokyo Paladin (Jake’s essays and investigations): https://tokyopaladin.substack.com/Wikipedia overview (bio, books, and TV adaptation of Tokyo Vice): ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_AdelsteinBook: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Takes-Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency-Connection/dp/1964992176X (Twitter): https://x.com/jakeadelsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeadelstein/

In this episode, Yitzy sits down with Jake Chervinsky — currently Chief Legal Officer at Variant, and previously Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association - one of the most recognizable voices in crypto law and policy. From his early days as a litigator at Baker McKenzie to his transition into crypto Twitter threads, DeFi, and policy advocacy in Washington, Jake’s journey offers an insider’s look at how law, innovation, and regulation collide.We cover:Jake’s path from mock trial competitions to Big Law and eventually into the heart of crypto;His move from courtroom litigation to becoming General Counsel at Compound Labs during the early DeFi boom;How a viral Bitcoin ETF Twitter thread shifted his career into crypto full-time;The behind-the-scenes fight over the 2021 infrastructure bill — and how it marked crypto’s arrival in Washington;Lessons from his time as Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association during the FTX fallout;His current role at Variant, helping founders navigate the legal and regulatory minefields of building in Web3;Jake’s take on the future of stablecoins, the Clarity Act, and why “boring” regulation may actually be a win for the industry.Whether you’re a lawyer, builder, or policy wonk, this episode is packed with insights on how crypto regulation is shaped — and what’s coming next.🔗 Follow Jake on X: @jchervinsky

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy is joined in-studio for the very first time by Ido Bar-On — defense-tech investor, former CBO at XTEND, IDF reservist, and ex-VC at LOOL Ventures.From scaling a startup to $40M in sales to deploying capital from a bomb shelter during the Iran attack, Ido shares a candid, deeply informed perspective on the intersection of defense, venture capital, and innovation in times of war. The conversation explores:Why now is a pivotal moment for defense-tech startups;The shifting role of VCs in backing military innovation;Risks and rewards of R&D-heavy government funding;AI’s real-world use in modern combat (yes, including Raspberry Pi-powered drones);And how Israel’s unique ecosystem is shaping the global defense landscape.We also get personal — from growing up in Jerusalem to reflections on reserve duty, family, and the weight of living in a region where tech, war, and purpose collide.Whether you're a founder, investor, or just defense-curious, this episode is packed with insight and edge.

In this rollercoaster episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Samuel Cardillo to uncover the jaw-dropping journey of a self-taught prodigy who went from selling computer viruses at age 9 to co-founding RTFKT, the NFT sneaker company acquired by Nike.What starts with microphone troubles quickly spirals into a high-speed chronicle of early cybercrime, international arrests, military service in the IDF, intelligence ventures, and creating some of the most iconic digital fashion drops in Web3 history.Samuel pulls no punches as he walks us through:His childhood hacking days and getting arrested at 14 after a televised DDoS stunt;The rise and grind of RTFKT, building CloneX with Takashi Murakami, and managing NFT chaos;What it really took to land the Nike acquisition—and the stress that came with it;His work in satellite intelligence and geospatial analytics via ShadowBreak;The surprising backstory of being married to a UAE princess and his unlikely reserve role in the L.A. Sheriff’s Department;Brutally honest political takes on Israel, Gaza, and Middle East diplomacy;Why storytelling, utility, and community—not just speculation—must define the next era of NFTs.A fast-paced, unfiltered episode packed with wild stories, ethical questions, and deep tech reflections.🔗 Follow Samuel:X: @samuelcardilloIG: @ledomainLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelcardillo/

This week on Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with one of the most outspoken minds in crypto law: Gabriel Shapiro. Known for his deep legal chops, unfiltered takes, and pioneering work at the intersection of smart contracts and governance, Gabe takes us through his journey—from tech M&A prodigy to crypto lawyer and decentralization maxi.We dive into:Gabe’s early big law career and how Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp led him down the crypto rabbit hole;The real reason “decentralization” became crypto's favorite legal strategy;Why current DAO structures are flawed—and how MetaLex and the Borg concept aim to fix them;A deep look at on-chain legal engineering: how entities, trusts, and smart contracts can blend into a new governance paradigm;The emergence of $GOR, a meme coin inspired by Gabe himself;The state of crypto regulation in the U.S., Trump’s pivot on Bitcoin, and why Gabe’s bullish on the new market structure bill;Big law’s limitations in crypto and the rise of agile, crypto-native legal shops;Anonymity in crypto—how to build trust without a legal name;And yes—we talk politics, Israel, identity, and whiskey.

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Aaron Payas — partner at Hassans International Law Firm in Gibraltar, CFA charterholder, and former international footballer. From the early days of Gibraltar’s DLT licensing regime to holding a Bored Ape and co-leading one of the first fully SEC-approved token offerings, Aaron brings a unique blend of legal precision, mathematical logic, and personal passion to everything he touches.Together, Yitzy and Aaron explore:Aaron’s path from math grad to fund lawyer to crypto specialist;The rise (and recalibration) of Gibraltar as a blockchain jurisdiction;Behind-the-scenes of INX — the first SEC-registered security token offering;Why Aaron went deep into NFTs and still proudly displays his Bored Ape;The maturing of the tokenization ecosystem — and why it hasn’t scaled yet;Honest takes on MiCA, regulatory arbitrage, and how startups should choose jurisdictions;How football, legal practice, and crypto law can all be driven by the same thing: passion.And yes — Spurs fandom makes a guest appearance too.Follow Aaron on LinkedIn and X (@AaronPayas) for more.

In this episode of Beyond the Code, I’m joined once again by Justin Wales, Head of Legal for the Americas at Crypto.com and author of the Crypto Legal Handbook — now in its newly released second edition.Justin and I dive into:The real-world impact of the SEC's changing posture on crypto enforcement;Why version 2 of the Crypto Legal Handbook is more than just a light update — and how it was rewritten to reflect today’s evolving landscape;Crypto.com’s legal journey through Wells notices, proactive litigation, and ultimately a no-action letter;How the shift in administration is restoring confidence and innovation to the U.S. crypto ecosystem;The tension between traditional finance and crypto-native companies;Big Law, legal rankings, and why the current system of legal prestige is broken;And a candid take on what excites Justin about the future — including AI x crypto, real product innovation, and global regulatory convergence.We also plug some amazing legal tools like Justin’s AI-powered GPT search tool for the Crypto Legal Handbook and Crystal, the AI platform purpose-built for crypto lawyers.Whether you’re in-house, in practice, or just trying to understand the regulatory momentum in crypto today, this episode is essential listening.🎧 Listen now.📚 Grab the Crypto Legal Handbook v2 on Amazon.📰 Subscribe to Justin’s newsletter at https://thecryptolegalhandbook.com/.💬 Follow Justin on LinkedIn for his no-BS takes on crypto law and legal culture.