

The Future of Money
Henri Arslanian
Henri Arslanian brings you in-depth discussions and constructive analyses of the developments shaping the future of money and finance from Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies to CBDCs and DeFi
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2026 • 6min
With Andrej Majcen, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Bitcoin Suisse, on Whether Institutions Are Ready for Crypto
Andrej Majcen, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Bitcoin Suisse — one of the world's oldest crypto firms. We discuss market volatility, institutional trends, regulation, and the long game of building in crypto. - How Bitcoin Suisse evolved from retail clients to sovereign wealth funds - The biggest challenge for crypto firms in 2026 - Why regulatory clarity unlocks institutional adoption - The impact of ETFs, elections, and geopolitics on market sentiment - Strategic advice for crypto founders facing volatility Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/46gzkTF

Feb 13, 2026 • 7min
Are World Models the Future of AI? – My Interview With Janet Adams, COO of SingularityNET
With Janet Adams, COO, SingularityNET and one of the leading voices at the intersection of AI and crypto. We discuss why decentralised artificial general intelligence (AGI) is the next frontier—and why it must not be left in the hands of Big Tech. - Why decentralised AGI may beat centralised Big Tech AI - How open-source tools are accelerating global AI collaboration - The ethical argument for community-led AI governance - What role the Middle East—especially the UAE—can play in global AI and crypto leadership - Why world models could unlock superhuman capabilities - The birth of Zaka and AGI use cases from the region Powered by Phoenix Group Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4cpGCbs

Feb 11, 2026 • 8min
How the UAE Became a Global Crypto Hub – My Interview With Saqr Ereiqat
My interview with Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General, Dubai Digital Asset Association and a key voice in the UAE's digital asset evolution. We explore how the UAE became one of the world's most crypto-friendly jurisdictions and what other governments can learn from its approach. - Why the #UAE became a global magnet for crypto firms - The importance of regulatory clarity in attracting digital asset companies - How #Dubai is building a thriving blockchain ecosystem from the ground up - The role of Crypto Oasis in education, infrastructure, and policy - What's next for tokenisation, DeFi, and real-world asset adoption in the region - Lessons for policymakers from the UAE's proactive crypto stance Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4rP31DP

Feb 9, 2026 • 8min
Are Crypto Firms Safer Than Banks? With Bitgo CEO Mike Belshe
With BitGo CEO Mike Belshe following the company's IPO. We unpack what this milestone means for the crypto industry, the future of digital asset banking, and what's next for BitGo. 🔹 What going public means for BitGo and its clients 🔹 Why BitGo is more than just a custodian 🔹 The debate over stablecoin yield: crypto vs traditional banks 🔹 Why 100% reserve banks could redefine the future of finance 🔹 BitGo's global regulatory strategy and product roadmap 🔹 Advice from Mike Belshe to crypto founders on going public Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/45WfsoH

Feb 6, 2026 • 8min
Crypto Lobby vs Bank Lobby – Who Will Win the Yield Battle
My interview with Jason Brett, Managing Director at Key Bridge Advisors and Policy Advisor at the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance. We unpack the political and regulatory gridlock unfolding around stablecoin yield, tokenized securities, and DeFi in Washington. - Why the Genius Act's pro-stablecoin stance is now being re-litigated - The growing divide between the crypto lobby and banking lobby - Why regulators are stuck applying old laws to new tech - The SEC's innovation exemption—and hedge fund pushback - DeFi's AML dilemma: Is there a third way beyond front-end KYC? - What real compromise could look like for stablecoin yields Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ZliLSE

Feb 2, 2026 • 8min
BCB Group CEO Oliver Tonkin on Why Stablecoins Are Disrupting Global Corporate Payments
Oliver Tonkin joins us to discuss how stablecoins are quietly replacing traditional cross-border payment rails. - Why emerging markets are leading stablecoin adoption for global payments - How stablecoins reduce settlement times and costs for corporates - The rise of stablecoin-powered settlement networks beyond SWIFT - Why regulated stablecoins are helping ease banking concerns - The growing role of Circle, Ripple, and others in cross-border transactions - The challenges of on-ramps and off-ramps—and how they're being solved - Why regulatory clarity is a major catalyst for corporate adoption - Who stands to lose in the shift to blockchain payments: legacy banks or card networks? Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4q877FD

Jan 28, 2026 • 8min
Kula co-founder Micah Yeackley on how blockchain can transform impact investing
We discuss how blockchain is bringing radical transparency to the impact investing sector. - Why on-chain governance gives real voice to underserved communities - How DAOs and token-based voting are reshaping village-level decision-making - Using blockchain to prove and quantify measurable impact - The challenges of device access, education, and infrastructure on the ground - How Kula is designing blockchain tools tailored to developing markets - Why measured impact will soon be mandated by investors—and tracked on-chain - How real-world assets are creating price stability for impact tokens - Why regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are leading in blockchain adoption Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4t5BAH7

Jan 27, 2026 • 9min
David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Treasury Firm Nakamoto, on the Rise of DATs, Bitcoin Purchases from Corporates and the Future of Finance
This interview was recorded during Abu Dhabi Finance Week. We explore the rise of Bitcoin treasury firms, why the future of global finance may rest on Bitcoin rails, and how central banks are quietly accumulating BTC behind the scenes. - Why Bitcoin on corporate balance sheets is just getting started - The explosion of Bitcoin treasury companies and why half may disappear - What makes a sustainable treasury model in crypto markets - Whether stablecoins or Bitcoin will underpin the future financial system - Why central banks are embracing Bitcoin—publicly and privately - How Abu Dhabi is becoming a Bitcoin superpower in the Middle East Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ZyVNHH

Jan 24, 2026 • 8min
Heath Tarbert, President of Circle, on the Growing Tension Between Crypto Yield and Traditional Banks, the GENIUS Act and the Rise of Stablecoins in Emerging Markets
The interview was recorded during Abu Dhabi Finance Week. We discuss the future of stablecoins like USDC, how Circle is positioning itself in global finance, and whether traditional banks are prepared for what's coming. - Why Circle chose the UAE for its regional expansion - What the GENIUS Act means for USDC and stablecoin adoption - The growing tension between crypto yield and traditional banks - How Circle's new Ark network could reshape financial infrastructure - Why emerging markets may lead stablecoin usage - What challenges banks face in adopting digital assets Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4pUY0Ik

Jan 22, 2026 • 9min
Brett Tejpaul, Coinbase Institutional Co-CEO, on Crypto Adoption by Sovereign Wealth Funds and Banks
We explore how Coinbase is partnering with global banks and sovereign wealth funds to drive institutional crypto adoption and transform capital markets. - Why Coinbase's UAE expansion is central to its global strategy - How partnerships with Standard Chartered and PNC enable "crypto as a service" for banks - Why the Genius Act is a regulatory game changer for stablecoins in the US - Inside JPMorgan's tokenisation pilot on Solana using USDC and Coinbase infrastructure - The role of Coinbase Treasury in supporting real-world asset issuance - How Mubadala's tokenised credit fund signals a new era for sovereign wealth and investor access Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3NVnt70


