Talking Tokens

Ben Coverston, Founding Engineer at Temporal and cofounder of Harmonic, dives into the exciting advancements in Solana's blockchain. He discusses how Harmonic's open block-building system fosters a competitive marketplace for builders, making transactions faster and more efficient. Coverston shares insights on improving inclusion latency and the ambition of transforming Solana into an on-chain Nasdaq. He also reflects on lessons learned from Solana's early challenges and the potential for future growth, aiming for up to a million transactions per second while maintaining decentralization.

In this episode of Talking Tokenization, Jacquelyn Melinek sits down with Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Crypto at Robinhood, and AJ Warner, Chief Strategy Officer at Offchain Labs, the team behind Arbitrum.The conversation explores how Robinhood is bringing U.S. equities onchain through tokenization, starting in Europe, and what that means for global investors. Johann explains how the initiative grew from Robinhood’s crypto division into a larger effort to make stocks, ETFs, and other financial assets tradeable onchain 24/7, while AJ discusses the infrastructure powering it on Arbitrum and how it connects to Ethereum for security.They discuss how tokenized equities can reduce settlement times, improve transparency, and unlock new use cases like lending pools and fractional investing. The two also touch on regulatory coordination, compliance frameworks, and when “tokenization” itself might disappear as everything financial moves to blockchain rails.Sponsored by Securitize, the proven leader in tokenized funds, equities, and private markets. Discover more at securitize.io.This episode is sponsored by Forgd. Thousands of Web3 projects leverage Forgd’s free tools to design smarter tokenomics, engage market makers on fair terms, plan listings strategically, and monitor liquidity after launch. Start using the Forgd platform for free, or sign up for white-glove advisory services, at Forgd.comTimestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:13) - What tokenization really means (02:27) - Stablecoins as crypto’s first large-scale tokenization success (03:20) - How Robinhood began exploring onchain equities (04:16) - Building for European users & why they started outside the U.S. (05:12) - Scaling from 2 assets to over 400 tokenized stocks and ETFs (06:18) - Robinhood plans for its own blockchain, “Robinhood Chain” (07:20) - AJ on Arbitrum’s role and the value of flexibility in blockchain design (09:00) - Supporting both public and private chains for compliance needs (10:13) - Why Ethereum remains the settlement layer of choice (11:35) - Making blockchain invisible to end users (12:46) - Lessons from stablecoins & how 24/7 trading changes market structure (14:10) - Regulatory challenges and why flexibility across jurisdictions matters (16:07) - Tokenized equities vs. other RWAs like real estate (17:18) - How users will benefit from instant settlement & fractional ownership (18:40) - Private market tokenization and the OpenAI, SpaceX model (20:23) - The path toward democratizing private equity access (22:00) - When tokenization becomes mainstream (and stops being a buzzword) (23:10) - Why Robinhood and Arbitrum see the next decade as onchain finance’s inflection point (25:42) - Final thoughts: collaboration, compliance, and scalabilityYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

In this episode of Talking Tokens, Jacquelyn Melinek sits down with Torab Torabi, CEO of Move Industries, the team behind Move Network, a new blockchain ecosystem built on the Move language.Torab opens up about the challenges of rebuilding after Movement Labs’ internal fallout, how the company restructured, and why the new chapter is focused on transparency, community, and global accessibility. He shares insights into how Move Industries handled its market-maker incident, is working on regaining developer trust, and how it retained over 90% of its team through the transition.The discussion also explores how Move Network aims to serve the “unbanked” through mobile-first design, why RWAs and TVL metrics often miss the point, and how the company’s developer-first philosophy and new “Move University” initiative are preparing the next generation of builders.This episode is sponsored by Forgd. Thousands of Web3 projects leverage Forgd’s free tools to design smarter tokenomics, engage market makers on fair terms, plan listings strategically, and monitor liquidity after launch. Start using the Forgd platform for free, or sign up for white-glove advisory services, at Forgd.comTimestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:02) - From Movement Labs to Move Industries: What really happened (02:18) - The market maker fallout and how the team responded (03:25) - Binance investigation, buybacks & rebuilding community trust (04:50) - The emotional toll & decision to stay through the crisis (06:15) - Team resilience: 90% retention through uncertainty (07:50) - Advice from investors and industry peers during turmoil (09:30) - Lessons learned on transparency and rebuilding credibility (10:46) - Why the team sees “Move Industries” as a true fresh start (12:04) - The People’s Chain: banking the unbanked through mobile access (14:26) - Torab’s personal story: from the Bay Area to blockchain (17:10) - Designing real-world crypto use cases for underserved regions (19:02) - Why crypto needs its “Apple Pay moment” (20:36) - Overcoming UX barriers and gas fee limitations (22:22) - Targeting 100M users through better mobile design (25:01) - Building for younger, financially native generations (27:04) - How Move Network is positioning as a sovereign Layer-1 (28:25) - Challenges of Move language adoption and developer shortage (30:03) - Launching Move University to train new developers (32:07) - Why RWAs are overhyped and what metrics actually matter (34:12) - Vanity metrics, TVL inflation & measuring real onchain activity (36:09) - The velocity of money as a better health indicator for chains (38:22) - Developer-first initiatives and global activation hubs (40:20) - Move Alliance and financial alignment within the ecosystem (42:10) - Defining success for Move Industries’ next era (44:00) - Building “crypto that doesn’t feel like crypto” (46:02) - Final advice: resilience, relationships, and long-term thinkingEssentialsYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

Shane Molidor, founder and CEO of Forgd, shares his expertise in tokenomics and market dynamics. He discusses the staggering 70% failure rate of token launches, often due to poor liquidity and founders' misunderstandings of market-making. Shane advocates for transparency and better standards in the industry, urging projects to prioritize fundamentals over hype. He highlights how Forgd is changing the game with data-driven insights, fostering healthier market practices, and guiding founders through the complex capital markets landscape.

In this discussion, Qiao Wang, founding partner at Alliance DAO and an early-stage crypto investor, delves into the evolving landscape of crypto startups. He emphasizes how the focus is shifting to real-world utility, particularly with stablecoins and AI-driven tools. Qiao shares insights on the resurgence of U.S.-based founders and highlights emerging trends in B2B cross-border payments. He also addresses the importance of staying niche before expanding globally and the role of AI in ensuring better product design and market strategies.

In this episode of Talking Tokenization, Jacquelyn Melinek speaks with Carlos Domingo, Co-Founder and CEO of Securitize, following the company’s announcement that it will go public through a SPAC merger valuing it at $1.25 billion and the launch of a tokenized fund with BNY.The conversation explores why Securitize chose to go public now, how the move fits into its broader mission of bringing real-world assets onchain, and what it means for the growing tokenization market. Carlos discusses the regulatory process behind going public, the importance of transparency and governance for institutional partners, and why he believes tokenization is entering a period of real adoption after years of experimentation.They also cover Securitize’s new tokenized collateralized loan obligation (CLO) fund, the company’s partnership with BNY and Grove, and how these collaborations are paving the way for more yield-bearing products to come onchain.Sponsored by Securitize, the proven leader in tokenized funds, equities, and private markets. Discover more at securitize.io.This episode is sponsored by Fireblocks, the stablecoin infrastructure of choice for top global businesses, from Visa and Worldpay to Bridge and Revolut. Learn more at fireblocks.com.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:00) - Why going public strengthens governance, transparency, and trust (02:10) - How Securitize’s decision came together after Circle’s successful IPO (03:30) - The regulatory process behind the SPAC merger and SEC approval timeline (05:19) - The return of the IPO market and why crypto companies are leading it (06:36) - Why early public listings can instill discipline in growing companies (07:57) - How Securitize’s IPO may accelerate partnerships with major institutions (08:48) - Expanding internationally and building a stronger balance sheet (09:26) - Focus regions: U.S., Europe, Japan, Singapore, and the Middle East (10:13) - Lessons from the process: internal alignment and preparation (11:06) - Launching a tokenized fund with BNY and Grove’s $100M investment (12:23) - Why CLOs and yield-bearing assets are the next phase of tokenization (13:05) - How Grove integrates the tokenized CLO into its ecosystem (14:21) - The structure of the partnership between Securitize, BNY, and Grove (15:35) - Stable yields, risk management, and diversification opportunities (16:01) - Why 2025 could mark a tipping point for large-scale tokenization (16:50) - Industry outlook about competition, collaboration, and exponential growth (17:17) - Final thoughts: building credibility and tokenizing traditional financeYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Joseph Chalom, CEO of SharpLink and former Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock.Joseph shares how he went from leading BlackRock’s digital asset strategy to running one of the first publicly listed digital asset treasuries on Nasdaq. He explains what inspired him to leave BlackRock after 20 years, how institutional demand for Bitcoin and Ethereum has evolved and what makes a good DAT.They dive deep into Ethereum’s role as the global settlement layer for finance, why tokenization is the next major market structure shift, and how SharpLink’s treasury model creates exposure to Ethereum, while actively managing yield through staking and DeFi.Joseph also discusses regulation, market cycles, tokenized equities, and the growing interest from Asia-based institutions.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:06) - Life after 20 years at BlackRock & how his role at SharpLink began (02:47) - Building BlackRock’s digital asset division and early learnings (04:28) - Why institutional adoption took time: regulation & infrastructure gaps (05:53) - ETF demand, client-first strategy & product-market fit for crypto (07:55) - Who’s really driving today’s crypto markets: investors vs traders (09:11) - Why Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins dominate institutional portfolios (10:39) - Ethereum as the programmable settlement layer for global finance (12:19) - Stablecoins, tokenization & the trillion-dollar opportunity ahead (13:24) - Institutions entering DeFi and why the rails are shifting fast (14:09) - What Ethereum’s consistency, security & liquidity mean for investors (15:25) - Tokenization: which assets should actually move onchain (17:00) - How stablecoins threaten bank margins but benefit the U.S. economy (18:34) - Treasury management & the opportunity for onchain balance sheets (19:34) - SharpLink’s mission: institutional access to Ethereum exposure (21:12) - Turning ETH into a productive asset through staking and DeFi (23:03) - Building an institutional team with trust & long-term credibility (25:22) - Market cycles, ETH accumulation & thesis-driven treasury strategy (27:48) - Managing a Nasdaq-listed crypto company responsibly (30:12) - Lessons from BlackRock: transparency, controls & investor trust (32:58) - The rise of other digital asset treasuries & what sets SharpLink apart (35:03) - Global expansion: insights from Korea, Singapore & Hong Kong (38:15) - How Asia’s retail energy outpaces Europe’s institutional caution (41:10) - What he learned from 70+ investor meetings across four continents (43:03) - Why DeFi collaboration matters more than competition (45:09) - Final advice: play the long game, manage risk, and lead with integrityYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Diogo Mónica, general partner at Haun Ventures, executive chairman and co-founder of Anchorage Digital, and chairman of the NEAR Foundation.Diogo shares how these roles intersect from managing billions in digital assets at Anchorage to backing early-stage founders at Haun Ventures and helping NEAR drive developer adoption.They discuss the next era of crypto use cases beyond trading, including stablecoins, tokenized equities, and “generative finance,” where AI creates tailored financial products in seconds.He explains how stablecoins reached global product-market fit in the Global South, why the Genius Act mattered, and how tokenization can reshape capital markets through onchain IPOs. Diogo also shares his view on regulation, crypto neobanks, and the intersection of AI and DeFi.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:09) - Why crypto still searches for new product-market fit beyond trading (01:35) - Stablecoins as the most proven use case in crypto today (02:16) - Tokenization’s rise and Tether’s reported $500 billion valuation (03:24) - Global adoption: why stablecoins thrive in Argentina and the Global South (05:09) - Enterprise use cases: cross-border payments, remittances & treasury flows (05:52) - The Genius Act and why clarity laws must follow infrastructure first (07:05) - Onchain IPOs and tokenized equities as capital-market entry points (09:10) - Examples like Galaxy stock trading onchain & Robert Leshner’s Superstate (10:35) - Crypto neobanks & how self-custody speeds innovation (12:10) - Programmable dollars and why stablecoins let developers ship in minutes (13:19) - AI + DeFi = tailored financial products (15:17) - Why this model could democratize custom investing for everyone (16:46) - Regulatory impact & how to govern millions of AI-generated financial products (17:57) - Anchorage’s federal bank charter & the “permission not forgiveness” approach (19:02) - What founders should build next & why stablecoins lead the next cycle (20:03) - Closing thoughts: from tokenizing dollars to AI-driven financeEssentialsYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On this episode of Talking Tokens, host Jacquelyn Melinek sits down with Alexander Cutler, CEO of Dromos Labs and core contributor to Aerodrome, the largest decentralized exchange on Base. Alexander breaks down how Aerodrome launched with zero VC funding and no token sale, with a focus on rewarding users directly by reshaping DeFi incentives and becoming the number one DEX by volume and fees on Base. The episode explores why the team focused on value redistribution and public goods, the hurdles of building for open participation, their unique community launch mechanics, and what it takes to maintain dominance as Base and Coinbase’s on-chain ecosystem grows. Alexander offers insights on how the Aerodrome model contrasts with extractive DeFi projects, the long-term role of infrastructure, and what’s next for the protocol amid rapid ecosystem changes.Sponsored by Fireblocks, infrastructure for secure tokenized assets. Learn more at fireblocks.com.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:02) - What tokenization really means and how it works in practice (02:16) - Inside FG Nexus and Securitize’s partnership to tokenize equity (03:54) - The significance of being a Nasdaq-listed firm with onchain shares (05:21) - What “natively tokenized” means vs wrapped or synthetic assets (07:11) - Why corporate participation matters for legitimacy and adoption (09:45) - How tokenization can expand liquidity, transparency, and access (11:17) - How Wall Street and major banks are now exploring stablecoins (12:46) - The path to adoption: regulation, revenue models, and marketplaces (14:32) - “Not all tokenization is created equal:” structural vs surface innovation (16:40) - Removing intermediaries: why smart contracts shift cost and trust (18:22) - The future of how AI and blockchain change corporate roles (20:59) - Why tokenized equities are the next evolution of capital markets (22:21) - Why FG Nexus chose Ethereum over other L1s (24:45) - Neutrality, decentralization, and Ethereum’s institutional alignment (26:09) - How FG Nexus fits into Ethereum’s ecosystem and future plans (27:46) - The Clarity Act and what it means for DeFi participation (29:57) - Challenges in tokenization: liquidity, interoperability & accounting gaps (31:48) - How blockchain will reshape corporate finance in 5–10 years (33:45) - “Rewriting Wall Street:” programmable finance for global markets (35:02) - The funniest and most interesting tokenization requests she’s received (36:57) - Closing thoughts: improving, not replacing, the existing financial systemSubscribe & FollowSubscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Support the show by leaving a review! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141 Twitter: Jacquelyn Melinek https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek | Podcast https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokens Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed entities or assets. Not investment advice.

In this episode of Talking Tokenization, Jacquelyn Melinek interviews Maja Vujinovic, CEO and co-founder of Digital Assets FG Nexus. Maja unpacks FG Nexus’s recent partnership with Securitize to put both its common and dividend-paying preferred shares fully on Ethereum, making it the first time a Nasdaq-listed company can offer truly onchain equity with programmable features. The conversation covers what “native tokenization” really means, contrasts it with traditional “wrapped” assets, and explores how direct onchain issuance lowers settlement times, improves transparency, and radically rethinks corporate finance. Maja shares lessons from building in regulated markets, the technology and governance challenges in real-world asset tokenization, and how programmable shares could rewire global investor access and governance. The episode closes on advice for founders and institutions eyeing the path from pilot to mainstream adoption.Sponsored by Securitize, the proven leader in tokenized funds, equities, and private markets. Discover more at securitize.io.Sponsored by Fireblocks, infrastructure for secure tokenized assets. Learn more at fireblocks.com.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:02) - What tokenization really means and how it works in practice (02:16) - Inside FG Nexus and Securitize’s partnership to tokenize equity (03:54) - The significance of being a Nasdaq-listed firm with onchain shares (05:21) - What “natively tokenized” means vs wrapped or synthetic assets (07:11) - Why corporate participation matters for legitimacy and adoption (09:45) - How tokenization can expand liquidity, transparency, and access (11:17) - How Wall Street and major banks are now exploring stablecoins (12:46) - The path to adoption: regulation, revenue models, and marketplaces (14:32) - “Not all tokenization is created equal:” structural vs surface innovation (16:40) - Removing intermediaries: why smart contracts shift cost and trust (18:22) - The future of how AI and blockchain change corporate roles (20:59) - Why tokenized equities are the next evolution of capital markets (22:21) - Why FG Nexus chose Ethereum over other L1s (24:45) - Neutrality, decentralization, and Ethereum’s institutional alignment (26:09) - How FG Nexus fits into Ethereum’s ecosystem and future plans (27:46) - The Clarity Act and what it means for DeFi participation (29:57) - Challenges in tokenization: liquidity, interoperability & accounting gaps (31:48) - How blockchain will reshape corporate finance in 5–10 years (33:45) - “Rewriting Wall Street:” programmable finance for global markets (35:02) - The funniest and most interesting tokenization requests she’s received (36:57) - Closing thoughts: improving, not replacing, the existing financial systemSubscribe & FollowSubscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Support the show by leaving a review! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141 Twitter: Jacquelyn Melinek https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek | Podcast https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokens Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed entities or assets. Not investment advice.