Bitcoin.com News Interviews

Garrett Minks, Founder and CTO of RAIR Protocol, joins Bitcoin.com’s Frederick Munawa to share his journey from mining Bitcoin in 2012 to building one of the most forward-thinking projects in open-source software and privacy-preserving blockchain technology.As a true crypto OG, Minks reflects on more than a decade of innovation — from early Bitcoin adoption to the rise of decentralized protocols that prioritize data ownership, transparency, and censorship resistance. Through RAIR Protocol, he’s pioneering a new model for digital content distribution, where creators maintain control using zero-knowledge proofs and permissionless access layers.This episode dives deep into the ethos of open-source development, the importance of privacy in Web3, and how RAIR is helping shape a decentralized internet built on integrity and freedom.• Garrett Minks’ journey from Bitcoin mining to blockchain innovation• Why open-source software is essential for Web3 progress• The promise of zero-knowledge proofs for privacy and scalability• Building RAIR Protocol and empowering creators through decentralization• How privacy tech is redefining trust in crypto infrastructureA must-listen for builders, developers, and crypto purists who believe in the power of open-source, privacy-first technologies to drive the next era of digital freedom.🎙️ Host: Frederick Munawa – Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Garrett Minks – Founder & CTO of RAIR Protocol🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | rair.tech💡 In this episode:🎧

tBTC, the leading decentralized and trust-minimized Bitcoin bridge, has officially launched native minting on Starknet — a breakthrough that connects Bitcoin directly to one of the most advanced Ethereum Layer-2 networks powered by ZK-rollup technology.This milestone allows Bitcoin holders to mint tBTC directly on Starknet, bypassing Ethereum and reducing both fees and friction for BTC onboarding. The result: seamless access to Starknet’s DeFi protocols, including DEXs, lending markets, and stablecoin platforms — all while preserving tBTC’s unmatched decentralization, transparency, and 1:1 BTC peg.The integration also sets the stage for upcoming liquidity incentive programs designed to bootstrap Bitcoin-backed DeFi adoption within Starknet’s growing ecosystem. As one of the most scalable and developer-friendly ZK-rollups, Starknet’s partnership with tBTC marks a crucial step toward a multi-chain Bitcoin future — one where BTC flows freely and securely across decentralized finance.• How tBTC enables native Bitcoin minting on Starknet• Why ZK-rollups are key to scaling decentralized finance• Reducing costs and complexity for Bitcoin holders entering DeFi• The importance of decentralization in cross-chain bridges• Upcoming liquidity incentives and BTC yield opportunities• The broader mission to make Bitcoin universally accessible across major chainsA must-listen for Bitcoin holders, DeFi builders, and Layer-2 enthusiasts exploring how tBTC and Starknet are unlocking new frontiers for Bitcoin-backed liquidity and cross-chain interoperability.🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Threshold Network & Starknet Ecosystem Contributors🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | threshold.network | starknet.io💡 In this episode:🎧

Dan Blackmore, Lead Analyst at Glassnode, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to explore how data, frameworks, and on-chain intelligence are reshaping the way professional traders understand crypto markets.“Not all metrics are equally valuable all the time,” says Blackmore — and in this insightful discussion, he explains how the best traders don’t just watch dashboards, they build frameworks for market interpretation. From institutional adoption to liquidity flow analysis, Blackmore breaks down the evolution of on-chain analytics and how Glassnode’s approach to actionable insights stands out in an increasingly crowded space.With institutions now entering the market at scale, this episode highlights how data-driven decision-making and contextual analysis are becoming the new edge in crypto trading.• Why “not all metrics are equally valuable all the time”• How frameworks outperform dashboards for trading decisions• Why institutional adoption of crypto analytics is accelerating• The evolution of on-chain data and market intelligence• How Glassnode differentiates itself in a competitive analytics landscapeA must-listen for traders, analysts, and investors seeking to understand how on-chain data and institutional frameworks are driving smarter, more informed strategies in crypto markets.🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Dan Blackmore – Lead Analyst at Glassnode🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | glassnode.com💡 In this episode:🎧

Sergey Nazarov, Co-Founder of Chainlink, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to explore how cross-chain DeFi, data oracles, and institutional blockchain adoption are shaping the next era of crypto innovation.In this exclusive conversation, Nazarov breaks down the accelerating convergence of DeFi and TradFi, revealing why global financial giants like J.P. Morgan, Fidelity, and UBS are moving on-chain — and how Chainlink’s oracle infrastructure is powering that transformation.He also shares why, despite over a decade of progress, the crypto industry is still only 2% built, outlining what’s needed to achieve full-scale interoperability and bring trillions of dollars in traditional assets into the decentralized economy.• How Chainlink enables secure, cross-chain DeFi and real-world data integration• Why institutions like J.P. Morgan and Fidelity are adopting on-chain infrastructure• The critical role of oracles in connecting TradFi to blockchain networks• Why the crypto industry is still early — and what “the other 98%” will look like• The future of interoperability, tokenized assets, and on-chain economiesA must-listen for developers, investors, and innovators exploring how Chainlink’s oracle network is bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems, unlocking the next phase of blockchain growth.🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Sergey Nazarov – Co-Founder of Chainlink🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | chain.link💡 In this episode:🎧

Steven McClurg, CEO of CanaryFunds, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to launch a Bitcoin ETF on Nasdaq — from navigating SEC regulators and S-1 filings to bridging the gap between crypto innovation and traditional finance (TradFi).With firsthand experience in institutional markets and digital asset management, McClurg explains how Bitcoin’s entry into mainstream investment products marks a defining moment for global finance. He shares insights into the regulatory process, the design of spot ETFs, and what the success of Bitcoin ETFs means for the next phase of adoption.From compliance challenges to market demand, this episode explores the intersection of Bitcoin, regulation, and institutional capital — and why the ETF approval wave may only be the beginning of a much larger transformation in how investors access digital assets.• The inside story of launching a Bitcoin ETF on Nasdaq• How regulators and S-1 filings shape the ETF approval process• Why Bitcoin made sense for mainstream investors• How ETFs bridge crypto and traditional finance• What’s next for BTC, ETFs, and institutional adoptionA must-listen for investors, analysts, and crypto professionals seeking to understand how Bitcoin ETFs are reshaping market access, liquidity, and regulatory engagement in the digital asset era.🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Steven McClurg – CEO of CanaryFunds🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | canaryfunds.com💡 In this episode:🎧

Vakhtang Abrahamyan, CEO of Fastex, joins Bitcoin.com News Lead David Sencil (@_dsencil) to share his remarkable journey from over 25 years in central banking and financial regulation to leading one of the fastest-growing Web3 ecosystems.In this in-depth conversation, Abrahamyan reveals how his experience as a former EU regulator shaped his approach to crypto governance, compliance, and innovation. He discusses Fastex’s global strategy — expanding from the EU and UAE to the US — and how the company is positioning itself at the intersection of real-world asset tokenization (RWAs), exchange security, and digital finance.With firsthand insights into both the traditional finance (TradFi) and crypto-native worlds, Abrahamyan explains how Fastex is creating trusted digital infrastructure for global adoption — while maintaining a strong focus on transparency, security, and regulatory clarity.• How Vakhtang Abrahamyan transitioned from central banking to crypto leadership• Fastex’s roadmap for expansion across the EU, UAE, and US markets• Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and its long-term potential• Lessons learned from centralized exchange (CEX) security breaches• How Fastex approaches cybersecurity and user protection• The path toward regulatory clarity in the US and global crypto marketsA must-listen for professionals exploring how financial regulation, blockchain innovation, and global expansion strategies converge to shape the future of Web3.🎙️ Host: David Sencil – Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Vakhtang Abrahamyan – CEO of Fastex🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | fastex.com💡 In this episode:🎧

How does next-generation crypto brokerage technology power the global trading ecosystem?In this episode, Arthur Azizov, CEO, and John Murillo, CDO of B2Broker, join Bitcoin.com News to discuss how their fintech powerhouse is transforming the way brokers, exchanges, and hedge funds access liquidity, trading infrastructure, and payment solutions across global markets.Founded in 2014, B2Broker has built a reputation as one of the most trusted solution providers in the digital asset industry, with hubs in London, Limassol, Hong Kong, and Dubai — serving financial institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.Azizov and Murillo unpack how deep liquidity, scalable technology, and an ecosystem-driven model enable institutions to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and tap into new revenue streams in a fast-evolving fintech landscape.🚀 In this episode:How B2Broker delivers deep liquidity and trading technologyBuilding institutional-grade infrastructure for crypto and FXInsights from nearly a decade of fintech innovationScaling across 11 countries with a unified solutions networkWhat’s next for crypto brokerage and fintech globalization🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News📍 Guests: Arthur Azizov, CEO, and John Murillo, CDO at B2Broker🔗 Learn more: b2broker.com | bitcoin.com

Why is uranium the hottest real-world asset on the blockchain?At Consensus 2025 Toronto, Arthur Breitman, Co-Founder of Tezos, joins Bitcoin.com’s Frederick Munawa to unpack the intersection of tokenized commodities, crypto culture, and the evolving Web3 landscape.From Uranium.io’s mission to tokenize uranium and other tangible assets, to Tezos’ self-amending ledger and its enduring philosophy of decentralization, Breitman shares sharp insights on the “Ethereum killer” myth, NFT innovation, and the cultural rifts shaping the future of crypto.This is a bold, fast-moving conversation about real-world assets (RWAs), ideology, and the next frontier of blockchain utility.🚀 In this episode:Uranium.io and the tokenization of real assetsHow Tezos’ self-amending ledger drives innovationThe “Ethereum killer” myth — revisitedInside crypto’s culture warsNFTs, DeFi, art, and the evolution of gaming on-chain🎙️ Host: Frederick Munawa, Bitcoin.com News📍 Guest: Arthur Breitman, Co-Founder of Tezos🔗 Learn more:Tezos | @tezosUranium.io | @uranium_ioArthur Breitman on X | Arthur’s Blogbitcoin.com

What does it really take to launch a Bitcoin ETF on Nasdaq?In this episode, Stephen McClurg, CIO at Canary Funds, joins Bitcoin.com News to unpack the complex process behind bringing Bitcoin into traditional finance — from SEC filings and S-1 approvals to navigating the evolving landscape of spot ETFs.McClurg shares insider insights from the front lines of crypto’s institutional adoption, explaining why Bitcoin made sense at EA, how the ETF structure opens doors for mainstream investors, and what’s next for BTC as it cements its place in global markets.🚀 In this episode:The step-by-step grind of launching a Bitcoin ETF on NasdaqHow regulation and TradFi are evolving around cryptoWhy Bitcoin fits the ETF modelThe road ahead for BTC, institutions, and investors🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News📍 Guest: Stephen McClurg, CIO at Canary Funds🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com

What if your phone could earn crypto while you use it?In this exclusive episode, Peter Huang, Co-Founder of XForge, joins Bitcoin.com News Lead David Sencil to explore how a $200 smartphone is redefining the intersection of mobile technology and Web3.Built for a decentralized future, XForge turns every user into a network participant — rewarding them for activity, connectivity, and engagement. Backed by leading crypto investors, the device brings blockchain rewards and ownership to the palms of everyday users, even those outside the crypto space.Huang reveals how XForge is onboarding a new generation of users — with 30% of buyers being non-crypto natives — and why this innovation could be the breakthrough that takes Web3 mainstream across Southeast Asia, Europe, and beyond.🚀 In this episode:How XForge transforms smartphones into crypto-mining devicesWhy 30% of users are new to cryptoThe $200 model that pays you to use itWeb3’s role in global mobile adoptionHow decentralized infrastructure powers everyday rewards🎙️ Host: David Sencil, Bitcoin.com News📍 Guest: Peter Huang, Co-Founder of XForge🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com | Follow @_dsencil on X