Bitcoin.com News Interviews

What happens when Ethereum meets TON’s 1-billion-user ecosystem?In this episode, Marco Monaco, Co-Founder and Growth Lead at TAC, joins Bitcoin.com News to discuss how TAC is building a purpose-built blockchain that lets EVM dApps tap directly into the TON and Telegram ecosystems.Powered by Cosmos SDK and integrated with Babylon’s Bitcoin Security Network, TAC enables seamless deployment of Ethereum dApps on TON — bringing EVM functionality, liquidity, and real consumer access to a massive Web3 audience.Monaco shares how TAC’s $370 million Summoning Campaign bootstrapped liquidity, outlines the phased mainnet rollout, and explains why interoperability is the key to unlocking mainstream crypto adoption. With deep experience across Linea, Metamask, and Infura, he reveals how TAC bridges developers, liquidity, and users across chains.🚀 In this episode:Bringing Ethereum dApps to TON’s 1B+ user baseHow TAC uses Cosmos SDK and Babylon for securityInsights from the $370M Summoning CampaignWhy interoperability drives the next wave of Web3 adoptionMarco’s journey from Consensys and Linea to building TAC🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News📍 Guest: Marco Monaco, Co-Founder & Growth Lead at TAC🔗 Learn more: tac.build | Follow on X | bitcoin.com

Can Bitcoin truly thrive in DeFi — without giving up its core values of security and decentralization?In this deep-dive interview, MacLane Wilkison, CEO of tLabs and co-founder of Threshold Network, joins Bitcoin.com to unpack how tBTC, the first fully permissionless Bitcoin bridge, is unlocking powerful new opportunities for BTC holders.Unlike centralized solutions such as wBTC, tBTC uses a decentralized network of signers to hold Bitcoin securely while enabling users to earn yield, trade, and participate across DeFi ecosystems like Ethereum, Solana, and emerging Bitcoin Layer-2 networks.Wilkison reveals how Threshold’s renewed focus on tBTC — and the end of T token inflation — has made the network profitable through bridge fee revenues, aligning token value directly with adoption.From BitVM2’s potential to enhance Bitcoin bridges to Threshold’s mission of keeping Bitcoin open, sovereign, and productive, this conversation explores the cutting edge of where Bitcoin meets DeFi.🚀 In this episode:The real path to bringing Bitcoin into DeFi securelyHow tBTC challenges custodial models like wBTCWhy Threshold Network is betting on cross-chain liquidityThe rise of Bitcoin Layer-2 ecosystemsWhat’s next for BTC yield, interoperability, and decentralization🎙️ Host: Bitcoin.com News📍 Guest: MacLane Wilkison, CEO of tLabs & Co-Founder of Threshold Network🔗 Learn more: bitcoin.com

Jordi Alexander, founder and CEO of Selini Capital, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the evolving crypto markets, meme coin mania, and how AI is reshaping trading and market structure.Selini Capital is a leading firm specializing in market making, high-frequency trading (HFT), and venture investing across the digital asset ecosystem. Jordi — who also co-hosts the Steady Lads Podcast — shares his insights into liquidity dynamics, regulatory challenges, and the strategies that differentiate professional trading firms from speculative traders.💡 In this episode:• How Selini Capital drives efficiency and liquidity across crypto markets• The rise and risks of meme coins in today’s market cycle• The evolving role of market makers and high-frequency trading in DeFi• Why AI and algorithmic models are key to the next wave of innovation• Thoughts on regulation, transparency, and long-term stability in crypto• Jordi’s outlook for 2025 and beyond🎧 A sharp and insightful discussion that bridges professional trading, DeFi mechanics, and the human psychology driving Bitcoin and altcoin markets.🎙️ Host: David Sencil – Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Jordi Alexander – Selini Capital – CEO, market strategist, and co-host of Steady Lads Podcast.🔗 Learn more at Bitcoin.com

Frank Cheng, founder of ApeironNFT, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to reveal how he’s transforming a bold idea into one of the most innovative hybrid strategy games in Web3. Powered by the $APRS and $ANIMA tokens, Apeiron combines real-time strategy, card battling, and god simulation — creating a dynamic universe where AI, community, and accessibility drive the next evolution of gaming.From his transition out of management consulting to leading a major gaming studio, Frank shares his journey, the lessons learned from earlier token models, and the vision of Apeiron as a full multimedia franchise, bridging Web2 and Web3 gamers in a single immersive experience.💡 In this episode:• The story behind Apeiron and its groundbreaking hybrid RTS model• How the $APRS and $ANIMA tokens power the ecosystem• Leveraging AI to enhance storytelling and player experience• Why onboarding Web2 gamers is essential for mainstream adoption• Lessons from early tokenomics and sustainable play-to-earn design• How Apeiron lowers barriers to entry — no upfront investment needed🎮 Whether you’re a gamer, builder, or investor, this episode dives deep into how Web3 gaming can achieve mass adoption through innovation, fun, and accessibility.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast💼 Guest: Frank Cheng – ApeironNFT – Founder & CEO, leading the charge in AI-enhanced Web3 gaming and hybrid play-to-earn ecosystems.🔗 Learn more at Bitcoin.com

Monad isn’t just another EVM chain — it’s redefining what’s possible for smart contract performance and developer experience. In this episode, recorded live at Southeast Asia Blockchain Week, Bitcoin.com’s Retention Lead Alun sits down with Edwin Lau, APAC Ecosystem Lead at Monad Foundation, to explore how Monad is pushing the EVM to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) while keeping developer usability front and center.Edwin explains what makes Monad’s parallel execution architecture and low-latency design stand out from other chains — and why cross-chain developers are rapidly joining the Monad ecosystem. He also shares how community culture, including creative mascots like Molandak, plays an underrated role in tech adoption and ecosystem growth.💡 In this episode:• How Monad achieves near-instant EVM-level performance (10,000 TPS)• Why developers are migrating to Monad for cross-chain innovation• The role of culture, branding, and humor in blockchain adoption• What makes Monad’s architecture different from other EVM chains• A behind-the-scenes look at Monad’s growing presence in Asia🎧 A must-listen for developers, investors, and innovators curious about the next generation of high-performance EVM-compatible blockchains.🎙️ Host: Alun – Retention Lead, Bitcoin.com💼 Guest: Edwin Lau – APAC Ecosystem Lead, Monad Foundation📍 Recorded live at Southeast Asia Blockchain Week🔗 Learn more at Bitcoin.com

Sandra Abrams, founder of Onboard 60, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to discuss her inspiring mission to educate senior citizens about cryptocurrency and help them confidently navigate the digital financial revolution.A former crypto skeptic turned passionate educator, Sandra shares how her first Bitcoin purchase in 2016 led her to create Onboard 60 — a platform dedicated to empowering older generations to participate in the largest generational wealth transfer in history. She also explores how understanding digital assets can help seniors connect with their grandchildren, bridge the digital divide, and take control of their financial future.In conversation with Bitcoin.com News Lead David Sencil, Sandra offers practical advice on introducing crypto to older adults, building trust in new technologies, and creating accessible education programs that demystify blockchain, wallets, and security.💡 In this episode:• How Sandra overcame early skepticism and embraced Bitcoin• Why seniors need to understand crypto and digital finance• The mission behind Onboard 60 and its educational approach• Bridging the gap between baby boomers and Gen Z through crypto• Strategies for safe, confident, and informed digital investing🎧 A powerful conversation on financial inclusion, education, and intergenerational connection in the new digital economy.🎙️ Host: David Sencil – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Sandra Abrams – Onboard 60 – Founder & Educator, helping seniors confidently explore Bitcoin, crypto, and digital assets.

In this candid and inspiring episode, Jamie Redman, News Lead at Bitcoin.com, opens up about his unexpected path from libertarian ideals to Bitcoin advocacy — and how a tax refund, Ron Paul’s influence, and a deep passion for financial freedom sparked his journey into crypto.From the early days of Bitcoin forums and online debates to covering some of the most defining moments in crypto history, Jamie shares behind-the-scenes insights into the rise of Bitcoin media, the Luna crash, and his unfiltered take on meme coins, Bitcoin culture, and decentralization.A true Bitcoin OG and one of the longest-serving crypto journalists in the industry, Jamie reflects on what’s changed (and what hasn’t) since Bitcoin’s early days — and why freedom, transparency, and self-custody still lie at the heart of it all.💡 In this episode:• How libertarian ideals and Ron Paul inspired Jamie’s Bitcoin journey• The story behind his first Bitcoin purchase — and early crypto culture• Lessons from covering major crypto events like the Luna collapse• The evolution of Bitcoin journalism and online discourse• Why meme coins matter — and what they say about the crypto ethos• Jamie’s vision for Bitcoin’s future and the decentralization movement🎧 A raw, authentic conversation about freedom, financial sovereignty, and the evolution of Bitcoin — from one of the original storytellers of the space.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Jamie Redman – Bitcoin.com News – News Lead, early Bitcoin adopter, crypto historian, and libertarian advocate for financial independence.

Titus Kevalny, Vice President of Go-to-Market Strategy at Civic, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to explore the critical intersection of digital identity, privacy, and artificial intelligence in a world increasingly challenged by AI bots, Sybil attacks, and deep fakes.In this conversation, Titus outlines Civic’s mission to create safer Web3 ecosystems through decentralized identity verification and privacy-preserving KYC solutions. He explains how Civic Pass, now with over 1 million verifications, enables apps, dApps, and protocols to verify users while maintaining anonymity — and introduces Civic Auth, a streamlined authentication method empowering developers to build trust into their systems effortlessly.Titus also reflects on Civic’s evolution from Ethereum to Solana, the importance of multi-layered authentication in combating AI-driven fraud, and how decentralized identity tools can safeguard communities in an era of synthetic media and algorithmic manipulation.💡 In this episode:• How Civic protects apps from Sybil attacks and ensures KYC compliance• The power of Civic Pass and Civic Auth in decentralized ecosystems• Combating deep fakes, bots, and AI-driven identity fraud• Civic’s transition from Ethereum to Solana and what it means for scalability• The future of self-sovereign identity in Web3 and beyond🎧 A must-listen discussion on how blockchain-based identity systems can restore trust and accountability in an era where AI blurs the boundaries between real and artificial.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Titus Kevalny – Civic – VP of Go-to-Market Strategy, leading initiatives in digital identity, authentication, and AI-era security.

James Au, CEO of Sol Arena and Founder of Chillchat, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to discuss how AI and blockchain are transforming the next generation of Web3 gaming. A creative pioneer in the space, James shares his journey from building Chillchat, an interactive social metaverse, to launching Sol Arena, a groundbreaking game merging AI, community engagement, and on-chain innovation.In this episode, James explains the core vision behind Sol Arena, detailing how it leverages artificial intelligence to create dynamic gameplay experiences, empower creators, and redefine what it means to own and evolve virtual worlds. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities shaping the Web3 gaming sector and why community participation and player ownership are key to the industry’s long-term success.💡 In this episode:• The origin and vision of Sol Arena and its AI-powered gameplay• How Chillchat inspired a new approach to social and interactive gaming• The role of AI in creating adaptive, player-driven experiences• Overcoming challenges in the fast-evolving Web3 gaming space• Why community and ownership are the foundation of sustainable Web3 games🎧 Dive into the world of Sol Arena, where AI meets blockchain to empower creators, reward communities, and reshape the gaming experience for the Web3 era.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: James Au – Sol Arena / Chillchat – CEO & Founder, leading innovation in AI-driven Web3 gaming, community-powered ecosystems, and blockchain-based creativity.

JC Kim, CEO of Immortal Rising 2 and Co-founder of Planetarium Labs, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to discuss the next generation of Web3 gaming — where AI, blockchain, and player ownership redefine how games are built, played, and evolved.As an OG in Web3 gaming, JC shares his personal journey from early inspirations to developing Immortal Rising 2, one of the most anticipated titles in the decentralized gaming world. He explains how AI-driven design, community engagement, and on-chain economies are shaping a future where players are true stakeholders in their gaming experience.The discussion dives into the challenges of scaling Web3 games, how Planetarium Labs is pushing the boundaries of decentralized infrastructure, and why ownership, transparency, and sustainability are at the heart of next-gen game development.💡 In this episode:• How Immortal Rising 2 redefines Web3 gaming with player-driven innovation• The role of AI in game creation, storytelling, and live in-game evolution• Building sustainable game economies powered by true digital ownership• How Planetarium Labs is pioneering decentralized gaming infrastructure• What’s next for Immortal Rising 2 and the Web3 gaming ecosystem🎧 A visionary conversation about how blockchain and AI are merging to create a new era of gaming — immersive, equitable, and owned by players.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: JC Kim – Immortal Rising 2 / Planetarium Labs – CEO & Co-Founder, leading innovation in AI-driven Web3 gaming and decentralized entertainment ecosystems.