Bitcoin.com News Interviews

Arthur Hayes, Chief Investment Officer of Maelstrom and Co-Founder of BitMEX, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to share his unfiltered perspective on why the crypto market is still in a bull cycle — and what that means for Bitcoin, altcoins, and the next wave of blockchain innovation.In this wide-ranging conversation, Arthur reflects on his journey through the crypto markets, from launching BitMEX and its iconic Troll Box community, to shaping one of the most influential derivatives exchanges in Bitcoin’s history. He offers sharp insights into macro trends, investment psychology, and the structural evolution of crypto projects, explaining how institutional capital and global liquidity continue to fuel the long-term bull narrative.Arthur also talks about his writing process, the role of crypto conferences in fostering innovation, and how Maelstrom is positioned to identify the most promising opportunities in the decentralized economy.💡 In this episode:• Why Arthur Hayes believes we’re still in a crypto bull cycle• Lessons from building BitMEX and the rise of the Troll Box• How macro forces and liquidity drive Bitcoin price cycles• The changing face of crypto investing and token innovation• Arthur’s take on conferences, community, and thought leadership in Web3🎧 A must-listen episode featuring one of crypto’s most influential thinkers — Arthur Hayes — as he breaks down Bitcoin market dynamics, investor psychology, and where the next crypto boom may come from.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Arthur Hayes – Maelstrom – CIO and crypto pioneer, sharing insights on Bitcoin cycles, market strategy, and the future of digital asset investing.

Pavel Nikienkov, Co-Founder of Zano, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to explore how Zano is pioneering truly private digital cash — combining privacy-preserving blockchain technology, hybrid consensus mechanisms, and confidential asset support to redefine what digital financial freedom means in the age of surveillance and data exposure.Launched in 2019, Zano has evolved from a privacy coin into a full-fledged privacy platform for building and transacting with confidential tokens. Pavel shares how Zano’s hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus ensures both decentralization and scalability, while its confidential transactions and tokenization features empower users and developers to maintain full financial privacy and fungibility.He also reveals Zano’s upcoming roadmap — including smart contract functionality, hybrid consensus updates, and how the project is creating the foundation for next-generation private DeFi applications on the blockchain.💡 In this episode:• How Zano enables privacy-preserving digital cash and tokenization• The benefits of hybrid Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake consensus• Confidential transactions and asset issuance on a privacy blockchain• Zano’s roadmap for smart contracts and enhanced privacy layers• Why privacy remains a cornerstone of digital sovereignty in crypto🎧 A fascinating discussion on how Zano is leading the charge in privacy-first blockchain innovation, making truly private digital cash a practical reality for the Bitcoin and crypto economy.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Pavel Nikienkov – Zano – Blockchain privacy expert and co-founder, advancing confidential assets, hybrid consensus, and privacy tokenization in the digital economy.

Tausif Ahmed, Chief Business Development Officer at io.net, joins the Bitcoin.com News Podcast to discuss how io.net is revolutionizing the AI and machine learning (ML) industries by decentralizing GPU computing power.With over 325,000 verified GPUs, io.net is solving the global GPU supply crunch by creating a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) — enabling developers, startups, and enterprises to access scalable, cost-effective compute resources. Tausif explains how decentralized GPU marketplaces empower users to deploy AI workloads faster and more efficiently than ever, all while maintaining transparency and accessibility.Drawing from his background at Kraken, Amazon, and Deloitte, and his MBA from Harvard Business School, Tausif shares insights on strategic partnerships, blockchain-based infrastructure, and how Web3 can democratize access to AI computing.💡 In this episode:• How io.net’s decentralized GPU network is solving AI compute shortages• The rise of DePIN and its role in the future of blockchain infrastructure• Tausif Ahmed’s experience at Kraken, Amazon, and Deloitte• Why decentralization is essential for AI scalability and innovation• How io.net is bridging blockchain, data, and artificial intelligence🎧 A must-listen conversation on how decentralized computing is unlocking the next frontier of AI and crypto innovation, powered by io.net’s massive global GPU network.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com News Podcast🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Tausif Ahmed – io.net – Chief Business Development Officer, driving AI compute decentralization, DePIN growth, and strategic partnerships in the Web3 and blockchain AI ecosystem.

Adam Reeds, Co-Founder and CEO of Ledn, joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to discuss why Bitcoin is the most pristine collateral in the world — and how his company is reshaping the future of Bitcoin-backed lending and savings with transparency, resilience, and regulatory integrity.Founded with a mission to help people save and grow wealth through Bitcoin and digital assets, Ledn has become a leader in crypto lending and yield products, originating over $900 million in retail loans and $5.7 billion in institutional loans. Reeds explains how Ledn survived the 2022 FTX collapse and broader crypto bear market by maintaining a fully transparent, over-collateralized model, proving that trust and sound risk management are key to long-term success in digital finance.The conversation also explores the future of Bitcoin as collateral, the role of yield generation in decentralized finance, and how Ledn continues to expand responsibly while building infrastructure that supports Bitcoin as sound money.💡 In this episode:• Why Bitcoin is the world’s most pristine and transparent form of collateral• How Ledn survived the 2022 crypto lending collapse and emerged stronger• The importance of proof of reserves and transparency in digital finance• The evolution of Bitcoin-backed loans and yield products• Adam Reeds’ vision for the next generation of Bitcoin-native banking🎧 A powerful discussion about Bitcoin’s role as the backbone of a new, trust-based financial system, and how Ledn is leading the charge in Bitcoin-backed financial innovation.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Adam Reeds – Ledn – CEO & Co-Founder, pioneering Bitcoin-backed lending, crypto savings products, and financial transparency in the digital asset economy.

Charles Cascarilla, CEO and Co-Founder of Paxos, joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to discuss why stablecoins are only the beginning of the real-world asset (RWA) revolution — and how blockchain regulation, tokenized gold, and institutional adoption are paving the way for the next phase of digital finance.Founded in 2012, Paxos is one of the most trusted names in the crypto and fintech space, operating as the first regulated digital asset trust company in the United States. Cascarilla shares insights from his 20+ years in finance — including his time at Cedar Hill Capital Partners and Liberty City Ventures — and explains how Paxos bridges traditional banking and blockchain infrastructure to enable secure, compliant, and scalable digital asset transactions.The conversation covers Paxos’s pioneering work with regulated stablecoins, gold-backed tokens, and blockchain settlements for global financial institutions, highlighting how tokenization will reshape capital markets and unlock trillions in real-world value.💡 In this episode:• Why stablecoins are the first truly successful real-world asset (RWA)• How Paxos is bridging the gap between traditional finance and blockchain• The importance of regulation and trust in digital asset infrastructure• Tokenized gold, RWAs, and the evolution of blockchain-based payments• Charles Cascarilla’s perspective on the next wave of institutional crypto adoption🎧 A must-listen for anyone interested in how stablecoins, tokenized assets, and regulation are shaping the next generation of the Bitcoin and blockchain economy.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Charles Cascarilla – Paxos – Blockchain pioneer and financial innovator, leading the charge in regulated stablecoins, RWAs, and digital asset infrastructure.

Gaurav Sharma, Chief Technology Officer at Io.net, joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to explore how Io.net is building the GPU aggregate of aggregators — a decentralized computing network powering the next generation of AI compute, machine learning (ML), and AI agents.By tapping into unused GPU resources from crypto miners, independent data centers, and global nodes, Io.net delivers affordable, scalable, and efficient infrastructure for AI developers and blockchain-based machine learning models. Gaurav, whose background includes leadership roles at Binance, Agoda, Amazon, and eBay, shares how decentralizing GPU access is unlocking new opportunities at the intersection of AI, crypto, and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks).He also discusses the launch of Io.net’s AI Agents, their impact on distributed intelligence, and how the platform empowers both AI startups and crypto miners to participate in a more open, permissionless AI economy.💡 In this episode:• How Io.net decentralizes GPU compute for AI and ML workloads• The role of crypto miners in powering the decentralized AI infrastructure• The emergence of AI agents and their connection to blockchain networks• Gaurav Sharma’s insights from leading teams at Binance, Amazon, and eBay• Why DePIN and Web3 are essential for scaling AI globally🎧 A deep dive into how Io.net is reshaping artificial intelligence, decentralized compute, and the future of AI-powered crypto ecosystems.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Gaurav Sharma – Io.net – CTO and blockchain innovator, driving AI compute decentralization, machine learning infrastructure, and GPU-based Web3 systems.

Marina Markezic, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the European Crypto Initiative (EUCI), joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to discuss how the EUCI is helping to shape the future of crypto regulation in Europe, ensuring that open, permissionless, and decentralized blockchain innovation continues to thrive under fair and forward-thinking policy frameworks.The European Crypto Initiative is at the forefront of regulatory advocacy within the European Union, working to influence laws like MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) and other legislative measures that impact DeFi, blockchain startups, and Web3 builders. Marina shares how EUCI collaborates with policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to protect decentralization, promote innovation, and ensure crypto remains open and accessible across Europe.She also explores the broader global context — how Europe’s regulatory approach could set international standards for crypto governance, compliance, and user protection, while maintaining the ethos of Bitcoin and decentralized finance.💡 In this episode:• How the EUCI advocates for open and permissionless blockchain innovation• The impact of MiCA and upcoming EU crypto regulations on Web3• Why balanced regulation is key to protecting decentralization and user rights• The growing role of Europe in shaping global crypto policy• Marina Markezic’s vision for a transparent, innovation-friendly digital economy🎧 A vital discussion for anyone interested in the intersection of blockchain, regulation, and innovation, as EUCI continues to define what the future of crypto in Europe will look like.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Marina Markezic – EUCI – Co-Founder & Executive Director, driving crypto policy advocacy, blockchain regulation, and decentralized innovation across Europe.

Bartek Kiepuszewski, Founder of L2BEAT | Ethereum Community’s L2 Watchdog | Tracking Layer 2 Scaling, Security & Transparency | Bitcoin.com Interviews🧾 Optimised DescriptionBartek Kiepuszewski, Founder of L2BEAT, joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to discuss how his platform has become the Ethereum community’s go-to watchdog for Layer 2 (L2) scaling solutions — promoting transparency, security, and accountability across the rapidly evolving Ethereum ecosystem.L2BEAT is a leading analytics and research platform dedicated to Ethereum L2 scaling, offering comprehensive data and objective comparisons of rollups, optimistic and zk-based systems, and hybrid scaling solutions. Bartek explains how L2BEAT’s mission is to help users, developers, and investors understand the trade-offs, security assumptions, and decentralization levels of each L2 project — empowering the community to make informed decisions.He also delves into the future of Ethereum scalability, the importance of decentralized governance in L2 development, and how the L2 ecosystem will play a key role in enabling mass adoption of Ethereum and Bitcoin-compatible applications.💡 In this episode:• How L2BEAT became the leading transparency tracker for Ethereum L2s• The differences between optimistic and zero-knowledge (zk) rollups• Why transparency and data integrity are critical for crypto infrastructure• The role of L2s in driving Ethereum scalability and DeFi innovation• Bartek’s vision for a secure, decentralized, multi-chain future🎧 A must-listen for anyone following Ethereum’s Layer 2 race, as Bartek breaks down how L2BEAT is helping to keep the ecosystem accountable and advancing the future of decentralized scaling.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Bartek Kiepuszewski – L2BEAT – Founder and Ethereum L2 expert, leading efforts to analyze, monitor, and ensure transparency across the Ethereum Layer 2 landscape.

Vugar Usi Zade, Chief Operating Officer of Bitget, joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to discuss how Bitget is bridging the worlds of traditional finance and blockchain, driving mass Bitcoin adoption while navigating the evolving global regulatory landscape.Under Vugar’s leadership, Bitget has surpassed 100 million users, cementing its position as a top-tier global crypto exchange. He shares insights into the company’s growth strategy, its proactive compliance approach, and the crucial role of clear regulation in ensuring the long-term stability of the crypto industry.Vugar also analyzes macroeconomic and political trends shaping the next phase of Bitcoin and crypto adoption — from U.S. leadership shifts and Trump-era influence, to how BRICS nations may use cryptocurrency to redefine financial independence. He outlines why centralized exchanges will remain critical bridges to Web3 adoption, and how Bitget’s investments in decentralized wallets and blockchain gaming are expanding its ecosystem beyond trading.💡 In this episode:• How Bitget reached 100 million users and built a trusted global platform• The importance of compliance and regulation in Bitcoin’s mainstream growth• How BRICS and global politics are accelerating crypto adoption• Why centralized exchanges still play a key role in bridging finance and blockchain• Bitget’s leadership philosophy and investments in wallets, gaming, and DeFi🎧 A comprehensive look at how Bitget is shaping the future of Bitcoin adoption, balancing innovation and regulation to create a sustainable, inclusive crypto economy.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Vugar Usi Zade – Bitget – COO of Bitget, driving Bitcoin exchange innovation, regulatory leadership, and global blockchain adoption across finance and Web3.

Ralph Gebran, Managing Partner at Onramp MENA | What Bitcoin Adoption Really Looks Like in the Middle East | Custody, Regulation & Institutional Growth | Bitcoin.com Interviews🧾 Optimised DescriptionRalph Gebran, Managing Partner at Onramp MENA, joins Dustin Plantholt on Bitcoin.com Interviews to explore the state of Bitcoin adoption across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — from institutional investment and regulatory progress to the region’s growing demand for secure Bitcoin custody and asset management solutions.Onramp MENA is dedicated to helping institutions and high-net-worth individuals in the region understand and safely integrate Bitcoin into their portfolios. Ralph discusses how regulators, family offices, and private banks are approaching the digital asset space, and why Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against inflation and capital controls is resonating across the Gulf and North Africa.The conversation also covers Bitcoin custody models, sovereign-grade security, and how the MENA region’s energy, finance, and innovation sectors are converging to support long-term Bitcoin infrastructure.💡 In this episode:• The current state of Bitcoin adoption in the Middle East and North Africa• How institutions are approaching Bitcoin investment and custody• Key regulatory developments shaping crypto markets in the MENA region• Why Bitcoin is gaining traction among family offices and sovereign investors• Onramp MENA’s mission to bridge traditional finance with Bitcoin innovation🎧 A timely discussion revealing how Bitcoin’s global narrative is taking root in the Middle East, where innovation, regulation, and capital are aligning to drive the next wave of adoption.🎙️ Host: Dustin Plantholt – Bitcoin.com Interviews🔗 Bitcoin.com💼 Featured Guest: Ralph Gebran – Onramp MENA – Managing Partner, advancing Bitcoin adoption, institutional custody, and regulatory collaboration across the MENA region.