Beyond the Code

In this unforgettable episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Bitcoin OG and serial entrepreneur Charlie Shrem for a raw, unfiltered journey through the birth of Bitcoin, the collapse of early crypto infrastructure, and the deeply personal trials that shaped one of the industry's most iconic—and controversial—figures.

Charlie opens up about how a small Israeli charity called Tikvot led him to Bitcoin, the early anarchic energy of the online forums where Satoshi once roamed, and how he helped pioneer one of the world’s first Bitcoin exchanges, BitInstant, with nothing but bar mitzvah money and a handshake agreement.

They talk Mt. Gox, the founding of the Bitcoin Foundation, and how a single Skype message from Roger Ver changed the course of Charlie’s life. But this episode doesn’t shy away from the dark turns: Charlie reflects on the moment federal agents arrested him at JFK, his experience in solitary confinement, the fallout with his family and community, and the harrowing prison conditions that tested his spirit.

We also explore the redemption arc: house arrest in Pennsylvania, quiet reintegration into the crypto world, life on a boat, podcasting, venture investing—and a spiritual journey that defies binaries.

Topics Covered:

• How PayPal freezing donations led to discovering Bitcoin;

• The mechanics of BitInstant and why it succeeded;

• Mt. Gox, Silk Road, and the cracks in early crypto;

• Charlie’s arrest, conviction, and incarceration experience;

• Leaving Orthodoxy, family estrangement, and Jewish identity;

• Starting over, rebuilding wealth, and finding purpose;

This is more than a conversation about Bitcoin—it's a story about resilience, belief, exile, and finding your people on the internet.

🔗 Connect with Charlie: Website: charlieshrem.com Podcast: Untold Stories Twitter/X: @CharlieShrem

What if your law firm felt more like an art studio than a courtroom?

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Vivek Jayaram, founder of Jayaram Law and one of the most creative minds in the legal space. They go deep on how Vivek built a law firm that refuses to look or act like one, why authenticity and originality are at the heart of his practice, and how he went from Big Law burnout to representing the most interesting names in tech, fashion, and digital art.

They talked about:

• 🎸 Growing up on guitar solos, Bulls championships, and indie film;

• 🎨 His early vision for a “law firm for creators,” long before it was cool

• 🧠 The firm’s unique mission to enable original ideas—not just win cases;

• 🧾 How Jayaram Law became a go-to shop for NFTs, and digital artists;

• 💥 Why your legal practice should feel more like a cultural movement than a service business.

Vivek also shares reflections on IP law, digital authenticity, and Vivek's wildly popular (and highly recommended by yours tuly) Taylor Swift IP Course, Blank Spaces.

Whether you're a lawyer, a founder, an artist—or all three—this is an inspiring look at what legal practice can look like when it breaks out of the mold.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Yitzy sits down with Dr. Shmuel Abramzon, Israel’s Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance, to unpack his unique role at the intersection of policy, macroeconomics, and innovation.

They dive into the evolution of digital assets in Israel, what it really means to “regulate” crypto, and the story behind the Ministry’s landmark report on digital asset regulation.

Dr. Abramzon shares insights into the bureaucratic complexity of crafting policy, Israel’s cautious dance with stablecoin regulation, and his thoughts on the prospects of a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

From reflections on his time at RAND Corporation to a philosophical take on decentralization, this episode offers a rare look into how one of Israel’s top economic voices is navigating the future of crypto and fintech.

On March 26, 2025,⁠ ⁠Collider. VC⁠⁠ hosted⁠ ⁠Building Blocks 2025⁠⁠, as part of ETH TLV. Our host,⁠ ⁠Yitzy Hammer⁠⁠ was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.

In the last of the Building Blocks Conversations, Yitzy Hammer sat down with Adam Benayoun, managing partner at Collider, to unpack the highlights and aspirations emerging from Building Blocks 2025. 

Adam recounts his journey from founding startups in France to steering crypto investments in Israel, offering candid reflections on the personal convictions that drive his work. 

They dive into the unique hurdles of moving from entrepreneur to venture capitalist, the art of spotting novel blockchain business models, and the need for standardized legal frameworks to support sustainable growth. 

Along the way, Adam makes a compelling case for greater inclusivity and collaboration within the VC community—and shares why he believes Israel is poised to become a leading global crypto hub. Tune in for an inside look at the legacy he’s building and the future he envisions for the ecosystem.

On March 26, 2025,⁠ ⁠Collider. VC⁠⁠ hosted⁠ ⁠Building Blocks 2025⁠⁠, as part of ETH TLV. Our host,⁠ ⁠Yitzy Hammer⁠⁠ was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.

Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy interviews Josh Schwartz, CEO and Co-Founder of FORDeFi, about bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems.

Josh shares his journey from Wall Street to Web3, and how ForDeFi is tackling the critical security, governance, and usability challenges in DeFi wallet infrastructure. We explore how institutional adoption is picking up pace, what regulators are (finally) getting right, and why the future of crypto lies in the seamless integration of TradFi and DeFi.

On March 26, 2025,⁠ ⁠Collider. VC⁠⁠ hosted⁠ ⁠Building Blocks 2025⁠⁠, as part of ETH TLV. Our host,⁠ ⁠Yitzy Hammer⁠⁠ was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.

Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy interviews Ben Samocha, the founder of Crypto Jungle, discussing the evolution of the platform, its role in the Israeli blockchain community, and Ben's personal journey into the crypto space.

They explore the importance of education in the blockchain sector, the challenges of fundraising in crypto, and the optimism surrounding the future of cryptocurrency amidst global economic challenges.

Ever worry about what will happen to your bitcoin after you die?

On March 26, 2025,⁠ ⁠⁠Collider.⁠ hosted⁠ ⁠⁠Building Blocks 2025⁠⁠⁠, as part of ETH TLV. Our host,⁠ ⁠⁠Yitzy Hammer⁠⁠⁠ was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.

Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy sits down with Eyal Gruper, Co-Founder of Peaceful21, an innovative self-custody solution for bitcoin recovery and inheritance.

On March 26, 2025,⁠ ⁠Collider. hosted⁠ ⁠Building Blocks 2025⁠⁠, as part of ETH TLV. Our host,⁠ ⁠Yitzy Hammer⁠⁠ was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.

Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy sits down with Iri Zohar, CEO and founder of Bring, a crypto cashback platform that allows users to earn cryptocurrency rewards while shopping. They discuss the unique features of Bring, its partnerships with various wallets and retailers, and the challenges the company faces in user acquisition and integration. Iri shares insights into the cashback model, emphasizing its potential to engage users and drive purchases in the Web3 space.

On March 26, 2025,⁠ ⁠Collider. VC⁠⁠ hosted⁠ ⁠Building Blocks 2025⁠⁠, as part of ETH TLV. Our host,⁠ ⁠Yitzy Hammer⁠⁠ was invited to come and interview guests and speakers.

Live from Building Blocks at Jaffa Port in Tel Aviv, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Eva Beylin, Board Member of Optimism and Former Director of The Graph Foundation.

They explored Eva's journey from management consulting to the crypto world, her experiences with NFTs, and her role at The Graph. They discuss the evolution of the Ethereum ecosystem, the importance of leadership honesty, and the current state of the crypto market, emphasizing the need for a return to fundamentals and realistic expectations in the industry.

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Carlo D’Angelo, the "DeFi Defender," a veteran criminal defense lawyer turned crypto law expert. Carlo shares his fascinating journey—from his early days as a public defender in Florida to becoming a key figure in the crypto legal community. He dives into his current work defending "money mules" caught in crypto fraud schemes, shedding light on the human cost of transnational crime and the complexities of U.S. prosecution policies. The conversation also explores the vibrant crypto lawyer community, the evolution of NFTs, and the seismic shift in U.S. crypto regulation under the current administration. Carlo offers an optimistic outlook on blockchain’s future, from tokenized assets to a national Bitcoin reserve, urging listeners to seize the moment in this "crypto renaissance." Tune in for an insider’s take on law, tech, and the blockchain revolution.

Carlo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-d-angelo-425756a/

Carlo on X: https://x.com/TheDeFiDefender

Carlo's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/carlodangelo

The DeFi Defenders FREE NFT Mint: https://defidefenders.xyz/

https://defidefenselawyer.com/

https://dangelolegal.com/