Public Key

Crypto's Role in Modern Geopolitical Chess


Listen Later

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, Trump’s incoming administration, and BRICS’ exploration of de-dollarization, have compounded into what might be a pivotal year for alternative payments systems and geopolitics.


In this episode, host, Eitan Danon (Content Marketing Manager, Chainalysis) sits down with Tom Keatinge, Director of the Center for Finance and Security (CFS) at RUSI to discuss the intersection of digital assets and geopolitics

Tom shares his journey into crypto, highlighting a 2011 Bitcoin meetup in crypto OGs and explains RUSI's history and its focus on financial crime and state-based threats, emphasizing the role of alternative payment systems in geopolitical competition, particularly in the context of sanctions evasion.

He highlights  the increasing state-based activity in financial crime and the strategic importance of the global payment system, including the weaponization of SWIFT, the development of CBDCs and the potential impact of the incoming Trump administration on international financial relations.

Minute-by-minute episode breakdown

2 | Tom’s early journey into crypto in 2012 as an academic 

4 | The origins of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the creation of the Centre for Finance and Security (CFS)

6 | The strategic role of alternative payment systems in global security

10 | Sanctions and the impact it has on Russia and international alternative payment systems 

14 | BRICs and the realities of de-dollarization in global markets

18 | Global financial alliances and increase of western strategic challenges

23 | The future of digital currencies and global economic shifts

27 |  Global financial threats and strategic economic security challenges

31 | RUSI’s focus for 2025 on sanctions, terrorist financing and Europe’s economic challenges

Related resources

Check out more resources provided by Chainalysis that perfectly complement this episode of the Public Key.

  • Website: RUSI: The world’s oldest and the UK’s leading defence and security think tank
  • Article: The Other Bitcoin Boom: Crypto Mining in Russia’s Shadow Territories
  • Article: Central Bank Digital Currencies and National Security: Policy Considerations
  • Blog: OFAC Highlights Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in Cryptocurrency Transactions Related to IRGC-connected Houthi Financier Sa’id al-Jamal
  • Blog: 2025 Crypto Crime Report Preview: $2.2 Billion Stolen from Crypto Platforms in 2024, but Hacked Volumes Stagnate Toward Year-End as DPRK Slows Activity Post-July
  • Press Release: Welcoming Hexagate to Chainalysis and Investing in Prevention
  • YouTube: Chainalysis YouTube page
  • Twitter: Chainalysis Twitter: Building trust in blockchain
  • Tik Tok: Building trust in #blockchains among people, businesses, and governments.
  • Telegram: Chainalysis on Telegram
  • Book: Paper Soldiers: How The Weaponization of the Dollar Changed the World Order - by Saleha Mohsin
  • Speakers on today’s episode
    • Eitan Danon * Host * (Content Marketing Manager, Chainalysis) 
    • Tom Keatinge (Director, Centre for Finance & Security (CFS) at RUSI)
    • This website may contain links to third-party sites that are not under the control of Chainalysis, Inc. or its affiliates (collectively “Chainalysis”). Access to such information does not imply association with, endorsement of, approval of, or recommendation by Chainalysis of the site or its operators, and Chainalysis is not responsible for the products, services, or other content hosted therein.

      Our podcasts are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making these types of decisions. Chainalysis has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material.

      Chainalysis does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. 

      Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Chainalysis. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Chainalysis employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. 

       

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      Public KeyBy Chainalysis

      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7

      4.7

      38 ratings


      More shows like Public Key

      View all
      We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network by The Investor's Podcast Network

      We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network

      3,392 Listeners

      Macro Voices by Hedge Fund Manager Erik Townsend

      Macro Voices

      3,073 Listeners

      Odd Lots by Bloomberg

      Odd Lots

      1,869 Listeners

      a16z Podcast by Andreessen Horowitz

      a16z Podcast

      1,084 Listeners

      Unchained by Laura Shin

      Unchained

      1,214 Listeners

      Trillions by Bloomberg

      Trillions

      192 Listeners

      CoinDesk Podcast Network by CoinDesk

      CoinDesk Podcast Network

      644 Listeners

      The Breakdown by Blockworks

      The Breakdown

      742 Listeners

      On The Brink with Castle Island by Castle Island Ventures

      On The Brink with Castle Island

      289 Listeners

      All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

      All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

      9,810 Listeners

      Honestly with Bari Weiss by The Free Press

      Honestly with Bari Weiss

      8,815 Listeners

      Forward Guidance by Blockworks

      Forward Guidance

      272 Listeners

      The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis by Nathaniel Whittemore

      The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

      562 Listeners

      TRM Talks by TRM Labs

      TRM Talks

      10 Listeners

      Monetary Matters with Jack Farley by Jack Farley

      Monetary Matters with Jack Farley

      144 Listeners