On this episode of Talking Tokens, Jacquelyn interviews Michael Shaulov, CEO and co-founder of Fireblocks, the firm securing over $10 trillion in digital assets and now leading the way in global payments. Michael explains the launch of Fireblocks Network for Payments, a universal infrastructure standardizing stablecoin settlement, already connecting 2,400+ institutional participants across 60 currencies and all major stablecoins. He unpacks why “Swift for stablecoins” isn’t just about creating faster, cheaper, and transparent cross-border transactions, but building a foundation for the next generation of programmable money, real-world finance, and global innovation. Michael shares Fireblocks’ journey, stablecoin adoption across emerging markets, the core payment “sandwich” use cases, AI and trade finance possibilities, and why mass integration will shift both enterprise and consumer experience. Recorded live as regulatory clarity fuels record institutional demand, you’ll hear his candid reflections on network effects, payment security, and what comes after the next industry unlock.

This episode is sponsored by Fireblocks. 

⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) - Intro: Michael Shaulov and the new Fireblocks Network for Payments

(00:38) - What is “Swift for stablecoins”? Discovery, partner standards, global APIs

(03:59) - Why now: Stablecoin adoption, regulation, and the long strategy ahead

(05:34) - Problems solved: Network effects, on/off ramp, and real cross-border settlement

(08:19) - Stablecoins’ evolution: Safe haven to global payment rails

(09:37) - Early use cases: DeFi yields, FX markets, and stablecoin “sandwich”

(12:18) - Real-world payouts: Multinationals, contractors, and next-gen remittance

(14:01) - From $900 credit card fees to $0.25 stablecoin transfers, “the magical moment”

(16:16) - The transparency advantage: Why blockchain payment tracking sets new standards

(17:12) - What comes next? AI, trade finance, and programmable money

(19:45) - Fireblocks’ edge: Unlocking scale, security, and innovation for massive flows

(22:07) - Going mainstream: How Fireblocks bridges B2B, fintech, and bank adoption

(26:10) - Regulatory clarity: Surveying the market, shifting barriers, and new opportunities

(29:13) - Killer use cases: U.S. institutions expand global reach, lower costs, onboard new markets

(31:08) - Surprising clientele including manufacturing giants and corporates betting on stablecoins

(34:17) - The “payout unlock”: When sending stablecoins is as easy as scanning a QR code

(37:18) - Why universal crypto acceptance drives actual change

(41:21) - Risks ahead: Financial complexity, bubbles, and speculation

(45:51) - Fireblocks’ mission: A secure, open, and truly scalable global money network

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Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed assets or companies. Not investment advice.