MoneyNeverSleeps

MoneyNeverSleeps

By Pete Townsend | GP at Norio VenturesTechnology
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MoneyNeverSleeps episodes

  • 277: Straight Outta Crypton | Swarm and the Rise of RWAs | Timo Lehes and Philipp Pieper

    This week. I sat down with Timo Lehes and Philipp Pieper, the co-founders of Swarm, the RWA (or Real World Assets) platform that brings unique digitization and trading solutions to the world of traditional and decentralized finance. Swam is the first organization in the world to offer digitized US treasury bills and Apple stock via a compliant and decentralized platform

    From their personal journeys into crypto to the challenges of integrating TradFi with DeFi, Timo and Philipp unpack Swarm's evolution, their focus on compliance, and their vision for the tokenized financial markets of tomorrow. Along the way, they share stories about formative moments in their careers, including Philipp’s time in New England during the fall of the Berlin Wall and Timo’s early coding days.

    Plus, we dive into:

    • Swarm’s focus on making blockchain-based assets accessible and tradable globally.

    • Insights from the initial coin offering (ICO) and security token offering (STO) waves of the mid-2010s.

    • The importance of regulatory clarity for tokenization to thrive.

    • The role of RWAs in bridging the gap between decentralized and traditional finance.

    • And yes, the story behind Swarm’s iconic RWA baseball caps inspired by 80s rap legends NWA!

    • Key Takeaways:

      • The transition from niche assets to tokenizing well-known RWAs like stocks and gold has been pivotal for Swarm's success.

      • Compliance and regulation are at the heart of Swarm's approach, paving the way for global adoption.

      • Despite the challenges, blockchain holds the potential to simplify and disrupt traditional financial systems, much like the early internet.

      • Swarm's dual focus: Issuing RWAs and providing the tools for others to tokenize assets through their SaaS platform.

      • About Swarm: Swarm is a compliance-first platform for tokenizing real-world assets, combining the speed, efficiency, and flexibility of blockchain with the trust and asset diversity of traditional exchanges. By integrating TradFi with DeFi, Swarm aims to create a seamless future where everything just becomes “Fi.”

        Follow Swarm:

        • Website: swarm.com

        • Twitter: @SwarmMarkets

        • Telegram: Swarm Community

        • Connect with Timo and Philipp:

          • Timo Lehes: Twitter | LinkedIn

          • Philipp Pieper: Twitter | LinkedIn

          • Mentioned in This Episode:

            • Dead Poets Society and its influence on Philipp’s philosophy of independent thought.

            • Regulatory developments in the U.S. and Europe, and their implications for tokenized markets.

            • The role of stablecoins as the first real-world asset success story.

            • NWA’s influence on Swarm’s RWA hats—bridging culture and finance.

            • Keywords: crypto, blockchain, digital assets, tokenization, real world assets, RWAs, DeFi  

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              • Follow on X(Twitter):

                • Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

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                  • Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                  • MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/

                  • MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                    51 min
                  • 276: Sponstar and the Rise of Fractional Sponsorship with Manu | Exclusive Interview

                    This week, we’ve got an exclusive interview with Manu, the founder and CEO of Sponstar, the fractional sponsorship marketplace that’s leveling the playing field for small and mid-sized brands to access high-profile sponsorship opportunities. Manu’s entrepreneurial journey, from traditional finance to web3, led to the creation of Sponstar—a game-changing platform that bridges physical events and digital experiences while redefining the sponsorship ecosystem.

                    Manu shares her insights on fractional sponsorship, the intersection of blockchain, AI, and event marketing, and the unique challenges women founders face in the tech and crypto worlds. We also explore her guiding principles of spirituality, surrender, and how giving more strengthens a startup’s potential.

                    Manu previously co-founded Alpha’a and alphaa.io where she changed the way companies connect with their fans, using web3 to help enterprises connect people, content and experiences.  She has been in the tech and collectibles sector for the past 10 years successfully raising funds from venture investors such as Metaprop, Lightspeed, Chingona Ventures, and Gaingels  With a background in finance, Manu worked as an equity analyst at Gávea Investments, one of Brazil’s most reputable investment management firms.

                    Notably, Manu was named by Bloomberg in 2022 as one of the top 100 most influential Latinos and Latinas worldwide, one of the top 10 people to watch in Fintech in 2023, and one of the 33-Under-33 entrepreneurs in 2018 in New York City. 

                    RESOURCES & LINKS:

                    Learn more about ⁠Sponstar⁠

                    Recommended Reading: ⁠The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer⁠

                    ABOUT THE HOST:

                    Pete Townsend is an early-stage startup investor focused on the intersection of fintech, crypto, and web3. He also leads the ⁠Techstars Web3 Accelerator⁠. For more on Pete and how to get in touch, visit ⁠moneyneversleeps.ie⁠.

                    SUPPORT THE SHOW:

                    If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠, and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes of MoneyNeverSleeps. Until next time, stay curious and keep learning!

                    Follow on X(Twitter):

                    • Pete Townsend:⁠ https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv⁠

                    • MoneyNeverSleeps:⁠ https://twitter.com/MNSshow⁠

                    • Follow on LinkedIn:

                      • Pete Townsend:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/⁠

                      • MoneyNeverSleeps:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/⁠

                      • MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter:⁠ https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                        45 min
                      • 275: Web3 Fundraising Playbook | Pete Townsend | Raising Your 1st Round at the Frontier

                        We're diving deep into the fundamentals of fundraising for Web3 startups and early-stage ventures navigating their first capital raise. Fundraising is always challenging, but in web3, it’s a whole new frontier with unique hurdles. This session, originally presented at a Techstars Web3 Accelerator event, is packed with actionable insights that apply to most tech startups, especially those aiming to raise their first round.

                        IN THIS EPISODE:

                        The Art of Readiness: Fundraising is a high-stakes campaign that requires focus, preparation, and a solid plan. I’ll walk you through the basics of getting yourself – and your co-founders – ready to tackle your first fundraise head-on.

                        Investor Pipeline Strategy: Building and managing an investor pipeline is critical to success. Learn about identifying the right investors, setting up warm intros, and the nuances of pitching to both web3 and web2.5 investors.

                        Legal Matters and Structures: In web3, navigating the legal landscape is a must. I cover key considerations for structuring your raise, choosing between token and equity allocations, and why a strong legal strategy is essential.

                        Storytelling and Positioning: We discuss the importance of clearly articulating your vision, setting ambitious yet realistic milestones, and presenting a credible plan to investors.

                        Execution and Perseverance: Fundraising can be a marathon filled with tough feedback, but execution is key. I share tips on how to handle investor conversations, refine your pitch, and ultimately close your round.

                        Resources:

                        Access a variety of fundraising resources, including pitch deck examples, document templates, and strategic guides in the show notes on MoneyNeverSleeps.ie.

                        Slides from the Techstars session: Fundraising in web3

                        A16z crypto: 5 rules for token launches

                        NFX:  The 23 Rules of Storytelling For Fundraising

                        Pitchdecky: Crypto / Web3 (and beyond) pitch deck

                        LegalNodes: Choosing a web3 fundraising document

                        Techstars Entrepreneur’s Toolkit

                        Video version of Web3 Fundraising Playbook (this episode)


                        Applications Now Open:

                        If you’re a web3 founder ready to scale, applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class of the Techstars Web3 Accelerator! Deadline is November 20, so don’t miss out. Visit techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to learn more and apply.

                        TIMESTAMPS:

                        01:40 The Challenges of Fundraising

                        02:32 Preparing for Your First Fundraise

                        03:56 Determining Your Fundraising Amount

                        07:32 Legal Considerations in Web3 Fundraising

                        11:43 Socializing Your Fundraise

                        13:27 Building Your Fundraising Materials

                        15:52 Targeting and Pitching Investors

                        20:27 Executing and Closing the Fundraise

                        23:21 Final Thoughts and Recap

                        LINKS:

                        Leave a review and subscribe on

                        • Apple Podcasts

                        • Spotify

                        • MoneyNeverSleeps (website)

                        • MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                          Follow on X(Twitter):

                          • Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

                          • MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow

                          • Follow on LinkedIn:

                            • Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                            • MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/

                            • 26 min
                            • 274: Filmmaker to Founder | René Pinnell and Artizen | Funding Human Creativity

                              René Pinnell is the founder of Artizen, a match-funding platform for human creativity, helping creators match fund new projects at the frontier of art, science, technology and culture. With over two decades of experience, René has helped creators raise more than $50 million for groundbreaking projects, including securing the first seven-figure VR film deal at the Sundance Film Festival.

                              As an executive producer, René has worked on acclaimed projects like BATTLESCAR, starring Rosario Dawson, and SPHERES, featuring Jessica Chastain, Millie Bobby Brown, and Patti Smith. Additionally, René has directed the feature documentary The King of Texas, sold a TV pilot to MTV, and founded two companies, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting and elevating creative talent. 

                              In this episode, I sat down with René to explore his transformative journey from filmmaker to startup founder. Delving into the evolution of creative funding, René discusses Artizen's innovative model, which blends traditional match funding with crypto and community-driven support. 

                              We cover pivotal moments from his VR project days with Kaleidoscope to forming high-profile partnerships, such as with Viola Davis during the BLM movement. Discover how Artizen's dual strategy of enterprise sales and grassroots initiatives is set to reshape the creative industry.

                              Plus, learn about the role of AI and no-code tools in revolutionizing product development, the benefits of community match funds, and the potential of crypto within the creator economy. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the past, present, and future of creative project financing.

                              René is also an alum of the Techstars Web3 accelerator class of 2024, investing in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies.  Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply. 

                              TIMESTAMPS:

                              00:36 Meet René Pinnell: A Creative Force

                              01:17 René's Creative Journey and Family Heritage

                              03:54 The Birth of Artizen

                              05:52 Challenges in Funding Creative Projects

                              08:11 From Kaleidoscope to Artizen

                              10:22 Scaling Artizen with Community Curation

                              19:05 Artizen's Triple-Sided Marketplace

                              26:35 Support for Black Artists in Immersive Media

                              27:25 Fundraising and Future Plans for Artizen

                              28:22 High-Profile Partnerships and Match Funds

                              29:34 Challenges and Insights from Creators

                              32:32 René's Journey: From Filmmaker to Founder

                              37:31 Rebuilding Artizen with No-Code Tools

                              41:10 The Future of Product Development and Network Effects

                              44:10 The Importance of Fundraising Skills

                              45:41 Optimism and Personal Reflections

                              51:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

                              LINKS:

                              Follow René Pinnell

                              -X/(Twitter): https://x.com/RJPinnell

                              -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjpinnell/

                              Learn more about:

                              -Artizen: https://artizen.fund/

                              -René'ss ‘Wayback Machine’:  http://renepinnell.com/homepage.html

                              -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3

                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

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                              -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd

                              -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ

                              MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                              MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/

                              Email us at [email protected]

                              Follow on X(Twitter): 

                              -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow  

                              Follow on LinkedIn:

                              -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

                              54 min
                            • 273: Mission Minded Founder | Niall Dennehy & AID:Tech | Fixing Humanitarian Relief and Digital Identity

                              Niall Dennehy is an Irish entrepreneur and the co-founder and COO of AID:Tech, who are bringing traceability and transparency to the flow of funds for governments, NGOs and charities with their payments and digital identity infrastructure bridging web2 to web3. 

                              In this episode, Pete Townsend reconnects with Niall to explore the groundbreaking journey of their mission-driven company since Niall was last on MoneyNeverSleeps in 2018 (episode 11 linked here and below).

                              The conversation spans the company's digital identity and payments innovations, especially through their Kare Wallet which accelerates financial assistance to disaster survivors. Leveraging blockchain technology, the platform ensures transparent, traceable, and secure distribution of relief funds, partnering with entities like Walmart to prevent misuse.

                              Niall reflects on the emotional impact on both survivors and AID:Tech employees, underscoring the mission that deeply resonates with their team. The discussion delves into strategic approaches to funding, including securing non-dilutive grants, engaging with VCs, and the valuable experiences from accelerator programs like Techstars. 

                              Niall and Pete also touch upon the 'Five H's' of success - happy, hungry, humble, helpful, and healthy - emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing in driving sustained impact and growth for AID:Tech. Overall, this episode offers an insightful look into AID:Tech's ethos, their strategic growth, and the pivotal role of technology in enhancing disaster relief efforts.

                              The Techstars Web3 accelerator invests in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies.  Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply.  

                              TIMESTAMPS:

                              00:36 Meet Niall Dennehy: Co-Founder of AID:Tech

                              01:48 AID:Tech's Impact and Innovations

                              03:19 The Evolution of AID:Tech 

                              04:22 The Core Mission: Identity and Payments

                              07:44 Real-World Applications and Success Stories

                              11:18 Challenges and Perseverance in the Startup World

                              13:08 Future of Payments and Digital Identity

                              14:19 The Kare Survivor Wallet in Action

                              20:02 Community Impact and Personal Stories

                              24:55 The Flywheel of a Mission-Driven Startup

                              26:02 Philosophical Insights and Team Alignment

                              27:36 Navigating Fundraising for Impact Ventures

                              30:56 The Importance of Non-Dilutive Capital

                              33:50 Personal Growth and Mindset

                              36:37 The Five H's for Founders

                              39:27 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

                              LINKS:

                              Follow Niall Dennehy

                              -X/(Twitter): https://twitter.com/dennehyniall

                              -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niall-dennehy-bb311016/

                              Learn more about:

                              -AID:Tech: https://www.aid.technology/

                              -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3

                              Links referenced in the episode:

                              Post on the Kare Survivor Wallet’s deployment for hurricane relief aid 

                              Episode 11 of MoneyNeverSleeps from August 2018: 

                              Matt Keller’s X/(Twitter) post on Algorand and the Kare Wallet

                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

                              -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294

                              -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd

                              -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ

                              MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                              MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/

                              Email us at [email protected]

                              Follow on X(Twitter): 

                              -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow  

                              Follow on LinkedIn:

                              -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

                              44 min
                            • 272: Scaling Environmental Impact: Luca Franchi’s Journey with Ambient and DePIN Innovation

                              Luca Franchi is the CEO and a co-founder of Ambient, a decentralized network of air quality sensors.  Luca brings to Ambient over two decades of leading growth at several startups and large corporations in the US and Europe (O2 UK, Telefónica, Sky) across enterprise and consumer verticals. 

                              In this episode, Luca shares his fascinating journey from working in startups and corporates like Sky in Silicon Valley to leading a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). The conversation delves into Ambient's strategic pivot from Algorand to Solana, their $2 million seed round led by Borderless Capital, and the operational challenges of launching a decentralized network.

                              Luca elaborates on how Ambient’s air quality sensors and the AmbiGo! app aim to engage the community and commercialize data. We also discuss the importance of founder experience, particularly in recruiting industry experts to navigate enterprise sales and legal structuring in DePIN projects. The episode concludes with Luca reflecting on the importance of passion and perseverance in entrepreneurship, and what it takes to approach the founders’ journey with longevity in mind.

                              Ambient is a DePIN at the leading edge of decentralized environmental monitoring, harnessing the power of its vast sensor network to deliver real-time, hyper-local, actionable environmental data. By utilizing distributed technologies and a community-focused participation model, Ambient not only enhances environmental awareness but also drives impactful change across the globe.

                              The Techstars Web3 accelerator invests in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies.  Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply.  

                              TIMESTAMPS:

                              02:03 Luca's Career Journey and Founding Ambient

                              08:21 Challenges and Strategies in Building Ambient

                              11:51 How Ambient Works and Future Plans

                              13:15 The AmbiGo! App: Enhancing User Experience

                              16:10 The Importance of Data in Decentralized Networks

                              19:12 The Importance of DePIN in Web3

                              22:44 Raising the $2 Million Seed Round

                              25:24 The Startup Journey: Moving Fast and Staying Passionate

                              28:43 Balancing Work and Life: Advice for Founders

                              33:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

                              TIMESTAMPS:

                              Follow Luca Franchi

                              -X/(Twitter): https://x.com/luckyluca

                              -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucafranchi/

                              Learn more about:

                              -Ambient: https://ambient.network/

                              -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3

                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

                              -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294

                              -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd

                              -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ

                              MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                              MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/

                              Email us at [email protected]

                              Follow on X(Twitter): 

                              -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow  

                              Follow on LinkedIn:

                              -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

                              36 min
                            • 271: Luis Ramirez and Mawari | Building the 3D Internet

                              Luis Ramirez is the Founder and CEO of Mawari, a pioneer in cloud rendering and streaming technology.  The Mawari team got started in Tokyo in 2017, and since then, the team has effectively built the foundation for the 3D internet.


                              Mawari enables real-time 3D content streaming to spatial computing devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 through a global network of GPUs, leveraging Web3 elements such as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) to overcome the limitations of traditional centralized networks.


                              Uniquely positioned to address one of the core challenges in the spatial computing industry, formerly known as XR (eXtended Reality), Mawari focuses on delivering scalable infrastructure for real-time 3D applications. Mawari has since launched the Mawari Network — a DePIN and the only full-stack spatial computing platform offering decentralized compute and storage resources optimized for AR/VR experiences. 


                              As a side note and in the spirit of transparency, Mawari recently announced the closing of their $10.8mn strategic funding round, and I’m thrilled to be part of the round as an angel investor. 


                              In this episode, Luis and I riff on his journey from music to technology, the inception of the Mawari vision, building the team and overcoming challenges, the role of decentralization in the Mawari Network, Luis’ lessons learned from raising $17.3mn across two rounds in 3 years, and the essence of persistence, creativity, and the strategic foresight required to scale a tech startup in the evolving landscape of AR, VR, and Web3.


                              TIMESTAMPS:


                              00:39 Meet Luis Ramirez: From Music to Technology


                              06:18 The Birth of Mawari and Its Vision


                              15:02 Challenges and Innovations in XR and Web3


                              21:40 Building and Scaling the Mawari Team


                              32:20 Fundraising Journey and Future Milestones


                              38:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


                              Follow Luis Ramirez

                              -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismawari/


                              Learn more about:

                              -Mawari: https://mawari.net/

                              -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3


                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

                              -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294

                              -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd

                              -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ


                              MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/


                              MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/


                              Email us at [email protected]


                              Follow on X(Twitter): 

                              -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow  


                              Follow on LinkedIn:

                              -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

                              43 min
                            • 270: The Stablecoin Revolution with Linda Jeng | Unpacking Castle Island Ventures’ Latest Stablecoin Report

                              Linda Jeng is the Founder and CEO of Digital Self Labs, and she joins me in exploring the evolving landscape of stablecoins. Our discussion focuses on our key takeaways from Castle Island Ventures' latest stablecoin report, 'Stablecoins: the Emerging Market Story'.

                              Linda shares her background in financial regulation, blockchain, and AI, and offers critical insights into how stablecoins are reshaping financial systems in emerging markets. Through a detailed analysis of the Castle Island Ventures report written with Brevan Howard Digital, the conversation reveals the growing use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, currency conversion, and as a stable store of value, reflecting their importance beyond crypto trading. We also touch on regulatory perspectives, why non-dollar stablecoin volumes are so meager, and the potential impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on the stablecoin market.

                              Linda Jeng, is a trailblazing leader in the digital economy through ‘shaping a self-empowered future through blockchain and AI technologies’. Digital Self Labs is a regulatory and policy advisory firm combining blockchain expertise with policy and regulatory strategy. With over 15 years of government experience, she has held key roles at institutions like the U.S. Federal Reserve, US Treasury Department, the SEC and the Bank for International Settlements. Linda is also a Visiting Scholar at Georgetown Law, a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law School, and a Bank for International Settlements Research Fellow. Her deep expertise in financial systems and her advocacy for data transparency and decentralized technology make her a pivotal figure in shaping the future of finance.

                              TIMESTAMPS:

                              02:57 Linda Jeng's Career Journey

                              05:36 Castle Island Ventures and ‘Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story’

                              09:59 Understanding Stablecoins in Emerging Markets

                              14:15 The Role of Stablecoins in Global Finance

                              19:38 Challenges and Opportunities for Stablecoins

                              20:59 The Future of Stablecoins and Digital Identity

                              46:23 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

                              48:50 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements

                              REFERENCE LINKS:

                              Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Castle Island Ventures & Brevan Howard Digital, 12-Sep-24) 

                              The Finternet: The financial system for the future (Bank for International Settlements, 19-Apr-24)

                              International Association of Deposit Insurers

                              Overview of the Bancor Proposal from Bretton Woods (Wikipedia)

                              Stablecoin companies now 16th largest holder of U.S. treasuries globally (CryptoSlate, 18-Oct-23)

                              Follow our guest co-host, Linda Jeng:

                              -X(Twitter):  https://x.com/LindaJeng1

                              -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-jeng-4682b3/

                              Learn more about:

                              -Digital Self Labs: https://www.digitalselflabs.com/

                              -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3

                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

                              -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294

                              -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd

                              -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ

                              MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                              MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/

                              Email us at [email protected]

                              Follow on X(Twitter): 

                              -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow  

                              Follow on LinkedIn:

                              -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

                              -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/

                              50 min
                            • 269: Working in Web3 | Real World Asset Tokenization in Finance and Beyond | Guest Co-Host Alejandro Gutierrez

                              Alejandro Gutierrez, CEO of npayme Labs and co-founder of ETH Dublin joins me again as guest co-host this week. In this episode, we recap our recent panel on ‘Finding Web3 Talent’ at Dogpatch Labs, touching on market sentiment, the cyclical nature of crypto investments, and strategies for early-stage startups. We delve into the concept of real-world asset tokenization, highlighting key initiatives by firms like Provenance, PayPal, Circle and Centrifuge. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape for content creators in Web3, emphasizing the use of tokenization for new revenue streams and the role of AI in content creation.


                              STORIES WE COVERED:

                              Recap of ‘Finding Talent in Web3’ last week at Dogpatch Labs (Owen Healy on LinkedIn, 15-Sep-24)

                              Friday Fund Tokenization Update (Eoin Motherway on Linkedin, 13-Sep-24)

                              Provenance Blockchain Labs launches Fund Issuance platform, to tokenize, list, & lend RWA funds on Figure Markets (Marketwatch, 20-Aug-24)

                              PayPal's stablecoin hits $1B market cap (Cointelegraph, 26-Aug-24)

                              MakerDAO, rebranded as SKY to roll out new stablecoin USDS (The Block, 27-Aug-24)

                              Circle's USDC in Brazil and Mexico Now Available to Businesses Via Banking System (CoinDesk, 17-Sep-24)

                              Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Nic Carter @ Castle Island Ventures, 12-Sep-24)

                              Centrifuge launches a RWA lending market leveraging tokenized U.S. Treasury bills.(CoinDesk, 27-Aug-24) 

                              AAVE (Avara) onboards BUIDL Shares as Collateral for GHO stablecoin (The Defiant, 29-Aug-24)

                              Natixis launch €100M Digital Bond, secured by mortgage loan pools & operated by SC Ventures, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale & LBBW (Ledger Insights, 28-Aug-24).

                              Siemens issues €300M digital bond, as the largest bond issued under Germany’s eWpG. (Ledger Insights, 4-Sep-24) 

                              Creators’ content is a real-world asset (Alejandro Guterrez on X, 17-Sep-24)


                              TIMESTAMPS

                              01:40 Insights from the Web3 Talent Panel

                              04:11 Market Sentiment and Investment Strategies

                              07:02 The Role of Tokenization in Web3

                              14:31 Real-World Asset Tokenization

                              28:24 Content Creation in the Web3 Era

                              34:01 Closing Thoughts and Farewell


                              LINKS:

                              Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:

                              -X(Twitter):  https://twitter.com/A_gutierro

                              -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/

                              Learn more about:

                              -npayme Labs: https://npayme.com/

                              -ETH Dublin:  https://ethdublin.io/

                              -Techstars Web3 Accelerator:  https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3

                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

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                              36 min
                            • 268: Garvan Callan | Be the Change You Seek | Founder of OneZero1

                              Garvan Callan is the founder of OneZero1, a company that’s redefining how startups and enterprises alike can navigate the complex world of digital strategy and transformation. Garvan is a strategist, innovator and transformation advisor whose career spans leadership roles in major corporations and working hands-on with startups, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the entrepreneurial divide. Garvan is also a lecturer and the author of Digital Business Strategy, a must-read for anyone serious about innovation and growth in today’s fast-moving world.

                              We explore lessons from Obama's quote 'We are the change that we seek,' the significance of adaptability, the concept of the 'three V's: vision, values, and velocity,' and their application in both large corporations and startups. The episode also covers the challenges and strategies for fostering innovation, the importance of building strong, adaptive teams, and practical advice for startup founders looking to scale. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or just someone interested in the future of business, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss

                              TIMESTAMPS:

                              01:52 The Power of Change: Lessons from Barack Obama

                              02:23 Garvin's Journey: From Rural Roots to Corporate Leadership

                              07:15 Embracing Uncertainty: A Key to Success

                              12:08 The Three V's: Vision, Values, and Velocity

                              19:51 Applying Startup Lessons to Large Enterprises

                              21:02 Leadership and Stress Management

                              22:13 Founders' Challenges and Letting Go

                              24:07 Enterprise Dynamics and Managerial Roles

                              24:59 Understanding Organizational Currencies

                              27:29 Corporate Innovation Labs and Startup Founders

                              36:35 Building Relationships and Synchronization

                              LINKS:

                              Follow Garvan Callan on socials:

                              -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvan-callan-b4634323/

                              -Twitter/X: https://x.com/gpcallan

                              Learn more about and follow OneZero1

                              -Website: https://onezero1.ie/

                              -LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/onezero1/

                              Leave a review and subscribe on 

                              -Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294

                              -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd

                              -Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ

                              MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/

                              MoneyNeverSleeps website:  https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/

                              Email us at [email protected]

                              Follow on X(Twitter): 

                              -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv

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                              -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/

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                              41 min

                            About MoneyNeverSleeps

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                            MoneyNeverSleeps is a weekly show where smart people bring one big idea, and Pete Townsend breaks it down in under 15 minutes. Featuring founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI,…

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