The Crypto Explorer - by Sygnum Bank AG

In episode 17 of Sygnum's The Crypto Explorer podcast, our host Aliya Das Gupta speaks with Melvis Langyintuo, Executive Director of the Canton Foundation, about why institutional adoption needs more than transparency or privacy alone.

The discussion covers configurable privacy, interoperability across applications, and real-world use cases such as tokenised US Treasuries and repo transactions. It offers a practical perspective on how institutions can achieve capital efficiency and near real-time settlement without compromising governance or regulatory requirements.

Listen to this thoughtful discussion on where traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure are meaningfully converging today.

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In this episode, our host Aliya Das Gupta speaks with Richard Astle, VP and Head of Networks at Fireblocks, about the evolving role of core crypto networks in institutional finance.

They explore how infrastructure players like Fireblocks are shaping on-chain adoption, why interoperability and network effects matter, and what needs to happen for stablecoins and tokenised assets to move from experimentation to real-world scale.

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In Sygnum’s latest episode of The Crypto Explorer Podcast, host Aliya das Gupta speaks with Merlin Egalite, co-founder of Morpho, about how the protocol is reshaping lending in DeFi.
 They discuss:

▪️ The origins of Morpho as a student project and the launch of Optimizer
 ▪️ How Optimizer reduced inefficiencies by offering better rates for both lenders and borrowers
 ▪️ The transition to Morpho V1 – building a permissionless, immutable infrastructure to solve trust and governance issues
 ▪️ What’s coming with Morpho V2: fixed-rate lending and more efficient liquidity use
 ▪️ Why simplicity, security and audits are critical for institutional adoption
 ▪️ Real-world integrations with fintechs, banks and exchanges like Coinbase

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In this conversation, we explore how Impossible Cloud Network (ICN) is rethinking one of the biggest industries in tech: cloud computing. Sebastian Pfeiffer shares his journey into Web3, and how ICN is tackling the massive challenges of today’s cloud landscape.

We cover:

• What Impossible Cloud Network is and the problem it’s solving for enterprises and developers
• Why decentralized cloud infrastructure is more critical now than ever before
• The role of the $ICNT token—and how its utility extends beyond staking and governance
• How ICN differentiates itself in a crowded space of decentralized and traditional providers
• What “open and composable” really means for cloud services

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Inside dYdX – Building the Future of Decentralized Perpetuals

In this episode, Charles D'Haussy, shares the journey of DYDX from its early days to becoming a leader in decentralized derivatives, and offers candid insights on the evolving landscape of DeFi, stablecoins, and the future of digital finance. Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast or just curious about the next wave of financial technology, this conversation delivers clarity, inspiration, and a peek behind the curtain of one of the industry’s most ambitious projects.

Key Questions Explored:

• How did Charles first get introduced to crypto, and what drew him to DYDX?
• What sets DYDX apart in the crowded world of decentralized exchanges?
• How has DYDX evolved since its launch, and what were the challenges of building its own blockchain?
• What does the rise of stablecoins and private digital currencies mean for the future of money?
• How is DeFi making finance more accessible, and what unique value does it offer compared to traditional systems?
• What’s next for DYDX, and how does it plan to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market?

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The Future of Decentralized Intelligence: In this episode, we dive into the neural heart of Bittensor — the open-source protocol powering a decentralized machine learning economy. Our guests Gustave Laurent and Antoine Planchon unpack what makes Bittensor different, how it rewards intelligence, and why it's capturing the attention of Web3 and AI builders alike. 

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This week, we’re joined by the founder of Hibachi.xyz to explore the shifting landscape of crypto trading. We dig into trustless infrastructure, what makes proof of solvency so critical, and how new tech is pushing DeFi closer to CEX-level speed and UX. We also get into the role of platforms like RISC Zero, Celestia, and Base—and what’s ahead for cross-chain liquidity and market structure.

We address questions like: 

1. What inspired the creation of Hibachi, and what gap in the market are you solving? 
2. Centralized exchanges still dominate trading volumes. What are the biggest challenges in shifting traders toward provable, trustless platforms? 
3. Speed and UX have been major blockers for DeFi adoption—how does Hibachi match or surpass the performance of traditional CEXs while maintaining decentralization?
4.  You’re leveraging technologies like RISC Zero and Celestia—can you break down how they enhance security and scalability for Hibachi? 
5. Multi-chain support is on your roadmap—how will Hibachi integrate with different ecosystems, and what challenges come with cross-chain liquidity?
6. Where are we in this market cycle, and where do you see us going from here? 

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Staking is evolving fast—what’s next? In this episode, we dive into the state of staking with Kean Gilbert from Lido DAO, exploring key trends, institutional adoption, and the balance between decentralized and centralized solutions. 

Questions we address include: 

1.  Can you provide an overview of the current state of staking and the key trends you see in the market? 
2. What differences do you see between the retail and institutional markets? 
3. What are the main differences between centralized and decentralized staking approaches? 
4. How is Lido supporting the needs of institutional clients? 
5. What are some of the latest market innovations in liquid staking, and how do they enable products like staked ETPs to bridge DeFi and TradFi? 
6. Can you explain the concept of stVaults introduced in Lido V3?
7. What's new on the staking horizon? 

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Is VC in 2025 a bull run, a reset, or something else? We sit down with Diana Biggs of 1kx to discuss what sets them apart, shifting capital trends, the IPO & M&A outlook, and the hottest sectors—from AI to Web3. Plus, how AI is changing venture, and the big question: profitability or growth? Tune in for expert insights on questions like: 

1. How would you describe the current state of the VC market? Are we in a bull run, a reset phase, or something else entirely? 
2. How do you work with start ups to ensure success beyond the funding round? 
3. What’s your take on the IPO and M&A landscape? Is 2025 shaping up to be a good year for liquidity events? 
4. What sectors or themes are you most excited about in 2025? (e.g., AI, Web3, ClimateTech, DeepTech, HealthTech)
5.  Has AI changed the way VCs source, evaluate, or support startups?
6. What’s more important in 2025: profitability or aggressive growth? 
7. What’s your biggest piece of advice for founders looking to raise in this environment? 

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In this episode, host Deborah Tan-Pink dives into an important conversation with Aliya Das Gupta, SVP Business Development at Sygnum, and Hassan Ahmed, Country Director Singapore at Coinbase. Together, they explore how the crypto industry can foster diversity and inclusion to create a stronger, more innovative future.

From breaking down barriers in male-dominated spaces to actionable steps for driving inclusion, this episode sheds light on how diverse talents are key to transforming the crypto space.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion packed with insights on leadership, representation, and practical strategies to build a better, more inclusive blockchain ecosystem.

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