The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin

District of Columbia Financial Regulator Karima M. Woods Is Championing Responsible Innovation and Financial Inclusion

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, host Cleve Mesidor sits down with Karima M. Woods, Commissioner of the District of Columbia’s Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB), for an engaging conversation.

As the nation’s only Black female state financial regulator, Commissioner Woods shares her journey leading DISB, pioneering local regulatory solutions for emerging technologies, and driving equity and inclusion across all eight wards of Washington, D.C.

Commissioner Woods is not just protecting consumers; she is actively fostering responsible innovation by establishing DISB’s Office of Innovation to bridge the gap between emerging fintech companies and regulatory compliance.

This captivating discussion covers a variety of timely topics, including stablecoin regulation, tokenization, AI-driven finance, local access to capital for small businesses, financial education, and workforce development for future industry leaders.

Interview with DISB Commissioner Karima M. Woods

Commissioner Woods discusses her regulatory journey, the creation of D.C.'s Office of Innovation, and her commitment to consumer protection and financial empowerment across the District.

• Role of DISB: Serving as the guardian for consumer protection and market integrity across insurance, securities, and banking in Washington, D.C.
• Representation & Leadership: Reflections on being the nation's only Black female state financial regulator, mentoring emerging leaders, and building pathways for people of color in finance.
• The Pivot to Innovation: How an initial 2019 regulatory sandbox effort evolved into launching DISB's dedicated Office of Innovation in 2022.
• Digital Assets & Stablecoins: Navigating opportunities in stablecoins and tokenization while coordinating with national regulatory organizations like CSBS and NAIC.
• Financial Literacy & Empowerment: Equipping residents across all age groups with tools through over 200 annual outreach events and targeted educational programs.
• Small Business & Community Support: Highlighting District initiatives like DC BizCap for small business capital and dedicated student loan ombudsman services.
• Key Career Milestones: Establishing an internal Crypto/AI Working Group, expanding the Financial Services Academy for students, and earning CSBS mortgage supervision accreditation.
• Navigating Digital Assets Safely: Encouraging caution with crypto investments, verifying platforms, and taking advantage of free District regulatory resources.

About Commissioner Karima M. Woods
Karima M. Woods is the Commissioner of the District of Columbia's Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB).

Commissioner Woods serves as the Chief Financial Services Regulator for the District's financial services industries. Her regulatory oversight includes insurance companies, investment advisors, securities broker-dealers, mortgage loan originators, mortgage lenders and brokers, state-chartered banks, student loan servicers, and money transmitters.

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin podcast, host Marisa Estrada Rivera (aka Ritzy P) sits down with Wyatt Meldman-Floch, founder and CEO of Rule 110 Inc. and the creator of Reality Network.

With a background spanning computational physics, quantum mechanics, machine learning, and NASA’s SETI project, Wyatt shares his journey from Silicon Valley to building foundational blockchain infrastructure. The conversation explores how decentralized compute can dismantle costly cloud monopolies, the power of unifying client-server architecture, how cryptographic proof of execution is transforming AI and autonomous systems, and the surprising connection between applied mathematics and sonifying the blockchain.

Interview with Wyatt Meldman-Floch, Founder & CEO of Rural 110 Inc. and Creator of Reality Network 

From NASA SETI to Blockchain Infrastructure: How background research in physics, quantum mechanics, and searching for extraterrestrial intelligence led Wyatt away from corporate tech and into distributed systems after discovering Joseph Poon's Plasma whitepaper.

The Reality Ecosystem Triad: A breakdown of Reality Network (a decentralized DAG compute marketplace), Rural 110 Inc. (the commercial C-corp driving consumer application revenue), and the Reality Foundation (a non-profit advancing internet infrastructure in emerging markets like South Africa and Zanzibar).

Unifying Client and Server Architecture: How shifting server workloads onto community-powered client devices (idle phones and laptops) slashes operating costs for tech startups and eliminates reliance on centralized cloud providers.

Verifiable Execution for the AI Era: Why adding cryptographic proof of execution to decentralized compute builds trust-native applications and brings transparency to black-box machine learning models and agentic AI.

Future Tech Frontiers: Looking beyond Web3 to the convergence of quantum computing, applied mathematics, and nuclear fusion to solve energy and computational bottlenecks in our lifetime.

Orchestrating Consensus & Sonifying Code: How musical concepts like "algoraving" and orchestra conducting mirror distributed consensus models, and the process of turning Reality Network block data into sound using code.

Eagle Scout Leadership & Fun Facts: The fundamental role that becoming an Eagle Scout played in shaping Wyatt's leadership philosophy, organizing communities, and building resilient tech startups.

About Wyatt Meldman-Floch 
Wyatt Meldman-Floch is the Founder and CEO of Rule 110 Inc. and the creator of Reality Network, a validated compute marketplace built for the AI and autonomous systems era. Reality lets applications run on community-powered compute from idle laptops, phones, and small devices, reducing dependence on costly cloud infrastructure while adding cryptographic proof of execution: a verifiable record of what code ran, on what inputs, when, and where.

A former computational physicist, machine learning engineer, and lifelong programmer, Wyatt has spent over 17 years building large-scale data, AI, and distributed systems. He previously founded Constellation Network, where he served as Chairman and CTO, and has published foundational work on mathematical models for blockchain and distributed-system efficiency.

With Reality, Wyatt is building infrastructure for trust-native applications: agentic AI, automated trading, gaming, cross-chain systems, and digital economies where execution must be verified rather than assumed. His work sits at the intersection of decentralized compute, consensus design, cryptographic provenance, and a broader vision for an internet owned and powered by its participants.

Links from the Episode 

CONNECT WITH WYATT MELDMAN-FLOCH & REALITY NETWORK: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wlmeldmanfloch/

REALITY NETWORK LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reality-network

X: https://x.com/wyatt_noise

REALITY NETWORK X: https://x.com/RealityNetw0rk

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7tqjjha6afxbyt7tdefofqfm

REALITY NETWORK Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/therealitynetwork.bsky.social

Reality Network Discord: https://discord.com/invite/HeYkXpV5SH

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin podcast, host Cleve Mesidor sits down with Kevin Harris, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at Crypto.com.

With a storied career spanning the Obama administration, the Congressional Black Caucus, and serving as a deputy Mayor, Kevin shares how his background in policy, campaigns, and urban affairs shapes his approach to digital asset advocacy across North America. The conversation explores the importance of bipartisanship, the pursuit of regulatory clarity, and why equitable inclusion must be at the center of the Web3 revolution.

Interview with Kevin Harris, Senior Director at Crypto.com

• Politics and Journalism: How Kevin’s journalism roots at Howard University and a pivotal internship with then-Senator Hillary Clinton redirected his career from observing politics to stepping into the political arena.
• The Washington to Crypto Journey: Transitioning from high-profile political roles (including the Obama administration and the Congressional Black Caucus) into Web3, driven by a desire for continuous learning and a mission to ensure underrepresented voices have a seat at the table.
• An Anchor of Equity and Inclusion: Why the digital assets space must learn from the mistakes of the traditional digital divide to prevent a new "digital assets divide" from taking hold.
• The Bipartisan Hunt for Market Structure: An inside look at how industry executives engage with Capitol Hill and key regulatory bodies to negotiate compromises on market structure legislation (like the Clarity Act) that protect consumers while boosting U.S. competitiveness.
• Engagement Outside of Washington: Why stakeholder outreach must happen outside of the Capitol, highlighting the upcoming August Policy House on Martha's Vineyard in partnership with the Blockchain Foundation.
• Demystifying Digital Assets as FinTech Evolution: Framing blockchain as the latest iteration in financial technology—similar to the evolution from physical cash to debit cards and Apple Pay—designed to bring efficiency, optimization, and equity to financial services.
• Playing One-on-One with Michael Jordan: The ultimate "fun fact" about Kevin playing a game to three against Michael Jordan at a youth camp—and winning under Jordan's own rules.

About Kevin Harris

Kevin Harris is a Birmingham, Alabama native who supports government affairs and stakeholder engagement across North America for Crypto.com. Prior to joining Crypto.com, he held a variety of policy and communications roles in the Obama Administration. His work supported the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, White House Office of Urban Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Office of the First Lady and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.   

Kevin served as a cabinet member advising two major U.S. city mayors on policy, politics and strategy. He has also served as a senior policy advisor to a state attorney, county tax collector, member of Congress as well as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus.

An award-winning political strategist, Kevin has advised more than 100 political campaigns and ballot initiatives nationwide. He is also an entrepreneur and a published political commentator whose analysis of politics, government, and public policy has appeared in various media outlets and publications.

Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Arts in Government from Johns Hopkins University. He has also served as a board director helping to guide the work of organizations committed to conservation, criminal justice reform, HBCU scholarships and community development.

Links from the Episode

CONNECT WITH CRYPTO.COM:

• Website: crypto.com
• X (formerly Twitter): @cryptocom
• LinkedIn: Crypto.com on LinkedIn
• Educational Resources: Crypto.com/university

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin podcast, host Marisa Estrada Rivera (aka Ritzy P) sits down with Arushi Sood Joshi, founder and CEO of Zult, Inc.

With over 25 years of experience leading digital asset strategies at giants like Wells Fargo, MasterCard, and Visa, Arushi shares her deep insights into why the financial system needs an operational upgrade. The conversation dives into the practical application of the "DeFi mullet" approach, how tokenization empowers micro-lending institutions, and the unique challenges diverse female founders face when navigating shifting regulatory environments.

Interview with Arushi Sood Joshi, Founder & CEO of Zult, Inc.

Crypto Origin Story: How witnessing the early integration of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the Middle East inspired Arushi to leave corporate finance in 2017 to launch her first central bank digital currency (CBDC) startup, AdCash.

The Problem with Private Markets: A look at how capital formation remains complex and restricted, shutting out small-to-medium issuers (like CDFIs) and everyday investors by design.

The "DeFi Mullet" Tech Stack: Why Zult relies on a Web2 front-end and a Web3 back-end—leveraging blockchain for an immutable "golden record," AI for automated document processing, and APIs to connect with legacy plumbing rather than replace it.

Demystifying Tokenization: Turning the rights to real-world assets (like real estate, loans, or art) into digital tokens on a blockchain to securely verify ownership and distribute yield.

Zult Impact & Partnerships: Zult Impact, which recently secured a partnership to build a loan loss reserve that protects investors and opens liquidity for community lenders.

Founder Wisdom & Thick Skin: Real talk on why founders must remain anchored to real-world problems and prepare themselves for the uphill battle of raising capital as a diverse female founder.

Navigating Changing Policy: Adapting to a landscape with "multiple referees" changing the rules mid-game, and why Zult holds itself to traditional capital market standards to protect users.

About Arushi Sood Joshi

Arushi Sood Joshi is a visionary fintech entrepreneur redefining how private markets embrace

digital infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience building transformative financial products, she leads the charge in tokenizing real-world assets with privacy, compliance, and impact embedded at every layer. Arushi’s leadership is centered on creating technology that not only innovates but also safeguards and scales financial systems for the future.

As CEO & Founder of Zult, Inc., Arushi has set out to rethink how private credit markets work.

She has built a blockchain-based platform that bakes in compliance, privacy, and scalability from day one. Under her guidance, Zult has created a full tokenization infrastructure for real-world asset-backed securities, weaving KYC/AML checks and regulatory reporting right into smart contracts.

Previously, Arushi served as Head of Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Asset Center of

Excellence at Wells Fargo, where she defined and delivered the bank’s DLT and asset tokenization strategy, built a digital asset prototype platform, championed regulatory compliance for crypto-asset reporting, and earned the 2023 Galileo Award for inventor achievements. She is also a frequent keynote speaker and recognized industry expert in technology innovation.

Earlier, Arushi founded AtCash Inc., where she advised central banks on DLT and digital currency strategy, launched cutting-edge platforms for digital identity, eKYC, remote notarization, and implemented smart contracts that reduced trade contract review times from two weeks to two minutes. Her career also spans leadership roles at Mastercard and Visa, with notable achievements including launching the region’s first biometric card, doubling product portfolio revenue, and delivering multi-million-dollar cost savings through risk strategy and operational excellence across global markets.

Arushi has consistently bridged business strategy, innovation, and regulation in complex environments, from North America to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. She has launched more than 18 fintech products, built strategic alliances with ecosystem leaders like R3, Oracle, and IBM, and remains a fervent advocate for diversity, inclusion, and collaborative leadership.

Based in Houston, Texas, Arushi holds an MBA from Bentley University, a Bachelor of Commerce from Osmania University, and serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), championing the rights of children in foster care.

Links from the Episode

CONNECT WITH ARUSHI SOOD JOSHI:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arushisoodjoshi/

Website: zult.io

ZULT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zult-io/

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, host Cleve Mesidor sits down with Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer at Hedera and a seasoned Washington insider. With a career spanning the White House National Security Council, the U.S. Senate, and tech giants like Meta, Nilmini brings an elite policy perspective to the digital asset frontier. The conversation dives deep into how her background in global infrastructure and international finance shapes her work at Hedera, why enterprise-grade adoption is key to the network's decentralized vision, and what the shifting regulatory landscape means for crypto innovation through 2026 and beyond.

All Things Butterscotch

Host Cleve Mesidor shares an exciting milestone for the expanding Butterscotch Media universe: FinTech TV Partnership: The Get Down Beyond Bitcoin is officially bringing its high-impact conversations to FinTech TV’s newly launched podcast network, broadening its reach to an entirely new audience of financial innovators and digital asset leaders.

Interview with Nilmini Rubin (Chief Policy Officer at Hedera)

• The Power Africa Connection: Nilmini describes how drafting the bipartisan Electrify Africa Act during her time on Capitol Hill opened her eyes to how energy constraints stifle local economies—and how Hedera’s ultra-low energy footprint ultimately drew her into the layer-1 ecosystem.
• Invisible Ubiquity: A breakdown of the big announcements from HederaCon in Miami, highlighting the new "Clipper" protocol innovation designed to pass information seamlessly across networks and foster true cross-chain interoperability.
• Enterprise Over Pilots: Inside Hedera's unique 39-member governing council and its major institutional additions—including FedEx utilizing the chain for tracking supply chains, alongside Accenture and McLaren Racing.
• Sizing Up the Shifting Bills: A real-time analysis of the Clarity Act moving through Senate Banking and Agriculture committees, and a look back at why the Genius Act proves bipartisan consensus is highly achievable on Capitol Hill.
• The 2026 Tax & Rulemaking Frontier: Why the conversation is quickly pivoting toward international tax parity with regions like the UK and Europe, alongside an inside look at the SEC and CFTC’s joint interpretation explicitly designating HBAR as a digital commodity.
• Leading with Learning: How her board position at the Blockchain Foundation guides local congressional briefings (featuring Reps. Young Kim and Joyce Beatty) to humanize Web3 policy and meet lawmakers exactly where they are.
• The Fountain of Youth: Nilmini drops her ultimate work-life balance hack—she is a competitive adult figure skater—explaining how she adapts sports psychology and rigorous muscle-memory routines to the frantic pace of 24/7 crypto regulation.

About Nilmini Rubin, Chief Policy Officer, Hedera

Nilmini Rubin has over 20 years experience in international technology, energy, and democracy policy and is Chief Policy Officer at Hedera. Previously, she lobbied on cybersecurity for the Information Technology Industry Council and contributed to Meta’s policy team.

Nilmini led Tetra Tech’s global division implementing energy and internet projects that resulted in millions of people gaining access to electricity. She served as a senior aide at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee where she spearheaded passage of legislation to provide electricity access in Africa, increase global internet access, and reduce corruption. As a Director at the White House’s National Security Council, Nilmini helped secure agreements on non-proliferation, international health, and foreign aid.

She was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and an advisor to the Women's Democracy Network.

Links from the episode

CONNECT WITH NILMINI RUBIN:

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/nilminirubin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilminirubin

CONNECT WITH HEDERA:

Website:https://hedera.com

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/hedera

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hedera-network

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, host Cleve Mesidor sits down with two-term SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce—affectionately known as "Crypto Mom" and "Crypto's Architect"—for an engaging conversation.

As Commissioner Peirce prepares to conclude her impactful tenure at the SEC later this year, she shares her unique origin story, vision for a digital asset regulatory framework, and insights regarding inter-agency harmonization between the SEC and CFTC.

Commissioner Peirce is not just a champion of crypto, she also holds the industry accountable and advances sound guidance to build a stable industry. 

This captivating discussion covers a variety of timely topics, including tokenization opportunities for smaller players, as well as advice for the crypto industry about how best to continue to advance crypto rulemaking going forward.

Interview with SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce

Commissioner Peirce discusses her regulatory journey since 2018, impending departure from the Commission, and enduring optimism for the transformative nature of the technology.

• Crypto Origin Story: How early conversations with Jerry Brito sparked an interest in blockchain technology before joining the SEC during pivotal market shifts.
• Regulatory Harmonization: A deep dive into harmonization efforts with the CFTC, building on previous work with former Commissioner Brian Quintenz to develop a coordinated strategy.
• Advice to Industry: Why builders should focus on solving real-world consumer/investor problems and build commercially viable products.
• Life After SEC: Plans to transition into teaching, while cheering on sound regulation from the sidelines.
• Memorable Milestones: Reflections and why meeting conviction-driven builders during market lows remains her favorite part of the job.
• Next Gen Crypto: Reflecting on how Gen Z will integrate blockchain technology, and a call to use crypto as a tool for societal unity rather than divisiveness.

About SEC Commissioner Peirce

Hester M. Peirce was appointed by President Donald J. Trump to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was sworn in on January 11, 2018.

Commissioner Peirce leads the SEC Crypto Task Force, which seeks to provide clarity on the application of the federal securities laws to the crypto asset market and to recommend practical policy measures that aim to foster innovation and protect investors.

Prior to joining the SEC, Commissioner Peirce conducted research on the regulation of financial markets at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. She was a Senior Counsel on the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where she advised Ranking Member Richard Shelby and other members of the Committee on securities issues. Commissioner Peirce served as counsel to SEC Commissioner Paul S. Atkins. She also worked as a Staff Attorney in the SEC’s Division of Investment Management. Commissioner Peirce was an associate at Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering (now WilmerHale) and clerked for Judge Roger Andewelt on the Court of Federal Claims.

Commissioner Peirce earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Case Western Reserve University and her JD from Yale Law School.

Links from the episode

CONNECT WITH COMMISSIONER HESTER PEIRCE:

• Website: www.sec.gov

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

• Website: butterscotch.media
• Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe
• Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

Against the backdrop of the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner Weekend and National Financial Education Month, butterscotch Media convenes a virtual session: “TRUST MEDIA.” With a focus on digital finance, the forum explores issues around audience-trust and the impact and importance of niche media. The event features founders who are bridging the trust gap via newsletters, podcasts, and live journalism.

Moderator

• Remy Blaire: News Anchor & Managing Editor at FinTech TV

Featured Panelists

• Stacey Rolland: Founder of Zero One Strategies & Publisher of the DC Decentralized and DC AI Decoded newsletters
• Aaron Stanley: Founder of Promenade Advisory & Publisher of the Brazil Crypto Report
• Theodora (Theo) Lau: Founder of Unconventional Ventures & Host of the One Vision Podcast
• Marisa “Ritzy” Estrada Rivera: Emerging Tech Strategist & Co-Host of The Get Down Beyond Bitcoin podcast
• Cleve Mesidor: Founder of butterscotch Media & Executive Director of the Blockchain Foundation

Stacey Rolland, Founder, DC Decentralized Newsletter

Stacey Rolland is a leading expert in emerging technology policy and strategy in Washington, DC. She is the founder of Zero One Strategies, a specialized government relations firm focused on emerging tech policy.

Zero One Strategies website

DC Decentralized - A weekly newsletter on developments in digital asset federal policy

DC/ai Decoded - A weekly newsletter on developments in AI federal policy

Aaron Stanley, Founder, Brazil Crypto Report

Aaron Stanley is founder and CEO of Brazil Crypto Report, which is focused on the Brazil and LatAm ecosystems.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronstanley27

Theodora Lau, Founder, Unconventional Ventures; Host of One Vision Podcast

Theodora Lau is the founder of Unconventional Ventures, a public speaker, and an advisor. She is the author of Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (2025), the co-author of The Metaverse Economy (2023) and Beyond Good (2021), and host of One Vision, a podcast on fintech and innovation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodoralau/ 

Fintech Prose newsletter (on LinkedIn)

One Vision Podcast

YouTube: Unconventional Ventures 

Marisa “Ritzy” Estrada Rivera, Co-Host, The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin Podcast

Marisa Estrada Rivera, aka Ritzy P, is an emerging tech strategist, consultant, diversity advocate, and founder of Ritzy Periwinkle Consultancy and Zócalo — a multilingual platform in development dedicated to making emerging tech education accessible to underserved communities.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritzyp/

The Get Down Beyond Bitcoin Podcast

REAL TALK AI

Farcaster

Cleve Mesidor, Founder, butterscotch Media

Cleve Mesidor is Executive Director of Blockchain Foundation. She is also Founder of butterscotch Media, a Forbes Contributor, and part of Money20/20's RiseUp network.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmesi/

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, Ritzy P and Cleve Mesidor host a masterclass on digital asset taxation. The conversation features Sulolit "Raj" Mukherjee, Founder and CEO of Bodin Advisory LLC and former head of the IRS Office of Digital Assets. Raj provides a "360 view" of tax policy—bridging the gap between the US Treasury and decentralized finance. Raj explains why regulatory certainty is an asset for innovation.

All Things Butterscotch

Cleve Mesidor shares updates on the Butterscotch Media ecosystem and the importance of financial literacy.

• Financial Education Month: Why April’s focus is critical for the crypto space to move past "FOMO."
• Enterprise Blockchain: Insights on FedEx and Johnson & Johnson leveraging private blockchain for supply chain management.
• The Chews Tip Sheet: Updates on the weekly newsletter reaching over 10,000 subscribers.

Interview with Raj Mukherjee

Raj shares his journey from traditional finance to the center of US crypto policy efforts.

• The 1099-DA Framework: A deep dive into confusion surrounding new reporting requirements and why "cost basis" is more complex than traditional equities.
• Regulatory Arbitrage: The danger of the US failing to align with the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF).
• Prediction Markets: Upcoming research on regulatory treatment as they move mainstream.
• Embedded Compliance: Taxation logic built directly into blockchain code.
• Certainty as an Asset: Why jurisdictions pulling ahead are those with the clearest rules.

About Raj
Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee is the Founder and CEO of Bodin Advisory LLC, a strategy consulting firm that helps Fintech, crypto, and emerging tech companies navigate global regulatory frameworks through policy, tax, and compliance advisory. Most recently, Raj served as Head of the IRS Office of Digital Assets, where he led the US Treasury's Digital Asset strategy through tax policy development and regulatory rulemaking. He co-authored the U.S. Treasury's Digital Asset Broker Regulations.

Before his government service, Raj built tax and compliance functions at major blockchain and digital asset companies. As Global Head of Tax at ConsenSys, he managed the firm's domestic and international tax interests. Earlier, he held similar roles at Binance US and Coinbase. Raj came to crypto after 14+ years in traditional finance at JP Morgan, and HSBC, EY and KPMG.

Raj is a member of the Forbes Business Council, a Policy Expert to Cambridge Digital Innovation for Regulation (CDIR), and an Ambassador at Global Business Blockchain Council (GBBC) and has been recognized by Forbes as an Asian American Crypto Leader to Watch (2023) and by Butterscotch Media as a DeFi & Web3 Changemaker to Watch (2025). Raj holds a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law and B.A. degrees in International Relations and English Literature from Washington College in Maryland. He splits his residence between Washington, D.C., and Madrid, Spain.

Links from the episode

CONNECT WITH RAJ MUKHERJEE:

• Website: www.bodin-advisory.com
• Email: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

• Website: butterscotch.media
• Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: Subscribe Here
• Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this episode of The Get Down: Beyond Bitcoin, Ritzy P and Cleve Mesidor host TuongVy Le, General Counsel at Veda and former SEC official. They discuss bridging the gap between federal regulation and decentralized finance, moving past the "Degen phase" toward institutional-grade consumer protection.

All Things Butterscotch

• Ecosystem Updates: Cleve Mesidor highlights the expansion of Butterscotch Media and the rise of niche, founder-led journalism.
• Events: A preview of the EVE Wealth Summit in Arizona and plans for Consensus 2026 in Miami.
• Real Talk AI: Ritzy P introduces her new virtual workshop focused on AI ethics and community education.

Interview with TuongVy Le

• From SEC to Veda: TuongVy discusses her transition from SEC enforcement to building crypto infrastructure.
• DeFi Vaults: How Veda abstracts complexity into "Vaults," functioning as the on-chain equivalent of a 401k or ETF.
• Policy vs. Innovation: Using the "automobile analogy," she argues for policy centered on safety (seatbelts) rather than banning innovation.
• The Design Partner: Why modern crypto lawyers must help design products that earn the trust of both regulators and everyday users.

About TuongVy

TuongVy “Vy” Le is General Counsel at Veda, a crypto infrastructure company helping to make DeFi programmable and accessible for all. She has held senior legal and policy leadership roles across the crypto industry, including as General Counsel of Anchorage Digital, Partner and Head of Regulatory and Policy at Bain Capital’s crypto venture capital fund, and Deputy General Counsel and Compliance Officer at the digital identity company Worldcoin. Earlier in her career, Vy was Senior Counsel in the Enforcement Division and Chief Counsel of the Legislative Affairs Office at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, advising Congress on emerging financial markets and legislation. Vy has served on the CFTC digital assets advisory committee and on the boards of multiple blockchain policy associations, and began her career at the law firm WilmerHale LLP. She is a graduate of Yale Law School and speaks and writes frequently on how emerging technology can help modernize markets, including in Bloomberg, Fortune, Law360, and CoinDesk. She co-hosts the weekly crypto legal podcast “DEX in the City.”

Links from the episode

CONNECT WITH TuongVy Le:

• X (formerly Twitter): @TuongVyLe12
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TuongVytle/
• DEX in the City: https://unchainedcrypto.com/dex-in-the-city/

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

• Register for TRUST MEDIA: https://tr.ee/aYftUg
• Ritzy P’s Real Talk AI: https://www.ritzyperiwinkle.com/realtalkai
• Website: butterscotch.media
• Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: https://butterscotch.media/subscribe
• Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/butterscotch360

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360

In this Season 2 premiere of The Get Down Beyond Bitcoin, host Ritzy P kicks off with a high-stakes look at the 2026 crypto landscape. The episode begins with a deep dive into Butterscotch Media’s second anniversary and the evolving state of digital asset regulation, followed by an interview with Malik Corbett, CEO of Hekaton, on the transition from traditional finance to decentralized innovation.

Register for TRUST MEDIA: https://tr.ee/aYftUg

All Things Butterscotch

CEO Cleve Mesidor joins the show to discuss the growth of Butterscotch Media as a premier niche platform for policy and inclusion.

• The Trust Gap: Why niche media is overtaking legacy institutions in relevance and trust.
• 2026 Policy Update: A breakdown of the Genius Act (Stablecoin Law) and the current battle in the Senate over market structure.
• The "Nerd Prom": Details on the upcoming Trust Media live journalism event in DC.
• Global Footprint: Insights from Davos 2026 and the rise of tokenization on the world stage.

Interview with Malik Corbett (CEO of Hekaton)

Malik shares his journey as an "Uber entrepreneur" and early DeFi pioneer, moving from a 15-year career at firms like Bloomberg and JP Morgan into the startup world.

• Defining DeFi: Malik provides a "one-minute definition" of DeFi as an alternative system that collapses the friction and costs of traditional intermediaries.
• The Atomic Vault System: An exclusive look at Hekaton’s new platform (launching Q2 2026) that allows users to earn yield through market-neutral strategies while maintaining self-custody.
• Founder Survival: Why "staying in the game" is the ultimate metric of success for minority founders in high-tech.
• The 2026 Forecast: A candid take on current macro forces, including persistent inflation and the urgent need for a Market Structure Bill before the 2026 midterm elections.

About Malik
Malik Corbett is the Co-founder and CEO of Hekaton, a proprietary trading company focused on digital assets. In addition to his technical duties as a quant engineer on the trading desk assisting the team in building trading infrastructure and strategies, Malik oversees the strategic and business direction of the firm. Malik’s career in finance has spanned over 15+ years, working for firms such as Bloomberg Financial, JP Morgan and MDSL.

In 2014, Malik saw an emerging opportunity in the FinTech alternative data space; he joined iSentium as the Director of Sales where he led the company’s sales efforts. After working in the alternative data industry, Malik and Tynan Overstreet teamed up to form Hekaton. Malik brings a wealth of experience and technical skills along with strong leadership skills to help usher in the next generation financial trading firm.

Links from the episode 

CONNECT WITH Malik:

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/lionindayard

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malik-corbett-4a83a513/

Hekaton: https://www.hekatontrading.com/

The Atomic Vault System: https://www.atomicvault.xyz/

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Register for TRUST MEDIA: https://tr.ee/aYftUg

Check us out on our website butterscotch.media

Subscribe to our weekly tipsheet Chews: https://butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X:  https://twitter.com/butterscotch360

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@butterscotchMedia

CONNECT WITH BUTTERSCOTCH MEDIA:

Website: butterscotch.media

FinTech TV Network: https://fintech.tv/category/the-get-down-podcast-series/

Subscribe to Chews Tipsheet: butterscotch.media/subscribe

Follow us on X: @butterscotch360