In this episode, we're joined by Joe David, founder and CEO of Nephos Group, an accountancy practice that moved from servicing a handful of early crypto clients in 2018 to running its business from Dubai and settling its own invoices in a regulated dirham stablecoin. We dig into how a chance client introduction to a crypto exchange turned into a full pivot for the firm, why Joe relocated Nephos's headquarters from the UK to the UAE, and how VARA and ADGM's "inside out" approach to regulation compares with the UK's attempt to bolt crypto onto existing financial services rules. From accepting payments in AE Coin to the tax treatment question dividing regulators worldwide, is a stablecoin a disposal of an asset or a cash-equivalent payment method?, we explore where the accounting and compliance headaches really sit for businesses adopting this technology. We also unpack the difference between a reserve attestation and true proof of reserves, why GBPA opts for monthly reporting ahead of the FCA's quarterly requirement, and how local stablecoins like AE Coin and GBPA might coexist with global players in an increasingly interoperable, multi-currency stablecoin landscape.

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Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/ 

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck 

Nephos Group

Website: https://www.nephosgroup.com/ 

Joe Website: https://joedavid.co/ 

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

Chapters  

0:00 - Opening and introductions

1:14 - Joe’s background and how Nephos moved into crypto

6:57 - Why Joe moved from the UK to Dubai

9:24 - Why the UAE is a crypto-friendly hub

13:31 - Stablecoin payments and AE Coin

18:13 - Tax treatment of stablecoins

28:36 - Reserves vs. attestations

35:10 - UK stablecoin rules and monthly reporting

42:09 - Local vs international stablecoins

48:47 - Where the industry is heading

52:29 - What businesses should ask their accountant first

In this episode, we're joined by Maher Ayari, co-founder of Sorbet, a stablecoin-powered fintech building what it calls the region's first on-chain neobank for the MENA market. We dig into how a freelancer payments problem in Riyadh turned into a broader thesis for stablecoin-based settlement, why the UAE and Saudi Arabia rank among the top global remittance corridors despite currencies already pegged to the dollar, and how Sorbet is navigating one of the world's more conservative regulatory environments while building alongside the Saudi Central Bank's evolving stance on digital assets. From the "stablecoin sandwich" model of plugging into providers like Bridge and Circle, to the strategic shift toward owning liquidity rails directly, we explore how Sorbet is repositioning from B2C freelancer payments toward a Mercury-style B2B financial operating system for businesses across Saudi and the wider region. We also unpack the just-announced OpenUSD consortium, what it signals about the USDC-versus-USDT dynamic, and why distribution, not issuance, may be the hardest problem in stablecoins today.Follow Stablecoin Partners Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/ StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck SorbetWebsite: https://mysorbet.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mysorbet/ Maher: https://sa.linkedin.com/in/maher-ayari Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sorbet and the MENA Region02:58 Maher's Journey and the Birth of Sorbet06:06 The Evolution of Stablecoins in the MENA Region09:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Building in the GCC11:55 The Role of Stablecoins in Remittances14:46 Understanding the Unique Needs of the MENA Market17:58 The Future of Stablecoins and Financial Infrastructure21:02 Target Customers and Business Model of Sorbet24:15 Transitioning to B2B Financial Solutions29:11 The Evolution of Stablecoins in the MENA Region35:40 Innovative Financial Products and Market Positioning39:20 The Impact of OpenUSD on the Stablecoin Landscape46:33 Navigating the Future of Stablecoins and Regulation 

In this episode, we're joined by Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin LLC, the issuer of AECoin, the UAE's first Dirham-backed stablecoin, licensed directly by the Central Bank of the UAE. We dig into what it actually took to build a regulated stablecoin from scratch alongside a central bank, how the escrow-backed, one-to-one Dirham peg works day to day, and why AECoin's daily reporting and monthly attestation model sets a different bar for transparency. From government fee payments and merchant adoption to a standout use case, topping up your wallet with crypto and spending it instantly as AECoin, we explore how real-world distribution was won across retail, institutional, and B2B channels. We also examine the broader Dirham stablecoin landscape, how the UAE's central bank licensing differs from free-zone regimes like VARA and ADGM, and where Ramez sees digital Dirham adoption heading by 2030.Follow Stablecoin Partners Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/ StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck AE CoinWebsite: https://aecoin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ad-coinuae/ Ramez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramez-rafeek-18651541/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AECoin and Its Significance03:04 Regulatory Framework and Compliance in the UAE11:50 Impact of Regulation on Innovation12:21 Competitive Landscape of Stablecoins in the UAE15:35 Use Cases and Adoption of AECoin20:21 Future of AECoin and Market Demand26:01 Vision for the Future of Digital Payments in the UAE30:42 Conclusion and Resources for AECoin

In this episode, we're joined by Pritpal Shokar, Head of Product for Digital Assets at Thunes, to explore what it really takes to build stablecoin infrastructure at a global scale. We dig into how digital money is evolving across borders, why stablecoins and e-money aren't as interchangeable as they seem, and where tokenized deposits fit into the picture.

From liquidity challenges in cross-border payments to the UK's shifting regulatory landscape, we examine the friction points that still define international finance, and how programmable money could eliminate them. We also look ahead to the emerging world of agentic payments, where AI-driven transactions demand new thinking around trust, oversight, and the role of the treasurer.

Follow Stablecoin Partners:

- Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

- StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

Thunes:

- Website: https://www.thunes.com/

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

- Pritpal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritpal-shokar/

Presented in partnership with Nephos Group

Proud sponsors of the Stablecoin Standard Podcast, Nephos Group is the specialist accountancy and advisory firm for stablecoin issuers. From proof of reserves and attestations to stablecoin accounting and compliance support, they help digital asset businesses build the financial rigour that institutional adoption demands. Learn more at nephosgroup.com.

In this episode, we’re joined by Will Beeson (Multiliquid) and Jack Chong (Checker) to unpack where the money layer and asset layer of on‑chain finance collide. We explore how stablecoins and tokenized real‑world assets are converging, why liquidity remains the biggest bottleneck at institutional scale, and how infrastructure players are solving access, settlement, and distribution challenges. This is a deep dive into the future of financial markets, where cash, assets and payments operate on a single, always‑on system.

Follow Stablecoin Partners

Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

Multiliquid

Multiliquid: https://multiliquid.xyz

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

X: https://x.com/will_beeson

Checker

Checker: https://checker.finance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-chong/

In this episode, Ran Grushkowsky, Co‑Founder and CEO of MassPay, breaks down why global payout systems are still fundamentally broken—and what it takes to fix them. We explore how MassPay built payout infrastructure across 230+ countries, why optionality in how people get paid is the real unlock, and how payouts are evolving from a cost centre into a revenue driver. We also dive into stablecoins as a settlement rail, embedded compliance, and what enterprise-scale payments really look like under the hood.

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Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

MassPay

MassPay: https://masspay.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rangrushkowsky/
X: https://x.com/MassPay_io

In this episode, Kirill Gertman, Co‑Founder and CEO of Conduit, explains how stablecoins are quietly replacing legacy payment rails like SWIFT without end users ever touching crypto. We explore how Conduit processes billions in B2B payments across emerging markets, why compliance is the real product, and how stablecoins unlock faster, cheaper, and more reliable cross‑border flows. This conversation dives into the real-world mechanics of global payments, from Africa and LatAm to bank partnerships and regulatory realities.

Regulation 561 issued by the Brazilian Central Bank: https://paymentbrief.com/articles/brazil-stablecoin-cross-border-ban-2026/

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Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

Conduit

Conduit: https://www.conduitpay.com

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

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Gabriele Galli, SVP of Sales, Partnerships, and Business Development at Mesh, breaks down what it actually takes to win the stablecoin payments race. We explore how Mesh is building the connective layer that allows users to pay with any crypto asset while merchants settle instantly in stablecoins, why stablecoins dominate real usage today, and how fragmentation across chains and systems is being solved. This is a deep dive into the infrastructure layer nobody sees — and why distribution, trust, and partnerships matter more than ever.

Follow Stablecoin Partners

Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

Mesh

Mesh: https://www.meshpay.com/

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

In this episode, Đorđe Žarković, Head of Fund Solutions at Bank Frick, breaks down what happens when traditional correspondent banking fails and why stablecoins are emerging as the only scalable alternative. We explore how Bank Frick became one of the first regulated institutions to accept USDC at the fund level, how stablecoins are accelerating capital flows into investment vehicles, and why convergence between traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure is inevitable. This conversation is a deep dive into the real plumbing of global finance and how it’s being rebuilt.

Follow Stablecoin Partners

Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

Bank Frick

Bank Frick: https://www.bankfrick.li/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/đorđe-žarković/

In this episode, we explore how grain‑backed tokens are redefining money in the real economy. Eduardo Novilo Astrada, CEO and co‑founder of JustToken (AgroToken), explains how soy, corn, and wheat have functioned as currency in Latin America for decades and how blockchain finally allows that system to scale digitally. Dax Hansen, partner at Perkins & Coie and a regenerative farmer, unpacks the legal, regulatory, and financial implications of asset‑backed tokens and why commodities may be the missing link in on‑chain finance.

Follow Stablecoin Partners

Stablecoin Partners: https://www.stablecoinpartners.com/

StableCheck: https://www.stablecoinstandard.com/stablecheck

JustToken

https://www.justoken.com/

Email: [email protected]

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

Perkins & Coie

https://perkinscoie.com/

Email: [email protected]

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