Unblocking The Chain

Stablecoins are becoming real financial infrastructure, institutional investors are moving deeper into digital assets, and regulators are reshaping the crypto landscape.

On this episode of Unblocking the Chain, Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford break down nine major themes emerging across digital assets, including the growth of stablecoin payments, tokenised securities, cybersecurity threats and ASIC’s proposed regulatory framework in Australia.

They also explore why trading is moving on-chain, the bullish institutional outlook for Bitcoin, the challenges facing digital asset treasury companies, and whether AI agents and automated payments could become the next major growth driver for crypto.

Plus, the hosts discuss New Zealand’s opportunity to modernise its payments system and look ahead to the next episode’s discussion on the country’s blockchain industry.

(02:28) Crypto industry developments in Australia and New Zealand’s payments opportunity

(05:28) Stablecoins become financial infrastructure: payments, settlement and remittances

(07:15) Tokenisation of real-world assets and securities goes mainstream

(09:23) Cybersecurity, AI-powered attacks and quantum resilience

(11:37) ASIC regulation: balancing consumer protection with crypto industry growth

(17:25) Why crypto trading is moving on-chain and the rise of decentralised exchanges

(20:21) Bitcoin’s bullish outlook and growing institutional interest

(23:32) Institutional adoption, crypto treasury companies and the next wave of AI-driven payments

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Recorded in mid-September 2026, this episode features David Halpern, Senior Specialist, Fintech Team, Markets Group at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

David joins Drew Bradford and Michael Prendiville for an in-depth discussion about ASIC’s evolving approach to digital assets, tokenisation, crypto regulation and financial innovation in Australia.

The conversation covers AFSL licensing, ASIC’s token-by-token assessment of digital assets, staking, non-custodial wallets, tokenised equities, automated market makers (AMMs), KYC and the balance between regulation, consumer protection and innovation.

With Australia moving towards a more defined regulatory framework for digital assets, David provides valuable insight into how ASIC is thinking about the future of the industry and Australia’s position in the global digital asset economy.

Key Topics & Timecodes

(02:13) — ASIC’s role and how digital assets fit within Australia’s financial regulatory framework

(05:15) — Why ASIC, the RBA, APRA and Treasury are increasingly cooperating on tokenisation

(07:01) — ASIC’s approach to tokenisation: innovation without picking technology winners

(10:14) — AFSL licensing, the transition period and what digital asset firms need to do

(11:28) — Why digital assets must be assessed token-by-token under ASIC guidance

(15:18) — Staking, managed investment schemes and where ASIC draws the line

(19:32) — Tokenised equities, AMMs and the future of on-chain Australian markets

(23:12) — KYC, DeFi and why knowing your customer remains critical

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Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and the guests. Please do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.

Crypto markets are heating up, but there’s plenty happening behind the scenes at Jelly C as well. Michael Prendiville is joined by COO Nick Mace and Portfolio Manager Dylan Lodge Calvert to discuss the latest market moves, tokenised equities, some of the cryptocurrencies attracting attention, and how AI is transforming Jelly C’s portfolio management and trading operations. The team also explains the new Pulse strategy, fund tokenisation and their vision for the next generation of digital asset investing.

Key timecodes

(2:44) Crypto & macro market update — Bitcoin’s move higher, interest rates, oil and the broader economic backdrop
(7:39) Tokenised equities — the latest SEC developments and what they could mean for investors
(9:49) Crypto projects making moves — Near, TAO and Ponds
(14:44) AI at Jelly C — how the team is using AI to build new systems, applications and trading models
(16:52) AI-powered portfolio management — rebuilding Jelly C’s position-keeping and execution systems
(21:04) The Pulse strategy — using blockchain data and automation to identify trading opportunities
(23:40) Tokenising Jelly C’s funds — what tokenisation could mean for liquidity and investors
(27:05) Where does the next alpha come from? — tokenised equities, commodities and emerging market inefficiencies

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What could tokenisation mean for Australia’s financial system and economy? In this episode of Unblocking the Chain, Drew Bradford and Michael Prendiville are joined by Elizabeth Reed, co-CEO of the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC), to unpack the findings of Project Acacia and the potential for digital finance to deliver $24 billion in annual economic gains for Australia.

They discuss tokenised money-market funds, bonds and repo markets, the huge amount of capital currently tied up as collateral, atomic settlement, cross-border payments and why Australia needs to move from experimentation into commercialisation. Elizabeth also explains what comes next, including a proposed digital financial market infrastructure sandbox and the 'exploration of tokenised  Australian government bonds'.

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In this episode of Unblocking the Chain, Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford cover a packed week across crypto, Australian regulation and global markets. They discuss the growing political support for stablecoins in Australia, the launch of MacroPod on LMAX, and the changing stablecoin landscape. They also unpack Australia’s proposed capital gains tax changes, DEXs taking an increasing share of crypto trading volume, the Coldcard hack and the debate around self-custody. The conversation then moves into the delayed CLARITY Act, Japanese interest rates and global yields, Australia’s productivity and growth challenges, and whether the ASX could benefit from a rotation out of tech stocks.

Key Timecodes

(01:00) Australian crypto regulation and growing bipartisan support for stablecoins
(04:51) MacroPod launches on LMAX and the evolving stablecoin market
(08:07) Australia’s proposed capital gains tax changes vs. the US
(14:15) DEXs gaining market share and the rise of Hyperliquid
(18:28) The Coldcard hack, Bitcoin self-custody and ETF flows
(21:47) CLARITY Act delays and what happens next in US crypto regulation
(25:34) Japan, rising rates and potential global market implications
(29:29) Australian productivity, tokenisation and the ASX outlook

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This week on Unblocking the Chain, the team shares major updates from JellyC and MacroPod, including strong fund performance, growing adoption of the AUDM stablecoin and upcoming exchange listings. They also break down the latest macro developments, from banking and payment rails to Bitcoin, quantum computing, the US Federal Reserve and the delayed Clarity Act. Plus, they discuss why they remain bullish on blockchain infrastructure despite short-term market uncertainty.

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This week on Unblocking the Chain, Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford unpack one of the biggest weeks for digital assets in Australia. They discuss the Reserve Bank's growing support for tokenisation, Project Acacia, the upcoming RBA Sandbox and why Australia's regulators appear more aligned than ever.

The conversation also explores the US Clarity Act, what it could mean for global crypto regulation, and why tokenised financial markets may be much closer than many investors realise. They finish with an in-depth market update covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, MicroStrategy, digital asset treasury companies and why the current market could present opportunities despite widespread caution.

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Drew Bradford (Macropod) and Michael Prendiville (JellyC) swap hosting roles for a deep-dive with James Coombes, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Block Earner. Fresh off Australia's DECA conference and the High Court's ruling against Block Earner's former Earner product, James unpacks what the decision means for crypto regulation, why the company has already moved on, and how its new credit licence is powering a wave of Bitcoin-backed lending. The conversation ranges across capital gains tax changes and their effect on Bitcoin holders, a Bitcoin-and-cash home loan pilot with Century 21, listener-pitched mortgage structures combining debt and crypto collateral, Block Earner's international expansion plans, and a bigger-picture bet on tokenisation, stablecoins, and 24/7 markets reshaping how Australians borrow, invest, and bank.

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‘The Bitcoin Adviser’ Peter Dunworth returns to the show for a wide-ranging conversation on Bitcoin, the Australian tax landscape, and smart investment strategy. Pete shares why he relocated from Australia to New Zealand, breaks down the risks and opportunities in the current Bitcoin market, and makes the case for why Bitcoin's long-term value proposition remains intact — even as the AI boom steals the spotlight.

(2:15) Pete Dunworth is introduced — Bitcoin advisor and returning fan-favourite guest, including a warm tribute to the late Ashley Cooper.

(6:44) Why Pete left Australia: property rights, unrealized capital gains tax, and what the federal budget signals for investors.

(13:59) Bitcoin at $61K — is the dip a cause for panic or a buying opportunity? Pete weighs in on the Michael Saylor selloff and the AI disruption to Bitcoin's "fastest horse" thesis.

(18:50) The MicroStrategy model — is it sustainable? Pete breaks down the STRC product, collateral ratios versus the banking system, and why Saylor's innovation could be Bitcoin's tipping point.

(26:07) Cycle timing and strategy: dollar cost averaging, the power law, and how close you can realistically get to the bottom.

(35:51) Where to hold Bitcoin for tax purposes — the best jurisdictions, superannuation structures, and why trust structures are now largely redundant under Australia's new tax rules.

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This week on Unblocking the Chain, Drew Bradford and Critta Prendiville break down the fallout from Australia’s proposed capital gains tax changes and what they could mean for startups, founders, and investment in the local tech sector. The discussion covers founder equity dilution, the risk of talent leaving Australia, debt and productivity concerns, and why jurisdictions like New Zealand and Singapore are becoming more attractive. The episode also explores crypto regulation, borrowing against Bitcoin, and the rapidly evolving AI arms race between Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok.

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