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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Hosted by Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford, Unblocking the Chain explores the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. Supported by JellyC and Macropod.

In this episode, the hosts unpack a pivotal moment for crypto—combining insights from the Miami conference with a sharp analysis of Australia’s latest federal budget.

They explore the growing institutional momentum behind tokenisation, stablecoins, and real-world asset adoption, while also addressing mounting risks in DeFi following recent hacks and a necessary repricing of yields.

A major focus is the Australian budget’s impact on innovation, particularly proposed capital gains tax changes that could reshape the startup and crypto landscape. Despite regulatory headwinds, there are signs of progress, including movement toward tokenised financial infrastructure and payments reform.

The episode closes with a broader industry outlook: capital is flowing, regulation is evolving, and crypto is shifting from speculation toward real-world utility.

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In this episode, we sit down with Mike Reed from Franklin Templeton to unpack how one of the world’s largest asset managers is approaching blockchain, tokenisation, and the future of financial markets.

From early Bitcoin curiosity to launching on-chain money market funds, Mike explains how tokenisation is driving massive cost efficiencies, enabling real-time settlement, and unlocking entirely new product features like intraday yield. The conversation dives into how traditional finance is adapting, the role of regulators, and why the next 5–10 years will reshape global financial infrastructure.

We also explore tokenised ETFs, 24/7 markets, stablecoins vs money funds, and what it will take for blockchain-native finance to go mainstream.

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In this episode, the team sits down with Mark Monfort, a leader at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and digital assets, to unpack the rapid evolution of emerging technologies and what it means for the future.

Mark shares his journey from traditional finance into crypto and AI, before diving into the growing convergence of these two worlds. The conversation explores real-world applications—from legal tech and stablecoins to AI-powered workflows—and the importance of community in driving innovation.

They also tackle big-picture risks and opportunities, including quantum computing threats to encryption, the rise of advanced AI systems like Claude, and whether these developments are overhyped or genuine turning points.

The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on where AI and blockchain are heading, why trust and transparency will be critical, and what success could look like in the next five years.

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Podcast Hosts:

Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod.

About Catena Digital

Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets.

www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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.

In this episode, Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford break down the accelerating shift toward blockchain-based financial infrastructure, from tokenisation and stablecoins to major regulatory and institutional developments in Australia.

They unpack key insights from the Black Swan Conference, explore the RBA’s clear stance on digital assets, and examine how global trends—from ETF tokenisation to quantum computing—are shaping the future of finance.

With new legislation, rising institutional interest, and real-world adoption gaining momentum, this episode highlights why digital assets are moving from speculation to core financial infrastructure—and what comes next.

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Podcast Hosts:

Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod.

About Catena Digital

Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets.

www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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.

In a special crossover episode, AI hosts from JellyC’s Crypto Bytes take over the mic to interview the humans behind the scenes, flipping the usual format on its head. The conversation dives into the evolving foundations of crypto and digital finance, shifting focus away from price speculation and onto the infrastructure powering the next phase of the market. From the rapid rise of stablecoins as global payment rails to the real-world progress of tokenization and accelerating institutional adoption, the episode explores where things are truly heading. The team also unpacks liquidity signals, macro dynamics, and the growing role of AI in execution, compliance, and risk management—before outlining what the next 90 days could look like as adoption reaches a potential tipping point.

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Podcast Hosts:

Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod.

About Catena Digital

Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets.

www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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.

In this episode of Unblocking the Chain, Drew Bradford and Michael Prendiville are joined by Kate Cooper, CEO of OKX Australia, to unpack the newly released Digital Finance report estimating a $24 billion annual opportunity for Australia through blockchain, tokenisation and digital assets. The discussion explores how emerging technologies like AI, stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure are converging, why Australia risks capturing only a fraction of the potential gains, and what policy, regulatory and infrastructure changes are needed to stay competitive globally. Kate also discusses OKX’s role in building digital finance infrastructure in Australia and the importance of sovereign digital capability as the global financial system evolves.

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(01:00) Kate Cooper’s background and how she moved from banking innovation into leading OKX Australia.
(03:20) The crypto “S-curve” and how blockchain, stablecoins and AI are accelerating adoption together.
(08:10) The new report estimating $24B annual productivity gains from digital finance in Australia.
(10:50) Where the economic gains come from: better markets, payments and tokenised assets.
(21:30) Strategic digital asset reserves and the importance of sovereign digital finance infrastructure.
(26:30) The role of exchanges like OKX as infrastructure nodes in the evolving digital financial system.

Podcast Hosts:

Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod.

Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets.

www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Podcast Produced by:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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.