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As the internet made information global and permissionless, payments have remained trapped behind banks, payment processors, jurisdictional rules, delayed settlements, account approvals, and platform-level restrictions. For online businesses, creators, developers, and emerging agentic commerce, the ability to accept money is still far less open than the ability to publish content or build software.
In this episode of Untangling Web3, Siddharth Menon, founder of PayRam and co-founder of WazirX, explores how permissionless commerce can reshape the future of payments, stablecoin adoption, and blockchain-based financial infrastructure. The conversation covers why traditional payment systems create friction for merchants, how self-hosted crypto payment gateways unlock new forms of online commerce, and why the next wave of blockchain utility may come from payments rather than speculation.
Key Points Discussed:
Permissionless commerce represents a major shift in how payments, tech platforms, and blockchain infrastructure can work together. Instead of treating crypto as another payment option inside the existing processor model, self-hosted payment systems give merchants direct control over how they accept, manage, and settle funds.
As stablecoins become more widely used and AI agents begin spinning up digital services, stores, and automated workflows, payments infrastructure needs to become faster, more open, and easier to integrate. Blockchain-based commerce offers a path toward that future: global payments without unnecessary intermediaries, programmable money for new business models, and a more permissionless internet economy.
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
As AI, cloud infrastructure, and blockchain systems scale, one critical issue remains unresolved: trust in compute. Today, most computation—whether powering AI models or executing financial transactions—operates as a black box.
In this episode of Untangling Web3, Leo Fan, founder and CEO of Cysic, explores how verifiable compute and zero-knowledge proofs can transform computation into something that is not just fast and scalable, but provably correct.
Key highlights:
Verifiable compute represents a fundamental shift in how digital systems are designed and trusted. By combining zero-knowledge proofs, blockchain, and advanced AI infrastructure, computation can move from opaque black boxes to transparent, provable systems.
As AI agents take on more responsibility and automation expands across industries, the ability to verify outcomes will become essential—not optional. The long-term vision is clear: a world where trust is no longer assumed, but mathematically guaranteed.
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
Humanoid robots are rapidly moving from science fiction into reality, powered by breakthroughs in robotics, AI, and artificial intelligence.
In this episode of Untangling Web3, Professor Peter Corke, one of the world’s leading robotics experts, breaks down what robots really are, how they’ve evolved from factory arms to human-like machines, and how close we are to truly intelligent, autonomous humanoids.
From perception systems powered by AI to the economic and ethical implications of automation, this episode offers a grounded, technical, and deeply insightful look at the future of robotics.
Key highlights:
Humanoid robots represent the convergence of robotics, AI, and artificial intelligence into systems that can perceive, reason, and act in the physical world. While the technology is advancing rapidly, significant challenges remain in reliability, safety, and societal impact.
The future of robotics will not be defined by a single breakthrough, but by the integration of multiple disciplines, from deep learning to neuroscience. As machines become more capable, the key question is no longer just what robots can do, but how humanity chooses to integrate them into society.
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this week’s episode, we're zooming out - literally - to explore the new space race unfolding before our eyes.
With companies like SpaceX leading the charge, and global powers like China and Russia ramping up ambitions, the conversation dives into how space technology, orbital infrastructure, and interplanetary flight are moving from sci-fi fantasy to strategic reality.
From Moon bases to Mars colonies and even AI data centers in orbit, this episode asks whether we are entering a new era of competition for dominance beyond Earth.
Key Points Discussed:
The new space race isn’t just about planting flags. It’s about infrastructure, sovereignty, AI, and the future of human civilization.
As private companies and governments invest billions into lunar bases, orbital data centers, and deep-space missions, the boundary between science fiction and reality is shrinking fast.
Whether driven by survival, competition, or pure ambition, humanity’s push into the universe is accelerating, and the next 10 to 20 years could reshape not just space technology, but life on Earth itself. Watch this space.
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this week’s episode of the Untangling Web3 podcast, we tackle one of the biggest narratives dominating tech and global markets right now: the so-called AI bubble.
With headlines predicting an imminent crash in artificial intelligence stocks and skepticism mounting around LLMs, the hosts unpack whether we’re witnessing genuine over-exuberance, or simply the growing pains of a transformative technology.
Drawing on real market signals, user adoption, and infrastructure realities, this episode cuts through the hype to examine what’s really going on beneath the surface
Key Points Discussed:
Is there an AI bubble? Possibly—but not in the simplistic way the headlines suggest. While a short-term correction in tech markets may be inevitable, Alec and Jack argue that artificial intelligence itself is here to stay.
The real story is one of scale, infrastructure, and timing: massive long-term bets paired with very real near-term constraints. Whether markets cool or surge next, AI and LLMs are already too deeply woven into the digital economy to disappear.
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
--
Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this annual 2025 review special, Alec and Jack take a step back to reflect on one of the most transformative years yet for crypto, AI, LLMs, and digital assets.
From Bitcoin’s institutional turning point to AI becoming a daily tool for millions, this episode captures how Web3 and emerging technologies moved from niche experimentation into the mainstream. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about what actually mattered in 2025, and what it tells us about the road ahead.
Key Points Discussed:
Looking back, 2025 wasn’t about a single breakthrough, it was about consolidation, legitimacy, and scale. Crypto became harder to ignore, AI and LLMs became unavoidable, and digital assets quietly embedded themselves into global financial plumbing.
As Alec and Jack reflect, the pace of change is accelerating, making predictions harder, but also making the future more fascinating than ever. This episode captures a pivotal moment before the next wave hits, setting the tone for what could be an even more disruptive year ahead.
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this week’s episode of the Untangling Web3 podcast, we dive into Alec’s hands-on review of the new Meta AI Glasses v2 — Meta’s latest step toward merging AI and AR into everyday tech.
Fresh from attending Meta’s launch event in California, Alec shares his firsthand impressions of how these next-generation smart glasses blend voice-controlled AI, contextual awareness, and seamless design to create what Mark Zuckerberg calls “the next mobile interface.”
From hands-free recording to real-time translation, this episode explores where these glasses succeed — and where they still fall short.
Key Points Discussed:
The Meta AI Glasses v2 are a bold step toward the fusion of AI, AR, and everyday life — a glimpse into the future of personal computing.
While the current generation remains limited in scope, its design, integration, and potential applications make it one of the most exciting tech innovations of the year.
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This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:
https://vebetterdao.org/
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
--
Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this week’s episode of the Untangling Web3 podcast, the spotlight is on Alec’s latest venture Restify, a Web3 dApp designed to help users reduce their screen time and improve mental health through microincentives and rewards.
Built on blockchain, Restify transforms digital wellness into a game of positive reinforcement, paying users small amounts of crypto for simply staying off their phones. We dive deep into the story behind the app, how it works, and why it could represent a new era of purpose-driven dApps.
Key Points Discussed:
Restify showcases the potential of Web3 beyond speculation—using decentralized apps to create measurable social impact. By aligning financial incentives with wellness goals, it demonstrates how crypto can be used for good, not just profit.
tThe future of mental health technology may depend less on new gadgets and more on how we use incentives to encourage balance in a hyperconnected world.
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This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:
https://vebetterdao.org/
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Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
--
Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this episode of Untangling Web3, blockchain researcher and educator Keir Finlow-Bates returns to unpack one of the most critical debates in modern finance—the rise of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
As digital assets evolve from niche tools for traders into core infrastructure for global payments, this conversation explores how blockchain-based money systems are reshaping the way value moves, who controls it, and what the next era of programmable finance might look like.
Key highlights:
Stablecoins represent the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology, providing the infrastructure for global, programmable money. CBDCs, meanwhile, embody a competing vision—state-issued digital assets designed for control and policy enforcement rather than decentralization.
Between these two poles lies the defining question for the next decade of monetary innovation: will the future of money be open, programmable, and user-controlled—or centralized, monitored, and conditional?
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This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:
https://vebetterdao.org/
--
Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
--
Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
In this episode of Untangling Web3, futurist and returning guest Aragorn Meulendijks explores how artificial intelligence and robotics are redefining science, labor, and the future of human society.
With developments like humanoid robots entering mass production, the reversal of aging in primates, and AI-driven scientific discovery accelerating, this conversation focuses on the transformative—and potentially disruptive—technological shifts underway.
Aragorn unpacks the exponential acceleration of innovation and its potential to trigger post-scarcity economics, reshaping the social contract as we know it.
Key highlights:
The future that Aragorn sketches is both exhilarating and daunting. Mass robot deployment, scientific automation, and redefined human purpose all lie within reach, but navigating the transition will require a collective reimagining of economics, ethics, and governance.
Whether society evolves toward utopia or faces instability will depend not just on technology, but on humanity’s ability to adapt, redistribute value, and embrace new social contracts.
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This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:
https://vebetterdao.org/
--
Learn more about Web3 at:
https://untanglingweb3.com/
--
Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected].
Love what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.
The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.
From the publisher's feed
The podcast that simplifies tomorrow's tech, today.
Untangling Web3 dives deep into the world of the next-generation Internet, exploring the groundbreaking technologies, projects, and ideas…
This series is hosted and produced by Jack Davies and Alec Burns.