Women are stepping into new forms of financial power, and digital assets are opening the door. The founders of Eve Wealth, Sadie Raney and Elaine Asher discuss the misconceptions that keep women out of this space and the education and community that bring them in. They explain how long-term digital-asset investing sits at the intersection of wealth-building and agency, and why it may be one of the most overlooked tools for closing power gaps.

Ep 59: Stablecoins Across Borders

This episode examines Decentralized Lending Protocols (DLPs) and the contagion that can arise due to assets lent to one pool serving as collateral in a different pool. We discuss efficient design of DLPs and mitigations for managing risk.Guest: Julien Prat (CNRS Researcher CREST, Ecole Polytechnique, IP Paris)Paper: Shock Propagation in Decentralized Lending Networks: Evidence from the Compound Protocol [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5380164]

Contrary to popular belief, price discovery can occur at decentralized exchanges instead of at centralized exchanges. We discuss the underlying economics and how this affects bidding for block space. We also discuss how private memory pools affect bidding behavior and the price discovery process. Guests: Agostino Capponi (Columbia University), Ruizhe Jia (Stanford University), Shihao Yu (Singapore Management University) Paper: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4236993

This episode covers the digitization of payments and the rise of stablecoins. We discuss China's CBDC project, the success of USD stablecoins, and the barriers to broader stablecoin adoption. We also examine how stablecoins could reshape the modern payment infrastructure. Guests: Lin William Cong (Cornell University), Simon Mayer (Carnegie Mellon University) Paper: Strategic Digitization in Currency and Payment Competition [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4063878]

This episode examines the central role nonprofit foundations have played in supporting blockchain networks. We trace their original purpose, how these entities have become a point of friction for many projects, and how regulatory and policy shifts have opened the door to alternatives. We reference two emerging models: the Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (DUNA) and the Cybernetic Organization (BORG). Guest: Miles Jennings (Head of Policy & General Counsel at a16z crypto) Paper: The end of the foundation era in crypto - a16z crypto [https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/end-foundation-era-crypto/]

This episode explores the governance of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). We discuss how ownership concentration and whale voting can distort incentives and hinder platform growth. The conversation examines mechanisms to embed long-term incentives directly into DAO economic design. Guests: Jungsuk Han (Seoul National University), Jongsub Lee (Seoul National University; University of Florida), Tao Li (University of Florida) Paper: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4346581

Crypto says it's for everyone, but who's actually building the future? Michelle O'Connor, founder of The Digital Future, joins us to talk about inclusion, innovation, and why the next wave of Web3 depends on who's in the room. From breaking down crypto's insider language to creating real access for builders across different backgrounds and regions, Michelle shares how diverse voices are shaping the next era of Web3. Together, we explore what happens when the people designing the technology finally reflect the world it's meant to serve.

What happens when Bordeaux meets blockchain? Connor Daly, CTO of CrewTrade, explains how tokenizing wine on the blockchain is transforming a $25B industry with transparency, traceability, and a whole new kind of cellar. By unlocking instant liquidity and aligning incentives, the model empowers producers with fairer economics and gives collectors and consumers trusted access to the world's finest bottles. Discover more at crutrade.io [http://crutrade.io/]

Keith Bear, Fellow at Cambridge Judge Business School, joins us to break down what digital money really looks like in a tokenized economy. From stablecoins to CBDCs, we explore what's working, what's missing, and what still needs to be reimagined.

Can blockchains ever truly be privacy-compliant? Clifford Chance lawyers walk through the gray areas, from wallet addresses to pseudonymous data, and explain what regulators are starting to expect.

Lord Holmes explains how tokenization could reshape identity, finance, and trust across the UK and beyond. He breaks down what digital assets really are and why they matter for everyone, not just technologists. From refugee ID to football cards, this episode connects the dots between everyday life and emerging tech.

Global crypto rules are changing fast, and 2025 is a turning point. We are joined by Elise Soucie Watts (Executive Director at Global Digital Finance), who discusses the big moves: MiCA in Europe, U.S. legislation, Asia's innovation wave, and so much more. Check out the GDF's report here: https://www.gdf.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23.7.25_GDFDACxTokenizationReport_FINAL.pdf

Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of London, joins Owl Explains to unpack how blockchain can help cities govern smarter: from planning records to transit data. From congestion charges to building permits, Mainelli explains why cities need better memory systems and not just better apps. It's local meets ledger, and a reminder that blockchain's real power might lie in fixing what cities forget to track.

Professor Michele Neitz (University of San Francisco) makes the case for tech courts, a bold idea that could help us rethink how justice works in a digital-first world. As AI and blockchain reshape everything from contracts to crime, our legal system needs to evolve. Tech-savvy justice isn't a luxury anymore but a necessity for protecting rights and resolving disputes in the age of code.

Discover Letsbuyhealthcare [https://letsbuyhealthcare.com/] — a platform using Avalanche blockchain to let people prepay for private healthcare with tokenized credits in Ireland. Its founder, Dave Allen, breaks down how it works, why it matters, and what blockchain still needs to continue scaling.

What happens when trust collapses faster than institutions can rebuild it? Amanda Wick, founder of the Association for Women in Crypto and author of The Catalysts, joins Owl Explains to unpack the forces fueling a new world financial order—from DeFi to geopolitics. A single podcast episode can't fit everything, so check out her book for more: The Catalysts by Amanda Wick | Pre-Order Now

What if your AI assistant could explain complex crypto laws in plain English—and connect you with an actual expert if things got tricky? That's the idea behind Crystal, built by lawyer and founder Joni Pirovich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonipirovich/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2F&originalSubdomain=au]. We talk about the chaos of compliance, the myth of AI replacing lawyers, and why this tool could change the game. Discover more: https://www.cryptococounsel.com [https://www.cryptococounsel.com/]

With stablecoin and market structure bills moving fast, and NFTs waiting in the wings, Rep. William Timmons explains how 2025 could finally bring clarity, credibility, and competitiveness to digital assets. From reshoring innovation to rethinking how government spends money, he walks us through the big vision—and the even bigger questions—behind America's crypto comeback.

US House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson breaks down what blockchain has to do with wheat futures, GPS networks, and bipartisan cooperation. He shares how Congress is handling blockchain's regulatory gray zones through committee cooperation and public input. It's a grounded discussion of what's being built, what's still unclear, and why it matters. 👓 Read "A Blueprint for Digital Assets in America [https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2025/04/04/a-blueprint-for-digital-assets-in-america]" co-written by Representatives French Hill and Glenn Thompson.