Bitcoin.com News Interviews

Latest Episodes:

Real Finance's Brandon Kazakoff: Why RWAs Need Their Own Layer 1 Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Most RWA projects bolt onto Ethereum or Solana.

Real Finance didn't — they built their own chain. VP of Ecosystem Growth Brandon Kazakoff joins Alex Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 to explain why, in his view, real-world assets aren't just another token category. Issuance, risk classification, insurance logic, and governance all need to live at the protocol layer, not on top of it.

We cover:

- Why Real Finance built its own Layer 1 instead of deploying on Ethereum or Solana

- What RWA protocols actually need that general-purpose chains can't deliver

- How issuance, risk classification, and insurance logic work on-chain

- Why 2026 is the year RWAs shift from theory to structured financial products

- What institutional interest in RWAs actually looks like right now

Filmed at Paris Blockchain Week 2026.

Host: Alex Richardson

Bitpanda's Mathieu Henry: Why Europe's Crypto Goes Mainstream by 2028 Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Is Europe on a countdown clock? Bitpanda's Enterprise lead for France, Mathieu Henry, thinks so — and he's marking 2028 as the year crypto becomes fully commoditized across the continent.

Mathieu sits down with David Sencil and Alexander Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week to talk about why MiCA pulled banks off the sidelines, how Bitpanda quietly runs the full crypto stack behind Lydia (France's 8M-user payments app), and why the biggest remaining blocker to institutional adoption isn't regulation — it's trust.

We cover:

- Why crypto will be fully commoditized in Europe by mid-2028

- How Bitpanda powers Lydia's crypto product end-to-end

- The B2B pivot reshaping Bitpanda's business

- What the latest AFD report reveals about French crypto adoption

- How MiCA actually changed the institutional calculus

- The real blocker: trust between crypto-native players and banks

- Where Europe stands vs the US and Hong Kong

Filmed at Paris Blockchain Week.

Host: David Sencil | Co-host: Alexander Richardson

Bybit's Ambroise Helaine: Why 93% of France Knows Crypto but Only 11% Owns It Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

France has a crypto paradox. 93% of adults know what it is. Only 11% actually own any.

Bybit France Country Manager Ambroise Helaine thinks the gap has almost nothing to do with regulation — and everything to do with product.

Ambroise sits down with David Sencil and Alexander Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 to talk through what a conservative European retail market actually wants (hint: not leverage), why 50% of retail assets still sit in zero-interest cash accounts, and why MiCA alone isn't enough to unlock the full exchange playbook — three separate licenses are.

We cover:

- Why French crypto adoption plateaued despite MiCA landing

- How Bybit rebuilt its European strategy around conservative savers

- The three regulatory licenses European exchanges actually need

- Why every exchange may eventually issue its own stablecoin

- The DCA-first product line for set-and-forget investors

- Tokenized stocks and what's actually shipping

- How Europe stacks up against US and Asian crypto markets

Filmed at Paris Blockchain Week 2026.

Host: David Sencil | Co-host: Alexander Richardson

All-in-One Crypto App Demo (News, Trading, Predictions) Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Looking for a single app that combines crypto news, trading insights, prediction markets, and wallet integration?

In this episode, Shrey Pandey (Tech Lead at Bitcoin.com) breaks down how their team built an all-in-one crypto news app designed for both beginners and advanced traders—in under 2 months using AI/ML tools.

Discover how this app simplifies crypto for the 80% of users who are still hesitant to engage, while giving power users a unified dashboard (Terminal Mode) to act on market-moving information instantly.

Inside this deep-dive demo, you’ll learn about:

- A personalized crypto news feed with 24-hour digest + audio playback

- Seamless wallet integration without confusing crypto jargon- Prediction markets directly tied to breaking news events

- Terminal Mode for real-time trading insights and execution- Satoshi Herald mode for distraction-free, ad-free reading

- Multi-platform experience across iOS, Android, Apple Watch, and Apple TV

- Social features like following wallets and tipping creators

💡 Key insight: News is emerging as the next major Bitcoin use case—giving users the ability to see what’s moving markets and act on it instantly.

Whether you're a crypto beginner, trader, or Web3 enthusiast, this episode shows how the future of crypto apps is becoming more integrated, accessible, and action-driven.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro – Shrey Pandey at Hapo-eN

00:51 15 years in software engineering, 5 years at Bitcoin.com

01:23 Why a dedicated crypto news app was needed

02:26 The problem: user hesitation in crypto

04:23 Wallet creation via social login

06:07 Content strategy: articles, videos, podcasts

08:04 Live demo begins

08:30 Market notifications explained

09:01 News tab: read, listen, digest

10:07 Video & podcast experience

10:54 Predictions markets walkthrough

12:08 Terminal Mode deep dive

13:01 Real-time timeline view

14:58 Satoshi Herald (e-ink mode)

16:21 Market categories overview

17:08 Why media is the next crypto use case

18:10 Tools for advanced traders

20:28 Social features

23:24 No direct messaging (regulation reasons)

24:34 Platform availability

26:15 Built in under 2 months

28:25 Closing thoughts

Japan’s USDC Airport Pilot Beat Expectations 10x | Gen Adachi on Crypto Payments Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

What happens when crypto payments go live in a real-world retail environment—like an airport?

In this episode, Gen Adachi shares how Netstars launched a USDC payment pilot at Haneda Airport in Japan—and saw demand exceed expectations by 10x. This isn’t theory or hype—this is one of the strongest real-world use cases for stablecoins in everyday payments today.

We dive into how USDC is being used at checkout, why QR payment infrastructure in Japan makes it easier to integrate crypto, and how Netstars is positioning itself as a major payments aggregator with access to over 700,000 merchants.

Gen also breaks down the future of crypto payments—from multi-wallet and multi-chain support to expanding pilots beyond airports, including a Pokémon card shop in Osaka and international markets like Qatar, Mongolia, and Cambodia.

If you're interested in crypto adoption, stablecoins like USDC, real-world blockchain use cases, or the future of digital payments in Asia, this conversation is packed with insights.

Topics covered:

- USDC payments in real-world retail

- Haneda Airport crypto payment pilot

- Stablecoin adoption in Japan

- QR code payment systems and Web3

- Multi-wallet, multi-chain payment infrastructure

- Netstars and Japan’s payment ecosystem

- Global expansion of crypto payments

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:11 – Netstars: Aggregating 60 Payment Methods

01:26 – USDC Live Pilot at Haneda Airport

02:28 – Multi-Wallet, Multi-Chain Future

04:06 – 10x Results: Pilot Performance Beat Expectations

06:53 – Market Position: 700K Merchants in Japan

07:29 – Second POC: Pokémon Card Shop in Osaka

11:45 – International Expansion: Qatar, Mongolia, Cambodia

ENVO at 500K Users: The Rise of Web3 Social Media | Raul Velazquez Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

What does it take for Web3 social media to achieve real adoption?

In this episode, Raul Velazquez discusses how ENVO has grown to over 500,000 users and what this means for the future of decentralized social platforms. As the shift from Web2 to Web3 continues, platforms like ENVO are exploring new ways to combine user-friendly design, creator monetization, and global accessibility.

This conversation covers the key challenges that have held back Web3 social media in the past—and the strategies now being used to overcome them. Topics include user onboarding, creator economies, AI-powered translation, token-based incentives, and regional growth strategies across Asia.

Whether you're interested in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency adoption, or the evolution of digital communities, this episode provides insight into how social platforms may evolve in a decentralized future.

🔍 Topics Covered:

- Web3 social media and decentralized platforms

- User adoption and onboarding in crypto apps

- Creator monetization and token economies

- AI translation and global accessibility

- Asia-first growth strategies and gaming partnerships

- The future of Web2 vs Web3 social platforms

AI glasses are finally starting to feel… practical. Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Even Realities CEO Will Wang breaks down why smart glasses may be closer to mainstream adoption than we think. From subtle, everyday design to powerful AI features and developer-driven ecosystems, this conversation explores how wearable tech is evolving beyond novelty into something genuinely useful.

We dive into the Even G2 and EvenHub platform, unpacking real-world use cases like live translation, teleprompting, and AI-powered meeting summaries. Will also shares why developers are excited about agent workflows on eyewear, how a ring-based control system changes the user experience, and why the company made bold design decisions—like skipping the camera entirely.

If you're curious about the future of ambient computing, hands-free interfaces, and where AI meets hardware, this episode is worth a listen.

Featuring:

Will Wang (CEO, Even Realities)

Hosted by Matthew Owens

Topics include:

- Smart glasses design that blends into everyday life

- AI-powered features that actually matter

- The role of developers in shaping wearable tech

- New interaction models (including ring controls)

- Why the future of computing may be more invisible

Listen now and explore how wearable AI is becoming part of daily life.

Follow Bitcoin.com News for more: https://x.com/BitcoinNews

Phillip Pon on Onchain Banking, Crypto Adoption, and the Future of Finance (EMURGO) Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

What is the real endgame for crypto?

Phillip Pon, CEO of EMURGO, joins David Sencil to explore why the future of crypto lies in building onchain banking systems that function as real financial infrastructure—especially for emerging markets.In this episode, Phillip shares insights on why self-custody, stable value, and distribution are critical to crypto adoption, and why the industry must move beyond speculative, casino-style use cases.

He also discusses how blockchain can coexist with traditional finance, the importance of compliance and privacy, and how real-world utility will define the next phase of growth.

The conversation also covers institutional adoption, the role of Japan in the global blockchain ecosystem, and why crypto may have a unique advantage in an AI-driven world.

Topics include: onchain banking, crypto adoption, blockchain infrastructure, Cardano ecosystem, EMURGO, digital finance, emerging markets, self-custody, stablecoins, and the future of money.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & Phillip Pon’s Journey

05:02 – EMURGO & the Cardano Ecosystem

09:52 – Onchain Banking & Real-World Use Cases

14:58 – Privacy, Compliance & Blockchain

20:12 – Institutional Adoption25:06 – Japan & Regulatory Challenges27:57 – Future Outlook

Hamze Fawzi on Gulf–Japan Crypto Bridge, RWA & Institutional Adoption Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Hamze Fawzi, Founder and Chairman of Assets Advisors Capital (AAC), joins Bitcoin.com News to discuss the growing financial bridge between the Gulf region and Japan, and how institutional infrastructure is shaping the future of crypto.

In this episode, Hamze explains why traditional financial systems failed to connect these two major economies—and how blockchain, tokenization, and “capital architecture” are now unlocking new cross-border opportunities. He shares insights into how institutional investors approach risk, governance, and geopolitical events differently from retail participants.

The conversation also explores the rise of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, the role of compliant and non-custodial platforms like Mirai X, and why Japan’s leadership in CBDCs and stablecoins could play a key role in the next phase of global finance.

From capital flows driven by presence and relationships to the importance of trust and governance structures, this episode provides a deep dive into how institutions are entering Web3.

Topics include: institutional crypto adoption, Gulf–Japan finance, RWA tokenization, stablecoins, CBDCs, Web3 infrastructure, capital markets, blockchain regulation, and global crypto trends.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to AAC and Its Role

01:07 Impact of Geopolitical Situations on Business

03:27 The Bridge Between GCC and Japan

05:00 Institutional vs Retail Investment in Crypto

07:53 Tokenization of Real World Assets

10:07 Decentralized Platforms and Compliance

12:37 The Future of Stablecoins

14:05 Cultural Insights: GCC and Japan

16:23 Building Trust and Governance Structures

19:41 The Human Element in Business22:05 Future Plans for AAC

Justin Waldron on Crypto Gaming, Solana, and the Future of Web3 Games (Play.fun) Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Justin Waldron, founder of Play.fun, joins David Sencil to explore the future of crypto gaming, Web3 game development, and how blockchain technology is reshaping the gaming industry.

Recorded at Team Summit in Tokyo, this conversation dives into how frictionless onboarding, fair token launches, and fast, low-cost infrastructure like Solana are enabling a new generation of games. Justin also shares insights on why bear markets produce the strongest builders, how mobile gaming dominates in Asia, and why simpler, casual games may drive the next wave of adoption.

They also discuss the role of AI in game creation, the rise of short-form gaming experiences, and how platforms like Play.fun are lowering barriers by removing wallet friction and enabling anonymous access.

Topics include: crypto gaming, Web3 games, Solana blockchain, game development, token launches, mobile gaming trends, AI in gaming, and the future of digital entertainment.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 – Navigating the Crypto Landscape

05:02 – Introducing Play.fun & Open Game Protocol

10:02 – The Evolution of Game Development

14:54 – The Role of AI in Game Creation

20:03 – The Future of Gaming in Japan

25:08 – Crypto Meets Gaming

29:51 – The Next 12–18 Months