First Off The Blocks

The Metaverse represents a sprawling digital realm where people can seamlessly travel between virtual worlds, interact with fellow users, and participate in a wide range of experiences. It also blends the concepts of Web3 and gaming, where users can claim ownership of digital assets to transform virtual items and properties into limited and transferable commodities. In the latest episode of First...

As crypto markets expand, so does the need for crypto data analysis. Investigating blockchain data can produce powerful information about real-time market trends, transactions, and sentiment analysis. But it faces challenges due to decentralized data sources across various blockchains. Chainalysis is one of the analytics platforms out there that provides continuous transaction monitoring for all c...

With the threat of attacks, hacks and security compromises always on the horizon, Web3 and Web2 companies continue to create new lines of defense to protect digital assets and identities. The result? Overly complex technology that feels just out of reach for the average user. In this latest episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang discusses the evolution of Web3 security with Pascal Gauthi...

Balancing the need for web3 innovation and security has created a hostile environment for advancement, especially with the recent collapse of several crypto banking institutions. The United States' approach to regulation has driven more and more web3 companies and projects overseas, where they can push ongoing developments forward. In this episode of First Off the Blocks, Karen Tang speaks with Bo...

Discover the game-changing potential of liquid staking in this episode of First Off The Blocks. Host Karen Tang brings together Mike Silagadze, Founder and CEO of Ether.fi, Darren Langley, General Manager of Rocket Pool, and Amitej Gajjala, Co-Founder and CEO of Stader Labs, to delve into this innovative approach to traditional staking.  Learn about the DeFi narrative around liquid staking derivat...

In the wake of black swan events, the crypto landscape has undeniably shifted. Regulatory responses have varied, and the market's power balance has seen notable changes. With this transformation, what does the future hold for the world of crypto?  In this episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang chats with Dmitry Lapidus, Junior Partner at Dragonfly VC. They delve deep into a wide-ranging...

As more projects enter the space, generating interest can become increasingly difficult. Many companies are integrating Web2 marketing strategies with Web3 blockchain technology to enable success in the space. In this episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang sits with Olivia Lee, a Web3 strategist, metaverse explorer, and digital fashion collector, helping brands carve their identity in th...

Regulation remains a critical topic in the crypto industry, especially with the fallout of major U.S. banks: Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. On the other side of the world, Hong Kong recently proposed rules to let investors trade specific large-cap tokens. Leaving many wondering what this means for the industry. In this episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang sits with Amy Z...

Last year, the digital assets industry experienced a lot, bringing many concerns over the value of blockchain technology, Web3, and cryptocurrency use cases.    In this episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang sits with Henri Arslanian, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nine Blocks Capital Management, best-selling author, and crypto and fintech thought leader and educator. Henri shares in...

In the last year, many industries, from the arts to fashion, have embraced NFTs by exploring their uses in the metaverse and how they can interplay with our real-world lives.  In this episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang sits with Payal Shah, founder of L'DEZEN, a luxury jewellery brand that creates one-of-a kind-pieces. Payal has styled and made jewellery for many celebrities, from Ri...

A lot has happened in the Web3 space this past year, leaving a whole industry flipped upside down and lots of looming doubt. In this episode of First Off The Blocks, host Karen Tang sits with Annabelle Huang, the Managing Partner at Amber Group, a digital asset company helping individuals and institutions trade, collect, and invest their assets. Annabelle sheds some light on some of the negative m...