FCAT Crypto Brief™

Join us for the Crypto Brief as our hosts unpack the rise of tokenized collectibles and what it could signal for the future of assets on-chain. We open with recent updates from the Ethereum Foundation, examining the impacts and implications of these shifts. Then, we explore how everything from trading cards to fine art is moving on-chain and is reshaping ownership, liquidity, and access in the pro...

Join our hosts as they sit down with author and industry leader John Hargrave to discuss his book, The Intelligent Crypto Investor , and explore how traditional financial frameworks can be reimagined on-chain. Listen in as we explore key trends, emerging economic levers and how enduring investing principles can be applied to DeFi—alongside important considerations and practical approaches for navi...

Join our hosts as they explore the evolution of perpetual futures and how these “no-expiration” instruments are reshaping crypto market structure. From the mechanics of funding rates to the differences between traditional and perpetual futures, we break down why perps have become a dominant trading vehicle in digital assets. We'll cover the rapid rise of on-chain platforms like Hyperliquid, examin...

Join us as our hosts break down recent crypto exploits to examine how malicious actors are leveraging emerging technologies alongside more traditional tactics to execute attacks. We unpack how these incidents unfolded, their broader implications for DeFi, and the growing role of AI in both offensive and defensive security. We’ll highlight key trends shaping the threat landscape and outline practic...

This episode, we're joined by author and journalist Natalie Brunell to explore the foundations of financial re-education and how Bitcoin is expanding access in an increasingly digital, global economy. Drawing from her recent book Bitcoin is for Everyone , Natalie shares why understanding money as a technology matters today, how Bitcoin’s network can enable greater inclusion across borders, and wha...

Recent advances in quantum computing are bringing renewed attention to longstanding questions around cryptography. In this episode of the Crypto Brief, the team is joined by FCAT's VP of Quantum Technology Mike Dascal to unpack the underlying technologies and why quantum risk should be on everyone's radar. The episode explores practical threat models for digital assets—from legacy wallets to in-fl...

For much of the internet’s history, technology has supported human transactions. Increasingly, it’s executing them directly.  On this episode of the Crypto Brief, our hosts examine agentic payments: transactions executed by autonomous AI systems. Based on pre-programmed directives, these agents discover services, access resources, and settle payments without hands-on human involvement.  This discu...

In this episode of the FCAT CryptoBrief, Blockspace Media  Co‑founder Charlie Spears joins the team to unpack how Bitcoin’s most influential debates are evolving as the ecosystem becomes increasingly sophisticated and operationally fragmented. Charting the rise of OPNEXT as a convergence point for developers, miners, investors, and researchers alike, Spears highlights why connecting disparate stak...

Listen in as Weston Jones, a Digital Asset Engineer from FCAT’s Blockchain Incubator, joins our hosts to break down recent developments on Solana and beyond. Together, they explore the forces driving infrastructure and innovation—from design philosophy and validator operations to community‑driven security, trade‑offs, and how Solana compares with other major networks as the broader ecosystem conti...

As crypto continues to evolve, institutions are entering the fold. In this episode of the FCAT Crypto Brief, the team breaks down why TradFi players—including banks, asset managers, and infrastructure providers—are moving into DeFi, as well as key considerations surrounding the adoption of real‑world assets, on-chain lending, and settlement at an institutional scale. Listen in as our hosts explore...

Join us as we take a look at recent conversations within the Ethereum ecosystem, including Vitalik Buterin’s updated perspective on the “roll‑up centric roadmap” and how the community is approaching L1 and L2 development. Our hosts walk through the broader context, covering stakeholder incentives, validator dynamics, the pace of L2 progress, and Ethereum’s evolving upgrade priorities.   Episode To...

As crypto matures, what will the future of enforcement, compliance, and accountability look like? Listen in as Amanda Wick, a former federal prosecutor and longtime leader in financial crime prevention, joins the Brief to give her take and examine how innovation and integrity can evolve together. From sanctions to travel rule implementation, this episode offers a front‑row seat to see key shifts a...

Curious about what’s next for crypto in 2026? Chris Kuiper, Vice President of Research at Fidelity Digital Assets®, joins our hosts to unpack the trends shaping the digital asset landscape in the year ahead. Tune in for insights on emerging developments, potential market shifts, and what these changes could mean for the industry at large. Read the full report here:  https://www.fidelitydigitalasse...

In this episode of FCAT Crypto Brief™, we sit down with Doug Mehne, Chair of the Boston Blockchain Association, to explore what it really takes to build strong blockchain communities—both locally and globally. From fostering collaboration across traditional finance and digital assets to creating spaces for candid conversations, Doug shares how intentional programming, education, and advocacy are d...

Listen in as we catch up with researcher Alexander Neumüller from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) to discuss their latest report exploring the critical role energy plays in sustaining Bitcoin’s decentralized network. From mining operations and miner sentiment to the potential of renewable solutions, we unpack how power shapes the future of digital currency—and why it matters fo...

  Listen in as our hosts are joined by Bryan Pellegrino, CEO and Co-founder of LayerZero Labs, to explore the evolving infrastructure powering blockchain interoperability. From his unconventional journey—from poker pro to protocol architect—to the technical and economic implications of unified liquidity, Bryan shares his insights on tokenization, governance, and the future of agentic AI on-chain....

Last episode, we asked if crypto is mainstream. Now, with adoption surging and regulation taking shape, the focus shifts: how is crypto reshaping finance, policy, and global markets inside and out? Tune in as our hosts break down what “maturity” means in 2025, tracing crypto’s early roots in the late-augts, highlight insititutional and governmental initiatives, and why it could matter for everyone...

From end-user innovations to new legislation, crypto and the larger blockchain ecosystem have recently headlined numerous stories worldwide. However, as the industry wrestles with topics like utility, clarity, and untapped economic opportunities, the question still remains: is crypto mainstream?   In this episode, our hosts delve into crypto acceptance, adoption, and education — exploring what “ma...

In this special live edition — recorded during this year’s ETH Boston — our hosts unpack the latest developments in tokenization and the evolving role of real-world assets (RWAs) across crypto. From reflections on the event to deep-dives into key technical, economic, and end user implications, get a comprehensive look at how tokenization could impact financial markets and user experience into the...

As an asset, bitcoin has reached global recognition and widespread adoption — however, as a technology, it’s still often misunderstood. Listen in as our hosts are joined by Jack Blatchford of FCAT’s Blockchain Incubator to explore how the network has quietly progressed, utility has expanded, and development has flourished. Want to learn more? Check out the full report to help stay ahead of the cur...

Join our hosts as they dive into the world of crypto treasur y companies —explorin g how they work, their impact across both DeFi and traditional finance, and key considerations arou nd emergent models.   Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro   [1:30] News Rundown   [4:42] Key Concepts & Definitions   [7:54] Transaction Structures Overview   [22:55] Risks & Considerations   [29:02] Key Takeaways &a...

Join our hosts as they sit down with Stephen Patane, Vice President of Crypto and Digital Assets Policy at Fidelity Investments, to unpack the evolving landscape of U.S. crypto regulation. We’ll explore key provisions of recent legislation, how federal agencies are responding to these changes, and key takeaways for stakeholders across the DeFi landscape.   Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [2:00] Ether...

We’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Crypto Brief! Join our hosts as we take a look back at three years of headlines, innovations, and evolution on-chain—addressing some of the top trends and market factors that have emerged since we started back in 2022.   Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [2:17] News Roundup [8:01] New Approaches to Tokenization [15:02] The Evolution of Chains [20:00] Powering the F...

Historically, traditional and decentralized finance have remained fairly separate, but as these two worlds continue to converge, what are builders prioritizing across the financial landscape and what value might be unlocked by strategic integration? Listen in as the hosts are joined by Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink, to discuss his work and vision for the future of blockchain. Learn about...

What’s next for crypto? How do experts track signals and develop new solutions? How do we drive innovation on-chain? The hosts are joined by Ari Juels, a Professor at Cornell Tech, Co-founder and Co-director of the Initiative for CryptoCurrencies and Contracts (IC3), and Chief Scientist at Chainlink Labs — as well as FCAT researcher and Principal Blockchain Engineer Developer Kosala Yapa Mudiyanse...