Crypto Hipster

Art Abal is co-founder of Vana. Art is an expert in data systems, with a career dedicated to unlocking the value of human data across AI, governance, and global supply chains. He holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard, where his research at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs focused on human data collection in corporate supply chains. At Appen, one of the world’s largest...

Robert Grzesik is the founder and CEO of LumiWealth and BotSpot—an AI-powered platform that turns plain-English trading ideas into executable strategies, then lets users backtest, tune, and deploy with integrated broker connections. The ecosystem includes education, live workshops, and an algorithm marketplace to share and use strategies. He previously worked at Voyager Digital and Greystone and h...

Robert Grzesik is the founder and CEO of LumiWealth and BotSpot—an AI-powered platform that turns plain-English trading ideas into executable strategies, then lets users backtest, tune, and deploy with integrated broker connections. The ecosystem includes education, live workshops, and an algorithm marketplace to share and use strategies. He previously worked at Voyager Digital and Greystone and h...

Wes Kaplan is the CEO of G-Knot, bringing next-gen biometrics to crypto with the world's first finger vein-secured wallet. Wes has over a decade of experience across fintech, digital assets, and traditional finance. Most recently, he served as CEO of Cointelegraph, where he led a global team of 270+ and launched new revenue streams, podcasts, and mobile apps that drove the platform to 18 milli...

Wes Kaplan is the CEO of G-Knot, bringing next-gen biometrics to crypto with the world's first finger vein-secured wallet. Wes has over a decade of experience across fintech, digital assets, and traditional finance. Most recently, he served as CEO of Cointelegraph, where he led a global team of 270+ and launched new revenue streams, podcasts, and mobile apps that drove the platform to 18 milli...

ALEXIS SIRKIA, CHAIRMAN & CO-FOUNDER Alexis Sirkia is the Chairman of Yellow Network, where he oversees the strategic direction of the entire ecosystem. A recognized pioneer in blockchain, he previously co-founded GSR, a leading cryptocurrency market-making firm that played an essential role in Ripple's early growth. Alexis holds degrees in mathematics and computer science from Université...

ALEXIS SIRKIA, CHAIRMAN & CO-FOUNDER Alexis Sirkia is the Chairman of Yellow Network, where he oversees the strategic direction of the entire ecosystem. A recognized pioneer in blockchain, he previously co-founded GSR, a leading cryptocurrency market-making firm that played an essential role in Ripple's early growth. Alexis holds degrees in mathematics and computer science from Université...

This is the fourteenth episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with: Mohd Kifa, compliance lead @ Flipster (11/30/2024, Season 8) Michael Wasyl, co-founder at Bracket (2/2/2025, Season 8) Mukarram Mawjood, CIO at Blackstone Commodity Group (6/2/2025, Season 8) Mathias Beke, co-founder a...

Nkechi, "Charis" Enebeli is a community builder, content creator, and tech host obsessed with connecting people, opportunities, and technology across Africa. Currently, she leads the community development efforts at UGLYCASH, an American stablecoin app that’s changing how people move money globally. From onboarding new users, cultivating a trust environment, to leading growth campaigns,...

Nkechi, "Charis" Enebeli is a community builder, content creator, and tech host obsessed with connecting people, opportunities, and technology across Africa. Currently, she leads the community development efforts at UGLYCASH, an American stablecoin app that’s changing how people move money globally. From onboarding new users, cultivating a trust environment, to leading growth campaigns,...

Nokkvi Dan Ellidason is the CEO of GAIMIN. GAIMIN is building the future of cloud computing—a model that moves away from expensive, centralized data centers and instead leverages a global network of personal devices. A mathematician and statistician by training, Nokkvi brings a strong background in applied mathematics, data science, and ethical data use to his leadership. Before joining GAIMIN, he...

Nokkvi Dan Ellidason is the CEO of GAIMIN, which is building the future of cloud computing—a model that moves away from expensive, centralized data centers and instead leverages a global network of personal devices.  A mathematician and statistician by training, Nokkvi brings a strong background in applied mathematics, data science, and ethical data use to his leadership. Before joining GAIMIN, he...

Billy Luedtke is a blockchain veteran with over a decade of experience in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and decentralized identity. At ConsenSys, he helped establish the Bay Area consulting practice, led internal R&D, founded the Developer Relations team, and worked as a Senior Token Mechanism Engineer. He served as Enterprise Lead at uPort, Ethereum’s first decentralized identity product, co-chaired the...

Billy Luedtke is a blockchain veteran with over a decade of experience in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and decentralized identity. At ConsenSys, he helped establish the Bay Area consulting practice, led internal R&D, founded the Developer Relations team, and worked as a Senior Token Mechanism Engineer. He served as Enterprise Lead at uPort, Ethereum’s first decentralized identity product, co-chaired the...

This is the thirteenth episode in the Crypto Hipster'sCurtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with: David Materazzi, CEO at Galileo FX (4/5/2025, Season 8) Aakash Athawasya, head of research at PYOR (4/8/2024, Season7) Phillip Alexeev, Chief Growth Officer at CrossFi (5/4/2024,Season 7) Casey Stubbs, founder of Global...

Tobias is Head of BD at TOP, the largest VC in Telegram, whose portfolio includes Wallet, the crypto platform built into the app’s settings menu. Fluent in Russian and English, he has a background in corporate due diligence and previously worked at the TON Foundation.

Tobias Lewis is Head of BD at TOP, the largest VC in Telegram, whose portfolio includes Wallet, the crypto platform built into the app’s settings menu. Fluent in Russian and English, he has a background in corporate due diligence and previously worked at the TON Foundation.

Edwin Mata is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brickken, a leading multi-chain tokenization platform that has already pioneered the tokenization of over $300 million in real-world assets across 16 countries. Under his leadership, Brickken was ranked #28 on Sifted’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Startups in France & Southern Europe 2025, one of only two blockchain-native companies featured, proving that Web...

Edwin Mata is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brickken, a leading multi-chain tokenization platform that has already pioneered the tokenization of over $300 million in real-world assets across 16 countries. Under his leadership, Brickken was ranked #28 on Sifted’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Startups in France & Southern Europe 2025, one of only two blockchain-native companies featured, proving that Web...

This is the twelfth episode in the Crypto Hipster's CurtainCalls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with: Seamus Rocca, CEO at Xapo Bank (10/7/2023, Season 6) Edward Mehrez, co-founder at Arrow Markets (4/27/2024,Season 7) Sheldon Bennett (CEO) and Steve Eliscu (COO) at DMGBlockchain Solutions (1/13/2024, Season 6) Clem Chambe...

This is the eleventh episode in the Crypto Hipster's Curtain Calls Series, which includes 3–4-minute clips from Seasons 6-8. This compilation draws upon my conversations with: Colin Fitzpatrick, Director of Business Development at Griffin AI (11/25/2024, Season 8) Andrew Hill, CEO and co-founder at Recall (5/12/2025, Season 8) Bullet Bulat, Web3 Product Lead at ReDeFi (12/16/2024, Season 8) Ma...

Vadim Rozov, CEO at Simplify Labs (⁠https://simplifylabs.io/en/⁠). Simplify Labs specializes in developing crypto platforms that comply with European regulatory frameworks. Founded by the creators of Kyrrex, a MiCA-compliant cryptocurrency exchange, the company provides solutions that meet EU regulatory standards. It also offers legal, marketing, and customer support services to crypto projects. I...

Vadim Rozov, CEO at Simplify Labs  (⁠https://simplifylabs.io/en/) Simplify Labs specializes in developing crypto platforms that comply with European regulatory frameworks. Founded by the creators of Kyrrex, a MiCA-compliant cryptocurrency exchange, the company provides solutions that meet EU regulatory standards. It also offers legal, marketing, and customer support services to crypto projects. It...

Kelvin Tersoo Jiraji is a trained Electrical and Electronics Engineer from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, a builder, an innovation entrepreneur, Agtech expert, AI enthusiasts, and Blockchain Innovator. He is an alumnus of LEAP Africa (LEAP Africa is a youth-focused leadership development organization committed to raising leaders who will transform Africa; through inte...

Kelvin Tersoo Jiraji is a trained Electrical and Electronics Engineer from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, a builder, an innovation entrepreneur, Agtech expert, AI enthusiasts, and Blockchain Innovator. He is an alumnus of LEAP Africa (LEAP Africa is a youth-focused leadership development organization committed to raising leaders who will transform Africa; through inte...