The Web3 Watchdogs

Michael Pearl interviews Wee Siang Lee, Executive Director and Head of APAC compliance at Paxos. They discussed the intersection of compliance, regulation, and innovation in the crypto space. They also explore Wee-Siang's journey from traditional finance to the crypto world, the role of Paxos in the stablecoin ecosystem, and the regulatory challenges faced by stablecoin issuers. The conversati...

Michael Pearl interviews Sebastian Heine, Chief Compliance Officer and MLRO for UAE at Mantra Finance. They discuss the evolving landscape of compliance in the Web3 space, the unique position of Mantra in the blockchain ecosystem, and the importance of regulatory frameworks for tokenization and decentralized finance. Sebastian shares insights on the role of compliance in ensuring the safety and se...

Michael Pearl interviews Alexey Tyupanov, CEO of Shift DeFi. They discuss Alexey's transition from traditional finance to the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, the unique risks associated with DeFi compared to traditional finance, and the importance of building a robust rating model for DeFi protocols. Alexey emphasizes the need for improved user experience and trust in the DeFi ecosystem to...

Michael Pearl interviews Ajinkya Tulpule, Managing Director of bitFlyer Europe. They discuss Ajinkya's transition from a financial regulator to the crypto industry, the compliance-focused ethos of bitFlyer, and the challenges posed by evolving regulations in Europe. The conversation also touches on security measures, consumer protection, and the potential impact of AI on user experience in cry...

Michael Pearl interviews James Toledano, COO of Unity Wallet. They discuss the evolution of cryptocurrency, the importance of user-friendly interfaces in wallets, and the integration of AI to enhance user experience. James shares insights on the features of Unity Wallet, including self-custody, security measures, and the regulatory landscape affecting DeFi. The conversation highlights the future o...

Michael Pearl interviews J.M. Porup, the CISO of Berachain, discussing the critical intersection of Web2 and Web3 security. They explore the importance of addressing Web2 vulnerabilities to prevent Web3 compromises, the evolving landscape of security in the crypto space, and the implications of high-profile hacks. J.M. shares insights on the security roles within blockchain projects, the regulator...

Michael Pearl interviews Martins Benkitis, co-founder and CEO of Gravity Team . They discuss the evolution of Gravity, the importance of liquidity in crypto trading, the technology behind their trading operations, and the security risks associated with centralized exchanges. The conversation also covers the regulatory landscape for market makers, the rise of stablecoins, and the challenges of comp...

Michael Pearl sits down with Ben Grolimund , General Manager of Flipster in the UAE. With over 17 years of experience in fintech and crypto, Ben brings deep insights into the fast-evolving landscape of digital asset trading. The conversation dives into Flipster’s unique approach to derivatives , and why the UAE is emerging as a global crypto hub . They explore key issues like security best practic...

Michael Pearl speaks with Oliver Linch , CEO of Bittrex, about the exchange’s final chapter and what it reveals about the state of regulation, compliance, and trust in Web3. A seasoned legal mind turned crypto executive, Linch reflects on Bittrex’s pioneering role in advocating for regulatory frameworks long before it was standard. The conversation covers everything from Bittrex’s emphasis on secu...

Michael Pearl interviews Carla Van Sintfiet, the Chief Financial and Risk Officer at Poolder. Carla shares her unique journey from a background in science to the world of finance and crypto. She discusses the challenges of balancing growth and risk management in the fast-paced DeFi space, the importance of robust AML systems, and how AI is revolutionizing risk management. Carla emphasizes the need...

Michael Pearl interviews Noratip Dhanasarnsilp, the Chief Risk and Internal Control Officer of Bitkub - Thailand's largest centralized crypto exchange. They discuss Noratip's journey from IT security at Deloitte to leading risk management at Bitkub, the company's mission to democratize finance, and the growing Thai crypto landscape. Noratip elaborates on the importance of building a pr...

Michael Pearl interviews Kevin Wysocki, Head of Policy at Anchorage Digital, the first federally chartered digital asset bank in the U.S. They discuss the regulatory landscape for crypto, the importance of custody services, and the role of stablecoins in the evolving financial ecosystem. Kevin shares insights on the challenges faced by crypto companies, the significance of the Genius Act, and the...

In this episode, Michael Pearl interviews Antonio Alvarez Lorenzo, Chief Compliance Officer of Crypto[.]com. They discuss the evolution of the cryptocurrency industry, the importance of compliance and security in Web3, and the challenges of anti-money laundering in a rapidly changing landscape. Antonio shares insights from his extensive career in finance and compliance, detailing how Crypto.com ai...

Michael Pearl interviews Joanna Summers, the Chief Recovery Officer at Asset Reality. They discuss Joanna's unique role in asset recovery, particularly in the context of cryptocurrency and the challenges faced in managing crypto crime compared to traditional financial crime. Joanna shares her experiences with significant cases like the Silk Road and highlights the alarming rise of pig butcheri...

Michael Pearl interviews Pasi Koistinen, the Chief Information Security Officer of CoinHako, discussing his extensive background in cybersecurity and the unique challenges faced in the crypto industry. They explore the transition from traditional Web2 security to the complexities of Web3, the risks associated with centralized and decentralized finance, and the lessons learned from significant hack...

Michael Pearl interviews Elise Soucie Watts, the Executive Director at Global Digital Finance. They discuss the evolving landscape of security, fraud, and compliance in the Web3 space, emphasizing the importance of a compliance-first approach for crypto firms. Elise shares insights from her background in counterterrorism and her work at the FCA, highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks that...

Michael Pearl interviews Vugar Usi Zade, COO of Bitget, discussing the importance of security, compliance, and fraud prevention in the cryptocurrency space. Vugar shares his personal journey into crypto, the role of Bitget in promoting financial inclusion, and the exchange's security practices to protect users from fraud and scams. The conversation highlights the challenges and responsibilitie...

Michael Pearl interviews Nick Wright, the Chief Legal Officer at VALR, South Africa's largest crypto exchange. They discuss Nick's unique journey from marine biology to the world of crypto law, the regulatory landscape in South Africa, and the challenges of compliance in the rapidly evolving crypto market. Nick shares insights into VALR's operations, user base, and the importance of anti-money lau...

Michael Pearl interviews Anya Szpak, the Chief Legal Officer at Nexus Mutual. They discuss the unique insurance model of Nexus Mutual, which operates as a decentralized insurance platform where members insure one another. Anya shares insights on the challenges of risk assessment in decentralized finance, the transparent claims process governed by community voting, and the regulatory landscape for...

Michael Pearl speaks with Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs, to discuss the complexities of security, fraud, and compliance in the Web3 space. They explore the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking illicit activities in cryptocurrency, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the significant issue of pig butchering scams. The conversation highlights the need for better tools a...

Michael Pearl interviews Derek Hong, Head of Compliance at Matrixport Hong Kong, discussing the evolving landscape of compliance in the crypto space, particularly in Hong Kong. They explore Derek's extensive background in compliance across various financial sectors, the unique challenges faced by Matrixport as a comprehensive crypto financial service provider, and the regulatory framework in Hong...

In this conversation, Julie Fawcett, Head of Enterprise and Operational Risk at Flow Traders. Julie discusses her extensive background in finance and compliance, particularly in the context of market making and trading. She elaborates on the complexities of market risk management, compliance requirements, and the unique challenges posed by the crypto landscape. The discussion also covers the impor...

Michael Pearl interviews Chris Groshong, president of Constructive and executive director at Crypto Recovery Alliance. The conversation delves into the tools and processes used in blockchain forensics, the challenges faced by law enforcement in recovering lost funds, and the heartbreaking stories of victims of crypto scams. Chris also shares insights into the mission of the Crypto Recovery Allianc...

Michael Pearl interviews Chris DePow, the Principal Head of Compliance Advisory and KYC at Gemini. Chris shares insights from his journey in the crypto space, emphasizing the need for robust compliance programs to combat financial crime and scams, including the alarming rise of pig butchering scams. The conversation highlights the critical role of education and proactive measures in protecting cli...

Michael interviews Charles Guillemet, CTO of Ledger, discussing the critical aspects of security in the Web3 space. They explore Guillemet's background in cryptography, the evolution of hacking, and the responsibilities of leading security at Ledger. The conversation delves into innovations like clear signing and transaction simulation and validation, the importance of enterprise-grade securit...