Untangling Web3

The latest episode of Untangling Web 3 focuses on the recent approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs and its implications for the crypto and Web3 spaces. The hosts, Alec and Jack, discuss the SEC's reluctant approval, the impact of institutional investment in crypto, and the dynamics of Bitcoin ETFs. They explore the irony of Bitcoin ETFs being somewhat contrary to Web3 principles, as they centralize Bitcoi...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davis welcome Julian Kwan, CEO of InvestaX and IXSwap, a notable figure in real estate, prop tech, and blockchain. Julian shares his entrepreneurial journey from Sydney to Shanghai, leading to the founding of InvestaX, a tokenization SaaS platform in Asia. He details how InvestaX was born out of the need to modernize the initial low-tec...

In the latest episode of the podcast, the hosts embark on an explorative journey into key predictions for the Web3 space in 2024, delving into a range of pivotal topics that are set to shape the future of this rapidly evolving landscape. The discussion opens with the potential impact of Bitcoin ETF approvals, a development that could herald the end of the current bear market by driving institution...

In this year-end review episode, the hosts recap the major themes and events of 2023 in the web3 space. They kick off by discussing the significant impact of AI, notably Chat GPT, and its role as a game-changing application in making AI practical and understandable for users. The hosts emphasize the synergy between AI and blockchain technologies, particularly in tackling issues like data sovereign...

In this episode, the hosts delve into the recent upheavals in the Web3 finance sector, with a particular focus on the dramatic developments around FTX. They analyze the significant impact these events have had on the broader crypto industry, noting the increasingly blurred lines between web2 and web3 realms. A central topic of discussion is the controversy engulfing Binance, particularly its insuf...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies welcome Gracy Chen, the managing director of Bitget, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange. Gracy, who has been a part of the crypto world since 2014, shares her journey from being a TV journalist covering finance and technology to becoming a crypto investor. She delves into her initial investments in major cryptocurrencies like BT...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davis delve into the complexities and innovations of decentralized finance (DeFi). They begin by discussing the fundamental shift from centralized entities to technology-driven solutions in DeFi, highlighting the role of smart contracts as self-executing contracts distributed across blockchain networks. While acknowledging the transpare...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies delve into the intricate relationship between decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi). They emphasize the importance of understanding the foundations of TradFi, including banks, investment firms, and stock markets, to fully grasp DeFi. Banks are highlighted as intermediaries, while stock markets are depicted...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies engage with Sean Griffin, co-founder of Object Layer, to dissect the intersection of blockchain technology and data ownership. Sean, with a background in policy advising for the Canadian government, shares his journey towards blockchain, driven by a desire for more control over digital files. He explains how blockchain enhances i...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, Alec Burns and Jack Davies delve further into central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) with digital finance expert John Velasarios. The conversation focuses on critical issues like privacy and government control regarding CBDCs. The Bank of England's approach to CBDCs, emphasizing privacy and aggregate data collection over individual tracking, is a key talking po...

In this week's episode hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies are joined by John Velissarios, a seasoned expert in digital finance, to unpack the potential of CBDCs (central bank digital currencies). John reflects on his journey from software development to becoming a specialist in cryptography and information security. He outlines CBDCs as innovative central bank-issued money designed for everyday tran...

In this episode, the focus is on BlackRock's anticipated Bitcoin ETF. Unlike other ETFs, BlackRock aims to own actual bitcoins. The hosts explain the benefits of an ETF, emphasizing its regulation and accessibility for both everyday and institutional investors. With BlackRock's entry, there's speculation about a possible surge in Bitcoin prices. BlackRock's crypto venture might net around $14 bill...

In this week's edition of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies dive into the world of digital cash, breaking down its complexities and history. They explain the difference between cash and money, pointing out key features like privacy and direct transactions. The chat then introduces listeners to different forms of digital money: from electronic cash, which doesn't quite capture the e...

In the latest episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies explore the concept of Digital Cash, one of the foundational ideas underpinning Web3. This week, Alec and Jack journey through the evolution of money, setting the stage for a deep dive into digital cash and its significance in the modern age. Beginning with the roots of currency, the discussion traverses from the barter sys...

In the latest episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies, accompanied by David Palmer from Vodafone, delve into the intricate universe of Web 3 technologies, blockchain, and IoT devices. David shares insights into how the Digital Asset Broker platform leverages a permissioned blockchain to foster trustworthy, automated transactions between IoT devices, addressing industry challen...

In this insightful episode of Untangling Web3, Alec Burns and Jack Davies navigate through the intricate world of decentralization within Web3 technologies, explaining its pivotal role in crafting systems without a single point of failure and distinguishing it from mere distribution. The hosts probe into the mechanics of blockchain networks, spotlighting how miners exert control and influence chan...

In the latest instalment of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec and Jack dive deep into the buzzing world of crypto. Amidst a world that often associates crypto with dark basements and Ponzi schemes, the hosts shed light on its role as a harbinger of emerging technologies. Together, they untangle the widespread misunderstandings, emphasizing that crypto is not just a currency but a wide-ranging world of b...

Step into the riveting world of Untangling Web3 and meet Heather Leigh Flannery, the genius steering the ship at Equidium Health. Her inspiring narrative isn't just about leading a pioneering company; it's a tale of dedication, exploring how a personal passion transformed into addressing some of healthcare's most pressing systemic challenges. With deep roots in AI privacy tech and blockchain, Flan...

Join hosts Alec and Jack in the Untangling Web3 podcast as they delve deeper into the world of digital identity in their enlightening second installment. They kick off with the concept of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), highlighting its crucial role in redefining data ownership and advocating for enhanced privacy and selective disclosure. Transitioning to Provenance, the duo underscores the importa...

In this episode, hosts Alec and Jack dive deep into the evolution of digital identity and its significance in Web3. The conversation kicks off with a historical overview of identity, from its simplicity within ancient tribes to the emergence of coats of arms, badges during wars, and eventually, technological methods like fingerprints, DNA testing, and social security systems. The hosts then delve...

Join Alec Burns and Jack Davies on the Untangling Web3 podcast as they dive into the world of Web3 technologies with a special guest, Luca Arigo. Luca is the co-founder of Metaverse Architects and the founder of Decentraland Architects. In this episode, Luca shares his insights and experiences in bringing the metaverse to life. Luca walks us through his journey into the Web3 realm and sheds light...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, hosts Alec Burns and Jack Davies sit down with Mona Tiesler, a venture capital investor with a sharp focus on Web3 investments. The conversation delves into the intricate world of venture capital within the Web3 landscape. Mona provides a comprehensive overview of venture capital, shedding light on its role in fueling startups with long-term growth potential thr...

In this episode of Untangling Web3, Alec and Jack unravel the captivating fusion of Web Three and the Internet of Things (IoT). The potential of IoT's data collection sparks both excitement and concerns, paving the way for discussions on data ownership and sharing. This episode explores the historical origins of IoT, its growth from a humble Coca Cola vending machine to the modern proliferation of...

Join Alec and Jack in this engaging episode of Untangling Web3 as they dive into the world of Generative AI with a focus on its transformative potential within the Web3 landscape. The hosts embark on a journey through the evolution of AI, exploring its relevance to Web3. They highlight the fusion of Generative AI with Web3 technologies, discussing the creation of AI-generated content, interactions...

Welcome back to the second part of the two-part series of Untangling AI episodes, where hosts Alec and Jack continue their exploration of the intersection between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Web3 technology. In this episode, they delve into the transformative world of AI and how Web3 can ensure and even empower its safe evolution. We begin our discussion with some of the dangers associated wi...