Owl Explains Crypto Summit
Presented by Sidley
The Dorchester – UK, Thursday, May 22, 2025
The Owl Explains Hootenanny

Ep 45: DeFi’s Big Questions Answered
Is DeFi truly decentralized? Is it more than just finance? Join Yvette Valdez (Latham & Watkins), Diana Barrero Zalles (GBBC), Joe Cutler (Perkins Coie), and Lee Schneider (Ava Labs) as they discuss DeFi’s opportunities, risks, and more. Learn more in the GBBC's DeFi report: https://www.gbbc.io/uploads/reports/gsmi50/DeFi-Stand-Alone.pdf 🎧 Listen in Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Ep 42: US Rep Warren Davidson (R-OH-08)
Congressman Warren Davidson shares insights on token classification, self-custody, and bipartisan blockchain policy. Tune in for a candid conversation about crypto innovation and legislative reform in the United States. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Ep 39: Tokenizing Securities for Decentralized Finance Applications
Professor Andreas Park from the University of Toronto discusses how blockchain can transform the trading and management of securities. In this episode, he shares his research on overcoming the complex challenges of integrating stocks, dividends, and voting rights into decentralized systems, offering insights into the future of finance. Learn more in his paper: https://edas.info/showPaper.php?m=1571031828

Ep 38: Learning from DeFi. Would Automated Market Makers Improve Equity Trading?
Andreas Park (University of Toronto) and Katya Malinova (McMaster University) discuss their research on how automated market makers (AMMs) from DeFi could revolutionize equity trading. We explore the potential savings, challenges, and future of finance in a digital age. Check out their paper below: Learning from DeFi: Would Automated Market Makers Improve Equity Trading?

Ep 36: US Rep Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-08)
Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo shares insights on navigating the complex world of digital asset regulation and bipartisan collaboration. She highlights the conversation highlights the FIT21 bill, Colorado’s leadership in tech, and the need for financial inclusion in modern legislation. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Ep 35: Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13)
Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13) discusses his early adoption of cryptocurrency and emphasizes the transformative potential of blockchain technology. He highlights the importance of financial inclusion, arguing that digital assets can democratize access to financial services. 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Stablecoin Runs and the Centralization of Arbitrage
Yiming Ma from Columbia Business School and Anthony Zhang from UChicago explore the intricacies of stablecoins and their impact on financial stability. Learn about the critical role of arbitrage in maintaining price stability and the potential risks associated with these digital assets. Check out their paper here.

Ep 31: The Impact of Blockchain and AI on the EU’s Financial Landscape
Dimitrios Psarrakis (Financial Economist and co-founder of Value Verse) provides expert insights on blockchain regulation and its implications for financial competitiveness in the EU. He explores the intersection of blockchain, AI, and financial innovation, emphasizing the importance of education and collaboration in shaping the future of finance.

Ep 28: Crypto Wallets as the Browsers of the Future
Akash Gupta (GM at Ava Labs) shares how transformative crypto wallets can be—from identity verification to the integration of social elements. Gain insights into the decentralized future and the large role of crypto wallets in shaping a secure and user-friendly digital landscape.

Ep. 26: Global Blockchain Trade Associations and 2024 Policy (Part 1)
Join Marina Markezic (EU Crypto Initiative) , Ron Hammond (Blockchain Association), Tommaso Astazi (Blockchain For Europe), and Cody Carbone (Digital Chamber) as they delve into the complexities of blockchain regulation and its impact on global policy. Explore how trade associations are shaping the future of technology governance.

Ep 25: Emerging Technology’s Language Wars - Smart Contracts
Professor Carla Reyes (SMU) unpacks the interdisciplinary perspectives on smart contracts, highlighting the unique vantage points each group brings to the table. She explores the divergence between legal definitions of ‘contracts’ and their technical counterparts in smart contract technology, uncovering the potential impacts of this disparity on the regulation and understanding of these innovative digital agreements. Read her full paper here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4380724

Ep 23: Shaping the Future of Currency: the Digital Dollar
Chris Giancarlo (Chamber of Digital Commerce and former CFTC commissioner) sheds light on the role of privacy, economic liberty, and leadership in navigating the ever-changing landscape of digital innovation and its impact on global economies.