The Owl Explains Hootenanny

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.

John Belitsky, Co-founder and Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer at Balcony sheds light on how they’re leveraging blockchain technology for greater transparency and efficiency in real estate, offering a glimpse into the innovative solutions reshaping the industry. 🌐 Discover more: Balcony | Home | The Global Standard For Real Estate Tokenization 🔍 To learn more about blockchain: Explainers 🎧 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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.

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.

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.

The owl is wondering: How does blockchain enhance security compared to traditional databases? Why is security so important in the development process of blockchain technology? How are emerging technologies like AI and machine learning being leveraged to enhance blockchain security? Join us in our new podcast John Neufeld, GC at Open Zeppelin, as we discover this and much more… 

Following our latest episode on the digital pound, we keep exploring the future of money by looking at the European Union’s ambitious plans for a euro CBDC. Back in June, the European Commission proposed a legislative framework for a retail digital euro, and its potential is now being assessed by the European Central Bank (ECB). In just a week, the ECB will decide if the project will move from an ‘investigation phase’ to a ‘realization phase’, where technical solutions will be developed and tested. The EU is determined to be a frontrunner in CBDC policy, and has made it clear that any form of digital public money will reflect its shared values of privacy, security, and inclusiveness. Yet, reactions to the Commission's proposal have been mixed. Concerns have been raised over policymakers being able to decide what Europeans can spend their money on, or having access to their personal data. Some foresee the decline of cash, while others simply don’t see the difference between using a digital euro and existing mobile payment apps. If Europe wants to make central digital currency a reality, it will need to bring on board not only retail users – but also banks, merchants, businesses, and technology providers. Get up to speed on what the digital euro could look like by tuning into our conversation with Anne-Sophie Gógl, Board Member of the Digital Euro Association, and Peter Kerstens, Adviser for Technological Innovation and Cybersecurity at the European Commission.

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Owl Explains podcast, where we delve deep into all things blockchain, Web3, and more. Today, with Jannah Patchay (Executive Director, Digital Pound Foundation and Director + Regulatory & Market Structure Advisor, Markets Evolution), Varun Paul (Director for CBDCs and FMI at Fireblocks) and our moderator Emma Pike (Owl Explains team member and Consultant at H+K Strategies), we discuss CBDCs, delving deep into the Digital Pound. Over the past decade, the financial world has witnessed a seismic shift towards digital currencies, driven by advancements in technology and the need for more efficient, secure, and accessible forms of money. While Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have often stolen the spotlight, today's episode will shine a spotlight on a digital currency that's closer to home: the Digital Pound. As countries around the globe grapple with the idea of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the United Kingdom has been at the forefront of this digital revolution. The Digital Pound, proposed by the Bank of England, promises to reshape how we transact, save, and invest. But what exactly is the Digital Pound, and how does it differ from traditional forms of money? What does it require to be successful? And can it draw from any learnings from other already-introduced CBDCs? Whether you're a seasoned cryptocurrency aficionado or simply curious about the future of money, this episode promises to be an eye-opening journey you won't want to miss.

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Owl Explains podcast! Russel Klein, our moderator for the day, takes you along as he and the speakers dive into a topic that's reshaping the landscape of modern finance: Central Bank Digital Currencies, or CBDCs. As the world hurtles toward a more digital future, governments and central banks are actively exploring the possibilities and implications of introducing their own digital currencies. In this episode, we're peeling back the layers of CBDCs to understand what they are, why they matter, and how they might revolutionize the way we transact, save, and invest. Join Mai Santamaria of the Department of Finance in Ireland, Jannah Patchay of the Digital Pound Foundation, and Varun Paul of Fireblocks as they dive into what the future of CDBCs hold, the risks they pose, the solutions they suggest, and the very necessity (or not) of digital money. So, grab your favorite headphones and prepare to embark on a journey into the heart of digital finance. Let's demystify the world of CBDCs and gain valuable insights into how they're set to transform the way we perceive, use, and interact with money. 

"Stop the hype, focus on the solution". In this episode we explore the ultimate myth-busting use case developed by Deloitte to accelerate disaster relief. The project is called "Close as you go". It is built on an Avalanche subnet, yet its token, its use of smart contracts and its decentralised blockchain architecture is entirely invisible to the user. Deloitte has harnessed blockchain not for its own sake but to drive efficiency in the complex paper trail needed to prove eligibility for disaster relief.

AI is taking the world by storm, but the opaque nature of its algorithms has also raised concerns about the reliability and the fairness of the output it generates, as well as the potential for the technology itself to be used for malicious purposes. There is a trust issue for artificial intelligence which needs to be resolved – not only for ethical reasons, but also because regulators need to look into AI’s "black boxes" to understand how they work. Thanks to its transparent, open-source nature and its strong focus on auditability, blockchain has the potential to act as a decentralized, encryption-based guardrail for AI systems. Listen to Shawn Helms, co-head of McDermott Will & Emery’s technology and outsourcing practice, discuss the intersection of AI and blockchain with: Anne Gressel, Associate at Debevoise & Plimpton and member of its fintech and technology practice; Erwin Voloder, Head of Policy at the European Blockchain Association, and Kai Zenner, Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for Member of the European Parliament Axel Voss.