FCAT Crypto Brief™

In this episode of the FCAT CryptoBrief, Blockspace Media Co‑founder Charlie Spears joins the team to unpack how Bitcoin’s most influential debates are evolving as the ecosystem becomes increasingly sophisticated and operationally fragmented. Charting the rise of OPNEXT as a convergence point for developers, miners, investors, and researchers alike, Spears highlights why connecting disparate stakeholders is critical to understanding the network’s trajectory. The conversation also addresses quantum computing as it gains traction across crypto circles. We’ll explore how accelerating quantum timelines, shifting market sentiment, and emerging governance constraints intersect, potentially setting the stage for Bitcoin’s next major upgrade battle. Join us for closer look at how high‑stakes technical discourse, evolving narratives, and cross‑domain collaboration could shape Bitcoin’s future. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:27] An Introduction to Charlie [2:44] What’s Next for OPNEXT [4:40] Bitcoin: Then & Now [7:52] Exploring the Quantum Threat [24:10] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:27) - An Introduction to Charlie(00:02:44) - What's Next for OPNEXT(00:04:40) - Bitcoin: Then & Now(00:07:52) - Exploring the Quantum Threat(00:24:10) - Final Thoughts & Outro

Listen in as Weston Jones, a Digital Asset Engineer from FCAT’s Blockchain Incubator, joins our hosts to break down recent developments on Solana and beyond. Together, they explore the forces driving infrastructure and innovation—from design philosophy and validator operations to community‑driven security, trade‑offs, and how Solana compares with other major networks as the broader ecosystem continues to evolve. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:28] News Rundown [6:57] Weston’s Story [10:03] Lens on the Larger Ecosystem [13:52] Running a Validator [15:05] Cross-chain Activities & Infrastructure [27:39] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:28) - News Rundown(00:06:57) - Weston’s Story(00:10:03) - Lens on the Larger Ecosystem(00:13:52) - Running a Valdator(00:15:05) - Cross-chain Activities & Infrastructure(00:27:39) - Final Thoughts & Outro

As crypto continues to evolve, institutions are entering the fold. In this episode of the FCAT Crypto Brief, the team breaks down why TradFi players—including banks, asset managers, and infrastructure providers—are moving into DeFi, as well as key considerations surrounding the adoption of real‑world assets, on-chain lending, and settlement at an institutional scale. Listen in as our hosts explore recent developments across DeFi and TradFi, unpacking the forces driving strategy and adoption across the financial world. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:23] News Rundown [6:07] Banks & Lending [9:00] Infrastructure Providers [11:13] TradFi Adoption [14:36] Application vs. Protocol [18:25] On-Chain Lending [24:17] Regulatory Shifts [27:52] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:23) - News Rundown(00:06:07) - Banks & Lending(00:09:00) - Infrastructure Providers(00:11:13) - TradFi Adoption(00:14:36) - Application vs. Protocol(00:18:25) - On-chain Lending(00:24:17) - Regulatory Shifts(00:27:52) - Final Thoughts & Outro

Join us as we take a look at recent conversations within the Ethereum ecosystem, including Vitalik Buterin’s updated perspective on the “roll‑up centric roadmap” and how the community is approaching L1 and L2 development. Our hosts walk through the broader context, covering stakeholder incentives, validator dynamics, the pace of L2 progress, and Ethereum’s evolving upgrade priorities. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:24] News Rundown [6:00] Reviewing the “Roll-up Centric Roadmap” [9:48] Ecosystem Response [14:04] L2 Changes [16:05] Modular vs. Monolithic Debate [17:38] Key Tradeoffs & Pivot Points [20:56] Considerations for Institutional Allocators [22:05] Potential Roadmap Shifts [24:43] L2 Use Cases [28:22] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:24) - News Rundown(00:06:00) - Reviewing “Roll-up Centric Roadmap”(00:09:48) - Ecosystem Response(00:14:04) - L2 Changes(00:16:05) - Modular vs. Monolithic Debate(00:17:38) - Key Tradeoffs & Pivot Points(00:20:56) - Considerations for Institutional Allocators(00:22:05) - Potential Roadmap Shifts(00:24:43) - L2 Use Cases(00:28:22) - Final Thoughts & Outro

As crypto matures, what will the future of enforcement, compliance, and accountability look like? Listen in as Amanda Wick, a former federal prosecutor and longtime leader in financial crime prevention, joins the Brief to give her take and examine how innovation and integrity can evolve together. From sanctions to travel rule implementation, this episode offers a front‑row seat to see key shifts already reshaping the ecosystem. Want to learn more? Check out Amanda’s book The Catalysts. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [2:18] News Rundown [7:09] Background on the Travel Rule [11:39] Privacy vs. Anonymity [15:09] Market Maturity & Crypto Compliance [18:46] International Trends & Convergence [23:04] Time at the DOJ [29:49] Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:18) - News Rundown(00:07:09) - Background on the Travel Rule(00:11:39) - Privacy vs. Anonymity(00:15:09) - Market Maturity & Crypto Compliance(00:18:46) - International Trends & Convergence(00:23:04) - Time at the DOJ(00:29:49) - Outro