The Future of Money

In this Consensus Hong Kong 2026 panel discussion, we break down what's really driving the rise of Real World Assets (RWA) in crypto — and whether everything is about to be tokenized. From tokenized T-Bills and private credit to AI portfolio agents and DeFi looping risks, this conversation explores the next evolution of on-chain finance. - Why tokenized Treasuries became the breakthrough moment - How institutional adoption is changing DeFi dynamics - Will RWA yields become crypto's new risk-free rate? - AI agents managing portfolios on-chain - The UX challenge holding crypto back - The biggest risk facing crypto right now - Are institutions preparing to dump on retail? As TradFi and DeFi converge, we may be entering a new era where markets never sleep, liquidity is 24/7, and volatility moves faster than ever. The future of finance is being built in real time. — Featuring: • Sidney Powell – CEO, Maple Finance • Teddy Pornprinya – Co-Founder, Plume • Marcin Kaźmierczak – Co-Founder, RedStone • Moderated by Henri Arslanian

Stablecoins are rapidly moving from a crypto niche to global financial infrastructure. In this conversation, Jonathan Wood explains why stablecoins are increasingly used by payment companies, global businesses, and international workforces, and how regulation is accelerating adoption across regions. We discuss how stablecoins are transforming cross-border payments, payroll, treasury management, and global commerce. - Why stablecoin adoption is accelerating with new regulation in Europe, the UAE, and the US - The industries already using stablecoins including payments, trading platforms, and e-commerce - Why stablecoins solve major problems in regions with unstable or depreciating currencies - How global workers are increasingly getting paid in stablecoins - Why cross-border payments are the strongest early use case - How companies are building wallets, cards, and spending layers on top of stablecoins - Why Visa and major payment networks are integrating stablecoin settlement - Why most crypto transaction volume today is actually stablecoins - How stablecoins could eventually become a global spending currency Stablecoins are increasingly becoming the blockchain version of the dollar, enabling faster payments, global payroll, and new financial services for businesses and individuals worldwide. Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4dsbDfv

We discuss how crypto security is evolving as attacks become more sophisticated—and why the next generation of defense will be driven by AI, automation, and machine-led monitoring. - Why DeFi hacks are shifting from smart contract exploits to operational infiltration - How attackers are targeting Web2 infrastructure like developer laptops and company networks - What really happened during the Bybit hack and why it was so difficult to prevent - The growing role of state-backed cyber groups in crypto attacks - Why the human element remains one of the biggest security vulnerabilities - How automated risk matrices and circuit breakers can protect crypto platforms - Why AI is becoming essential for detecting malicious on-chain patterns - The concept of a "digital immune system" for DeFi protocols - How machine-led defense could help prevent billions in future crypto losses Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4cdr4qN

My interview with the CMO of the ADI Foundation, on how the UAE and the broader GCC region are accelerating stablecoin adoption. We discuss how central banks and regulators in the region are moving fast, why banks are now actively exploring stablecoins, and whether "cash, card, or crypto" could soon become reality. - Why stablecoin adoption in the UAE and GCC is accelerating - How government-led regulation is shaping the ecosystem - Why major crypto firms are setting up in Abu Dhabi and Dubai - Will banks launch their own stablecoins or form consortiums? - Payments, remittances, and retail adoption in the region - Could users hold multiple ecosystem-based stablecoins in one wallet? - The balance between transparency and privacy in stablecoin transactions - How data sovereignty and regulatory clarity are driving institutional adoption A sharp look at how stablecoins are moving from theory to real-world infrastructure across the Middle East. Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4lQiCkM

We discuss how decentralised finance is evolving from a crypto-native experiment into an infrastructure layer for institutional finance—and why the convergence between DeFi and traditional finance is accelerating. - Why investors see DeFi as an uncorrelated portfolio strategy - The massive liquidity opportunity created by thousands of new DeFi protocols - Why liquidity providers are becoming the "banks" of the DeFi ecosystem - The biggest challenge for new protocols: distribution and market access - How institutions evaluate DeFi risk similarly to credit risk in traditional finance - Why tokenized funds, real-world assets, and blockchain settlement are accelerating institutional adoption - How traditional asset managers and banks are entering DeFi - Why the future may involve two parallel systems: regulated blockchain finance and open DeFi innovation Powered by Phoenix Group

We explore how institutional-grade MPC technology is finally migrating to retail, why seed phrases are a massive vulnerability, and whether self-custody can evolve to meet the realities of security, privacy, and regulation. - Why institutional custody standards never reached retail — until now - The real risks of seed phrases, wrench attacks, and physical crime - How MPC (multi-party computation) changes self-custody forever - Inheritance, recoverability, and protecting users from themselves - Privacy in crypto: is blockchain too transparent? - Full homomorphic encryption and the future of on-chain privacy - Should self-custody wallets face regulatory oversight? - How AI + blockchain could reshape compliance frameworks

In this Consensus Hong Kong 2026 panel, we dive into the next chapter of on-chain finance: the convergence of DeFi and CeFi — and why crypto prime brokerage may become the infrastructure layer for institutional trading. From portfolio margin across venues and capital efficiency, to stablecoin balance sheets, oracle risk, and the one threat everyone keeps coming back to… counterparty risk. We break down how prime brokers are bridging siloed liquidity pools, enabling cross-collateral, and rethinking risk management for a world of 24/7 markets. - DeFi vs CeFi: why convergence is accelerating now - Prime brokerage in crypto: the "missing layer" for hedge funds - Portfolio margin across exchanges + on-chain venues (cross-venue risk engines) - Capital efficiency: moving beyond over-collateralization in DeFi - Counterparty risk vs smart contract risk — what institutions actually fear - Off-exchange settlement & custody: what works, what doesn't - Interest rate models & "dynamic spread": sharing upside with lenders - Oracles, pricing, liquidation: the two hard problems in DeFi risk management - The crypto "risk-free rate": SOFR, Treasuries, staking — where does it converge? - Tokenized markets (RWA): why crypto-native prime brokers may have an edge As TradFi and DeFi collide, the winners will be the platforms that deliver capital efficiency + transparency + accountability — without blowing up. — 🎙 Featuring: • Sam MacPherson - CEO and co-founder at Spark • Serhii Tyshchenko - CEO and co-founder of Arkis • Oleksandr Proskurin - Co-founder/CPO at Arkis • Moderated by Henri Arslanian

Alicia Kao, Managing Director at KuCoin — one of the most globally active crypto exchanges. We explore how centralised exchanges are evolving in a post-DeFi world, KuCoin's global regulatory strategy, and why payment products may lead crypto's next wave. - Why centralised exchanges are no longer just for trading - KuCoin's licensing moves in Europe, Australia, and beyond - Will CEXs and TradFi converge over the next 5–10 years? - How KuCoin is adapting to new institutional and retail demands - Payment products, stablecoins, and the $14T market ahead - What differentiates KuCoin in an increasingly competitive exchange space - The biggest challenge for crypto exchanges in 2026 A sharp look at how the infrastructure of crypto is maturing across global markets. Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4ryTSzi

With Erin West, former prosecutor (26+ years) and founder of Operation Shamrock, one of the leading global initiatives fighting pig butchering scams and the organized crime networks behind them. Pig butchering is no longer a niche fraud story. We are living in a scam-demic. These scams are industrial-scale operations run out of compounds across Southeast Asia, and they are targeting everyday people — not just crypto natives. Doctors. Students. Professionals. Families. People are losing everything… and often being pushed into debt. In this episode, we discuss: - What pig butchering scams really are - Why they are so effective psychologically - How organized crime is using crypto as the main payment rail - The role of exchanges, stablecoins, and compliance gaps - Why crypto ATMs are "theft machines" - How AI and deepfakes are making scams harder to detect - The disturbing link between scams and human trafficking - Why shame prevents victims from reporting - What to do immediately if you suspect you are being scammed This is one of the most important conversations happening in crypto today. Powered by ACX Compliance - the world's largest crypto compliance specialised managed services provider. The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4kRnPIu

With Romain Bordenave, a physical security expert with years of experience operating in high-risk environments including Colombia and Mexico. We discuss why crypto entrepreneurs are increasingly being targeted — and what practical steps individuals can take to reduce risk. - Why crypto founders are becoming high-value targets - Why criminals believe crypto is anonymous (and why they're wrong) - The role of social media and "showing wealth" in victim selection - Why kidnappings are often underreported globally - How kidnapping tactics differ across regions (France vs Latin America) - What to do if someone is kidnapped - Why contacting law enforcement is often the right move - How to think about personal security as crypto goes mainstream This podcast is sponsored by BRON Learn more through the link: https://go.bron.org/henriarslanian09

Andrej Majcen, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Bitcoin Suisse — one of the world's oldest crypto firms. We discuss market volatility, institutional trends, regulation, and the long game of building in crypto. - How Bitcoin Suisse evolved from retail clients to sovereign wealth funds - The biggest challenge for crypto firms in 2026 - Why regulatory clarity unlocks institutional adoption - The impact of ETFs, elections, and geopolitics on market sentiment - Strategic advice for crypto founders facing volatility Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/46gzkTF

With Janet Adams, COO, SingularityNET and one of the leading voices at the intersection of AI and crypto. We discuss why decentralised artificial general intelligence (AGI) is the next frontier—and why it must not be left in the hands of Big Tech. - Why decentralised AGI may beat centralised Big Tech AI - How open-source tools are accelerating global AI collaboration - The ethical argument for community-led AI governance - What role the Middle East—especially the UAE—can play in global AI and crypto leadership - Why world models could unlock superhuman capabilities - The birth of Zaka and AGI use cases from the region Powered by Phoenix Group Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4cpGCbs

My interview with Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General, Dubai Digital Asset Association and a key voice in the UAE's digital asset evolution. We explore how the UAE became one of the world's most crypto-friendly jurisdictions and what other governments can learn from its approach. - Why the #UAE became a global magnet for crypto firms - The importance of regulatory clarity in attracting digital asset companies - How #Dubai is building a thriving blockchain ecosystem from the ground up - The role of Crypto Oasis in education, infrastructure, and policy - What's next for tokenisation, DeFi, and real-world asset adoption in the region - Lessons for policymakers from the UAE's proactive crypto stance Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4rP31DP

With BitGo CEO Mike Belshe following the company's IPO. We unpack what this milestone means for the crypto industry, the future of digital asset banking, and what's next for BitGo. 🔹 What going public means for BitGo and its clients 🔹 Why BitGo is more than just a custodian 🔹 The debate over stablecoin yield: crypto vs traditional banks 🔹 Why 100% reserve banks could redefine the future of finance 🔹 BitGo's global regulatory strategy and product roadmap 🔹 Advice from Mike Belshe to crypto founders on going public Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/45WfsoH

My interview with Jason Brett, Managing Director at Key Bridge Advisors and Policy Advisor at the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance. We unpack the political and regulatory gridlock unfolding around stablecoin yield, tokenized securities, and DeFi in Washington. - Why the Genius Act's pro-stablecoin stance is now being re-litigated - The growing divide between the crypto lobby and banking lobby - Why regulators are stuck applying old laws to new tech - The SEC's innovation exemption—and hedge fund pushback - DeFi's AML dilemma: Is there a third way beyond front-end KYC? - What real compromise could look like for stablecoin yields Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ZliLSE

Oliver Tonkin joins us to discuss how stablecoins are quietly replacing traditional cross-border payment rails. - Why emerging markets are leading stablecoin adoption for global payments - How stablecoins reduce settlement times and costs for corporates - The rise of stablecoin-powered settlement networks beyond SWIFT - Why regulated stablecoins are helping ease banking concerns - The growing role of Circle, Ripple, and others in cross-border transactions - The challenges of on-ramps and off-ramps—and how they're being solved - Why regulatory clarity is a major catalyst for corporate adoption - Who stands to lose in the shift to blockchain payments: legacy banks or card networks? Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4q877FD

We discuss how blockchain is bringing radical transparency to the impact investing sector. - Why on-chain governance gives real voice to underserved communities - How DAOs and token-based voting are reshaping village-level decision-making - Using blockchain to prove and quantify measurable impact - The challenges of device access, education, and infrastructure on the ground - How Kula is designing blockchain tools tailored to developing markets - Why measured impact will soon be mandated by investors—and tracked on-chain - How real-world assets are creating price stability for impact tokens - Why regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are leading in blockchain adoption Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4t5BAH7

This interview was recorded during Abu Dhabi Finance Week. We explore the rise of Bitcoin treasury firms, why the future of global finance may rest on Bitcoin rails, and how central banks are quietly accumulating BTC behind the scenes. - Why Bitcoin on corporate balance sheets is just getting started - The explosion of Bitcoin treasury companies and why half may disappear - What makes a sustainable treasury model in crypto markets - Whether stablecoins or Bitcoin will underpin the future financial system - Why central banks are embracing Bitcoin—publicly and privately - How Abu Dhabi is becoming a Bitcoin superpower in the Middle East Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3ZyVNHH