Our top 5 Fintech & DeFi 2022 Podcasts

Hi Fintech Architects —

This week we are reflecting on the year, and sharing 5 of the most significant and popular podcasts so far. These conversations should anchor you to think about fundamentals over the long term, rather than short-term market volatility.

Full access to all 5 weekly industry insider Podcasts with value-added data-driven, annotated transcripts is available only to premium subscribers.

Hope you enjoy, and don’t hesitate to let us know your thoughts here.

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(1) Stablecoins, Curve Wars, and Olympus as Reserve Currency, with DeFi Researcher Luca Prosperi (link here)

In this conversation, we chatted with Luca Prosperi, is a MakerDAO contributor and senior finance professional with 15 years of experience in banking and credit investments. Luca has a wide range of experience ranging from publishing a Substack newsletter on the evolution of banking and DeFi, to working for the likes of Ripplewood Advisors, Partners Capital, Morgan Stanley, Oliver Wyman. Luca holds a Masters in Business Administration from London Business School, and a MSc and BS in Mathematical Economics and Econometrics from Bocconi and Tel Aviv University.

More specifically, we touched on MakerDAO and its mechanics, Automatic Market Makers and Curve, the utility behind stablecoins, how Curve was born from the inefficiency of Uniswap, how Yearn and Convex stemmed from Curve, why Luca considered OlympusDAO to be a ponzi scheme. You can listen to the podcast on the Blueprint, Apple, or Spotify.

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(2) Aggregating Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and structuring a DAO, with Sergej Kunz of 1inch (link here)

In this conversation, we chatted with Sergej Kunz, the co-founder of the 1inch Network, a distributed network of decentralized protocols. From 2015 to 2019, Sergej worked for consulting firm Mimacom, running projects for major customers such as Bosch, Siemens and Porsche. After joining Porsche on a full-time basis, he gradually shifted toward cybersecurity. He also co-hosted the YouTube show CryptoManiacs. At a 2019 hackathon, Sergej and the 1inch Network's eventual co-founder, Anton Bukov, developed a prototype crypto exchange aggregator that became the basis of the entire network.

More specifically, we touched on how a passion for software development and coding lead Sergej to the web3 world, the concept of data aggregation and its value in a multitude of industries, all things surrounding the 1inch protocol and the tokens involved and the liquidity programs. You can listen to the podcast on the Blueprint, Apple, or Spotify.

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(3) The Embedded finance revolution in cards and payments, with Highnote founder John MacIlwaine (link here)

In this conversation, we chatted with John MacIlwaine, Founder and CEO at HighNote. The former general manager at Paypal Holdings Inc-owned Braintree. Highnote improves embedded payments experiences, reducing speed to market while supporting customer loyalty and engagement.

John is a senior business and technology professional with 25 years of experience in executive level GM/CEO and CTO/CPO roles, primarily within the financial services industry, with expertise in technology innovation, strategic vision, implementation execution, and operational excellence in both early stage and mature companies. He is a seasoned general manager with significant people leadership (1,500 staff) and P&L responsibility ($195 Million). He has a reputation for building high performing global teams (India, Singapore, Philippines, US) and operating effectively in diverse corporate cultures across industries and geographies.

More specifically, we touch on the journey of leadership through Morgan Stanely, Envestnet, SunGard, GreenDot, Visa, Lending Club, Braintree/PayPal and HighNote. Touching on the progress of technology influencing embedded finance through each of these entities. You can listen to the podcast on the Blueprint, Apple, or Spotify.

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(4) The world’s most powerful Web3 developer suite, with Michael Godsey of Infura (link here)

In this conversation, we chatted with Michael Godsey – the GM and Head of Product for Infura, previously a Producer and Product Manager in the video game industry working on Call of Duty, Need for Speed, and EA Sports franchises. Michael’s educational background is in Mathematics and Game Design.

More specifically, we touch on the idea of games and rendered worlds, the philosophies behind game design, the financial services that are blockchain powered, the solution that Infura solves for so many. You can listen to the podcast on the Blueprint, Apple, or Spotify.

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(5) Solving climate change through financial services, with Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny (link here)

In this conversation, we chat with Andrei Cherny, Co-Founder & CEO of
Aspiration, a budding financial services platform for people who want to save the planet by neutralizing their carbon footprint. Their mission is massive, with ~5 million members making a difference in the fight against climate change.

Andrei combines a background as an advisor to some of America’s top companies, the co-founder and president of a media start-up, a financial fraud prosecutor, a historian, a White House aide, a Navy reserve officer, and a nationally-recognized economic policy expert. Andrei has provided strategic counsel to companies such as Intel, Qualcomm, and Bank of America. He has worked with Elizabeth Warren to help start the successful fight for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A former Clinton White House aide, he was the youngest White House speechwriter in American history.

More specifically, we touch on American public policy and politics, speechwriting for Al Gore, The amalgamation of political theory and public legislation and environmental policy and a lack of trust by consumers in financial institutions lead to the founding of Aspiration Bank. You can listen to the podcast on the Blueprint, Apple, or Spotify.

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