DiffuseTap Podcast
By Diffuse
DiffuseTap PodcastSep 16, 2022
DiffuseTap: How to Farm a Founder
DiffuseTap: How Do You Spot the Next Big Investment Trend?
What does it take to find the next unicorn?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Jennifer Byrne, General Partner at Grit Capital Partners, about how to spot hot technology trends early on and take advantage of them, what are the characteristics of a startup that could execute the next big thing, and how to manage risk when investing in brand new innovations.
DiffuseTap: Hybrid Digital Asset & TradFi Products
Are hybrid products the key to unlocking broader institutional crypto adoption?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Cato Felan III, Co-Founder, CEO, and Managing Partner at La Hoja Capital Partners, about what hybrid digital asset and TradFi products are, what purpose they serve in the investment marketplace, and what the technical complexities of offering these products are.
DiffuseTap: How to Kill the Money Transmission Business
Zero-fee money transfers: Future reality or just a fintech fantasy?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Todd Crosland and Fiona Naughton of CoinZoom how they are eliminating high money transfer fees, why the average person pays so much in fees today, and how CoinZoom is able to profit from a 0% money transmission fee business model.
DiffuseTap: Derisk Your Sustainability Investments with Tax Dollars
Can our tax dollars accelerate innovation in sustainable food?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Ian Hedrick, Founder of City Farmers, why the agriculture department is investing $3B into the food sector, whether a non-profit structure is well suited for farming innovation investments, and discuss the ethicality of de-risking farming and sustainability investments with tax and philanthropy money.
DiffuseTap: Why is Space So F*cking Expensive?
Can we ever defy astronomical prices in space ventures?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Kate Lynch and Mike Scardera of NeoSpace about how space technology has evolved in the last decade, what impact Elon Musk and others have made on the space economy, and the main factors that contribute to the high cost of developing and launching space tech. Then they will dive into the future of affordability and space infrastructure.
DiffuseTap: Supply Chain on the Blockchain As A Service
How can traditional supply chains make the most of the blockchain revolution?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Todd Ziegler, Founder and CEO of TruckCoinSwap, about how Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) works, how transportation and supply chain are optimized on a blockchain infrastructure, and which exchanges use this model.
DiffuseTap: AI is Failing in Health Intelligence. What’s Missing and Why?
Can crowds crack the code of illness prediction?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Brigitte Piniewski, HealthTech Founder at BlockHealth, about how blockchain could be game-changing for the healthcare industry’s predictive capabilities, how AI can help make health data more actionable, and which groups are taking the lead in health data innovation.
DiffuseTap: How to Hire In a Crypto Bull Market
After the 2022 crypto shakeup, how has the hunt for top talent changed?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Emily Landon and Trevor Talley of The Crypto Recruiters about the crypto talent market of the last 18 months, red flags to look out for as people from collapsing firms have flooded the market, and whether TradFi people are cut out of crypto leadership roles.
DiffuseTap: Why Do Master Accounts Rule Banking?
Did you know that Master Accounts are the Achilles’ heel of a fair US banking system?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Zev Shimko, Co-Founder at Custodia Bank, about why banks set up a master account with the Fed, why they are so important… why they’re not available to Fintechs, and how master account access has impacted the digital asset banking industry more than you’d think.
DiffuseTap: Will Bitcoin and Its Mining Yield Go Up and Up?
Is the future of Bitcoin mining a gold rush?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Todd Esse, Founder of HashWorks Digital Industries, about how a crypto mining fund operates through crypto winters, how it hedges against energy costs, and whether the rise of Bitcoin prices can revive flailing mining companies.
DiffuseTap: AI Chatbots are Garbage
Are AI Chatbots just another tech bubble?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ryan Leusch, Founder of Unchain3d, about the different phases of the AI industry, how the technology could evolve this rapidly over the last year, and why ChatGPT just isn’t enough.
DiffuseTap: Why Will 2024 Be a Great Year for Crypto?
Will 2024 be the year when crypto products rule the industry growth story again?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Stevie Cline, Managing Director at Vol. 1 Ventures, about emerging crypto projects poised to disrupt the market, critical factors leading to the downfall of certain protocols, and the evolving role and performance of NFTs in the current financial year.
DiffuseTap: Would You Insure FTX US?
In the high risk crypto world, how do you insure high exposure companies like… FTX US?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Christian Davies, Global Head of Distribution and Innovation at Relm Insurance Ltd., about the standards insurance companies should set for crypto insurance, some creative crypto insurance products that are available now, and why Relm insured FTX US but not ftx.com.
DiffuseTap: Asia’s Best Investment Opportunities
What does it take to seize the next big wave in Asian investments?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Chok Ooi, Senior Partner at AgilityIO, about the pivotal changes that have unfolded in investing in Asia, the trailblazers who are seizing the region’s best opportunities, and why others might be missing out.
DiffuseTap: Who Decides Which Coin is a Security?
New coins are launched daily but… who really determines which asset is a security and which is not?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Pat Daugherty, Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, we explore the legal and regulatory dynamics of digital assets classification, the broader implications for the SEC’s role in the crypto space, and the potential impact of crypto-related cases currently under judicial scrutiny.
DiffuseTap: Fan Engagement on the Blockchain
How is blockchain enhancing fan experiences beyond the world of crypto?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Manuela Seve, CEO and Co-Founder at Alphaa.io, about whether consumer good companies are still looking to adopt blockchain tech in 2024, how sports organizations are using tokenization to engage fans, and how companies like Alphaa.io are helping olympic teams nurture their fanbase.
DiffuseTap: Why Real World Assets Are Not on Chain Yet
Why hasn’t the revolutionary wave of on-chain assets swept the entire investment landscape yet?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Kumar Ujjwal and Nathan Paitchel of DwellFi about how the on-chain asset management space has evolved through the years, which real world assets are suitable for tokenization and which aren’t, and what are the barriers to entry for investing in on-chain real world assets.
DiffuseTap: Why You Should Be Long Micro Coins
What if the next big financial wave is hiding in the micro realm?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Bryce Paul, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Tower 18 Capital, about what happened to micro coins in 2023, how they’re valued, and why now may be the time to add them to your portfolio.
DiffuseTap: Can Blockchain Banish Greenwashing?
Does blockchain technology hold the key to eradicating greenwashing in renewable energy investments?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Gabby Kusz and Chris Kohler of Innovo Markets Inc. about ensuring transparency in the pursuit of a greener future, the critical need for standardization in renewable energy investing, and how the culprits of greenwashing can be held accountable using blockchain.
DiffuseTap: Non-Cutting Edge Wins in LatAm
Can growth companies in emerging markets like LatAm thrive without being on the bleeding edge?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ali Jamal, Founding Partner at First Check Ventures, about how Latin American startups can return an outsized ROI, how currency fluctuations and government stability affect the investment risks, and whether we are seeing a shift from the valley to the rest of the world.
DiffuseTap: Is the UAE Our Best Crypto Haven?
Is the UAE poised to become the new global crypto powerhouse?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked GRIP (DIFC) CEO V. Gowribalan and Chairman of the Board Tony Pettipiece about how the UAE crypto economy is structured, important milestones in UAE’s crypto regulation, and why some consider the country a “gray” market for crypto.
DiffuseTap: Who Calls the Shots on Crypto in Washington?
Is the fate of crypto in Washington decided by politicians or by financial giants behind the scenes?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Christina Sciotto, Interim Executive Director at Global DCA, about who leads crypto regulation on the Hill, why crypto initiatives could be put on hold during the election year, and the biggest bill in progress in Washington today.
DiffuseTap: The Future of Digital Asset Brokers
In the fast-evolving world of digital assets, who determines value: the brokers, the market, or the technology itself?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Fernando Martínez Fernandez, CEO at Nonco, about how the role of crypto broker has changed in the last year, what technical innovations have taken place, and regulatory hurdles that crypto brokers are facing today.
DiffuseTap: How to Build a High Value Community
How do you define the value of a community, and who gets to extract it?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Maggie Love, Founder of SheFi, about the core foundational elements that make a thriving community, how to engage members to generate value for all stakeholders, and what differentiates a high value from a low value community.
DiffuseTap: Energy Transition Investment Blueprint
Is the energy transition a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity, or are we heading for an overhyped bubble?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Robert Ethier, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Impact Science Ventures, about what the energy transition movement is, which major players are dominating this market opportunity, who the underdogs are, and what mistakes investors are making when considering investing in the energy transition space.
DiffuseTap: What If the States Ruled Crypto Regulation?
Is state-level regulation the key to unlocking the full potential of crypto in the U.S., or a dangerous experiment that could spawn scams and risky bets?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Arry Yu, Executive Director at U.S. Blockchain Coalition, about how state legislation can drive crypto regulation forward in the US, what opportunities exist in defining crypto rules on a state level, and the risks that come with state-level regulation for local crypto businesses.
DiffuseTap: Capitalizing on the AI & Crypto Convergence
Artificial intelligence is driving innovation like never before. But what happens when AI meets crypto?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Xiaochen Zhang, CEO of FinTech4Good, about where AI and crypto intersect, which companies are leading the pack in this field, and what other sectors could benefit from this newfound synergy.
DiffuseTap: New Cities for New Prosperity
Can we truly build a brighter future by reshaping our cities, and if so, how?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Erick Brimen, Partner at NeWAY Capital, about the link between cities and wealth generation, why cities no longer serve the purpose they were meant to originally, and what creating a new city looks like.
DiffuseTap: Climate Tech Investment Misconceptions
Do investors misunderstand what makes a climate tech investment successful?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Michael Luciani, Managing Partner at Climate Capital, about where great climate tech deal flow comes from, why liquidity opportunities are few and far between, and how to work with other funders to pool investment capital for higher potential exits.
DiffuseTap: Can Advisors Be Crypto Savvy?
Are financial advisors ready to ride the crypto wave?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Sarah Morton, Chief Strategy Officer at MeetAmi Innovations Inc., about how advisors are recommending crypto to clients, how advisors are looking at the development of the crypto industry, and what needs to happen for advisors to confidently recommend crypto in the future.
DiffuseTap: Don’t Scare Off Your Fintech Customers
How can fintechs market themselves more effectively to prospective customers?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Seth Gordon, VP of Private Capital Marketing at WealthBlock, about the difference between effective marketing for fintech and tradfi products, some promotional mistakes that fintechs make that puts them in legal hot water, and how to build an institution-grade brand and prospect funnel.
DiffuseTap: Pay for Everything with Your ETF
Can ETFs become your every-day cash wallet, while staying invested at all times?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Fred Phillips, CEO of Investor Cash Management, about how to use ETFs to pay for everyday items, how the liquidation infrastructure for this payment method works, and how Visa and other payment systems are implementing this new and innovative solution.
DiffuseTap: Do Corporates Actually Run on Blockchain?
Is Blockchain a buzzword in the corporate world or does the tech get put to use?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Grant Cermak, CEO at Evergreen Systems, about how corporates are already implementing blockchain in their operations, what issues they are trying to solve with the technology, and which implementations are successes or failures.
DiffuseTap: Don’t Pay Triple Taxes on Bitcoin Investments
What are the best ways to save on crypto taxes?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Austin Wilcox, Founder and CEO at AQ Capital and The Bitcoin Endowment, about how to get Bitcoin tax deductions, what makes endowments an attractive way to structure Bitcoin assets, and why some people pay 3x taxes on their Bitcoin.
DiffuseTap: Buy Your Energy on the Lightning Network?
Is the Lightning Network the future of energy trading?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Austin Mitchell, CEO of Synota, about how the Bitcoin Lightning Network is paving the way for a more efficient and accessible energy market, how much back-office inefficiencies add to the price of energy, and what would happen if the world settled energy instantly.
DiffuseTap: Can the US Become Crypto-Competitive Again?
Is the U.S. losing its competitive edge in the crypto industry? If so, how can it regain its advantage?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Gerald Gallagher, COO and General Counsel at NATION, about what happened behind the scenes in Congress crypto regulation, the underlying motives driving these regulatory changes, and what happens to crypto should the U.S. decide to step away from it.
DiffuseTap: Who Controls the Internet?
Does the internet actually exist? Does anyone own or control it?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked J. Scott Christianson, a faculty member at the University of Missouri, about how the world connects to the internet, who is not connected, the restricted access that billions experience, and why it matters for our future.
DiffuseTap: Structured Products… Crypto’s New Frontier?
Structured crypto products may be a game-changer for risk-conscious investors. What hurdles might they face on the way to mass adoption?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Anestis Arampatzis and Patrick Baker, Co-Founders of Centaur Markets, about how structured products in crypto were invented, who the main players are in offering structured crypto products, and how these financial instruments are regulated in the US compared to the rest of the world.
DiffuseTap: How to Generate Ecosystem ROI
How can investors identify and capitalize on the value of an ecosystem?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ryan Terribilini, Executive VP of Algorand Ventures at Algorand Foundation, about what is ecosystem ROI, which investments thrive in an ecosystem and which ones fall flat, and how long it takes to see returns when your investment depends on a vibrant ecosystem.
DiffuseTap: Can Crypto Lending Be Safe?
What unique risks are associated with crypto loans, and how can they be mitigated to ensure a safe lending environment?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Aya Kantorovich and Alexandre Elkrief, Co-founders of Fractal, about why crypto lending is perceived as “unsafe”, what regulators have to say about lending, and how technology can help legitimize crypto lending for institutional investors.
DiffuseTap: Is Startup D&O Insurance Alive and Well?
Can startups still get D&O insurance even though startup valuations have cratered?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Dan Ross and Ben Davis of Superscript about when and why emerging tech D&O/E&O came about, what underwriters look for and avoid in potential clients, and how the startup cycle and insurance market cycle affect the availability of insurance.
DiffuseTap: Can You Start a New Country?
If you could start your own country, would you do it?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Johnny Chang, Managing Director at RNS-ID, about the reasons why people might want to start a new country, what new countries have been recently created, and how to do it yourself.
DiffuseTap: Are Crypto Startups Starving?
In Q1 2023, private funding for crypto startups plunged 80% YOY. What happened?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ben Lakoff, General Partner at Bankless Ventures, about why seed stage funding in crypto has significantly declined, who acquires crypto startups after their exit, and what needs to happen in the industry to turn the luck of crypto startups around.
DiffuseTap: Crypto Hedge Fund Successes & Funerals
In a crypto winter, what factors influence the outcomes and performance of a hedge fund?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ben Jacobs, Managing Partner at Scenius Capital, about the drivers behind the biggest winners and losers in the crypto hedge fund space, which managers were able to turn around the ship mid-collapse, and what lessons can be applied to the next bull run.
DiffuseTap: What Happened to Bitcoin Mining?
Is crypto mining still profitable in 2023?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Matt Williams, Head of Derivatives at Luxor, about how Bitcoin mining has evolved in recent years, what new business models have emerged to accommodate market volatility, and what it will take for bitcoin mining companies to survive in 2023.
DiffuseTap: That Token Isn’t Crypto
Are all tokens actually crypto and if not… what’s the difference?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Maggie Sklar, Partner for Banking and Financial Services at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, about where the confusion between tokens and crypto comes from, what assets are tokenized aside from crypto, and which tokens are most commonly mistaken for crypto.
DiffuseTap: Should your IP be an NFT?
Monetizing intellectual property can be a complex process. But what if we could turn IP into NFTs?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Pamela Norton, Founder and CEO of TitleChain, to talk about how IP into NFTs can help monetize your IP, how the legal structure of an IP NFT works, and what the regulatory concerns of turning IP into NFTs are.
DiffuseTap: How to (and Not to) Productize Staking
Staking is a pain in the butt. Which staking products make life easy and which increase risk?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Robert Ellison, a staking veteran, and Alison Mangiero, Executive Director at Proof of Stake Alliance, about how staking business models work, who the main players are in staking, and some of the loopholes staking platforms take advantage of to scam users.
DiffuseTap: Banking Collapse Meets CBDC
The sudden collapse of three major banks sent shockwaves across the U.S. financial industry. Could crypto be partly to blame?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Howard Krieger, CAO of Aegis Trust Company, and Scott Christianson, Director of University of Missouri Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, about what caused the banking collapse, how much crypto played a role in it, and the possibility of a widening gap between small and large banks.