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Tokenized stocks trading 24/7 alongside crypto on one app. One European bank planning on-chain equity infrastructure by year-end. A "financial supermarket" where every asset class converges. This isn't a forecast from a think tank — it's what Vlad Maltsev, Deputy CCO at WhiteBIT, is hearing from the banks themselves.Vlad Maltsev joins Alex Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week to unpack tokenization timelines, MiCA's real-world impact on European banks, WhiteBIT's upcoming US expansion, and why compliance is still the only door that matters for institutional adoption.In this interview:- Why compliance is the gateway for every institutional entrant- How MiCA is pulling German and Dutch banks into crypto licensing- The "financial supermarket" thesis — one app, every asset class- Why tokenized equity could settle in seconds instead of days- WhiteBIT's MiCA status and US expansion timeline- What could dominate crypto narratives a year from nowFilmed at Paris Blockchain WeekBitcoin.com News: https://x.com/BitcoinNewsWhiteBIT: https://whitebit.comHost: Alex RichardsonChapters:00:19 - Welcome and Guest Introduction00:35 - Conference Overview01:04 - Institutional Adoption in Crypto01:49 - WhiteBit's Ecosystem02:30 - Sponsorships and Partnerships03:53 - Institutional Adoption Insights05:05 - WhiteBit's Market Focus06:12 - Stablecoins and Tokenization08:06 - Future of Financial Platforms09:07 - Crypto Trading Cup10:10 - Trading Strategies10:59 - WhiteBit's Future Projects12:17 - Future Use Cases in Crypto

Tokenizing an asset doesn't automatically make it liquid. After 14 years at the London Stock Exchange, KuCoin EU's Managing Director Sabina Liu has a reality check for crypto's RWA hype cycle.Sabina joins Alexander Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 to talk through what she actually saw in digital assets that TradFi missed, where tokenization genuinely solves a problem (and where it doesn't), how MiCA has reshaped Europe's exchange landscape, and why KuCoin EU runs as a broker — not an order book — under the new regulation.We cover:- Why tokenization alone doesn't create liquidity or demand- What TradFi still does really well — and why not everything needs to be on-chain- How MiCA has reshaped the European exchange playbook- Why KuCoin EU operates as a broker, not an exchange- France's role in Europe's institutional crypto landscape- Where the real bridge between TradFi and digital assets gets builtFilmed at Paris Blockchain Week 2026.Host: Alexander Richardson

Most RWA projects bolt onto Ethereum or Solana. Real Finance didn't — they built their own chain. VP of Ecosystem Growth Brandon Kazakoff joins David Sencil at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 to explain why, in his view, real-world assets aren't just another token category. Issuance, risk classification, insurance logic, and governance all need to live at the protocol layer, not on top of it.We cover:- Why Real Finance built its own Layer 1 instead of deploying on Ethereum or Solana- What RWA protocols actually need that general-purpose chains can't deliver- How issuance, risk classification, and insurance logic work on-chain- Why 2026 is the year RWAs shift from theory to structured financial products- What institutional interest in RWAs actually looks like right nowFilmed at Paris Blockchain Week 2026.Host: David Sencil

Is Europe on a countdown clock? Bitpanda's Enterprise lead for France, Mathieu Henry, thinks so — and he's marking 2028 as the year crypto becomes fully commoditized across the continent.Mathieu sits down with David Sencil and Alexander Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week to talk about why MiCA pulled banks off the sidelines, how Bitpanda quietly runs the full crypto stack behind Lydia (France's 8M-user payments app), and why the biggest remaining blocker to institutional adoption isn't regulation — it's trust.We cover:- Why crypto will be fully commoditized in Europe by mid-2028- How Bitpanda powers Lydia's crypto product end-to-end- The B2B pivot reshaping Bitpanda's business- What the latest AFD report reveals about French crypto adoption- How MiCA actually changed the institutional calculus- The real blocker: trust between crypto-native players and banks- Where Europe stands vs the US and Hong KongFilmed at Paris Blockchain Week.Host: David Sencil | Co-host: Alexander Richardson

France has a crypto paradox. 93% of adults know what it is. Only 11% actually own any. Bybit France Country Manager Ambroise Helaine thinks the gap has almost nothing to do with regulation — and everything to do with product.Ambroise sits down with David Sencil and Alexander Richardson at Paris Blockchain Week 2026 to talk through what a conservative European retail market actually wants (hint: not leverage), why 50% of retail assets still sit in zero-interest cash accounts, and why MiCA alone isn't enough to unlock the full exchange playbook — three separate licenses are.We cover:- Why French crypto adoption plateaued despite MiCA landing- How Bybit rebuilt its European strategy around conservative savers- The three regulatory licenses European exchanges actually need- Why every exchange may eventually issue its own stablecoin- The DCA-first product line for set-and-forget investors- Tokenized stocks and what's actually shipping- How Europe stacks up against US and Asian crypto marketsFilmed at Paris Blockchain Week 2026.Host: David Sencil | Co-host: Alexander Richardson

Looking for a single app that combines crypto news, trading insights, prediction markets, and wallet integration? In this episode, Shrey Pandey (Tech Lead at Bitcoin.com) breaks down how their team built an all-in-one crypto news app designed for both beginners and advanced traders—in under 2 months using AI/ML tools. Discover how this app simplifies crypto for the 80% of users who are still hesitant to engage, while giving power users a unified dashboard (Terminal Mode) to act on market-moving information instantly. Inside this deep-dive demo, you’ll learn about: - A personalized crypto news feed with 24-hour digest + audio playback - Seamless wallet integration without confusing crypto jargon- Prediction markets directly tied to breaking news events - Terminal Mode for real-time trading insights and execution- Satoshi Herald mode for distraction-free, ad-free reading - Multi-platform experience across iOS, Android, Apple Watch, and Apple TV - Social features like following wallets and tipping creators 💡 Key insight: News is emerging as the next major Bitcoin use case—giving users the ability to see what’s moving markets and act on it instantly. Whether you're a crypto beginner, trader, or Web3 enthusiast, this episode shows how the future of crypto apps is becoming more integrated, accessible, and action-driven. Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Shrey Pandey at Hapo-eN 00:51 15 years in software engineering, 5 years at Bitcoin.com 01:23 Why a dedicated crypto news app was needed 02:26 The problem: user hesitation in crypto 04:23 Wallet creation via social login 06:07 Content strategy: articles, videos, podcasts 08:04 Live demo begins 08:30 Market notifications explained 09:01 News tab: read, listen, digest 10:07 Video & podcast experience 10:54 Predictions markets walkthrough 12:08 Terminal Mode deep dive 13:01 Real-time timeline view 14:58 Satoshi Herald (e-ink mode) 16:21 Market categories overview 17:08 Why media is the next crypto use case 18:10 Tools for advanced traders 20:28 Social features 23:24 No direct messaging (regulation reasons) 24:34 Platform availability 26:15 Built in under 2 months 28:25 Closing thoughts

What happens when crypto payments go live in a real-world retail environment—like an airport? In this episode, Gen Adachi shares how Netstars launched a USDC payment pilot at Haneda Airport in Japan—and saw demand exceed expectations by 10x. This isn’t theory or hype—this is one of the strongest real-world use cases for stablecoins in everyday payments today. We dive into how USDC is being used at checkout, why QR payment infrastructure in Japan makes it easier to integrate crypto, and how Netstars is positioning itself as a major payments aggregator with access to over 700,000 merchants. Gen also breaks down the future of crypto payments—from multi-wallet and multi-chain support to expanding pilots beyond airports, including a Pokémon card shop in Osaka and international markets like Qatar, Mongolia, and Cambodia. If you're interested in crypto adoption, stablecoins like USDC, real-world blockchain use cases, or the future of digital payments in Asia, this conversation is packed with insights. Topics covered: - USDC payments in real-world retail - Haneda Airport crypto payment pilot - Stablecoin adoption in Japan - QR code payment systems and Web3 - Multi-wallet, multi-chain payment infrastructure - Netstars and Japan’s payment ecosystem - Global expansion of crypto payments Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 01:11 – Netstars: Aggregating 60 Payment Methods 01:26 – USDC Live Pilot at Haneda Airport 02:28 – Multi-Wallet, Multi-Chain Future 04:06 – 10x Results: Pilot Performance Beat Expectations 06:53 – Market Position: 700K Merchants in Japan 07:29 – Second POC: Pokémon Card Shop in Osaka 11:45 – International Expansion: Qatar, Mongolia, Cambodia

What does it take for Web3 social media to achieve real adoption? In this episode, Raul Velazquez discusses how ENVO has grown to over 500,000 users and what this means for the future of decentralized social platforms. As the shift from Web2 to Web3 continues, platforms like ENVO are exploring new ways to combine user-friendly design, creator monetization, and global accessibility. This conversation covers the key challenges that have held back Web3 social media in the past—and the strategies now being used to overcome them. Topics include user onboarding, creator economies, AI-powered translation, token-based incentives, and regional growth strategies across Asia. Whether you're interested in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency adoption, or the evolution of digital communities, this episode provides insight into how social platforms may evolve in a decentralized future. 🔍 Topics Covered: - Web3 social media and decentralized platforms - User adoption and onboarding in crypto apps - Creator monetization and token economies - AI translation and global accessibility - Asia-first growth strategies and gaming partnerships - The future of Web2 vs Web3 social platforms

In this episode, Even Realities CEO Will Wang breaks down why smart glasses may be closer to mainstream adoption than we think. From subtle, everyday design to powerful AI features and developer-driven ecosystems, this conversation explores how wearable tech is evolving beyond novelty into something genuinely useful. We dive into the Even G2 and EvenHub platform, unpacking real-world use cases like live translation, teleprompting, and AI-powered meeting summaries. Will also shares why developers are excited about agent workflows on eyewear, how a ring-based control system changes the user experience, and why the company made bold design decisions—like skipping the camera entirely. If you're curious about the future of ambient computing, hands-free interfaces, and where AI meets hardware, this episode is worth a listen. Featuring: Will Wang (CEO, Even Realities) Hosted by Matthew Owens Topics include: - Smart glasses design that blends into everyday life - AI-powered features that actually matter - The role of developers in shaping wearable tech - New interaction models (including ring controls) - Why the future of computing may be more invisible Listen now and explore how wearable AI is becoming part of daily life. Follow Bitcoin.com News for more: https://x.com/BitcoinNews

What is the real endgame for crypto? Phillip Pon, CEO of EMURGO, joins David Sencil to explore why the future of crypto lies in building onchain banking systems that function as real financial infrastructure—especially for emerging markets.In this episode, Phillip shares insights on why self-custody, stable value, and distribution are critical to crypto adoption, and why the industry must move beyond speculative, casino-style use cases. He also discusses how blockchain can coexist with traditional finance, the importance of compliance and privacy, and how real-world utility will define the next phase of growth. The conversation also covers institutional adoption, the role of Japan in the global blockchain ecosystem, and why crypto may have a unique advantage in an AI-driven world. Topics include: onchain banking, crypto adoption, blockchain infrastructure, Cardano ecosystem, EMURGO, digital finance, emerging markets, self-custody, stablecoins, and the future of money. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction & Phillip Pon’s Journey 05:02 – EMURGO & the Cardano Ecosystem 09:52 – Onchain Banking & Real-World Use Cases 14:58 – Privacy, Compliance & Blockchain 20:12 – Institutional Adoption25:06 – Japan & Regulatory Challenges27:57 – Future Outlook

Hamze Fawzi, Founder and Chairman of Assets Advisors Capital (AAC), joins Bitcoin.com News to discuss the growing financial bridge between the Gulf region and Japan, and how institutional infrastructure is shaping the future of crypto. In this episode, Hamze explains why traditional financial systems failed to connect these two major economies—and how blockchain, tokenization, and “capital architecture” are now unlocking new cross-border opportunities. He shares insights into how institutional investors approach risk, governance, and geopolitical events differently from retail participants. The conversation also explores the rise of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, the role of compliant and non-custodial platforms like Mirai X, and why Japan’s leadership in CBDCs and stablecoins could play a key role in the next phase of global finance. From capital flows driven by presence and relationships to the importance of trust and governance structures, this episode provides a deep dive into how institutions are entering Web3. Topics include: institutional crypto adoption, Gulf–Japan finance, RWA tokenization, stablecoins, CBDCs, Web3 infrastructure, capital markets, blockchain regulation, and global crypto trends. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to AAC and Its Role 01:07 Impact of Geopolitical Situations on Business 03:27 The Bridge Between GCC and Japan 05:00 Institutional vs Retail Investment in Crypto 07:53 Tokenization of Real World Assets 10:07 Decentralized Platforms and Compliance 12:37 The Future of Stablecoins 14:05 Cultural Insights: GCC and Japan 16:23 Building Trust and Governance Structures 19:41 The Human Element in Business22:05 Future Plans for AAC

Justin Waldron, founder of Play.fun, joins David Sencil to explore the future of crypto gaming, Web3 game development, and how blockchain technology is reshaping the gaming industry. Recorded at Team Summit in Tokyo, this conversation dives into how frictionless onboarding, fair token launches, and fast, low-cost infrastructure like Solana are enabling a new generation of games. Justin also shares insights on why bear markets produce the strongest builders, how mobile gaming dominates in Asia, and why simpler, casual games may drive the next wave of adoption. They also discuss the role of AI in game creation, the rise of short-form gaming experiences, and how platforms like Play.fun are lowering barriers by removing wallet friction and enabling anonymous access. Topics include: crypto gaming, Web3 games, Solana blockchain, game development, token launches, mobile gaming trends, AI in gaming, and the future of digital entertainment. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Navigating the Crypto Landscape 05:02 – Introducing Play.fun & Open Game Protocol 10:02 – The Evolution of Game Development 14:54 – The Role of AI in Game Creation 20:03 – The Future of Gaming in Japan 25:08 – Crypto Meets Gaming 29:51 – The Next 12–18 Months

Mark Piano, Director and Consultant at Horizons Global, joins Bitcoin.com News to discuss the future of yen-backed stablecoins, Japan’s evolving crypto regulations, and how legal frameworks are shaping the next phase of Web3 growth. In this episode, Mark explains why Japan’s regulatory clarity could become a major advantage for blockchain builders, and how yen stablecoins may unlock new opportunities in tokenization, DeFi, and cross-border finance. He also breaks down the role of offshore structures, including Cayman foundation companies, and why they’ve become a standard for Web3 projects globally. From Bitcoin’s early real-world use cases to the lessons learned from the DAO hack, this conversation explores how law, infrastructure, and innovation intersect in the crypto industry. Topics include: stablecoins, Japan crypto regulation, Web3 infrastructure, tokenization, DeFi, offshore finance, Cayman foundations, Bitcoin adoption, and global crypto markets. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – Bitcoin Utility in Myanmar (No ATMs) 02:30 – The DAO Hack & Becoming a Crypto Lawyer 03:45 – Moving to the Cayman Islands 04:50 – Why Cayman Became a Crypto Hub 06:05 – What Are Cayman Foundation Companies? 06:45 – Why Ownerless Foundations Matter in Web3 08:00 – Onshore vs Offshore Structures 14:13 – Directors’ Fiduciary Duties Explained 16:33 – Why Mark Is in Japan 17:18 – Yen Stablecoins & Tokenization Opportunities 19:58 – Offshore Stablecoin Issuance21:09 – Institutional vs Retail Market Access

How did Japan become a leader in stablecoin infrastructure—and what role could JPY-backed stablecoins play in the future of global finance? Seihaku Yoshida, Founder and CEO of Hashport, joins Bitcoin.com News to share insights from the frontlines of Japan’s evolving crypto ecosystem. From launching during the crypto winter to building one of the country’s largest stablecoin payment platforms, Seihaku explains why regulation, innovation, and timing all matter. In this episode, we explore Japan’s approach to crypto policy, the rise of stablecoin adoption, and how emerging technologies like AI could reshape how digital currencies are used. If you're curious about stablecoins, global crypto infrastructure, and where the industry is heading next, this conversation offers a unique perspective from Japan. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:34 – Starting the Company 01:21 – Background & Experience 03:26 – Challenges in 2018 05:15 – Consulting & Early Crypto Projects 07:00 – Hashport’s Current Focus 09:16 – Transition to Wallet Infrastructure 11:05 – Japan Expo Experience 13:02 – Strategies & Collaborations 16:31 – Japanese Crypto Users 21:16 – Future Opportunities 26:23 – Japan’s Regulatory Environment 29:00 – The Role of Stablecoins

What is holding blockchain performance back? In this episode, Annabelle Huang, CEO of Altius Labs, discusses crypto scalability, execution-layer bottlenecks, and the growing demand for high-performance blockchain infrastructure. The conversation explores app chains, onchain trading, decentralized finance (DeFi), and how new market players are shifting expectations around speed and efficiency. Topics include crypto infrastructure, blockchain scalability, execution performance, modular architecture, DeFi trading, and institutional adoption. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Scaling Discussion 00:17 - Interview with Annabel Wong 01:09 - Thoughts on Digital Asset Summit (DAS) 02:10 - Tokenization and Infrastructure Insights 03:15 - Privacy and Compliance in Blockchain 05:21 - Altius Labs' Focus and Strategy 08:23 - Fintech and Enterprise Interest 10:05 - Infrastructure Development Trends 13:31 - Privacy Solutions and Challenges 16:37 - Market Trends and Scalability 19:54 - Scalability and Decentralization 22:27 - Institutional Interest and Market Activity 26:58 - Altius Labs' Roadmap and Future Plans