Monty Metzger is the CEO of enterprise blockchain consultancy LCX, based in the country of Liechtenstein, where many of the nation's regulations regarding blockchain are already in place (creating some certainty with respect to the legal operating conditions for companies like his). Blockchain Banking, the book that Metzger recently published is about how the balance of innovation, regulation, and everyday life will change due to digital currency. In the interview with Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind, Metzger that he has been heavily engaged with the World Economic Forum and several central banks as they experiment with the idea of Central Bank Digital Currencies and, based on his experience, tells us that many banks have a keen understanding of blockchain as well as how CBDCs might impact their currency strategies longer term.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/lcx-ceo-monty-metzger-literally-wrote-book-blockchain-banking/

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN-dtG0LmXU

LCX CEO Monty Metzger Literally Wrote the Book on Blockchain Banking

While at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind met with Max Lurya, founder and developer of EnoughTea; an Instagram look-alike application that incorporates the Know Your Customer (KYC) approach of blockchain in order to offer an imposter and bot-free social network.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/tired-imposters-social-networks-heres-enoughtea-version-instagram-built-blockchain/

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIe7KUESAOM

Tired of Imposters on Social Networks? Here's EnoughTea; a Version of Instagram Built on Blockchain

Here in the halls of Blockchain Journal's virtual offices, we've come up with a name for an unsolved blockchain identity problem for which no scalable, technological solution exists as far as we know. We call it "The William Shatner Problem" because, back in July 2020 when a bunch of William Shatner-approved NFTs were posted for sale on Wax.io's NFT marketplace, there was no technological identity standard in place such that buyers could trace any so-called William Shatner NFTs back to the actual William Shatner himself. 

As far as Blockchain Journal can tell, this important element of transactional provenance remains technologically unsolved which in turn means that less scalable non-standard workarounds must be applied when such provenance matters in order to avoid fraud (for example, when purchasing digital assets from a seller that's truly authorized to sell those assets). Those workarounds, which do work but are not inherent to blockchain technology, are currently the basis for much of the trust in the world of blockchain today.

So, when Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind was invited to interview the co-founder of Wax.io William Quigley (who also co-founded Tether) at the NFT.NYC 2023 Conference, he jumped at the opportunity to see if maybe the technological solution existed but was evading the BCJ team. 

According to Quigley, as far as the decentralized ethos of blockchain is concerned, it still remains an unsolved problem. In the interview, Quigley says "One of the challenges with NFTs is understanding the provenance of the item because, while anyone can go on and buy a William Shatner NFT, they would rightly want to know 'Well, did William Shatner actually approve this? Is this really his?'" 

Quigley also points out that technologically speaking, this problem tracks closely to the identity problem that was solved in the Web 1.0 era by Certificate Authorities saying "There are third parties that validate that a company is who they say it is like Verisign for example." But reliance on such central authorities or registries to establish such trust is contradictory to the decentralized religion of distributed ledger technology (DLT). As such Quigley also pointed out that "The goals of blockchain [aren't] where [they need] to be. There's still some trust you have to place in the system. You hear 'trustless' a lot but there are very few things that are trustless. Decentralization is a path and not something that someone has fully done yet." And until standards for technologically assuring (a) the authenticity of an identity and (b) the provenance of digital assets that are connected to that identity are developed, Quigley says "non-blockchain forensics" will be a part of the buyer-beware process. 

Towards the end of the interview, Quigley tells David that NFTs have all sorts of magical properties and applications that are not widely understood and that the buying and selling of digital art, music, and video are just the first of many applications to come.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/decentralization-trust-still-not-fully-solved-blockchain-says-cofounder-tether-and-wax/

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8y_jrQMmUc

Decentralization of Trust Still Not Fully Solved by Blockchain says Co-Founder of Tether and Wax

David Berlind, host of the Blockchain Journal Podcast, interviews David Bchiri, President of XRPL Commons, an independent non-profit organization that helps to drive the success of the XRP ecosystem (XRP is the native protocol token of the Ripple distributed ledger). During the interview, conducted at the Consensus 2023 Conference in Austin, Bchiri explains that XRPL Commons is working towards the support and education of four organization types — "pillars" as he calls them — to drive interest and adoption; universities, large organizations, startups, and the community.  In the blockchain industry, "community" is a standard one-word reference to the collection of individuals — developers, enthusiasts, adherents, retail investors, fans, etc — who, in aggregate typically represent a huge base of support for a given distributed ledger's ecosystem.  XRPL Commons aims to be at the crossroads of these four pillars with dedicated educational programs for each.

As Berlind points out during the interview, blockchain as a technology faces various obstacles when it comes to adoption by enterprises and other large organizations (one of Bchiri's four organizational pillars). Among the challenges is a complete lack of familiarity with blockchain technology among business executives. Most of what those executives see are the unflattering cryptocurrency headlines in the mainstream media.  Bchiri agreed, saying that the solution from the XRPL Commons' perspective is to invite those executives to XRPL Commons-organized briefings where they can learn about the true value of blockchain technology and how it can unlock new opportunities in their specific industries. 

Bchiri echos some key blockchain messages having to do with the erosion of corporate trust and the role that decentralized public ledgers — systems and records with which malfeasant or incompetent organizational personnel cannot tamper — can play.  Whereas centralized systems leave open the opportunity for manipulation of information by one or a handful of people who are in charge of them, Bchiri pointed out that blockchain creates complete auditability and permanence of data that cannot be changed and therefore offers enterprises an opportunity to restore the trust which has been eroding over time.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/xrpl-commons-president-david-bchiri-education-is-a-prerequisite-enterprise-blockchain/

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO3SXEMeDxE

XRPL Commons President David Bchiri: Education is a Prerequisite to Enterprise Blockchain Adoption

Of the many barriers to blockchain adoption that enterprises must contend with, one of them has to do with basic record-keeping issues. If you've ever studied the details of just a single blockchain transaction, then you'd know that, from a financial point of view, such transactions look nothing like the sorts of transactions that are typically recorded into an organization's financial ledger or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. 

Blockchain transactions have multiple "ins" and "outs" and involve financial values that go up to eight decimal points or more. From one chain to the next, there are wildly different transaction fee structures involving multiple fee types, all of which have to be individually recorded and categorized. And then there are the compliance issues. The organizations that set the standards for how all transactions are recorded (blockchain or not) like the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are just now issuing their final guidance on how to comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 

Meanwhile, today's ERP and accounting systems are light years behind. Enter Bitwave; a solution provider that bridges the gap between the way transactions are recorded on dozens of different distributed ledgers and a multitude of existing enterprise financial solutions such as Oracle Netsuite.

To find out more while he was covering Consensus 2023 in Austin, TX, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviewed Bitwave co-founder and CEO Patrick White at the Enterprise Digital Assets Summit (a satellite event that took place the day before Consensus 2023 started).

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/bitwave-looks-bridge-chasm-between-traditional-erp-and-enterprise-cryptocurrency.

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBlbjNRHk3c.

Bitwave Looks to Bridge the Chasm Between Traditional ERP and Enterprise Cryptocurrency Accounting

In this video podcast interview recorded during an Institutional Digital Assets Forum event in Boston on December 4th, 2023, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind and Boston Blockchain Association (BBA) Chair Doug Mehne talk about the objectives of the BBA, why Boston makes for a great blockchain city, and challenges when it comes to blockchain regulation uncertainties.

The event was produced in partnership with the TABB Group and focused on blockchain adoption within enterprises as well as institutional investment in cryptocurrency. In the interview, Mehne highlights the three pillars of the Boston Blockchain Association: education, advocacy, and leveraging the unique Boston ecosystem on the national and international stage.

On the topic of blockchain regulation, Mehne talked about how regulatory certainty is one of the keys to fostering innovation. He noted how jurisdictions with ever-evolving crypto regulations such as India, Germany, and Singapore, are attracting significant investments while such investments are muted in the US where federal and state regulations have largely been gridlocked. According to Mehne, the BBA is looking to foster a productive dialogue with US regulators to promote responsible blockchain adoption.

As for the city of Boston, Mehne argues that the town's unique blend of world-class universities, traditional finance firms, and a vibrant technological startup scene across various industries, make for a unique ecosystem relative to other global blockchain destinations. 

The interview touches on the challenge of explaining blockchain to individuals with preconceived notions and the negative headlines surrounding cryptocurrency. Mehne emphasized the need to showcase responsible use cases and pointed to some upcoming BBA initiatives designed to further drive adoption strategies.

The full transcript text of this video can be found at 
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/boston-blockchain-associations-doug-mehne-regulatory-clarity-is-key-blockchain-innovation

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEjK_1gZalQ

Boston Blockchain Association's Doug Mehne: Regulatory Clarity is Key to Blockchain Innovation in US

By some estimates, pharmaceutical companies will only waste their time developing a drug if it can be patented and potentially deliver $40 billion in revenue over 20 years (during which the patent is protected). And by "development," we're not just talking about the invention part of a drug's lifecycle. Certain compounds might never get invented because the market for them is too small. 

But, there's also the situation where a particular medication is efficacious to a disease the inventor didn't intend. Suppose the market isn't big enough for this so-called "off-label" application of a drug already approved for a different use case. In that case, the inventor is disincentivized from financing the required trials for the drug's additional usage. Without such trials, insurance companies are unlikely to cover the cost of the off-label use, and people are left to suffer. In other words, profitability largely governs what cures are available to sick people and what cures are not. 

Enter Pharma Collective. 

As one of the organization's founding members, Israel Mirsky, explained to Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind, Pharma Collective uses the blockchain idea of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO) to remove profitability as an obstacle to the availability of promising medications. In other words, Pharma Collective is looking to reverse Big Pharma's order of priorities by putting the issue of human health ahead of profitability. During the interview, Mirsky delves into drug shortages, repurposing generic drugs, creating an engine for drug development, and how artificial intelligence impacts the discovery of new compounds and what that means for how those compounds get funded for development.

Key Takeaways
*The pharmaceutical industry has misaligned incentives that prioritize profits over human health, leading to drug shortages and the neglect of specific health needs.
*Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) provide a new approach to incentivize actions that prioritize human health and enable collective decision-making.
* The Pharma Collective is a nonprofit investing DAO focused on enabling human health by subsidizing drug production, repurposing generic drugs, and creating an engine for drug development.
* Blockchain technology and DAOs can potentially revolutionize various industries by removing rent-seeking middlemen and democratizing decision-making.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/pharma-collective-uses-blockchain-make-less-profitable-drugs-available-those-who-suffer

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyLm4u3vRmw

Pharma Collective Uses Blockchain to Make Less Profitable Drugs Available to Those Who Suffer

In this episode of the Blockchain Journal podcast, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Shyam Nagarajan, a global partner with IBM Consulting whose focus is Blockchain and Responsible AI (Artificial Intelligence). Naturally, Nagarajan had a lot to say about the explosive growth of AI, the increasing importance of trusted data in training AI models, and the role that blockchain is uniquely qualified to play when it comes to the responsible, fair, and transparent deployment and governance of AI in the enterprise. 

David and Shyam explore the role of blockchain in ensuring data authenticity and provenance in the so-called "supply chain of AI models." But until actual management consoles and applications are put into business decision-makers' hands, the conversation borders on the theoretical instead of the practical. But IBM is looking to change that with some new application layer governance offerings that sit on top of blockchain with an eye towards ease of access and control. But overall, the conversation highlights the value of blockchain in addressing the challenges and risks associated with AI.

Key Takeaways
* The value of blockchain in the world of AI lies in its ability to ensure the trustworthiness and provenance of the data that AI relies on.
* Blockchain can be used to verify the authenticity and integrity of data used to train AI models, reducing the risks associated with data bias and tampering. 
* An AI-imbued application layer on top of blockchain can provide additional functionality and governance for ease of AI model and data management as well as third-party auditing.
* Education and awareness about AI governance are crucial for organizations to implement responsible AI practices effectively. Today, the need for AI governance is under-appreciated, and it's unclear who within the enterprise should assume the responsibility. This "don't look at me" attitude is delaying the enterprise AI governance conversation while the effects of shadow IT, where unchecked departmental AI deployments start to take root, could become irreversible at the pace things are heading.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/ibm-turns-blockchain-solve-some-ais-thorniest-problems

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwc2pkZ3_FI

IBM Turns to Blockchain To Solve Some of AI's Thorniest Problems

In this special episode of the Blockchain Journal podcast, host David Berlind embarks on another unboxing adventure featuring a factory-dropped polo shirt from Lacoste's NFT-based customer engagement and loyalty program (better known as UNDW3 or "Underwater"). David explains how he found his way to buying a UNDW3 NFT with Ether (a.k.a. ETH, the protocol token of Ethereum) and then, in an act of "token gating," was able to use that card to gain access to exclusive benefits and customer experiences that are only available to UNDW3 NFT holders. 

Throughout 2023, David earned points in the program by going on UNDW3 missions, similar to how they completed certain journeys in Starbucks' Odyssey NFT program. But those points had nothing to do with his right to access the factory drop. Whereas members in the Odyssey program were gifted certain physical items based on points earned (be sure to watch David's unboxing of the care package he got from Starbucks), his status as a UNDW3 NFT holder only earned him the right to purchase UNDW3-branded polo shirts, sweat pants, and hoodies. David picked the least expensive of the three to purchase with his own money: the polo shirt for $125.

Come along as David rips open the box from Lacoste, discovers what's inside, and figures out how Lacoste married the physical item to a digital, augmented reality experience using the Snapchat platform.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/analysis/unboxing-first-phygital-drop-associated-lacostes-undw3-nft-customer-engagement-program

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?Frsjfr6geBw

Unboxing The First Phygital Drop Associated With Lacoste's UNDW3 NFT Customer Engagement Program

In this episode of the Blockchain Journal podcast, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind unboxes a care package from the Starbucks' Odyssey NFT-based customer loyalty and engagement program. Clad in his "My Mom Thinks I Work at Bitcoin" t-shirt (thanks Alchemy!), David first explains how the Odyssey program worked throughout 2023 (he was an active participant) and how he worked his way into a special tier of accumulated points that earned him access to the physical items in the box. 

One by one, he picks through the contents of the box, which include a Starbucks Odyssey-branded MiiR mug, a Starbucks Odyssey hoodie, a coffee passport guidebook (sort of like a wine taster's diary, but for coffee drinkers), a sticker pack featuring images of some of the NFT stamps that he earned throughout 2023, and a canvas tote bag adorned with the Starbucks Odyssey logo.

While Starbucks isn't tying these particular physical items to the NFTs themselves like other global brand enterprise programs have, David discusses Starbucks' chosen blend of the physical and digital realms (often referred to as a "phygital" strategy in blockchain circles). Starbucks came closest to this marriage when it issued large MiiR tumblers to the holders of its Siren NFT (Starbucks uses the word "Stamp" instead of "NFT"). A siren is a special type of mermaid that Starbucks has chosen as the centerpiece of its iconic logo, and each MiiR mug that the coffee house issued to Siren NFT holders bore images of the sirens on their NFTs. 

David offers insights into the Starbucks Odyssey program's mechanics throughout the unboxing, including accumulating points through various activities and tier-based benefits selection. David also notes the personal data implications of participating in such programs, noting the additional personal information, such as shipping addresses, that Starbucks could not have otherwise gathered were it not for how the Odyssey program works.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/analysis/holy-unboxing-batman-starbucks-odyssey-nft-project-wraps-2023-gifts-program-participants

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?OBStfIiLuRQ

Holy Unboxing Batman! Starbucks' Odyssey NFT Project Wraps 2023 With Gifts for Program Participants

In this interview, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Garrett Minks, founder of RAIR Technologies. RAIR claims to offer an enterprise-grade NFT minting and marketplace solution that simultaneously serves as a digital rights management solution for gating access to video content.  

One of the most interesting aspects of RAIR's solution is that it's one of the first commercially available solutions that Blockchain Journal has seen that relies on Ethereum's ERC-4337 specification for account abstraction. Among other things, ERC-4337 allows users of a compliant service to log in with credentials (e.g., social credentials, enterprise identity management credentials, etc.) other than a cryptocurrency wallet like MetaMask. This, according to Minks, is a key user-friendly feature that will enable enterprises to onboard users who aren't very blockchain-savvy and who lack the expertise to work with cryptocurrency wallets. 

The conversation concludes with a demo of the RAIR's standard user interface. But another enterprise feature that Minks discusses is the option for private-labeling the entire solution within an enterprise's corporate branding. Not only can the designs and color schemes of the existing user interface be customized to an enterprise's liking, RAIR offers a comprehensive set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that enable enterprises to run the whole solution in a headless mode, thereby allowing organizations to integrate the platform's capabilities into their existing web or mobile applications (or bolt a front-end of their own making to RAIR's NFT and DRM infrastructure).

Key Takeaways

* RAIR Technologies provides enterprise NFT marketplace infrastructure, allowing enterprises to deploy their own NFT solutions and have full control over their data.
* Understanding the new medium of open public blockchains is crucial for enterprises looking to engage with NFTs.
* Smart accounts and account abstraction simplify the NFT experience for users and enable interoperability with a wider Web3 audience.
* DRM solutions can be used to secure digital assets and provide granular permissioning for end-user and customer access.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/rair-technologies-hopes-attract-enterprises-its-erc4337-compliant-hybrid-nftdrm-solution

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a30rBkCZlA

RAIR Technologies Hopes To Attract Enterprises to its ERC-4337 Compliant Hybrid NFT/DRM Solution

In this episode of the Blockchain Journal podcast, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Daniela Barbosa, the executive director of the Hyperledger Foundation. They cover a wide array of Foundation-related topics, including the formation and growth of the foundation, its flagship project (Hyperledger Fabric, an open source offering that enterprises can use to launch their own public or private blockchains), some of the Foundation's other projects, and the difference between permissioned and permissionless distributed ledgers. 

From a governance point of view, David and Daniela also consider the parallels between the decentralized development and maintenance of open source software and the decentralized governance of public blockchains. With an eye toward improving the adoption of distributed ledger technologies, Daniela talks about the urgency around education and training in blockchain and the building of a commercial ecosystem. The conversation covers blockchain interoperability with existing enterprise platforms and the benefits of Java integration (particularly related to the Hyperledger Foundation's recent announcement of its Web3j project).

Key Takeaways
* The Hyperledger Foundation is the home for blockchain and blockchain-related projects at the Linux Foundation, focusing on open source and open development.
* Hyperledger Fabric is currently the most adopted permissioned distributed ledger platform globally.
* Enterprises are interested in blockchain technology for its potential to bring efficiencies to the market, such as 24/7 liquidity and decentralized identity.
* Open source and open governance are crucial for decentralized technologies, allowing for transparency, security, and collaboration.
* The Hyperledger Foundation aims to support developers, provide education and training, and foster a commercial ecosystem for enterprise blockchain adoption.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/hyperledger-open-source-blockchain-project-looks-make-enterprise-inroads-new-java

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9CWy9XdEO0

Hyperledger Open Source Blockchain Project Looks To Make Enterprise Inroads With New Java Offering

In this podcast, recorded on February 16th, 2024, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Boston Blockchain Association (BBA) Chairman Doug Mehne during a special event at the downtown Boston campus of Suffolk University. Mehne discusses the BBA's plans for 2024, highlighting its focus on institutional adoption, regulatory clarity, and educational initiatives. 

The conversation delves into the BBA's upcoming events, including a March 11, 2024, panel discussion featuring Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Hester Peirce from representatives from major financial institutions like Fidelity and NASDAQ. Mehne emphasizes the importance of collaboration between industry players and regulators to establish responsible frameworks for blockchain and digital asset adoption. Additionally, he touches upon the challenges of navigating regulatory ambiguity and the BBA's role in advocating for clarity and fostering community within the blockchain industry.

Throughout the discussion, David and Mehne explore the motivations behind the Boston Blockchain Association's efforts, emphasizing the organization's commitment to blockchain education, advocacy, and community-building. They discuss a local academic environment that's highly unique to Boston, Massachusetts, with prominent universities like Harvard and MIT actively engaging in blockchain research and education.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/comprehensive-series-blockchain-events-ontap-boston-blockchain-association-2024

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og01tFslOf0

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

Comprehensive Series of Blockchain Events On-Tap For Boston Blockchain Association in 2024

In this special edition of the Blockchain Journal podcast recorded on February 16th, 2024, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind engages in a conversation with Ken Mooney, an adjunct professor at Suffolk University and an angel investor in blockchain technologies. The discussion takes place during a Boston Blockchain Association event at Suffolk University, where Mooney moderated a panel focusing on the challenges of distinguishing blockchain from cryptocurrency and the need for education to clarify this distinction. Mooney emphasizes the importance of education in dispelling misconceptions and highlights the diverse applications of blockchain beyond the applications of cryptocurrency. 

Throughout the interview, Mooney shares insights into his approach to teaching blockchain to his University, discussing the practical applications covered in his classroom, such as blockchain-enabled opiate prescription tracking in healthcare (an example of the anti-double spend feature of blockchain can be used in contexts besides the double-spending of money). The conversation also delves into the potential of blockchain in revolutionizing voting systems despite current challenges and skepticism. Mooney underscores the incremental nature of blockchain adoption, the varied opportunities available for individuals interested in blockchain careers, and the need for skilled blockchain professionals within enterprises.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/university-professor-discusses-urgency-educating-differences-between-crypto-and

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXWLKQthAzQ

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

University Professor Discusses Urgency of Educating on Differences Between Crypto and Blockchain

In this podcast recorded on February 16th, 2024, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Christopher Concheri, founder of Concheri Consulting, during a Boston Blockchain Association event at the Suffolk University campus in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. During one of the event's panel discussions, Concheri expressed concern over the way blockchain is often inextricably conflated with cryptocurrency in a way that many people cannot appreciate the non-crypto applications of blockchain as an application platform.

Concheri sees the need to differentiate between the two technologies. He argues that while cryptocurrency may dominate headlines, blockchain's potential extends far beyond crypto, with broader applications in various industries. Concheri also discusses the challenges that result from this over-association such as an ongoing hindrance to blockchain's widespread adoption.

Throughout the interview, Concheri shares insights into non-crypto applications of blockchain, including its role in enhancing security, enabling fractionalization of assets, and facilitating record-keeping for transactions. He offers examples of blockchain's ability to support lending platforms, emphasizing its potential to disrupt traditional approaches to finance.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/blockchain-consultant-expresses-frustration-over-inextricable-conflation-crypto

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6G-8SquTl8

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

Blockchain Consultant Expresses Frustration Over Inextricable Conflation of Crypto with Blockchain

In this podcast, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Oumayma El Adaoui, a graduate student at Boston University studying banking and financial law with a focus on cryptocurrency regulation. El Adaoui is a part of the first generation of students to enter the workforce who are university-schooled in the many aspects of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.  Given that students often have a very different and fresh perspective on various subjects, David hoped to get her point of view – particularly given her legal ambitions and Moroccan background  – on the many issues surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and international blockchain industry competition.  

Responding to David's questions, El Adaoui offered her insights on the current state of blockchain and crypto regulation, emphasizing the urgency for the US to enact clear regulatory frameworks to avoid falling behind other countries, such as the European Union, which is making significant strides in this regard. Despite not being a US citizen herself, Oumayma stressed the importance of US leadership in shaping global regulatory standards for the crypto industry.

The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating diverse regulatory landscapes across different jurisdictions, highlighting the need for legal expertise in interpreting and complying with various and sometimes conflicting international regulations. 

El Adaoui also discusses her intention to pursue a career in the legal or compliance aspects of crypto, driven by her fascination with interpreting evolving regulations in a field marked by ambiguity. The interview concludes with David Berlind acknowledging the critical role of legal professionals like her in navigating the intricate regulatory environment of the crypto space, underscoring the importance of ongoing discussions and initiatives within the blockchain community.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/crypto-regulations-are-top-mind-university-student-prepares-enter-blockchain-industry

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ-es-60SnU

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

Crypto Regulations are Top of Mind As University Student Prepares to Enter the Blockchain Industry

In this podcast, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Tanya-Elisa (Vasilyeva) Baseley, a regulatory attorney based in Europe. Baseley discusses her work in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of blockchain and cryptocurrency, particularly focusing on compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) established by the European Union. She explains the challenges faced by blockchain companies operating across multiple European legal jurisdictions. She highlights how MiCA helps to establish a common crypto and blockchain regulatory footing across those jurisdictions in a way that provides some legal clarity for businesses operating across most of Europe. 

The conversation also explores the relationship between MiCA and national regulations within each of those jurisdictions (e.g., Germany, UK, Switzerland, etc.), with Baseley emphasizing MiCA's broader scope and potential to supersede country-specific regulations (of which there are many). Additionally, the discussion touches on the implications of regulatory developments in Europe for the global blockchain industry, particularly regarding competition with the United States. Whereas MiCA and certain country-specific regulations are in place in Europe, many organizations in the US are still in a holding pattern when it comes to their blockchain projects because the sort of legal clarity that exists in Europe has yet to take shape in the US.  

However, Baseley doesn't necessarily agree that America's trailing regulatory developments will undermine its international competitiveness in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. She points out how, even though US lawmakers are well behind their European counterparts when it comes to ratifying blockchain-related regulations, everyone still wants and needs access to the highly lucrative US market (perhaps more so than other international markets). In other words, she thinks it's likely that the US will catch up to other crypto-friendly international jurisdictions once its laws and regulations are in place, no matter how long it takes.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/european-blockchain-lawyer-us-will-catch-europe-once-americas-crypto-laws-take-shape

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51whIMZ8Dqo

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

European Blockchain Lawyer: US Will Catch Up To Europe Once America's Crypto Laws Take Shape

In this video, filmed during a special Boston Blockchain Association (BBA) event at the US Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief interviews Bitwise president Teddy Fusaro to learn more about the impact of the January 2024 US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decision to approve of Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). At the time of the publication of this interview (March 2024), Bitwise was one of only 11 different organizations offering Bitcoin ETFs as a financial product. According to Fusaro, Bitwise is an asset management company focused exclusively on cryptocurrency-based offerings.

The conversation delved into the concept of ETFs and their accessibility to both professional and retail investors who, as a result of the SEC's decision, no longer need a crypto wallet to invest in Bitcoin (nor do they need to work with a cryptocurrency exchange). Fusaro talks about the significance of that single structural change as well as ETFs as pooled investment vehicles traded on public exchanges such as NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange.

David asks Fusaro about other Bitcoin ETF issuers (Fidelity and iShares are mentioned) and what the differences are from one Bitcoin ETF to another.  The two also discuss the possibility that an ETF for Ether (a.k.a. ETH), the protocol token for the Ethereum public blockchain, might be next in line for SEC approval.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/bitwise-president-teddy-fusaro-discusses-dynamics-bitcoin-exchange-traded-funds-etfse

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS30cemroJo

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

Bitwise President Teddy Fusaro Discusses The Dynamics of Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)

In an interview during a Boston Blockchain Association event at the US Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind speaks with Hester Peirce, one of five commissioners at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Peirce first clarifies the SEC's mission, emphasizing its focus on protecting investors, fostering capital formation, and maintaining market integrity. She highlights the distinction between the SEC and other regulatory bodies like the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and stresses the importance of understanding the various regulatory frameworks to which businesses operating in the blockchain space are legally beholden. Those frameworks could involve local, state, and federal government organizations in the US as well as other government agencies in international jurisdictions.

As the discussion progresses, Peirce addresses concerns about the slow pace of regulatory developments in the crypto space, acknowledging the complexities that businesses face when it comes to achieving their blockchain ambitions at a time when legal clarity has yet to take form. Although she encourages caution while operating amid such regulatory uncertainty, she encourages engagement with regulators while advocating for a lighter regulatory hand when it comes to oversight of cryptocurrency and blockchain (a personally held belief that has informally earned her the nickname "Crypto Mom" in some industry circles). Peirce also delves into the potential applications of blockchain beyond cryptocurrency, and David asks about the possibility of blockchain's role in emissions data tracking, given the SEC's recent regulatory announcements regarding the disclosure of such data. Peirce was not in favor of those new regulations.

In response to David's questions about regulating blockchain and cryptocurrency on separate regulatory tracks, Peirce agrees with the need to take a more nuanced approach as opposed to painting blockchain (the platform) and cryptocurrency (an application that runs on that platform) with the same brush. Peirce emphasizes the importance of balancing regulatory oversight with market-driven solutions, hinting at the potential of self-regulation. Overall, the interview sheds light on the SEC's stance on blockchain regulation and underscores the need for collaboration between industry stakeholders and regulators to foster innovation while ensuring investor protection.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/sec-commissioner-hester-peirce-we-need-a-more-nuanced-approach-regulating-crypto-and

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO2l5F0kq4s

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce: We Need a More Nuanced Approach to Regulating Crypto and Blockchain

In this special edition of the Blockchain Journal Podcast, Blockchain Journal brings you a recording of a "fireside chat" involving  Boston Blockchain Association (BBA) Chair Doug Mehne and Commissioner Hester Peirce of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

A key focus of their conversation was Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), their recent (January 2024) approval by the SEC, and the extraordinary amount of time it took for the SEC to finally clear the way for the ETFs to reach investors. At the time of publication, there were 11 such ETFs available on the public markets in the US. Peirce is regretful about the time it took and suggested that she might have taken a different approach had she known back in 2018 what she knows now. It's important to keep in mind that Peirce is one of five commissioners who vote on regulatory matters at the SEC and that she does not bear sole responsibility for the passage of any regulation at the SEC, crypto or otherwise.

Among the many topics they discuss, Peirce is keenly aware of the degree to which the lack of regulatory clarity when it comes to cryptocurrency and blockchain is causing American firms to hesitate with their innovations. She cited the ten-year period that elapsed between 2014, when ShapeShift AG first enabled crypto investors to trade certain cryptocurrencies for other cryptos, and 2023, when the SEC finally closed the books on its enforcement action against the Switerland-based company (for acting as an unregistered dealer of securities). Peirce noted how, even if it's through precedent enforcements of the sort that the SEC took against ShapeShift, ten years was too long to establish such precedents as legal guardrails for other American innovators to observe. It gave other crypto-permissive international jurisdictions an opportunity to not only establish a technological lead over the US but also to foreclose on participation by US companies. Despite her concerns, Peirce feels there is still time for the US to catch up.

An introduction from Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind precedes Blockchain Journal's special presentation of the BBA's fireside chat.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/us-sec-commissioner-peirce-says-its-not-too-late-us-catch-blockchain-innovation

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slFqO_JL-CM

For information about the Boston Blockchain Association, please visit them at:
Web: https://bostonblockchainassociation.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-blockchain-association
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bostonblockchainassociatio5811

US SEC Commissioner Peirce: International Blockchain Innovation Comes at a "Cost To US Economy"

In an interview conducted at the NFT.NYC conference in New York, David Berlind engages in a conversation with Amy Kalnoki, the COO and co-founder of Bitwave. Bitwave is essentially an accounting solution that bridges the gap between an organization's traditional financial recordkeeping systems (e.g., NetSuite, Quickbooks, etc.) and its implementations of blockchain. The net effect, Kalnoki claims, is an automated consolidation of all financials (fiat and cryptocurrency) into one single source of truth in a way that's designed to simplify both financial recordkeeping and tax compliance. This arrangement overcomes the inability of traditional financial systems to cope with the complexities of cryptocurrency recordkeeping. 

Creating a single source of truth when public blockchains are involved is a highly nuanced process. Different organizations engage with different public blockchains for a variety of applications that involve different financial patterns. For example, whereas some organizations transact in certain cryptocurrencies as a part of their e-commerce workflows, other organizations rely on a public blockchain for non-payment-related applications that require crypto-based payment of a blockchain's service fees. In those and other use cases, organizations end up keeping some amount of crypto in their treasuries, and the tax implications connected to that activity are non-trivial. According to Kalnoki, it's not just fungible token activity that businesses must keep an eye on. Now, with businesses increasingly discovering the transformative power of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to drive new or improved business outcomes – Kalnoki cites ticketing and gaming as two such applications – trying to track all blockchain-related financials using extemporaneous methods is not an option (which explains why Kalnoki was speaking at a conference about NFTs). 

The conversation shifts to regulatory challenges, focusing on IRS regulation 6050I, which aims to treat crypto transactions over $10,000 as cash equivalents, necessitating detailed reporting. It's a rare example of where a small shred of regulatory clarity exists such that businesses (and solution providers like Bitwave) can work with blockchain in observance of certain legal guardrails. But a dearth of such regulatory clarity is still problematic for most American businesses. As the gears of blockchain law and policy-making have essentially ground to a halt in Washington, DC, organizations are holding, back on their blockchain applications for fear of waking up one morning on the wrong side of the law.  Kalnoki acknowledges the need for more clarity in order to foster compliance and, ultimately, innovation. 

Finally, Kalnoki invites viewers to attend Bitwave's Enterprise Digital Assets Summit in Nashville (July 2024), where the conversation will address the challenges and solutions to business adoption of blockchain amid regulatory uncertainty.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/bitwave-looks-ease-accounting-complexities-arise-enterprise-adoption-nfts

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nHeqppkXa8

For information about Bitcoin2024, please visit:
https://bitcoin2024.b.tc/2024

Bitwave Looks to Ease Accounting Complexities That Arise From Enterprise Adoption of NFTs

In this interview, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind and Cody Carbone, Chief Policy Officer at The Digital Chamber, discuss the myriad regulatory challenges in the blockchain and crypto space, particularly within the United States. But first, Carbone discusses The Digital Chamber's new rebranding (it was formerly named "The Chamber of Digital Commerce"), emphasizing its role in advocating for clear and common-sense laws and regulations for blockchain and cryptocurrency-related technologies. 

The conversation delves into the hurdles faced by enterprises due to the lack of regulatory clarity and how that sort of legal uncertainty stifles innovation. Carbone notes that many companies are hesitant to adopt blockchain technology due to the confusion between blockchain and crypto in policymaking circles. He stresses the importance of distinguishing between the two and educating both lawmakers and enterprise decision-makers on the broader applications of blockchain beyond the usage and trading of cryptocurrencies. 

During the interview, Carbone acknowledges the lack of significant progress over the past decade when it comes to blockchain-related lawmaking. When David asks if that lack of progress is due to the politics rather than the merits and risks of the technology,  Carbone feels as though blockchain regulation is still not yet influenced by such partisanship. But at the same time, he warns that there won't be much progress for the remainder of 2024, given that it's an election year. Carbone is optimistic that the real progress will finally come once the election in November is over.  

The interview concludes with a mention of the DC Blockchain Summit (May 15, 2024), where lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders will gather to advance the regulatory conversation surrounding blockchain and cryptocurrency while also educating the many stakeholders on the technology's nuanced benefits.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/digital-chambers-cody-carbone-predicts-breakthroughs-us-crypto-lawmaking-after-election

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs7R2n3YBsw

For information about the DC Blockchain Summit, please visit:
https://dcblockchainsummit.com/

The Digital Chamber's Cody Carbone Predicts Breakthroughs in US Crypto Lawmaking After the Election

During the NFT.NYC 2024 Conference in New York, Blockchain Journal editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews one of the speakers at the event: Marc Baumann, founder of FiftyOne Ventures and Dematerialzd.xyz. Baumann is well-known for his opinionated analyses regarding the NFT-based customer loyalty and engagement programs operated by some of the world's biggest brands.  The discussion delves into the evolution of NFT use cases, which famously (or infamously, depending on your point of view) began with collectible digital images. Baumann responds to David's questions with a walk down memory lane, examining the past and current NFT landscapes, and eventually ends with some predictions about some of the more nuanced use cases, focusing on tangible business outcomes.

Baumann identifies four key verticals where NFTs are making waves in business applications. The first, tokenization and phygitals, involves the 1:1 marriage of physical items with their digital counterparts on-chain, often facilitated by near-field communication (NFC) chips. According to Baumann, this results in myriad possibilities for post-purchase activations and direct consumer engagement, such as unlocking rewards or exclusive experiences tied to the possession of specific products. Baumann talks about how physical items become proxies for their digital counterparts and vice versa, paving the way towards the idea of token-gating, a fusion of the physical and digital realms where either "twin" grants the holder exclusive, "velvet rope" style access to real or virtual world (a.k.a. "metaverse") customer journeys. 

Baumann also leans into loyalty and rewards, community and commerce, and data insights as the other three key verticals. Baumann emphasizes the need for brands to move beyond the allure of NFTs as standalone collectibles and instead focus on solving real business problems, creating value for consumers, and generating measurable ROI. 

Baumann and David spend a fair amount of time discussing the history of the recently scuttled Starbucks Odyssey NFT program as a bit of a stain on the NFT landscape. This leaves open the question of how, if a big brand like Starbucks can't make NFTs work, what enterprise can? This brings the discussion full circle back to the challenges associated with collectibility (one of the main features of the Odyssey program).

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/dematerialzd-researcher-marc-baumann-discusses-post-starbucks-business-value-nfts-nftnyc

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV2ZBY7vuOk

Dematerialzd Researcher Marc Baumann Discusses the Post Starbucks Business Value of NFTs at NFT.NYC

In this fascinating bit of tribal storytelling, BlockhainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Will Entriken, the lead author of the NFT standard (technically referred to as the ERC-721 specification) at the NFT.NYC conference in New York City.

Entriken is a pivotal figure in the history and development of blockchain-based NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Without his Herculean efforts, the ERC-721 spec as it's known today might not even exist. The same might be said for the current process of ratifying any ERC spec. ERC stands for "Ethereum Request for Comments," a phrase and community-driven consensus process that harkens back to the time-tested RFC (Requests for Comments) process used by the Internet Engineering Task Force to set standards for Internet protocols like the Transmission Control Protocol (the "TCP" part of "TCP/IP"). During the interview, Entriken describes how an entire open source political, deliberation, and development process had to be scaffolded before a standard like ERC-721 could be brought across the finish line.  That scaffolding went on to benefit other ERCs, the standards that sit behind the Ethereum public blockchain and that are often used as the basis for the standard specs found on other blockchains. Entriken explains how his history of working at Google on Linux-related open source projects prepared him for the role he played in establishing a standard process for ERC ratification while applying that process to the ERC-721 spec for NFTs.  

Entriken didn't just play a pivotal role in the development of the ERC process and 721 spec – he is the first to very humbly give credit to others who were involved in the work. He was also the first to mint an ERC-721 compliant NFT under the name "Su Squares."  

As the conversation progressed, Entriken and David explored the diverse applications of NFTs beyond the realm of art and collectibles. They discussed how NFTs could revolutionize supply chain transparency, corporate accountability, and consumer trust. Entriken emphasized that while NFTs serve as the underlying technology, the true value lies in the principles they embody, such as transparency, authenticity, and verifiability.

Looking towards the future, Entriken outlined a vision where NFTs seamlessly integrate into commonplace transactions, becoming as ubiquitous as the databases that currently underpin many daily interactions. Much the same way we don't talk about how databases are integral to our everyday lives, he envisions a shift away from a conversation about NFTs as they transition into a somewhat hidden infrastructural role. Of course, for this to be true about NFTs, it must also be true of blockchain as well.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/lead-author-nft-standard-predicts-nfts-will-melt-fabric-our-everyday-lives

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygg7WcAcj1o

Lead Author of the NFT Standard Predicts NFTs Will Melt Into The Fabric of Our Everyday Lives

From NFT.NYC 2024 in New York City, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind interviews Sam Whitaker, the founder of Quixotish, a newly launched startup focused on the usage of blockchain to drive the success of charities and non-profits. Given how Blockchain Journal is focused on implementations of blockchain meant to drive new or improved business outcomes for big brands and enterprises, Quixotish's first customer – St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – caught David's eye as one of the most well-known non-profits on the planet. During the interview, Whitaker explains how Quixotish's novel blockchain-based approach to driving charitable donations works. 

The general idea, as Whitaker describes it, is for a charity like St. Jude to curate donations of valuable blockchain-based assets (e.g., NFTs) and then for the charity to conduct an auction where those assets are sold on the secondary market with the proceeds flowing to St. Judes as fiat currency. On the surface, it sounds pretty simple. But it's also important for donors to know that when they're dealing with a relatively anonymized address on a blockchain, that address actually belongs to the intended charity. In other words, it can be a bit more complicated than it sounds. 

To ensure accountability, Whitaker highlights the steps he took with St. Jude, including the video recording of wallet setup sessions involving St. Jude representatives and the subsequent publication of these videos on Quixotish's platforms. The interview touches upon the significance of St. Jude's reputation and operational scale, framing it as the "Google" or "Apple" of the charity world, given the charity's multi-million dollar daily cash flow. Whitaker underscores the hospital's commitment to providing free care to children and openly sharing its research. 

Towards the end, Whitaker discusses the practical aspects of the auction, including its timing and accessibility to both crypto and fiat currency users by virtue of St. Jude's reliance on a combined NFT marketplace and custodial wallet solution from Magic Eden. By supporting crypto users across a long list of public blockchains as well as non-crypto users who prefer to deal in fiat currencies like the US dollar, he underscores the initiative's inclusivity, welcoming participation from individuals regardless of their familiarity with blockchain technology.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/how-quixotish-is-helping-st-jude-charity-raise-money-blockchain-technology

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHr3gx8Jy78

How Quixotish is Helping the St. Jude Charity To Raise Money with Blockchain Technology

While covering the NFT.NYC 2024 Conference in New York City, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind caught up with Mojito CEO Raakhee Miller, who, for nearly two years, has been talking about the idea that NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are the "new cookies." David first heard her talking about the idea in 2022 at the Consensus Conference in Austin, Texas. But when it comes to the role of browser cookies as a means for brands and media sites to maintain intimate connectivity with their customers and users, the technical utility of the cookie is facing more significant headwinds than ever.

This erosion of the cookie's utility is largely attributable to three trends: native and third-party ad-blocking technology for web browsers (which can be configured to block cookies as well), the prevalence of cookie consent forms that give web users the power to reject specific cookies, and the recent announcement by Google that it's disabling support for third party cookies in Chrome. Cookies are literally on their way "out," which begs the question of how that connection can be reformulated in a way that does a better job of respecting privacy than cookies ever did.

Enter NFTs and the idea that the NFT is the new cookie. In the interview, Miller emphasizes how NFTs can offer some of the utility of the cookie while at the same time, relying on the principles of decentralized ownership of data and user sovereignty to give customers more control than they had with cookies. Drawing parallels to the cookie, Miller explained how NFTs enable brands to engage with consumers both online and offline, fostering a more transparent and consent-driven ecosystem.

Miller also discussed Mojito's role in helping businesses navigate this transition, providing both strategic consulting and technological solutions to integrate Web3 principles into existing marketing strategies.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/wait-what-blockchains-nfts-are-new-cookies-mojitos-raakhee-miller-explains

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoIY0Y-RdRg

Wait, What?! Blockchain's NFTs are the New Cookies? Mojito's Raakhee Miller Explains

Blockchain Journal Customer Journey Analyst Sophie Maxx Waldman joins BCJ editor-in-chief David Berlind at the NFT.NYC blockchain conference for a conversation about the buzz at the event and how the death of the NFT-based Starbucks Odyssey customer engagement and loyalty program impacted her as both a program user and a Starbucks customer. 

Sophie has written about her experiences with the Odyssey program multiple times, and not only was she sad to see the program – one of the most visible of its kind in the world – come to an end, but Starbucks' termination of Odyssey raises questions about the viability of such NFT programs for other global brands. What went right? What went wrong? What does it mean for other global brands looking into NFTs to drive new or improved business outcomes? How might Starbucks take some of the learnings from the Odyssey program and incorporate them into its existing Rewards program (one of the largest and most visible customer loyalty programs in the world)?  

As David and Sophie point out, Starbucks tried pretty much everything in the book to make the program work. It integrated augmented reality into several of the user "journeys." It relied on NFTs to provide exclusive token-gated experiences. It rewarded program members with NFTs for repeat purchases and sampling new coffees. It gamified certain elements of the program including its Discord-based community center. But despite Odyssey's success at transforming traditional loyalty programs into immersive, social, and gamified experiences while at the same time fostering deeper customer connections with the brand, the program was still scuttled.

As Sophie and David discuss, one challenge faced by Starbucks and other brands entering the NFT space might have to do with the lack of a pre-existing collectible culture. They discuss how NFT initiatives from brands like Nike and Adidas were able to leverage collectibility as a key feature of the pre-blockchain sneakerhead culture (for which no Starbucks corollary existed). Lack of any mojo on the collectibility front wasn't the only issue with the Odyssey program. But it's one of several industry and brand-specific nuances that must be taken into consideration before launching an NFT strategy.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/starbucks-scuttles-odyssey-one-worlds-most-visible-big-brand-blockchain-projects

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2F1QcFrhnc

Starbucks Scuttles Odyssey: One of the World's Most Visible Big Brand Blockchain Projects

In a recent interview at the NFT.NYC conference in Manhattan, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind chats with Nicola Sebastiani, Chief Content Officer of The Sandbox. The Sandbox is a Roblox/Minecraft-style metaverse platform where pretty much all of the assets within, including the land itself, are blockchain-based NFTs that can be bought, sold, and traded on the secondary market. While much of the user experience found within The Sandbox is gamified (similar to that of Roblox and Minecraft), the virtual world platform is actually capable of a diverse range of experiences in music, entertainment, and B2C engagement thus serving as a vehicle for big brands and enterprises to launch their own metaverse experiences.

Sebastiani emphasized The Sandbox's unique proposition as a metaverse provider, enabling brands to create their own immersive experiences within a branded virtual world. Through partnerships and Sandbox-specific tools like Game Maker and VoxEdit, The Sandbox empowers brands to build tailored experiences, whether it's gaming, virtual concerts, learning environments, or museums. These experiences are interconnected within The Sandbox's metaverse, allowing users to travel from one brand's virtual experience to another completely unrelated experience without much friction. 

Blockchain technology plays a pivotal role in The Sandbox ecosystem, with virtual land, avatars, and assets being represented as NFT tokens. Additionally, The Sandbox facilitates occasional primary land sales within the platform (of which there will be a finite number), leaving secondary market transactions to occur externally on NFT marketplaces like OpenSea. Notable brands like Gucci, Warner Music, and The Walking Dead are among the 400 entities already leveraging The Sandbox's metaverse for immersive experiences.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/sandbox-metaverse-pretty-much-everything-including-limited-parcels-land-is-an-nft

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSuZW936qlY

In The Sandbox Metaverse, Pretty Much Everything (Including The Limited Parcels of Land) is an NFT

During the NFT.NYC 2024 Conference in New York City, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind interviewed Jonathan G. Blanco, CEO and founder of Niftmint. The two discussed the evolution of his company and the challenges facing enterprises in the realm of tokenization. According to Blanco, Niftmint's namesake service is a blockchain-based tokenization platform that, among other things, allows organizations to offer digital versions or "twins" of their physical products to customers in a way that seamlessly integrates into existing non-blockchain e-commerce platforms. NFT-based strategies that involve this sort of "digital twinning" are referred to as "phygital" strategies.

One key feature of the platform that could appeal to businesses is that brands and customers do not have to transact with one another using cryptocurrencies in a way that's typical of many blockchain-based solutions. While Niftmint manages the crypto-specific nuances of using blockchain in the background, organizations and customers can transact with one another using fiat currency like the US dollar.

In the interview, Blanco explains the use case for tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs), particularly in the context of luxury brands like high fashion manufacturers. He explains how brands can offer customers NFT-based digital twins of the physical items they buy, thereby enhancing the consumer's overall brand experience and potentially mitigating issues like counterfeit products where the digital twin can serve as a blockchain-based (and therefore cryptographically secured) Certificate of Authenticity. But certificates of authenticity are simply one advantage of pairing individual NFTs with their real world counterparts. As Blanco explains, once a physical product is paired with something like an NFT that's programmable, all sorts of new experiences and business process efficiencies can be tied to that inventory item in a way that benefits manufacturers, marketers, consumers, and other product ecosystem stakeholders (wholesalers, retailers, etc). 

Blanco was a speaker at NFT.NYC, and in his presentation, he argued that current trends in artificial intelligence are driving a significant amount of distrust in the provenance of content and physical goods and that blockchain-based tokenization of both is the most obvious solution. As a result of AI, Blanco predicts a future where consumers will shift their spending to only those physical and digital products that involve a digital guarantee of provenance.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/risks-posed-ai-could-drive-consumer-demand-blockchaintokenized-physical-and-digital-wares

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_BEGXQU6xI

Risks Posed by AI Could Drive Consumer Demand for Blockchain-Tokenized Physical and Digital Wares

Keith Miller, a partner at the Perkins Coie law firm, joins BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind on the Blockchain Journal podcast during the NFT.NYC conference in New York City. As law firms go, Perkins Coie is well-known for its expertise in technology and has been involved in blockchain since 2012. During the interview, Miller recounts his journey into the space, representing early exchanges and navigating major crypto cases involving the SEC, such as Library (LBRY) and Ripple. But the conversation quickly turns to the current day environment where American businesses are hesitant to move forward with their blockchain plans so long as there's a chance they could end up on the wrong side of a law that hasn't even been written yet.

Today, Miller and other members of the Perkins Coie team help the law firm's clients figure out how to move forward with their blockchain innovations, given the significant regulatory uncertainty in the United States. While some states have passed blockchain-specific laws, the US Congress has made virtually no headway in terms of drafting such laws at the Federal level. This situation leaves government agencies such as the SEC, the CFTC, and the IRS to rely on existing laws (laws that were drafted before blockchain existed) to guide their regulatory activities when it comes to blockchain and cryptocurrency. Against the backdrop of that lack of regulatory clarity, Miller discusses the challenges facing organizations in the evolving crypto landscape and advises organizations against the idea of engaging in projects solely for fast profits. Highlighting recent cases involving NFTs, Miller stressed the need for organizations to develop a clearly articulated business purpose for their NFT ventures (implying that making a quick buck off primary market sales of NFTs is likely to attract the attention of regulators looking to carry out their next enforcement). 

The conversation delves into the role of the SEC in fostering innovation amidst its primary objectives of investor protection, capital formation, and market integrity. Miller suggests that regulatory clarity is necessary for innovation to thrive, expressing skepticism about imminent changes from the SEC without Congressional intervention. The current highly tribalistic political divide is further complicating the regulatory landscape, potentially hindering progress when it comes to blockchain legislation. And, so long as the laws are slow in coming, organizations would be remiss not to seek the input of legal experts to help them strike the right balance between blockchain innovation and federal enforcement trends.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/given-regulatory-uncertainties-businesses-should-seek-experienced-legal-input-blockchain

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XST_RfApG1Q

Given Regulatory Uncertainties, Businesses Should Seek Experienced Legal Input on Blockchain Plans

From the NFT.NYC 2024 conference, BlockchainJournal.com editor-in-chief David Berlind checks in with Unstoppable Domains COO Sandy Carter to learn about the unique value proposition of Web3 domains over the plain old internet domains that most Web users and internet destinations are familiar with. Unstoppable Domains is both an internet registry and an internet registrar. According to Carter, perhaps the biggest and most noticeable change from legacy domains to Web3 domains is that legacy domains are essentially for rent. They must be renewed by the registrant on a periodic basis. Meanwhile, Web3 domains are owned. But, according to Carter, there are additional advantages to Web3 domains over their legacy counterparts

Another major challenge associated with legacy domains acquired through legacy registrars is how the internet domain itself (i.e., abc.com) cannot verifiably represent anything about the individual or organization that owns the domain. For example, whereas a Web3 domain can behave as a digital proxy for an entity's identity, credentials, education, personal or organizational profiles, and other information that might be useful to the automation of certain business processes, legacy domains have no such inherent capability.  

Referring to how today's social networks are often the repositories of this personal and organizational information, Carter refers to this capability to associate that data directly with an internet domain the "LinkedIn for Web3." However, whereas most entity-specific data that are kept with a social network is discoverable based on a user's global security settings (ie, "friends only"), the different types of identifiable information associated with a Web3 domain can be individually and optionally shared in an infinite number of specific (and non-global) contexts.

To watch the video version of this podcast or read its full-text transcript, go to:
https://blockchainjournal.com/interview/blockchainbased-internet-domains-are-linkedin-web3-says-unstoppable-coo-sandy-carter

The video can also be watched on Blockchain Journal's YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV1A0CZOYXA

Blockchain-Based Internet Domains Are the "LinkedIn of Web3" Says Unstoppable COO Sandy Carter

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