Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast MoneyNeverSleeps
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| You Can't Code Your Way Out of Risk | Amor Sexton | Blockdaemon [EP. 314] | 08 May 2026 | 00:14:04 | |
You Can't Code Your Way Out | Amor Sexton, Blockdaemon In the last few weeks, Drift and Kelp lost $577 million between them. Neither one was a code exploit. Both were operational and governance failures. Amor Sexton, Chief Operating Officer at Blockdaemon, was last on MoneyNeverSleeps in October 2022 (EP 193) talking about how institutional client expectations of resilient processes would drive blockchain adoption. Three and a half years later, the industry just got an extremely expensive lesson in exactly that thesis. In this episode, Pete and Amor get into: - Why "this isn't a hack, it's a governance failure" is the conversation the industry isn't having - How compliance is a subset of risk — and why DeFi keeps confusing the two - The Web2/human layer compromise that exploits a legitimate Web3 feature - Pluto on Castle Island: "Everything that TradFi has built in terms of circuit breakers, we're just speed running relearning those things in crypto" - The Kelp configuration was a known vulnerability — and 47% of operators chose it anyway - The two or three governance questions every DeFi protocol and LP should be asking right now - Why it always comes back to people, not code Chapters: 00:00 Cold open 00:24 Welcome back to MoneyNeverSleeps 00:55 $577M, 18 days, no code exploit 02:00 Compliance is a subset of risk 03:15 Guardrails and governance 04:30 The Web2 layer compromise 05:45 Speedrunning what TradFi already built 07:30 Why 47% chose the risky configuration 09:00 Three governance questions every protocol should answer 12:30 It always comes back to people 13:30 Sign off Connect with Amor: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amor-sexton/ Blockdaemon: https://www.blockdaemon.com/ About MoneyNeverSleeps: MoneyNeverSleeps is hosted by Pete Townsend, GP at Norio Ventures. Sharp riffs, big ideas, and real insights from smart people in crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance. Connect with Pete: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petetownsendnv/ X: @petetownsendnv Norio Ventures: https://www.norioventures.com Subscribe to MoneyNeverSleeps wherever you get your podcasts: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moneyneversleeps1814 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/moneyneversleeps/id1455819294 #MoneyNeverSleeps #Blockdaemon #DeFi #Crypto #AmorSexton #Governance #RiskManagement | |||
| Making Crypto Tax Efficient | Dan Gold | Stratiphy [EP. 313] | 01 May 2026 | 00:12:30 | |
Dan Gold is founder and CEO of Stratiphy, and as far as anyone knows, the only platform offering tax-efficient crypto exposure to UK retail investors right now. The path got narrow fast. The FCA lifted the retail crypto ETN ban in October 2025. HMRC then closed the stocks-and-shares ISA route at the start of this tax year, leaving crypto ETNs eligible only for Innovative Finance ISAs, which no mainstream platform offered. Stratiphy re-opened the door, partnering with 21Shares to offer bitcoin, ether, and the new BOLD bitcoin/gold hybrid inside an ISA wrapper. We get into the regulatory maze, whether Bitcoin is a lottery ticket or a real line item, and what launching into a 35% drawdown tells you about who your customers actually are. Plus: why the IFAs will come around whether they like it or not. Follow Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gold-5186091b2/ Learn more about Stratiphy: https://www.stratiphy.io CHAPTERS: 00:00 Tax-Efficient Crypto in the UK: The Short Story 00:25 The Regulatory Sequence 03:00 IFAs and the Education Gap 04:00 Portfolio Construction or a Punt? 05:30 Bitcoin: Lottery Ticket or Asset Allocation? 08:00 Launching Into a Down Market 09:30 Where Stratiphy Goes Nex t11:30 Sign-Off 🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ #MoneyNeverSleeps #Crypto #Bitcoin #ISA #UKInvesting #ETN #Fintech #21Shares #Stratiphy | |||
| Sell More or Don't Bother - The Hard Truth of Tokenization | Alejandro Gutierrez | Solana Superteam Ireland [EP. 312] | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:14:48 | |
Tokenization has a perception problem. The industry keeps selling it as an efficiency play — less friction, more transparency, better infrastructure. But if tokenization doesn't help you sell more of whatever you've tokenized, it's irrelevant. Alejandro Gutierrez leads Solana Superteam Ireland and has been building in this space since before most people knew what tokenization meant. Co-founder of the Defactor DeFi protocol. Creator of a blockchain-based supply chain financing application with Consol Freight. And the only builder on a KPMG panel last week alongside the Central Bank of Ireland, Invesco, and Dillon Eustace — in a room of over a hundred people from the heart of Irish financial services. The POC phase is long gone. Ireland has all the ingredients. Now it's time to move product — or get left behind. Also: Castle DAO is coming to Slane Castle. The TradFi Band is yet to be confirmed. Follow Alejandro on X and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/ Follow Superteam Ireland on X and LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/superteam-ireland/ CHAPTERS: 00:00 Sell More or Don't Bother 01:00 Is Crypto Getting Boring? 02:00 Guardrails, Governance and the Drift and Kelp Hacks 03:00 The KPMG Panel — The Builder in the Room 05:00 The Commercial Reality of Tokenization 06:00 What Defactor and Consol Freight Unlocked 08:00 The Colombian SME and Global Capital Formation 09:00 Does Ireland Have What It Takes? 11:00 The POC Phase Is Long Gone 12:00 Before We Go — Buildstation, Colosseum and Castle DAO 🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ #MoneyNeverSleeps #Tokenization #Tokenisation #Solana #Ireland #DeFi #Web3 #Crypto #Fintech #Blockchain #IrishFintech #OnchainFinance | |||
| VC 3.0: Venture Capital Reimagined | Brian McNulty | Lingfeng Capital [EP. 311] | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:15:07 | |
Brian McNulty has been building toward this moment for a decade. When he co-founded the Post Trade Distributed Ledger Group with the London Stock Exchange back in 2015, he was helping the industry imagine what tokenized funds might one day look like. On April 21st 2026, he rings the bell at that same exchange to launch DVF — Lingfeng Capital's Digital Venture Fund — and the circle closes.In this episode, Brian and Pete trace the journey from FAC to the Apex exit to DVF, and dig into what VC 3.0 actually means: a venture fund first, a tokenized structure second, built to fix the distribution problems that have kept private markets broken for decades.They cover why the underlying investment case always has to come first, how Archax and LSEG's Digital Markets Infrastructure underpin the model, what structured transferability actually looks like in practice, who DVF is really for, and the real hurdles the industry still has to clear.DVF is Lingfeng Capital's $100 million regulated tokenized venture fund investing in Series B through pre-IPO fintech, AI, blockchain, and digital infrastructure companies across global markets.Find Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmcnulty/EP 116 — the original FAC episode from 2020: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/116-all-these-funds-brian-mcnulty-and-fac/CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction00:45 From PTDL to Lingfeng — The Journey02:00 What FAC Got Right and Wrong03:15 Why Tokenization Alone Is Never Enough04:00 Private Markets Distribution Is Broken05:00 Venture Fund First, Token Second07:00 How DVF Works — LSEG, Archax and VC 3.009:00 Structured Transferability vs True Liquidity09:30 Who DVF Is For — Four Investor Buckets11:30 The Real Hurdles Left to Clear13:15 Ringing the Bell at the London Stock Exchange🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/#MoneyNeverSleeps #VentureCapital #Tokenization #PrivateMarkets #DVF #VC30 #Fintech #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #LingfengCapital #Archax #LSEG | |||
| Who's Watching the Agent? | Rob Viglione | Horizen Labs [EP. 310] | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:12:04 | |
Who's watching the agent? That's the question at the heart of this episode — and it's one that's going to define the next decade of finance. Rob Viglione spent his career figuring out how machines make decisions in high-stakes environments. From the US Air Force to Afghanistan, and now as Co-founder and CEO of Horizen Labs, he's building the cryptographic trust infrastructure for the agentic economy. Every asset class will be tokenized. Agents will be trading 24/7 across all of them. Your data will be completely public. All the time. The guardrails don't exist yet — and the answer is Zero Knowledge Cryptography. The technology that lets agents prove they did what they were supposed to, without revealing how they did it. Find Rob at horizenlabs.io and follow him on X at @robviglione MoneyNeverSleeps is on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@moneyneversleeps1814And on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/moneyneversleeps/id1455819294 CHAPTERS: 00:00 Who's Watching the Agent?01:30 The Stakes of Agentic Commerce03:00 What Breaks When Agents Hit Financial Rails05:00 Is TradFi Infiltrating or Integrating with DeFi?07:30 Zero Knowledge Cryptography and Privacy on Public Rails09:30 Baking Privacy into the Protocol11:00 Is This ZK's Moment? #MoneyNeverSleeps #ZeroKnowledge #AgenticEconomy #HorizenLabs #Crypto #Fintech #Web3 #Privacy #Tokenization #AI #Blockchain #ZKProofs | |||
| Talent is Equally Distributed, Opportunity is Not | John Hill | Whop [EP. 309] | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:14:52 | |
Talent is equally distributed. Opportunity is not. John Hill, VP of Story at Whop, has spent his career watching founders in Cape Town, Lagos, and Medellín build something real — and then hit a wall the moment they try to get paid. Whop is an AI-backed platform where anyone can build a digital business in minutes, and in February 2026 it closed a $200 million investment from Tether to embed stablecoin payments across 144 countries. The shift from finding a job to being the job is already happening. This is what the infrastructure behind it looks like. We cover
For full show notes and guest links visit moneyneversleeps.ie 🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ MoneyNeverSleeps explores one big idea each week in under 15 minutes with founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance. Subscribe and join the conversation. #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfWork #Tether | |||
| Markets Never Close: The Case for Tokenized ETPs | Alex Pollak | 21Shares [EP. 308] | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:11:34 | |
Markets don't close when the exchange does. They just move somewhere else. In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend speaks with Alex Pollak of 21Shares about why crypto ETPs are not just surviving the rise of onchain finance — they're about to become part of it. Alex Pollak is Managing Director and Head of UK and New Markets at 21Shares, which provides the largest suite of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products in the world. Drawing on over 20 years in the ETF and ETP industry, Alex explains why the wrapper that made crypto accessible to institutions is now evolving into something programmable, tokenized, and potentially tradeable around the clock. Across crypto, fintech, and traditional finance, the conversation around tokenized assets and 24/7 markets is moving from theory toward product reality. Exchanges, brokers, and issuers are beginning to ask what happens when the underlying assets never sleep but the fund structure still does. Rather than being displaced by direct crypto ownership or onchain alternatives, ETPs may be about to get smarter — evolving from simple access vehicles into programmable baskets that operate inside a financial system that no longer has opening hours. This isn't a crypto-versus-TradFi conversation. It's a discussion about financial infrastructure, total cost of ownership, and how one of the most successful product innovations in market history is quietly reinventing itself. We cover
Alex brings a perspective shaped by two decades of watching skepticism turn into a multi-trillion dollar industry — and sees the same pattern emerging in crypto ETPs today. If you're a founder, operator, or investor trying to understand how traditional financial products and onchain systems are beginning to converge, this episode offers a clear-eyed view of where things are heading. 00:00 Markets never close: the cold open 00:30 Intro and guest welcome 01:00 How investors access crypto today 02:30 ETPs vs direct ownership: who uses what 03:30 Total cost of ownership and the spread argument 04:30 How ETP spreads have tightened over time 05:00 From single asset to basket products 06:00 What regulators in the UK, US and Europe are allowing 07:00 The dream: funds as smart contracts 08:00 Tokenizing ETPs and the 24/7 market problem 09:30 Technology ahead of regulation 10:30 The long runway for crypto ETPs 11:00 Closing thoughts and where to find 21Shares For full show notes and guest links, see below. MoneyNeverSleeps explores one big idea each week in under 15 minutes with founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance. If you're interested in where financial infrastructure is heading — from tokenized assets and crypto ETPs to programmable markets and onchain settlement — subscribe and join the conversation. 🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ #CryptoETPs #TokenizedAssets #OnchainFinance | |||
| Transparency Equals Liability: Why DeFi Strategies Get Copied | Matteo Manzi | Orion Finance (EP. 307) | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:14:04 | |
DeFi transparency means every onchain trade is visible. In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend speaks with Matteo Manzi, co-founder and CEO of Orion Finance, about a structural challenge emerging in onchain asset management: the same transparency that makes blockchain markets verifiable can also expose the intellectual property behind trading strategies. Matteo describes this tension with a simple phrase: “transparency equals liability.” If every transaction is visible in real time, sophisticated traders — or automated smart contracts — can monitor strategies and replicate trades almost instantly. Orion Finance is building infrastructure designed to address this problem. The idea draws inspiration from the multi-pod hedge fund model used by firms like Millennium, where multiple trading teams run independent strategies while sharing capital, infrastructure, and execution efficiency. Matteo calls this concept “Millennium onchain.” Instead of isolated vaults competing in the open, Orion’s architecture allows strategies to operate within a shared system where trades can be netted internally, capital can be allocated across strategies, and execution costs can be reduced — all while preserving the confidentiality of the underlying trading logic. Across crypto and traditional finance, the conversation around onchain asset management is beginning to shift from simple tokenized products toward actively managed strategies, capital aggregation platforms, and composable financial infrastructure. If transparency allows markets to verify what is happening, privacy may be required to make those markets investable. We cover • Why transparency can become a liability for trading strategies Matteo brings a builder’s perspective shaped by designing infrastructure for onchain portfolio management, explaining how privacy, verifiability, and capital efficiency can coexist in the next generation of financial markets. If you’re a founder, operator, or investor trying to understand how professional asset management may evolve onchain, this episode explores one possible path forward. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 — Cold open: strategies get copied For full show notes and guest links, see below. MoneyNeverSleeps explores one big idea each week in under 15 minutes with founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance. If you're interested in where financial infrastructure is heading — from stablecoins and tokenised assets to AI-driven markets — subscribe and join the conversation. 🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ #DeFi #OnchainFinance #CryptoMarkets | |||
| Why Stablecoins and Banks Will Coexist | Emma Landriault | JPM Coin (EP. 306) | 06 Mar 2026 | 00:14:13 | |
Money doesn’t become digital overnight. In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend speaks with Emma Landriault of JPMorgan about why stablecoins and bank-issued deposit tokens may end up reinforcing, rather than replacing, each other. Emma Landriault is Executive Director at JPMorgan and global product lead for JPM Coin, a deposit token that enables institutional clients to move money between accounts in real time, 24/7. Drawing on her work building deposit tokens and financial market infrastructure, Emma explains why stablecoins, deposit tokens, and potentially central bank digital currencies represent different layers of the financial system rather than competing forms of money. Across crypto, fintech, and traditional finance, the conversation around stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and onchain settlement is moving from experimentation toward real financial infrastructure. Companies such as Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, and major global banks are increasingly integrating these rails into payments, treasury, and settlement systems. Rather than replacing banks, digital money is emerging as a modular system where different forms of value serve different roles — from programmable treasury operations to onchain settlement and institutional liquidity management. This isn’t a crypto-versus-banks conversation. It’s a discussion about financial architecture, interoperability, and how the rails of global finance are quietly evolving. We cover: • Why stablecoins and bank-issued deposit tokens are designed to coexist Emma brings a systems-level perspective shaped by building real financial infrastructure inside one of the world’s largest banks, explaining why operational reality matters as much as technological innovation — and why the next phase of digital finance will likely be defined by interoperability rather than disruption. If you’re a founder, operator, or investor trying to understand how traditional finance and onchain systems are beginning to converge, this episode offers a practical perspective on where things may be heading. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Why stablecoins and banks can coexist For full show notes and guest links, see below. MoneyNeverSleeps explores one big idea each week in under 15 minutes with founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance. If you're interested in where financial infrastructure is heading — from stablecoins and tokenized assets to AI-driven markets — subscribe and join the conversation. 🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ #Stablecoins #DigitalMoney #OnchainFinance | |||
| Digital Yuan: Trade, Gold, and the New Money Rails (EP. 305) | 02 Feb 2026 | 00:14:01 | |
Money doesn’t become geopolitical overnight. It becomes geopolitical when the rails start to change. In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend is joined by Sean Lee for a focused conversation on what China is really building with the digital yuan and why this moment is about infrastructure, not currency replacement. Drawing on recent meetings with the People’s Bank of China, Sean explains how the digital yuan is moving beyond a domestic CBDC experiment toward offshore settlement, trade finance, and geopolitical optionality. Rather than replacing the dollar, China appears to be building parallel rails designed to keep trade moving in a more fragmented world. This is not a CBDC hype episode. It’s a grounded discussion about trade, trust, gold, and how digital infrastructure reshapes global money flows. We cover: If you’re a founder, operator, or investor trying to understand where global finance is actually heading beyond headlines and hype, this episode is worth your time. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – The next money rails 🔗 Connect with Sean Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-lee-4b7a98/ 🔔 Subscribe for moreMoneyNeverSleeps breaks down one big idea each week in under 15 minutes, with founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance.🌐 https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/
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| Scaling Human Expertise in Crypto and AI | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:11:45 | |
Scaling human expertise isn’t a technology problem — it’s a trust problem. In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend speaks with Joni Pirovich, founder of Crystal aOS, about where crypto and AI quietly hit their limits — and why human judgment remains the real constraint as systems scale. Joni explains how her background in legal and regulatory work exposed a simple truth early on: expertise doesn’t scale on its own. As crypto firms mature, the challenge isn’t avoiding regulation, but earning trust — proving responsibility continuously, with humans still accountable. This isn’t an AI hype conversation — it’s about judgment, guardrails, and the shift from heroics to systems that actually hold up under pressure. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oN7I1_FV14k Sharp riffs, big ideas, real insights — in 10–15 minutes. | |||
| Why Working Less Saved My Startup | 19 Jan 2026 | 00:14:18 | |
Surviving the hard days of startup life isn’t about working more - it’s about building the right support around you. In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend speaks with Ollie Walsh, founder of Pipit Global (exited to Qenta), about founder burnout, resilience, and what actually helps founders get through the hardest stretches. Ollie explains why cutting hours helped more than pushing harder, how peer groups and a supportive board mattered, and why resilience is built quietly over time. This isn’t hustle culture - it’s endurance. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DiwWvnygiwI More at https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast… Sharp riffs, big ideas, real insights - in 10-15 minutes. Hosted by Pete Townsend. | |||
| 2026 Crypto Predictions: Why It All Gets Boring | 05 Jan 2026 | 00:12:59 | |
Crypto doesn’t win in 2026 by being louder - it wins by becoming boring.In this episode of MoneyNeverSleeps, Pete Townsend is joined by Alejandro Gutierrez for a sharp set of 2026 predictions on where crypto, onchain finance, and AI actually go next, as the hype keeps fading and the infrastructure takes over. This is Alejandro’s 11th appearance on the show, and the first in the new era of MoneyNeverSleeps: sharper, faster, and YouTube-led.We break down: - Why the next onchain breakout won’t look like a product, but a primitive - Why blockchains weren’t built for humans — and why AI agents may be the real users - Why privacy is coming back, driven by institutions and regulators, not consumers - How quantum risk is moving from theory to something protocols must address now - Why HTTP 402 and internet-native payments will finally resurface for the modern web. Alejandro brings deep experience from the Solana ecosystem and years in crypto, DeFi, and fintech, offering a grounded view on what’s maturing, what’s misunderstood, and what actually matters heading into 2026. If you care about where crypto is heading beyond price action — infrastructure, AI, privacy, RWAs, and the future of onchain finance — this is a sharp, 13-minute deep dive worth your time. Watch On YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@moneyneversleeps1814 Listen On Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/moneyneversleeps/id1455819294 About MoneyNeverSleepsMoneyNeverSleeps is a weekly show where smart people bring one big idea — and Pete Townsend breaks it down in under 15 minutes. Featuring founders, operators, and investors shaping crypto, fintech, AI, and onchain finance. After 300+ long-form episodes, the show has evolved into a sharper, faster format built for a world where insights need to travel quickly. Sharp riffs, big ideas, real insights. Hosted by Pete Townsend. Website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ | |||
| Stablecoin Power Shift? Dollar Dominance, AI, and Europe’s Big Question (EP.301) | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:13:46 | |
Why are stablecoins suddenly a geopolitical issue? Pete Townsend and Garrett Cassidy break down dollar dominance, EU pushback, AI’s role in digital money, and the future of global financial rails — in one fast 14-minute riff. We cover: Sharp riffs, big ideas, real insights — in 10–15 minutes. Hosted by Pete Townsend. | |||
| The Next Episode - MoneyNeverSleeps 300: One Story Ends, Another Begins | 10 Oct 2025 | 01:28:16 | |
Hey there, I’m Pete Townsend, and this is MoneyNeverSleeps - where we look inside the minds of entrepreneurs and at the crossover of startups, enterprise, finance, technology, and life as we know it. This one’s different. We’re live from The Podcast Studios at HeadStuff HQ in Dublin - the legendary former Westland Studios where artists like U2 and Hozier recorded in the past - for Episode 300. Seven years. Three hundred episodes. Hundreds of conversations with founders, investors, operators, technologists and builders. One story ends, another begins. To mark the moment, I’m joined by Mai Santamaria and Alejandro Gutierrez, two of the rocks who’ve carried the show forward in the post-Eoin Fitzgerald era. We look back on how it all started with “two mics and a backpack,” revisit some of our bold 2025 predictions, riff on tokenization, stablecoins, and AI, and reflect on what this community has built together. Big thanks to Search4Less and Barry Darmody for sponsoring this episode, to Conan Brophy for seven years of production wizardry, and to every single one of you who’s listened, shared, or joined in along the way. Featuring: Mai Santamaria, Alejandro Gutierrez, Conan Brophy, Paul Smyth, Barry Darmody Full predictions recap at moneyneversleeps.ie 🔗 LINKS Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 299: Norio Ventures’ Next Phase | Scaling Solana in Ireland | Stablecoin Growth | Tokenized Securities | Alejandro Gutierrez | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:38:32 | |
Alejandro Gutierrez joins me to talk Solana in Ireland, stablecoins, and tokenized securities - plus I share the launch of Norio Ventures Fund I and what’s ahead for Episode 300. 🔹 Scaling Solana Superteam Ireland and building community across the island 🔹 Plus, we look ahead to the Payments Innovation Roundtable in Dublin, and CryptoMondays Belfast About MoneyNeverSleeps: I’m Pete Townsend, host of MoneyNeverSleeps and General Partner of Norio Ventures. With nearly 300 episodes, this show dives into the minds of entrepreneurs at the intersection of startups, finance, technology, and life as we know it. References:
LINKS: Solana Superteam Ireland: Website | X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn Alejandro Gutierrez: X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 298: Techstars Web3 Demo Day 2025: Live from NY Tech Week | 29 Jul 2025 | 01:00:41 | |
This week, we're doing something different on MoneyNeverSleeps. You're coming inside the room for the Techstars Web3 Demo Day 2025, recorded live at Civic Hall in NYC during NY Tech Week, where we brought 5 incredible Web3 startups to the stage for a standing-room-only crowd of founders, investors, and builders. These aren’t founders chasing hype - they’re building with traction, with purpose, and with an eye on the next version of the internet. Along the way, you’ll hear:
You’ll hear from:
🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube: Techstars Web3 Demo Day 2025 LINKS: Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 297: Grit, Mud & $400K | Jesse Phillips | Trustware Co-Founder & CEO | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:52:51 | |
This week, I caught up with Jesse Phillips, co-founder and CEO of Trustware, and one of the most quietly determined founders I’ve ever backed. I invested in Jesse and his co-founder Jonathan Frazier through the Techstars Web3 accelerator in 2023, and since then, Trustware have done what most early-stage startups only dream of—shipping a real product, signing real customers, and generating real revenue… all on just $400K in capital and a team of six. In this conversation, Jesse and I get into what it really takes to build through the mud - when you’ve got more vision than runway, and the only way out of the mud is through the mud. We talk about the early decisions that shaped Trustware’s roadmap, the week Jesse had to tell his team he couldn’t promise their next paycheck, and why raising less money actually made them a stronger company. Trustware is building what Jesse calls “a switchboard for crypto” - a way for wallets and apps to exchange any asset for any other asset(s) across chains and identity layers. It’s a big vision with a deeply pragmatic approach - and one that’s already helping crypto-native teams clean up the mess under the hood. This one’s a masterclass in staying focused, tuning out the hype, and building for the long game.
LINKS: Trustware: Website | X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn | Discord Jesse Phillips: X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn In this episode:MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 296: The Unstoppable Founder | Allard Luchsinger from Techstars | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:50:42 | |
This week, I sat down with my longtime Techstars colleague and friend Allard Luchsinger, Managing Director of the ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance Accelerator in Amsterdam. Allard and I have been on each other’s investment committees for years, so this conversation hits a bit differently. We’ve traded notes across dozens of startups, and we’ve seen each other call the shots on what makes an unstoppable founder. That theme became the golden thread through this episode. We get into Allard’s journey from building startups during the dot-com era, to co-founding a zero-commission trading platform years before Robinhood, to leading one of Europe’s most respected fintech accelerators. We also dig into:
This one’s full of hard-earned wisdom from someone who knows both sides of the founder–investor equation, and delivers it all with a calm clarity that hits home. LINKS: Connect with Allard Luchsinger on LinkedIn ABN AMRO + Techstars Future of Finance Accelerator: Website | LinkedIn Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 295: VC For the Rest of Us | Shuttle | Scott Ashmore and Rob Halligan | 30 May 2025 | 00:48:14 | |
This week, I’m joined by Scott Ashmore and Rob Halligan, co-founders of Shuttle - a platform giving individuals access to venture capital deals that have traditionally been reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Scott and Rob are best friends of 25 years, first-time founders, and the type of guys who rolled up their sleeves, built something that didn’t scale, tore it all down, and came back with something far more powerful - and regulated - with Shuttle. We get into:
This is a story of friendship, frustration with the status quo, and the belief that access to financial upside shouldn’t be limited by your net worth. Learn more about Shuttle: Shuttle enables busy professionals to co-invest alongside well-known venture capital firms, regardless of their knowledge, network or net worth. Since launching in December last year, they've already enabled their customers to invest alongside 15 VC funds. LINKS: Shuttle: Website | X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn | Unsophisticated Investor Newsletter Scott Ashmore: LinkedIn Rob Halligan: LinkedIn Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 294: Superteams, Startups and Stablecoins - Solana’s Bet on Ireland | 23 May 2025 | 00:30:37 | |
This week, I’m joined once again by Alejandro Gutierrez, now officially leading Solana Superteam Ireland, a new initiative powered by the Solana Foundation to accelerate Web3 innovation across the entire island of Ireland. In this conversation, Alejandro and I go deep on how Solana Superteam Ireland came to life, why the momentum is building so quickly, and what this means for Ireland as a Web3 hub. Alejandro shares how he went from convincing Dogpatch Labs to give him a table and a few chairs to creating a thriving Talent Hub that’s now attracting builders every Friday. That energy evolved into the Dublin BuildStation, a collaborative space supporting 19 project submissions to the recent Solana Colosseum Hackathon. From stablecoin payments and agentic AI to health tech and startup funding, we talk about the intersection of talent, ecosystem development, and the future of digital finance on Solana in Ireland. In this episode:
EVENTS: Dublin Tech Week - May 23rd- 30th, 2025 - full event listing CryptoMondays Ireland with ETHDublin, Solana Superteam Ireland & Techstars - 26th May 2025 Techstars Web3 2025 Demo Day at NYTechWeek (NYC) - 4th June 2025 LINKS: Solana Superteam Ireland: Website | X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn Alejandro Gutierrez: X/(Twitter) | LinkedIn Leave a review & subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoneyNeverSleeps (website) Email us: info@norioventures.com Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 293: Building Bridges: Simon Brown on Ethereum’s Cultural Gravity and Consensys Network State | 09 May 2025 | 00:37:52 | |
Simon Brown joins me to share how his role at Consensys has evolved since his last appearance in January 2024 and why he’s now leading the charge on the Consensys Network State. It’s all about reconnecting the sprawl of the Ethereum ecosystem, reinforcing the cultural gravity that made Ethereum magical in the first place, and creating a more cohesive network of builders, founders, and ecosystem experts. In this episode, we dive into how the Consensys Network State initiative is setting the stage for Ethereum’s next decade, how it’s bridging gaps between projects and people, and what it means for the future of decentralized coordination. We also get into some big-picture thinking around the evolution of Ethereum, the rise of network states, stablecoin growth, and what it takes to keep that cultural gravity intact as Ethereum continues to grow. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Simon Brown and Consensys: Simon Brown: X(Twitter) | LinkedIn | Medium Consensys: Website | X(Twitter) Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Connect with Pete Townsend and MoneyNeverSleeps: Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 292: Done Deal: Ollie Walsh on Pipit’s 12-Year Journey to Qenta | 02 May 2025 | 00:35:50 | |
This week, I’m welcoming back Ollie Walsh, formerly the co-founder and CEO of Pipit Global, and now, the President of Qenta, following Qenta’s recent acquisition of Pipit. This is Ollie’s fourth appearance on MoneyNeverSleeps, making him the all-time guest record holder on the show. This conversation is a special one. Not only has Ollie been building something purpose-driven and globally relevant for over a decade, but I’ve also had the privilege of sitting on Pipit’s board since 2019 and seeing the full journey from the inside. In this episode, we dive into the first public conversation about Pipit’s acquisition by Qenta. US-based Qenta is rethinking how money moves around the world, blending fintech, blockchain, and impact into one powerful payments platform. In this episode, Ollie and I get into the weeds on what it really takes to build a startup with social impact at its core, what it feels like to finally get a deal across the line after years of trying, and how it all unfolds when you're leading with purpose rather than flash. We also get into:
This one’s packed with honest reflections, tactical insights, and a rare look inside the real M&A journey from a founder who lived every second of it. If you're building with purpose, fundraising under pressure, or just trying to stay centered through it all, this one’s for you. Connect with Ollie Walsh and Qenta: Ollie Walsh: LinkedIn Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Connect with Pete Townsend and MoneyNeverSleeps: Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 291: Scaling Without VC: The Long Game with Fergal McGovern from VisibleThread | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:44:48 | |
This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Fergal McGovern, founder and CEO of VisibleThread, for one of the most enlightening founder chats I’ve had in a while. Fergal’s been building for decades—starting with enterprise systems in the '90s, then launching and selling his first startup SteelTrace, and eventually pivoting VisibleThread through the 2008 crash into a trusted platform serving global leaders like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Comcast, and government agencies across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. What I loved about this conversation is how practical and honest Fergal is—especially when it comes to the real story behind fundraising. He’s been through the early seed round, the post-pivot rebuild, and the tough decision to fuel growth with debt instead of chasing a VC path that didn’t quite fit. In this episode, we get into: - Why 50% growth year-over-year is solid—but not VC-sexy - What makes a startup truly “VC-eligible” (and what doesn’t) -How Fergal built a repeatable sales playbook before hiring reps—and why that mattered more than headcount - The thinking behind VisibleThread’s expansion into a second product—basically Grammarly for secure, regulated environments - Why GenAI and agents aren’t always the right tool—and when logic still wins - And yes, how designing gardens relates to building great UX If you’re a founder figuring out your funding path—or just trying to scale without losing your mind—this one’s for you. Resources: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Ben Horowitz Episode 170 of the Full Ratchet podcast: Craig Wortmann - Sales Mastery & Storytelling at Scaling Startups Connect with Fergal McGovern and VisibleThread: Fergal McGovern: LinkedIn VisibleThread: LinkedIn | Website Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Connect with Pete Townsend and MoneyNeverSleeps: Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 290: The Ethical Hacker Mindset with Yev Broshevan from Hacken | 11 Apr 2025 | 00:38:59 | |
This week, I sat down with Yev Broshevan, co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at Hacken, a leading blockchain security firm focused on making Web3 a safer, more trustworthy place for everyone. Even better? Yev’s birthday is the same day this episode drops - happy birthday, Yev! Yev’s story goes way back to her early days as a cybersecurity engineer in Ukraine, where weak institutions and a hacker’s curiosity led her deep into the world of Bitcoin back in 2014. Since then, she and her Hacken co-founders have been building a mission-driven business around ethical hacking—using a mindset of creativity and values to secure everything from smart contracts to crypto exchanges. In this episode, we get into:
We also talk about Hacken’s move into the US, how the security landscape has evolved since the early days of crypto, and what the industry still needs to get right to earn back trust. From Web2 to Web3 to Human 2.0, this one’s got layers. Connect with Yev Broshevan and Hacken: Yev Broshevan: X/Twitter | LinkedIn Hacken: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Website Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Connect with Pete Townsend and MoneyNeverSleeps: Pete Townsend: X/Twitter | LinkedIn MoneyNeverSleeps: X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Newsletter | |||
| 289: BlackRock’s BTC Flex | On-Chain Politics | Tokenized Fund Liquidity | SBF Still Scheming | Laura Walsh | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:41:50 | |
This week, I’m joined by the ever-insightful and gloriously unfiltered Laura Walsh for a whirlwind spin through the crypto-political multiverse. From BlackRock’s Larry Fink flirting with Bitcoin as the next global reserve currency to Trump-World and Cowboy State stablecoins, this episode has more layers than a Siberian haplogroup. What’s inside? Larry Fink’s crypto come-up – From “index of money laundering” to “Bitcoin might dethrone the dollar”? BlackRock’s shifting narrative and what it really means. Bitcoin as collateral – Is BTC ready to step into the reserve asset big leagues, or are we still in the pool noodle phase of macroeconomic modeling? The Trump Token-verse – Meme coins, stablecoins, and the political gamification of crypto. Spoiler: It’s not a joke just because it’s April Fool’s. The great stablecoin expansion – From USD1 to USYC, Pete and Laura unpack where stablecoins are headed, why transparency matters, and how to make sense of the growing crowd — without losing your shirt. Ondo’s liquidity leap – Tokenized treasuries meet real-time settlement. Is this the workaround we’ve been waiting for? Digital identity vs. digital anonymity – Institutional KYC meets privacy paranoia. Can we have both? Wyoming’s legal side-quest – The Cowboy State wants its own stablecoin. The Constitution might have a word. The 23andMe acquisition rumor – Is your genome going on-chain? What could possibly go wrong? Plus: Canadian election shout-outs, doomsday memes, and Laura’s adventures dodging gun racks and memecoins. Also in this episode: CryptoMondays Ireland is back on April 7th, with a fireside chat (or maybe just vibes) between Pete and Alejandro Gutierrez from Solana Superteam Ireland. ETH Dublin is heating up with Vitalik Buterin and Stani Kulechov joining the speaker lineup from May 23–25. And yes, Sam Bankman-Fried wants to be friends with Diddy again. That’s... a whole thing. Connect with Laura Walsh: LinkedIn | X(Twitter) Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter): Pete Townsend | MoneyNeverSleeps Follow on LinkedIn: Pete Townsend | MoneyNeverSleeps MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack | |||
| 288: Anthony Rose, SeedLegals | 99 Problems (But My Legals Ain’t One) | 28 Mar 2025 | 00:50:30 | |
Anthony Rose is the co-founder and CEO of SeedLegals, the #1 platform for startup funding and legals in the UK. But long before he was helping tens of thousands of founders raise capital and avoid legal potholes, Anthony was in the digital trenches – first turning the music industry on its head with Kazaa, then helping reinvent online streaming at the BBC with iPlayer, before building and selling a few startups of his own. In this episode, we go deep into what it really means to have founder-problem fit, the magic of applying a product mindset to gnarly challenges like startup legal docs, and how Anthony is now taking SeedLegals across the pond to crack the US market. We also talk about reinventing yourself as a founder, knowing when to build vs. when to sell, and why your legal docs should be like the owner’s manual in your car – built on all the ways things can go wrong. If you’ve ever tried to sell an unfinished product, pitched into skepticism, or had a strange love affair with a weirdly specific problem – this one’s for you. KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE
Connect with Anthony Rose and SeedLegals: KEYWORDS: SeedLegals, Anthony Rose, Pete Townsend, MoneyNeverSleeps, startup legal docs, founder problem fit, UK startups, US expansion, startup funding, cap tables, term sheets, startup founder tips, legal tech, product development, startup fundraising, iPlayer, Kazaa, venture capital, VC advice, New York startups, scaling globally, early stage startups, startup mistakes, how to pitch, founder legal protection, Techstars Web3, startup accelerator Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 287: Worlds Colliding | The Great Web3 Crossover with Alejandro Gutierrez | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:26:58 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend and returning guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez, and we get into the thick of what I like to call “worlds colliding” — the convergence of Web3 and TradFi that’s playing out in real time. From Robinhood stepping into prediction markets, to ETF filings for Solana, XRP, and even Sui, and even the Fed making front-page crypto headlines, this one's packed with all the signs that the walls between the old and the new are coming down fast. What we cover this week:
Links & Resources: Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:
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| 286: Introducing the Techstars Web3 Accelerator Class of 2025 | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:07:28 | |
In this episode, we’re announcing the Techstars Web3 Accelerator Class of 2025 featuring founders from the six web3 startups that Techstars are investing in and accelerating in 2025 and beyond. Get ready for insights from:
All of these founders just completed Week 1 of the 13-week Techstars Web3 accelerator. As all of the founders for the six startups are scattered around the world, they all traveled to Dublin for Week 1 as Ireland is a fantastic place to build relationships fast. In the pressure cooker of a mostly virtual 13-week accelerator program, it’s crucial for the founders to get their relationships off the ground with the Techstars team and with each other, as their accelerator classmates should become the best founder support group they’ll ever have. After an intense first week of workshops, mentors, pitch-building, and then live pitching at the big Techstars Web3 launch night at Toners in Dublin which doubled as the very first CryptoMondays Ireland event, the founders decamped to go virtual for the next 5 weeks before meeting in London in April and then NYC during NYTech Week for Demo Day in the first week of June 2025. LINKS & RESOURCES: Learn more about the Techstars Web3 Accelerator: Connect with each startup:
Keywords: #techstars #mentors #web3 #accelerators #entrepreneurship #podcast #startupecosystem #cryptolending # #privacy #oracles #bitcoinliquidity #security #blockchainnodes Leave a review and subscribe on: Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow us on X(Twitter):
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| 285: Startup Smarts & Web3 Wisdom | Highlights from the Past Year | 21 Feb 2025 | 00:41:28 | |
This week, we’re taking a look back at some of my favorite moments from the past year—the conversations that stuck with me long after we hit stop on the recording. If you missed them the first time around, now’s your chance to catch the highlights! And here’s the kicker—every one of the eight segments I pulled together features a mentor from the Techstars Web3 Accelerator that I lead. It’s part highlight reel, part "thank you" to these incredible people who help founders navigate the startup grind. A huge shoutout to Mai Santamaria, Patrick Pinschmidt, Hesus Inoma, Rita Martins, Alejandro Gutierrez, Laura Walsh, Philipp Pieper, Timo Lehes, and Arabian Prince from NWA for sharing their wisdom. A number of these guests will also be joining us at the Techstars x Crypto Mondays Ireland event that Hugh McGirr and I are hosting in Dublin on Monday, March 10th at Toner’s Pub. If you’re around, come reconnect with old friends, meet new builders, investors, and operators across Web2, Web3, and enterprise, and hear from our Techstars Web3 Class of 2025. You might even enjoy a pint of Guinness while you’re at it. Check out the Luma linkto register here. LINKS: Keywords: #techstars #mentors #web3 #cbdc #beststartupinsights #entrepreneurship #podcast #startupecosystem #venturecapitalinsights #blockchaintrends #AI #crypto #fintechinnovations Leave a review and subscribe on Check out all of the original episodes we featured:
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| 284: Operation Chokepoint 2.0 | SEC’s Next Crypto Journey | Solana’s Growth | Alejandro Gutierrez | 17 Feb 2025 | 00:44:14 | |
Alejandro Gutierrez joins me once again to dive into some of the biggest conversations in crypto right now, including:
Plus, we share the details on an exciting new event—Techstars and CryptoMondays Ireland are teaming up for a first-of-its-kind gathering in Dublin on March 10th (register here). Alejandro Gutierrez is a leading figure in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space and an early adopter of real-world asset tokenization. Alejandro has contributed to the growth of DeFi through his work with MakerDAO, Tokeny, Securitize, and Centrifuge, as well as his co-founding of Consolfreight, Defactor, and ETH Dublin.EPISODE LINKS: Operation Chokepoint 2.0 / Debanking Coinbase - the facts are the facts FDIC (X, 6-Feb-25) Operation Chokepoint 2.0 - Nic Carter, Castle Island Ventures (Pirate Wires, 8-Feb-23) Marc Andreessen on Joe Rogan (Joe Rogan Experience, 27-Nov-24) Fed's Powell Says He's Also Worried About Debanking (Coindesk, 11-Feb-25) Graham Rodford from Archax on the UK situation (Linkedin, recently) New Era in the SEC with Crypto The Journey Begins - SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce (SEC, 4-Feb-25) Other Topics Solana DEX Volume Tops $60M as It Looks to Extend 4-Month Winning Streak Over Ethereum (Coindesk, 11-Feb-25) BitGo Mulling IPO This Year (Coindesk, 11-Feb-25) Uniswap Labs Officially Launches Layer-2 ‘Unichain’ (Coindesk, 10-Feb-25) Keywords: #OperationChokepoint2 #debanking #SolanaDEXvolume #UniswapLayer2 #Cryptoregulation2025 #DeFI #Institutionalcryptoadoption #SolanaETFs #seccryptopolicy Leave a review and subscribe on Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:
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| 283: Arabian Prince | The N.W.A Pioneer Empowering the Next Tech Generation | 31 Jan 2025 | 00:37:07 | |
This week, we’re tapping into the intersection of hip-hop, technology, education and startups with a true pioneer—Arabian Prince. If you know your rap history, you know Arabian Prince as one of the founding members of N.W.A, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rap group that redefined music and culture. But what you might not know is that he’s also a lifelong technologist, entrepreneur and futurist—a kid from Compton who got his hands on a computer early and never looked back. From songwriting, rapping and DJ-ing to producing electro-funk beats and Grammy-nominated #1 hit song Supersonic to leading innovation in 3D animation, video games, and blockchain, he’s been pushing the boundaries of technology for decades. In this episode, we talk about how a chance encounter with an N.W.A-inspired crypto-merch baseball cap led to this conversation, and from there, we cover everything—his early love for tech, how music and technology shaped his career, and his mission as founder of INov8 Next Open Labs and co-founder of INov8 Capital to bring the next generation of kids into the world of tech. Form beats to bytes, Arabian’s story is all about curiosity, hustle, creativity, and breaking boundaries—whether it’s in music, business, or technology, so this is one you don’t want to miss. EPISODE LINKS
QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE
SHOW NOTES 01:45 – The backstory: A crypto merch cap leads to this conversation 04:10 – Growing up in Compton, discovering computers, and early influences 08:50 – Blending music and technology: from electro-funk to hip-hop 11:15 – The birth of N.W.A and leveraging tech in the studio 14:40 – Why Arabian Prince left N.W.A and pivoted into animation and video games 16:20 – Working on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Silver Surfer, and Casper 18:30 – Founding iNov8 Next Open Labs and building tech education initiatives 21:05 – The regional approach: Adapting tech education to different U.S. communities 24:15 – Leveraging relationships and hip-hop’s legacy to open doors in tech 27:40 – Thoughts on blockchain, AI, and the future of digital ownership 29:50 – The impact of teaching kids about technology and entrepreneurship 32:00 – Fun facts about Arabian Prince: his love for SpongeBob and video games 34:00 – Arabian’s connection to Ireland and plans for visiting soon 35:00 – Closing thoughts and where to find Arabian Prince online Keywords: #arabianprince #nwa #rap #hiphop #tech #education #inov8next Shout-outs and hat-tips: Amor Sexton, Philipp Pieper, Timo Lehes, Katie Evans, Kene Ezeji-Okoye Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| Trump Memecoin Mania, SEC Shakeups, and the Future of Finance with Laura Walsh | 24 Jan 2025 | 00:42:19 | |
Laura Walsh returns this week to help me unpack the whirlwind of events shaking up crypto, finance, and politics—from Trump’s memecoin antics to regulatory shifts and the ever-increasing adoption of crypto by institutional finance. Laura Walsh is a Techstars All Star Mentor, advisor, founder, web3 OG and friend, and in this episode, we dive into:
There’s no shortage of action in this episode—memecoins, market shifts, regulatory updates, and some fascinating history lessons all packed into one conversation! Resources & Mentions: Gary Gensler Leaves SEC, and Cryptocurrency-Friendly Mark Uyeda Is Appointed (Binance, 20-Jan-25) SEC Forms New Crypto Task Force Spearheaded by Hester Peirce (CoinDesk, 21-Jan-25) Trump’s meme coin is a reminder of crypto’s dumbest use case (CNN, 21-Jan-25) Alternative viewpoint on memecoins from Kevin DeGods (X/Twitter, 20-Jan-25) Canada has threatened ‘dollar for dollar’ retaliatory tariffs and ‘nothing is off the table’ (National Post, 21-Jan-25) The Irish whiskey playbook: an insider’s guide to how firms must navigate Trump’s DC (Business Post, 20-Jan-25) Dfns Raises $16 Million to Expand Crypto Wallet Infrastructure (Pymnts.com, 17-Jan-25) Circle buys tokenized money market fund Hashnote-USYC (Finextra, 21-Jan-25) Tornado Cash off OFAC List (Cointelegraph, 22-Jan-25) Ross Ulbricht pardoned (X, 21-Jan-25) Connect with Laura Walsh on social media: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralwalsh/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOGLauraWalsh Keywords: Trump, memecoins, crypto, regulations, SEC, tokenized assets Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 281: The Art of Startup Exits | Brian McDonald from Bay Advisory | 17 Jan 2025 | 00:47:04 | |
Brian McDonald is a partner at Bay Advisory, a corporate finance firm helping founders navigate funding, scaling, and exiting their businesses. Brian first joined the show in 2021, and now, four years later, he returns to share updated insights on startup exits, valuations, and the evolving market landscape. From the importance of staying true to your business identity to understanding deal structuring and negotiation tactics, Brian breaks down what founders need to know before, during, and after an exit. He also shares his thoughts on current trends, including valuation shifts, the rise of AI-driven businesses, and the significance of knowing when to walk away from a deal. If you’re a founder planning your next fundraising round or thinking about an exit, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples that you won’t want to miss. Key Takeaways 1. Stay True to Your Business Identity: Many founders feel pressured to present their business as a SaaS or AI-driven venture to attract investors, but Brian emphasizes the importance of positioning your business based on what it truly is rather than shaping it to fit investor expectations. 2. Avoid Venture Capital If You Plan to Keep Your Business Long-Term: If you’re building a business to own and operate for life, taking on investors expecting a return may not be the right move. Transparency about your vision is crucial in aligning with the right partners. 3. Consider Alternatives to Full Exits: Founders don’t have to sell their entire company to achieve financial security. Partial exits or taking some cash off the table while continuing to scale can be viable options. 4. Valuation Challenges in Today’s Market: Valuations fluctuate, and generic revenue multiples can be misleading. Founders should focus on comparable deals and be realistic about their company’s value in the current market conditions. 5. Earnouts and Deal Structuring: Few exits involve a full cash payout at closing. Earnouts based on future performance are common, and founders should aim for turnover-based earnouts rather than EBITDA-based, as buyers can manipulate EBITDA figures.. 6. Know Your ‘No’ and Be Ready to Walk Away: Understanding your bottom line in negotiations is critical. If a deal isn’t right, having the confidence to walk away can save founders from making costly mistakes. Market Trends and Strategic Insights: Longer Deal Timelines: Exit processes that once took six months are now stretching to 9-12 months due to market shifts. AI Bubble: Many businesses are branding themselves as AI-driven when they’re not, which mirrors past trends seen with blockchain startups. Corporate vs. PE Buyers: Corporates focus on strategic fit, while PE firms prioritize financials and growth potential. Importance of Data Rooms: Keeping updated documentation can streamline fundraising or an acquisition process when the time comes. Guest Details: Email: brian@bayadvisory.ie Website: BayAdvisory.ie LinkedIn: Brian McDonald Listen to Brian’s first appearance on MoneyNeverSleeps in 2021 (episodes 118 and 119, Words of Advice, Parts 1 &2) Learn more about Bay Advisory and their advisory services for founders Brian referred to the book A Slight Edge by Jeff Olson in focusing on your niche at the earliest stages Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter): Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/
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| 280: 2025 Predictions with Alejandro Gutierrez | 05 Jan 2025 | 00:50:07 | |
In this special year-end episode, Pete Townsend is joined by returning guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez for a wide-ranging conversation about what the future may hold in 2025. Together, they explore transformative ideas, emerging trends, and groundbreaking technologies that could shape industries, disrupt norms, and redefine global innovation. From traditional finance’s embrace of tokenization to the rise of AI agents, the duo covers it all—including a bonus prediction from a mysterious contributor. Tune in for an exciting glimpse into 2025 and get ready to peer into the crystal ball with Pete and Alejandro. What You’ll Learn:
Bonus Predictions: Eoin Motherway, fintech and funds industry legend, shared his take on 2025:
Resources Mentioned: Call to Action: If this episode sparked your curiosity about 2025, we’d love to hear your predictions! Share your thoughts on X/(Twitter) at @MNSShow or email us at info@norioventures.com. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review MoneyNeverSleeps on Apple Podcasts and Spotify—and share this episode with a friend. Keywords: Alejandro Gutierrez, Pete Townsend, 2025 tech trends, Blockchain and AI, Crypto trends 2025, Stablecoins future, Decentralized identity solutions, Bitcoin mining expansion, Tokenization in finance, web3 trends 2025 Leave a review and subscribe on Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:
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| 279: Mastering the Startup Game | Nigel Eccles | Insights from a Serial Entrepreneur | 13 Dec 2024 | 00:44:41 | |
This week, I interviewed serial entrepreneur Nigel Eccles. Known for his role as co-founder and former CEO of FanDuel, Nigel shares his incredible journey of launching and scaling multiple ventures, including his latest projects BetHog and BetDex. Nigel dives into the pivotal moments that defined his career, lessons learned from raising over $450 million in venture funding, and his insights into the evolving landscapes of crypto, Web3, and gaming. Nigel’s candid reflections on timing, co-founder dynamics, and building resilient startups are a must-hear for founders, investors, and anyone curious about how to stay ahead in the world of tech and entrepreneurship. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Notable Quotes:
Connect with Nigel Eccles: Twitter | LinkedIn Keywords: gaming, sports betting, FanDuel, crypto, web3, BetHog, BetDex, fundraising, venture capital Shout-outs: Connor Murphy, Bradley Tusk, Nic Carter Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 278: Money Talks w/ Mai Santamaria | The Butterfly Defect & the Future of Finance | 06 Dec 2024 | 00:38:43 | |
This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Mai Santamaria for a far-ranging discussion inspired by Ian Goldin’s concept of The Butterfly Defect — a thought-provoking take on the risks and interconnectedness of our global systems. We dive into how this idea resonates with the evolution of crypto, web3, and the financial markets, and explore how the convergence of traditional and decentralized systems could reshape the future. Mai, an award-winning fintech and financial policy expert, has been a trailblazer in shaping regulatory and strategic frameworks in Ireland. With deep expertise in digital finance and a passion for innovation, Mai brings her unique perspective to our conversation, exploring the challenges—and opportunities—of hyper-connectivity in our global economy. It's a deep and engaging conversation that offers insights into how globalization, technology, and finance intertwine IN THIS EPISODE: - The Butterfly Defect: How hyperconnectivity increases systemic risks and the lessons for crypto and globalization. - Parallel Arcs of Financial Systems: The inevitable convergence of traditional financial markets and crypto. - Regulatory Perspectives: Why interconnectedness demands careful collaboration at a global level. - The Role of Technology: How blockchain innovation like self-executing smart contracts can reshape financial markets. - Echo Chambers: Navigating the challenges of being too immersed in niche ecosystems and staying grounded. - Ireland’s Potential: How Ireland’s geographical and technological advantages position it as a hub for sustainable digital financial services. - Emerging Market Innovation: The surprising use cases for stablecoins and tokenized assets in emerging markets. KEYWORDS: butterfly defect, globalization, digital economy, crypto, blockchain, web3, regulation, stablecoins, butterfly effect RESOURCES: Follow our guest co-host Mai Santamaria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mai07/ The Fintech 15: Meet the Women Shaping the Irish Revolution (paywall) The Fintech Blueprint podcast interview with Tom Duff Gordon from Coinbase Professor Ian Goldin’s 2014 Princeton lecture on The Butterfly Defect Meet Keith Gill, the man who drove the GameStop Reddit mania and made millions Aled Jones’s article The Actuary (2021) on the Butterfly Defect David Senra’s Founders podcast LINKS: Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 277: Straight Outta Crypton | Swarm and the Rise of RWAs | Timo Lehes and Philipp Pieper | 01 Dec 2024 | 00:51:00 | |
This week. I sat down with Timo Lehes and Philipp Pieper, the co-founders of Swarm, the RWA (or Real World Assets) platform that brings unique digitization and trading solutions to the world of traditional and decentralized finance. Swam is the first organization in the world to offer digitized US treasury bills and Apple stock via a compliant and decentralized platform From their personal journeys into crypto to the challenges of integrating TradFi with DeFi, Timo and Philipp unpack Swarm's evolution, their focus on compliance, and their vision for the tokenized financial markets of tomorrow. Along the way, they share stories about formative moments in their careers, including Philipp’s time in New England during the fall of the Berlin Wall and Timo’s early coding days. Plus, we dive into:
Key Takeaways:
About Swarm: Swarm is a compliance-first platform for tokenizing real-world assets, combining the speed, efficiency, and flexibility of blockchain with the trust and asset diversity of traditional exchanges. By integrating TradFi with DeFi, Swarm aims to create a seamless future where everything just becomes “Fi.” Follow Swarm:
Connect with Timo and Philipp: Mentioned in This Episode:
Keywords: crypto, blockchain, digital assets, tokenization, real world assets, RWAs, DeFi Leave a review and subscribe on Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 276: Sponstar and the Rise of Fractional Sponsorship with Manu | Exclusive Interview | 22 Nov 2024 | 00:44:22 | |
This week, we’ve got an exclusive interview with Manu, the founder and CEO of Sponstar, the fractional sponsorship marketplace that’s leveling the playing field for small and mid-sized brands to access high-profile sponsorship opportunities. Manu’s entrepreneurial journey, from traditional finance to web3, led to the creation of Sponstar—a game-changing platform that bridges physical events and digital experiences while redefining the sponsorship ecosystem. Manu shares her insights on fractional sponsorship, the intersection of blockchain, AI, and event marketing, and the unique challenges women founders face in the tech and crypto worlds. We also explore her guiding principles of spirituality, surrender, and how giving more strengthens a startup’s potential. Manu previously co-founded Alpha’a and alphaa.io where she changed the way companies connect with their fans, using web3 to help enterprises connect people, content and experiences. She has been in the tech and collectibles sector for the past 10 years successfully raising funds from venture investors such as Metaprop, Lightspeed, Chingona Ventures, and Gaingels With a background in finance, Manu worked as an equity analyst at Gávea Investments, one of Brazil’s most reputable investment management firms. Notably, Manu was named by Bloomberg in 2022 as one of the top 100 most influential Latinos and Latinas worldwide, one of the top 10 people to watch in Fintech in 2023, and one of the 33-Under-33 entrepreneurs in 2018 in New York City. RESOURCES & LINKS: Learn more about Sponstar Recommended Reading: The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer ABOUT THE HOST: Pete Townsend is an early-stage startup investor focused on the intersection of fintech, crypto, and web3. He also leads the Techstars Web3 Accelerator. For more on Pete and how to get in touch, visit moneyneversleeps.ie. SUPPORT THE SHOW: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and don’t forget to subscribe for future episodes of MoneyNeverSleeps. Until next time, stay curious and keep learning! Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 275: Web3 Fundraising Playbook | Pete Townsend | Raising Your 1st Round at the Frontier | 08 Nov 2024 | 00:25:32 | |
We're diving deep into the fundamentals of fundraising for Web3 startups and early-stage ventures navigating their first capital raise. Fundraising is always challenging, but in web3, it’s a whole new frontier with unique hurdles. This session, originally presented at a Techstars Web3 Accelerator event, is packed with actionable insights that apply to most tech startups, especially those aiming to raise their first round. IN THIS EPISODE: The Art of Readiness: Fundraising is a high-stakes campaign that requires focus, preparation, and a solid plan. I’ll walk you through the basics of getting yourself – and your co-founders – ready to tackle your first fundraise head-on. Investor Pipeline Strategy: Building and managing an investor pipeline is critical to success. Learn about identifying the right investors, setting up warm intros, and the nuances of pitching to both web3 and web2.5 investors. Legal Matters and Structures: In web3, navigating the legal landscape is a must. I cover key considerations for structuring your raise, choosing between token and equity allocations, and why a strong legal strategy is essential. Storytelling and Positioning: We discuss the importance of clearly articulating your vision, setting ambitious yet realistic milestones, and presenting a credible plan to investors. Execution and Perseverance: Fundraising can be a marathon filled with tough feedback, but execution is key. I share tips on how to handle investor conversations, refine your pitch, and ultimately close your round. Resources: Access a variety of fundraising resources, including pitch deck examples, document templates, and strategic guides in the show notes on MoneyNeverSleeps.ie. Slides from the Techstars session: Fundraising in web3 A16z crypto: 5 rules for token launches NFX: The 23 Rules of Storytelling For Fundraising Pitchdecky: Crypto / Web3 (and beyond) pitch deck LegalNodes: Choosing a web3 fundraising document Techstars Entrepreneur’s Toolkit Video version of Web3 Fundraising Playbook (this episode) Applications Now Open: If you’re a web3 founder ready to scale, applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class of the Techstars Web3 Accelerator! Deadline is November 20, so don’t miss out. Visit techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to learn more and apply. TIMESTAMPS: 01:40 The Challenges of Fundraising 02:32 Preparing for Your First Fundraise 03:56 Determining Your Fundraising Amount 07:32 Legal Considerations in Web3 Fundraising 11:43 Socializing Your Fundraise 13:27 Building Your Fundraising Materials 15:52 Targeting and Pitching Investors 20:27 Executing and Closing the Fundraise 23:21 Final Thoughts and Recap LINKS: Leave a review and subscribe on MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ Email us: info@norioventures.com Follow on X(Twitter):
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| 274: Filmmaker to Founder | René Pinnell and Artizen | Funding Human Creativity | 03 Nov 2024 | 00:53:03 | |
René Pinnell is the founder of Artizen, a match-funding platform for human creativity, helping creators match fund new projects at the frontier of art, science, technology and culture. With over two decades of experience, René has helped creators raise more than $50 million for groundbreaking projects, including securing the first seven-figure VR film deal at the Sundance Film Festival. As an executive producer, René has worked on acclaimed projects like BATTLESCAR, starring Rosario Dawson, and SPHERES, featuring Jessica Chastain, Millie Bobby Brown, and Patti Smith. Additionally, René has directed the feature documentary The King of Texas, sold a TV pilot to MTV, and founded two companies, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting and elevating creative talent. In this episode, I sat down with René to explore his transformative journey from filmmaker to startup founder. Delving into the evolution of creative funding, René discusses Artizen's innovative model, which blends traditional match funding with crypto and community-driven support. We cover pivotal moments from his VR project days with Kaleidoscope to forming high-profile partnerships, such as with Viola Davis during the BLM movement. Discover how Artizen's dual strategy of enterprise sales and grassroots initiatives is set to reshape the creative industry. Plus, learn about the role of AI and no-code tools in revolutionizing product development, the benefits of community match funds, and the potential of crypto within the creator economy. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the past, present, and future of creative project financing. René is also an alum of the Techstars Web3 accelerator class of 2024, investing in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies. Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply. TIMESTAMPS: 00:36 Meet René Pinnell: A Creative Force 01:17 René's Creative Journey and Family Heritage 03:54 The Birth of Artizen 05:52 Challenges in Funding Creative Projects 08:11 From Kaleidoscope to Artizen 10:22 Scaling Artizen with Community Curation 19:05 Artizen's Triple-Sided Marketplace 26:35 Support for Black Artists in Immersive Media 27:25 Fundraising and Future Plans for Artizen 28:22 High-Profile Partnerships and Match Funds 29:34 Challenges and Insights from Creators 32:32 René's Journey: From Filmmaker to Founder 37:31 Rebuilding Artizen with No-Code Tools 41:10 The Future of Product Development and Network Effects 44:10 The Importance of Fundraising Skills 45:41 Optimism and Personal Reflections 51:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts LINKS: Follow René Pinnell -X/(Twitter): https://x.com/RJPinnell -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjpinnell/ Learn more about: -Artizen: https://artizen.fund/ -René'ss ‘Wayback Machine’: http://renepinnell.com/homepage.html -Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 273: Mission Minded Founder | Niall Dennehy & AID:Tech | Fixing Humanitarian Relief and Digital Identity | 25 Oct 2024 | 00:43:48 | |
Niall Dennehy is an Irish entrepreneur and the co-founder and COO of AID:Tech, who are bringing traceability and transparency to the flow of funds for governments, NGOs and charities with their payments and digital identity infrastructure bridging web2 to web3. In this episode, Pete Townsend reconnects with Niall to explore the groundbreaking journey of their mission-driven company since Niall was last on MoneyNeverSleeps in 2018 (episode 11 linked here and below). The conversation spans the company's digital identity and payments innovations, especially through their Kare Wallet which accelerates financial assistance to disaster survivors. Leveraging blockchain technology, the platform ensures transparent, traceable, and secure distribution of relief funds, partnering with entities like Walmart to prevent misuse. Niall reflects on the emotional impact on both survivors and AID:Tech employees, underscoring the mission that deeply resonates with their team. The discussion delves into strategic approaches to funding, including securing non-dilutive grants, engaging with VCs, and the valuable experiences from accelerator programs like Techstars. Niall and Pete also touch upon the 'Five H's' of success - happy, hungry, humble, helpful, and healthy - emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing in driving sustained impact and growth for AID:Tech. Overall, this episode offers an insightful look into AID:Tech's ethos, their strategic growth, and the pivotal role of technology in enhancing disaster relief efforts. The Techstars Web3 accelerator invests in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies. Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply. TIMESTAMPS: 00:36 Meet Niall Dennehy: Co-Founder of AID:Tech 01:48 AID:Tech's Impact and Innovations 03:19 The Evolution of AID:Tech 04:22 The Core Mission: Identity and Payments 07:44 Real-World Applications and Success Stories 11:18 Challenges and Perseverance in the Startup World 13:08 Future of Payments and Digital Identity 14:19 The Kare Survivor Wallet in Action 20:02 Community Impact and Personal Stories 24:55 The Flywheel of a Mission-Driven Startup 26:02 Philosophical Insights and Team Alignment 27:36 Navigating Fundraising for Impact Ventures 30:56 The Importance of Non-Dilutive Capital 33:50 Personal Growth and Mindset 36:37 The Five H's for Founders 39:27 Final Thoughts and Gratitude LINKS: Follow Niall Dennehy -X/(Twitter): https://twitter.com/dennehyniall -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niall-dennehy-bb311016/ Learn more about: -AID:Tech: https://www.aid.technology/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Links referenced in the episode: Post on the Kare Survivor Wallet’s deployment for hurricane relief aid Episode 11 of MoneyNeverSleeps from August 2018: Matt Keller’s X/(Twitter) post on Algorand and the Kare Wallet Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 272: Scaling Environmental Impact: Luca Franchi’s Journey with Ambient and DePIN Innovation | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:35:06 | |
Luca Franchi is the CEO and a co-founder of Ambient, a decentralized network of air quality sensors. Luca brings to Ambient over two decades of leading growth at several startups and large corporations in the US and Europe (O2 UK, Telefónica, Sky) across enterprise and consumer verticals. In this episode, Luca shares his fascinating journey from working in startups and corporates like Sky in Silicon Valley to leading a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN). The conversation delves into Ambient's strategic pivot from Algorand to Solana, their $2 million seed round led by Borderless Capital, and the operational challenges of launching a decentralized network. Luca elaborates on how Ambient’s air quality sensors and the AmbiGo! app aim to engage the community and commercialize data. We also discuss the importance of founder experience, particularly in recruiting industry experts to navigate enterprise sales and legal structuring in DePIN projects. The episode concludes with Luca reflecting on the importance of passion and perseverance in entrepreneurship, and what it takes to approach the founders’ journey with longevity in mind. Ambient is a DePIN at the leading edge of decentralized environmental monitoring, harnessing the power of its vast sensor network to deliver real-time, hyper-local, actionable environmental data. By utilizing distributed technologies and a community-focused participation model, Ambient not only enhances environmental awareness but also drives impactful change across the globe. The Techstars Web3 accelerator invests in entrepreneurs building in web3 and enabling the next wave of growth in the decentralized internet and in tokenized economies. Applications are now open for the Spring 2025 class, so check out techstars.com/accelerators/web3 to apply. TIMESTAMPS: 02:03 Luca's Career Journey and Founding Ambient 08:21 Challenges and Strategies in Building Ambient 11:51 How Ambient Works and Future Plans 13:15 The AmbiGo! App: Enhancing User Experience 16:10 The Importance of Data in Decentralized Networks 19:12 The Importance of DePIN in Web3 22:44 Raising the $2 Million Seed Round 25:24 The Startup Journey: Moving Fast and Staying Passionate 28:43 Balancing Work and Life: Advice for Founders 33:42 Conclusion and Contact Information TIMESTAMPS: Follow Luca Franchi -X/(Twitter): https://x.com/luckyluca -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucafranchi/ Learn more about: -Ambient: https://ambient.network/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 271: Luis Ramirez and Mawari | Building the 3D Internet | 06 Oct 2024 | 00:42:54 | |
Luis Ramirez is the Founder and CEO of Mawari, a pioneer in cloud rendering and streaming technology. The Mawari team got started in Tokyo in 2017, and since then, the team has effectively built the foundation for the 3D internet. Mawari enables real-time 3D content streaming to spatial computing devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 through a global network of GPUs, leveraging Web3 elements such as DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) to overcome the limitations of traditional centralized networks. Uniquely positioned to address one of the core challenges in the spatial computing industry, formerly known as XR (eXtended Reality), Mawari focuses on delivering scalable infrastructure for real-time 3D applications. Mawari has since launched the Mawari Network — a DePIN and the only full-stack spatial computing platform offering decentralized compute and storage resources optimized for AR/VR experiences. As a side note and in the spirit of transparency, Mawari recently announced the closing of their $10.8mn strategic funding round, and I’m thrilled to be part of the round as an angel investor. In this episode, Luis and I riff on his journey from music to technology, the inception of the Mawari vision, building the team and overcoming challenges, the role of decentralization in the Mawari Network, Luis’ lessons learned from raising $17.3mn across two rounds in 3 years, and the essence of persistence, creativity, and the strategic foresight required to scale a tech startup in the evolving landscape of AR, VR, and Web3. TIMESTAMPS: 00:39 Meet Luis Ramirez: From Music to Technology 06:18 The Birth of Mawari and Its Vision 15:02 Challenges and Innovations in XR and Web3 21:40 Building and Scaling the Mawari Team 32:20 Fundraising Journey and Future Milestones 38:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Luis Ramirez -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luismawari/ Learn more about: -Mawari: https://mawari.net/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 270: The Stablecoin Revolution with Linda Jeng | Unpacking Castle Island Ventures’ Latest Stablecoin Report | 29 Sep 2024 | 00:49:57 | |
Linda Jeng is the Founder and CEO of Digital Self Labs, and she joins me in exploring the evolving landscape of stablecoins. Our discussion focuses on our key takeaways from Castle Island Ventures' latest stablecoin report, 'Stablecoins: the Emerging Market Story'. Linda shares her background in financial regulation, blockchain, and AI, and offers critical insights into how stablecoins are reshaping financial systems in emerging markets. Through a detailed analysis of the Castle Island Ventures report written with Brevan Howard Digital, the conversation reveals the growing use of stablecoins for cross-border payments, currency conversion, and as a stable store of value, reflecting their importance beyond crypto trading. We also touch on regulatory perspectives, why non-dollar stablecoin volumes are so meager, and the potential impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) on the stablecoin market. Linda Jeng, is a trailblazing leader in the digital economy through ‘shaping a self-empowered future through blockchain and AI technologies’. Digital Self Labs is a regulatory and policy advisory firm combining blockchain expertise with policy and regulatory strategy. With over 15 years of government experience, she has held key roles at institutions like the U.S. Federal Reserve, US Treasury Department, the SEC and the Bank for International Settlements. Linda is also a Visiting Scholar at Georgetown Law, a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law School, and a Bank for International Settlements Research Fellow. Her deep expertise in financial systems and her advocacy for data transparency and decentralized technology make her a pivotal figure in shaping the future of finance. TIMESTAMPS: 02:57 Linda Jeng's Career Journey 05:36 Castle Island Ventures and ‘Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story’ 09:59 Understanding Stablecoins in Emerging Markets 14:15 The Role of Stablecoins in Global Finance 19:38 Challenges and Opportunities for Stablecoins 20:59 The Future of Stablecoins and Digital Identity 46:23 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways 48:50 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements REFERENCE LINKS: Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Castle Island Ventures & Brevan Howard Digital, 12-Sep-24) The Finternet: The financial system for the future (Bank for International Settlements, 19-Apr-24) International Association of Deposit Insurers Overview of the Bancor Proposal from Bretton Woods (Wikipedia) Stablecoin companies now 16th largest holder of U.S. treasuries globally (CryptoSlate, 18-Oct-23) Follow our guest co-host, Linda Jeng: -X(Twitter): https://x.com/LindaJeng1 -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-jeng-4682b3/ Learn more about: -Digital Self Labs: https://www.digitalselflabs.com/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 269: Working in Web3 | Real World Asset Tokenization in Finance and Beyond | Guest Co-Host Alejandro Gutierrez | 20 Sep 2024 | 00:35:22 | |
Alejandro Gutierrez, CEO of npayme Labs and co-founder of ETH Dublin joins me again as guest co-host this week. In this episode, we recap our recent panel on ‘Finding Web3 Talent’ at Dogpatch Labs, touching on market sentiment, the cyclical nature of crypto investments, and strategies for early-stage startups. We delve into the concept of real-world asset tokenization, highlighting key initiatives by firms like Provenance, PayPal, Circle and Centrifuge. The conversation also covers the evolving landscape for content creators in Web3, emphasizing the use of tokenization for new revenue streams and the role of AI in content creation. STORIES WE COVERED: Recap of ‘Finding Talent in Web3’ last week at Dogpatch Labs (Owen Healy on LinkedIn, 15-Sep-24) Friday Fund Tokenization Update (Eoin Motherway on Linkedin, 13-Sep-24) Provenance Blockchain Labs launches Fund Issuance platform, to tokenize, list, & lend RWA funds on Figure Markets (Marketwatch, 20-Aug-24) PayPal's stablecoin hits $1B market cap (Cointelegraph, 26-Aug-24) MakerDAO, rebranded as SKY to roll out new stablecoin USDS (The Block, 27-Aug-24) Circle's USDC in Brazil and Mexico Now Available to Businesses Via Banking System (CoinDesk, 17-Sep-24) Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story (Nic Carter @ Castle Island Ventures, 12-Sep-24) Centrifuge launches a RWA lending market leveraging tokenized U.S. Treasury bills.(CoinDesk, 27-Aug-24) AAVE (Avara) onboards BUIDL Shares as Collateral for GHO stablecoin (The Defiant, 29-Aug-24) Natixis launch €100M Digital Bond, secured by mortgage loan pools & operated by SC Ventures, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale & LBBW (Ledger Insights, 28-Aug-24). Siemens issues €300M digital bond, as the largest bond issued under Germany’s eWpG. (Ledger Insights, 4-Sep-24) Creators’ content is a real-world asset (Alejandro Guterrez on X, 17-Sep-24) TIMESTAMPS 01:40 Insights from the Web3 Talent Panel 04:11 Market Sentiment and Investment Strategies 07:02 The Role of Tokenization in Web3 14:31 Real-World Asset Tokenization 28:24 Content Creation in the Web3 Era 34:01 Closing Thoughts and Farewell LINKS: Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez: -X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/A_gutierro -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-gutierrez-98979b43/ Learn more about: -npayme Labs: https://npayme.com/ -ETH Dublin: https://ethdublin.io/ -Techstars Web3 Accelerator: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/web3 Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us: info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 268: Garvan Callan | Be the Change You Seek | Founder of OneZero1 | 13 Sep 2024 | 00:40:09 | |
Garvan Callan is the founder of OneZero1, a company that’s redefining how startups and enterprises alike can navigate the complex world of digital strategy and transformation. Garvan is a strategist, innovator and transformation advisor whose career spans leadership roles in major corporations and working hands-on with startups, giving him a unique perspective on both sides of the entrepreneurial divide. Garvan is also a lecturer and the author of Digital Business Strategy, a must-read for anyone serious about innovation and growth in today’s fast-moving world. We explore lessons from Obama's quote 'We are the change that we seek,' the significance of adaptability, the concept of the 'three V's: vision, values, and velocity,' and their application in both large corporations and startups. The episode also covers the challenges and strategies for fostering innovation, the importance of building strong, adaptive teams, and practical advice for startup founders looking to scale. So, whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or just someone interested in the future of business, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss TIMESTAMPS: 01:52 The Power of Change: Lessons from Barack Obama 02:23 Garvin's Journey: From Rural Roots to Corporate Leadership 07:15 Embracing Uncertainty: A Key to Success 12:08 The Three V's: Vision, Values, and Velocity 19:51 Applying Startup Lessons to Large Enterprises 21:02 Leadership and Stress Management 22:13 Founders' Challenges and Letting Go 24:07 Enterprise Dynamics and Managerial Roles 24:59 Understanding Organizational Currencies 27:29 Corporate Innovation Labs and Startup Founders 36:35 Building Relationships and Synchronization LINKS: Follow Garvan Callan on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garvan-callan-b4634323/ -Twitter/X: https://x.com/gpcallan Learn more about and follow OneZero1 -Website: https://onezero1.ie/ -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onezero1/ Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 267: Mark McLaughlin | Co-Founder & CEO of Coras | Building & Fundraising at the Intersection of Web2 & Web3 | 13 Sep 2024 | 00:47:16 | |
Mark McLaughlin is an Irish entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of the ticketing industry since 2006. Mark is the co-founder and CEO of Coras, a company that's been revolutionizing the ticketing landscape with its powerful API solutions, boasting clients like Ryanair. But Mark’s journey doesn’t stop there—he’s now leading Coras into a new frontier with Fida, a cutting-edge loyalty platform that's merging the best of web2 and web3 worlds. In this episode, we’ll explore Mark’s entrepreneurial journey from founding Ticket Text and Ticket ABC to building Coras, and now, innovating with Fida. We’ll dive into the recent €1.3 million funding round led by Irish VC DataOp and the unique challenges of navigating the web2 and web3 investment landscape. Mark will share insights on balancing traditional and forward-thinking approaches for those straddling the web2 and web3 worlds, and what it means for getting these businesses funded. 00:36 Meet Mark McLaughlin: Revolutionizing Ticketing 03:24 The Ticketmaster Saga 05:52 Building Ticketing Solutions: Challenges and Innovations 07:02 Navigating Financial Crises and Raising Funds 10:59 The Evolution of Coras and the Impact of COVID-19 15:50 Introducing Fida: The Future of Loyalty Programs 25:48 Tokenized Commerce and Loyalty Programs 27:12 Building a Universal Loyalty Program 28:05 Challenges in Raising Funds for Web3 Projects 29:54 Pitching to Investors: Lessons Learned 36:04 The Importance of Timing and Luck in Fundraising 38:20 Exploring New Applications for Blockchain 39:05 Advice for Founders in Web2 and Web3 43:02 Mark's Journey from Music to Tech Entrepreneurship 46:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts LINKS: Follow Mark McLaughlin on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmclaughlin1/ -Twitter/X: https://x.com/markwmcl Learn more about and follow Coras & Fida -Website: https://www.coras.io/ -Website: https://www.fidaapp.io/ -X-Twitter: @corasdotio | https://x.com/corasdotio -X-Twitter: @fidaapp | https://x.com/fidaapp -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coras-io/ -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fidaapp/ Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 266: Crypto Politics: Unpacking Trump's Campaign Promises | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:50:39 | |
Returning from our summer hiatus, Laura Walsh joins the show again this week as guest co-host as we dive into Crypto Politics by unpacking Donald Trump's campaign promises involving bitcoin and crypto. Laura and I worked together closely in the first two years of the Techstars Web3 accelerator, and she is a Techstars All-Star Mentor, advisor, founder, web3 O.G. and friend. In this episode, Laura and I are diving into a hot topic that's been making waves in both the political and crypto spheres. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Donald Trump has been making some bold promises regarding the future of crypto in the United States—from boosting Bitcoin mining to shaking up the regulatory landscape. We take a close look at each of Trump's crypto promises, evaluating their feasibility and potential impact. We explore his claims about ending the so-called ‘crypto crackdown,’ his controversial pledge to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and his ambitious goal of making the U.S. a dominant player in Bitcoin mining. We also discuss Trump's proposal to build a national Bitcoin stockpile and defend self-custody rights, along with his strong stance against the introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). But how much of this actually holds water? Can these promises be realistically fulfilled, or are they just campaign rhetoric designed to win over the crypto community? We break down each promise, tally up the results, and consider who in the tech and crypto space is lining up to support Trump—and why. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s at stake and whether these promises could shape the future of crypto in America, or if they’re just a play for votes. Jump right in as we unpack the reality behind the rhetoric. TIMESTAMPS: 03:38 Debate Reactions and Crypto Politics 05:03 Trump's Bitcoin Conference Appearance 14:13 Crypto Regulation and Political Maneuvering 16:42 Trump's Crypto Crackdown and Mining Proposals 26:47 Crypto and Politics: A Misunderstood Relationship 29:01 Bitcoin Stockpile: A Baffling Proposal 34:12 Self Custody and Legislative Processes 35:49 The Controversy of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) 40:46 Ross Ulbricht: A Presidential Promise 42:17 Evaluating Trump's Crypto Promises 49:07 Final Thoughts and Farewell LINKS: Connect with Laura Walsh on social media: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralwalsh/ -Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOGLauraWalsh Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28661903/admin/feed/posts/ | |||
| 265: Keep it Simple | Pranav Kanade from VanEck on Liquid Venture Investing | 28 Jun 2024 | 00:40:54 | |
Pranav Kanade, Portfolio Manager of VanEck's Digital Assets Alpha Strategy joins the show this week. VanEck is an American investment management firm headquartered in New York City with over $100bn in assets under management. Although they’re well known for their passive exchange-traded funds or ETFs, they also manage active portfolios such as Pranav’s Digital Assets Alpha Strategy. Pranav Kanade joined VanEck in 2022 from Millennium Management where he was a Credit Portfolio Manager working closely with a team of six investment professionals. Prior to Millennium, he was the founding member of the Head of Research for the Liquid Credit investing business at Angelo, Gordon & Co. and also spent time with Hutchin Hill Capital focused on technology and energy. In this episode, Pranav and I dig into his transition from traditional finance (TradFi) to the crypto world, his investment philosophy, and the catalysts for growth in digital assets. Pranav details his journey, the differences between traditional and liquid token investments, and how stablecoins, decentralized physical infrastructure, gaming, and social finance can drive mass adoption. We also delve into regulatory landscapes, tokenomics, and the challenges and opportunities in token project investments. TIMESTAMPS: 00:18 Meet Pranav Kanade: From TradFi to Crypto 01:55 The Evolution of Digital Assets 04:10 Understanding Tokenomics and Market Dynamics 16:20 The Future of Stablecoins and Tokenized Securities 21:13 Managing a Liquid Venture Portfolio 26:03 The Role of Regulation in Crypto Adoption 38:05 Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights LINKS: Follow Pranav Kanade on socials: -Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkanade1/ -Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/vaneckpk -Substack: https://killerapps.substack.com/ Learn more about and follow VanEck: -X-Twitter: @vaneck_us | https://twitter.com/vaneck_us -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaneck/ Leave a review and subscribe on -Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1455819294 -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8uOLxiscYVWVGEfNxTnd -Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaaHrJjizUEd0-93mjCKsQ MoneyNeverSleeps newsletter on Substack: https://moneyneversleeps.substack.com/ MoneyNeverSleeps website: https://www.moneyneversleeps.ie/ Email us at info@norioventures.com -Pete Townsend: https://twitter.com/petetownsendnv -MoneyNeverSleeps: https://twitter.com/MNSshow Follow on LinkedIn: -Pete Townsend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-townsend-1b18301a/ | |||