Beyond the Code

In this episode of Beyond the Code, host Yitzy Hammer engages in an enlightening conversation with Alex Davis, founder of Mavryk Dynamics, about the fascinating world of Real World Assets (RWAs) and their tokenization. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of how blockchain technology is revolutionizing asset ownership and investment. Key Topics Discussed: Introduction and Pleasantries: Yitzy and Alex share a casual start, discussing the awkwardness of recording without a waiting room. A brief recap of the Consensus conference and Alex's experience there. Journey of Alex Davis: Alex's background, from his early days at Tezos to founding Mavryk. The evolution of his career and the founding story of Mavryk. Understanding RWAs: Definition and significance of Real World Assets. Challenges faced by RWAs, including market immaturity and regulatory complexities. Innovations by Maverick Network: Mavryk's approach to tokenizing assets and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Introduction of RWA token standards and the development of various decentralized exchanges (DEXs). The role of the Mavryk wallet in enabling secure, KYC-compliant transactions. Practical Application and Future Vision: Detailed walkthrough of the tokenization process using a hypothetical example of a Cayman company owning a hotel in New York City. Mavryk's approach to building an ecosystem that supports secondary markets and lending for RWAs. The vision for creating a digital Commonwealth where users can manage diversified portfolios and earn revenue from tokenized assets. Economic Insights and Financial Advice: Discussion on the broader economic implications of tokenization and the impact of fiscal policies. Alex's insights on wealth preservation and the importance of investing in assets over holding cash. Special Highlights: Alex's unique perspective on the future of blockchain and its potential to democratize investment opportunities. Mavryk Network's commitment to transparency and building a robust, interoperable ecosystem for RWAs. An exciting sneak peek into the upcoming features of Mavryk Network and Maven Finance on Testnet. How to Connect: Follow Mavryk Network on Twitter: @MavrykNetwork Explore Mavryk Dynamics and Maven Finance. Engage with the team and stay updated on their latest developments. Join Yitzy and Alex as they uncover the transformative potential of RWAs and provide valuable insights into the future of blockchain technology. Don't miss this informative and inspiring episode!

In this episode, Yitzy discussed the impact of cryptocurrencies on globalization, global economics, and governance with Prof. ⁠Ilan Alon⁠, dean of the School of Economics at the College of Management. We also explored regulatory challenges and the role of the United States in the crypto industry. The conversation delves into the concept of sovereign individuals and the economic freedom associated with cryptocurrencies and covers a wide range of topics including governance, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), Web3, Bitcoin, and the global economy. We also delved into the importance of governance at the country, company, and DAO levels, as well as the impact of Web3 on marketing and data ownership, and explored the role of Bitcoin in investment portfolios and the resilience of economies in the face of global challenges (with Israel post-October 7th as a case study). Sound Bites "Cryptocurrencies have a significant impact on globalization and global economics, leading to changes in the movement of people, money, and goods and services." "The United States plays a crucial role in the crypto industry, and its regulatory stance has a significant impact on the global market." "The concept of sovereign individuals, empowered by cryptocurrencies, represents a shift towards economic freedom and independence from traditional financial systems." "Bitcoin's concentration of capital benefits the richest individuals and entities, impacting its unique aspects and role in investment portfolios." Chapters 00:00 - The Impact of Cryptocurrencies on Globalization and Economics 09:20 - Regulatory Challenges and the Role of the United States in the Crypto Industry 16:27 - Sovereign Individuals and Economic Freedom Empowered by Cryptocurrencies 24:56 - The Significance of Governance in Economic Growth 25:10 - The Role of Governance in Sustainable Development 29:22 - Challenges and Opportunities in Web3 and Data Ownership 34:22 - Bitcoin's Impact on Investment Portfolios and the Global Economy 38:28 - Resilience and Adaptability in the Face of Global Challenges Keywords: cryptocurrency, globalization, global economics, governance, regulatory challenges, sovereign individuals, economic freedom, governance, DAOs, Web3, Bitcoin, global economy, data ownership, marketing, investment, resilience.

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Ari Redbord, the Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs, to discuss the intersection of cryptocurrency and national security. Ari shares his journey from a federal prosecutor focusing on local crime and national security cases to his current role at TRM Labs. They delve into the complexities of regulating crypto, the role of blockchain in combating illicit finance, and the innovative work TRM Labs is doing to create a safer financial system. Ari also provides insights into the evolution of crypto regulation, the importance of a strong mission in building a company, and the exciting developments happening at Duke University's Digital Assets program. Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, a legal professional, or simply curious about the future of digital assets, this episode offers a wealth of information and inspiration. Make sure to check out TRM Talks and follow our brand new Beyond the Code LinkedIn page. Time Stamps: [00:00] - Introduction and background of Ari Redbord [01:22] - Ari’s journey in the federal justice system [02:51] - Early career and experiences as a federal prosecutor [03:54] - Transition to national security and money laundering cases [04:48] - Involvement with crypto in federal cases [06:20] - The impact of Facebook’s Libra on crypto regulation [08:05] - Learning resources during the early crypto days [10:46] - Using blockchain to trace illicit activities [12:23] - Overview of TRM Labs and its role in the crypto ecosystem [15:42] - Differentiating TRM Labs from other blockchain analysis tools [16:40] - Ari’s role and experiences at TRM Labs [19:14] - Providing data-driven insights to regulators and policymakers [21:08] - The mission-driven approach of TRM Labs [23:56] - Personal passion for crypto and blockchain technology [27:06] - The need to reduce friction in the crypto space [29:42] - Ari’s involvement with Duke University’s digital assets initiatives [32:09] - The potential of blockchain for certifications and degrees Tune in to hear about: Ari’s background and career path in the federal justice system The challenges and opportunities in regulating cryptocurrencies TRM Labs’ role in tracking illicit finance and supporting law enforcement The importance of values and mission in building a successful company Innovations and use cases in the blockchain space, including insights from Duke University’s Digital Assets program Don't miss this insightful conversation that bridges the gap between technology, policy, and security in the rapidly evolving world of crypto.

In this enlightening episode of "Beyond the Code," Yitzy hosts Tal Mimran, a professor of international law and a pioneer in the field of military legal advisory. Together, they delve into the complex world of artificial intelligence in military operations, focusing on the IDF's use of AI and its implications under international law. Join us as we explore the ethical, legal, and technological challenges of integrating AI on the battlefield. What You'll Learn: How the IDF employs AI in its operations and the legal frameworks that govern such use. The ethical implications of AI in warfare, including the necessity of human oversight. The international legal challenges and the potential for new regulations addressing AI in military contexts. The concept of digital human rights and its relevance in today's technologically driven world. Episode Highlights: [00:56] Tal's background and his deep connection to international law and its practical applications. [02:23] Introduction to Tal's recent paper on the IDF's use of AI. [04:41] Discussion on digital human rights and their implications in cyberspace. [06:13] Insights from the RIM 2023 summit and the unexpected announcement of the IDF's use of AI in warfare. [11:05] Detailed exploration of how the IDF uses AI across different spheres of military operation. [19:15] The importance of maintaining a "human in the loop" in AI decision-making processes. [28:56] Feedback from the IDF and international responses to Tal's research. [34:28] The role of legal advisors in military operations and the novel approach taken by the IDF. [39:56] Closing remarks and how listeners can engage with Tal's work. Connect with Tal Mimran: Email: talmimran@gmail.com Visit Tal at his university office for a discussion on international law and AI. Thank You for Listening! Don't forget to subscribe to "Beyond the Code" on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on our brand new LinkedIn page for the latest updates and discussions on tech, law, and ethics.

Justin Wales is Head of Legal For The Americas at Crypto.com. He is also something of an OG in the crypto legal world and recently published his first and greatest work yet: "The Crypto Legal Handbook" - an excellent guide for anyone curious about the intricate world of crypto regulations in the US. Wheather your a nube or an OG, this book has something for everyone. In this episode, we talked about Justin's journey into crypto and what made him decide to write this book and who he wrote it for. He also shares the secret of his success... [drumroll]...just being a nice guy. You'd be surprised how far you might go by just being kind to people. You can buy the paperback or the PDF, here: https://thecryptolegalhandbook.com/ Or here: https://www.amazon.com/Crypto-Legal-Handbook-Guide-Decentralized/dp/B0D221XT83 Make sure to follow Justin on LinkedIn for more crypto legal alpha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinwales/ Enjoy!

Alon is a legit crypto OG investor - having made over 30 crypto-centric investments through multiple funds. He is also an ape...his Bored Ape Yacht Club alter-ego (BAYC #5011) is called Punk Apestrong and is a perfect example of the IP creativity spawned by NFTs and the BAYC in particular. Love to see it! Make sure to follow him on X, LinkedIn and check out his latest fund - dgb.

Teresa is a Panamanian lawyer and co-founder of the Panamanian law practice, Pacífica Legal. She is also a mother of 2 and an avid horse rider 🐎. In this episode, Teresa and I discussed her journey into crypto law and why Panama has become a popular jurisdiction for companies with crypto products. Our episode airs shortly after Panama was officially removed from the European Union's list of high-risk jurisdictions in relation to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts.  If your interested in learning more about whether Panama is the right jurisdiction for you to set up your company and what the implications may be, feel free to reach out to me, at yitzy@dltlaw.io, or to Teresa, at teresacarballo@pacifica.legal. You can also follow Teresa on Twitter/X, or visit her website.

Freeman Lewin is a New York-based [ex]-attorney and entrepreneur, with a specialization in blockchain and crypto-assets. He has founded (in the past 12-months alone) several technology start-ups and is passionate about building tools to solve big complex problems. He is the best kind of entrepreneur in the sense that he is building to find a solution to a problem he actually faced - you'll find out about the solution (which he calls Émet Insights), and more, in this episode. In addition, Freeman is responsible for some of the most valuable academic contributions to the blockchain legal sphere. First, "Smart Contracts" & Legal Enforceability, which he co-authored while studying law at Cardoza, and more recently, 'The Ineluctable Modality of Securities Law: Why Fungible Crypto Assets Are not Securities', which he co-authored with his colleagues at DLX law. Follow Freeman on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or read more about him on his personal website.

Join us on Beyond the Code as we welcome Zada Haj, a visionary entrepreneur who defied odds to forge her own path in the tech world. From humble beginnings in Kfar Yasif village to co-founding the DANA Accelerator and Future Holders, empowering women in desert tech, Zada's journey is a testament to resilience and innovation. Discover how she overcame obstacles, was selected as one of Forbes Israel's 30 under 30 most promising entrepreneurs, built a thriving career, and continues to drive change in the Middle East. Tune in for insights into her upbringing, entrepreneurship, and aspirations for a brighter future in the region.

Episode Summary:In this captivating episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy welcomes Ariel Givner, a trailblazing attorney in the cryptocurrency sphere and the legal mind behind Givner Law PLC. Arielle shares her unconventional journey from stock trading to founding her own law practice, diving deep into the worlds of cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the legal challenges that come with them. Join us as we explore Ariel's transition from traditional law to the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of crypto law, her insights on NFTs, and how she's making her mark in a predominantly male-dominated field. Show Notes: [00:01] Introduction to Ariel Givner and her multifaceted career journey. [00:26] Ariel's early career, the pivot during the pandemic, and her venture into cryptocurrency trading. [01:24] The transition from stock trading to cryptocurrency and the birth of Givner Law PLC. [04:04] The emotional challenges of working in medical malpractice and the shift towards intellectual property and cryptocurrency law. [06:39] Ariel's skepticism towards NFTs and her eventual deep dive into the crypto and NFT community. [11:14] The organic growth of Ariel's law practice through Twitter and the importance of community in the crypto space. [14:09] A discussion on fast fashion, intellectual property, and Ariel's passion for fashion law. [19:20] Work-life balance, the joys and challenges of running your own law practice, and the importance of setting boundaries. [23:48] The impact of having supportive parents and the influence of their entrepreneurial spirit on Ariel's career choices. [27:33] Addressing the gender dynamics within the crypto space and Ariel's experiences navigating the "bro culture." [31:25] A debate on the merits of Solana vs. Ethereum and the future of cryptocurrency platforms. [34:29] The significance of showcasing clients on Ariel's website and the marketing strategy behind it. [37:24] Closing thoughts and Ariel's love for pomelas, highlighting her personal side and interests outside of law. Connect with Ariel Givner: Website: Givner Law Twitter: @GivnerAriel Closing:Thank you for tuning into Beyond the Code. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful conversations with the pioneers shaping the future of tech, law, and ethics in the digital age. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Hernan Arber is the CEO of Soundwork, Founder of Arber Tech, and Host of the Web3 Creators Podcast. He is an experienced Software team leader and strategic advisor specializing in web3, NFTs, and blockchain technologies. In this episode, we talk about the vibrant tech and web3 ecosystem in Israel, building [and getting burned] in the blockchain industry. Hernan shares his journey as a key community member in EOS.io and what led him to launch Soundwork - a startup that is harnessing blockchain technology to reinvent the music supply chain. Get in touch with Hernan, here: https://hernanarber.com/ https://web3creators.buzzsprout.com/

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with ⁠Jake Brukhman⁠, founder and CEO of ⁠CoinFund⁠, to explore the evolution of crypto investing. Jake shares his journey from discovering Bitcoin in 2011 to launching one of the first crypto-native investment firms, CoinFund, in 2015. The conversation dives into CoinFund’s unique approach to long-term infrastructure investments, the role of governance in crypto VC, and Jake’s predictions on how blockchain and decentralized tech will gain mainstream adoption. They also discuss regulatory impacts on the industry, the potential convergence of AI and crypto, and CoinFund’s focus on deep-tech projects poised to shape the future of Web3, as well as [how could they not], the upcoming US elections and their impact on global crypto markets. You can follow Jake on Twitter/X at: @jbrukh You can learn more about CoinFund's ideal target companies going into this bull market, here: https://x.com/jbrukh/status/1848533323544482287

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Columbia University's Dr. Max Li - a brilliant electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and investor, who is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Oort (https://www.oortech.com/), an AI-powered decentralized cloud, with optimal privacy features and at a fraction of the cost (literally)! What the OORT team are doing is truly revolutionary! I suggest you tune in. Big thanks to my good friend John Keh for introducing me to the Oort team. Enjoy!

I've known Hillel for years and have been eager to bring him on as a BTC guest. As a strong advocate for tech generally, his perspective on what the future holds for emerging technology sectors is crucial. As always, his perspective was fresh and insightful. In this episode, we discussed the tech of the future and what's in store for us. Dubbed Israel's top marketer, Hillel works with leading tech entrepreneurs, investors, and visionaries to accompany them on their journey from idea to revenue. Hillel's work is published in some of the world's top tech publications including TechCrunch, Venturebeat, Inc, Entrepreneur, The Next Web, Business Insider, and more, bringing Israel's energetic tech scene to life. He collaborates with leading global brands including Google, Oracle, Microsoft, and Nike. Say hi on Twitter - @Hilzfuld

Dr. Oliver Scherenberg is an IP attorney with over 15 years of experience in licensing and monetization.In addition to his legal practice, he is the founder of web3lex, a search engine for web3 rules and laws, powered by web3 lawyers from all over the world. In this episode, we discussed web3lex, as well as [what else] - crypto, AI, IP and more.

When I decided to expand my legal practice into blockchain regulatory compliance, one of the most valuable resources available was Jacob Robinson's blockchain legal podcast, the Law of Code. Now on its 115th episode, Jacob's podcast has featured anyone and everyone in the blockchain legal and regulatory space, including SEC Commissioner, Hester Pierce, Coinbase's CLO, Paul Grewal, and Yours Truly (Episode #58 😉). It's not often that Jacob gets to be in the hot seat and in this episode, we discussed what it was like building up his podcast, what he has in store for the future, and his perspectives on the blockchain legal industry, from his standpoint as a Canadian lawyer, as a crypto enthusiast, and as the LOC host. Enjoy, and make sure to subscribe to the Law of Code: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RSekM9c79F86cI2weUq66?si=3e33d340bcf74ad1

In this episode, I sit down with John Keh, a pioneer in the Web3 space and a key player in the cryptocurrency industry. As one of the first employees at Alameda Research, the legendary cryptocurrency trading firm founded by Sam Bankman-Fried, John has unique insights into crypto, NFTs, and AI. He is also the founder of RuntheChain, a web3 marketing and tech development hub, as well as a family office focused on web3 and emerging technologies.

Amit used to be the Head of the Economics Department at the Cyber Unit of Israel's State Attorney before leaving to join the world's largest crypto exchange, Binance, as a Special Investigator. In this episode, we discuss how blockchain is used by some criminals to evade taxes and local authorities and how that is about to change [and already has for the most part].

This Tuesday I will be giving over a workshop at ETHcc (the Ethereum Community Conference) in Paris. The workshop is titled "How web3 tools can be Used for Charity and Impact." I will be drawing on some of my experiences working with non-profits to raise money in crypto and also more generally about how blockchain can be leveraged to make the world a better place. In this episode, I interviewed Jessica Salama, previously Head of Growth at GoodDollar, a powerhouse in the web3 community, and just generally an awesome person. Jess and I share a passion for web3 social impact and we had a fascinating conversation on the subject. Enjoy!

In this episode, I was joined by IP, tech, and media law expert, Franklin Graves. We talked focused on two super-interesting and relevant topics: 1. A recent lawsuit filed against Meta (including Instagram, Facebook), Snap Inc., ByteDance and TikTok, and Alphabet Inc./Google/YouTube, about the mental health impacts of social media on youth. Franklin wrote a blog post about this on his blog, Creator Economy Law. You can track the lawsuit here. 2. Everyone is talking about AI. Everyone is *using* AI, so the big question is: who does all this AI-generated output belong to? Can you copyright it? Is it infringing someone else's copyright if you use it? We deep-dived into these very relevant questions. Other articles referenced by Franklin: https://ipwatchdog.com/2022/02/20/sorry-nft-worthless-copyright-generative-art-problem-nft-collections/id=146163/ https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/06/29/u-s-copyright-office-generative-ai-event-three-key-takeaways/id=162771/ https://ipwatchdog.com/2023/02/23/u-s-copyright-office-clarifies-limits-copyright-ai-generated-works/id=157023/ Notes: 1:09 - Intro: Who is Franklin Graves? 4:00 - Social media platforms using algorithms that knowingly and perhaps intentionally create addiction and mental health issues among youth and teens. 17:00 - BigCos using our data to train AI. 21:00 - Who does AI output belong to?