INATBA Podcast (S1: ReFi and Financial Inclusion; S2: Blockchain for the UN Charter - BC100+)

This episode features Nenad, the co-founder of Zentrix. Nenad brings a wealth of experience in innovation, IoT, and distributed ledger technology. With a PhD in computer science, he has previously worked as a project lead at the IOTA Foundation, where he gained extensive hands-on experience in blockchain technology. During this episode, Nenad shares his fascinating journey into the world of blockchain, starting from his early research endeavors to becoming a key player in the industry. He provides insight into the core mission of Zentrix, which focuses on leveraging blockchain technology to enhance traceability and transparency in various sectors, particularly the mining industry. Nenad discusses the importance of ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability in mining operations, highlighting the challenges and successes Zentrix has encountered along the way. He also shares the company’s vision for the future, emphasizing the potential of blockchain to drive significant advancements in transparency and accountability.

In this episode, we spoke with Mat Yarger, the Founder and CEO of Demia. Mat talked on his career path from jobs in cybersecurity and cyber operations in the NSA and U.S. Army to his work on sustainability at the Iota Foundation, which ultimately resulted in the founding of Demia. By utilizing blockchain technology to enable safe, scalable data handling that streamlines reporting and verification procedures, the company hopes to transform the carbon markets. Mat drew attention to the shortcomings of conventional carbon market systems, which are frequently analog and prone to errors, during the debate. He also discussed how Demia’s usage of a decentralized oracle network might improve transparency and trust without the hassles associated with conventional blockchain tokens. This technology is perfect for both regulated and voluntary carbon markets since it allows for better integration across different regulatory frameworks and stakeholders. Mat also talked about the difficulties of staying focused in a rapidly changing technology environment and the significance of creating strong, safe infrastructures to assist efforts toward environmental sustainability.

In this episode, we spoke with Dino Cataldo Dell’Accio,  Chief Information Officer at United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF).  Dino and Lorna (the Host) discuss his work on implementing a blockchain solution within the UNJSPF. We learn about the benefits and challenges faced when introducing a “Proof of Existence” mechanism that combines biometrics and blockchain technology, the importance of on-going stakeholder education, and how this project has inspired similar programs within the UN. Note: The opinions mentioned in this episode are Dino's personal opinions, not the opinions of UNJSPF.

In this episode, we interviewed Lisa Gibbons, a prominent advocate and entrepreneur in the blockchain space for sustainability applications. Lisa shares her journey from a love of reading and post-colonial poetry to founding Orchards Near Me, a tour operator business, and her journey into the blockchain for its potential in sustainable tourism and food traceability. Lisa shared the inception and mission of BlockLeaders, an educational platform highlighting key figures in blockchain, and the importance of storytelling and communication in the tech space. Lisa emphasized the transformative potential of blockchain in sustainability, especially in food traceability and environmental conservation, exemplified by projects like the KokonutDAO and its collaborations with the Dominican Republic's Department of Agriculture. She advised organizations to consider blockchain's role in their future sustainability efforts and underscored the importance of clear communication for tech developers to connect with broader audiences. She stressed on the importance of lifelong learning, with Lisa mentioning her ongoing education in AI. We also asked for her recommendations for engaging with sustainability-focused events this year.

In this episode, we spoke with Mariana de la Roche, a member of the BC100+ Steering Committee. Mariana provided a comprehensive overview of BC100+'s remarkable journey so far, highlighting the achievements in 2023 and offering a sneak peek into the exciting plans for 2024. She delved into the diverse range of projects within the initiative, illustrating how blockchain is actively addressing critical sustainability challenges. Mariana also shared valuable insights on how to engage with BC100+ and be part of this global community committed to leveraging blockchain for sustainable development. Tune in to explore the world of blockchain and its role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

In today's discussion, we delve deep into erable°'s innovative Circular Economy Product with their CEO, Vincent Katchavenda. erable° is at the forefront of financing circular economy businesses, and in this episode, we will uncover the key elements that set them apart. While erable° operates across various verticals and focuses, our attention today is squarely on their commitment to advancing circular economies. Join us as we explore erable°'s groundbreaking initiatives, which include impact fund tokenization, carbon markets, and a mission-driven NFT marketplace that brings together numerous impactful projects on a single, user-friendly interface. Hosted by Lorna Hutchman, Senior Marketing Manager at Blockchain.com. INATBA.org © 2023

The third episode of the INATBA Podcast delves into the world of the Celo Foundation, a prominent organization that oversees the carbon-negative, mobile-first, permissionless Celo blockchain. The podcast explores how the Celo Foundation utilizes a fast and scalable Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus to achieve its shared mission of creating prosperity for everyone. Our guest is Xochitl Cazador, Head of Ecosystem Growth at Celo. Host: Lisa Gibbons – Writer & Advisor at Blockleaders.io ⁠INATBA.org⁠ © 2023

Welcome to the final episode of the podcast for 2023, brought to you by The Social Impact and Sustainability Working Group (SISWG) of INATBA. Our featured guest for this episode is Manish Gadia, Head of Division at Vayana Emerging Tech Platforms Division. Together, we explore the intersection of technology and sustainability, discussing how innovative solutions can drive positive change across diverse sectors. Hosted by Lorna Hutchman, Senior Marketing Manager at Blockchain.com. ⁠INATBA.org⁠ © 2023

Yenna Tech lease excess lands from farmers and land owners for agricultural activities and finance the cost of operation, material and harvest from a community of investors. This results in increased daily income of local farmers while advising regenerative agriculture activities for food cultivation and fair share of the produce with the farmer/landowner who owns the land or a fixed amount on a yearly basis. Yenna Tech values the farming community. They allow land owners globally to borrow against their land by fractionalizing the land itself.

In today's discussion, we explore the initiatives of ESCA, an automated stablecoin savings and payments solution for businesses in emerging markets. Join us as we discuss with Shalom Osiadi, founder @ESCA, how this technology helps businesses operating in currency volatile markets hedge and grow their revenue by autonomously transitioning portions of their revenue to currencies like the US Dollar using stable coins. Host: Lisa Gibbons – Writer & Advisor at Blockleaders.io ⁠INATBA.org⁠ © 2023

In this captivating episode of the SISWG Podcast Series, hosted by Lisa Gibbons, we embark on an extraordinary journey alongside CTO Cristian Acuna from Agros. Discover how Agros is redefining the landscape of rural empowerment by seamlessly weaving blockchain technology into the fabric of agriculture. Through their pioneering use of blockchain, Agros empowers rural producers with a secure digital identity, enabling them to showcase their remarkable work to a global audience. Listen to firsthand accounts of how this innovative approach dismantles barriers, amplifies credibility, and propels rural communities onto the world stage. Join us as we unveil the remarkable fusion of tradition and innovation, spotlighting Agros' pivotal role in bridging the gap between rural producers and the digital economy. Host: Lisa Gibbons – Writer & Advisor at Blockleaders.io ⁠INATBA.org⁠ © 2023

In the second episode, we spoke with Gabriela Chang, CSO and Co-Founder of EthicHub, a platform to connect small agricultural producers with global lenders and direct buyers. EthicHub is a passionate and ambitious project with a focus on financial inclusion. They truly understand what it is like for farmers on the ground and Gabriela gave us some insights into what it is like to be part of a growing, impactful ecosystem. Host: Lisa Gibbons – Writer & Advisor at Blockleaders.io ⁠INATBA.org⁠ © 2023

In this episode, we spoke with David Wood, Founder of Wadappt a blockchain-based smart contract platform that uses innovative financing techniques to allocate substantial amounts of capital directly into conservation efforts in Africa. We explore various biodiversity projects that Wadappt is currently supporting. Host: Lorna Hutchman — Senior Marketing Manager at Blockchain.com, INATBA Member ⁠INATBA.org⁠ © 2023