Venezuela Runs on Crypto | Google Builds a Blockchain | Circle, Paxos, and Bluprynt Fight Stablecoin Fraud | The CFTC Gets Better at Surveillance | August 28, 2025
Description
Venezuelans are using digital assets to weather hyperinflation and financial repression (1:13 ). Google Cloud’s releases new details on an ambitious new blockchain project for the financial sector (2:36 ). Circle, Paxos, and Bluprynt lead a stablecoin verification pilot (4:02 ), and the CFTC modernizes its market surveillance using Nasdaq’s tools (5:15 ).
This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.
More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:
“Beyond Stablecoins: The Evolution of Digital Money.” Google Cloud Promotional Materials, https://cloud.google.com/startup/beyond-stablecoins.
Daniels, Joe and Ana Rodríguez. “Crypto Goes Mainstream in Venezuela.” Financial Times, 27 August 2025, https://www.ft.com/content/dc68b9c5-e2f7-4403-8887-e2895265afb0.
Hall, Ian. “US Derivatives Market Regulator Overhauls Surveillance Arsenal with Nasdaq Tech.” Global Government FinTech, 27 August 2025, https://www.globalgovernmentfintech.com/cftc-market-surveillance-fraud-detection-nasdaq/.
Masnavi, Siamak. “Google Advances Its Layer-1 Blockchain; Here’s What We Know So Far.” CoinDesk, 27 August 2025, https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/google-advances-layer-1-blockchain-120657385.html.
“Release Number 9110-25: CFTC Enhances Market Oversight with Advanced Surveillance Technology Platform.” U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 27 August 2025, https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9110-25.
“Stablecoin Groups Circle, Paxos Test New Tech to Verify Crypto Payments.” Bloomberg, 27 August 2025, https://www.livemint.com/market/cryptocurrency/stablecoin-groups-circle-paxos-test-new-tech-to-verify-crypto-payments-11756310197752.html.
Widmann, Rich. “Rich Widmann’s Post.” LinkedIn, 26 August 2025, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rich-widmann-a816a54b_all-this-talk-of-layer-1-blockchains-has-activity-7366124738848415744-7idA.
The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti.
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