Episodes

  • Trolling for Truth in the War of Words and Building the Best Frikkin' Crypto Wallet on the Planet, with ZenGo’s Ouriel Ohayon
    Dec 23 2024

    In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Ouriel Ohayon, CEO and founder of ZenGo, to explore the cutting-edge innovations behind the world’s most secure crypto wallet. Ouriel shares the journey from discovering crypto to building a wallet that eliminates the pain points of seed phrases, leverages multi-party computation (MPC) technology, and prioritizes user security and simplicity.

    The conversation also delves into Ouriel's relentless advocacy for Israel, his strategic approach to countering misinformation online, and the broader battle for truth in the digital age. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that spans technology, resilience, and a vision for a brighter future in both the crypto space and the world.


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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Prof. Edward Lee on The Resurgence of NFTs and AI’s Impact on Copyright Law
    Dec 17 2024

    In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Professor Edward Lee, a leading expert in intellectual property, copyright law, and emerging technologies. Professor Lee, author of Creators Take Control, dives into the fascinating world of NFTs, AI, and their legal and cultural implications.

    Together, they explore:

    • The resurgence of NFTs and their role in redefining digital art and IP ownership;

    • The challenges posed by AI to copyright law, including questions of authorship and creativity;

    • The impact of regulation (or lack thereof) on innovation in Web3 and AI spaces;

    • The evolving debate over NFTs as securities and the role of the SEC in shaping the market.

    Professor Lee shares insights from his book, recent Harvard and Yale publications, and his work tracking AI controversies through ChatGPTIsEatingTheWorld.com.

    Tune in to learn how law is adapting—or failing to adapt—to innovations that are reshaping our world.

    Guest Links:

    • Book: Creators Take Control

    • Website: ChatGPTIsEatingTheWorld.com

    • AI and the Sound of Music (Yale)

    • Prompting Progress: Authorship in the Age of AI (Florida Law Review)

    • Why is the SEC wrong about NFTs (Coindesk)

    • The Original Public Meaning of ‘Investment Contract’ (Harvard)

    Follow Prof. Lee:

    • X: https://x.com/edleeprof

    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edleeprof.bsky.social

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-lee-18084652

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    50 mins
  • Ofir Eliasi: Revolutionizing Wallet Infrastructure with Account Abstraction in Web3
    Dec 11 2024

    In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Ofir Eliasi, founder of Borsa, to discuss his journey as a serial entrepreneur and blockchain innovator. Ofir shares his background, from early days in the 8200 unit of the Israeli army to leading development at major tech companies and startups, including his work on groundbreaking blockchain projects since 2017.

    The conversation delves into the evolution of account abstraction, its transformative potential for blockchain infrastructure, and how Borsa is pioneering new solutions for wallet technology. Ofir also reflects on the lessons learned from the NFT boom, the strengths of the Israeli Web3 ecosystem, and his vision for the future of blockchain. Tune in for an insightful discussion on technical innovation, entrepreneurship, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the next wave of Web3.

    Check out Vitalik’s new blog post which Yitzy and Ofir discussed, ‘What I Would Love to See in a Wallet”.

    Follow Ofir on X.

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    41 mins
  • Nick Furneaux on Investigating Cryptocurrencies and his new book, ‘There is No Such Thing as Crypto Crime’.
    Nov 25 2024

    In Episode 38, Yitzy interviews Nick Furneaux, a pioneer in cryptocurrency investigations and digital forensics. They discuss the realities of crypto crime, the evolution of investigations, and the importance of understanding cryptocurrency for law enforcement. Nick literally wrote the book on investigating cryptocurrencies (like, literally, his first book is called “Investigating Cryptocurrencies’) - and just released his second book, ‘There is No Such Thing as Crypto Crime’ - with a foreword written by Beyond the Code podcast alum, Erin West. In this episode, Nick shares insights from his books, including the misconceptions surrounding crypto crime and the need for education in the field. They also explore real-life case studies and the future of crypto investigations, emphasizing the importance of victim support and the challenges faced by investigators.

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    58 mins
  • Mati Greenspan Reveals What the Future Holds for Bitcoin, Mining, and DeFi
    Nov 19 2024

    What’s next for Bitcoin? Yitzy Hammer and Quantum Economics' Mati Greenspan dive into the seismic shifts shaping the crypto world in the wake of Trump's election and the US's new stance on crypto. From Bitcoin’s rise as a nation-state reserve asset to the untapped potential of DeFi, this episode explores the forces driving blockchain innovation. Mati also reveals how sustainable mining and AI-powered tools like Korra Finance are paving the way for crypto’s future. Packed with insights, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about where the crypto revolution is headed.

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    43 mins
  • JP Thor on ThorChain and the Power of Memes
    Nov 5 2024

    In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with JP Thor⁠⁠, the visionary founder behind ⁠⁠ThorChain. From his roots in remote Australia to his career as a fighter and bomber pilot, JP shares his remarkable journey into decentralized finance and the creation of ThorChain, a groundbreaking cross-chain liquidity protocol.

    JP reveals the behind-the-scenes challenges of building ThorChain, including his decision to remain pseudonymous as “Lina” during the project’s early days. Inspired by Norse mythology, ThorChain evolved with a unique mission to decentralize finance. Today, it’s transitioning to full community governance through a concept he calls “planned obsolescence.”

    JP also shares insights into the future of decentralized finance, envisioning an ecosystem where bots and humans interact on a global scale, with ThorChain as a core protocol. We dive deep into his “Acell” philosophy on AI and accelerationism, exploring the future of crypto exchange and digital assets.

    On the personal side, JP talks about his global helicopter expeditions, sharing stories from his travels through challenging terrains. We also explore his theory on the memetic power of Israel and how its geographical stability enabled it to become a hub of cultural and philosophical development.

    If you’re into blockchain, crypto, or just love stories of resilience and innovation, tune in for an adventure-packed episode full of big ideas and future-thinking insights.

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    42 mins
  • Jake Brukhman on CoinFund and Crypto Investing
    Oct 30 2024

    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

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    51 mins
  • Defending DeFi: Amanda Tuminelli on the Fight for Fair Crypto Laws and Policies
    Sep 30 2024

    In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Amanda Tuminelli, Chief Legal Officer at the DeFi Education Fund, to explore the critical legal battles shaping the future of decentralized finance.

    Amanda shares her insights on the ongoing fight for fair crypto regulation, the DeFi Education Fund’s involvement in high-profile cases like Roman Storm's Tornado Cash prosecution, and their defense of DeFi developers in groundbreaking impact litigation.

    They also dive into the Fund's efforts to hold regulators accountable, such as their challenge to the SEC's handling of airdrops and digital asset enforcement.

    Whether you're a legal professional, a DeFi enthusiast, or just curious about the intersection of law and crypto, this episode is packed with invaluable knowledge.

    Support the DeFi Education Fund's important work by donating here.
    Connect with Amanda on Twitter: @AmandaTums

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    30 mins