FCAT Crypto Brief™

Hosted by Fidelity Center for Applied Technology

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100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Join our hosts as they decode crypto news, dissect market trends, and explore the future of digital assets to prepare you for what’s next. Skip the surface-level chatter and join them for an in-depth analysis that goes beyond the headlines – where crypto knowledge meets sizzling commentary. Whether you're a seasoned investor, tech enthusiast, or diving deeper into crypto, the FCAT Crypto Brief is your passport to staying informed, entertained, and empowered on the industry's cutting edge. Don’t miss out on the future of finance! Subscribe to FCAT Crypto Brief™ for your weekly pulse on the crypto world. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2023 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

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60 recent

June 3, 202625 min

Beyond Expiration: Perps, Transparency & The Future of Trading

Join our hosts as they explore the evolution of perpetual futures and how these “no-expiration” instruments are reshaping crypto market structure. From the mechanics of funding rates to the differences between traditional and perpetual futures, we break down why perps have become a dominant trading vehicle in digital assets. We'll cover the rapid rise of on-chain platforms like Hyperliquid, examining how permissionless market creation, expanded asset access, and real-time transparency are redefining who can trade—and what they can trade. We'll also unpack core trade-offs: from oracle design and liquidity challenges to smart contract risk, visible positions, and regulatory uncertainty. Listen in as we look ahead at what these innovations could signal for the broader future of markets, including the potential convergence of crypto-native infrastructure with traditional finance. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:20] News Rundown [2:17] About Spot Markets & Perpetual Futures [8:06] Features & Differentiation [13:14] Risks & Considerations [20:14] Market Validation [23:44] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: FCATalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:20) - News Rundown(00:02:17) - About Spot Markets & Perpetual Futures(00:08:06) - Features & Differentiation(00:13:14) - Risks & Considerations(00:20:14) - Market Validation(00:23:44) - Final Thoughts & Outro

May 20, 202627 min

Securing Crypto: Addressing New Threats on-Chain

Join us as our hosts break down recent crypto exploits to examine how malicious actors are leveraging emerging technologies alongside more traditional tactics to execute attacks. We unpack how these incidents unfolded, their broader implications for DeFi, and the growing role of AI in both offensive and defensive security. We’ll highlight key trends shaping the threat landscape and outline practical considerations for developers and investors alike, from evolving risk frameworks to essential security best practices. Episode Topics: [00:00] - Intro [01:19] - News Rundown [03:28] - About the Drift Hack [08:22] - Covering the Kelp DAO Exploit [13:35] - Social Engineering on-Chain [18:10] - Exploring AI as A Factor [22:19] - Protection & Prevention [25:03] - Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: FCATalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:19) - News Rundown(00:03:28) - About the Drift Hack(00:08:22) - Covering the Kelp DAO Exploit(00:13:35) - Social Engineering on-Chain(00:18:10) - Exploring AI as a Factor(00:22:19) - Protection & Prevention(00:25:03) - Final Thoughts & Outro

May 6, 202631 min

Building Blocks: A Conversation with Natalie Brunell

This episode, we're joined by author and journalist Natalie Brunell to explore the foundations of financial re-education and how Bitcoin is expanding access in an increasingly digital, global economy. Drawing from her recent book Bitcoin is for Everyone, Natalie shares why understanding money as a technology matters today, how Bitcoin’s network can enable greater inclusion across borders, and what financial literacy looks like in practice. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [2:02] Bitcoin 2026 Retrospective [3:14] Natalie’s Journey [5:57] Opportunities for Bitcoin Education [10:24] Bitcoin across Borders [14:44] Deciphering Digital Currency [18:28] The Impact of Inflation on Everyday Consumers [26:55] Individual Approaches to Bitcoin [29:27] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: FCATalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:02) - Bitcoin 2026 Retrospective(00:03:14) - Natalie’s Journey(00:05:57) - Opportunities for Bitcoin Education(00:10:24) - Bitcoin across Borders(00:14:44) - Deciphering Digital Currency(00:18:28) - The Impact of Inflation on Everyday Consumers(00:26:55) - Individual Approaches to Bitcoin(00:29:27) - Final Thoughts & Outro

April 22, 202632 min

Countdown to Q-Day: What Quantum Could Mean for Crypto

Recent advances in quantum computing are bringing renewed attention to longstanding questions around cryptography. In this episode of the Crypto Brief, the team is joined by FCAT's VP of Quantum Technology Mike Dascal to unpack the underlying technologies and why quantum risk should be on everyone's radar. The episode explores practical threat models for digital assets—from legacy wallets to in-flight transactions—and reviews how different blockchain communities are beginning to respond. Join us as we uncover how the industry can more thoughtfully approach post‑quantum migration, balancing security, decentralization, and long‑term network integrity. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [2:00] A Quantum Overview [3:42] A Quantum Reset [4:13] Potential Considerations for Crypto [7:38] The Quantum Threat [11:01] Potential Opportunities for Blockchain & Crypto [13:41] Timelines & Readiness Approaches [19:07] How Blockchain Communities Are Responding [26:15] Preparing for a Post‑Quantum Future [29:26] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: FCATalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:00) - A Quantum Overview(00:03:42) - A Quantum Reset(00:04:13) - Potential Considerations for Crypto(00:07:38) - The Quantum Threat(00:11:01) - Potential Opportunities for Blockchain & Crypto(00:13:41) - Timelines & Readiness Approaches(00:19:07) - How Blockchain Communities Are Responding(00:26:15) - Preparing for a Post-quantum Future(00:29:26) - Final Thoughts & Outro

April 8, 2026Episode 11631 min

Pay it Forward: The Rise of Agentic Payments On-Chain

For much of the internet’s history, technology has supported human transactions. Increasingly, it’s executing them directly. On this episode of the Crypto Brief, our hosts examine agentic payments: transactions executed by autonomous AI systems. Based on pre-programmed directives, these agents discover services, access resources, and settle payments without hands-on human involvement. This discussion uncovers what becomes possible when technology participates in the economy as an actor, and what new obligations emerge for the people designing—and overseeing—those systems. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:22] Defining AI Agents [2:14] Trends in Agentic Payments [11:15] Products, Protocols & Partnerships [14:41] An Overview of the Machine Payment Protocol [16:26] Risks & Considerations [23:27] Where Stablecoins Fit in [29:02] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:22) - Defining AI Agents(00:02:14) - Trends in Agentic Payments(00:11:15) - Products, Protocols & Partnerships(00:14:41) - An Overview of the Machine Payment Protocol(00:16:26) - Risks & Considerations(00:23:27) - Where Stablecoins Fit in(00:29:02) - Final Thoughts & Outro

March 25, 202627 min

What’s Next for OPNEXT? A Conversation with Charlie Spears

In this episode of the FCAT CryptoBrief, Blockspace Media Co‑founder Charlie Spears joins the team to unpack how Bitcoin’s most influential debates are evolving as the ecosystem becomes increasingly sophisticated and operationally fragmented. Charting the rise of OPNEXT as a convergence point for developers, miners, investors, and researchers alike, Spears highlights why connecting disparate stakeholders is critical to understanding the network’s trajectory. The conversation also addresses quantum computing as it gains traction across crypto circles. We’ll explore how accelerating quantum timelines, shifting market sentiment, and emerging governance constraints intersect, potentially setting the stage for Bitcoin’s next major upgrade battle. Join us for closer look at how high‑stakes technical discourse, evolving narratives, and cross‑domain collaboration could shape Bitcoin’s future. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:27] An Introduction to Charlie [2:44] What’s Next for OPNEXT [4:40] Bitcoin: Then & Now [7:52] Exploring the Quantum Threat [24:10] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:27) - An Introduction to Charlie(00:02:44) - What's Next for OPNEXT(00:04:40) - Bitcoin: Then & Now(00:07:52) - Exploring the Quantum Threat(00:24:10) - Final Thoughts & Outro

March 11, 202631 min

SOL of the Network: Speed, Scale & Validation on Solana

Listen in as Weston Jones, a Digital Asset Engineer from FCAT’s Blockchain Incubator, joins our hosts to break down recent developments on Solana and beyond. Together, they explore the forces driving infrastructure and innovation—from design philosophy and validator operations to community‑driven security, trade‑offs, and how Solana compares with other major networks as the broader ecosystem continues to evolve. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:28] News Rundown [6:57] Weston’s Story [10:03] Lens on the Larger Ecosystem [13:52] Running a Validator [15:05] Cross-chain Activities & Infrastructure [27:39] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:28) - News Rundown(00:06:57) - Weston’s Story(00:10:03) - Lens on the Larger Ecosystem(00:13:52) - Running a Valdator(00:15:05) - Cross-chain Activities & Infrastructure(00:27:39) - Final Thoughts & Outro

February 25, 202630 min

Linking Up: How Institutions Are Reshaping Blockchain

As crypto continues to evolve, institutions are entering the fold. In this episode of the FCAT Crypto Brief, the team breaks down why TradFi players—including banks, asset managers, and infrastructure providers—are moving into DeFi, as well as key considerations surrounding the adoption of real‑world assets, on-chain lending, and settlement at an institutional scale. Listen in as our hosts explore recent developments across DeFi and TradFi, unpacking the forces driving strategy and adoption across the financial world. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:23] News Rundown [6:07] Banks & Lending [9:00] Infrastructure Providers [11:13] TradFi Adoption [14:36] Application vs. Protocol [18:25] On-Chain Lending [24:17] Regulatory Shifts [27:52] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:23) - News Rundown(00:06:07) - Banks & Lending(00:09:00) - Infrastructure Providers(00:11:13) - TradFi Adoption(00:14:36) - Application vs. Protocol(00:18:25) - On-chain Lending(00:24:17) - Regulatory Shifts(00:27:52) - Final Thoughts & Outro

February 11, 202631 min

The Road Not Taken: An Ethereum Strategy Deep Dive

Join us as we take a look at recent conversations within the Ethereum ecosystem, including Vitalik Buterin’s updated perspective on the “roll‑up centric roadmap” and how the community is approaching L1 and L2 development. Our hosts walk through the broader context, covering stakeholder incentives, validator dynamics, the pace of L2 progress, and Ethereum’s evolving upgrade priorities. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [1:24] News Rundown [6:00] Reviewing the “Roll-up Centric Roadmap” [9:48] Ecosystem Response [14:04] L2 Changes [16:05] Modular vs. Monolithic Debate [17:38] Key Tradeoffs & Pivot Points [20:56] Considerations for Institutional Allocators [22:05] Potential Roadmap Shifts [24:43] L2 Use Cases [28:22] Final Thoughts & Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:24) - News Rundown(00:06:00) - Reviewing “Roll-up Centric Roadmap”(00:09:48) - Ecosystem Response(00:14:04) - L2 Changes(00:16:05) - Modular vs. Monolithic Debate(00:17:38) - Key Tradeoffs & Pivot Points(00:20:56) - Considerations for Institutional Allocators(00:22:05) - Potential Roadmap Shifts(00:24:43) - L2 Use Cases(00:28:22) - Final Thoughts & Outro

January 30, 202633 min

Overdue Process: The Future of Finance with Amanda Wick

As crypto matures, what will the future of enforcement, compliance, and accountability look like? Listen in as Amanda Wick, a former federal prosecutor and longtime leader in financial crime prevention, joins the Brief to give her take and examine how innovation and integrity can evolve together. From sanctions to travel rule implementation, this episode offers a front‑row seat to see key shifts already reshaping the ecosystem. Want to learn more? Check out Amanda’s book The Catalysts. Episode Topics: [0:00] Intro [2:18] News Rundown [7:09] Background on the Travel Rule [11:39] Privacy vs. Anonymity [15:09] Market Maturity & Crypto Compliance [18:46] International Trends & Convergence [23:04] Time at the DOJ [29:49] Outro Stay connected with us beyond the podcast by following FCAT on, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, where we share additional insights and updates on all things emerging tech. Whether you're crypto-curious or have a crypto foundation, Fidelity may have your next career opportunity. EXPLORE NOW. Please remember: this podcast is solely for informational and educational purposes and is not investment, tax, legal or insurance advice. Digital assets are speculative and highly volatile and you should conduct thorough research before you invest. To learn more, visit: fcatalyst.com FMR LLC. © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:18) - News Rundown(00:07:09) - Background on the Travel Rule(00:11:39) - Privacy vs. Anonymity(00:15:09) - Market Maturity & Crypto Compliance(00:18:46) - International Trends & Convergence(00:23:04) - Time at the DOJ(00:29:49) - Outro