An award-winning podcast series by Greengage - embracing innovation and building trust in digital finance - designed to bring expert opinions on the latest tech trends and providing a measured approach to discussing key developments in the world of blockchain and digital assets.
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April 29, 202629 min
Episode 41 - From Cypherpunk Ideals to Institutional Capital: The Evolution of Crypto
In this episode of The Gage, we sit down with Ioana Surpateanu, founder of blackledgr and a leading voice at the intersection of crypto, policy and frontier technology. Ioana reflects on her unexpected path from global finance and European politics into the early blockchain ecosystem, sharing stories from the days when the industry was still experimental, character driven and wide open.We explore how the landscape has evolved, from bold and ideologically driven beginnings to today’s more institutional and regulated environment, and what that shift means for innovation, founders and the future direction of the space. Ioana offers thought provoking perspectives on how crypto interacts with wider geopolitical forces and why political engagement may become one of the industry’s most important frontiers.This episode examines the forces shaping the next chapter of crypto, the opportunities emerging at the crossroads of technology and policy, and the role that visionary founders can play in influencing where the industry goes next. Join us as we gauge Ioana Surpateanu's insights on a rapidly maturing ecosystem.Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/our-thinking/podcasts/About blackledgr:blackledgr is an independent advocacy and influence group operating at the intersection of frontier systems, capital and institutional power. They support leadership shaping future systems with a particular emphasis on women-led initiatives.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to The Gage Podcast00:00:34 - Recollections from the Milken Conference00:01:30 - Ioana's Background and Career Journey00:03:20 - Transition to the Crypto Space00:04:40 - The Evolution of Crypto and Institutional Interest00:07:00 - The Changing Landscape of Crypto Characters00:12:39 - Innovation in Crypto: Current Trends and Challenges00:17:13 - The Impact of Institutionalisation on Innovation00:18:12 - Exploring New Political Engagement in Crypto00:24:14 - Framing Crypto Discussions in the European Context00:29:18 - Conclusion and Future Outlook
March 11, 202625 min
Episode 40 - From Hedge Funds to Fine Wine: Building Liquid Icons and The Golden Vines Awards
In this episode of The Gage, we’re joined by Lewis Chester, hedge fund veteran turned fine wine entrepreneur and founder of Liquid Icons.Lewis shares his journey from Oxford and Harvard Business School into the global wine and spirits industry, and reflects on how his late mentor Gérard Basset inspired the creation of the Golden Vines Awards. What began as a tribute has grown into one of the most prestigious events in the wine world, raising funds to support young people entering the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries.We explore topics including: • Lewis’s transition from hedge funds into the fine wine trade • The story behind Liquid Icons and Gérard Basset’s lasting influence • How the Golden Vines Awards became known as the “Met Gala of the wine world” • The potential role of NFTs and tokenisation in wine trading and provenance • Why traditional systems like bonded warehouses still remain important • Creating more opportunities for underrepresented groups in wine and hospitality • The role of resilience, mentorship, and philanthropy in building lasting impactAn insightful conversation for anyone interested in fine wine, alternative assets, entrepreneurship, and how technology and philanthropy are shaping the future of the industry.Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/our-thinking/podcasts/About Liquid Icons: Liquid Icons is a London-based fine wine research and content company founded by Lewis Chester and the late Gérard Basset that produces industry reports, events, and initiatives celebrating the world’s greatest wines and spirits. For more information, visit: https://liquidicons.com/Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to The Gage Podcast 00:00:34 - Guest Introduction: Lewis Chester 00:01:13 - Lewis's Journey from Finance to Wine 00:02:31 - The Birth of Liquid Icons 00:05:00 - The Golden Vines Initiative 00:06:57 - The Role of the Robb Report 00:09:01 - Creating Opportunities for Young Sommeliers 00:10:54 - Global Impact and Grassroots Support 00:12:03 - The Intersection of Wine and Digital Innovation 00:12:31 - NFTs and Provenance in the Wine Industry 00:15:00 - The Role of Bonded Warehouses 00:18:48 - The Golden Vines Awards: A Celebration 00:22:22 - The Four Pillars of the Golden Vines 00:23:46 - Lessons Learned and Advice for Success 00:24:44 - Closing Remarks
February 6, 202630 min
Episode 39 - Stablecoins, Singleness of Money and the Global Regulatory Race
In this episode, we’re joined by Elise Soucie Watts, policy leader in digital finance and Executive Director at the Global Digital Finance (GDF).Elise shares her journey from the FCA to shaping global policy at GDF, and explains why stablecoin regulation is about more than just rules — it’s about creating frameworks that support responsible innovation, market integrity, and global interoperability.We explore key topics including:
How institutions approach crypto differently from retail investors
What the “singleness of money” means — and why stablecoins don’t need to break it
A comparison of MiCA (EU) and the GENIUS Act (US) and what “competitive regulation” looks like
Why the UAE is emerging as a serious jurisdiction for stablecoin innovation
The small but critical technical policy decisions that shape real-world market outcomes
What’s next: agentic AI, programmable payments, and the growing challenge of cross-border alignment
A must-listen for anyone working in digital assets, payments, stablecoin policy, or regulatory strategy.
Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts About GDF:GDF is a leading global members’ association offering an open innovation platform for advocating and accelerating the adoption of best practices for digital assets.For more information, visit https://www.gdf.io/ . Time stamps:00:00 – Intro + welcome (Elise Soucie Watts) 01:00 – Elise’s background: FCA → AFME → GDF 03:00 – What GDF does + who they work with (banks, issuers, exchanges, L1s) 05:20 – Why regulator experience matters (and how to engage regulators well) 07:40 – What “digital” means in policy: DLT, crypto, infrastructure change 09:40 – Outside Context: sci-fi, tech, and “outside context problems” 12:30 – Stablecoins + “singleness of money”: what inspired the paper 15:15 – Terra/Luna, confidence, and what regulation should focus on 17:30 – The big idea: convertibility vs “redemption at all costs” 20:20 – MiCA vs the GENIUS Act: what matters (and what’s still unknown) 23:40 – Other key regimes: UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore + competitiveness 25:10 – UK stablecoin limits: are they real, and do they make sense? 26:30 – Where regulators & industry disconnect (ETNs, ISAs + small technical choices) 28:40 – The next frontier: agentic AI + programmable payments 29:30 – Geopolitics + cross-border coordination
July 23, 202515 min
Episode 38 - Bridging Traditional Finance and DeFi with Alessio Marinelli, Founder of CREDI
In this episode of The Gage, our CEO speaks with Alessio Marinelli, the founder of CREDI, about the emerging role of tokenization and private credit in reshaping financial services. Drawing on a career spanning engineering, big four consultancy, and managing a billion-dollar blockchain-based credit book, Alessio shares how his journey led to the creation of CREDI—a platform designed to bridge traditional finance with next-gen digital infrastructure.The conversation explores how DeFi is being applied to real-world credit markets, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Alessio explains how Credi leverages blockchain to power SME lending, create yield-backed credit opportunities, and build trust in tokenized credit. They also discuss the growing relevance of on-chain credit platforms and what this means for the future of digital finance.Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts About CREDI:CREDI is a financial technology company specialising in on-chain Private Credit portfolios. Its mission is to eliminate inefficiencies and provide more transparent, higher yielding opportunities for Liquidity Providers, whilst unlocking much needed funding for businesses.For more information, visit https://www.credilabs.io/. Time stamps:· 00:00 – 01:00 - Introduction of Alessio Marinelli and overview of his background· 01:00 – 03:00 - Alessio’s career journey· 03:00 – 04:30 - Transition into blockchain and private credit· 04:30 – 06:00 - Why tokenization matters· 06:00 – 07:30 - How CREDI bridges traditional finance and DeFi, combining credit underwriting expertise with blockchain innovation.· 07:30 – 09:00 - Tokenization's role in creating novel financial products and streamlining compliance processes · 09:00 – 11:00 - Approach to SME lending· 11:00 – 13:00 - Risk management strategies· 13:00 – 15:00 - Questions from liquidity providers· 15:00 – 16:00 - Future plans for CREDI
May 28, 202532 min
Episode 37 - Building the Future of Finance: Blockchain, AI, and Inclusive Innovation
In this first video episode of The Gage, Greengage CEO Sean Kiernan sits down with Nicolas Cary, Co-Founder of Blockchain.com, to explore the past, present, and future of digital finance. Nicolas shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling clams as a child to founding Blockchain.com. His early ventures included e-commerce and encrypted messaging platforms, highlighting his lifelong interest in technology and innovation.Motivated by the 2008 financial crisis and distrust in legacy systems, Cary discovered Bitcoin and co-founded Blockchain.info (now Blockchain.com), which developed the first Bitcoin block explorer and wallet software. The company grew from mapping early Bitcoin adoption to becoming a leading crypto wallet and platform with millions of users.Cary explains Bitcoin as a form of "digital gold" that represents a countermeasure to inflation and centralised control. He highlights the technology’s decentralisation, transparency, and potential to become the reserve asset of the internet.
Blockchain.com has raised nearly $1B and is preparing for a public offering. Cary discusses the firm’s evolution from retail to institutional services, emphasizing the importance of building resilient systems to navigate crypto’s market cycles.Beyond tech, Cary passionately supports inclusive entrepreneurship through SkysTheLimit.org, a nonprofit empowering underestimated entrepreneurs from low-income backgrounds with mentorship, funding, and tools to build businesses. The initiative includes innovative pilots like DAO-based grant funding.Looking ahead, Cary predicts:
A convergence of AI and crypto where AI agents autonomously transact using crypto wallets.
A rise in tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), enabling fractional ownership of everything from distilleries to infrastructure.
More companies opting for token-based fundraising models over traditional IPOs.
Increased financial inclusion through open-access digital tools.
Cary reflects on the maturation of the crypto industry, from niche tech to global infrastructure, and the importance of building a better, fairer financial system. He believes collaboration, decentralisation, and entrepreneurship are key to unlocking global prosperity.For more information about Blockchain.com, visit https://www.blockchain.com
Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts Time stamps· 0:00–2:00 – Introduction to Nicolas Cary & Blockchain.com· 2:00–6:30 – Early entrepreneurial journey· 6:30–10:00 – Founding Blockchain.com after the 2008 crisis· 10:00–15:00 – Bitcoin, market cycles & decentralisation· 15:00–19:00 – Scaling from retail to institutional clients· 19:00–23:00 – Sky’s the Limit & crypto for good· 23:00–26:00 – AI agents, tokenization & the future· 26:00–29:00 – Building during bear markets· 29:00–30:30 – Final thoughts on trust & innovation
April 30, 202524 min
Episode 36 - How can AI Revolutionize Recruitment and People Management
In this episode of The Gage," our CEO Sean Kiernan interviews Jonathan (Viscount Camrose) Berry, Director of Camrose Management Limited, and also a member of the House of Lords and former minister under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The discussion focuses on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment and people management. Jonathan shares his lifelong interest in AI and critiques current recruitment processes, advocating for a more efficient, human-centered approach. He emphasizes the importance of skills-based education and apprenticeships, and discusses the UK's role in frontier technologies. The conversation highlights both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in the modern economy.
Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts
Time stamps
· Introduction to AI Interest (00:00:00)
· ChatGPT's Breakthrough (00:01:28)
· UK's Role in AI Development (00:02:45)
· AI in Recruitment Challenges (00:05:07)
· Reengineering Recruitment Processes (00:08:43)
· Innovative Recruitment Solutions (00:09:07)
· Impact of Recruitment on Employment (00:11:19)
· Balancing AI and Human Judgment (00:12:04)
· Universal Taxonomy of Skills (00:12:49)
· Credential Verification Challenges (00:15:09)
· Workplace Dynamics with Efficient Recruitment (00:17:31)
· Future of Apprenticeships in Education (00:18:57)
· The Challenge of EdTech (00:20:57)
· Final Thoughts on AI and Technology (00:21:19)
· Optimism for the Future (00:21:39)
· Digital Verification Services (00:22:44)
March 27, 202523 min
Episode 35 - Is the GBP Stablecoin the Future of UK Finance?
In this episode, our CEO Sean Kiernan, sits down with Andrew Mackenzie from Agant to explore the development of a GBP (British Pound) stablecoin. Andrew discusses the rationale behind creating a GBP stablecoin, emphasising its potential use cases and benefits within the UK financial system. He highlights the need for innovation in traditional finance, the advantages of stablecoins in cross-border transactions, and the importance of regulatory support. The conversation also touches on the future of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and the role of public versus private blockchains in the stablecoin market.Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts About Agant:Agant is developing a regulatory-compliant, UK-based GBP stablecoin, aiming to facilitate secure and transparent on-chain transactions and wealth storage in pound sterling. The platform aspires to become the global standard for digital GBP transactions, addressing the growing demand for digital assets among UK investors and the substantial remittance flows involving the UK.For more information, visit https://www.agant.io. Or to connect with Andrew directly, message him on LinkedIn, or follow him on X at @andy_agant.
Time stamps· Introduction to Andrew MacKenzie and Agant (00:00:00)· Scottish Banks and Interest in Stablecoins (00:00:34)· Inspiration for GBP Stablecoin (00:00:48)· Regulatory Landscape for Stablecoins (00:02:20)· Evolution of the GBP Stablecoin Project (00:03:09)· Understanding Stablecoins (00:03:18)· Maturity of the Stablecoin Market (00:04:39)· Cross-Border Use Case for GBP Stablecoin (00:06:05)· Settlement Benefits of Stablecoins (00:08:14)· Programmability of Digital Sterling (00:10:09)· Digital Euro and GBP Stablecoin Interaction (00:10:51)· Key Developments in Stablecoins (00:12:13)· CBDCs vs. Stablecoins (00:14:24)· Public vs. Private Blockchains (00:16:30)· Interoperability of Blockchains (00:17:50)· UK Government Support for Fintech (00:19:25)· The importance of a supportive environment (00:21:16)· UK's historical innovation in finance (00:22:12)
February 6, 202521 min
Episode 34 - Navigating the Future of Digital Assets
We had the pleasure of speaking with Colin Jones, PhD, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Outerlands Capital in this Episode of The Gage. Colin and our CEO, Sean Kiernan first met through Hub 71, an Abu Dhabi incubator program, where he shared his insights with member companies. Today, he joins us from Notre Dame, Indiana, where he reflects on his journey into the world of digital assets.Colin's background is fascinating; he spent over a decade as a finance professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he developed a passion for digital assets that began in 2013. After feeling a bit stagnant in academia, he sought a new challenge and joined Horizon Labs, a blockchain development company. There, he built the investments team and engaged in various activities, from tokenomics advisory to managing the balance sheet. This experience ultimately led to the founding of Outerlands Capital in the summer of 2023, where he focuses on creating high-quality portfolios of liquid digital assets aimed at institutional investors.During our conversation, Colin shared his early experiences with digital assets, including a memorable encounter with a student who introduced him to Bitcoin. He described how the volatility of Bitcoin fascinated him and how the emergence of Ethereum expanded his understanding of programmable money. Colin also discussed the evolution of his teaching, where he offered courses on digital assets, and how some of his students have gone on to successful careers in the crypto space.One of the key themes of the discussion was the importance of research in the digital asset space. Colin emphasized that many investors dismiss crypto as mere "meme coins," overlooking the significant value being created in the Web3 movement. He highlighted Outerlands' commitment to rigorous research, including studies on diversification in digital assets, which revealed that diversification works similarly in crypto as it does in traditional asset classes.Colin also shared insights into the construction of portfolios for institutional clients, noting that many allocators currently have zero exposure to digital assets. He suggested that a 1-5% allocation to digital assets could enhance overall portfolio performance, especially given the asset class's potential for explosive growth. We discussed the role of governance tokens and the need for well-structured tokens that provide real value and control to investors.Colin expressed an optimism about the future of digital assets in the U.S., especially in light of recent political developments and the growing acceptance of crypto among institutional investors. He encouraged listeners to remain open-minded about Web3 and decentralization, emphasizing the transformative potential of allowing individuals to take control of their own assets and data.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of finance and technology, as Colin provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of digital assets and the opportunities that lie ahead.Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts About Outerlands Capital:Outerlands Capital is a cutting-edge digital asset manager, originally the investments team of Horizen Labs. Combining blockchain development expertise with institutional finance experience, Outerlands Capital provides diversified exposure to long-term blockchain innovation.Their investment strategies leverage data-driven, systematic portfolio construction, deep fundamental research, and proven risk mitigation processes, ensuring a structured and informed approach to digital asset management.For more information, visit https://www.outerlands.io/
Time stamps00:00:00 - Introduction to Colin Jones and Outerlands00:00:49 - Colin's Journey from Academia to Digital Assets00:02:40 - The Vision of Outerlands Capital00:04:15 - Student Reactions to Digital Asset Classes00:05:39 - Research Focus and Insights at Outerlands00:10:41 - Historical Context of Digital Assets00:11:09 - Accessing Research and Reports00:11:41 - Portfolio Construction and Digital Asset Allocation00:14:04 - The Role of Governance Tokens00:15:59 - Active vs. Passive Management in Digital Assets00:18:00 - The Current Mood in the U.S. Crypto Landscape00:19:51 - Closing Thoughts on Web3 and Decentralization
In this episode of The Gage, we had the pleasure of welcoming Lord Bellingham, a distinguished figure with a rich background in politics and business. With over three decades of experience as a Member of Parliament and now a member of the House of Lords, Lord Bellingham shared insights into his career journey and his current role as chairman of M2 Recovery, a pioneering company in the insurance sector focused on cryptocurrency fraud.We began by exploring Lord Bellingham's extensive political career, which started in 1983 and spanned until 2019. He recounted his experiences as both a minister and a backbencher, emphasising the importance of serving constituents and the unique challenges of representing a constituency like Northwest Norfolk. After stepping down from Parliament, he transitioned into the business world, where he has taken on a portfolio of roles, including his leadership at M2.Throughout the episode, Lord Bellingham expressed his concerns about the risks faced by individual investors, particularly those who may not fully understand the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies. He urged listeners to approach crypto investments with caution and to consider the importance of insurance as a safeguard against fraud.As we wrapped up, Lord Bellingham reflected on how his views on the crypto world have evolved since entering the business sector. He reiterated that while cryptocurrencies can be a valuable addition to investment portfolios, they are not suitable for everyone, especially unsophisticated investors.This episode provided a fascinating look into the intersection of politics, business, and the emerging world of cryptocurrency insurance. Lord Bellingham's insights and passion for the subject matter made for an engaging and informative discussion that hopefully will resonate with our listeners, especially those interested in the future of finance and investment security.Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts About M2 RecoveryM2 Recovery’s mission is to provide insurance coverage for legal expenses related to cryptocurrency fraud and asset theft. M2 offer unique insurance policies are designed to cover legal expenses for individuals who fall victim to crypto scams. Lord Bellingham emphasises the importance of maintaining strong governance and regulatory compliance in this highly regulated industry and aswell as the challenges of recovering assets from international scammers and the complexities involved in legal proceedings.Time stamps00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guests00:00:24 - Lord Bellingham's Background and Political Career00:02:56 - Transition to Business and the House of Lords00:05:58 - Introduction to M2 and the Concept of Crypto Insurance00:06:10 - First Experiences with Cryptocurrency00:10:17 - Understanding the Risks of Crypto Investments00:12:19 - M2's Unique Insurance Offerings00:14:51 - Challenges in Recovering from Crypto Scams00:16:13 - The Growing Need for Crypto Insurance00:18:41 - Target Audience for M2's Products00:20:08 - The Future of Crypto and Insurance Market00:22:08 - Final Thoughts on Crypto Investments and Insurance00:25:21 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks
October 31, 202417 min
Episode 32 - Building a Grassroots Movement: Insights on Stand With Crypto in the UK
In this episode of The Gage, our CEO had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Harries, the Director for International Policy at Coinbase. We discussed the impactful "Stand With Crypto" movement, which began in the U.S. and has now expanded to the U.K, with plans for further international growth. Katie highlighted the importance of this initiative in mobilising crypto advocates and turning them into informed voters, especially in light of the upcoming elections.Katie emphasised the unique approach that the U.K. will take with "Stand With Crypto," focusing on promoting a positive business and policy environment for digital assets. She outlined the movement's goals, including showcasing the economic benefits of blockchain technology and fostering grassroots support across various communities.We explored several innovative use cases of blockchain technology beyond financial services, such as its applications in telecommunications and supply chain tracking. Katie also shared insights into the government's role in creating a comprehensive regulatory framework and the need for a cross-government strategy to fully harness the potential of blockchain.Katie expressed her excitement about the opportunities for the U.K. to lead in the digital revolution and invited listeners to engage with the movement by signing up and sharing their own innovative use cases. It was an enlightening conversation, and we at Greengage are eager to see how the "Stand With Crypto" initiative evolves in the coming months. Listen to our other podcasts: https://www.greengage.co/podcasts About Stand With CryptoStand With Crypto is a non-profit organisation dedicated to uniting global crypto advocates. It is more than a community - it's a movement., which is committed to driving sensible crypto innovation and crypto policy. In the United States the movement has reached over 700,000 sign-ups and is continuing to grow. The initiative is now expanding internationally and is coming to the UK now. Greengage is proud to be an official partner of the Stand With Crypto initiative in the UK and are honoured to join a community of innovators who recognise the transformative potential of blockchain technology.To join the movement, register here: https://ukstandwithcrypto.deform.cc/signup/?utm_source=greengage&utm_medium=social Read more about Stand with Crypto: https://www.standwithcrypto.org/
Time stamps00:00:00 - Introduction to Katie Harries and Her Background00:01:30 - The Stand With Crypto Movement in the US00:02:50 - Expanding Stand With Crypto to the UK00:03:40 - The Vision for Stand With Crypto in the UK00:04:50 - Showcasing Blockchain Use Cases Beyond Finance00:06:30 - Engaging Policymakers and Local Communities00:08:10 - Goals for Government Support and Policy Framework00:10:30 - Coinbase's Role in Stand With Crypto00:12:00 - Plans for Future Events and Expansion00:14:30 - How to Get Involved with Stand With Crypto00:16:00 - Closing Thoughts and Future Opportunities
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