Deep Dive Podcast

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Roy Shaham, CEO of Rain Protocol to discuss the evolution of prediction markets. Roy elaborates on the role of AI, the impact of decentralization, and how builders can create their own prediction markets on Rain. He also shares insights on the infrastructure behind these markets and why they could become an important part of the future of the internet.

This week's guest(s):

Roy Shaham is CEO of Rain Protocol, the permissionless prediction protocol enabling developers to build decentralized forecasting and prediction applications. He has over 15 years of leadership experience across Web3, fintech, gaming, AI, and digital platforms, and focuses on the future of prediction infrastructure, decentralized systems, and AI.

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Jake Claver to discuss the current crypto market outlook and how family offices are approaching digital assets in today’s environment. Jake shares insights on investor sentiment, portfolio strategy, and the evolving role of Bitcoin and other crypto assets within broader wealth management frameworks. He also breaks down the debate between ETFs and self-custody, explaining how sophisticated investors are thinking about access, security, and long-term positioning in the digital asset space.

This week's guest(s):

Jake Claver is Chairman and Principal of Digital Ascension Group, a global digital asset wealth management firm setting the standard for end-to-end digital asset management for established investors, family offices, and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). In this role, Jake leads the firm’s strategic vision and guides long-term direction, governance, and the evolution of its multi-family office model.

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson speaks with Jimmy Su, Chief Security Officer at Binance, about the rapidly evolving world of crypto security. Jimmy breaks down how Binance protects users from emerging threats, how hacks and scams are becoming more sophisticated, and the role AI is playing in both defending and exploiting digital systems. He also discusses the potential impact of quantum computing, new security measures on the horizon, and practical steps users can take to keep their crypto safe.

This week's guest(s):

Dr. Jimmy Su is the Chief Security Officer at Binance. With extensive experience in global cybersecurity, Jimmy is responsible for developing the technology, processes, and team that ensure the secure storage of Binance's holdings. Prior to joining Binance, he led security teams at JD.COM and FireEye, focusing on areas such as account security, data security, IoT security, and real-time malware detection.

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Jason Leibowitz, head of business development at Meanwhile, to discuss Bitcoin life insurance. Jason explains how Meanwhile provides life insurance denominated entirely in Bitcoin, noting the differences between this and traditional life insurance solutions. He further discusses the benefits associated with Bitcoin life insurance for both beneficiaries and policy holders. Jason also mentions how to borrow against Bitcoin when held with Meanwhile and explains how the Bitcoin sector has matured overall. 

This week's guest(s):

Jason Leibowitz is Head of Business Development at Meanwhile, the Bitcoin-denominated life insurance company helping long-term Bitcoin holders protect, grow, and transfer wealth across generations. A Bitcoiner since 2013, Jason has spent more than a decade at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets, including launching an early crypto hedge fund, co-founding Credit Suisse’s blockchain team, and leading private wealth initiatives for crypto investors. Before joining Meanwhile, Jason became a policyholder himself, convinced that Bitcoin holders needed better tools for long-term financial planning, liquidity, and inheritance.

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Ian Dilick, head of developer relations at World Foundation, to discuss how to verify human identity in the age of AI. Ian begins by explaining the World Foundation’s goal and mission. He then discusses World’s “Orb,” a device that scans a human iris to verify identification. Ian also goes in-depth on use cases around World - including Tinder and DocuSign – and mentions new features such as the agent kit. 

This week's guest(s):

Ian Dilick is the head of Developer Relations at World Foundation. His role focuses on building bridges across business, product, engineering, and ecosystem teams.

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Isaac Joshua, CEO of Gems Launchpad, to break down what a crypto launchpad is and why it matters for token-based projects. Isaac explains how Gems works and how the platform helps select crypto projects raise capital, build community, gain trust, and scale. He also shares key red flags investors should watch for, along with the types of projects currently gaining the most traction in the market. 

This week's guest(s):

Isaac Joshua is the CEO of Gems, a launchpad for crypto projects. Issac has been an experienced professional and executive in Web3, crypto, and blockchain for the greater part of a decade. Consistently at the forefront of innovation and growth, he has held roles with global giants like eToro, in addition to a publicly traded crypto investment group, and top market-maker firms. Isaac closely interacts and engages with leading blockchains, funds, founders, and private investors, successfully raising tens of millions for groundbreaking projects and funds over the last few years.

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Joshua Sum of Solayer to discuss the future of high-performance blockchain infrastructure and why speed, scalability, and real-time execution are becoming critical to the next generation of Web3 applications. The conversation explores Solayer’s vision for hardware-accelerated blockchain design, the growing demand for infrastructure that can support financial applications at scale, and how the network is positioning itself at the intersection of performance, capital markets, and onchain innovation.

This week's guest(s):

Joshua Sum is the Chief Product Officer at Solayer Labs building hardware accelerated infrastructure for realtime financial systems. 

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Kevin O’Leary to discuss why he’s betting big on AI data centers, the growing importance of power infrastructure, the investment potential of collectibles, and where he sees the next major opportunity for the crypto sector. Drawing on his experience as an investor, O’Leary shares his perspective on how emerging technologies and alternative assets are reshaping capital allocation, what sectors he believes are best positioned for long-term growth, and why investors should be paying close attention to the intersection of energy, AI, and digital assets.

This week's guest(s):

Kevin O’Leary is an investor, entrepreneur, and Chairman of O’Leary Ventures Management GP. Best known as a longtime investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, he is also a prominent business commentator and author with investments across more than 30 private companies

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Alex Davis, founder of Mavryk, to discuss why tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) could represent a major shift in wealth creation – particulary for the middle class. Davis explains how real-world asset tokenization may expand access to investment opportunities that have historically been limited to institutions and high-net-worth individuals. The conversation explores how blockchain-based ownership, increased liquidity, and broader market access could help reshape the future of investing — and why this transformation may mark a new era of financial inclusion.

This week's guest(s):

Alex Davis, Founder and CEO of Mavryk, brings a multidisciplinary background spanning blockchain engineering, strategic operations, and decentralized finance. He began his career in the defense industry, developing expertise in systems analysis and strategic planning before tightening his focus on decentralized applications and financial infrastructure. Over the past decade, Alex has concentrated on building interoperable environments for real-world assets and next-generation financial systems. Through Mavryk Dynamics, Alex has led the development of Mavryk Network, a Layer-1 blockchain built for institutional-grade RWA tokenization;  Equiteez, Mavryk’s tokenization and secondary-market infrastructure suite for global asset managers and exchanges, and Maven Finance, a fully DAO-operated cooperative banking platform. Previously, he served as Chief Innovation Officer for Tezos MENA and co-founded Blockchain Alpha VC, advising on protocol design and enterprise adoption.

Alex is an active speaker and educator, sharing insights at the University of Zurich, Reichman University, and global conferences in Davos, Gibraltar, Los Angeles, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv.

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson interviews Jack McDonald, Ripple’s SVP of Stablecoins, about the growing institutional focus on stablecoins. He breaks down why RLUSD is drawing attention, how it fits into the broader digital asset landscape, and why shifting U.S. regulation could accelerate adoption across the sector.

This week's guest(s):

Jack McDonald is SVP of Stablecoins at Ripple, as well as CEO of Standard Custody & Trust Co., a New York-licensed digital asset custodian acquired by Ripple in 2024. At Ripple, Jack leads the company’s stablecoin strategy, including the development and rollout of Ripple USD (RLUSD), a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued on the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, and licensed by the New York Department of Financial Services.

Previously, Jack spent a decade as CEO of Conifer Financial Services, where he grew assets under administration from $5 billion to $125 billion, leading to a successful exit in 2016. He also spent several years on the sell-side at major investment banks, including senior roles at UBS Investment Bank as Managing Director and Head of Equity Sales, and at Schroders in institutional sales.

He holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.S.F.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. 

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In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with filmmaker Garrett Patten to discuss his new short film “Self Custody.” Garrett dives deep into "Self Custody," which tells the gripping story of a man trying to recover his lost Bitcoin after he loses access to his seedphrase. The film highlights the realistic anxiety surrounding self-custody and the responsibility that comes with it. Garrett also discusses his Bitcoin journey and shares how he got into filmmaking, in addition to mentioning what’s next for Bitcoin in Hollywood. 

This week's guest(s):

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with AI expert and entrepreneur John Arrow to explore the rapidly evolving impact of artificial intelligence on society. John shares his perspective on what the age of AI could look like for humanity, diving into real-world use cases shaping the future. He discusses the creation of an AI-powered digital clone of Dilbert creator Scott Adams, as well as the growing role of digital twins for living individuals. The conversation also examines AI’s broader implications—from transforming the job market to the ethical and societal risks that come with increasingly powerful technology.

This week's guest(s):

John Arrow is an entrepreneur who has founded and scaled numerous emerging tech companies. John bootstrapped Mutual Mobile to a 300 person organization, focused on helping Fortune 1000 companies unlock value from technologies like mobile, IoT, VR, Voice, and AI. John has had the honor of being named Forbes Most Promising CEOs under 35 and was selected as one of Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30. In 2023 he sold Mutual Mobile to the publicly traded company Grid Dynamics. John then co-founded a VC firm called Age Of AI, LLC that makes investments in some of the world’s leading AI companies. Currently, John serves as the CEO of FreedomGPT, an AI aggregator that allows anyone to access any artificial intelligence. 

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Chandler Fang, co-founder of t54 – a startup building the trust later for the agentic economy – to discuss how agents are transacting with other agents. Chandler explains what the agentic economy is, use cases we are seeing today and the need for trust within the agentic economy. 

This week's guest(s):

Chandler Fang is the Co-founder of t54, the trust infrastructure company for the agentic economy. Prior to t54, Chandler was the Lead Product Manager of Payments at Ripple, where he led the company's blockchain-powered cross-border payments platform, ‘Ripple Payment’. Before Ripple, as VP of Product Management, he was in charge of J.P. Morgan’s Cash Flow Forecasting AI product, serving hundreds of corporate clients. He also served as a Venture Partner at FoundersX Ventures, investing in DeepTech and FinTech for close to a decade. Chandler holds an MS in Financial Engineering from UC Berkeley Haas.

In this episode of Deep Dive Podcast host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Max Cunningham, Founder and CEO of Sesh, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. Max explains how he went from working as a busboy at a local bar in Canada to becoming the founder of one of the most successful nicotine pouch companies. In addition to sharing his founder story, Max explains what differentiates Sesh from other nicotine products. He goes in-depth on how nicotine can help stop addictive habits such as vaping and smoking and explains benefits associated with nicotine. 

This week's guest(s):

Max Cunningham is the CEO of Sesh, a nicotine pouch company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Max's entrepreneurial spirit ignited early. After working as a busboy, he bought into his first bar at 23. With a marketing education from BCIT and a focus on hospitality, he acquired ownership in a second bar by 25 while advancing in sales at Beam Global, a leading spirits distributor. His marketing talent was further demonstrated when he helped launch Glo and Vuse, propelling Vuse to the market leader across Canada. This success led Max to discover the need for better nicotine replacement therapy products, driving him to found Sesh in late 2020. 

In this episode of Deep Dive, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Rena Shah – COO of Stacks the president of Stacks endowment – to discuss the evolution of Bitcoin layer-2 (L2) networks. Rena explains what makes Stacks a leading Bitcoin L2 ecosystem, mentioning how the network is used today. Rena further comments on how L2 networks impact the price of BTC and mentions new Bitcoin use cases that we are seeing from builders in the ecosystem. 

This week's guest(s):

Rena Shah is the COO at Trust Machines, and supports the Stacks Endowment, where she builds and invests in Bitcoin DeFi products. She contributes to Granite (Bitcoin Lending protocol) and Leather (Bitcoin wallet). Previously, she was the Head of Exchange at Binance.US, where she grew the exchange from $30M to $3B in daily trading volume within 18 months. Rena spent time on the commodities side and has a unique background as a drilling engineer. She spent her early career offshore on drilling rigs while spinning up Bitcoin mining pools.

In this episode of Deep Dive, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Joe Kelly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Office of Unchained to discuss Bitcoin financial services. Joe explains Unchained's multi-signature custody model, the evolution of Bitcoin financial services, and the importance of disciplined risk management. The conversation also covers inheritance planning, regulatory landscapes, and the resilience of self-custody models in volatile markets. Joe shares additional  insights on future regulatory clarity and personal interests, concluding with practical advice on custody solutions and asset control.

This week's guest(s):

Joseph’s strategic leadership and visionary approach have been instrumental in establishing Unchained as a trusted provider of financial services for long-term bitcoin holders. He oversees compliance, service delivery, fundraising, marketing, and product development, shaping the company into a cornerstone of the bitcoin ecosystem. Under his leadership, Unchained has secured over 100k bitcoin through its collaborative custody model, offering clients secure, bitcoin-native solutions for wealth management, trading, and more. Before launching Unchained, Joseph co-founded Infochimps, where he led finance, operations, project management, and fundraising. His efforts were pivotal in the company’s growth and eventual acquisition by CSC. He attended University of Texas McCombs School of Business, and is a board member of the Texas Bitcoin Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to original research and education about Bitcoin and political economy.

In this episode of Web3 Deep Dive, host Rachel Wolfson sits down with Benjamin Eymère –- co-founder of Soilonic –- to explore how tokenized soil works and why agriculture may be one of the most compelling real-world use cases for Web3.

Benjamin breaks down how soil tokenization could help finance regenerative farming practices, align incentives between land stewards and capital, and bring greater transparency to agricultural and climate outcomes — without turning land into a purely speculative asset.

This week's guest(s):

Benjamin Eymère, co-founder of Soilonic, is a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur with a background in M&A (Paul Hastings, NYU LL.M) and media. Benjamin is the former CEO of L’Officiel, where he transformed the century-old magazine into a global fashion platform. He is also the co-founder of Heavensake and 91530 Le Marais, a regenerative art-and-agritech farm. With Soilonic, Benjamin envisions healthy soil as the next frontier for alternative assets.

In this episode Rachel speaks with Katia Zaitsev, co-founder and COO of Own. App, about the benefits of decentralized social networks. Katia begins by explaining the innovative features of the Own.App platform, which aims to empower creators by providing them with higher revenue shares and a decentralized social media experience. The discussion covers various aspects of creator monetization, the importance of authentic engagement, and the challenges of competing with established platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Additionally, Katia shares insights on user success metrics, community building, and offers advice for aspiring creators, particularly women in the crypto space.

This week's guest(s):

Katia Zaitsev is a tech entrepreneur who is currently the co-founder and COO of Own.App, a groundbreaking next-generation gamified social platform transforming the creator economy. Recognized as one of the Top 10 Women in Web3 for founding a company that applied blockchain to intellectual property and digital ownership, Katia has quickly established herself at the frontier of Web3 innovation. Additionally, Katia is a sought-after speaker and has spoken on global stages. 

In this episode, Rachel Wolfson speaks with Chetan Dube, CEO of Quant, about the rise of agentic artificial intelligence (AI). Chetan explains how Quant using agentic AI to revolutionize customer service by creating super intelligent digital employees that can autonomously resolve customer inquiries with a high degree of satisfaction. The discussion also touches on the ethical implications of AI, the future of human-AI collaboration, and the importance of reskilling the workforce as AI continues to evolve. Chetan further emphasizes the need for empathy in AI interactions and the potential for AI to assist in career counseling for those displaced by automation. The conversation concludes with advice for engaging with AI technologies and the importance of embracing this technological revolution.

This week's guest(s):

Chetan Dube is the CEO and Founder of Quant, a global leader in agentic artificial intelligence. He was formerly Founder and CEO of Amelia (formerly IPsoft) since its inception in 1998. Previously, Chetan served as an Assistant Professor at New York University, where his research was focused on deterministic finite-state computing engines. Chetan serves on the board of numerous IT-related institutions and regularly speaks at global events on a variety of topics such as autonomics, cognitive computing and the impact of a digital workforce. 

In this episode, Rachel Wolfson and Charlie Lee –- creator of Litecoin, one of the earliest and most influential cryptocurrencies in the world –- sit down to discuss the development of Litecoin. From launching Litecoin in 2011 as the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold,” to controversially selling his LTC at the peak, Charlie opens up about the highs, the regrets, and the lessons he learned over a decade in crypto.

Whether you're a crypto OG or just stepping into Web3, this is a candid, insightful conversation with one of the space’s original builders.

This week's guest(s):

Charlie Lee is the creator of Litecoin (LTC), one of the world’s earliest and most widely used cryptocurrencies. A former Google engineer and Director of Engineering at Coinbase, Lee launched Litecoin in 2011 as a faster, more scalable alternative to Bitcoin. He currently serves as a Director of the Litecoin Foundation and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors at MEI Pharma (NASDAQ: MEIP), where he is helping guide the company’s pioneering Litecoin Treasury strategy.

Sponsor Information: 

This episode was filmed at the Roxom TV studio in San Francisco. You can find out more about Roxom in the show notes.

Rachel Wolfson and Johann Kerbrat, senior vice president and general manager of Robinhood Crypto, discuss Robinhood Crypto and the platform’s recent developments. In this episode, Johann explains the goal behind Robinhood crypto and how users leverage the platform for trading and more. Johann also goes in-depth on the new products from Robinhood, such as tokenized stocks and its new social media feature. Johann also shares his views on the US regulatory environment, tokenization and artificial intelligence (AI). 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Johann Kerbrat is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Robinhood Crypto. He oversees and leads strategy for the crypto business. Johann joined Robinhood to support the company in its mission to democratize finance for all and open up access to crypto to everyday investors. Prior to joining Robinhood, he held engineering roles at Airbnb, privacy-focused cryptocurrency startup Iron Fish, and founded an e-commerce and payments platform company. Johann grew up in Nice, France and holds an MSc in Software Engineering from Oxford Brookes University.

Sponsor Information: 

This episode was filmed at the Roxom TV studio in San Francisco. You can find out more about Roxom in the show notes.

In this episode, Rachel Wolfson and David Sneider, co-founder of Lit Protocol, delve into the intersection of AI Agents and crypto trading, focusing on the innovative capabilities of Lit Protocol. They discuss the foundational goals of Lit Protocol, the challenges of private key management, and the future of AI agents for wallet integrations. The conversation highlights the potential of AI agents to automate trading strategies and the implications for user trust and financial management in the crypto space.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

David Sneider is a co-founder at Lit Protocol, the programmable authority network with over $250 million assets under management. Prior to Lit, David was a founder at a SaaS company acquired by Linkedin in 2017.

In this episode, Rachel Wolfson and Alenka –- Director of Ecosystem Success at TON Foundation –- discuss TON Foundation, its mission, and the role of Telegram in the Web3 ecosystem. Alenka shares her background and how she became involved in the crypto space, as well as the challenges of onboarding Web2 users into crypto. They explore the TON Wallet, the ecosystem of builders, and the importance of mini apps for driving user engagement in Telegram. Alenka further highlights the future focus areas for TON Foundation, including gaming, payments, and the Telegram economy, while emphasizing the significance of blockchain for Telegram's growth.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Alenka is Director of Ecosystem Success at TON Foundation, overseeing onboarding and ecosystem support programs for TON builders. Previously, she held managerial positions in web3 and FinTech startups and co-founded a web3 accelerator in collaboration with experts from Mastercard, AWS, dYdX, Ava Labs, among others.

In this episode, Rachel interviews Marc Vanlerberghe, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Algorand Foundation. Rachel and Marc discuss Algorand's strategic roadmap and how Algorand is paving the way for blockchain innovation with its focus on decentralization, mass adoption, strategic use cases, and cutting-edge research.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Marc Vanlerberghe is the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Algorand Foundation. Marc brings more than 20 years of experience in executive marketing positions, with a strong background in entrepreneurial, hyper-growth business environments. Prior to Algorand Foundation, he was the CEO of Rulai, a startup in the nascent conversational AI space. Before that, he was CMO at Medallia, the leading SaaS platform that enables companies to capture actionable customer data in real time. At Google, Marc was Vice President of Marketing for Access and Energy and advisor to CapitalG. Marc is known for launching Android and developing the brand into the most popular mobile operating system. Marc received his MBA from Stanford University and his MS degree in engineering from the University of Ghent, Belgium.

Sponsor Information: 

In this episode, Rachel interviews Tomer Weller, Chief Product Officer at Stellar, to discuss his journey at Stellar, the mission of Stellar, the introduction of smart contracts through the Soroban virtual machine, and the unique consensus mechanism that Stellar employs. Tomer elaborates on the onboarding of traditional financial institutions, the importance of privacy in blockchain, and the future innovations expected from Stellar –  including scalability and the role of stablecoins in the financial ecosystem. Tomer further shares insights on decentralized applications and the integration of Visa with Stellar, emphasizing the need for meaningful products that enhance user experience.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Tomer Weller is the Chief Product Officer at the Stellar Development Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on working with and supporting changemakers to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. At SDF, he focuses on product strategy and the future of the Stellar protocol.

Previously he served as SDF’s VP of Product, and VP of Tech Strategy, focusing on the future of the Stellar protocol, and  as Director of Partner Engineering, where he led an engineering team working closely with selected financial institutions on defining interoperability standards and building the supporting tools to grow the Stellar network. Tomer has been part of the Stellar ecosystem since 2017, has led a plethora of partner integrations and contributed to projects such as Horizon and StellarX.

In this episode, Janet Adams – chief operating officer of SingularityNET and board director of the ASI Alliance -- discusses her journey into the world of artificial intelligence, the mission of SingularityNET to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), and the importance of decentralization in AI development. She emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in AI, the potential for AGI to address global issues like hunger, and the role of women in technology. The discussion also touches on the intersection of AI and spirituality, the challenges facing AI development, and the future of AI in society.

This week's guest(s):

Janet Adams is the Chief Operating Officer of SingularityNET, the decentralised AI platform pioneering Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) for good. A leading voice at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and ethics, she is shaping a bold new vision for open, inclusive, and community-driven AI, challenging the dominance of centralized Big Tech models. Janet also sits on the board of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI Alliance) and is a co-founder of the decentralised AI projects Yaya Labs, Zarqa, Cogito Protocol and  Rejuve Biotech.

Sponsor Information: 

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Javier García, country manager for Spain at cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Rachel and Javier discuss current trends in the crypto sector including tokenization, stablecoins, artificial intelligence and more. Javier also details the growth at Binance and how the crypto exchange plans to advance moving forward. 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Javier García de la Torre is the Country Manager for Spain at Binance. He is responsible for leading local teams and driving the sustainable growth of the digital economy through the adoption of blockchain technology, crypto, and Web3 innovation.

Javier brings extensive international experience in digital transformation and product management across sectors including fintech, e-commerce, and data analytics. He has held leadership roles at major organizations such as Wizink, Equifax, TransUnion, and Telefónica.

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Reeve Collins, co-founder and chairman of Stbl.com and WeFi. Reeve co-founded Tether –- the stablecoin platform behind USDT – in 2014, and has since gone on to work on a solution to enable yield bearing stablecoins, along with the world’s first “deobank.”

In this episode Reeve goes in-depth on the stablecoin evolution, sharing his journey as the creator of the first stablecoin in 2014. Reeve also discusses the promise of Web3 and how this enables giving back to the community. He ends the discussion by explaining the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) for crypto payments. 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Reeve Collins is a leader in Web3 with multiple ventures including Smartmedia Technologies, which is a trusted enterprise Web3 platform. Reeve is a long-standing pioneer in both digital marketing and within the Bitcoin and Blockchain space. 

At his first blockchain venture, he invented the stablecoin as the Co-Founder and CEO of Tether, the most used cryptocurrency in the world with a 2022 trading volume of $19.3 trillion, ranking it as one of the top 10 most traded assets in the world.  

Prior to this Reeve Co-Founded BlockV, raising $22 Million in an ICO to deliver the first ever platform for the creation of the NFTs.  Before entering the blockchain sector, Collins founded several successful ventures, with a series of firsts in the online advertising space including being one of the initial employees at Avenue A which went public at the peak of the Internet bubble for $6.6 Billion. 

Sponsor Information: 

This episode was filmed at Proof of Talk 2025, an annual Web3 event that takes place at The Louvre in Paris.

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Richard Jones, CEO of Bitline, alongside Thomas McDonald, a Choctaw Casino executive. Richard explains how Bitline has integrated digital assets into Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma. He describes how casino guests can use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or stablecoins like USDC to play various games at Choctaw casino. Thomas elaborates how this is the first integration of its kind for digital assets being used at a traditional casino in the United States.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Richard Jones is the CEO of Bitline, the only industry provider enabling direct access to casino chips from cryptocurrency and digital asset holdings in physical casino environments. Under his leadership, Bitline is revolutionizing the way digital assets are utilized, offering seamless liquidity for crypto holders in just minutes. Bitline's innovative platform is set to transform casino gaming experiences globally, empowering users to access and transact with their digital assets effortlessly and securely. Richard's vision for financial inclusivity and real-world blockchain applications is positioning Bitline as a leader at the intersection of cryptocurrency and gaming.

Thomas McDonald is the senior director of cage & credit for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. In his role within the corporate commerce division, Tom is responsible for long term planning, operational projects and support of the cage and credit operations at Choctaw Nation’s four premier casinos & resorts, four casinos and 15 Casino Too locations. Tom has worked in gaming for over 30 years.

Sponsor Information: 

This episode is sponsored by KulaDAO. Kula is a decentralized impact investment firm that transforms overlooked assets into shared prosperity and thriving communities by reshaping how value and opportunity are recognized worldwide.

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Dr. Ben Goertzel about his extensive background in artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial general intelligence (AGI). He also discusses the importance of decentralization in developing beneficial AGI, along with the ethical considerations surrounding its creation. Dr. Goertzel emphasizes the need for a broad representation of human values in AGI systems and introduces the concept of the “10 Reckonings of AGI,” which address critical questions about the future of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. Dr. Goertzel further discusses the current landscape of AI development, contrasting the approaches of big tech companies with decentralized initiatives. He shares his personal journey into AI, the creation of Sophia the robot, and his work on longevity and digital twins. This is a great episode for both beginners & advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

In this episode, Rachel speaks with filmmakers Zach Ingrasci and Chris Temple about their documentary, “Vitalik: An Ethereum Story.” They discuss their journey in filmmaking, the unique aspects of Vitalik Buterin's character, and the motivations behind creating the film. 

The conversation also delves into the impact of cryptocurrency on the filmmaking process, including the use of NFTs for crowdfunding and community engagement, as well as the challenges faced in distributing independent films in a rapidly changing media landscape. Zach and Chris further explore the evolution of crowdfunding in the film industry, the unique aspects of the Ethereum community, and the future of filmmaking in the crypto space. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement and the impact of technology on storytelling.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Zach and Chris are film directors and the founders of Optimist, a production studio in Los Angeles. They are best known for directing the feature documentaries LIVING ON ONE DOLLAR (Netflix, 2015), SALAM NEIGHBOR (Netflix 2016), FIVE YEARS NORTH (PBS 2020), and THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE (Fuse 2024). They've also directed

or produced the short documentaries THE UNDOCUMENTED LAWYER (HBO 2020), FREE TO CARE (Documentary+ 2024), and ALL THINGS METAL (Rolling Stone 2024). They were both honored by DOCNYC and HBO as 40 under 40 filmmakers to watch.

Sponsor Information: 

This episode is sponsored by KulaDAO. Kula is a decentralized impact investment firm that transforms overlooked assets into shared prosperity and thriving communities by reshaping how value and opportunity are recognized worldwide.

In this episode, Jake Claver goes in-depth on how family offices can build wealth with digital assets. Jake explains why digital assets are interesting to family offices, while also pointing out how individuals can leverage digital assets for financial success. He also details recent events taking place in the Ripple community, as Jake is big believer in XRP.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Jake Claver is the CEO and Co-Founder of Beyond Broke Mastermind, Director of Digital Ascension Group, and CEO of Syndicately. A leader in high-performance family offices, digital assets, and wealth management, Jake specializes in alternative investments and blockchain implementation. His entrepreneurial ventures empower HNW and UHNW clients, creating sustainable, multi-generational legacies through innovative investment solutions. Jake is a certified family office professional and blockchain expert, with a proven track record of guiding clients in the evolving digital assets space.

Sponsor Information: 

This episode is sponsored by KulaDAO. Kula is a decentralized impact investment firm that transforms overlooked assets into shared prosperity and thriving communities by reshaping how value and opportunity are recognized worldwide.

In this episode, Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director of Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), goes in depth on real-world asset tokenization, the goals of SDF, how the Stellar Network is being leveraged and US regulations. Denelle gives a clear overview of the tokenization sector, explaining what real-world asset tokenization means and use cases. She also explains what SDF is doing to provide aid to communities in need through a partnership with the United Nations. Denelle further explores how blockchain is being used for good and explains why the technology is so important. She also discusses US regulations and how these are advancing to help the blockchain sector mature. 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Denelle Dixon is the CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on working with and supporting changemakers to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. She leads the teams that help maintain the Stellar network's codebase, support the communities around Stellar, and advocate on behalf of the network with international stakeholders.

In this episode, Micah Yeackley, co-founder of KulaDAO, shares insights into the innovative impact investment model of KulaDAO, which leverages blockchain technology to create transparency and governance in real-world asset (RWA) investments. 

The discussion covers Micah's background, the vision behind KulaDAO, the unique governance model of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and the importance of community involvement in investment decisions. Micah also addresses the challenges faced in the crypto space, the regulatory landscape, and the future prospects for KulaDAO as it seeks to make a positive impact in various communities around the world.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

With years of experience in real-world project development, Micah Yeackley has built a strong global network and led major initiatives across Africa and Asia.  In 2019, after helping friends and family invest in cryptographic assets, he formally founded the Veteran Broker, one of the first cryptographic brokerages in North America. The business now manages several hundred million USD of custodian assets (in crypto)  for over 100 clients all over the globe. Before his work in cryptographic investments, Micah completed a career in the US military. 

In this episode, Sharon Sciammas explains how ChainGPT is advancing blockchain technology with artificial intelligence (AI). He goes in depth on how users and developers can leverage ChainGPT for use cases like smart contract development, coding and more. Sharon also discusses AI’s role in the job market and how AI agents are replacing humans when it comes to certain tasks. 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Sharon Sciammas is the chief marketing officer of ChainGPT. Sharon’s journey has been driven by a passion for innovation, problem-solving, and scaling impactful ideas. Currently, he is focused on growing the ChainGPT Ecosystem and fostering the W3B Lab community, shaping the next wave of blockchain and AI advancements. 

With a decade of experience in data & analytics, Sharon has held roles ranging from big-data engineering to Head of BI. His deep understanding of data has been instrumental in driving strategic decisions, optimizing growth, and scaling platforms effectively. Beyond work, he is a proud father of three (and a cat). A fun fact—he flew an airplane before even getting a driver’s license. He is also a core team member at W3B Lab, contributing to building a thriving Web3 community.

Show sponsors & production team:

Special thanks to Quai Network for sponsoring this episode. Quai is a layer-1 network that leverages an energy token to advance the blockchain industry.

Solo Ceesay, CEO and co-founder of web3 social media app Calaxy, explains the importance of decentralized social media for content creators. Solo goes in depth on how Calaxy enables this by allowing content creators to make their own worlds to engage with fans directly. Solo highlights the growing need for decentralization with the recent ban of TikTok and other social media apps. Solo also touches on meme coins and the NFT market.  

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Solo Ceesay is CEO and Co-Founder at Calaxy. Before co-founding Calaxy with his business partner, NBA star Spencer Dinwiddie (Dallas Mavericks, LA Lakers, Brooklyn Nets), Solo held the position of Securitization Investment Banker at Citi after graduating from the Wharton School of Business. As a 30-year-old tech founder, Solo has successfully spearheaded over $33.5 million in private funding for Calaxy. He was named one of Variety’s Hollywood’s New Leaders of 2022, and has brought his financial expertise to many mainstream audiences including Nasdaq, CNBC, and Cheddar News, and more. 

Show sponsors & production team:

Special thanks to ChainGPT for sponsoring this episode. ChainGPT is a platform that enables blockchain companies to implement AI tools. 

Olivia Santarelli, Head of Marketing at cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, discusses her career path and explains different marketing strategies implemented by Gemini. Olivia goes in-depth about the record-breaking drone show Gemini hosted at South by Southwest 2025 and explains the story behind the campaign. She also discusses the goal behind Gemini’s “Go Where Dollars Won’t” campaign. In addition, Olivia shares her thoughts on being a woman in crypto and much more. 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Olivia Santarelli is the Global Head of Marketing at Gemini, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange based in New York. Olivia joined Gemini as one of its first marketers, focused on building the customer marketing function. Her work now is centered around brand building through community, thoughtful storytelling, and disruptive creative. She most recently led the launch of Gemini's new brand campaign, "Go Where Dollars Won't," which emphasizes exploration and crypto's limitless potential. Prior to joining Gemini, Olivia managed acquisition marketing strategies for the small business team at American Express. She is passionate about the future of money and driving the global adoption of cryptocurrency.

Show sponsors & production team:

Special thanks to Quai Network for sponsoring this episode. Quai is a layer-1 network that leverages an energy token to advance the blockchain industry.

In this episode, Alisia Painter, COO and Co-Founder of Botanix Labs, discusses how Bitcoin decentralized finance (DeFi) is evolving. Botanix Labs is a Bitcoin layer-2 network that is helping advance Bitcoin DeFi use cases. Alisia goes in-depth on this topic and explains how the “Spiderchain” is ensuring decentralization and security for Bitcoin DeFi. She further discusses new use cases for Bitcoin and explains how the Bitcoin community has evolved with the help of Ethereum.

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced listeners.

This week's guest(s):

Alisia Painter is the COO and Co-Founder of Botanix Labs, the team behind Spiderchain, the on-chain home of Bitcoin Finance. With a decade of experience in Ethereum, Alisia is a Bitcoiner at heart, focused on expanding its programmability for longtime Bitcoiners.

Show sponsors & production team:

Special thanks to Quai Network for sponsoring this episode. Quai is a layer-1 network that leverages an energy token to advance the blockchain industry.

In this episode, Dan Held – GP at Asymmetric investment fund and founding team member at Taproot Wizards – goes in depth on all things Bitcoin. Dan begins by sharing his background and explaining how he became involved in the Bitcoin sector early on. He then explains what Taproot Wizards is doing and how this relates to Bitcoin decentralized finance (DeFi).  Throughout the episode, Dan explains concepts related to Bitcoin –like “hodl” –and details how Bitcoin has evolved from 2011 until now. 

This is a great episode for both beginners and advanced Bitcoiners. 

This week's guest(s):

Dan Held is investing in Bitcoin DeFi as a GP at Asymmetric –- an investment fund focused on Web3 –- and a marketing advisor at Trust Machines, Taproot Wizards, Mezo, others. He’s also a Bitcoin educator with over 850,000 followers on social media.

He was formerly the Head of Marketing at Kraken, one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges. Dan is a serial crypto entrepreneur with two exits. In between his time in crypto, he was on the Growth Product and Marketing teams at Uber. Dan was also part of the original 2013 crypto meetup group in SF.

Show sponsors & production team:

Special thanks to Botanix Labs for sponsoring this episode.

Botanix Labs is the home for on-chain Bitcoin Finance. Its Spiderchain platform introduces new possibilities for long-term Bitcoin holders and seasoned DeFi users to securely earn yield with their BTC. By integrating smart contract functionality into Bitcoin, Spiderchain enables users to stake BTC for rewards or lend it for interest, all using Bitcoin’s native currency in a decentralized system. Long-term holders can earn income without selling, while DeFi users can apply strategies like liquidity provision, backed by Bitcoin’s proven security. A Proof-of-Stake consensus and multisig wallet network ensure funds remain protected while generating returns. 

In this episode, Blake Benthall, Founder of FathomX and the creator of Silk Road 2.0 goes in depth on all things related to crypto and Bitcoin payments, traceable transactions, crypto crime, meme coins and much more. Benthall explains why crypto transactions are horrible for illicit activity. He also elaborates on the importance of Bitcoin payments. Benthall touches on privacy coins as well and the use cases associated with coins like Monero. 

This week's guest(s):

Operating under the pseudonym "Defcon," Blake Benthall spent a year building and expanding Silk Road 2.0 until his arrest by the FBI in November 2014. After time in solitary confinement and eight months in a federal detention center, Blake spent many years cooperating with the FBI’s Cyber Division on high-profile cases.

In May 2022, Blake launched Fathom(x) with support from angel investors, including a former FBI agent who initially arrested him. Fathom(x) is a blockchain analysis and risk management company that allows businesses and individuals to see all of their cryptocurrency transactions in one place and to know if they are compliant with U.S. laws.

In this episode, Alan Orwick –- co-founder of Quai Network and CEO of Dominant Strategies –- shares his story about going from an Apple software developer to becoming the founder of Quai Network. Alan discusses his journey into the blockchain sector, explaining why a new layer-1 blockchain network was needed. He goes in-depth on the features and functionalities offered by Quai Network. Alan also addresses the shortcoming associated with Bitcoin and Ethereum and mentions how these can be solved. Alan further discusses the US regulatory landscape and how this is shaping the cryptocurrency sector. 

This week's guest(s):

Alan Orwick graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2020 with a degree in Computer Science. Following graduation, Alan worked at Apple as a Full Stack Software Engineer on the AMR Operations team. Alan is now currently the CEO of Dominant Strategies and is driving forward a portfolio of projects, most notably Quai Network.

In this episode, Italian singer-songwriter and actress Violetta Zironi shares her journey from traditional music industry challenges to embracing the world of Bitcoin and Ordinals/NFTs. She discusses the benefits of decentralization for artists, and her innovative approach to inscribing music on the Bitcoin blockchain. Violetta emphasizes the importance of community, ownership, and the future of music in a digital landscape, while also reflecting on her personal artistic expression and aspirations.

This week's guest(s):

Violetta Zironi, Italian singer-songwriter and actress with a decade-long career in traditional music, has birthed five studio albums and multiple world tours. In film, she has starred in three movies, including a Netflix Original production.

Venturing into blockchain in 2022, she is the #1 music NFT artist globally generating $2.5 million in revenue, showcasing resilience, a true entrepreneurial spirit and paving a new path for independent artists.

When starting to operate within the blockchain space, Violetta decided to put her traditional music releases on standby to fully explore the possibilities of web3, and managed to foster a community of 1,500 dedicated fans, sell over 10K music NFTs and lately a single song inscribed on the Bitcoin blockchain as an Ordinal for 1 BTC. 

Violetta believes the decentralized principles of Bitcoin can be applied to every aspect of life and creativity, including music, and is working to achieve self sovereignty for artists. 

In this episode Rachel speaks with David Bchiri, CEO of XRPL Commons. XRPL Commons aims to support developers, educators, and entrepreneurs who are committed to creating utility leveraging the XRP Ledger.

During this conversation, Rachel and David discuss how XRPL Commons enables web3 developers to build sustainable companies that solve real-world problems. David explains the importance of teaching and enabling free education. He also goes in depth on how XRPL Commons works and provides a few use cases of companies that are part of the organization. 

David touches on the difference between XRPL Commons and Ripple. He concludes by explaining why France is a wonderful location for blockchain startups to innovate. 

This week's guest(s):

David Bchiri is a software engineer turned entrepreneur. David has participated in building tech communities in Paris and San Francisco over the last 15 years. He is a blockchain enthusiast, life-long learner and cares about impact.

David’s superpowers include: bridge-builder, personable community organizer, and he will fix anything with food!

Show sponsors & production team:

This episode has been made possible by XRPL Commons.

In this episode Rachel speaks with Chris Maurice, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yellow Card.

Chris shares his journey in creating a platform that facilitates stablecoin transactions across Africa. He discusses the challenges of high remittance fees, the role of stablecoins in providing financial access, and the impact of Yellow Card on businesses and individuals.

Chris emphasizes the importance of education and regulatory compliance in the crypto space, as well as the engagement of Africa's youth in driving the adoption of this technology. He also shares real-world use cases of how Yellow Card has transformed lives and businesses.

This week's guest(s):

Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, is an American founder who has spent six years living and working in Africa, making significant contributions to the continent’s financial services industry. 

In 2016, Chris started Yellow Card from his dorm room in Auburn, Alabama, before moving the company to Lagos, Nigeria, and launching the mobile app in 2019. Today, Yellow Card is the largest crypto company on the African continent. In 2022, it became the first licensed virtual asset service provider on the continent. 

Yellow Card has facilitated over $3 billion in transactions, grown to over 250 employees across 20 countries, and launched full on-and-off ramps for local fiat currencies in 20 African countries. 

Chris graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Finance. Chris was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List (2023) in the "Finance" and "Big Money Startups" categories.

Show sponsors & production team:

This episode has been made possible by Scroll. Scroll is the leading zero-knowledge rollup. Designed by developers, for developers, Scroll’s bytecode-level compatibility makes building on it just like building on Ethereum. Open-source and community-driven from day one, Scroll’s developer ecosystem is the fastest-growing among zk-rollups, with over 2,400 active developers monthly and globally. Committed to shaping a more scalable web3, Scroll is the future of Ethereum.

In this episode Rachel speaks with Alex Masmej, founder and CEO of Drakula.app and $ALEX Token. They discuss Alex's journey into the crypto space, the creation of the $ALEX token, and the launch of the Dracula.app, which aims to empower content creators through decentralized social media. The conversation also explores the benefits and challenges of decentralized platforms compared to traditional social media, as well as the potential of projects like WorldCoin to address issues like identity verification and universal basic income.

This week's guest(s):

Alex Masmej is the founder and CEO of Drakula.app. Prior to creating Drakula.app, Alex launched $ALEX Token. The token was known as being “the first human IPO” and helped Alex move from his hometown in Paris to San Francisco, where he currently resides as a crypto entrepreneur. 

Show sponsors & production team:

This episode has been made possible by Scroll. Scroll is the leading zero-knowledge rollup. Designed by developers, for developers, Scroll’s bytecode-level compatibility makes building on it just like building on Ethereum. Open-source and community-driven from day one, Scroll’s developer ecosystem is the fastest-growing among zk-rollups, with over 2,400 active developers monthly and globally. Committed to shaping a more scalable web3, Scroll is the future of Ethereum.

In this episode Rachel speaks with Sandy Peng, co-founder of Scroll, which is a layer-2 scaling the Ethereum network. Rachel and Sandy discuss Sandy's background in the crypto industry, the evolution of Scroll as a Layer 2 (L2) solution on Ethereum, and the importance of scalability and security in blockchain technology. 

Real-world use cases are explored, along with the role of zero-knowledge proofs in enhancing scalability. The discussion also touches on the future of Layer 2 solutions, the challenges and opportunities for women in the crypto space, and the impact of regulatory developments on crypto adoption.

This week's guest(s):

Sandy Peng is the co-founder of Scroll, a leading zkEVM (zero-knowledge ethereum virtual machine) rollup solution focused on scaling the Ethereum network without compromising security or decentralization. She plays a pivotal role in overseeing business development, communications, fundraising, and community engagement. With a rich background in research and blockchain technology, Peng is a key figure in advancing zero-knowledge EVM solutions and blockchain business applications. 

Before co-founding Scroll, Peng worked at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and co-founded Fission Capital, where she specialized in investing in web3 projects. 

In this episode Rachel speaks with Russell Cann, chief development officer at Core Scientific. Russell goes in depth on Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. He explains why some Bitcoin miners are also hosting AI data centers, discussing the costs, profits and factors that are needed. He also talks about the relationship between Core Scientific and CoreWeave. In addition, Russell explains how Bitcoin mining works and why mining can be energy efficient. He ends by touching on AI and the future. 

This week's guest(s):

Russell Cann has 21 years of experience designing, building, and growing large scale technology infrastructure companies. Prior to Core Scientific, Russell grew and developed a blockchain and cryptocurrency mining business as well as several other network infrastructure companies. Russell previously worked for Accenture in the areas of fintech and risk management on projects in Europe and the Americas.

An active Philanthropist, Russell is a Trustee for the National Foundation of the Boy Scouts of America and Alston Wilkes Society. Further he volunteers with Sue Kuhlen Camp for Kids and Lion’s Club. He is an active member of YPO and graduated cum laude from the South Carolina Honors College and the Moore School of Business.

In this episode Rachel speaks with United States Senator Ted Cruz about his thoughts on Bitcoin and how it relates to politics and to the Texas economy. Senator Cruz shares his views on crypto and explains the benefits of Bitcoin mining. He also discusses the need for job creation in Texas and how this relates to the crypto sector.

This week's guest(s):

In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz was sworn into the United States Senate, where he has been a passionate fighter for limited government, economic growth, and national security. He has since authored dozens of legislative measures that have been signed into law. 

Senator Cruz is honored to serve as the top Republican on the Commerce Committee, a position that gives him the chance to have a far-reaching impact on innovation and growth across the landscape of daily life. As Ranking Member, he is focused on furthering innovation in the telecommunications space, protecting Americans’ privacy and security, helping Americans travel safely and more efficiently, and ensuring that the U.S. continues to lead the world in space exploration.

He is also leading the fight in the Senate to support Texas jobs, rein in Big Tech, secure the border, and fundamentally reassess the U.S.-China relationship and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for covering up the coronavirus pandemic, committing human rights atrocities, and engaging in censorship, propaganda, and espionage in the United States.