Word on the Block | Forkast.News
294 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsA weekly, 30-minute podcast interviewing leading CEOs, policymakers, and thought leaders in the world of blockchain. Produced from Asia by Forkast.News, and hosted by award-winning anchor Angie Lau, Word on the Block goes beyond the headlines in providing in-depth, 1:1 interviews with the newsmakers shaping the rapid innovation and impact of blockchain, crypto, and emerging technology on business, politics, and the global economy.
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Episodes
Current Forkast #11: Crypto surge before halving. SenseTime and China, BitMEX shuns Japan.
May 06, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 27.7 MBOther top news: IBM’s Covid medical supply network. Blockchain firms continue to bloom in China. Startups in Japan, India and Singapore.
Current Forkast #11: Crypto surge before halving. SenseTime and China's CBDC. BitMEX shuns Japan.
May 06, 2020 08:28 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MBOther top news: IBM’s Covid medical supply network. Blockchain firms continue to bloom in China. Startups in Japan, India and Singapore.
Current Forkast #10: Ripple sues YouTube. Hong Kong's first bitcoin fund manager. DeFi hack.
April 30, 2020 08:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBOther top news: Courier giant YTO forms logistics lab. 224 more blockchain firms get official thumbs up. VC in Singapore, UK and US.
Current Forkast #09: U.S.' new ‘digital dollar.’ China's Blockchain Service Network. Libra's pivot.
April 29, 2020 16:50 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBOther top news: Bitcoin halving frenzy. New Huawei tech zone. Blockchain company busted for defective face masks. VC in Hong Kong and Canada.
Hong Kong's approval of crypto manager may boost institutional investment (ft. Avaneesh Acquilla)
April 29, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 27.7 MBArrano Capital, Asia's first regulator-approved digital asset manager opens the door for wider cryptocurrency adoption among investors.
Current Forkast #09: U.S.' new ‘digital dollar.’ China's Blockchain Service Network. Libra's pivot.
April 22, 2020 15:43 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MBOther top news: Bitcoin halving frenzy. New Huawei tech zone. Blockchain company busted for defective face masks. VC in Hong Kong and Canada.
‘Liquidity is the new boss in town’: What it takes to survive during Covid-19 (ft. Omer Ozden)
April 16, 2020 07:52 - 25 minutes - 35.3 MBCovid-19 presents its challenges for the global economy, especially startups, but also opportunities.
‘Liquidity is the new boss in town’: What it takes to survive during Covid-19 (ft. Omer Ozden, RockTree LEX)
April 16, 2020 07:52 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MBCovid-19 presents its challenges for the global economy, especially startups, but also opportunities.
The Current Forkast #08: Reddit crypto awards, Ripple coupling with BoA, Blockchain & booze.
April 15, 2020 06:14 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBAlso: Dozens of crypto firms sued in 11 class-action lawsuits. Bitcoin mining company Canaan bleeds red ink. Fintech funding in India, and more.
The Current Forkast #08: Reddit crypto awards, Ripple coupling with BoA? Blockchain & booze
April 15, 2020 06:13 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBAlso: Dozens of crypto firms sued in 11 class-action lawsuits. Bitcoin mining company Canaan bleeds red ink. Fintech funding in India, and more.
Did the coronavirus create an opening for Bitcoin adoption and investment? (ft. Matthew Dibb, Stack)
April 14, 2020 03:46 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBBitcoin's tumble amidst the coronavirus pandemic may be an opportunity for investors, says Stack COO Matthew Dibb.
The US was close to having a digital dollar, but a CBDC might be better (ft. David Treat)
April 13, 2020 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBThe U.S. government's efforts to stimulate the economy don't include a digital dollar, but a director of the Digital Dollar Project said that a central bank digital currency might be better in the long term for the United States.
Current Forkast #06: Blockchain tool to fight Covid-19, Zoom social distances from Facebook, Coronavirus disables Digital Farms
April 11, 2020 08:22 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including how brand names like IBM and Microsoft are using blockchain as a tool against Covid-19, popular video conferencing app Zoom social distancing itself from Facebook, how the Coronavirus is disabling digital farms, and more!
Current Forkast 07: Binance buys CoinMarketCap, Toilet Paper Token skunks Bitcoin, China's patents
April 08, 2020 12:00 - 22 minutes - 30.9 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including Binance buying CoinMarketCap, BMW using blockchain to track auto parts, Nodle launching their own network, the Netherlands using DLT in fight against coronavirus, Toilet Paper Token skunking Bitcoin, and how China is pulling ahead in patent race; blockchain and AI in TV and film.
Current Forkast #07: Binance buys CoinMarketCap, Toilet Paper Token skunks Bitcoin, China pulls ahead in patent race
April 07, 2020 07:33 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including Binance buying CoinMarketCap, BMW using blockchain to track auto parts, Nodle launching their own network, the Netherlands using DLT in fight against coronavirus, Toilet Paper Token skunking Bitcoin, and how China is pulling ahead in patent race; blockchain and AI in TV and film.
Current Forkast #06: Blockchain tool to fight Covid-19, Zoom, Coronavirus disables Digital Farms
March 31, 2020 21:00 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including how brand names like IBM and Microsoft are using blockchain as a tool against Covid-19, popular video conferencing app Zoom social distancing itself from Facebook, how the Coronavirus is disabling digital farms, and more!
Current Forkast 05: U.S. proposes digital dollar, Coinbase top lawyer joins Treasury, and more
March 25, 2020 21:00 - 26 minutes - 36 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including how U.S. lawmakers propose creation of digital dollar, Coinbase's legal chief heading U.S. Treasury post, Bitcoin-Red Cross fundraiser in Italy, universal basic income, Steem's hard fork into Hive, and more.
Current Forkast #05: U.S. proposes digital dollar, Coinbase top lawyer joins Treasury, and more
March 25, 2020 21:00 - 26 minutes - 24 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including how U.S. lawmakers propose creation of digital dollar, Coinbase's legal chief heading U.S. Treasury post, Bitcoin-Red Cross fundraiser in Italy, universal basic income, Steem's hard fork into Hive, and more.
Don't panic, coronavirus to last months—face masks and social distancing helps (ft. Ariane Davison)
March 23, 2020 21:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBAs the coronavirus rampages outside of China with numbers of infected rising each day, some experts are advising individuals not to panic, but to practice social distancing, avoid crowds at supermarkets, wear face masks, and to use anti-microbial wipes to clean your hands as the infection could stay for months to come. Dr. Ariane Davison, a Hong Kong-based viral immunologist and director of Global Health Care Consultants explains.
CoolBitX CEO Michael Ou: FATF regulation compliance is a trend for cryptocurrency companies
March 19, 2020 21:00 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBCompliance to international regulatory standards is becoming standard for cryptocurrency-related startups seeking to legitimize their business. Global blockchain security organization CoolBitX's founder and CEO Michael Ou sat down with Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau to discuss how compliance with the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) is increasingly important in the cryptocurrency sector.
Current Forkast 04: Bitcoin’s wild ride. Robinhood in tough times. Coronavirus and Ethereum
March 18, 2020 21:04 - 23 minutes - 32 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including how coronavirus batters crypto markets, Covid-19 infiltrating Ethereum events in Europe, Robinhood’s latest woes, Blockchain voting after the stain of Voatz, IOTA limping back after cyber attack, and smart cities and blockchain regulations in China.
Current Forkast #04: Bitcoin’s wild ride. Robinhood in tough times. Coronavirus and Ethereum
March 18, 2020 21:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including how coronavirus batters crypto markets, Covid-19 infiltrating Ethereum events in Europe, Robinhood’s latest woes, Blockchain voting after the stain of Voatz, IOTA limping back after cyber attack, and smart cities and blockchain regulations in China
Cardano Foundation chairperson says Asia has 'crypto groove' (ft. Nathan Kaiser)
March 16, 2020 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBAsia's blockchain and cryptocurrency projects have more vitality than other regions, according to Cardano Foundation Chairperson Nathan Kaiser.
The Current Forkast Podcast 03: India's crypto scene, S. Korea regulations, HTC blockchain phone
March 12, 2020 00:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBIn this Current Forkast, we bring you top headlines around the world, including India's crypto ban reversal, regulations in South Korea, bitcoin news from France, a new Ethereum protocol and of course, blockchain happenings in China. Read on for the latest on how the coronavirus has affected China’s businesses, as well as Beijing's first blockchain invoice for its citizens and government services.
India’s Supreme Court ruling is a ‘game changer’ for crypto growth (ft. Sumit Gupta, CoinDCX)
March 06, 2020 10:00 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBIndia's crypto sector saw a major boost after its Supreme Court ruled to lift a ban on crypto trading, paving the way for more blockchain development.
Tokenized gold: smart investment as coronavirus fuels market crash? (ft. Jon Deane, InfiniGold)
March 05, 2020 10:00 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBCoronavirus fears are sending markets tumbling. Could tokenized gold, or gold-backed crypto, be the next safe-haven investment in times of economic turmoil?
The Current Forkast Podcast 02: Lightning Loop, SEC's crypto safe harbor, Zcash vote
February 25, 2020 23:00 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBWelcome to The Current Forkast series with Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau and Brian Lio, CEO of blockchain research group Smith + Crown. In this episode we talk about: Lightning Labs raises $10 million in Series A funding and launches Lightning Loop beta, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce proposes token sale safe harbor, and Zcash votes to allocate 20% of mining rewards to development funds.
How blockchain could incentivize transparency in medicine (ft. Jim Nasr, Acoer)
February 21, 2020 04:33 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBPublic health coins could be used to incentivize people to interact honestly with the health care system in the case of an event such as the coronavirus epidemic.
Swiss Bankers Association seeks easier banking access for blockchain firms (ft. August Benz, SBA)
February 13, 2020 10:00 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBThe Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) is seeking ways to bridge the traditional financial sector to new blockchain-related industries, including ways to open bank accounts said SBA deputy CEO August Benz. Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau sits down with Benz to learn more.
The Current Forkast Podcast 01: Spencer Dinwiddie, IEOs and Bitwise investor bulletin
February 12, 2020 06:38 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBWelcome to The Current Forkast series with Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau and Brian Lio, CEO of blockchain research group Smith + Crown. In this episode we talk about: NBA player Spencer Dinwiddie's token release, SEC's warning on Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs), Bitwise investor bulletin
The Current Forkast Podcast 01: Spencer Dinwiddie, IEOs and Bitwise investor bulletin
February 12, 2020 03:13 - 19 minutes - 26.3 MBWelcome to The Current Forkast series with Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau and Brian Lio, CEO of blockchain research group Smith + Crown. In this episode we talk about: NBA player Spencer Dinwiddie's token release, SEC's warning on Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs), Bitwise investor bulletin
How DLT tracker HashLog could stop censorship in coronavirus reporting (ft. Mance Harmon, Hedera Hashgraph)
February 09, 2020 22:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBDistributed ledger technology could used by front-line health care responders dealing with the coronavirus epidemic to submit information in real-time around the world regardless of censorship. HashLog, a dashboard designed to publicly track coronavirus developments via distributed public ledger Hedera Hashgraph could mitigate political influence involved in spreading information, according to Hedera Hashgraph co-founder and CEO Mance Harmon.
How DLT tracker HashLog could stop censorship in coronavirus reporting (ft. Mance Harmon)
February 09, 2020 21:19 - 19 minutes - 27.3 MBDistributed ledger technology could used by front-line health care responders dealing with the coronavirus epidemic to submit information in real-time around the world regardless of censorship. HashLog, a dashboard designed to publicly track coronavirus developments via distributed public ledger Hedera Hashgraph could mitigate political influence involved in spreading information, according to Hedera Hashgraph co-founder and CEO Mance Harmon.
Could the dollar lose global reserve status to digital currencies? (ft. Perianne Boring, Chamber of Digital Commerce)
February 04, 2020 21:02 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBThe Chamber of Digital Commerce is "gravely concerned" about how the U.S. Government is addressing technological challenges and opportunities posed by blockchain according to founder and president Perianne Boring. The U.S. could be ceding technological leadership as well as the dollar's reserve currency status to other nations including China if it does not revamp policies toward emerging blockchain innovation.
Could the dollar lose global reserve status to digital currencies? (ft. Perianne Boring)
February 04, 2020 21:02 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBThe Chamber of Digital Commerce is "gravely concerned" about how the U.S. Government is addressing technological challenges and opportunities posed by blockchain according to founder and president Perianne Boring. The U.S. could be ceding technological leadership as well as the dollar's reserve currency status to other nations including China if it does not revamp policies toward emerging blockchain innovation.
Indonesia's digital currency might come in 2020 (ft. Indonesian Blockchain Association)
January 22, 2020 09:50 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBAs China's digital currency is said to be "progressing smoothly," Indonesia is also working on releasing their own proof of concept this year according to Indonesian Blockchain Association co-founder Pandu Sastrowardoyo.
Will digital currencies or Libra challenge Ripple's money transfers? (ft. Navin Gupta, Ripple)
January 22, 2020 09:50 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBAs China, Singapore, Canada and other countries develop digital currencies in part to facilitate cross-border transactions, Ripple's managing director of South Asia and EMEA Navin Gupta instead said that such currencies' primary usage would be domestic.
Switzerland will not see mass enterprise adoption of blockchain (ft. Daniel Gasteiger, Trust Square)
January 14, 2020 14:09 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBAlthough Switzerland's Crypto Valley may seek to become a global blockchain hub, its government is too slow to adopt the technology even as Facebook's Libra incorporates in the country according to Trust Square co-founder Daniel Gasteiger.
Privacy doesn't equal anonymity on blockchain (ft. Lone Fonss Schroder, Concordium)
December 22, 2019 12:45 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBIdentification on a protocol level could help blockchain become mainstream for blue-chip companies like MasterCard, Volvo and Geely as KYC and AML regulations are met. Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau talks to Concordium CEO Lone Fonss Schroder to find out more.
Blockchain Use Cases Spread to Supply Chain Transparency (ft. Yonathan Lapchik, SUKU)
December 20, 2019 03:58 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBReal-world applications for blockchain outside of cryptocurrency are gaining traction, as startups like SUKU aim to apply the technology to help everyday consumers track where the meat they buy at supermarkets comes from. Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau talks to SUKU CEO Yonathan Lapchik to understand how the company uses a “supply chain as a service” blockchain platform.
Inside China's plans to protect user privacy in its smart cities (ft. Vincent Wang, Wanxiang)
December 19, 2019 14:35 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBSafe cities' level of privacy remains a core concern, as indicated by the recent resignation of Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs' Director of Privacy Ann Cavoukian. The application of blockchain to smart cities can protect user privacy, said Vincent Wang, Chief Innovation Officer of Wanxiang Group.
How Chinese talent is driving a boom in blockchain investment (ft. Sam Lee, Blockchain Global)
December 06, 2019 02:23 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBChina's blockchain talent pool is increasingly attracting investment from firms such as Blockchain Global, especially in the wake of endorsement from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau sits down with Blockchain Global Founder and CEO Sam Lee to learn about how the company is tapping into and incubating blockchain talent and enterprise in China.
How Decentralized AI can Address Bias in Code (ft. John Devadoss, NEO)
December 02, 2019 22:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBForkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau has an in depth discussion with NEO Head of Development John deVadoss about how blockchain and decentralization can help machine learning and artificial intelligence problems such as bias.
How Decentralized AI can Address Bias in Code (ft. John deVadoss, NEO)
December 01, 2019 22:30 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBForkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau has an in depth discussion with NEO Head of Development John deVadoss about how blockchain and decentralization can help machine learning and artificial intelligence problems such as bias.
In Conversation With Gibraltar Minister Albert Isola on how the Rock Leads in Blockchain Regulation
November 15, 2019 12:14 - 27 minutes - 25 MBAngie Lau, Editor-in-Chief of Forkast.News, spoke with Gibraltarian Minister of Financial Services and Gaming Albert Isola about how his small jurisdiction became a global leader in blockchain regulation. The conversation covered a range of topics, including the possible effect, or lack thereof, of Brexit on Gibraltarian regulation of cryptocurrencies, the growing importance of Asia in the world of blockchain, and how the industry has brought together experts in finance and experts in techno...
In Conversation with Da Hongfei, Neo: China-Born Digital Asset Protocol
November 13, 2019 22:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBNeo is a cross-platform, code-agnostic blockchain revolutionizing the sector starting with distributed storage. Forkast.News' Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau sits down with Da Hongfei to find out about the technology and how it will affect various industries in China.
In Conversation with Da Hongfei, NEO: China-Born Digital Asset Protocol
November 12, 2019 11:51 - 44 minutes - 61 MBNeo is a cross-platform, code-agnostic blockchain revolutionizing the sector starting with distributed storage. Forkast.News' Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau sits down with Da Hongfei to find out about the technology and how it will affect various industries in China.
Creating a Decentralized Silicon Valley in Switzerland (ft. Mathias Ruch, CVVC)
November 09, 2019 11:12 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBSwitzerland is positioning itself to become a crucial hub for the global blockchain industry as investment group Crypto Valley Venture Capital (CVVC) reports that the top 50 blockchain-related companies in the country are valued over US$40 billion in 2019. CVVC Founder and CEO Mathias Ruch told Forkast.News that the country's regulation and policies helped to create an environment which attracted blockchain-related startups from around the world.
How Cryptocurrencies are Becoming an Asset Class (ft. Marc Bernegger, Crypto Finance)
November 05, 2019 13:56 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBCryptocurrencies have become a new target for investors shying away from politically volatile alternatives. As an on-going trade war between the United States and China and the U.K.’s exit from the European Union threatens the stability of conventional markets, more and more traditional investment entities have started experimenting with decentralized assets. Forkast.News’ Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau talks to Mark Bernegger, Founding Member of Crypto Finance AG to learn how the investment spac...
In Conversation with Emma Cui on Incubating Blockchain Startups
November 03, 2019 13:21 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBBlockchain-related startups have dealt with a fair share of challenges and skepticism, especially throughout a tumultuous year where volatility in cryptocurrencies has shaken people’s confidence in the industry. However, investments in blockchain projects has seen continued growth, and incubators like LongHash have sought to harness that potential. Forkast.News Editor-in-Chief Angie Lau sits down with Emma Cui, Founding Partner and CEO of LongHash to find out more.