Encrypted

Faisal sits down with Hans Christensen, VP of Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre, to talk all things blockchain and crypto. Hans first introduces the pillars and model of DTEC and then explains how it aims to support the startup ecosystem when it comes to blockchain based projects. He also shares insights on a couple of blockchain use cases and projects that are undergoing and how Dtec aims to utilize this technology. Then, Faisal and Hans discuss the news related to Coinbase discussing an crypto ETF in partnership with Blackrock and what this means to the investment domain. Next, the story of Goldman Sachs swings on their crypto-focused arm is explored and how the news of that being abandoned heavily affected the market! Finally, the host and guest shed light on IBM’s announcement on their new payment product in partnership with Stellar and how this benefits the banking ecosystem by having more and more competition and the technology in general. All of the above and more will be on this week’s episode o

Ahmed and Faisal sit down with Fares Ghandour, Partner at Wamda Capital which is a VC based in Dubai, to discuss the latest news, trends and the really interesting debates that circulate in the blockchain space. Fares first introduces Wamda Capital and shares the investments they have made in the blockchain space as well as thoughts about regulation in the region and how regulation is being shaped by the blockchain start-ups they are investing in. The three then start of the discussion on this week’s news starting with Japan’s approach to tackle illicit crypto activities, and how as a developed market it is increasingly active in regulating this industry. They also touch on how crypto is becoming less and less used for illicit purposes as it actually makes it easier to get caught using crypto for fraud! We discuss a wide range of topics from this piece; from bitcoin maximalism, to working with regulators, and to a new generation of regulated exchanges implementing pieces of software that allows to track the

Ahmed and Faisal sit down to discuss China’s crackdown on cryptocurrency activities as Wechat, China's biggest social media platform, clamps down on major crypto accounts along with other series of related events. Next, the hosts discuss the US SEC’s rejection decision on 9 ETF proposal and the rebound on that decision along with its effects on the crypto market. All of the above and more will be on this week’s episode of Encrypted! If you liked what you heard, please do leave us a review on iTunes and the other platforms. Don’t forget to support us by spreading the word! Sources: China is now policing cryptocurrency by targeting WeChat accounts (https://qz.com/1365874/china-cracks-down-on-cryptocurrency-by-shuttering-wechat-accounts/) SEC U-Turn on ETF Rejection — A Balancing Act for Adoption? (https://cointelegraph.com/news/sec-u-turn-on-etf-rejection-a-balancing-act-for-adoption)

In this episode of Encrypted Interviews, Ahmed sits down with the CEO of Strategic Affairs of the Department of Economic Development of Dubai. They discuss: • How the Department’s current processes are inefficient • How blockchain will help eliminate inefficiencies and why they need a blockchain • Their successful pilot test with one free trade zone in Dubai Mohammed delves into their Department’s blockchain journey and their approach to actually solve problems currently faced by investors and businessmen coming into the UAE. As well as critically deconstructing the problem, Mohammed shared the grand plans for how their Department’s blockchain solution could not only be a solution used in the UAE but also shares their worldwide ambitions. The crux of the conversation is all about digital identity and Mohammed discusses their ideas and implementations for how digital IDs can soon become a reality in the UAE utilising digital signatures. All of the above and more will be on this episode of Encrypted Intervi

In this episode, Ahmed and Aniket sit down to discuss the Indian blockchain ecosystem as they attended the International Blockchain Congress in Hyderabad and Goa. Aniket gives a general overview of the current market state in India as he touches upon, the current challenges and the ever delaying regulation regarding crypto-assets and exchanges. Ahmed shares his experience about the conference, the interesting projects he met and also the panel he was invited to speak at along with the IT Director of the Government of Goa. The duo also tries to answer what could lie ahead in India’s blockchain story? All of the above and more will be on this week’s episode of Encrypted! If you liked what you heard, please do leave us a review on iTunes and the other platforms. Don’t forget to support us by spreading the word and do not forget to subscribe! Sources: Indian Crypto Regulation Ready by September: Official (https://news.bitcoin.com/indian-crypto-regulation-september/)

In this episode, Ahmed and Faisal touch on the SEC’s delay on deciding the way forward with a bitcoin ETF and the effects of that on the crypto market. The hosts discuss the response of this decision along with the view point of some domain leaders like Vitalil Buterin. The Binance decentralised demo is covered too along with how decentralised exchanges function and how they are actually governed. This is also contrasted with the other side of the spectrum with the Intercontinental Exchange recently reporting that they will be launching a new Digital Asset Exchange called Bakkt in November of this year! Finally, the hosts discuss Tezos’s research grant announcement as well as recent news on the Emerging Markets which also concerns exchanges! All of the above and more will be on this week’s episode of Encrypted! If you liked what you heard, please do leave us a review on iTunes and the other platforms. Don’t forget to support us by spreading the word! Articles links: SEC Postpones Decision on Bitcoin ETF Listi

Today Ahmed is joined by Dr. Marwan Al-Zarouni who gives a low down on the Dubai Blockchain Centre and generally what Dubai is up to in the blockchain space. They discuss: • His very interesting flippening moment (jargon for how someone got interested in bitcoin and blockchain) • Advice on how to the enter the industry • Different applications utilised by blockchain and the Dubai Blockchain Strategy They also delve into how the Dubai Blockchain Center is helping Dubai become a global blockchain capital and how blockchain entrepreneurs can get support from the Center. Also, cryptocurrency regulation is a hot topic where they discuss how the UAE is fairing against the world, especially on the back of a new crypto OTC license that has recently been made available in the region allowing for regulated crypto OTC desks. All of the above and more will be on this episode of Encrypted Interviews! If you liked what you heard, please do leave us a review on iTunes and the other podcast platforms. And if you found it h

In this episode we bring in our first special guest Amin El Kholy; who co-created the Fintech connector chapter in Dubai. Amin has great experience in fund management and the Fintech domain and is currently diving deeper in to how blockchain could change this industry. In this episode, a couple of interesting topics are discussed: - Cryptocurrency becoming mainstream - The concept of decentralization - ICO failures and the next step - UAE SCA recognizing crypto as securities Ahmed starts off with the first topic of cryptocurrencies being mainstream within 10 years according to research. The evolution of money and the 3 characteristics are explored along with where cryptocurrencies stand. The timeline of 10 years is also challenged in terms of how technology and humans will work together. Some existing platforms are explored and the hosts discuss what roles they play in helping cryptocurrencies become more mainstream. Faisal explains the concept of decentralization and its importance is discussed. They als

Ahmed and Aniket sit down to introduce the motivations behind the Encrypted podcast and discuss all things bitcoin on the back of its fast approaching 10-year anniversary! If you are new to the space, they will help you to unwrap what bitcoin actually is by discussing the following: • Why bitcoin exists and how it emerged • 2 analogies to help you understand how bitcoin works • Clearing misconceptions – Is bitcoin only used by criminals? Does bitcoin = blockchain? How many times has bitcoin been hacked?!! • Breaking down private and public keys and wallets They also discuss the incidents, both good and bad, in bitcoin’s 10-year history, including: Crypto adoption rapidly increasing as blockiain.info, a free wallet provider, announces 25 million downloads of its wallet. Bitcoin is legal in over 106 countries and legal tender in Japan, meaning people can use bitcoin as a currency to purchase goods. The challenge of scaling bitcoin and how the community has responded so far. They will also be talking about the