Navigating Frontier Tech – Episode 8 | Twitter’s Crypto License | Grayscale & Bitcoin ETF

In this episode

Jay Steinback, yWhales CEO & Co-Founder, and distinguished guests Antoine Castel, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of MetaEngine, Tuomas Holmberg, CEO of Collector, and John Welch, Founder & CEO of Making Fun delve into the realm of real-world assets on the blockchain. They shed light on play-to-earn dynamics and regulatory nuances. With incisive discussions on topics ranging from Twitter's crypto payment license acquisition to the impact of Grayscale's bitcoin ETF ruling, the episode captivates with diverse insights and notable soundbites. A highlight is the exploration of exchanging NFTs for physical gold eggs, demonstrating the crossover of Web3 gaming and tangible assets. Closing with reflections on the truth about play-to-earn models and Shiba Inu's Shibarium Bridge, the episode offers a comprehensive understanding of emerging technologies for executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs eager to navigate the Web3 landscape.

About Guests

Antoine Castel stands as a seasoned entrepreneur, bringing forth a wealth of expertise in both finance and crypto. As a proficient tokenomics expert and portfolio manager, he boasts a robust background in investment banking, having successfully established and sold multiple companies. With 12 years entrenched in the gaming industry, Antoine's serial gaming passion is driven by a desire for enhanced gameplay, immersive narratives, and astute game economies.

Tuomas Holmberg embodies the heart of Collector, a venture that merges his abiding love for collectible trading cards with his early intrigue in blockchain dating back to 2013. Having embarked on a journey of bitcoin mining, Tuomas possesses over 25 years of dedication to collecting Magic the Gathering. His entrepreneurial spirit is showcased by securing over $100 million in venture funding for high-tech and biotech startups, underscoring his prowess in the business realm.

John Welch, as the CEO of Making Fun, spearheads a mobile and PC game development enterprise founded in 2009. Renowned for the success of RPG Eternium and CCG Runestrike, John envisions a transformative landscape for gaming through decentralized ownership facilitated by blockchain technology. His extensive career includes roles as Chief Digital Officer at Amyris, the visionary behind "Diner Dash" from PlayFirst, and diverse engagements at Shockwave.com and SEGA. A graduate of MIT and UMass Amherst, John's commitment extends to charitable causes as an active YPO member and supporter of myAgro and East Bay Agency for Children.

These distinguished individuals exemplify the caliber of professionals and entrepreneurs within the yWhales community. Their impressive track records in finance, crypto, gaming, and blockchain underscore the potential for innovation and growth in the Web3 ecosystem. Their collective experiences serve as a testament to the community's commitment to shaping the future of Web3, embracing emerging technologies, and driving forward-thinking initiatives that have a lasting impact on the world of business and finance. As successful business executives in the top 3% worldwide, they embody the core values of yWhales and contribute significantly to its mission of supporting businesses in their migration to this new and transformative ecosystem.

Guest Social Links

Antoine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-castel/
 Tuom’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuomas-holmberg-85480a/
 Tuom’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TuomHolmberg
John’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwelch/
John’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jxwelch

Timestamps

0:00 Jay’s intro
1:25 Guests intro
6:11 Twitter (X) Acquires Required License to Add Crypto Payments
15:38 Grayscale bitcoin ETF ruling an 'overwhelming victory' for crypto: CEO
28:05 Web3 game goes gold: How to exchange NFTs for physical gold eggs
33:29 The truth about play-to-earn
53:26 Shiba Inu’s Highly Anticipated Shibarium Bridge Is Now 'Fully Functional’
1:00:30 Closing thoughts

Watch more: https://www.ywhales.com/podcasts/

DISCLAIMER: yWhales is not affiliated with YPO. Support and production for today’s episode was done by Truth Work Media. Nothing in the podcast constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information on the podcast constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto.