The Agenda Podcast: Decoding Crypto

Jeff Garzik, an OG Bitcoin developer and the co-founder of Hemi Network, sits down to share his earliest Bitcoin memories and explain why layer-2 protocols are the future of BTC mass adoption. He also shares his thoughts on the balance between crypto’s cypherpunk roots and institutional adoption, as well as the importance of open-source technologies.(00:00) Introduction to The Agenda podcast and this week’s episode(01:48) Jeff’s intro to Bitcoin and early memories(11:20) Mass adoption and the role of Bitcoin layer 2s(15:48) Breaking down the Hemi blockchain(25:29) What is superfinality?(29:51) Balancing Bitcoin’s cypherpunk roots with mass adoption(38:24) Open-source technology vs. Big Tech(46:36) DeFi under a crypto-friendly Trump administrationThe Agenda is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted/produced by Ray Salmond and Jonathan DeYoung, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up). Follow Cointelegraph on X (Twitter) at @Cointelegraph, Jonathan at @maddopemadic and Ray at @HorusHughes. Jonathan is also on Instagram at @maddopemadic, and he made the music for the podcast — hear more at madic.art.Follow Jeff Garzik on X at @jgarzik.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Tracverse founder Amos Thomas explores the importance of storytelling and protecting content creators’ IP rights from AI LLMs. In addition to explaining Tracverse’s role in creating an “omniverse,” Thomas stresses the need for businesses and content creators to balance the future potential for AI rights with human IP rights. (00:00) Introduction to The Agenda podcast and this week’s episode(02:27) What is Tracverse?(04:02) The need to protect human knowledge as it relates to AI(07:43) What is an “omniverse”?(17:09) Graph NFTs — Do they have utility?(26:33) AI’s role in the Maarifa omniverse(33:32) Aligning AI use with a content creator code of ethics(35:55) AI rights vs. human rights(41:06) Traverse’s 2025 roadmapThe Agenda is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted/produced by Ray Salmond and Jonathan DeYoung, with post-production by Elena Volkova (Hatch Up). Follow Cointelegraph on X (Twitter) at @Cointelegraph, Jonathan at @maddopemadic and Ray at @HorusHughes. Jonathan is also on Instagram at @maddopemadic, and he made the music for the podcast — hear more at madic.art.Follow Amos Thomas on X at @TriniZone.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Meanwhile director of wealth management Danny Baer explains how Bitcoin has found a new use case in the life insurance industry, and how BTC holders can use life insurance to enhance the tax efficiency of their investment portfolio. The Agenda is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted/produced by Ray Salmond and Jonathan DeYoung. Follow Cointelegraph on X (Twitter) at @Cointelegraph, Jonathan at @maddopemadic and Ray at @HorusHughes. Jonathan is also on Instagram at @maddopemadic, and he makes the music for the podcast — hear more at madic.art.[00:00:00] Introduction to The Agenda podcast and this week’s episode[00:01:47] What’s so special about Bitcoin-based life insurance?[00:03:58] Payment options for policy holders[00:06:43] Meanwhile’s origin story[00:14:26] How is Bitcoin life insurance regulated?[00:16:43] What Meanwhile “does” with policyholders' Bitcoin[00:33:27] What happens if Meanwhile goes out of business[00:35:43] Danny’s views on the ideal policy size[00:40:08] When does the policy payout and can clients borrow from their policy?[00:48:58] How do beneficiaries receive their payouts?[00:51:44] How is client Bitcoin secured? Follow Danny Baer on X at @dbaer7.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Mercy Corps chief investment officer Scott Onder explains how the international NGO uses blockchain to streamline aid relief and breaks down its strategy for investing in crypto projects in emerging markets, particularly in the Global South, to help build community resilience and fight climate change.The Agenda is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted/produced by Ray Salmond and Jonathan DeYoung. Follow Cointelegraph on X (Twitter) at @Cointelegraph, Jonathan at @maddopemadic and Ray at @HorusHughes. Jonathan is also on Instagram at @maddopemadic, and he makes the music for the podcast — hear more at madic.art.Time codes: (00:00) Introduction to The Agenda podcast and this week’s episode(01:20) What is Mercy Corps? What does it do?(03:41) Why Mercy Corps dove into crypto and blockchain(08:56) How blockchain improves aid delivery in the Horn of Africa(13:51) Are most NGOs interested in blockchain?(16:10) How crypto is perceived in emerging markets(22:18) What is the Mercy Corps Ventures fund?(25:23) What is the Crypto For Good Fund?(31:38) Lessons learned for future builders(34:57) How Web3 can fight climate change(40:55) Can crypto help migration crises?(44:54) Scott Onder’s proudest accomplishments(46:07) Benefits of decentralization in general(48:18) Mercy Corps’ 2025 agendaFollow Scott Andor on X at @scottonder.Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.