Crypto op-eds: Who’s shaping the Web3 narrative and why it matters

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we’re heading to Capitol Hill, where US lawmakers are finally making moves on crypto regulation. From the Senate advancing the GENIUS Act — a major step toward federal stablecoin rules — to the reintroduction of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, which could protect developers from outdated licensing laws, crypto is a hot topic this week in Washington.

Host Savannah Fortis breaks it all down, with expert insight from Rashan Colbert, director of US policy at the Crypto Council for Innovation. 

(00:35) Stablecoins and blockchain bills hit the Senate floor
(02:15) Unpacking the GENIUS Act and the Senate’s advancement
(04:14) Does the GENIUS Act address industry concerns? 
(05:33) Bipartisan support for crypto regulations 
(08:08) Unpacking the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act
(09:58) Trump’s crypto involvement causes Democrats to hesitate
(12:15) What to watch out for next and how to stay active

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we’re diving into MiCA — the EU’s landmark crypto regulation — as it enters a critical implementation phase. From stablecoin restrictions to emerging licensing hurdles, what does MiCA mean for crypto’s future in Europe?

Tether has already said it won’t play ball. Meanwhile, companies like BitGo are racing to comply and regulators are navigating a fragmented landscape.

We hear directly from industry voices, including Brett Reeves of BitGo and Erwin Voloder of the European Blockchain Association, to unpack what’s at stake and who’s most affected.

Whether you're a crypto builder, holder or policymaker, this episode breaks down the key timelines, challenges and opportunities as MiCA moves from paper to practice.

(00:33) MiCA enters its critical implementation phase
(01:17) What MiCA aims to achieve: objectives and intentions
(03:44) Stablecoin issuers and their regulatory obligations under MiCA
(06:22) Tether CEO explains refusal to comply with MiCA
(10:22) BitGo becomes MiCA-licensed to operate in Germany
(13:38) European Blockchain Association on MiCA's rolling out across the EU
(16:55) Implications for policymakers and the crypto industry

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Can blockchain redefine the way student loans are financed and repaid? On the heels of Ripple’s $25 million donation to Teach for America, we connect the dots between initiatives building the infrastructure for Web3 adoption. In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu breaks down how Pencil Finance is using Web3 to reimagine education, from crypto-backed student loans to onchain reputations. 

Siu argues that education may be one of crypto’s most impactful use cases, not just financially, but socially and politically. Plus, we explore how Open Campus plans to onboard the next generation through grassroots efforts, and why he says teachers are the world's most under-recognized content creators.

(00:37) This week’s topic: crypto’s role in education
(01:00) Ripple’s $25M donation to Teach for America
(02:40) Donations vs building Web3 infrastructure 
(03:00) Animoca backs $10M in DeFi student loan liquidity
(04:10) Yat Siu on DeFi’s real-world impact
(05:47) Beyond lending: Web3’s broader potential in education
(07:30) Why student loans are crypto’s “hero use case”

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

In this special episode of Decentralize with Cointelegraph, Gareth Jenkinson, head of multimedia at Cointelegraph, sits down with Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, and Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of Near Protocol, during the Cointelegraph Longitude side event at Token2049 in Dubai.

The trio delves into the intersection of AI and blockchain technology, discussing how decentralized systems can address the challenges posed by centralized AI models. They explore the potential of blockchain to enhance transparency, security and user control in AI applications, emphasizing the importance of open-source models and on-chain reputation systems.

Tune in for insights on how AI and blockchain can collaboratively shape a more equitable and secure digital future.

(02:19) Introducing AI’s growing role in the blockchain space
(02:53) How Near Protocol is thinking about AI assistants
(05:42) The difference between AI hype and real utility in crypto
(09:11) What personalized AI could look like in decentralized ecosystems
(12:37) Where Polygon sees real use cases for AI in Web3
(18:28) The risks and tradeoffs of centralized versus decentralized AI
(23:08) Could smart agents be the next evolution after smart contracts?

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.