Frank Mong of Helium reveals how blockchain-powered hotspots and shared infrastructure are disrupting traditional telecom to build a decentralized, user-owned wireless network.

In this episode of Gen C, Frank Mong, COO of Helium, unpacks how blockchain, crypto incentives and shared infrastructure are transforming global connectivity. From early IoT use cases and crypto hotspots to major telco partnerships, Helium is decentralizing the internet one user owned network at a time. Their approach is creating an open, affordable and community-driven wireless network that puts power back in users hands.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Frank's Twitter
• Helium Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

From our sponsor:

• Midnight is a privacy-enhancing blockchain introducing vital, programmable privacy and selective disclosure capabilities. It means dApps can allow users to control what information is revealed without putting sensitive data on-chain, allowing you to break free from the limitation of choosing between utility or privacy. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free.

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"Gen C" features host Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maya Draisin, Chief Brand Officer at TIME, highlights how the 102-year-old brand evolves with new technologies while maintaining its core values of trust and integrity.

TIME's Chief Brand Officer, Maya Draisin, outlines how the iconic brand is adapting to transformative technologies such as generative AI, blockchain and NFTs. She highlights TIME’s dedication to blending innovation with its enduring values of trust and clarity. Draisin also addresses the evolving media landscape, shifting consumer behaviors and the critical importance of maintaining journalistic integrity.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Maya's Twitter

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

From our sponsor:

• Midnight is a privacy-enhancing blockchain introducing vital, programmable privacy and selective disclosure capabilities. It means dApps can allow users to control what information is revealed without putting sensitive data on-chain, allowing you to break free from the limitation of choosing between utility or privacy. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free.

-

"Gen C" features host Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Haun Ventures CMO Rachael Horwitz breaks down how crypto is going mainstream through stablecoins and why the industry needs better storytelling to reach broader audiences.

Haun Ventures CMO Rachael Horwitz shares insights on branding in crypto, from navigating market volatility to building long-term conviction. Drawing on leadership roles at Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Coinbase, she breaks down how crypto challenges conventional tech narratives—and why VCs must rethink how they position themselves in a rapidly evolving space. A strategic lens on the future of venture and Web3.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Rachael’s Twitter
• Haun Ventures Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

From our sponsor:

• Midnight is a privacy-enhancing blockchain introducing vital, programmable privacy and selective disclosure capabilities. It means dApps can allow users to control what information is revealed without putting sensitive data on-chain, allowing you to break free from the limitation of choosing between utility or privacy. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free.

-

"Gen C" features host Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jonathan Ledgard of Tehanu explains his revolutionary concept of "interspecies money" where animals and natural resources can hold digital identities with crypto wallets to receive payments for the services they provide to humans.

Jonathan Ledgard is the CEO of Tehanu and the pioneering mind behind "interspecies money" - a concept that extends digital identity and cryptocurrency payments to animals, plants and natural resources. With a background at The Economist and extensive experience in robotics and AI, Ledgard has developed a system where species can "stake" their existence and receive payments for the essential services they provide to humans. The conversation explores Tehanu's successful pilot project with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the potential for stable coins backed by conservation efforts and how this model could transform the relationship between humans and nature.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Tehanu’s Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

From our sponsor:

• Midnight is a privacy-enhancing blockchain introducing vital, programmable privacy and selective disclosure capabilities. It means dApps can allow users to control what information is revealed without putting sensitive data on-chain, allowing you to break free from the limitation of choosing between utility or privacy. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free.

-

"Gen C" features host Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Winkelmann, aka Beeple, joins Sam Ewen on an episode of "CoinDesk Spotlight" with a conversation about the transformative potential of AI and the journey that led him from computer science to digital art and the NFT ecosystem. Beeple shares insights into the evolution of his artwork, the role of technology in his creative process, and the impact of AI tools in pushing the boundaries of digital art.

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This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes.

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Ledn is the leading platform for Bitcoin-backed loans, offering a secure and transparent way to unlock liquidity without selling your Bitcoin. Ledn has issued over $9 billion in loans since 2018 and has never lost a single satoshi of client assets, earning a reputation as the name you can trust in the crypto space.Visit https://www.ledn.io/ to learn more.

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Timestamps:

01:31 NFT Ecosystem Insights

03:58 Journey into Digital Art

06:56 Exploring Blockchain and NFTs

13:12 Artistic Process and AI Integration

15:07 Balancing Commentary and Creativity

23:41 Daily Creative Practice

31:47 The Evolution of Craft in the Age of AI

36:54 The Impact of Financialization on Art

41:45 Reflecting on Past Works and Changing Perspectives

49:26 The Open Source Mentality and Its Benefits

• 53:27 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yield Guild Games founder Gabby Dizon breaks down the state of Web3 gaming, from Axie Infinity's cultural moment to building sustainable crypto-native games today.

Gabby Dizon founded Yield Guild Games during the height of the Axie Infinity craze, helping players in developing markets access play-to-earn opportunities through innovative guild structures. In this conversation, he shares insights on what made Axie a watershed moment, why gaming guilds remain relevant despite market downturns and how his team is approaching casual crypto gaming with their new title LOL Land.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• YGG Website
• Gabby’s Twitter

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Melyn McKay of Coala Pay explains how blockchain rails are transforming humanitarian aid by enabling instant, secure payments to partners in the world's most challenging locations.

Dr. Melyn McKay brings 15 years of humanitarian aid experience to her role as founder of Coala Pay, a blockchain-based payment platform revolutionizing how aid money moves globally. In this conversation, she shares her journey from carrying cash in war zones to building technology that enables instant, transparent aid disbursements through stablecoins and smart contracts. McKay discusses the massive inefficiencies plaguing the traditional aid sector, the trust challenges preventing more direct giving and how Coala Pay is scaling across conflict zones to ensure aid funding reaches local partners safely and efficiently.

Links mentioned from the podcast:

• Melyn’s Twitter
• Coala Pay Website

Watch this episode on video:

• YouTube
• CoinDesk

Follow us on Twitter:

• Sam Ewen, CoinDesk

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen. Executive produced by Uyen Truong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.