What if using blockchain was as simple as chatting with AI?

In this episode of Privacy Podcast, host Ben Schiller sits down with Akshit Ostwal, Co Founder of Epoch Protocol, to explore how intents-based infrastructure is transforming the way people interact with blockchain networks (including privacy networks!) and why it could become the missing layer that finally takes crypto mainstream.

Akshit explains why users should no longer have to navigate wallets, bridges, swaps, or multiple blockchains just to complete a transaction. Instead, intent-based systems allow users to simply define the outcome they want, while specialized solver networks handle the complexity behind the scenes.

The conversation also explores Epoch's partnership with Miden and how programmable privacy enables institutions, businesses, and developers to execute transactions confidentially without sacrificing regulatory compliance. They discuss how privacy preserving infrastructure can unlock new use cases for payments, payroll, decentralized finance, and enterprise adoption.

Finally, Akshit shares his vision for the future of AI-powered finance, explaining how intelligent agents, real world assets, and intent driven execution could fundamentally reshape how people and software interact with the financial system.

The conversation explores:

• Why intent based infrastructure could eliminate blockchain complexity for everyday users
• How solver networks execute transactions across chains without exposing users to technical friction
• Why programmable privacy is critical for institutional adoption of blockchain technology
• How Epoch and Miden are building privacy preserving execution for on chain finance
• The growing role of AI agents in managing financial transactions and investment decisions
• Why real world assets, stablecoins, and tokenized finance are accelerating blockchain adoption
• How intent based systems could become the operating layer for the next generation of Web3 applications
• Why the future of crypto depends on focusing on user outcomes instead of transaction mechanics

Why This Matters

Blockchain technology has matured dramatically, but user experience remains one of its greatest barriers to widespread adoption. As institutions, enterprises, AI agents, and everyday users increasingly interact with digital assets, the underlying infrastructure must become as seamless as the internet itself. This conversation explores how intent based execution, programmable privacy, and AI powered automation could remove the technical complexity that has limited Web3 for years, making decentralized finance more accessible, secure, and practical for the next generation of users.

🔗 About the 👤 Guest

Akshit Ostwal is the Co Founder of Epoch Protocol, an intent based execution network building the infrastructure that simplifies blockchain interactions for users, applications, AI agents, and institutions. A longtime Web3 builder and entrepreneur, Akshit previously co-founded Orange Wallet before launching Epoch to solve one of blockchain's biggest challenges: abstracting away technical complexity while enabling secure, cross chain execution. Today, Epoch is working with Miden to advance programmable privacy and build the infrastructure powering the next generation of on-chain finance.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshitostwal/
X (Twitter): @OstwalAk
Epoch Protocol: https://epochprotocol.xyz/
Miden: https://miden.xyz

About the Show

The Privacy Podcast by Miden explores the intersection of privacy, identity, and emerging technologies. Hosted by Ben Schiller, the show brings together builders, regulators, and thinkers shaping what comes next in a world where data is power.

Executive Producer Michele Musso
Edited by the Musso Media Team

Music: licensed.

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