TRM Labs researcher Liam Glennon joins Ben Schiller to explore why privacy is becoming a critical feature for institutional crypto adoption, and how the industry is working to balance confidentiality, security, and regulatory compliance.

In this episode of Privacy Podcast, host Ben Schiller sits down with Liam Glennon, researcher and analyst at TRM Labs, to discuss the findings from his latest report examining how privacy technologies are evolving across the digital asset ecosystem.

Liam explains why institutional investors, regulators, blockchain builders, and financial institutions are increasingly focused on privacy, not as a way to avoid oversight, but as a necessary component of security, competitiveness, and mainstream adoption. The conversation explores emerging privacy frameworks, including view keys, selective disclosure, membership proofs, and zero-knowledge technologies, along with the tradeoffs that come with each approach.

The discussion also challenges one of crypto's longest-held assumptions: that complete transparency automatically leads to greater security. Using examples such as major blockchain exploits and evolving institutional use cases, Liam argues that privacy can actually strengthen security by limiting the information available to attackers while still enabling compliance when necessary.

From stablecoins and tokenized assets to regulatory expectations and the future of digital identity, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how privacy infrastructure may shape the next phase of blockchain adoption.

Why This Matters

• Why institutions are increasingly demanding privacy solutions in blockchain environments
• The difference between privacy and anonymity in modern crypto systems
• How view keys enable selective disclosure for compliance purposes
• Why transparency can sometimes create security vulnerabilities
• The role of zero-knowledge proofs in future financial systems
• How regulators are approaching privacy-preserving technologies
• Why stablecoins and tokenized assets may become major drivers of privacy adoption
• The challenges of balancing user confidentiality with anti-money laundering requirements
• How privacy technologies could become the "HTTPS upgrade" for blockchain

What We Cover

• Privacy is evolving from a niche feature into a requirement for institutional blockchain adoption.
• Selective disclosure mechanisms are emerging as a practical bridge between privacy and compliance.
• Security and privacy are increasingly interconnected rather than competing priorities.
• Regulators appear more open to privacy-preserving technologies than many industry participants assume.
• Stablecoins and tokenized assets may accelerate the adoption of privacy infrastructure across financial markets.

Guest

• Liam Glennon on LinkedIn
• TRM Labs
  
  

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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