Remy Blaire engages in a compelling discussion with Adrian Wall, the Managing Director at Digital Sovereignty Alliance and CEO of Wall Capital Partners. The segment opens with a focus on the recent dip in Bitcoin’s value, which falls below the 100,000 mark amid a broader sell-off affecting both the cryptocurrency and equity markets. Remy highlights that Bitcoin is currently only up about 2% year-to-date, despite notable regulatory advancements in the U.S.

Adrian provides insights into the volatility observed in the markets, comparing the current situation to a “remix of the same album” from October 10th, where a liquidity crisis was a significant concern. He explains that various factors, including hawkish interest rate policies from the Federal Reserve, the looming threat of China tariffs, and the ongoing government shutdown, have contributed to a flight to safety among investors. Adrian notes that market makers have been withdrawing liquidity, exacerbating the situation, and mentions that ETFs have suffered substantial losses, with around 870 million taken out in just one day.

As they discuss the upcoming December Fed meeting, Adrian emphasizes the uncertainty that currently clouds the economic landscape, particularly due to the lack of government data. He points out that this uncertainty has led to a shift in how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are perceived, suggesting that they are increasingly aligning with macroeconomic trends rather than acting as independent assets.

The conversation then shifts to the regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies. Adrian expresses optimism about the bipartisan efforts in Congress to establish clearer regulations, despite setbacks caused by the government shutdown. He believes that there is potential for significant progress in the first half of 2026, which could provide much-needed clarity for the market.

Finally, Remy and Adrian delve into the future of dollar-backed stablecoins. Adrian views this area as a key opportunity for growth and innovation, noting that traditional financial institutions are beginning to recognize the importance of stablecoins. He stresses the need for education in the space, advocating for efforts to empower the broader community with financial literacy to ensure that financial inclusion is accompanied by understanding.

Remy Blaire engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Samantha Bohbot, Partner and Chief Growth Officer at RockawayX. The conversation centers around the current state and future trajectory of decentralized finance (DeFi) and its growing significance in the global financial system.

Remy opens the segment by referencing insights from Robinhood’s crypto general manager, who asserts that crypto is becoming the backbone of the financial infrastructure. Samantha elaborates on this by highlighting the remarkable growth of DeFi, which has evolved to include tokenized real-world assets, stablecoins, and yield-bearing instruments. She notes that decentralized exchanges have seen a substantial increase in spot volume, rising from 5% two years ago to 29% this year, indicating a significant shift in investor behavior.

As the discussion progresses, Samantha shares RockawayX’s perspective on DeFi, emphasizing the importance of having a diverse range of appealing products available for investors. She explains that the ability to put meaningful capital to work on blockchain ecosystems is crucial for attracting investment and that the variety of products is expanding, which is a positive sign for the market.

The conversation then shifts to the state of private markets in the crypto space. Samantha describes a mixed environment where, despite strong Q3 earnings, there is a prevailing sense of caution among investors. She discusses the challenges faced by founders in securing funding and the crowded nature of many deals. However, she also points out a silver lining with an increase in IPOs and OTC deals, as investors look to capitalize on opportunities in established companies like Kraken and Ripple.

Remy and Samantha delve into the current market volatility affecting all asset classes, including equities and commodities. Samantha describes the situation as a “weird limbo,” where optimism from strong earnings is countered by fears stemming from recent market events and economic uncertainties. She emphasizes that this uncertainty creates a sense of paralysis among investors, making it difficult for them to make confident decisions.

Remy Blaire welcomes Polly Jean Harrison, the Features Editor of the FinTech Times, to discuss the latest headlines from Europe and the Middle East. The conversation begins with an exciting partnership between Starling Bank and Small Business Britain, aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across the UK. Polly explains that this year-long initiative will feature events, research, and a new free online training program called “Female Founder Fundamentals,” set to launch in early 2026. The program is designed to provide female founders with the skills, network, and confidence needed to grow their businesses, especially in light of recent statistics showing a decline in women-led SMEs in the UK.

Polly highlights that recent UK government research indicates that women lead only 14% of SME employers, despite making up around 30% of solo entrepreneurs. This partnership seeks to address the need for greater support for female founders, with the goal of increasing the number of women leading SMEs to 30% by 2030. Polly expresses her excitement about the initiative, which will include online masterclasses and peer learning opportunities focused on building confidence, growth, and financial skills.

The discussion then shifts to a report from PXP, revealing a high level of consumer caution regarding AI shopping tools. Polly shares that about 37% of consumers are hesitant to use AI technologies, particularly as the holiday shopping season approaches. She notes that consumer willingness to engage with AI varies significantly depending on the application, with shoppers being selective about surrendering control to automated systems. While some consumers are open to features like personalized product recommendations and price prediction tools, interest in advanced in-store technologies, such as AI chat assistants and virtual try-on kiosks, is notably lower.