Bill Platt, the COO of Alchemy, joins Remy Blaire to discuss the transformative intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology within the fintech sector.

Remy opens the conversation by highlighting the rapid growth of AI and blockchain, noting their integration and the potential benefits this brings to financial processes, such as improved transaction handling and enhanced security measures. Bill shares his perspective on the current state of these technologies, describing it as an inflection point similar to the early days of cloud computing. He emphasizes the power of combining agentic AI with blockchain, suggesting that this synergy could fundamentally change financial operations worldwide.

The discussion shifts to the concept of stablecoins, which Bill refers to as the “killer app” for blockchain. He explains how stablecoins serve as a vital bridge between traditional finance and the advantages offered by blockchain technology. Bill elaborates on Alchemy’s role in this evolution, describing the company’s infrastructure as the “plumbing” that enables seamless transactions across various applications. He clarifies that this plumbing consists of decentralized systems and APIs that work behind the scenes, allowing users to engage with financial services effortlessly.

As the conversation progresses, Remy and Bill address the critical issue of security in the realm of decentralized finance (DeFi). Bill points out that while DeFi offers benefits like speed and programmability, it must also incorporate the strong infrastructure and regulatory frameworks characteristic of traditional finance. He introduces Alchemy’s recent product innovation, Cortex, which leverages AI capabilities to enhance the speed, reliability, and throughput of decentralized finance applications, making them significantly more efficient.

Remy Blaire engages in discussion with Blue Macellari, the Head of Digital Assets at T. Rowe Price. The conversation begins with an analysis of the cryptocurrency market’s performance in October, a month that typically sees bullish trends but has instead left investors disappointed. Bitcoin’s recent dip below the 100,000 mark raises questions among crypto enthusiasts, especially given the backdrop of increasing institutional adoption.

Blue highlights the surprising pace at which institutions are embracing blockchain technology, particularly in the realms of stablecoins and tokenization. She notes that major exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, are actively pursuing tokenization initiatives, indicating a shift in the landscape of digital assets. Despite this institutional momentum, Blue acknowledges the challenge of translating these developments into sustained price action, particularly for the crypto-native community.

As the discussion progresses, Remy and Blue explore the divergence in sentiment between traditional investors and the crypto community. While the crypto-native sentiment appears bearish, institutional interest remains strong, as evidenced by the recent launches of Solana ETFs by Bitwise and Grayscale, which have experienced consistent inflows despite price pressures on Solana.

The conversation also addresses the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 36th day, and its implications for the regulatory landscape. Blue expresses optimism that discussions around regulation will continue, even amidst the shutdown, and she believes that clarity on regulatory matters could emerge as the year comes to a close.

Finally, Remy and Blue delve into the growing trend of major banks, such as Citi and Chase, entering the crypto space. Blue emphasizes the critical importance of technological security in crypto custody and discusses the advancements that these banks are making in their digital asset divisions. She believes that this trend will ultimately benefit the general public by allowing them to manage their crypto assets alongside traditional accounts at familiar institutions.