Episode Description: In this riveting episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy welcomes Jamie Bartlett, acclaimed author and technology journalist, to explore the enigmatic world of the "Crypto Queen" and the OneCoin scandal. Jamie shares his in-depth investigation into Dr. Ruja Ignatova’s infamous Ponzi scheme, providing listeners with an insider’s perspective on one of the biggest scams in cryptocurrency history.

From Jamie’s personal journey of discovering the dark net to his real-time podcast investigation, this episode is packed with fascinating insights into the world of crypto fraud. They discuss the psychological tactics used by scammers, the regulatory gray zones exploited by OneCoin, and the ongoing mystery of Dr. Ruja’s whereabouts.

Highlights:

• Jamie Bartlett’s background and how he became involved in the OneCoin investigation.
• The rise and fall of OneCoin and its impact on investors worldwide.
• The role of legal and compliance professionals in the OneCoin saga.
• Jamie’s thoughts on the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
• Personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from Jamie’s research and podcast production.

Listen now and uncover the truths behind the Crypto Queen!

Show Notes: 00:01 - Introduction and welcome with Jamie Bartlett. 00:37 - Jamie discusses the widespread fascination with the OneCoin story. 01:23 - The longevity of the OneCoin saga and its impact over the years. 02:09 - Jamie’s personal experiences and challenges during the investigation. 03:01 - A brief background on Jamie Bartlett and his career journey. 03:30 - The early days of social media research and its implications. 04:25 - Jamie’s exploration of the dark net and its early adopters. 06:06 - The rise of cryptocurrency and Jamie’s initial involvement. 07:25 - The inception of the OneCoin investigation and Jamie’s collaboration with the BBC. 10:09 - Dr. Ruja’s strategy and the appeal of OneCoin to ordinary people. 12:17 - The multi-level marketing aspect of OneCoin. 15:02 - The global impact of OneCoin and its reach in various countries. 20:23 - The role of law firms and compliance in the OneCoin scheme. 28:06 - Jamie’s perspective on blockchain and crypto technology. 50:02 - Jamie’s personal views on the future of cryptocurrency. 55:47 - Jamie shares insights on the risks and rewards of investigating OneCoin. 56:39 - Final thoughts and Jamie’s current work and projects. 57:41 - Jamie’s hypothesis on Dr. Ruja’s current status and whereabouts.

Resources:

• Jamie Bartlett’s Substack
• The Missing Crypto Queen Book
• The BBC's Missing Cryptoqueen Podcast

Follow Us:

• Twitter: @ByndTheCode
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/byndthecode/

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Contact: For questions, feedback, or guest inquiries, email us at yitzy@hlawco.com

Summary - In this episode of "Beyond the Code," Yitzy hosts Jason Gottlieb, partner and head of the digital assets department at Morrison Cohen, for an insightful discussion on the complexities and challenges of crypto regulation and litigation. They delve into Jason's unique journey from tech enthusiast to legal expert, the intricacies of the Howey Test, the impact of FTX's collapse, and the dynamic nature of crypto law. Jason shares his experiences and perspectives on advising clients, navigating regulatory gray areas, and the role of the courts in shaping the future of digital assets.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction and Background (00:01:198): Yitzy welcomes Jason Gottlieb and they discuss Jason's impressive collection of swag from clients, including hats and water bottles.
• Jason's Journey (02:17:838): Jason shares his deep roots in technology, his transition from tech nerd to securities lawyer, and his rise to head of the digital assets department at Morrison Cohen.
• Crypto and the Law (06:21:804): Jason discusses the evolution of crypto regulation, the SEC's approach, and the complexities of applying the Howey Test to digital assets.
• Regulatory Challenges (11:10:766): The conversation explores the inconsistency in SEC guidelines, the impact on U.S. consumers, and the international implications of crypto regulation.
• Advising Clients (19:04:174): Jason explains his practice areas, the importance of pre-enforcement advisory work, and the gray areas in crypto regulation.
• War Stories and Personal Insights (48:57:870): Jason shares a memorable experience during the collapse of FTX and his passion for music, revealing a different side of his personality.
• Closing Remarks (56:32:076): Yitzy and Jason wrap up the episode with reflections on the future of crypto law and the importance of clarity and consistency in regulation.

Additional Resources:

• Jason Gottlieb's Twitter:
• Morrison Cohen's Crypto Litigation Tracker: https://www.morrisoncohen.com/insights/the-morrison-cohen-cryptocurrency-litigation-tracker
• SoundCloud: Check out Jason's music on SoundCloud for a unique glimpse into his creative side.

Contact Information:

• Jason Gottlieb: jgottlieb@morrisoncohen.com and @Ohioha⁠ on Twitter/X.
• Beyond the Code Podcast: Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates and future episodes.

Guest Bio: Jason Gottlieb is a partner at Morrison Cohen, where he leads the digital assets department and the white-collar and regulatory enforcement group. With a background in technology and extensive experience in securities law, Jason is a leading expert in crypto regulation and litigation. He is passionate about protecting clients in the digital assets space and navigating the complex regulatory landscape.

In this episode of Beyond the Code, host Yitzy Hammer engages in an enlightening conversation with Alex Davis, founder of Mavryk Dynamics, about the fascinating world of Real World Assets (RWAs) and their tokenization. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of how blockchain technology is revolutionizing asset ownership and investment.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Introduction and Pleasantries:

  • Yitzy and Alex share a casual start, discussing the awkwardness of recording without a waiting room.
  • A brief recap of the Consensus conference and Alex's experience there.

• Journey of Alex Davis:

  • Alex's background, from his early days at Tezos to founding Mavryk.
  • The evolution of his career and the founding story of Mavryk.

• Understanding RWAs:

  • Definition and significance of Real World Assets.
  • Challenges faced by RWAs, including market immaturity and regulatory complexities.

• Innovations by Maverick Network:

  • Mavryk's approach to tokenizing assets and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Introduction of RWA token standards and the development of various decentralized exchanges (DEXs).
  • The role of the Mavryk wallet in enabling secure, KYC-compliant transactions.

• Practical Application and Future Vision:

  • Detailed walkthrough of the tokenization process using a hypothetical example of a Cayman company owning a hotel in New York City.
  • Mavryk's approach to building an ecosystem that supports secondary markets and lending for RWAs.
  • The vision for creating a digital Commonwealth where users can manage diversified portfolios and earn revenue from tokenized assets.

• Economic Insights and Financial Advice:

  • Discussion on the broader economic implications of tokenization and the impact of fiscal policies.
  • Alex's insights on wealth preservation and the importance of investing in assets over holding cash.

Special Highlights:

• Alex's unique perspective on the future of blockchain and its potential to democratize investment opportunities.
• Mavryk Network's commitment to transparency and building a robust, interoperable ecosystem for RWAs.
• An exciting sneak peek into the upcoming features of Mavryk Network and Maven Finance on Testnet.

How to Connect:

• Follow Mavryk Network on Twitter: @MavrykNetwork
• Explore Mavryk Dynamics and Maven Finance.
• Engage with the team and stay updated on their latest developments.

Join Yitzy and Alex as they uncover the transformative potential of RWAs and provide valuable insights into the future of blockchain technology. Don't miss this informative and inspiring episode!