NYAIR Episode 19
Bitcoin & Blockchain: What Are They, and Why Should You Care?
Blockchain and digital currencies are no longer just buzzwords—they’re shaking up every industry. In this NY-AIR roundtable, a powerhouse panel of technologists and investment leaders breaks down hype versus reality, explains the building blocks of digital assets, and shows what’s coming next for finance, business, and the global economy.
Featured Guests
Kirill Gourov
Portfolio Manager & Head of Research, Full Node Capital
Kirill is an early expert in cryptocurrency hedge funds and token investing, recognized for his deep fintech advisory work and development of blockchain valuation frameworks.
Reggie Middleton
Founder & CEO, Veritaseum; Creator of UltraCoin
A pioneer in decentralized capital markets and blockchain innovation, Reggie is best known for his macro trend calls and building peer-to-peer market technology.
Sebastian Vanderzeil
Director & Global Thematic Analyst, Cornerstone Capital Group
Sebastian focuses on how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors intersect with innovation trends and macro asset allocation—analyzing blockchain through a responsible and global lens.
Larry Lanzilli
Co-Founder & CEO, TransactBlock
A veteran entrepreneur, Larry brings a practical lens on blockchain and fintech adoption, with deep roots in both business operations and the technology side.
Key Insights From This Episode
What’s Blockchain vs. Bitcoin?
Panelists clearly distinguish the blockchain as the foundational distributed ledger technology, and Bitcoin as one of many applications built atop it.
Is It a Bubble, a Revolution, or Both?
While price volatility and high startup failure rates are real, the speakers see blockchain as a multi-decade paradigm shift with transformative potential.
Transparency, Security, and Trust—Not Just Speculation
Debates around whether blockchain truly eliminates intermediaries, or simply shifts trust among new technology gatekeepers.
How to Evaluate Crypto and Blockchain Opportunity
Professional investors look for solid teams, innovation, community, and robust risk management—not just headline token prices.
Real Barriers: Infrastructure, Custody, and Regulation
Institutional adoption lags due to hurdles in custody, security, and regulation, but future growth and asset integration is expected.
“The Train Has Left the Station”
Blockchain is enabling entirely new forms of value, commerce, and financial access—regardless of the outcome for individual projects.
Access the Full Conversation
Listen to the event and access exclusive insights. An essential conversation for alternative managers, institutional investors, fintech innovators, and anyone tracking digital asset megatrends.
Soundbites Worth Saving
“Blockchain is a tapestry—the question is, which new applications will be the next Facebook or Google, and which are just momentary hype?”
— Reggie Middleton
“Not scratching the surface, even at $200 billion—this is the first truly global asset class built for the retail investor.”
— Kirill Gourov
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