LIVE from RareEvo: TradFi vs DeFi Stablecoins (Lessons from Hacks, Policy, and Global Adoption)

LIVE from RareEvo: TradFi vs DeFi Stablecoins (Lessons from Hacks, Policy, and Global Adoption)

Author: Brave Software October 8, 2025 Duration: 19:14

Gerrit, developer relations at Curve Finance, discusses the unique risks and rewards associated with DeFi stablecoins, and how increased regulatory clarity has fueled the rise of TradFi stablecoins. He also spotlights the crucial role of platforms like Curve in providing essential liquidity and stability, ensuring the continued growth and reliability of the stablecoin sector.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Key differentiators between TradFi and DeFi stablecoins, including their risk / reward profiles

  • The significance of the Genius Act in transforming the stablecoin landscape

  • How regulatory clarity has spurred the growth of TradFi stablecoins, and why their success often ties to their integration within the DeFi ecosystem

  • How AI could both exacerbate and solve problems in crypto, empowering hackers to find exploits faster and increase phishing risks

  • Why crypto adoption surged in countries like Argentina and created real-world utility that outpaced U.S. adoption

Guest Bio: Gerrit has been on-chain since 2014. He joined Curve Finance in 2020, helping shape the decentralized protocol powering DeFi stablecoin and crypto markets by enabling high-yield on-chain savings, protected borrowing, and low-slippage swaps on EVM chains.

As a startup founder with deep AI roots, Gerrit launched the first AI-powered résumé grader back in 2008. He's taught courses at the University of Washington, on topics ranging from AI to blockchain to financial technology, and holds an MBA from MIT with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He's also a founding member of Leviathan News, a Web3 news aggregator.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

 


Hosted by Brave Software, The Brave Technologist is a series for anyone curious about the real human impact of our digital evolution. It moves past the surface-level buzzwords to ask how technologies like AI, machine learning, and Web3 actually affect everyday decisions, privacy, and the fabric of society. The conversations here are grounded and thoughtful, prioritizing the user's perspective in a landscape often dominated by abstract visions of disruption. You'll hear from builders, thinkers, and technologists who are shaping these tools, discussing not just what is possible, but what is responsible and meaningful. This podcast sits at the intersection of technology, business, and marketing, examining how these forces converge to shape our collective future. It’s for listeners who want to understand the "why" and "for whom" behind the code, offering a nuanced take that is often missing from tech commentary. Tune in for a deeper, more inclusive dialogue about the systems that are redesigning our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Brave Technologist
Podcast Episodes
How Crypto is Reshaping The Global Political Landscape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
Sam Lyman, Director of Public Policy at Riot Platforms, discusses the disruptive potential of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency as tools to decentralize power. He highlights the generational shift that may influence the regulat…
Human-Centered AI: Uniting Academia and Industry for Ethical Tech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
Hamed Haddadi, Chief Scientist at Brave Software, discusses the future of ethical and inclusive technology, and how a human-centered approach can transform AI development's impact on society. We also discuss how to navig…
Making Crypto Digestible and Accessible to the Masses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
Camila Russo, Founder of The Defiant, discusses their role in making cryptocurrencies more accessible, and in making complex topics more comprehensible for everyone. We also explore the resilience of DeFi amid regulatory…
Democratizing AI Through Open-Source Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:34
Jeff Boudier, Head of Product and Growth at Hugging Face, discusses the evolving landscape of AI and the role open-source development plays in its transformation. We also explore the challenges and opportunities that org…
How Advertising Shaped Search Engines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:10
Jean-Paul Schmetz, SVP of Ads at Brave, discusses the evolution of search engines from closed platforms like AOL to today's open web, and how advertising has influenced their growth. We dive into AI's integration in sear…
Enhancing Your Web Experience with Privacy-First Browsing Strategies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:25
Yan Zhu, Chief Information Security Officer at Brave Software, discusses ways to reduce your risk of getting compromised when browsing the Internet. She also explains how Brave's policy of only collecting the bare necess…
Rethinking Outdated Legislation and Regulation with the SEC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:20
Hester M. Peirce (appointed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by President Donald J. Trump), shares insights into the SEC's role in enforcing laws amidst rapid technological advancements. We also explore bal…
How Moonwalk Fitness is Gamifying Health with Crypto Incentives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:23
Caitlin Cook, Head of Growth at Moonwalk Fitness, shares how their product is gamifying health, leveraging Web3 technology and offering crypto incentives to get you moving. She also shares how they're targeting non-crypt…
AI Revolution: Transforming Business, Jobs, and Regulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
David Westera, AI & Data Leader at Adidas, discusses the pressure that many companies feel to adopt emerging technologies, and the biggest challenges companies face when trying to implement AI solutions. He also explores…