blockCAST PODCAST

Toli Mancris, CEO of EX Sports, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for an eye-opening conversation exploring the evolution of collectibles, timeless value, and entrepreneurial vision in the digital era. From the nostalgia-driven power of Panini and Topps trading cards to the economics of scarcity and cultural relevance, Toli shares fascinating insights on why collectibles continue to thrive—regardless of who’s trending on Twitter or sitting in political office. With Panini’s billion-euro empire in Bologna as proof of the timeless appeal of collectibles, the episode unpacks how that legacy is inspiring a new generation of digital-native collec...

Jose Aguinag, CEO of Tungsten, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for a dynamic conversation exploring the future of digital asset custody, cybersecurity, and institutional crypto infrastructure. From the anatomy of the Bybit hack and the tactics of the Lazarus Group to the vulnerabilities in multisig wallets and supply chains, Jose shares hard-hitting insights on how secure asset management is evolving and what it means for the future of finance. With Abu Dhabi and the ADGM at the center of this transformation, the episode unpacks why the region is becoming the world’s go-to hub for regulated custody, co...

Phillip Lord, President of Oobit, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for a dynamic conversation exploring the future of AI, humanoids, and digital finance. From the rise of tokenized payments and AI agents to the disruptive power of robotics in everyday life, Philip shares hard-hitting insights on how emerging technologies are reshaping industries and redefining the future of work. With Dubai at the center of this transformation, the episode unpacks why the city is becoming the world’s go-to hub for innovation, capital, and entrepreneurship. Tune in for a deep dive into the technologies that are changing the ga...

NeosLegal Irina Heaver, Managing Partner joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou to explore the dynamic intersection of AI, crypto, and law. As the first female guest on the podcast, Irina shares her journey through the evolving regulatory landscape, shedding light on the legal frameworks shaping the future of digital finance. Gain exclusive insights into how the UAE is emerging as a global blockchain hub, the challenges and opportunities for crypto companies, and the crucial role of compliance in fostering innovation. Discover how regulators and industry leaders are working together to redefine the future of decentralized finance…

D2A2 Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou to discuss his transformative journey—from arriving in Dubai in 2008 with wide-eyed wonder to becoming a key architect of the UAE’s digital asset revolution. Hear firsthand how early challenges, groundbreaking regulatory shifts, and a passion for technology converged to shape a thriving crypto ecosystem in the region. Discover the story behind Dubai’s unmatched safety, talent, and infrastructure, and learn why this dynamic hub is setting the pace for global digital innovation...

Middle East Venture Partners pioneer Rabih Khoury joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou to unpack the shifting landscape of digital assets, AI innovation, and capital markets across the MENA region. From the rise of venture capital and angel investing in the Middle East to AI-driven disruption, tokenization, and the future of IPOs, this deep-dive covers it all. Rabih reflects on his journey from Silicon Valley to Dubai, the evolution of VC strategies, navigating regulatory hurdles, scaling startups, and what’s next for MENA’s investment ecosystem. Expect insights on liquidity, fintech expansion, the intersection of AI and finance, and...

MENA crypto trailblazer Talal Tabbaa from CoinMENA joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou to dissect the fast-evolving world of digital assets, meme coin frenzies, and the rise of regulated exchanges. From the Trump token craze and why meme coins trump NFTs in liquidity to the intricacies of listing processes, real-world asset tokenization, and bridging the DeFi-tradfi gap—this deep-dive unpacks how the Middle East is shaping global crypto adoption. Expect insights on Bitcoin, L2 tech, AI-powered compliance, and the legendary story behind Talal’s green hair bet. Buckle up for an unfiltered look at the future of crypto in t...

Cybersecurity trailblazer Marwan Hachem from Fears Off joins blockchain innovator Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou to explore the unseen battlefield of exchange security, ethical hacking, and the shifting landscape of digital asset protection. Together, they dive into the art of uncovering vulnerabilities, the fine line of ethical disclosures, and strategies to outsmart an ever-evolving wave of cyber threats. From Marwan’s journey into the world of ethical hacking to redefining fintech security, this gripping conversation unravels the stories of unsung heroes shaping the future of cyber-resilient blockchain ecosystems...

Blockchain visionary Pierre Samaties from DFINITY joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou to explore the crossroads of AI and crypto, the evolution of mining strategies, tokenizing artificial intelligence, navigating smart regulations, the disruption of software industries, and how AI coins are reshaping ecosystems. From his journey into the heart of DFINITY to revolutionizing tech in the MENA region, Pierre shares insights on building the future of decentralized networks, surviving Dubai’s sizzling summers, and what’s next for AI-powered blockchain…

Crypto powerhouse Max Lighter from XT.com joins Anton Golub and Dr Demetrios Zamboglou break down meme coin mania, Dubai’s blockchain boom, tokenizing intellectual property, juggling conferences across the UAE, the ins and outs of liquidity, navigating crypto regulations, his journey from managing an oligarch’s family office to MENA’s top crypto circles, swimming through Dubai’s scorching summers, staking strategies, a surprise dive into meme tokens, and what’s next for XT.com in 2025…