Chain Reaction - 30th June 2025
Awards, Aussies Abroad and Regulation Minefields
From the Editor’s Desk
Welcome back to the work week folks! Whether you’re a developer, investor, or passionate observer, you know that each week brings fresh breakthroughs, thought-provoking debates, and opportunities to shape the future. No matter where you are on your blockchain journey, there’s something here for you.
Podcasts & Deep Dives: Voices of Innovation
Redbelly Insights Podcast – Agentic AI Meets Blockchain
We’re thrilled to announce the latest episode of the Redbelly Insights podcast, episode 9! This week, the discussion takes a deep dive into the fascinating intersection of agentic AI and blockchain. Hosted by yours truly, with special guest Vincent Gramoli of Redbelly, the episode explores how autonomous AI agents can interact with blockchain networks, and what this means for the future of decentralized systems. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation:
https://x.com/RedbellyNetwork/status/1938024433522004431
Redbelly Community DAO Launch: Decentralized Governance in Action
Redbelly isn’t stopping at podcasts, they’ve also launched their Community DAO, empowering RBNT token holders with real influence over fund rewards, roadmap decisions, and more. If you’re passionate about participatory governance and want a say in Redbelly’s direction, get all the details here:
https://medium.com/@redbellyblockchain/help-us-build-the-redbelly-community-dao-2245a4997cea
FEX Insights Podcast – Trustees On-Chain
Also on the audio front, don’t miss the latest FEX Insights podcast. Arturo from NotCentralised takes us on a journey into “trustees on-chain,” joined by voices from the crowd at DECA. If you’re curious how blockchain is modernizing trust structures and asset management, this episode is a must-listen:
We also had Michael Bacina and Amanda Wick join us up at DEConference on the Gold Coast for a podcast and highlighting their books which they showcased up there along with talks on regulation, innovation and more. Check it out here:
Regulation & Policy: Navigating Legal Minefields
The Banking Act Clause That Could Seize Your Bitcoin
What if the next regulatory action echoes the days of gold confiscation? Rob Waugh delivers a timely analysis on a clause in the Banking Act that could, in theory, allow authorities to seize digital assets like Bitcoin, drawing stark parallels to history. Essential reading for anyone keeping a close eye on regulatory risks:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/good-gold-robert-waugh-f5hbc/
Australian Blockchain Ecosystem: Homegrown Impact, Global Reach
Aussies Abroad – Pier Two Shines in NY & Washington
Australian innovation is making waves across the Pacific! Pier Two, an Aussie blockchain leader, has been taking their tech to New York and Washington, flying the flag for homegrown ingenuity. Thanks to Steve Vallas of Blockchain APAC for the highlight. Dive into the story:
Ledger and the San Antonio Spurs: Crypto Meets the NBA
In a slam dunk for crypto adoption, Ledger has inked a partnership with the San Antonio Spurs, signaling blockchain’s growing presence in the world of major sports leagues. Read more about this sportsbiz crossover:
DEConeference Community Highlights with Crypto Queen
Jana, aka Crypto Queen, captured key moments and voices from the recent DEConeference on the Gold Coast, showcasing the community’s vibrancy and diversity. Check out her video for a taste of the action:
https://x.com/tweeterazzis/status/1938032971321164233
DeFi & Fintech Frontiers: Real-World Disruption
Block Earner: Bitcoin Home Loans & Finnies Award
Block Earner continues to push boundaries. They’ve been making headlines for enabling Bitcoin to be used as a home loan deposit, an exciting sign of crypto’s integration into mainstream finance. Check out highlights from Charlie and James:
And a big congratulations to Block Earner for taking home a win at The Finnies, Australia’s premier fintech awards. See their celebratory post:
Crypto Holdings as Mortgage Deposits – Is This the New Normal?
Could your crypto help you get a mortgage? Cointelegraph explores the potential for digital assets to count towards your home deposit, a trend that might just redefine lending:
https://x.com/Cointelegraph/status/1937405393765859590
And in perfect timing, Block Earner has announced their own crypto mortgage solution. Don’t miss the details:
World Pay and the Growing Payments Ecosystem
Payments are the lifeblood of adoption. Zac from World Pay shares more insights on the evolving intersection of crypto and payments, check out his latest update:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ugcPost-7340687684643803138-qQbD
IBTC ETF from Monochrome Doubles Market Share
It’s not just DeFi making waves, traditional financial products are getting the Bitcoin treatment too. Monochrome’s IBTC, the Bitcoin ETF, has doubled its size and now claims 20% market share. Explore the numbers:
BlackRock’s Larry Fink: A Tokenised Future for Finance
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, envisions a financial future built on tokenisation, where securities and assets exist natively on blockchains. Catch his forward-looking commentary and what it means for global finance:
https://x.com/RWAwatchlist_/status/1937183967578398968
Parting Blocks
As we close this issue, remember: the blockchain space thrives because of curious minds and collaborative spirits like yours. We encourage you to share your thoughts, projects, and questions with us, your feedback shapes the direction of this newsletter and the community at large.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us on social, reply with your insights, and consider submitting your work for a future feature. Until next time, keep exploring, building, and believing in the power of decentralized innovation.
Onward and upward,
Mark Monfort, President, Aus DeFi Association
About Aus DeFi Association
The Australian DeFi Association (Aus DeFi) is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to increasing education and awareness of blockchain technology, specifically decentralised finance (DeFi) and web3-based projects. Their goal is to empower the Australian community with the knowledge and tools to participate in the decentralised economy, and to promote the adoption and growth of blockchain technology in Australia. They strive to provide a more grassroots approach to promoting blockchain technology compared to other industry-focused organisations in Australia, and to provide a platform for community members to learn about and engage with this emerging technology.
Sponsors
This newsletter is brought to you by our sponsors at NotCentralised who use their AI tool, SIKE, to bring together the highlights each week. For more on SIKE and the world of business-friendly AI, see