Kiln Rendez-Vous Podcast

#2 - Kiln L1 Ecosystems RDV - Don Wilson - DRW: Innovating across both traditional and cutting-edge trading markets

In this second episode of Kiln L1 Ecosystems Rendez-Vous, we sit down with Don Wilson, the founder and CEO of DRW. DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 2,000 employees across major financial hubs with proven expertise innovating across both traditional and cutting-edge markets. Listen as Don shares his unique insights on:🔸 The origins of DRW and its evolution into a global trading powerhouse🔸 How DRW entered the crypto space (hint: Bitcoin in 2012!)🔸 The birth of Cumberland (now a top crypto liquidity provider) and Digital Asset (company pushing Canton Network)🔸 Why privacy and composability are critical for institutional DeFi adoption🔸 DRW’s groundbreaking work on tokenized treasuries and collateral mobility🔸 The future of Canton Network as a bridge between TradFi and blockchainDon also discusses the regulatory landscape, the convergence of AI and finance, and why he believes Canton could become the go-to L1 for institutional assets.PODCAST INFO:🌐 Website:https://www.kiln.fi/podcasts🟢 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0QSnhSLXxVDgBAUMnKnPz1🟣 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kiln-rendez-vous-podcast/id172924722600:00 - Intro01:32 - Don’s background & founding DRW03:59 - DRW’s early crypto bets (Cumberland, Bitcoin, Digital Asset)07:37 - Cumberland’s role in crypto liquidity09:50 - Institutional adoption of DeFi11:45 - U.S. crypto regulation updates14:02 - The genesis of Digital Asset & Canton Network17:18 - Why privacy matters in institutional blockchain24:14 - Tokenizing real-world assets (RWA) on Canton27:28 - Canton's 5-10 year outlook28:58 - What excites Don most about finance & tech today

#1 - Kiln L1 Ecosystems RDV - Yuval Rooz - Canton Network: Unifying traditional and crypto markets onchain

In this episode, we sit down with Yuval Rooz, CEO & Co-founder of Digital Asset, the company behind Canton Network—the leading blockchain for regulated finance, trusted by Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Börse, and more.Canton isn’t just another L1—it’s the future of onchain finance, blending institutional-grade infrastructure with DeFi’s composability. Tune in to learn how it’s bridging TradFi and crypto, without compromises. We dive into: 🔹 Canton’s $135M strategic round (backed by Citadel, Goldman Sachs, Circle & more) 🔹 Why privacy ≠ anonymity—and why it’s critical for institutional DeFi 🔹 How Canton scales horizontally while maintaining seamless interoperability 🔹 $4T+ in tokenized assets already on Canton (and why you haven’t heard about it) 🔹 Real-world use cases from NASDAQ, Tradeweb, and beyond PODCAST INFO: 🌐 Website:https://www.kiln.fi/podcasts 🟢 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0QSnhSLXxVDgBAUMnKnPz1 🟣 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kiln-rendez-vous-podcast/id1729247226 00:00 - 01:14 – Introduction & Canton’s Momentum 01:14 - 03:15 – Yuval’s Background: Finance to Crypto 03:15 - 06:10 – Building Canton: The Early Days 06:10 - 12:10 – Canton’s Core Innovations 12:10 - 17:04 – Architecture Deep Dive 17:04 - 23:20 – Institutional Use Cases 23:20 - 28:17 – Ecosystem & Validators 28:17 - 35:38 – Why Canton’s Flying Under the Radar 35:38 - 41:48 – Future of Canton 41:48 - 52:20 – Rapid-Fire Q&A52:20 - End – Closing Remarks

#13 - Kiln DeFi RDV - Duncan Moir - 21Shares: The world's first and largest ETP issuer

In this insightful episode of Kiln DeFi Rendez-Vous, host Laszlo Szabo, CEO & Co-Founder at Kiln, sits down with Duncan Moir, President of 21Shares, the world’s largest crypto ETP issuer, for a deep dive into the explosive growth of Bitcoin ETFs, the evolving landscape of institutional crypto adoption, and what’s next for digital asset investing.Less than a year after their launch, Bitcoin ETFs have captured nearly 70% of the trading volume of gold ETFs (GLD)—a staggering milestone that underscores the pent-up demand for crypto exposure in traditional finance. Duncan breaks down why this is just the beginning, with the $40 trillion US pension fund market still largely on the sidelines.The conversation explores how major players like Goldman Sachs are entering the space, why Ethereum ETFs haven’t seen the same success as Bitcoin (yet), and the critical role of staking in ETPs—especially in Europe, where 21Shares has pioneered innovative products. Duncan shares his unique perspective on regulation, from the UK’s recent shift allowing retail crypto ETNs to the SEC’s cautious approach in the US.With over 40 crypto ETPs under its belt, 21Shares has become a bellwether for institutional crypto adoption. Duncan reveals how the company selects new assets, from blue-chip tokens to emerging altcoins, and why Dogecoin—often dismissed as a memecoin—has surprising institutional potential. He also discusses the growing intersection of traditional finance and on-chain assets, including the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) like BlackRock’s BUIDL money market fund.Before joining 21Shares, Duncan spent years in hedge funds and asset management, eventually leading Aberdeen’s digital asset division and serving on the board of Hedera Hashgraph. He shares lessons from his journey, including how blockchain can streamline archaic financial systems and why crypto is maturing beyond speculative trading into a strategic portfolio allocation.PODCAST INFO:🌐 Website:https://www.kiln.fi/podcasts🟢 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0QSnhSLXxVDgBAUMnKnPz1🟣 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kiln-rendez-vous-podcast/id172924722600:00 – Intro & ETF Momentum02:49 – Duncan’s Crypto Journey05:27 – Tokenization & Hedera08:43 – ETF Adoption: US vs Europe10:39 – UK Retail & Regulation Shift14:12 – 21Shares Structure & Global Focus16:36 – ETH vs. BTC ETF Performance18:58 – Staking & Liquidity Constraints23:39 – Coin Coverage & Research Process27:17 – Tokenized Assets & Future Products30:26 – What Excites Duncan Today32:23 – Dogecoin & Community-Driven Use Cases

Kiln RDV - Marieke Flament - Navigating team building and leadership in crypto

Join us for an insightful conversation between Marieke Flament—seasoned tech executive, investor, and former CEO of the NEAR Foundation—and Thomas De Phuoc, COO and Co-Founder of Kiln, as they reflect on their years of collaboration, leadership lessons, and the evolving landscape of startups and Web3.This discussion begins with a look back at how their professional paths first crossed in 2017 at Circle, where Marieke played a pivotal role in shaping Thomas’s early career. From there, the conversation unfolds into a masterclass on leadership, team-building, and the nuances of scaling a company with intention.Marieke shares her unique perspective on hiring, emphasizing the importance of passion over pedigree, and why cultural fit can make or break a company. Drawing from her experiences at Expedia, Circle, and NEAR, she breaks down the dynamics of high-performing teams, comparing them to a well-coordinated basketball team where trust and collaboration overtake individual brilliance.Thomas echoes these insights, reflecting on Kiln’s journey and the principles that have guided its growth—transparency, storytelling, and resilience in the face of crypto’s notorious volatility. Together, they explore how founders can maintain focus during market downturns, why self-awareness is non-negotiable for leaders, and how Europe’s tech ecosystem can compete on a global scale despite regulatory fragmentation.A highlight of the discussion is Marieke’s work with Project Europe, an initiative uniting founders and operators to strengthen the continent’s startup ecosystem. She outlines the challenges—such as complex cross-border investment rules and inconsistent stock option policies—while expressing optimism about Europe’s deep talent pool and long-term commitment to innovation.The conversation also touches on the transition from operator to board member, the role of coaching in leadership development, and the personal habits that help founders navigate high-pressure environments.PODCAST INFO:🌐 Website:https://www.kiln.fi/podcasts🟢 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0QSnhSLXxVDgBAUMnKnPz1🟣 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kiln-rendez-vous-podcast/id172924722600:00 - Introduction & How They Met 00:48 - Marieke’s Career Journey (Circle, Expedia, Near) 03:35 - Why Tech? + Lessons from Early Roles 04:11 - Building Culture & High-Performing Teams 06:00 - Hiring Passionate People & Interview Tips 09:14 - Leadership, Trust & Team Dynamics 13:06 - Scaling, Storytelling & Culture Alignment 23:23 - Coaching, Self-Awareness & Growth 28:59 - European Tech & Project Europe 34:30 - Talent, Retention & Ecosystem Strengths 36:23 - Serving on Boards & Strategic Leadership 43:43 - Macro Trends, Resilience & Long-Term Focus 50:41 - Lessons Learned & Final Takeaways

#12 - Kiln DeFi RDV - Jess Houlgrave - Reown: Building the onchain UX platform

In this conversation, Jess Houlgrave, CEO of Reown, discusses the evolution of blockchain technology and its implications for the financial system. She shares her journey from traditional finance to the crypto space, emphasizing the importance of user experience in Web3. The discussion covers the rise of stablecoins, the evolution of wallets, and the decentralization of Wallet Connect. Jess also highlights the monetization strategies for Web3 and the integration of AI in enhancing user experiences. The conversation concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of payments and the role of innovation in the crypto ecosystem.PODCAST INFO:🌐 Website:https://www.kiln.fi/podcasts🟢 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0QSnhSLXxVDgBAUMnKnPz1🟣 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kiln-rendez-vous-podcast/id172924722600:00 Introduction to Reown and Blockchain Innovations02:51 Jess Journey from Traditional Finance to Crypto06:08 User Experience Challenges in Web309:03 Wallet Connect's User Base and Global Reach11:52 The Rise of Stablecoins in Emerging Markets15:10 The Evolution of Wallets and User Preferences18:01 Decentralization and Governance of Wallet Connect20:53 Reown: A New Era for Wallet Connect23:47 Monetization Strategies in Web326:54 The Future of Payments and Crypto Integration29:49 The Role of AI in Crypto and User Experience33:06 Conclusion and Future Outlook