Australia Pushes Startups Out — As Crypto & AI Accelerate

Australia Pushes Startups Out — As Crypto & AI Accelerate

This week on Unblocking the Chain, Drew Bradford and Critta Prendiville break down the fallout from Australia’s proposed capital gains tax changes and what they could mean for startups, founders, and investment in the local tech sector. The discussion covers founder equity dilution, the risk of talent leaving Australia, debt and productivity concerns, and why jurisdictions like New Zealand and Singapore are becoming more attractive. The episode also explores crypto regulation, borrowing against Bitcoin, and the rapidly evolving AI arms race between Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok. Timecodes: * (02:11) Capital gains tax fallout and why founders are looking at New Zealand * (05:40) Budget recap: inflation, debt projections, and startup concerns * (08:44) Why Australia risks falling behind on innovation and productivity * (11:51) Block Earner’s Bitcoin lending breakthrough and changing investment models * (13:44) Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini: the AI battle heats up * (17:30) AI, blockchain rails, and where the industry is heading next Podcast Hosts: Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-critta-prendiville/] Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-g-bradford] Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod. About Catena Digital Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets. ⁠www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.catenadigital.com.au/] Podcast Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and the guests. Please do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.

Australia’s Budget Crisis: What It Means for Crypto, Startups & a 50% Tax Reality

Hosted by Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford, Unblocking the Chain explores the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. Supported by JellyC and Macropod. In this episode, the hosts unpack a pivotal moment for crypto—combining insights from the Miami conference with a sharp analysis of Australia’s latest federal budget. They explore the growing institutional momentum behind tokenisation, stablecoins, and real-world asset adoption, while also addressing mounting risks in DeFi following recent hacks and a necessary repricing of yields. A major focus is the Australian budget’s impact on innovation, particularly proposed capital gains tax changes that could reshape the startup and crypto landscape. Despite regulatory headwinds, there are signs of progress, including movement toward tokenised financial infrastructure and payments reform. The episode closes with a broader industry outlook: capital is flowing, regulation is evolving, and crypto is shifting from speculation toward real-world utility. * (02:20) Miami conference insights – market sentiment, deals, and institutional activity * (08:02) Stablecoins & financial inclusion in the Pacific – real-world use case * (12:08) Australian Budget breakdown – capital gains tax impact on crypto/startups * (24:34) DeFi risks, hacks & yield repricing – where the market is heading Podcast Hosts: Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-critta-prendiville/] Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-g-bradford] Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod. About Catena Digital Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets. ⁠www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.catenadigital.com.au/] Podcast Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and the guests. Please do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.

How Blockchain Is Transforming Wall Street | Mike Reed Interview

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Reed from Franklin Templeton to unpack how one of the world’s largest asset managers is approaching blockchain, tokenisation, and the future of financial markets. From early Bitcoin curiosity to launching on-chain money market funds, Mike explains how tokenisation is driving massive cost efficiencies, enabling real-time settlement, and unlocking entirely new product features like intraday yield. The conversation dives into how traditional finance is adapting, the role of regulators, and why the next 5–10 years will reshape global financial infrastructure. We also explore tokenised ETFs, 24/7 markets, stablecoins vs money funds, and what it will take for blockchain-native finance to go mainstream. ⏱️ Key Timecodes * (00:00) Intro & guest background – Franklin Templeton’s early entry into crypto * (02:30) Blockchain efficiency vs traditional finance systems * (06:00) Why tokenisation needs real utility (intraday yield explained) * (10:00) Collateral mirroring & real-world use cases * (13:30) Banks vs digital assets – competition or coexistence? * (15:00) Tokenised ETFs & the future of investment products * (20:00) Regulatory hurdles and why collaboration matters * (23:40) What the next 5–10 years of finance will look like Podcast Hosts: Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-critta-prendiville/] Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-g-bradford] Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod. About Catena Digital Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets. ⁠www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.catenadigital.com.au/] Podcast Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and the guests. Please do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.

Quantum Threats, AI Power & What’s Next for Crypto with Mark Monfort

In this episode, the team sits down with Mark Monfort, a leader at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and digital assets, to unpack the rapid evolution of emerging technologies and what it means for the future. Mark shares his journey from traditional finance into crypto and AI, before diving into the growing convergence of these two worlds. The conversation explores real-world applications—from legal tech and stablecoins to AI-powered workflows—and the importance of community in driving innovation. They also tackle big-picture risks and opportunities, including quantum computing threats to encryption, the rise of advanced AI systems like Claude, and whether these developments are overhyped or genuine turning points. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on where AI and blockchain are heading, why trust and transparency will be critical, and what success could look like in the next five years. ⏱️ Key Timecodes * (00:17) Introduction and guest welcome: Mark Monfort joins the show * (03:16) Mark’s journey from finance to AI, blockchain, and startups * (05:51) Building the Australian DeFi community and why it matters * (08:15) Foundry Labs and real-world AI + blockchain use cases * (11:36) Quantum computing risks: real threat or overblown? * (19:41) AI security concerns and the implications of advanced models like Claude * (26:13) The convergence of AI and blockchain—and what’s coming next * (29:47) What success looks like in 5 years for AI and digital assets Podcast Hosts: Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-critta-prendiville/] Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-g-bradford]   Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod. About Catena Digital Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets. www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.catenadigital.com.au/] Podcast Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and the guests. Please do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.

Australia Goes All-In on Crypto? RBA Signals the Future

In this episode, Michael Prendiville and Drew Bradford break down the accelerating shift toward blockchain-based financial infrastructure, from tokenisation and stablecoins to major regulatory and institutional developments in Australia. They unpack key insights from the Black Swan Conference, explore the RBA’s clear stance on digital assets, and examine how global trends—from ETF tokenisation to quantum computing—are shaping the future of finance. With new legislation, rising institutional interest, and real-world adoption gaining momentum, this episode highlights why digital assets are moving from speculation to core financial infrastructure—and what comes next. Timecodes: * (00:00) Intro + disclaimer * (01:20) AI hosts and the future of automation * (02:25) Black Swan Conference: AI, quantum & blockchain * (03:47) Stablecoin debate + blockchain as the “Uber of finance” * (08:33) RBA signals: “It’s not if, it’s when” * (12:09) New legislation + institutional momentum * (16:40) Why super funds are eyeing blockchain infrastructure * (24:53) ETF tokenisation, Ethereum & market trends * (26:24) Quantum computing risks explained Podcast Hosts: Michael Prendiville (co-host), Co-founder, JellyC and Founder, TAF Capital ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-critta-prendiville/] Drew Bradford, (co-host), CEO, Macropod and Chairman, JellyC ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-g-bradford]   Unblocking the Chain is brought to you by JellyC and Macropod. About Catena Digital Macropod is the issuer of the Australian dollar-backed stablecoin AUDM. Through the thoughtful application of emerging technology, Macropod empowers businesses and asset exchanges to facilitate fast and cost-effective transactions securely. With over 100 years of combined global experience, Macropod's team has a wealth of financial markets, governance, and technology knowledge to support their customers’ and partners’ successful transition to digital assets. www.macropod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.catenadigital.com.au/] Podcast Produced by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://piccolopodcasts.com.au/] This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and the guests. Please do your own research or consult a professional before making investment decisions.