2026-06-10
27 minutes

Ep 68: Digital Sovereignty Beyond “Buy European”

Use Cases
Security

About this episode

This episode starts with a simple argument: Europe cannot buy its way into digital sovereignty. Professor Roman Beck explains why the real issue is not nationality, but control, and why blockchain and decentralized systems belong in that conversation. From governance and key custody to resilience and execution, this is a policy discussion about what blockchain infrastructure can offer when institutions are thinking seriously about sovereignty.

Guests

Roman Beck

Roman Beck

Chester B. Slade Professor at Bentley University

Sylvia Sanchez

Sylvia Sanchez

Project Manager at Ava Labs • The Policy Layer Host

The Policy Layer Podcast

Our podcast feels like having a coffee with the people shaping the future of blockchain and crypto regulation throughout the world. We’re curious, we ask bold questions, and we keep the conversation clear and real.

More The Policy Layer Podcast

Screenshot 2026-10-14 at 8.51.54 AM
The Policy Layer Podcast
2026-10-14
36 minutes

Ep 72: Digital Assets in Africa - Heterogeneity and Opportunity

Jannah Patchay (Markets Evolution) and Kofi Genfi (Volta Digital Assets) unpack how digital assets are reshaping financial infrastructure across African markets. From stablecoins and cross-border payments to tokenized assets, DeFi, and regulatory coordination, they examine where blockchain is solving real market-access problems and creating new connections to global capital. The conversation also tackles monetary sovereignty, the diversity of regulatory approaches across the continent, and what it will take for locally relevant digital-asset markets to scale. Africa offers a compelling case study for what happens when digital finance is built around utility, access, and real economic need. 🎧 Listen in Spotify and Apple Music

Regulation
Stablecoins
Screenshot 2026-09-30 at 1.24.16 PM
The Policy Layer Podcast
2026-09-30
35 minutes

Ep 71: The CLARITY Act Fails Cloture: What Comes Next For US Crypto Regulation

We consider the next phase of US crypto regulation after the CLARITY Act failed to advance in the Senate. Norma Krayem of Van Scoyoc Associates, Peter Freeman of FS Vector, and Lee Schneider of Ava Labs follow the practical choices now facing lawmakers and agencies, from rule-making timelines to narrower proposals on software developers and tax treatment. Tune in to hear why new rules could help move policy forward while also changing the terms of the next congressional negotiation. 🎧 Listen in Spotify and Apple Music

US Congress
Regulation