Blockchain and cryptocurrencies have the potential to change the world in meaningful ways. And this change may drastically impact people’s lives – both for the better and for the worse. While ethics are often discussed for technologies like AI, the ethical considerations around blockchain technologies have received less focussed attention. We’re joined by Rhys Lindmark, Head of Community and Long-Term Societal Impact at the MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative. Previously the host of the podcast “Creating a Humanist Blockchain Future,” Rhys’ approach to blockchain was always about considering its potential impact. Since joining the DCI, his podcast, now “Gray Mirror,” continues to explore these questions. He has also recently started teaching a blockchain ethics course with the DCI’s Director, Neha Narula. Topics covered in this episode: Rhys’ background as a podcaster and proponent of Effective AltruismHis advocacy work around universal tithing and donating to charityThe controversy surrounding the MIT Media Lab and the resignation of their Director Joi ItoThe difference between ethics and moralsWhy we need to study blockchain ethicsShould we have ethics committees in blockchain as there exists about AIThe ethical considerations for different use cases and applications of blockchain technologyThe role of miners and should they have ethical obligations to censor certain transactionsThe DCI’s blockchain ethics class and what students learnEpisode links: Blockchain Ethics ClassBlockchain Ethics Class SyllabusWhy it’s time to start talking about blockchain ethics (MIT Technology Review)Jeffrey Epstein case: Federal prosecutors broke law, judge says (Miami Herald)Director of M.I.T.’s Media Lab Resigns After Taking Money From Jeffrey Epstein (New York Times)MIT Digital Currency InitiativeRhys Lindmark on TwitterSponsors: Cosmos: Change the future of finance at the SF Blockchain Week Defi Hackathon – $50,000 prize pool for winning teams - https://epicenter.rocks/sfcosmosTrail of Bits: Trust the team at the forefront of blockchain security research - https://trailofbits.comB9Lab: Level up and become a Solidity smart contract auditor – 5% off the with the code EPICENTER - https://solidified.b9lab.com/epicenterThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/311

We’re joined by Yoni Assia, Founder and CEO of eToro. The concept behind this world-leading social trading platform is users invest smarter by automatically copying the top traders in the community. With over 10 million users, over a trillion dollars traded on the platform just last year alone, this fascinating approach to trading is making huge waves. A decade after its original launch, eToro entered the crypto space with eToroX, their crypto exchange. More recently, they added cryptocurrencies to the growing list of assets that users can add to “Copy Trades.” Yoni shares his long-term vision in which he sees the tokenization of all traditional asset classes eventually taking place. Topics covered in this episode: Yoni's background and how he first became interested in financial tradingHow Yoni and his brother came up with the idea for eToroThe background of the Bitcoin community in IsraelYoni's predictions for the finance industryHow the power of tokenization paved the path for eToroWhat makes eToro unique compared to other crypto trading platformseToro's blockchain walletThe launch of the eToroX crypto currency exchangeeToro's views on custody of assets and DeFiEpisode links: eToroeToro on GitHubThe eToro Crypto WalleteToroXeToro TwitterYoni Assia TwitterSponsors: Cosmos: Join the most interoperable ecosystem of connected blockchains - http://cosmos.network/epicenterVaultoro: Trade gold to Bitcoin instantly and securely starting at just 1mg - http://vaultoro.comThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Brian Fabian Crain. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/309