Hidden Forces is a podcast devoted to exploring the underlying forces driving the most powerful changes we see in the world. Demetri Kofinas, host of the show, holds conversations with some of the most brilliant minds in technology, finance, social science, and the hard sciences. He consults blockchain and distributed ledger technology companies, and hedge funds and venture capital firms on how to invest in and around these same emerging technologies.  We chatted to Demetri about a range of current topics from the US presidential election, the financial crisis and the role of the federal reserve and how it's reacting to the crisis. Also the role of central banks going forward in this new reality in which we live. We also discussed crypto and specifically his thoughts on the DeFi space. He has some very interesting views there. Demetri does not hold back on what he wants to say, so this was a fun and interesting conversation which we are sure you will enjoy too! Topics covered in this episode: The US presidential electionDemetri’s background and why he started Hidden ForcesHidden Forces and how he chooses guests and topicsDemetri's healthHow Demetri sees the impact of blockchain on a societal levelThe current economic crisisThe fundamental difference of the handling between past crises and the current one, by financial institutionsIs the US on the brink of collapse?What is the role of the central bank if it can no longer function how it is supposed to, and can crypto play a roleWhat are some past dApps that would contribute value to societyDemetri’s views on AmpleforthCan a cryptocurrency become a world reserve currency?Episode links: Hidden ForcesThe story of Demetri's tumourDemetri's websiteDemetri on MediumHidden Forces on TwitterDemetri on TwitterSponsors: Algorand: To learn more about Algorand and how it’s unique design makes it easy for developers to build sophisticated applications. - https://algorand.com/epicenterThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture & Friederike Ernst. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/360

Camila Russo is a financial journalist, starting her career writing for Chile's largest national newspaper. She then spent 8 years at Bloomberg covering the Argentine market from Buenos Aires, the European stocks from Madrid, and analysed macro emerging markets moves for the Markets Live blog in New York. She is the founder of the Defiant and recently wrote and released a book on the foundations of Ethereum, “The Infinite Machine”. This tells the story of how 19-year-old coding genius Vitalik Buterin led a “ragtag group of feuding hackers with no business plan and no live product” to pioneer a whole new way of raising money, on a platform that’s grown to a value of $27 billion. It is being hailed a complete hit and we highly recommend you give it a read. Camila joined us to chat about how her journey through journalism led her to crypto, and how she became a successful author. Topics covered in this episode: Camila's background and how she got into the crypto spaceBecoming involved with Bitcoin in Argentina back in 2013Her move to the US and the introduction to Ethereum in 2017What made her decide to write a book and the process involvedSome interesting stories that didn't make the final cutCamila's views on the Ethereum narrative and how it has changed over timeCamila's view on the current DeFi situation and the risks of regulators becoming more involvedWhat is The Defiant?How to follow CamilaEpisode links: Camila RussoThe DefiantThe Infinite MachineExcerpt from The Infinite Machine“The Infinite Machine” reviewCamila on TwitterSponsors: Algorand: To learn more about Algorand and how it’s unique design makes it easy for developers to build sophisticated applications, visit algorand.com/epicenter - http://algorand.com/epicenterThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/358