# Ep. 723 Paolo Ardoino Explains the Future of Bitcoin, AI & Global Finance Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crypto-101-542497/ep-723-paolo-ardoino-explains-the-future-of-bitcoin-ai-global-finance Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crypto-101-542497/ep-723-paolo-ardoino-explains-the-future-of-bitcoin-ai-global-finance.md Podcast: [CRYPTO 101](https://stenobird.com/podcast/crypto-101-542497) Published: 2026-05-13T13:40:21+00:00 Episode link: http://crypto101podcast.com Audio file: https://audio1.redcircle.com/episodes/4b332207-f98d-4071-aad4-805e2acf2c0e/stream.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/crypto-101-542497/episodes/ep-723-paolo-ardoino-explains-the-future-of-bitcoin-ai-global-finance Duration seconds: 2826 ## Resource In this episode of the Crypto 101 Podcast, Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Bitfinex, shares the incredible journey of helping build one of crypto’s oldest surviving exchanges through hacks, market crashes, and multiple Bitcoin cycles. Paolo explains why Bitfinex eliminated trading fees, how tokenized securities could unlock capital access for emerging markets, and why Bitcoin remains the ultimate hedge against global instability. The conversation dives deep into Lightning Network scaling, AI agents transacting with Bitcoin, institutional adoption, and why self-custody still matters despite the rise of ETFs. Paolo also gives his perspective on quantum computing risks, Bitcoin’s future beyond the four-year cycle, and why owning even one Bitcoin could become life-changing. Check out Quince: https://quince.com/CRYPTO101 Check out Shopify: https://shopify.com/crypto101 Check out Mars Men: https://mengotomars.com Get my #1 altcoin pick for this month. Get immediate access to my entire crypto portfolio for just $1.00 today! Get your FREE copy of "Crypto Revolution" and start making big profits from buying, selling, Get immediate access to my entire crypto portfolio.. just $1.00 today! Go here to get access: https://www.crypto101insider.com/cryptnation-directm6pypcy1?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_content=Podcast&utm_term=20250916 Get your FREE copy of "Crypto Revolution: Your Guide To The Future of Money". In this book, I reveal how to make (and keep) a fortune during this crypto bull run! http://www.cryptorevolution.com/free?utm_source=Internal&utm_medium=YouTube&utm_content=Podcast&utm_term=20250916 Chapters 00:00 - Paolo Ardoino joins the Crypto 101 Podcast 02:00 - From hacker to CTO of Bitfinex 06:30 - Surviving the 2016 Bitfinex hack 10:00 - Why… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/crypto-101-542497/episodes/ep-723-paolo-ardoino-explains-the-future-of-bitcoin-ai-global-finance/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/crypto-101-542497/ep-723-paolo-ardoino-explains-the-future-of-bitcoin-ai-global-finance.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.