Podcast
LabTalks
Hosted by Alkimi Exchange · EN
LabTalks is the podcast for the people making infrastructure decisions in programmatic advertising.
Hosted by Ben Putley, CEO of Alkimi, each episode brings into the open the conversations the industry is having privately: where the money actually goes, what agentic AI means for media buying in practice, and what the supply chain needs to look like for the next era of advertising.
Guests include agency leads, publishers, founders, and technologists who are closest to where the industry is heading.
No vendor pitches. No recycled conference takes. Just the questions worth asking.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Advertising on the Fastest Blockchain | LabTalks S4 EP11 | Rebecca Simmonds
Oct 2300:15:22Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to run 25 million ad transactions a day, on-chain? In this episode, Alkimi CEO Ben Putley sits down with Rebecca Simmonds from Walrus Protocol to break down how Alkimi uses Sui’s full stack to power real-time advertising at scale. They unpack: 1.How Walrus enables sustainable and permanent storage for ad data 2. Why verification and transparency, not just speed, are redefining AdTech 3. What “Advertising on the Fastest Blockchain” really means for the $750B industry 4. How AdFi turns ad transactions into composable, yield-generating financial events This isn’t a hype talk, it’s a blueprint for real business on-chain.
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Raoul Pal on LabTalks with Ben Putley | #LabTalks S4 EP10 | Raoul Pal
Aug 1501:00:14Tap to summarizeReal Vision's Raoul Pal just EXPOSED the shocking truth about how Platforms have been extracting YOUR attention while you get NOTHING in return... Former Goldman Sachs executive and macro investing legend Raoul Pal sits down with our CEO Ben Putley to reveal the dark secrets behind the $750 billion digital advertising industry and why blockchain technology like Alkimi's solution is about to change EVERYTHING. In this eye-opening Lab Talks episode, we dive deep into why the current advertising model is fundamentally broken, how Big Tech corporations have amassed unprecedented power over our personal data, and the revolutionary shift happening right now that will transform how advertising works forever. Raoul shares his incredible journey from running hedge fund sales at Goldman Sachs to predicting both the 2008 financial crisis and European debt crisis, ultimately leading him to discover Bitcoin and blockchain as the solution to systemic financial problems. Now, as founder of Real Vision, he's witnessing the same patterns in digital advertising that led to previous market collapses. We explore the $100 trillion tokenisation thesis that's driving the next wave of crypto adoption, why institutional money is finally flowing into blockchain infrastructure, and how Alkimi's ALKIMI token represents the future of transparent, efficient digital advertising. In this video, you'll discover: Why Google knows more about you than you think (the extent will shock you) How AI agents are secretly destroying advertising effectiveness The real reason your online ads keep getting more expensive yet less effective Why paying users for their attention might not work the way you think Raoul's prediction for crypto's path from $4 trillion to $100 trillion market cap How blockchain rails will revolutionise financial settlement and advertising
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Rebuilding Programmatic From Ground Up | #LabTalks S4 EP9 | Matt Wilke
Jun 27, 202500:49:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Putley speaks with Matt Wilke, Head of Digital Partnerships at Mediaplus UK and former programmatic leader who's worked across the Omnicom stack and WPP GroupM side of the industry. For the past three years, he's been working at independent agencies, bringing a unique perspective from both sides of the industry divide, from large holding companies to independents. As someone who's navigated the evolution of programmatic advertising across different agency models, Matt shares candid insights about what's really broken in the current system and explores how blockchain technology could solve programmatic's biggest problems. In this episode: Why 49% of ad spend disappears before reaching publishers (according to ISBA research) Why middlemen who don't add performance value will need to prove their worth or disappear entirely Why the open web still represents 50% of UK programmatic spend and where most waste lives How blockchain could bring transparency to the programmatic supply chain Zero-knowledge proofs for privacy-preserving targeting without cookies Why automated market makers could revolutionise ad buying The thought experiment: rebuilding programmatic from scratch A must-listen for anyone working in programmatic advertising, ad tech, or digital media who wants an unvarnished look at the industry's current challenges and potential blockchain solutions.
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The Truth About Crypto Adoption | #LabTalks S4 EP8 | Nicolas Cary
Jun 6, 202500:27:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Putley speaks with Nic Cary, founder of Blockchain.com, one of the pioneering cryptocurrency companies established in 2011. Nic built the first popular blockchain explorer (blockchain.info) and has grown Blockchain.com into one of the world's largest crypto platforms, serving millions of users globally. As someone who's witnessed Bitcoin's evolution from the early days to today's $3 trillion market, Nic shares his perspective on the current state of cryptocurrency adoption and makes some bold predictions about what's coming next. In this episode: - Why despite a $3 trillion market cap, only 200-300 million people globally are actually "on-chain" - How regulatory frameworks have inadvertently created barriers to adoption, particularly in markets like the UK - The emerging intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology - Why AI agents will be conducting most digital payments within five years - New interfaces won't be controlled by single companies like current operating systems - Why we're moving from "infrastructure decade" to "execution decade" A must-listen for builders, investors, and anyone who wants the unvarnished truth about where crypto really stands – and the massive opportunities still ahead.
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Rewiring Ad Tech for Good
May 16, 202500:43:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Putley speaks with Amy Williams, founder and CEO of Good-Loop, a company embedding social impact directly into digital advertising. From her love-hate relationship with the ad industry to pioneering media that’s respectful, effective, and sustainable, Amy shares how Good-Loop is redefining what it means to advertise with purpose.They unpack how the digital ad ecosystem became so broken, from intrusive user experiences and misaligned incentives to environmental waste and inefficient capital. They also explore groundbreaking concepts like wallets as anonymous identifiers, the role of blockchain, the evolving landscape of brand safety, and the shifting value exchange between users and advertisers.This wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation challenges the current landscape and reimagines what advertising could — and should — be.
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From Vision to Velocity in Web3
Apr 14, 202500:51:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben sits down with Eleanor Hudson, Head of Ecosystem at Fabric Ventures, one of Europe's leading Web3-native VC firms. Together, they explore Eleanor’s journey into the Web3 space, her experience supporting founders to find product-market fit, and her unique perspective on the convergence of blockchain and AI. Ben and Eleanor dive deep into what it takes to build in Web3, the challenges of hiring for a Web3 business, and how to effectively communicate the value of Web3 products to both technical and non-technical customers. Eleanor shares her insights on the cultural aspects of Web3, explaining how events and hands-on experiences are essential for people to truly understand the mission and technology behind blockchain projects. They also discuss the evolving Web3 event scene, the importance of community-building in the space, and how both founders and VCs should approach networking and relationship-building at conferences. This episode is packed with valuable insights on what it really takes to build a successful Web3 company, from navigating the startup landscape to fostering an ecosystem of innovation.
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Navigating Web3 Events | #LabTalks S4 EP5 | Katie Narain
Mar 14, 202500:40:32Tap to summarizeIn this LabTalks episode, Ben Putley sits down with Katie Narain, Web3 Member Experience Lead at Serotonin, the Web3 powerhouse helping brands navigate and thrive in the space.Katie breaks down how Web3 companies are moving beyond traditional marketing playbooks and why community-driven engagement is key. She also shares how Serotonin’s platform is reshaping industry connections and the future of Web3 adoption.Together, Ben and Katie explore the intersection of Web3, ad tech, and community-building, diving into how brands can position themselves for long-term success in an evolving digital landscape. Plus, get Katie’s take on the future of Web3 adoption, the rise of APAC markets, and why targeted infrastructure, not just hype, will drive the next wave of growth.Key highlights:Why Web3 marketing needs a new approach beyond brand sponsorships How Serotonin is helping legacy brands enter Web3 the right way How Serotonin’s platform is reshaping industry connections at industry eventsThe role of ad tech in the next evolution of digital platforms Why the future of Web3 is about value exchange, not just transactionsIf you’re building in Web3, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎧
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Tokenisation & Interoperability: Key Challenges for Web3’s Future | #LabTalks S4 EP4 | Robby Yung
Feb 7, 202501:03:48Tap to summarizeIn this LabTalks episode, Ben Putley sits down with Robby Yung, CEO at Animoca Brands—one of the most active investors in Web3, with a portfolio spanning 550+ companies. Robbie discusses the growing importance of stablecoins, token interoperability, and the shift from traditional Web2 models to decentralised platforms. He also explores how brands and gaming companies are utilising blockchain and NFTs to empower users and create new value exchange systems. Together, Ben and Robbie dive deep into topics like privacy, the power of tokenisation, and the future of ad tech in Web3. Plus, get Robbie's insights on the next big trends in blockchain adoption and the upcoming wave of innovation in the space. Key highlights: • The role of tokens in Web3 and their connection to network effects • Stable-coins as a key Web3 use case and their global impact • Interoperability challenges in Web3 and the evolution of software • The rise of Web3 gaming and its effect on user retention and monetisation • The future of Web3 advertising with performance-driven strategies • The evolution of Web3 and its parallels with early internet adoption Whether you're curious about the intersection of Web3 and gaming or how to use tokens as a powerful tool for network growth, this episode has something for everyone!
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LabTalks: The UK Parliament's Role in the Future of Crypto
Jan 16, 202500:33:45Tap to summarizeIn this LabTalks epiosde, Ben Putley sits down with Dr. Lisa Cameron, Chair and Founder of the Global Legislators Forum in Digital Assets and the first Crypto Parliamentary Group Chair, for an insightful discussion on blockchain, regulation, and the UK’s role in the digital revolution.Dr. Cameron shares her journey from addressing a cryptocurrency scam in her constituency to leading the charge for blockchain regulation in parliament. Together, they explore the rapid adoption of blockchain technology, the importance of international collaboration among legislators, and how the UK can position itself as a global hub for blockchain and digital assets.The conversation highlights the challenges of regulation, overcoming the steep learning curve of the crypto industry, and the urgency of creating efficient policies to foster innovation and keep the UK competitive.Discover how blockchain is reshaping the digital world and what steps the UK must take to lead the charge in this transformative space.
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the Future of Crypto, Blockchain, and Web3: A Deep Dive with Michaël van de Poppe
Jan 10, 202501:12:27Tap to summarizeBen Putley sits down with Michaël van de Poppe, a crypto expert and venture capitalist, to uncover the opportunities and challenges shaping blockchain, AI, and Web3. From Michaël's journey to becoming a Key Opinion Leader to the rise of tokenized digital advertising, they explore how these technologies are transforming industries and creating smarter, more efficient systems.Together, they discuss the ethics of crypto, the importance of diversity, and the pressures of raising capital in a fast-moving space. With insights into managing growth during wild market trends and comparisons of platforms like Ethereum and Solana, this series offers a fresh perspective on the future of Web3 and its potential to revolutionise everything from advertising to career opportunities.
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