Money is entering a new phase. Stablecoins are moving from crypto-native tools into real financial infrastructure, tokenization is bringing traditional assets on chain, and digital assets are becoming increasingly embedded in the future of finance.

In this episode of Untangling Web3, Sean Lee, Co-Founder of Open Stable Network, Host of the Onchain Capital podcast, and former CEO of the Algorand Foundation, explores the future of money through stablecoins, tokenization, digital assets, AI, and global financial infrastructure.

The conversation covers why stablecoins are gaining traction, how regulators and institutions are approaching blockchain, and what the next decade of money could look like.

Key Highlights:

Stablecoins as the Next Layer of Money: Stablecoins are becoming one of the clearest real-world use cases for blockchain technology. By representing fiat currencies on chain, they offer faster settlement, easier cross-border movement, and practical utility without the volatility of crypto-native assets. As more jurisdictions develop stablecoin regimes, digital money is moving closer to mainstream financial infrastructure.
Tokenization and the Convergence of Finance: Digital assets now sit across multiple categories: crypto-native assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, tokenized assets like stablecoins and money market funds, and traditional financial products wrapped in blockchain infrastructure. Institutions are no longer treating tokenization as an experiment; major financial firms are building real products around digital assets, on-chain settlement, and programmable markets.
AI, On-Chain FX, and the Future Financial Stack: The future of money will be shaped by stablecoin-based settlement, tokenized markets, AI-powered financial agents, and on-chain foreign exchange. As more currencies, assets, and financial products move onto blockchain rails, AI could help users research, manage, and execute financial decisions — but questions around trust, liability, identity, and quantum security still need to be solved.

The future of money is not simply about replacing banks or making everything crypto-native. It is about building a financial system where stablecoins, digital assets, and tokenized markets work alongside existing institutions while improving speed, access, transparency, and interoperability.

As money becomes programmable and more assets move on chain, the financial system could become more global, automated, and efficient. Stablecoins may become the settlement layer, tokenization may unlock access to broader markets, and AI may become the interface that helps people navigate an increasingly complex world of digital finance.

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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at theuntanglingweb3podcast@gmail.com.

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The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.