Blockchain at a key inflection point – where we are now in the innovation cycle, what’s coming next, and where to find your next opportunity.

Detailed Summary:

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer chats with Matthew Le Merle of Blockchain Coinvestors about the current state and trajectory of blockchain technology. He explains that his firm has invested in over 1,250 blockchain startups, including major players like Coinbase and Kraken. With a background in internet and fintech investing and previous leadership roles at top consulting firms, Matthew outlines how blockchain has evolved from a niche innovation into a foundational infrastructure, now at an inflection point similar to the early internet days. He notes that the industry is scaling rapidly, with 500 million digital wallets already in use and billions more expected in the near future as adoption expands.

Matthew likens the rise of blockchain to the digitalization of communications through the internet. Just as we transitioned from handwritten letters to instant digital communication, blockchain enables the real-time, low-cost transfer of money and assets via digital wallets and stablecoins. This shift is especially impactful for global remittances, where traditional banking is slow and expensive. He emphasizes that current blockchain adoption mirrors the internet’s mid-1990s stage, where foundational tools are in place, but mass user adoption and advanced applications are just beginning. The key enabler is access—digital wallets open the door to the broader ecosystem of digital assets and services.

On the topic of tokenization, Matthew asserts that virtually any asset can be digitized through blockchain. Whether it’s equities, real estate, or personal possessions, the technology allows ownership records to be placed in digital wrappers (tokens), enabling secure, flexible, and transparent transfers online. This shift not only improves speed and cost-efficiency but also unlocks entirely new functionalities such as fractional ownership and global 24/7 trading. Ultimately, he argues that blockchain will do for assets and money what the internet did for communication and content—transform how we interact, manage, and trade value in every sector.

More info:

Blockchain Coinvestors: www.blockchaincoinvestors.com

Matthew Le Merle: linkedin.com/in/matthewlemerle; @‌mlemerle.bsky.social

Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/

Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/

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