1: What Is Crypto, Really?

If you've ever wondered what crypto actually is, why it matters, and why everyone has an opinion about it—this episode is for you. With expert guest Stuart Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, we break down what crypto is, how blockchain works, and why it's becoming part of everyday life. You'll learn how to explain crypto to your grandma, what gives crypto its value, how it cuts out middlemen to make transactions faster and cheaper, and hear real stories of people using it for freedom, security, and opportunity. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or starting from zero, this episode will finally make crypto make sense with this Crypto 101 crash course — no jargon, charts, or hype. What's Discussed: 03:10 – From Wall Street to Blockchain: A Big Shift 08:25 – Quickfire Myths, Mistakes, and Must-Knows 12:10 – Explaining Crypto So Even Your Grandma Gets It 18:45 – What Actually Gives Crypto Its Value 25:30 – 5 Surprising Ways People Use Crypto Every Day 33:15 – "Trustless" Sounds Bad… Until You Hear This 39:40 – The Future of Money Is Already Here Find more from Stuart Alderoty: Website: https://ripple.com/company/leadership/stuart-alderoty/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stuartalderoty X (Twitter): @s_alderoty Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org/learn Instagram: @natcryptoassoc YouTube: National Cryptocurrency Association Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.