Welcome to the Fear and Greed Business Interview. I'm sure in ailmark crypto is extremely hot right now, with bitcoin hitting new record highs off the back of the US election in recent days. But do soaring prices encourage new investors to get involved or is there still a barrier there, particularly for older or more conservative investors. Rachel Conlin is the global Chief Marketing Officer at Finance the world's largest crypto exchange, and a great supporter of this podcast. She is visiting Australia at the moment and on the weekend delivered the keynote speech at the Australian Crypto Convention, the largest crypto event in the Southern Hemisphere. Rachel, welcome to Fear and Greed.

Welcome to the Fear and Greed Business Interview. I'm sure in ailmark crypto is extremely hot right now, with bitcoin hitting new record highs off the back of the US election in recent days. But do soaring prices encourage new investors to get involved or is there still a barrier there, particularly for older or more conservative investors. Rachel Conlin is the global Chief Marketing Officer at Finance the world's largest crypto exchange, and a great supporter of this podcast. She is visiting Australia at the moment and on the weekend delivered the keynote speech at the Australian Crypto Convention, the largest crypto event in the Southern Hemisphere. Rachel, welcome to Fear and Greed.

Thank you for having me.

Thank you for having me.

I imagine the idea of a barrier to entry with traditional or conservative investors unsure about the asset. I'm interested in the role of education in helping investors think about crypto as part of their portfolio. Is there still a role for education. You can market crypto, but in a sense it's as much education as it is marketing.

I imagine the idea of a barrier to entry with traditional or conservative investors unsure about the asset. I'm interested in the role of education in helping investors think about crypto as part of their portfolio. Is there still a role for education. You can market crypto, but in a sense it's as much education as it is marketing.

Definitely. I think look, we've seen this enormous spotlight on our industry over the last twelve months for positive reasons, and I think that that has created incredible retail institutional interest understandably, but from an entry perspective, I think there still is a barrier for traditional and conservative investors who don't truly understand the value of crypto, And as you so rightly put it, education is critical there and a large part of what myself and my broader marketing team does in the hundred countries that we're operating in as Finance, and really that's about helping people understand the technology but also understand the value proposition of crypto and how it is not just about disrupting finance. It's about a complementary investment strategy to finance, and it's about opening up new investment opportunities. So, you know, that's a big part of what we're doing now at finances around you know, building trust and in some cases rebuilding trust where people you know may have misconceptions or personal experiences with crypto, and it's really about helping people understand what essentially our complex ideas and helping them understand how to enter into the space no matter where they are, you know, in their journey, whether they be someone that's just entering in and wants to capitalize on what is this incredible momentum around bitcoin, or whether they're a more sophisticated trader that has deeper knowledge and traditional assets and wants to transform those transfer those skills over to the digital space. But ultimately, the more people become familiar and comfortable with crypto and what the concepts are, the more engagement we'll see. So focusing on those real world use cases, on the tangible value, on how we like show more intation with traditional finance is critical.

Definitely. I think look, we've seen this enormous spotlight on our industry over the last twelve months for positive reasons, and I think that that has created incredible retail institutional interest understandably, but from an entry perspective, I think there still is a barrier for traditional and conservative investors who don't truly understand the value of crypto, And as you so rightly put it, education is critical there and a large part of what myself and my broader marketing team does in the hundred countries that we're operating in as Finance, and really that's about helping people understand the technology but also understand the value proposition of crypto and how it is not just about disrupting finance. It's about a complementary investment strategy to finance, and it's about opening up new investment opportunities. So, you know, that's a big part of what we're doing now at finances around you know, building trust and in some cases rebuilding trust where people you know may have misconceptions or personal experiences with crypto, and it's really about helping people understand what essentially our complex ideas and helping them understand how to enter into the space no matter where they are, you know, in their journey, whether they be someone that's just entering in and wants to capitalize on what is this incredible momentum around bitcoin, or whether they're a more sophisticated trader that has deeper knowledge and traditional assets and wants to transform those transfer those skills over to the digital space. But ultimately, the more people become familiar and comfortable with crypto and what the concepts are, the more engagement we'll see. So focusing on those real world use cases, on the tangible value, on how we like show more intation with traditional finance is critical.

Okay, So what are some of the myths and misconceptions that finance is trying to overcome.

Okay, So what are some of the myths and misconceptions that finance is trying to overcome.

I'm going to go straight to what is the biggest myth I'm concerned about crypto, and it's something that my family, my father talks to me about, is that it's riddled with crime. You know, as we know that is seen and talked about as you know, one of the and I believe one of the biggest misconceptions. I think the reality of the situation is is that illicted activity and in crypto is really a fraction of the market. You know, if we look at you know it, we are still a very early industry. You know, we're maturing, you know, at an amazing pace. But if you look at the share of illicted transactions, you know, in crypto versus traditional finance, you know, we have fallen significantly below. You know, it's just zero point three four percent of total transactions on blockchain or illicit and we incredible law enforcements, not just in Finance, but now being built across the industry to ensure that we are combating those scams and those issues, and the beauty of the blockchain technology it allows you identify and hinder those faster than you know potentially would in traditional finance. You know, we're really proud of those efforts at Finance. Last year alone, I think we responded to fifty eight thousand law enforcement requests, you know, when we've hosted over one hundred and twenty workshops globally and with local enforcement helping to educate them on cybercrime, on blockchain crime, and understand how they can dismantle these scams. You know, it's something that we take really really seriously as a business and as the largest in the industry, you know, we see a massive obligation to set that agenda on the right course. So you know, we have over one thousand people working in law enforcement and compliance at Finance, looking at transact monitoring, looking at a listed activity, looking at what are the new systems that we need to proactively identify, but most importantly working with local law enforcement to ensure that we're arming them with the tools to combat with an area which is new. You know, I think all of us know that in order to see this industry continue to grow and thrive, we need to ensure that it's safe and secure, and that's something that we believe we're at the forefront of initiating positive change in.

I'm going to go straight to what is the biggest myth I'm concerned about crypto, and it's something that my family, my father talks to me about, is that it's riddled with crime. You know, as we know that is seen and talked about as you know, one of the and I believe one of the biggest misconceptions. I think the reality of the situation is is that illicted activity and in crypto is really a fraction of the market. You know, if we look at you know it, we are still a very early industry. You know, we're maturing, you know, at an amazing pace. But if you look at the share of illicted transactions, you know, in crypto versus traditional finance, you know, we have fallen significantly below. You know, it's just zero point three four percent of total transactions on blockchain or illicit and we incredible law enforcements, not just in Finance, but now being built across the industry to ensure that we are combating those scams and those issues, and the beauty of the blockchain technology it allows you identify and hinder those faster than you know potentially would in traditional finance. You know, we're really proud of those efforts at Finance. Last year alone, I think we responded to fifty eight thousand law enforcement requests, you know, when we've hosted over one hundred and twenty workshops globally and with local enforcement helping to educate them on cybercrime, on blockchain crime, and understand how they can dismantle these scams. You know, it's something that we take really really seriously as a business and as the largest in the industry, you know, we see a massive obligation to set that agenda on the right course. So you know, we have over one thousand people working in law enforcement and compliance at Finance, looking at transact monitoring, looking at a listed activity, looking at what are the new systems that we need to proactively identify, but most importantly working with local law enforcement to ensure that we're arming them with the tools to combat with an area which is new. You know, I think all of us know that in order to see this industry continue to grow and thrive, we need to ensure that it's safe and secure, and that's something that we believe we're at the forefront of initiating positive change in.

So that doesn't worry me particularly. I kind of agree with what you're saying, Rachel. The thing that does worry me sometimes is it's not a fiat currency, and so the idea is what's behind it. What's our answer to that one?

So that doesn't worry me particularly. I kind of agree with what you're saying, Rachel. The thing that does worry me sometimes is it's not a fiat currency, and so the idea is what's behind it. What's our answer to that one?

It's not a fiat currency. Well, I think that, you know, in terms of where we are digital assets are, you know, we deal less and less in feared currencies. You know, as we are evolving, you know, our financial systems, you know, and as we as we look at what are the future of digital assets, it's going to be part and parcel of what we do. And the beauty of you know, bitcoin and the beauty of you know blockchain technology is you can source at every stage where I don't know when I take money out of a machine, I don't know where it's come from, Whereas with bitcoin, I can source every transaction on the blockchain, so I'm able to understand the history of it and as I go along. So I think that while I understand why people may be nervous about that, they need to understand that it's actually much more transparent than traditional feed currency.

It's not a fiat currency. Well, I think that, you know, in terms of where we are digital assets are, you know, we deal less and less in feared currencies. You know, as we are evolving, you know, our financial systems, you know, and as we as we look at what are the future of digital assets, it's going to be part and parcel of what we do. And the beauty of you know, bitcoin and the beauty of you know blockchain technology is you can source at every stage where I don't know when I take money out of a machine, I don't know where it's come from, Whereas with bitcoin, I can source every transaction on the blockchain, so I'm able to understand the history of it and as I go along. So I think that while I understand why people may be nervous about that, they need to understand that it's actually much more transparent than traditional feed currency.

Stay with me, Rachel, we'll be back in a moment. I'm speaking to Rachel Colin, Global chief marketing Officer at Binands. What about accessibility? Is that a problem for cryptos at the moment?

Stay with me, Rachel, we'll be back in a moment. I'm speaking to Rachel Colin, Global chief marketing Officer at Binands. What about accessibility? Is that a problem for cryptos at the moment?

Accessibility I think accessible. Look, I think as we see this enormous momentum and spotlight on our industry, we're seeing more interest from traditional financial structures and that integration is going to be really important to make crypto accessible and to enshow people, you know, the use cases of it. So I believe that you know, from our perspective, one of the big opportunities that we are working on is how we optimize the user experience and the overall UI of our exchanges to ensure that there is no you know, traditionally, our industry has been on a steep growth period, so we need to ensure that our technology and the interfaces keep up with what the users expect. So, you know, learning from Amazon there's one click, you know, how you ensure that you can access it easily, and how you've got those feed integrations is is going to be a really big part of ensuring that we get to that billion users to ensure mainstream adoption.

Accessibility I think accessible. Look, I think as we see this enormous momentum and spotlight on our industry, we're seeing more interest from traditional financial structures and that integration is going to be really important to make crypto accessible and to enshow people, you know, the use cases of it. So I believe that you know, from our perspective, one of the big opportunities that we are working on is how we optimize the user experience and the overall UI of our exchanges to ensure that there is no you know, traditionally, our industry has been on a steep growth period, so we need to ensure that our technology and the interfaces keep up with what the users expect. So, you know, learning from Amazon there's one click, you know, how you ensure that you can access it easily, and how you've got those feed integrations is is going to be a really big part of ensuring that we get to that billion users to ensure mainstream adoption.

Bitcoin specifically in recent days has gone beyond ninety five thousand US dollars a unit. Fantastic appreciation in recent times. Is that a good or bad thing for the currency? Does that encourage or discourage people?

Bitcoin specifically in recent days has gone beyond ninety five thousand US dollars a unit. Fantastic appreciation in recent times. Is that a good or bad thing for the currency? Does that encourage or discourage people?

Look, I think when bitcoin prices soar, as we've seen over the last few days, it is a very powerful catalyst for adoption. You know, it s marks a lot of excitement and curiosity. And you know, I was with the Google team recently and bitcoin was one of the most searched financial terms of twenty twenty four so far. So we see that that heightened attention, you know, leads to more interest obviously, and as a result, then you can educate and provide deeper understanding of the broader crypto ecosystem so that fosters that greater aware us and engagement. You know, I think you know one anecdote is every time I see it, and I'm sure you're the same, every time you see a bitcoin rally, I get more of my non crypto friends, you know, texting me and what's happening to me saying is this the time to buy? Is this the time to I've got fie mail all over it with bitcoin exactly. It's the only time my father has said to me he wishes he'd taken financial advice from his daughter what I told him to buy twenty two. But look, with price volatility, you know, you know, it can also prompt questions, and that is one thing. This is a financial asset there, you know there will be volatility. It may not be now, it will be in the future. So it really goes back to what we were discussing earlier about the importance of education and transparency and the obligation that we have as an exchange and you know, as the leading industry player on how we empower investors with the right information tools, insights, guidance, you know on how they can confidently enter into this space, and you know, I believe that's one of the reasons. You know, we just hit two hundred and forty million users last week. We've added over sixty million users since the beginning of the year. And because of the platform and the education resources we built, you know, we are seen as that go to for both new entrants and you know, the more sophisticated users.

Look, I think when bitcoin prices soar, as we've seen over the last few days, it is a very powerful catalyst for adoption. You know, it s marks a lot of excitement and curiosity. And you know, I was with the Google team recently and bitcoin was one of the most searched financial terms of twenty twenty four so far. So we see that that heightened attention, you know, leads to more interest obviously, and as a result, then you can educate and provide deeper understanding of the broader crypto ecosystem so that fosters that greater aware us and engagement. You know, I think you know one anecdote is every time I see it, and I'm sure you're the same, every time you see a bitcoin rally, I get more of my non crypto friends, you know, texting me and what's happening to me saying is this the time to buy? Is this the time to I've got fie mail all over it with bitcoin exactly. It's the only time my father has said to me he wishes he'd taken financial advice from his daughter what I told him to buy twenty two. But look, with price volatility, you know, you know, it can also prompt questions, and that is one thing. This is a financial asset there, you know there will be volatility. It may not be now, it will be in the future. So it really goes back to what we were discussing earlier about the importance of education and transparency and the obligation that we have as an exchange and you know, as the leading industry player on how we empower investors with the right information tools, insights, guidance, you know on how they can confidently enter into this space, and you know, I believe that's one of the reasons. You know, we just hit two hundred and forty million users last week. We've added over sixty million users since the beginning of the year. And because of the platform and the education resources we built, you know, we are seen as that go to for both new entrants and you know, the more sophisticated users.

Okay, you've been in a study for the Australian that crypto convention. I'm going to be parochial'll here, Rachel. You've obviously got an Irish extent and I think you live in the Middle East. I think if I'm right there, where does Australia sit in crypto world?

Okay, you've been in a study for the Australian that crypto convention. I'm going to be parochial'll here, Rachel. You've obviously got an Irish extent and I think you live in the Middle East. I think if I'm right there, where does Australia sit in crypto world?

First of all, it's been an app It's my first visit to.

First of all, it's been an app It's my first visit to.

Irish person over the age of thirty two have not spent some time.

Irish person over the age of thirty two have not spent some time.

Here there you it was month to spend a year here twenty years ago, but chose to go down the professional route too quickly. I wish I did after my weekend experience. It's an extortin country and you know, a beautiful place. But look, we're very you know, first of all for financed you know, Australia is a critical market and it's one where there is a sophisticated user. You've got really strong financial literacy. At the moment, the penetration rates you've got about one in twenty holders according to the latest research. But you know, we believe that in twenty twenty five that you know, Australia will solidify its position as one of you know, one of the leaders in the broader Asian market. And that's something that we're very excited by. You know, we see there is a huge demand for education resources here, which obviously is something that we am pride ourselves on. It's something that we believe we are the leading purveyor of and we are seeing you know, you know, it's a market where we are excited about the future potential of you know, a regulatory framework that helped support the safe and secure entry of more more users into this. But the community in Australia is incredible and you know, you've got some amazing innovators and pioneers here that are creating you know, next generation blockchain technologies that will go beyond trading and go beyond the blockchain space. And that's what I think is really exciting is the opportunity to build Australia as that blockchain hub. And you know, some of the people I met over the weekend or testament to that. So you know, we're very excited to see how this market matures and continues to embrace, you know, building on the financial literacy, the strong institutional center here, and I think that's a you know, exciting moment for Australia.

Here there you it was month to spend a year here twenty years ago, but chose to go down the professional route too quickly. I wish I did after my weekend experience. It's an extortin country and you know, a beautiful place. But look, we're very you know, first of all for financed you know, Australia is a critical market and it's one where there is a sophisticated user. You've got really strong financial literacy. At the moment, the penetration rates you've got about one in twenty holders according to the latest research. But you know, we believe that in twenty twenty five that you know, Australia will solidify its position as one of you know, one of the leaders in the broader Asian market. And that's something that we're very excited by. You know, we see there is a huge demand for education resources here, which obviously is something that we am pride ourselves on. It's something that we believe we are the leading purveyor of and we are seeing you know, you know, it's a market where we are excited about the future potential of you know, a regulatory framework that helped support the safe and secure entry of more more users into this. But the community in Australia is incredible and you know, you've got some amazing innovators and pioneers here that are creating you know, next generation blockchain technologies that will go beyond trading and go beyond the blockchain space. And that's what I think is really exciting is the opportunity to build Australia as that blockchain hub. And you know, some of the people I met over the weekend or testament to that. So you know, we're very excited to see how this market matures and continues to embrace, you know, building on the financial literacy, the strong institutional center here, and I think that's a you know, exciting moment for Australia.

We are way of a time. But I don't think I can get through an interview with you without actually mentioning Donald Trump. I suppose it's white and so, I mean, we hate the stories in Donald Trump apparently is a fan of cryptocurrencies. But presumably we've got a whitely gets the job and sees what he actually starts doing before he can kind of bank anything.

We are way of a time. But I don't think I can get through an interview with you without actually mentioning Donald Trump. I suppose it's white and so, I mean, we hate the stories in Donald Trump apparently is a fan of cryptocurrencies. But presumably we've got a whitely gets the job and sees what he actually starts doing before he can kind of bank anything.

Yes, of course, Look, I think both candidates in this election, you know, would have been positive for the crypto industry. We've been watching, you know that closely, and while as you rightly say, it's yet to be realized, you know, his perceived pro crypto stances represents an enormous opportunity, you know, and I think that opportunity is really about opening up a dialogue between the industry and regulators, and I think that will send a strong signal globally, and we're already seeing it on the agenda of other elections in different parts of the globe. So I think this more hands on approach to crypto regulation that we're seeing will also be critical in helping us accelerate adoption and ultimately create that global market for crypto. I also think it's an opportunity for you know, America, which has gone to challenges from the innovation perspective, you know, to to take a lead in this space as well. And I think, you know, gain gain that competitive edge in the space, you know, which he's talked about in you know, some of his recent interviews. So you know, we're excited. We think it's going to open a dialogue. It's going to help help hopefully push for more regulatory clarity, which is what we all want, but also allow us that opportunity as it has captured you know, so much sentiment and positive sentiment. Is again going back to what we talked about so much during this discussion around education. It allows us that opportunity as people are hearing about it, to open their eyes up and help them understand how to enter into it, how to explore it, like how it works and what are the benefits in the value proposition for them as an individual. So I think it's it's going to be very exciting for the global industry, but also for retail and institutional investors. How that US approach in January, you know, will impact other markets.

Yes, of course, Look, I think both candidates in this election, you know, would have been positive for the crypto industry. We've been watching, you know that closely, and while as you rightly say, it's yet to be realized, you know, his perceived pro crypto stances represents an enormous opportunity, you know, and I think that opportunity is really about opening up a dialogue between the industry and regulators, and I think that will send a strong signal globally, and we're already seeing it on the agenda of other elections in different parts of the globe. So I think this more hands on approach to crypto regulation that we're seeing will also be critical in helping us accelerate adoption and ultimately create that global market for crypto. I also think it's an opportunity for you know, America, which has gone to challenges from the innovation perspective, you know, to to take a lead in this space as well. And I think, you know, gain gain that competitive edge in the space, you know, which he's talked about in you know, some of his recent interviews. So you know, we're excited. We think it's going to open a dialogue. It's going to help help hopefully push for more regulatory clarity, which is what we all want, but also allow us that opportunity as it has captured you know, so much sentiment and positive sentiment. Is again going back to what we talked about so much during this discussion around education. It allows us that opportunity as people are hearing about it, to open their eyes up and help them understand how to enter into it, how to explore it, like how it works and what are the benefits in the value proposition for them as an individual. So I think it's it's going to be very exciting for the global industry, but also for retail and institutional investors. How that US approach in January, you know, will impact other markets.

Rachel, thank you for talking to Fear and Greed.

Rachel, thank you for talking to Fear and Greed.

Thank you so much for having me as.

Thank you so much for having me as.

Rachel Conlin, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Finance, a great supporter of this podcast. This is the Fear and Greed Business Interview. Join us every morning for the full episide our Fear and Greed business news of people who make their own decisions. I'm chanelma Enjoy your day.

Rachel Conlin, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Finance, a great supporter of this podcast. This is the Fear and Greed Business Interview. Join us every morning for the full episide our Fear and Greed business news of people who make their own decisions. I'm chanelma Enjoy your day.