Luuk Strijers, CEO of Deribit, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for an inside look at building crypto’s leading options venue and what Coinbase’s acquisition means for product, scale, and institutional trust.

We unpack Deribit’s 85% institutional mix, $266B monthly volumes, why BTC options dominate, how DVO (Deribit Volatility) and vol futures fit market structure, and what it takes to quote thousands of strikes in real time.

We go deep on matching engines, co-lo, market-maker dynamics, roadmap cadence, and the integrations now underway across custody, KYC/AML, wallets, and AI-driven tooling as Deribit aligns with Coinbase’s “most trusted” mandate.

A sharp, trading-first conversation on liquidity, risk, and where derivatives go next.

Paul Dawalibi‏, CEO of Innovation City in Ras Al Khaimah, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou on blockCAST podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on how free zones are evolving and why the next chapter of tech, AI, digital assets, Web3, gaming, robotics, and health tech in the UAE may be written in RAK.

Paul explains why free zones, rather than tourism, have historically been the UAE’s economic engine and why the traditional free zone model is due for disruption. He outlines Innovation City’s ambition to build a Silicon Valley style hub driven by ecosystem building, density of intensity, and sector specific enablement, moving beyond the standard license, visa, and desk formula to actively support founders and scale ups.

The discussion covers competition and collaboration across free zones, what founders actually need to succeed including bankability, compute, labs, publishing, and streamlined compliance, how AI is changing entrepreneurship by lowering barriers while increasing noise, and why gaming, virtual worlds, and digital experiences may become one of the fastest growing parts of the economy as automation expands.

A practical and forward looking episode on innovation ecosystems, founder success, and why Ras Al Khaimah is emerging as one of the most compelling growth stories in the region.

Jez Mohideen, Co-Founder and CEO of Laser Digital, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for an in-depth conversation on building institutional-grade digital-asset infrastructure. Beginning his career in investment banking and quantitative trading, Jez brings decades of experience across fixed income, hedge funds, and global capital markets into the digital-asset space.

He shares how Laser Digital was built with a clear institutional focus; spanning custody, liquidity provision, financing, asset management, tokenization, and DeFi, backed by strong governance, risk management, and regulatory alignment. The discussion explores market structure, derivatives, tokenized funds and RWAs, stablecoins, AI-driven trading, and the balance between transparency and liquidity.

A focused and insightful discussion on institutional adoption, regulation, and why the UAE has emerged as a global hub for digital assets and on-chain finance.

Michael Ayers, Group CEO and Partner of Rostro Group, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for a sharp conversation on building and scaling a modern brokerage group. Starting his career in the City of London during the 2008 financial crisis, Michael’s trajectory led him to lead a global, multi-asset firm spanning CFDs, securities, futures, and prime-of-prime solutions. He shares how Rostro expanded from small teams to a 260-person international organisation through strategic acquisitions, a strong people-first culture, and clear leadership principles. The discussion also covers automation and AI, multi-asset growth, digital-asset ambitions, and why Dubai has become a magnet for fast-growing financial institutions. A concise and insightful look at the mindset, culture, and execution behind building a resilient financial group.

Ian Weisberger, CEO & Co-Founder of CoinRoutes, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for an insightful conversation on building institutional-grade trading infrastructure for digital assets. The discussion explores Ian’s journey from software engineer to leading a global fintech and how CoinRoutes delivers best execution across fragmented liquidity spanning CEXs, perps DEXs, futures, and equities through advanced order-routing and risk technology. He shares how the firm’s recent acquisition strengthens its vertical integration and how stablecoins are transforming both trading and cross-border payments. The conversation also examines AI’s impact on engineering, recruitment, and trading systems, while highlighting Dubai’s role as a strategic hub for serving Europe and Asia. Offering practical insights on product-market fit, partnerships vs. build/buy strategies, and institutional adoption as regulation matures, this episode provides a forward-looking view on the future of execution, regulation, and leadership in a 24/7 market.

Andrey Lazorenko, CEO of ADI Foundation, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for a dynamic conversation on building blockchain infrastructure in the UAE. The discussion explores Andrey ’s leadership journey and career path, while highlighting the ADI Foundation’s pivotal role in launching the Dirham stablecoin - set to be regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. He shares insights on how ADI Chain and key regional stakeholders are driving digital asset innovation, strengthening financial infrastructure, and fostering trust in stablecoins. The conversation also examines the intersection of regulation, technology, and adoption, offering a forward-looking perspective on how the Middle East can position itself as a global hub for digital finance.

Michael Chan, CEO of Zand Bank, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for a compelling episode on the evolving role of banking in the digital asset ecosystem. The conversation delves into Michael’s journey to becoming a bank CEO, exploring the education, career path, and leadership qualities required to reach the top. He shares insights into Zand Bank’s pivotal role in the UAE as a trusted partner for digital asset firms, and highlights key innovations shaping the future of financial services. The discussion also examines how banks can adapt to rapid technological change, support industry growth, and contribute to building a secure and efficient digital finance infrastructure.

Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist and Chairman of the AI Task Force of Cyprus, joins Anton Golub and Dr. Demetrios Zamboglou for a thought-provoking episode on the future of AI and its intersection with digital assets. The discussion explores how AI is transforming both the private and public sectors, with a focus on value creation, resource efficiency, and strategic implementation. Demetris shares insights into Cyprus’s national AI strategy, the challenges of data infrastructure, and the ethical frameworks guiding AI adoption. The episode also touches on the crypto landscape, including government efforts to attract blockchain companies to Cyprus and the broader vision for integrating AI and Web3 technologies.

DISCLAIMER: The information shared on blockCAST is for general knowledge and should not be considered investment advice. Always consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions.