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What if in ten years banks fade into the background — and finance simply runs on code, not institutions?
In this episode, Elena Shiltseva — Web3 & Fintech CPO, advisor, and former product leader at Rarible and Tinkoff, who has helped raise over $9M in token sales — joins Alex Khomyakov to unpack how decentralized finance is reshaping trust, access, and control in the global economy.

They explore why DeFi is more than “just crypto,” how personal responsibility replaces traditional intermediaries, and what it takes for blockchain-based finance to become seamless and mainstream. From the promise of financial freedom to the risks of self-custody, Elena brings a clear, grounded view of what decentralization really means in practice.

You’ll also hear her take on stablecoins, CBDCs, and the real-world use cases that are already changing how freelancers, creators, and businesses move money across borders.

👇 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Meet Elena Shiltseva
02:00 – From Traditional Finance to Web3
05:00 – What Is DeFi and Why It’s “the Internet of Money”
07:00 – Trust, Security, and the Price of Freedom
10:30 – Why Stablecoins Drive Everyday Adoption
15:00 – Algorithmic vs. Centralized Stablecoins
19:00 – CBDCs: Innovation or Control?
23:00 – DeFi as the Invisible Infrastructure of Finance
27:00 – Real-World Stories: Freelancers, Payments, and Borders
29:00 – Closing Thoughts

Our guest:
Elena Shiltseva — Web3 & Fintech CPO & Advisor | ex-Rarible & Tinkoff | $9M+ Raised in Token Sales | “Unicorn Hatcher”
🔗 linkedin.com/in/elenashiltseva

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Website: https://productera.io

Linkedin: / alexkhomyakov

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