In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Michael Moro, Chief Strategy Officer at INX, to explore how blockchain and tokenization are reshaping the financial world. Michael shares his journey from Wall Street to leading crypto ventures, the wild early days of Bitcoin, and why tokenized stocks, bonds, and real estate could redefine global markets. We discuss the convergence of AI and blockchain, regulatory challenges, and the leadership lessons he’s learned building teams in a disruptive industry. If you’re curious about where finance is heading and what it takes to thrive in it, this episode is a must-listen.

Guest Introduction:

Michael Moro is the Chief Strategy Officer at INX and a longtime leader in blockchain and digital asset innovation. He began his career in investment banking before moving into startups, where he helped pioneer institutional Bitcoin trading. As former CEO of Genesis and now at INX, Michael has been at the forefront of tokenization, market infrastructure, and the intersection of AI and blockchain. His perspective bridges Wall Street and Web3, making him one of the most respected voices in digital finance.

Key Takeaways:

• The early Bitcoin days were the “Wild West,” filled with skepticism, risk, and suitcase-cash buyers.

• Tokenization is transforming traditional assets—stocks, bonds, real estate—into more efficient, digital forms.

• AI and blockchain together are disrupting middlemen in finance, law, and capital markets.

• Custody and investor education remain key hurdles for mainstream crypto adoption.

• Regulatory clarity between the SEC and CFTC is critical for scaling tokenized securities.

• Leadership lesson: the most important role of a founder or CEO is choosing the right people early on.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro and welcome

1:00 Guest introduction – Michael Moro’s career path from Wall Street to blockchain

3:00 Discovering Bitcoin and launching the first institutional trading desk

6:00 Early challenges, cypherpunks, and suitcase cash stories

10:00 Mt. Gox collapse and Bitcoin’s resilience

12:00 Ethereum, ICO boom, and the 2017 inflection point

15:00 Tokenization explained: stocks, bonds, and real estate on chain

18:00 Smart contracts, AI, and disruption of financial middlemen

22:00 Digital wallets, mainstream adoption, and the next decade

26:00 Investor risks, custody, and education in crypto

30:00 Regulatory clarity and the future of SEC vs. CFTC oversight

38:00 Leadership lessons and advice for new entrepreneurs

41:00 Closing thoughts

Keywords:

Ventures and Visionaries, Morty Hackel, Michael Moro, INX, blockchain, tokenization, Bitcoin, Ethereum, digital assets, AI and blockchain, tokenized securities, financial disruption, cryptocurrency regulation, Web3 leadership