BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach - 2 May 2023 - Xapo Bank, the world’s first international private bank to combine traditional banking with Bitcoin, has welcomed Jirayut (Topp) Srupsrisopa as a guest on its Maverick podcast to share his thoughts on the evolution and future of blockchain, crypto and decentralised finance in Southeast Asia. The episode is available now via Xapo Bank’s website.

The Mavericks podcast series explores some of the world’s brightest minds across the crypto ecosystem and the impact they are having, particularly within emerging markets. Topp is the head of the largest and most trusted blockchain and digital asset group of companies in Thailand. He is also one of Asia’s foremost Bitcoin and open blockchain experts, with over ten years of experience.

Topp is interviewed by Mavericks host Joey Garcia, a globally recognised expert across the DLT and blockchain space, a Director of Xapo and Head of Policy and Regulatory affairs. During the interview/ Joey and Topp discuss the future of blockchain technology and different perspectives that enable those defined as mavericks to see the world differently and motivate them to push for change.

Topp also shared his views on the future of stablecoins, value exchange in Web 3.0, closed and open financial systems, and the fundamental integration of traditional fiat currency banking with blockchain technology, one of Xapo Bank’s primary value propositions.

Speaking on the future of decentralised finance (DeFi), Topp said: “If you talk short term, my grandmother or my grandfather will not be able to use decentralised finance; we need to humanise this technology. People know how to use Skype or Zoom, but nobody knows what TCP/IP protocol is; people know how to use Gmail or Hotmail, but nobody knows what SMTP protocol is.

“We need to humanise DeFi first. Then, when money is no longer paper-based, and everyone is embedded in Web 3.0 and can log in to their web wallets like they log in to their emails now, DeFi will take off. However, because DeFi only allows you to convert value from digital to digital, not physical to digital, you will still need an exchange platform as a transition, or a bridge, from the old world to the new. Otherwise, how will you be able to convert fiat to crypto?”

On how the move towards digital will further transform lifestyles in Southeast Asia, Topp said: “Blockchain is going to democratise value sharing in the same way the internet democratised information sharing. People will be free to choose which platform they want to exchange value.

We need more education, but restricting or banning the technology doesn’t work. Retail investors drove previous waves of Bitcoin growth, and we’re still seeing more and more retail customers onboard blockchain technology. I believe that the next wave of growth will be driven by institutional investors, even to the extent that some counties’ central banks will be in Bitcoin.

Speaking of the future of global economic growth over the next five years, Topp concluded: “I see the biggest focus development in Asia, the Southeast region in particular.

Right now, we live in a fragmented world - there is a decoupling between China and the US, and there’s an East and West divide and a global North and South inequality. Supply chains have been disrupted after Covid... it is clear that we are moving towards de-globalisation and a more fragmented world.

In ASEAN, we are the ones who swing the vote; we do not pick sides, we do not have the ageing population issues, and we are rich in natural resources. I believe the investors will need stability in this new fragmented world, and they will see the Southeast Asian region as the new S-curve. After 2024 we will see unprecedented growth in investment going into South-East Asia because of these various factors”.

To watch the whole podcast episode, visit https://www.xapobank.com/podcast

To explore the range of accessible and safe private banking benefits that Xapo Bank offers and to apply for membership, visit: https://www.xapo.com/membership

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ABOUT XAPO BANK

Xapo Bank is the world's first international private bank to combine traditional banking with Bitcoin, experienced via an app built on a next-generation secure digital platform.

Xapo Bank originated as cryptocurrency wallet Xapo, founded in 2013 by Wenses Casares. The dream behind Xapo Bank is a world that enjoys economic freedom and wealth protection, no matter where you live or who runs your country. Members of Xapo Bank enjoy the freedom of knowing that their wealth is protected, have instant access to US dollars, can immediately buy and sell their Bitcoin, and exchange USDC to USD instantly in the most secure and safe way possible.

Xapo Bank renders its services through fully regulated entities within the legal jurisdiction of Gibraltar, a rock-solid jurisdiction with a 300-year history of stability and UK standards of law and protection of property rights. Xapo Bank and Xapo VASP are fully segregated and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC), and all members' fiat deposits are protected up to 100K Euros under the Gibraltar deposit guarantee scheme.

Xapo Bank has a global branch in Gibraltar that members can visit anytime and currently has a 100% remote workforce of 200 Xapiens.

ABOUT JIRAYUT (TOPP) SRUPSRISOPA

Jirayut (Topp) Srupsrisopa is the Founder and Group CEO of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd., — the largest and most trusted blockchain and digital asset group of companies in Thailand. He is a speaker: one of Thailand’s leading bitcoin and open blockchain experts with over eight years of experience in the blockchain industry. He previously founded Coins.co.th, Thailand’s largest Bitcoin wallet company. Founded in 2018, Bitkub has become Thailand’s Unicorn startup company in a span of three years.

He is an Executive Board Member and Vice President of the Thai Fintech Association and a Subcommittee member at Thailand’s Office of the Trade Competition Commission.

After completing his MPhil in Economics at Oxford University, UK, Topp worked as an investment banker, a financial consultant, and a central banker. Topp received an Honorary Degree of Philosophy in Digital Economy (PhD in Digital Economy) from Rangsit University. He is the youngest nominee for an Honorary Degree in Digital Economy in Thai history.