In this episode of the FTAHK Podcast, we sit down with John Mullin, Founder and CEO of MANTRA, to explore his journey through DeFi, blockchain, tokenization, regulation, and the highs and lows of building in one of the world's most volatile industries.

We dive into:

:black_medium_square: How DeFi Summer led to the creation of MANTRA DAO

:black_medium_square: The challenges of surviving hacks, market crashes, and major setbacks

:black_medium_square: MANTRA’s evolution into an RWA-focused Layer 1 blockchain

:black_medium_square: Why regulation and compliance are key to mainstream DeFi adoption

:black_medium_square: The role of resilience and optimism in building through bear markets

:black_medium_square: MANTRA’s partnership and acquisition by Inveniam

:black_medium_square: Why the combination of AI and blockchain could transform finance

Here are the timestamps for the key topics discussed in the video:

00:00 - Teaser

01:14 - Introduction and This-or-That Segment

04:19 - Personal Journey, Education, and Early Career

13:07 - Relocating to Hong Kong

15:08 - Lessons in Leadership & Resiliency

19:18 - Launching MANTRA DAO

23:16 - Product Expansion and Exploits

29:50 - Securing Dubai's VARA License

38:25 - The Sudden Crash and Crisis Management

45:28 - Partnering with Inveniam and Future Plans

:point_right: Watch till the end for John’s advice on surviving the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of building in crypto.

:headphones: Listen, subscribe, and join us as we explore the people and ideas shaping the future of fintech and digital assets.

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