In this episode, Yitzy sits down with Jake Chervinsky — currently Chief Legal Officer at Variant, and previously Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association - one of the most recognizable voices in crypto law and policy.

From his early days as a litigator at Baker McKenzie to his transition into crypto Twitter threads, DeFi, and policy advocacy in Washington, Jake’s journey offers an insider’s look at how law, innovation, and regulation collide.

We cover:

• Jake’s path from mock trial competitions to Big Law and eventually into the heart of crypto;

• His move from courtroom litigation to becoming General Counsel at Compound Labs during the early DeFi boom;

• How a viral Bitcoin ETF Twitter thread shifted his career into crypto full-time;

• The behind-the-scenes fight over the 2021 infrastructure bill — and how it marked crypto’s arrival in Washington;

• Lessons from his time as Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association during the FTX fallout;

• His current role at Variant, helping founders navigate the legal and regulatory minefields of building in Web3;

• Jake’s take on the future of stablecoins, the Clarity Act, and why “boring” regulation may actually be a win for the industry.

Whether you’re a lawyer, builder, or policy wonk, this episode is packed with insights on how crypto regulation is shaped — and what’s coming next.

🔗 Follow Jake on X: @jchervinsky

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy is joined in-studio for the very first time by Ido Bar-On — defense-tech investor, former CBO at XTEND, IDF reservist, and ex-VC at LOOL Ventures.

From scaling a startup to $40M in sales to deploying capital from a bomb shelter during the Iran attack, Ido shares a candid, deeply informed perspective on the intersection of defense, venture capital, and innovation in times of war. The conversation explores:

• Why now is a pivotal moment for defense-tech startups;

• The shifting role of VCs in backing military innovation;

• Risks and rewards of R&D-heavy government funding;

• AI’s real-world use in modern combat (yes, including Raspberry Pi-powered drones);

• And how Israel’s unique ecosystem is shaping the global defense landscape.

We also get personal — from growing up in Jerusalem to reflections on reserve duty, family, and the weight of living in a region where tech, war, and purpose collide.

Whether you're a founder, investor, or just defense-curious, this episode is packed with insight and edge.

In this rollercoaster episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Samuel Cardillo to uncover the jaw-dropping journey of a self-taught prodigy who went from selling computer viruses at age 9 to co-founding RTFKT, the NFT sneaker company acquired by Nike.

What starts with microphone troubles quickly spirals into a high-speed chronicle of early cybercrime, international arrests, military service in the IDF, intelligence ventures, and creating some of the most iconic digital fashion drops in Web3 history.

Samuel pulls no punches as he walks us through:

• His childhood hacking days and getting arrested at 14 after a televised DDoS stunt;

• The rise and grind of RTFKT, building CloneX with Takashi Murakami, and managing NFT chaos;

• What it really took to land the Nike acquisition—and the stress that came with it;His work in satellite intelligence and geospatial analytics via ShadowBreak;

• The surprising backstory of being married to a UAE princess and his unlikely reserve role in the L.A. Sheriff’s Department;

• Brutally honest political takes on Israel, Gaza, and Middle East diplomacy;

• Why storytelling, utility, and community—not just speculation—must define the next era of NFTs.

A fast-paced, unfiltered episode packed with wild stories, ethical questions, and deep tech reflections.

🔗 Follow Samuel:

• X: @samuelcardillo

• IG: @ledomain

  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelcardillo/