Fran Velasquez

Fran is CoinDesk's TV writer and reporter. He is an alum of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, where he earned his master's in business and economic reporting. In the past, he has written for Borderless Magazine, CNBC Make It, and Inc. He owns no crypto holdings.

Fran Velasquez

Latest from Fran Velasquez


Layer 2

Parallel Markets Looks to Bridge Identity Verification Across Platforms

The global investor identity company wants to reduce the tension of onboarding and verification for traditional and crypto-native firms.

(Tony Peccatiello)

Layer 2

Stablecorp Wants to Reduce Cross-Border Payment Friction

The Canadian company wants to give users and investors a bank-like experience without the need for a bank.

(Alex McDougall)

Policy

OCC Comptroller: Crypto Companies ‘Don’t Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up’

Michael Hsu joined “First Mover” to discuss why crypto companies need to provide more clarity on what they offer and be in less of a rush to expand without a “strong foundation.”

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Layer 2

OccSaviors and the Fight for Honest Occupational Health Hazard Standards

Founder and industrial hygienist Jeffrey Miller details how the decentralized project looks to give occupational workers the fuel they need to track their exposure levels by using NFTs.

Jeffrey Miller (Occsaviors)

Finance

Google’s Partnership With Coinbase Is ‘Validation’ for the Crypto Industry: Oppenheimer

Owen Lau, senior analyst at investment bank Oppenheimer, joined “All About Bitcoin” to discuss what Google’s partnership with crypto exchange Coinbase could mean for other crypto-native companies.

(Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

Finance

Justin Sun 'Optimistic’ About Crypto’s Return to China, Addresses Huobi Acquisition

The Tron founder joined “First Mover” to discuss his role on Huobi’s advisory board and why he’s hopeful the crypto exchange will someday be allowed back into mainland China.

Justin Sun attending Consensus 2019 (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)

Finance

Binance Exec: BNB Smart Chain Hack Could Have Been Worse if Validators Hadn’t ‘Sprung Into Action’

Patrick Hillmann, chief communications officer at crypto exchange Binance, joined “First Mover” to discuss last week’s $100 million exploit and how validators prevented the worst-case scenario.

Patrick Hillmann, chief communications officer (Binance)

Markets

Valkyrie Funds, Ark Invest Say Crypto Has Hit ‘Bottom’ Amid Recession Woes

Frank Downing, director of research at Ark Invest and Steven McClurg, co-founder of asset management firm Valkyrie, joined “First Mover” to discuss the state of crypto, the economy and their respective crypto-focused separate managed accounts.

Frank Downing, director of research at Ark Invest (left) and Steven McClurg, co-founder of asset management firm Valkyrie (ARK Invest/Valkyrie).

Finance

Atlantic Council Director Sees 'Splintering' Financial System if US Falls Behind on CBDCs

Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council, joined “First Mover” to discuss how a U.S. CBDC could be a trendsetter for the rest of the world, once it gets beyond the research stage.

Josh Lipsky, senior director of the Atlantic Council (atlanticcouncil.org)

Policy

CFTC’s Regulation by Enforcement Needs to Change, Commissioner Says

Summer K. Mersinger told CoinDesk TV’s “First Mover" that Congress needs to establish clear rules for DAOs.

CFTC Commissioner Summer K. Mersinger (CFTC/Shutterstock)