Libsyn Directory

12: Crypto Smart Contracts Explained: 4 Essentials You Need to Know

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Release Date: 01/14/2026

28: Behind Every Transaction: How Crypto Really Works

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Ever nodded along when someone mentioned gas fees or layer twos, secretly hoping no one would ask you to explain? You are definitely not alone. The truth is, once you understand how crypto actually moves from one person to another, a lot of the mystery disappears. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager walks through the four concepts that explain how crypto moves under the hood, giving you the vocabulary to follow along in any conversation. We start with gas fees, the small cost of asking a global network of computers to process and verify your transaction, and why those fees go...

27: The Latest In Crypto: Breaking Down Recent Headlines

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto headlines can feel overwhelming, full of noise, strong opinions, and confusing signals. This episode breaks them down into simple, clear takeaways so you can understand what is actually happening and what is worth paying attention to. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we unpack the biggest crypto headlines shaping the space right now. We break down media skepticism through the Ben McKenzie documentary, PayPal expanding its PYUSD stablecoin globally, banks like Wells Fargo exploring digital dollars, and how companies like Mastercard are integrating blockchain into everyday payment...

26: Inside the NCA: How Crypto, Explained Was Built with Ant Lillingston | VP of Marketing, NCA

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto can feel confusing when the story behind it is missing. Many people hear about crypto through headlines, trends, or opinions, but rarely understand who is building it or why it exists in the first place. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Ant Lillingston, VP of Marketing at the National Cryptocurrency Association, to unpack why the NCA was created and how Crypto, Explained came to life. We break down how crypto inherited a culture of complexity and exclusion, why that created a gap for everyday people, and how the NCA is working to make crypto more accessible through...

25: The 5 Biggest Cryptocurrencies Explained

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto includes a wide range of digital assets, each built for a specific function within the broader ecosystem. Understanding what each one does is key to making sense of how crypto works in practice. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we walk through five of the most widely used cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano, and break down what each one is designed to do. We cover how they differ in purpose, from storing value to enabling payments, powering applications, and supporting scalable networks. We also highlight a few additional cryptocurrencies to give you a...

24: The Next Wave of Crypto Participation with PayPal + Karin | SXSW Panel

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto can feel overwhelming when it lives in headlines, hype, and technical language. But behind all of that, it is increasingly becoming something people and businesses use in real, practical ways. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Smitha Purohit, Sr. Director of Crypto Product at PayPal, and Karin Kusano, Crypto Market Strategist, to unpack how crypto is entering the mainstream through real use cases and everyday infrastructure. We break down how stablecoins are changing the way money moves, how companies like PayPal are integrating crypto into payments, and how...

23: Reacting to Crypto Hot Takes with Ali Tager | Crypto Confidence Coach

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto often gets reduced to headlines, hype, or fear, leaving many people unsure what to actually believe. For most, the biggest barrier is not access, but understanding what crypto is and how it fits into real life. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, Ali Tager, your crypto confidence coach, reacts to real, unfiltered opinions about crypto from everyday people. She breaks down common misconceptions around whether crypto is real, how it gets its value, and why it can feel confusing or intimidating at first. We also explore key concerns around security, including wallets and seed phrases,...

22: 5 Easy Ways to Start with Crypto with Stu Alderoty | President, National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto can feel intimidating when you are not sure where to start. Many people assume they need technical expertise or a large investment before exploring digital assets. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Stu Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, to unpack five simple ways beginners can explore crypto. We break down how crypto ETFs work through traditional brokerage accounts, how stablecoins introduce people to digital finance, and why buying a small fraction of a cryptocurrency can help people learn the crypto...

21: Crypto Taxes Made Simple with Trish Turner, Crypto Tax Girl | Former IRS

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto taxes can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear terms like capital gains, 1099 forms, and reporting requirements. The good news is that once you understand the basic rules, crypto taxes become much more manageable. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Trish Turner, crypto tax expert and former head of the IRS digital asset division, to unpack how crypto is actually taxed and what that means for everyday holders. We break down when crypto is treated like property, what triggers a taxable event, how the new 1099 DA form works, and which key forms like 8949,...

20: Stablecoins in the Headlines: What the Latest News Actually Means

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Stablecoins are appearing in crypto headlines across policy, payments, and technology. From Washington regulation to global finance infrastructure, new developments are shaping how digital dollars can move through everyday financial systems. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we break down the biggest stablecoin headlines shaping the conversation right now. We unpack the policy debate around rewards on dollar backed stablecoins and the proposed Clarity Act, the growing tension between banks and crypto companies, and why companies like Polygon, PayPal, YouTube, and Visa are building new...

19: Crypto ETFs, Explained: Bridging Wall Street and Crypto

Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Crypto ETFs can sound like a complicated Wall Street product. In reality, they are a simple way to get crypto price exposure through a regular brokerage account, without needing to set up wallets or learn new tools. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we unpack what ETFs are, how they work, and how crypto ETFs fit into the picture. We break down spot versus futures crypto ETFs, how ETFs compare to mutual funds and individual assets, and what makes crypto treasury companies like MicroStrategy a completely different category. We also explore why people choose crypto ETFs, the biggest benefits...

More Episodes

Smart contracts can sound complicated, but at their core, they are just code that executes agreements automatically. In this episode, Ali breaks down how these digital rules work and why they matter in everyday life.

In this episode of Crypto, Explained, Ali unpacks smart contracts to uncover how these programs remove middlemen, enforce rules automatically, and make blockchain more than just a way to send money. She explains how smart contracts automate agreements, make rules transparent, and reduce extra steps by running directly on the blockchain.

She also explores how smart contracts show up in real-world situations, from buying digital art and trading in-game items to accessing financial tools without traditional barriers. Understanding these examples helps make these programs feel practical, usable, and safe.

Ali is the approachable, curious voice behind Crypto, Explained, guiding listeners through blockchain and crypto in plain English, and helping beginners see how smart contracts can actually simplify and empower everyday interactions with digital assets.

What's Discussed:

(00:41) Introduction to Smart Contracts and How They Work

(02:02) How Smart Contracts Run Automatically Without Middlemen

(04:23) A Simple Example: Buying Digital Art and NFTs

(05:29) Why Blockchains Needed Smart Contracts to Evolve

(07:15) Smart Contracts Explained with the Hotel Key Card Analogy

(08:41) Rules, Predictability, and Removing Ambiguity in Contracts

(12:03) Real-World Uses: Gaming, Digital Assets, and Everyday Tools

(15:01) How Smart Contracts Expand Access Beyond Traditional Systems

(16:01) Speed and Reliability Compared to Traditional Methods

(16:50) Recap and What’s Next: Building on Smart Contracts

Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):

Website: https://nca.org