In this episode, we're joined by Martin Carrica, Founder of Mountain Protocol, to dicuss the growing role of stablecoins in the global financial ecosystem, with a specific focus on how Mountain Protocol aims to provide a yield-bearing stablecoin solution. The episode starts with a general discussion on the importance of stablecoins, particularly in markets like Argentina, where inflation and unstable currency drive people toward U.S. dollar-denominated assets. Martin shares his personal experiences with Argentina's financial instability and how stablecoins have helped people protect their wealth. We then move onto how Mountain Protocol differentiates itself by offering the first permissionless yield-bearing stablecoin, USDM. This allows users to earn a yield on their stablecoin holdings, similar to how traditional banks offer interest on deposits. The episode highlights how traditional stablecoins like USDC and USDT generate yield for companies, but not for holders, and Mountain Protocol aims to change that. Additionally, we explore the regulatory landscape, particularly in Bermuda, where Mountain Protocol is regulated. Martin explains why this jurisdiction provides a secure and stable environment for their operations, especially with bankruptcy remote structures in place. The episode ends with a discussion of the future of stablecoins, the potential role of traditional banks in issuing their own, and how Mountain Protocol is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the market by offering better value to users through yield-bearing stablecoins. We hope you enjoy the episode! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:32 Guest Introduction: Martin Carrica from Mountain Protocol 01:55 Martin's Journey into Crypto: From Argentina to Stablecoins 03:18 Early Crypto Adoption in Argentina 05:49 The Rise of Stablecoins During the Pandemic 07:30 Stablecoins vs. Traditional Banking in Argentina 20:44 The Role of USDT and USDC in Emerging Markets 31:51 Institutional Adoption and Yield 44:23 The Future of Stablecoins 45:04 Regulatory Landscape for Stablecoins 48:32 Global Adoption and Use Cases 49:59 Challenges and Opportunities 55:53 Introducing Mountain Protocol 01:02:10 User Experience and Risks 01:15:43 Market Strategy and Predictions 01:25:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts --- Subscribe to The DeFi Report Newsletter: ⁠ https://thedefireport.io/subscribe⁠ Download a copy of The Ethereum Investment Framework: https://thedefireport.io/ethereum-inv... Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/3SeyyA8⁠ Subscribe on Spotify:  ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:  ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Follow Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-austin-nadeau/ Follow Oskari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oskaritempakka/ ---- The views expressed by the co-hosts or any guests are their personal views and should not be relied upon as financial, technical, tax, legal, or any other type of advice.  The creators of this content, or members, affiliates, or stakeholders of The DeFi Report, may be participating in or have invested in the protocols or tokens mentioned herein. The foregoing statement acts as a disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and is not a recommendation to purchase or invest in any token or participate in any protocol.  Listeners are strongly urged to exercise caution and have regard to their own personal needs and circumstances before making any decision to buy or sell any token or participate in any protocol.