In this episode, investigative journalist Jake Adelstein (Tokyo Vice) joins Yitzy to discuss his newly published book, The Devil Takes Bitcoin, a front-row narrative of the Mt. Gox collapse, where ~850k bitcoin went missing, and the cast of characters that shaped crypto’s formative years—from exchange founder Mark Karpelès to law-enforcement sleuths and the corrupt agents who derailed the Silk Road case.

We trace Jake’s path from police beat reporting in Japan to human-trafficking investigations, dig into what Jake refers to as Japan's “hostage justice” system, and debate regulation vs. libertarian ideals in crypto.

Enjoy!

Links:

Substack: Tokyo Paladin (Jake’s essays and investigations): https://tokyopaladin.substack.com/

Wikipedia overview (bio, books, and TV adaptation of Tokyo Vice): ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Adelstein

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Takes-Bitcoin-Cryptocurrency-Connection/dp/1964992176

X (Twitter): https://x.com/jakeadelstein

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

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.