Bitkub CEO Jirayut (Top) Srupsrisopa speaks to the Xapos Bank Maverick Podcast about Blockchain, democratization of finance and Bitcoin in Southeast Asia

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – May 2, 2023 – Xapo Bank, the world’s first international private bank to combine traditional banking with Bitcoin, has welcomed Jirayut (Topp) Srupsrisopa as a guest on its Maverick podcast to share his thoughts on the development and the future of blockchain, crypto and decentralized finance in Southeast Asia. The episode is available now via the Xapo Bank website.

The Mavericks podcast series explores some of the world’s brightest minds across the crypto ecosystem and the impact they are having, particularly within emerging markets. Topp is the leader of the largest and most trusted blockchain and digital asset group of companies in Thailand. He is also one of Asia’s foremost Bitcoin and open blockchain experts, with over ten years of experience.

Topp is the interview of Mavericks host Joey Garcia, a globally recognized expert across the DLT and blockchain space, a director of Xapo and head of policy and regulatory affairs. During the interview/ Joey and Topp discuss the future of blockchain technology and different perspectives that enable those defined as mavericks to see the world differently and motivate them to push for change.

Topp also shared his views on the future of stablecoins, value exchange in Web 3.0, closed and open financial systems, and the fundamental integration of traditional fiat currency banking with blockchain technology, one of Xapo Bank’s primary value propositions.

Speaking about the future of decentralized finance (DeFi), Topp said: “If you are talking short-term, my grandmother or my grandfather will not be able to use decentralized economy; we need to humanize this technology. People know how to use Skype or Zoom, but no one knows what the TCP/IP protocol is; people know how to use Gmail or Hotmail, but no one knows what the SMTP protocol is.

“We need to humanize DeFi first. Then, when money is no longer paper-based, and everyone is embedded in Web 3.0 and can log into their online wallets like they log into their email now, DeFi will take off. But because DeFi just lets you converting value from digital to digital, not physical to digital, you will still need an exchange platform as a transition, or a bridge, from the old world to the new. Otherwise, how will you be able to convert fiat to crypto?”

About how the transition to digital will further transform lifestyles in Southeast Asia, said Topp: “Blockchain is going to democratize value sharing in the same way that the internet democratized information sharing. People will be free to choose which platform they want to exchange value.

We need more education, but limiting or banning the technology doesn’t work. Retail investors drove previous waves of Bitcoin growth, and we continue to see more and more retail customers on board blockchain technology. I believe that the next wave of growth will be driven by institutional investors, even to the extent that some county central banks will be in Bitcoin.

Speaking about the future of global economic growth over the next five years, Topp concluded: “I see the biggest focus development in Asia, particularly the Southeast region.

Right now we live in a fragmented world – there is a disconnect between China and the US, and there is a divide between East and West and a global North-South inequality. Supply chains have been disrupted post-Covid…it is clear that we are moving towards de-globalization and a more fragmented world.

In ASEAN, we are the ones who swing the vote; we do not choose sides, we do not have problems with an aging population, and we are rich in natural resources. I think investors will need stability in this new fragmented world and they will see the Southeast Asian region as the new S-curve. After 2024, we will see unprecedented growth in investment going into Southeast Asia due to these various factors.

To watch the full podcast episode, visit

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ABOUT XAPO BANK

Xapo Bank is the world’s first international private bank that combines traditional banking with Bitcoin, experienced via an app built on a next-generation secure digital platform.

Xapo Bank originated as cryptocurrency wallet Xapo, founded in 2013 by Wenses Casares. The dream behind Xapo Bank is a world that enjoys financial freedom and wealth protection, no matter where you live or who rules your country. Members of Xapo Bank enjoy the freedom of knowing their wealth is protected, have instant access to US dollars, can instantly buy and sell Bitcoin and exchange USDC to USD instantly in the safest and most secure way possible.

Xapo Bank provides its services through fully regulated entities within the legal jurisdiction of Gibraltar, a rock-solid jurisdiction with a 300-year history of stability and UK standards of law and property rights protection. Xapo Bank and Xapo VASP are fully separated and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) and all members’ fiat deposits are protected up to €100,000 under Gibraltar’s Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

Xapo Bank has a global branch in Gibraltar that members can visit at any time and currently has a 100% remote workforce of 200 Xapiens.

ABOUT JIRAYUT (TOP) SYRUP RISOPA

Jirayut (Top) Srupsrisopa is the founder and CEO of Bitkub Capital Group Holdings Co., Ltd., – the largest and most trusted blockchain and digital asset group of companies in Thailand. He is a speaker: one of Thailand’s leading bitcoin and open blockchain experts with over eight years of experience in the blockchain industry. He previously founded Coins.co.th, Thailand’s largest Bitcoin wallet company. Founded in 2018, Bitkub has become Thailand’s Unicorn startup within three years.

He is an executive board member and vice president of the Thai Fintech Association and a subcommittee member of Thailand’s office of the Trade Competition Commission.

After completing his MPhil in Economics at Oxford University, UK, Topp worked as an investment banker, financial consultant and central banker. Topp received an Honorary Degree of Philosophy in Digital Economy (PhD in Digital Economy) from Rangsit University. He is the youngest nominee for an honorary degree in digital economy in Thai history.