Welcome to BRANESTORM by Membrane Labs!Join us as we bring institutional thought leaders into the spotlight to explore the latest trends and insights in digital asset lending. Each episode provides rich, bite-sized discussions on the challenges and innovations shaping the industry.Meet Your Hosts:Craig Birchall – Head of Product, Membrane LabsCraig is the Head of Product at Membrane Labs, overseeing the development and execution of institutional digital asset management solutions. Since joining Membrane in 2022, Craig has been instrumental in enhancing the platform’s capabilities, including its CustodyLink™ network, and is the host of BRANESTORM by Membrane Labs. Craig is passionate about delivering tailored, scalable solutions that address the evolving needs of the digital asset industry.James Roth - Head of Partnerships, Membrane LabsJames is the Head of Partnerships at Membrane Labs, leading initiatives to expand the company's footprint in digital asset finance. Before joining Membrane, James was Director of Business Development at Galaxy Digital, spearheading strategic partnerships and growth. He also served as Senior Director of Institutional Markets at Ripple and spent over 10 years at Goldman Sachs.In This Episode, Max Bareiss, discusses Galaxy Lending’s role in crypto lending and its broader strategy.Max is the Head of Lending at Galaxy , overseeing crypto lending operations, structured finance products, and institutional credit strategies. His expertise spans Bitcoin-backed loans, altcoin lending, mining finance, and securitization of crypto debt.With a background in structured finance and risk management, Max has played a key role in expanding Galaxy’s lending offerings, including collar loans, miner financing, and staking-backed lending. He is focused on bridging crypto-native lending with traditional institutional finance, helping integrate digital assets into capital markets.Key Points Covered:1. Galaxy Lending’s Product Offerings - A breakdown of Bitcoin-backed loans, structured finance, and new lending models.2. Market Trends & Demand for Leverage - Recent spikes in lending demand, the impact of macroeconomic factors, and shifting counterparty landscapes.3. Crypto Lending vs. Traditional Finance - Differences in underwriting processes, risk assessment, and institutional adoption of crypto as collateral.4. Regulatory & Institutional Developments - How the evolving regulatory environment and ETFs shape institutional participation in crypto lending.5. 24/7 Trading & Lending Operations - The challenges and advantages of operating in a round-the-clock financial ecosystem.Whether you're part of a lending desk, an institutional investor, or simply interested in the evolution of digital lending, BRANESTORM delivers the knowledge and insights you need, brought to you by Membrane's expert team.💡 Interested in being a guest on BRANESTORM? We’re always looking for industry experts and thought leaders to join the conversation. Reach out to us at BRANESTORM@MembraneLabs.com to be considered for a future episode!Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to receive automatic updates for new interviews directly in your feed.Connect with Us:Website: www.MembraneLabs.comLinkedIn: Membrane LabsTwitter: @Membrane_LabsApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/branestorm-by-membrane-labs/id1774524588Contact Us: BRANESTORM@MembraneLabs.com
