In this unforgettable episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy Hammer sits down with Bitcoin OG and serial entrepreneur Charlie Shrem for a raw, unfiltered journey through the birth of Bitcoin, the collapse of early crypto infrastructure, and the deeply personal trials that shaped one of the industry's most iconic—and controversial—figures.

Charlie opens up about how a small Israeli charity called Tikvot led him to Bitcoin, the early anarchic energy of the online forums where Satoshi once roamed, and how he helped pioneer one of the world’s first Bitcoin exchanges, BitInstant, with nothing but bar mitzvah money and a handshake agreement.

They talk Mt. Gox, the founding of the Bitcoin Foundation, and how a single Skype message from Roger Ver changed the course of Charlie’s life. But this episode doesn’t shy away from the dark turns: Charlie reflects on the moment federal agents arrested him at JFK, his experience in solitary confinement, the fallout with his family and community, and the harrowing prison conditions that tested his spirit.

We also explore the redemption arc: house arrest in Pennsylvania, quiet reintegration into the crypto world, life on a boat, podcasting, venture investing—and a spiritual journey that defies binaries.

Topics Covered:

• How PayPal freezing donations led to discovering Bitcoin;

• The mechanics of BitInstant and why it succeeded;

• Mt. Gox, Silk Road, and the cracks in early crypto;

• Charlie’s arrest, conviction, and incarceration experience;

• Leaving Orthodoxy, family estrangement, and Jewish identity;

• Starting over, rebuilding wealth, and finding purpose;

This is more than a conversation about Bitcoin—it's a story about resilience, belief, exile, and finding your people on the internet.

🔗 Connect with Charlie: Website: charlieshrem.com Podcast: Untold Stories Twitter/X: @CharlieShrem

What if your law firm felt more like an art studio than a courtroom?

In this episode of Beyond the Code, Yitzy sits down with Vivek Jayaram, founder of Jayaram Law and one of the most creative minds in the legal space. They go deep on how Vivek built a law firm that refuses to look or act like one, why authenticity and originality are at the heart of his practice, and how he went from Big Law burnout to representing the most interesting names in tech, fashion, and digital art.

They talked about:

• 🎸 Growing up on guitar solos, Bulls championships, and indie film;

• 🎨 His early vision for a “law firm for creators,” long before it was cool

• 🧠 The firm’s unique mission to enable original ideas—not just win cases;

• 🧾 How Jayaram Law became a go-to shop for NFTs, and digital artists;

• 💥 Why your legal practice should feel more like a cultural movement than a service business.

Vivek also shares reflections on IP law, digital authenticity, and Vivek's wildly popular (and highly recommended by yours tuly) Taylor Swift IP Course, Blank Spaces.

Whether you're a lawyer, a founder, an artist—or all three—this is an inspiring look at what legal practice can look like when it breaks out of the mold.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Yitzy sits down with Dr. Shmuel Abramzon, Israel’s Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance, to unpack his unique role at the intersection of policy, macroeconomics, and innovation.

They dive into the evolution of digital assets in Israel, what it really means to “regulate” crypto, and the story behind the Ministry’s landmark report on digital asset regulation.

Dr. Abramzon shares insights into the bureaucratic complexity of crafting policy, Israel’s cautious dance with stablecoin regulation, and his thoughts on the prospects of a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

From reflections on his time at RAND Corporation to a philosophical take on decentralization, this episode offers a rare look into how one of Israel’s top economic voices is navigating the future of crypto and fintech.