Coffee With Developers • Jul 16, 2025

Solving Real-world Problems with Blockchain at Algorand - Brian Whippo

Brian Whippo proves blockchain's hype cycle is over. Learn to write quantum-resistant smart contracts in Python and build the decentralized financial layer for tomorrow's autonomous AI agents.

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#1 about 3 min

The current state and primary use cases of blockchain

A look at where blockchain currently sits in the hype cycle and its practical applications like disintermediation and distributed infrastructure.

#2 about 4 min

Distinguishing blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and Web3 terminology

Clarifying the differences between Bitcoin, third-generation blockchains, and the core concept of digital ownership in Web3.

#3 about 4 min

Reducing transaction fees and understanding stablecoins

How blockchain protocols act as rails to drive transaction costs to zero and how stablecoins mimic traditional fiat currencies.

#4 about 4 min

The user experience of onboarding money and blockchain identity

Addressing the friction of on-ramping fiat to chain and using reusable digital identities to simplify KYC processes.

#5 about 3 min

The environmental impact and energy consumption of blockchains

Comparing the massive energy use of proof of work mining against the minimal footprint of proof of stake networks like Algorand.

#6 about 2 min

Preparing blockchain protocols for quantum computing threats

How the industry is upgrading cryptography with algorithms like Falcon signatures to resist future quantum attacks.

#7 about 3 min

Managing blockchain data storage and history scaling

Strategies for running light nodes and compressing data to avoid bloated ledger histories.

#8 about 4 min

Non-profit foundations versus corporate entities in blockchain

Why foundations oversee many protocols to ensure mission-driven growth unlike traditional for-profit tech corporations.

#9 about 4 min

Real-world enterprise and startup blockchain adoption

Examples of major payment processors and startups using decentralized tech to solve property fractionalization and everyday payments.

#10 about 3 min

Algorand's compiler and developer accessibility in Web3

Using the Puya compiler to write smart contracts in TypeScript or Python instead of learning specialized languages like Solidity.

#11 about 3 min

Integrating stablecoins into modern payment systems and payroll

How receiving payroll directly in stablecoins removes fiat on-ramping friction and unlocks programmatic payment infrastructure.

#12 about 4 min

Enabling autonomous AI agents with programmable blockchain budgets

Creating smart contracts and wallets that establish strict spending guardrails for AI agents conducting autonomous digital transactions.

#13 about 4 min

Protecting intellectual property and content verification with blockchain

Using cryptographic signatures to immutably verify human-created content and combat generative AI intellectual property theft.

#14 about 10 min

Recognizing blockchain utility and shaping future internet protocols

A call to action for technologists to look past hype cycles and actively participate in protocol standards to ensure digital ownership.

Matching moments

7:34 min

Promoting real world blockchain adoption beyond the hype cycle

Chris Heilmann +2 · LIVE

2:47 min

Real-world impact and financial efficiency on the Algorand blockchain

Arthur Breitman

Arthur Breitman +2 · World Congress 2024

2:18 min

Lowering the barrier to entry for blockchain development

Mike Swift · Coffee With Developers

2:12 min

Introduction to blockchain, NFTs, and smart contracts

Hendrik Ebbers

Hendrik Ebbers · LIVE

4:01 min

Finding practical intersections between blockchain technology and artificial intelligence

Arthur Breitman

Arthur Breitman +2 · World Congress 2024

6:50 min

Audience Q&A on Web5 and decentralization protocols

Angie Jones

Angie Jones · World Congress 2023

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Upcoming sessions on this topic

World Congress 2026 North America

September 25, 2026 · 11:40–12:10

Stage 7

x402: Building Pay-Per-Request APIs for AI Agents

Brian Whippo

Senior Director Integrations and Developer Tooling, Algorand Foundation

Brian Whippo

World Congress 2026 North America

September 23, 2026 · 10:00–17:00

Stage 11

Building Stuff with GenAI - The Open Minded Workshop beyond OpenAI

Andreas Erben

CTO for Applied AI and Metaverse at daenet

Andreas Erben

World Congress 2026 North America

September 24, 2026 · 11:00–11:30

Stage 3

Making Science Larger, not just Faster

Yuval Dvir

Commercial Executive, SandboxAQ

Yuval Dvir

World Congress 2026 North America

September 23, 2026 · 13:15–15:15

Stage 9

DeepAgents: Build Multi-Agent AI Systems That Actually Work

Anagha Rumade, Anjana Umapathy, Apoorva Jaiswal

Anagha Rumade

Anjana Umapathy

Apoorva Jaiswal

World Congress 2026 North America

September 24, 2026 · 17:30–18:00

Stage 5

Securing AI Agent Infrastructure: Identity, Attestation, and Trust at Scale

Abdel Fane

Founder of OpenA2A

Abdel Fane

World Congress 2026 North America

September 24, 2026 · 16:10–16:40

Stage 5

From Software Agents to Physical Devices: Inside the Agentic Hardware Stack

Michael Yuan, Vivian Hu

Michael Yuan

Vivian Hu

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