Building Bridges with Azeem Khan | S4E8 🛠️🎧

Tereza Bizkova, Maya Dentzel

11 Nov 2024 • 2 min read

What does it take to move crypto beyond speculation?

In Episode 8 of Season 4, The Regeneration Nexus, of the ReFi Podcast, hosts Maya Dentzel and Tereza Bízková welcome Azeem Khan—a key figure in the crypto space and co-founder and COO of Morph, an Ethereum Layer 2 project. Azeem brings a wealth of experience from roles across both corporate and philanthropic spaces, including his time as head of impact at Gitcoin and, currently, as an advisor to UNICEF’s CryptoFund.

With a commitment to balancing purpose with practicality, Azeem offers a candid take on how Web3 can bridge the gap between idealism and actionable impact. He discusses Morph’s mission to create accessible, user-friendly tools that are designed to meet broad community needs, challenging the tendency of crypto projects to focus on niche, insular applications.

Reflecting on his time with Gitcoin, Azeem addresses the controversial Shell deal that he led—a grants matching pool that drew both support and criticism. He explains how, with transparency and accountability, collaborations with legacy industries and organizations like Shell can bring much-needed resources into the ReFi space without compromising core community values.

Drawing on his advisory role with UNICEF, Azeem also highlights how crypto can be a lifeline for underserved communities. Through blockchain-based financial tools, he envisions a future where aid can be distributed directly and affordably, reducing reliance on costly intermediaries. His vision for Web3 extends beyond the technology itself, advocating for systems that make a real difference for people and communities that have been traditionally left out of financial systems.

🤝

"I thought the Shell deal was one of the best things I've done in my career. It was a half-million-dollar experiment, and Shell had no say in how the money was distributed—even if a grant aimed to sue Shell, they couldn’t stop it."

Key insights from Episode 8 include... 💡

Beyond Idealism to Impact: Azeem argues that Web3 and ReFi must move from lofty ideals to grounded solutions that address real-world needs. At Morph, his focus is on building accessible tools that serve communities broadly, pushing crypto beyond niche, tech-centered applications.
Crypto for Underserved Communities: In his advisory role with UNICEF’s CryptoFund, Azeem sees blockchain as a tool to empower marginalized communities by providing direct, affordable financial access. He envisions crypto philanthropy as a way to bypass intermediaries, allowing aid to reach those who need it most.
Balancing Purpose with Practicality: Azeem challenges the crypto space to find sustainable funding models for digital public goods. He advocates for practical solutions that enable public goods projects to thrive long-term without a reliance on short-term grants.
Accountability in Web3: Azeem calls for greater transparency and integrity within the crypto industry, acknowledging that openly addressing flaws can help rebuild trust and position blockchain as a force for ethical, meaningful impact.

🎧 Tune in to Episode 8

And don’t forget! We’re hosting a live discussion on Episode 8 this Friday, Nov 15, at 11 AM ET! 🎙️ Share your thoughts and dive deeper into the world of regenerative finance with us. 🌿

👉 Join the discussion on Twitter Spaces: https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1ZkJzRdedEvJv

Thank you to everyone who has joined this journey. Please share your thoughts and feedback, and if you've found value in our efforts, consider supporting us with a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform.

Every bit of encouragement helps us expand our reach and deepen the impact of ReFi Podcast. You can also buy us a coffee or support our work directly on Giveth.

We are honored to be on this journey alongside you. 💜