In episode 18 of the Poundcast, we welcome Rita Martins, author of the book "Web3 in Financial Services: How Blockchain, Digital Assets and Crypto are Disrupting Traditional Finance". Rita discusses her career journey from consulting roles at Accenture and HSBC to her current focus on blockchain technology in finance. During this episode, Rita elaborates on the transformative potential of Web3 and the evolving blockchain ecosystem, explaining how traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) are beginning to converge. She covers key topics such as tokenization, digital identity, and practical applications of blockchain in the financial services industry. The episode highlights the advantages of digital assets, unique ownership, and the future role of digital money, including stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Listeners will gain insights into how blockchain and Web3 are poised to enhance efficiency and foster innovation in the financial sector. Rita shares examples and discusses the practical benefits and future possibilities of integrating decentralized technologies in mainstream finance. This episode offers valuable information for financial professionals, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of money and financial technology.