Blockchain Transformation: Bridging the Gap Between Web2 and Web3 with Matthew Van Niekerk

Colors of Web3 & Entrepreneurship

In episode 48 of Colors of Web3 & Entrepreneurship, join us for an insightful discussion with Matthew Van Niekerk, co-founder and CEO of SettleMint, a pioneering platform that's simplifying the integration of blockchain technology for businesses. Matthew's journey, from traditional finance to embracing the transformative power of blockchain, offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of Web3. In this episode, we'll explore SettleMint's approach to blockchain transformation, which goes beyond just the technology. We'll discuss the importance of addressing the people and process aspects of integration, closing skill gaps and enabling businesses to seamlessly harness the benefits of blockchain. Matthew shares real-world examples of how SettleMint is empowering clients like Lexus, Coca-Cola, and Standard Chartered, showcasing the diverse applications of blockchain across industries. Discover how SettleMint's platform is bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3, enabling businesses to enhance efficiency, unlock new revenue streams, and navigate the exciting world of blockchain. ⌛ Timestamps: 00:00:00 Episode trailer 00:00:58 Matthew's introduction and background 00:02:26 Discovering blockchain technology while working in banking 00:03:42 Matthew's Global Journey and the Transition to Belgium 00:06:26 His role as internal consultant at the bank 00:11:20 A Glimpse into Matthew's Hobbies 00:12:03 His snowboarding venture in Japan 00:13:34 The Origin Story of SettleMint 00:14:31 How Matthew met his co-founder of SettleMint, Roderik 00:15:52 The reason why his old bank with 5000 developers couldn't develop blockchain application in-house 00:17:31 SettleMint's Holistic Approach to Blockchain Transformation 00:23:03 SettleMint's platform as the complete solution to integrate blockchain applications 00:29:44 Integrate blockchain with existing systems 00:33:46 Use cases from past clients of SettleMint 00:45:10 SettleMint's Team and Culture 00:48:42 Business models of SettleMint 00:49:13 Challenges facing SettleMint 00:51:04 How Matthew sees the future of Web3 adoption and the role of hybrid solutions 00:54:03 Example of a "hybrid" solution - crowdfunding platform 00:56:33 How to onboard 10,000 Web2 Corporations into Web3 00:57:58 Lessons learned after years of building SettleMint 01:01:08 Where to follow Matthew and SettleMint 01:02:15 Episode outro and next episode preview Follow Matthew and check out his company products: Matthew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceosettlemint/ SettleMint website: https://www.settlemint.com/ My social media: Twitter/X: ⁠https://www.twitter.com/LamWeb3⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamweb3/⁠ Website: ⁠https://lamtrinh.xyz⁠ My old article about the 2-3 prevailing narratives of 2024-2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-143541984 If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming episodes with industry experts and innovators in the Web3 and Entrepreneurship spaces. Thank you for listening!