In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Joni Pirovich, Founder of Crystal Agentic Operating System and Australia’s specialist crypto law firm B’DASL (Blockchain & Digital Assets: Services + Law), to unpack how blockchain is moving from speculation to real utility. Joni explains where stablecoins, DeFi and tokenisation fit, why regulation and licences matter, and how Crystal reduces the compliance burden so individuals and enterprises can safely participate. In this episode, expect clear examples from Australia and abroad, plus practical insight into self-custody, institutional adoption and the road to mainstream.
Why stablecoins and self custody matter for real-world payments
Joni outlines why stablecoins matter for faster, lower cost payments and why self-custody appeals to users who want control, while acknowledging that responsibility and security still sit with the individual. She contrasts slow, fee-heavy banking rails with near-instant settlement on chain, and counters the “speculation only” narrative with real use cases such as automating governance, security reviews and company procedures across open protocols that already process significant transaction volume. Regulatory uncertainty has slowed this progress, but US-led clarity is emerging and other jurisdictions are following with clearer rules of the road.
Australia focus: ETFs, DeFi and corporate Bitcoin treasuries
In Australia, first-wave crypto ETFs have opened exposure for brokers, super funds and everyday investors, while DeFi lets users connect a wallet to aggregation and investment protocols to automate asset management and routing. Locally, corporates are beginning to add Bitcoin to treasuries, and standout projects include Immutable in gaming and Synthetix in DeFi. At the same time, stricter licensing has pushed some builders offshore to crypto-friendly regimes, a pragmatic move until domestic frameworks catch up.
Tokenisation of real-world assets and the best jurisdictions to launch
Tokenisation is gathering pace, from fractional property exposure to real-world assets more broadly. Joni explains why Dubai is further along, whereas Australia still contends with stamp duty, land tax, CGT and state-based land titles. For teams seeking to launch at speed, she points to Cayman Islands, BVI, Panama, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Malta, while EU pathways allow firms to obtain a crypto-asset licence and passport across Italy, France, Germany and Portugal. Switzerland remains a long-standing, crypto-friendly hub, albeit with higher costs.
Crystal Agentic OS: your daily crypto companion that abstracts compliance
Looking ahead, Joni’s vision is simple. Crystal Agentic OS becomes a daily companion that surfaces your crypto activity, highlights value-aligned communities and recommends compliant actions that could improve outcomes. Her thesis is that every business will become a crypto business and most online actions will create tokenised value, which brings tax and reporting obligations that Crystal abstracts away. Built first for her own workflow after a decade advising in crypto, Crystal is now being shared so users can enjoy innovation without the compliance headache. The mainstream moment is still ahead, and better UX, clearer regulation and trusted automation are what will unlock it.
Topics Covered
- Intro: Joni Pirovich, Crystal Agentic OS and B’DASL for crypto compliance
- Stablecoins 101: fast, low-cost payments and self-custody risks
- Real world blockchain use cases, regulatory clarity and payment rails
- Australia crypto ETFs vs self-custody, DeFi asset management and gas fees
- Corporate Bitcoin treasuries, Aussie builders offshore and local wins (Immutable, Synthetix)
- ICO era ticketing example, transparency with privacy protocols and Web3 values
- Live projects: Catena Digital AUD stablecoin, Equal Labs fan engagement, G’s cross game NFTs
- RWA tokenisation of property, Dubai and EU passporting jurisdictions, Switzerland hub
- Crystal AOS as daily crypto companion, automated compliance and mainstream adoption
Important Time Stamps
- From B’DASL to Crystal: Joni Pirovich on Automating Crypto Compliance (0:07 – 4:18)
- Stablecoins & Self-Custody: Control, Speed and the Crypto UX Shift (4:19 – 10:07)
- Why Governments Are Quietly Building Blockchain Payment Rails (10:08 – 12:51)
- From ETFs to Self-Custody: How Australians Are Getting Crypto Exposure (12:52 – 18:14)
- Fair Tickets, Transparent Supply Chains: Blockchain’s Real-World Turn (18:15 – 25:15)
- Stablecoins, Treasuries, and On-Chain Portfolios: The New Crypto Playbook (25:16 – 29:56)
- Passporting Crypto in the EU: Licences, Markets & Go-To Countries (29:57 – 32:18)
- “Every Business Becomes a Crypto Business”: Joni’s Vision for the Mainstream (32:19 – 35:40)
Connect with Joni
Crystal Agentic Operating System | LinkedIn
