3376: From Hoodies to Suits: Kadena’s Blueprint for Digital Asset Adoption

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I speak with Annelise Osborne, Chief Business Officer at Kadena, former Wall Street executive, and author of From Hoodies to Suits: Innovating Digital Assets for Traditional Finance. Annelise brings more than two decades of leadership experience in finance, real estate, and digital assets, and she has spent her career bridging the worlds of institutional finance and emerging blockchain technology. Our conversation begins with her personal journey from commercial mortgage-backed securities to the frontlines of blockchain innovation. She shares how a regulatory task force invitation led her to deep-dive into ICOs back in 2017, sparking her fascination with the potential of blockchain to modernize financial markets. That curiosity eventually became a career shift, culminating in her work at Propellr, ARCA Labs, and now Kadena. We explore the key themes of her book, which seeks to break down the language barriers between “hoodies” (tech innovators) and “suits” (traditional finance professionals). Annelise makes the case for clear regulation, continuous education, and interoperability as the three essential pillars for mainstream blockchain adoption. She’s candid about the misconceptions that persist in traditional finance and explains why payment solutions, tokenization, and back-office efficiencies are the practical entry points for institutions. Annelise also gives a behind-the-scenes look at Kadena’s blockchain infrastructure, from its proof-of-work security model and low gas fees to its plans for EVM compatibility and Web2-like user experiences. She highlights real-world use cases in sports fan engagement, product lifecycle tracking, and on-chain lending, illustrating how DeFi and TradFi can merge under regulated frameworks. Throughout the discussion, one theme is constant: the importance of finding the right partners, speaking each other’s language, and staying curious in a fast-changing industry. Whether you’re a finance professional, a blockchain developer, or simply interested in where digital assets are headed, Annelise’s insights offer a grounded yet forward-looking perspective on the future of finance.