Simplifying Web3 Accounting with Tres Finance's Tal Zackon

02/10/25 • 33 min

PayPod: The Payments and Fintech Podcast

Episode Topic

In this episode of Pay Pod, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with Tal Zackon, CEO of TRES Finance, to explore the evolving landscape of Web3 finance. As blockchain technology reshapes the financial sector, traditional tools struggle to keep up with the complexities of decentralized transactions. TRES Finance is tackling this challenge by providing innovative solutions for financial data management, offering Web3 businesses the infrastructure they need to scale with confidence. Tal shares his journey from venture capital to entrepreneurship, shedding light on what drives him to create groundbreaking financial tools. From reconciling data across over 160 blockchain networks to improving accessibility and compliance in crypto finance, this discussion unpacks the future of Web3 financial operations and how businesses can navigate this evolving space. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or crypto enthusiast, this episode provides key insights into the future of decentralized finance

Lessons You’ll Learn

This episode provides an inside look at the challenges and opportunities in Web3 finance, as Tal Zackon breaks down the importance of robust financial infrastructure in the crypto space. Listeners will gain insights into how TRES Finance is solving major pain points, such as reconciling fragmented data across multiple blockchain networks, improving regulatory compliance, and making financial operations more efficient for businesses dealing in digital assets. Tal also shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey—how he overcame initial skepticism, navigated product-market fit challenges, and learned the importance of patience in scaling a startup. Additionally, he discusses the role of artificial intelligence in simplifying crypto compliance and financial analysis, demonstrating how AI-powered tools can streamline reporting, auditing, and portfolio management. By the end of the episode, listeners will have a clearer understanding of how businesses can adopt blockchain technology without the usual complexity and risk.

About Our Guest

Tal Zackon is the co-founder and CEO of TRES Finance, a company revolutionizing financial data management for Web3 businesses. With a background in venture capital, Tal was driven by the need to build something transformative, leading him to create a financial operating system tailored for blockchain-based companies. His journey began in the military before transitioning into the world of finance, where he quickly recognized the gaps in crypto financial infrastructure. Under his leadership, TRES Finance has developed an advanced data pipeline that simplifies financial operations for crypto businesses, allowing them to manage assets seamlessly across numerous blockchain networks. With a deep understanding of both investment strategy and financial technology, Tal is committed to making Web3 finance more accessible, transparent, and compliant for organizations around the world. His vision extends beyond crypto accounting—he aims to create a foundation that enables businesses to operate with confidence in an increasingly decentralized economy.

Topics Covered

This episode covers the evolution of Web3 finance and why traditional financial tools are failing to support blockchain-based businesses. Tal shares his journey from venture capital to launching TRES Finance, highlighting the challenges he faced in finding product-market fit and building a sustainable company. He dives deep into the difficulties of crypto accounting, data reconciliation, and compliance, explaining how Web3 businesses struggle with fragmented data across multiple blockchain networks. The conversation also explores the role of artificial intelligence in financial data management, showing how AI-powered tools can improve financial reporting, auditing, and risk assessment in the crypto space. Additionally, Tal discusses the trade-offs between decentralization and efficiency, emphasizing how businesses can leverage blockchain technology while maintaining operational effectiveness. He also sheds light on how fintech companies and exchanges can enhance transparency and build trust with their customers, particularly through innovative solutions like TRES Finance’s proof-of-funds product. Finally, the episode provides a glimpse into the future of crypto compliance, AI integration, and the transformative impact these advancements will have on financial operations in the Web3 ecosystem.

Episode Topic

Lessons You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Topics Covered

Previous Episode

Reimagining Bitcoin’s Future in DeFi with Persistence’s Jeroen Develter

Episode Topic

In this episode, Jeroen Develter, CEO of Persistence, delves into the evolution of Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) and the challenges of blockchain interoperability. As Bitcoin moves beyond a store of value, Persistence is pioneering cross-chain swaps and decentralized finance solutions, allowing Bitcoin to integrate seamlessly into DeFi ecosystems.

Jeroen explains how layer 2 solutions, interoperability innovations, and security improvements are making Bitcoin more scalable and usable for financial applications. He also discusses intent-based transactions, a game-changing approach that simplifies cross-chain operations and improves liquidity without traditional bridges. By eliminating security risks and inefficiencies, Persistence is revolutionizing how Bitcoin interacts with DeFi platforms.

Lessons You’ll Learn This episode offers a deep dive into the future of Bitcoin in DeFi. Jeroen reveals why traditional bridging mechanisms are insecure, how intent-based transactions enhance user experience, and why cross-chain swaps are the future of blockchain interoperability.

Listeners will gain insights into how layer 2 solutions are reshaping Bitcoin, what BTCFi means for the financial sector, and why trust and security remain the biggest obstacles in crypto adoption. Whether you’re an investor, developer, or blockchain enthusiast, this episode will equip you with essential knowledge on the next evolution of Bitcoin in DeFi.

About Our Guest Jeroen Develter, CEO of Persistence, is a leading innovator in blockchain interoperability and Bitcoin DeFi. With a background in finance and technology, he has played a pivotal role in expanding Bitcoin’s functionality beyond a store of value, making it a powerful asset for decentralized finance applications.

Jeroen’s work at Persistence focuses on bridging Bitcoin with DeFi ecosystems through secure, scalable, and trust-minimized solutions. His expertise in cross-chain swaps, intent-based transactions, and layer 2 scalability is shaping the future of Bitcoin interoperability. Under his leadership, Persistence is addressing the inefficiencies of traditional blockchain bridges, providing a safer and more efficient framework for Bitcoin transactions across multiple chains.

Topics Covered This episode explores Bitcoin’s transformation into a key player in decentralized finance (DeFi) and how Persistence is driving innovation in blockchain interoperability. Jeroen Develter explains why traditional bridges pose security risks and how cross-chain swaps offer a safer, more efficient alternative for moving assets between different blockchains. He also introduces the concept of intent-based transactions, which simplify crypto transactions by allowing users to set their goals while the system automatically finds the best way to execute them.

Additionally, Jeroen discusses how layer 2 solutions are solving Bitcoin’s scalability challenges, making transactions faster and cheaper without compromising security. He shares insights into the growing BTCFi ecosystem, explaining how Bitcoin can now be used as collateral, traded more efficiently, and integrated into broader DeFi applications. Finally, he touches on regulatory challenges in the crypto space, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with compliance to ensure long-term adoption. Whether you're a blockchain developer, investor, or crypto enthusiast, this conversation provides valuable knowledge on the future of Bitcoin in DeFi and what’s next for blockchain interoperability.

Next Episode

Revolutionizing Customer Loyalty and Gift Cards with SwipeIt's Larry Rubin

Episode Topic

In this episode of PayPod, Kevin Rosenquist sits down with Larry Rubin, founder of SwipeIt, to explore the evolving landscape of gift and loyalty card programs in today’s tech-driven marketplace. They discuss how gift cards have transformed from physical plastic cards to instant e-gift cards, integrated into digital wallets like Apple Wallet.

Larry explains how SwipeIt is modernizing customer retention strategies by offering tailored gift and loyalty card solutions for both physical and digital platforms. They indulge into the challenges faced by small businesses in implementing loyalty programs and how technology can bridge the gap between large corporations and local merchants.

Lessons You’ll LearnListeners will gain valuable insights into how gift and loyalty cards can drive customer engagement and boost revenue. Larry emphasizes the importance of offering both physical and digital gift card options, catering to different customer preferences and increasing gift card usage. He also shares strategies on how small businesses can compete with large corporations by using customized loyalty programs and leveraging data to enhance customer experiences.

You’ll learn how offering bonus incentives (like spending $100 and getting a $25 bonus card) can attract more customers during the holidays. Additionally, Larry shares how gift cards can serve as powerful marketing tools—whether for employee rewards, corporate partnerships, or referral programs. The episode also addresses the challenges of loyalty app saturation and how to strike a balance between digital convenience and physical card appeal.

About Our GuestLarry Rubin is the founder of SwipeIt, a company dedicated to enhancing customer engagement through innovative gift and loyalty card solutions. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Larry has helped thousands of businesses modernize their customer retention strategies by offering customized, tech-forward solutions. His company specializes in working with small to mid-sized businesses, helping them compete with larger corporations by simplifying and optimizing gift card and loyalty programs.

Larry’s passion for customer loyalty and retention has led him to become a trusted expert in the payments and fintech space. From integrating gift cards into digital wallets to offering support for traditional physical cards, Larry has seen the industry evolve and has adapted his strategies to meet the changing demands of consumers and businesses alike. His company, SwipeIt, focuses on making loyalty programs accessible, efficient, and profitable for businesses of all sizes.

Topics CoveredThis episode covers the evolution of gift and loyalty card programs, from physical paper certificates to digital gift cards integrated into mobile wallets. Larry and Kevin discuss the importance of offering both physical and digital options to meet varying customer preferences and how bonus incentives can drive sales during peak seasons. They explore how small businesses can leverage loyalty programs to compete with larger corporations, the role of personalization in loyalty marketing, and the challenges of loyalty app fatigue among consumers.

Larry also shares creative strategies for using gift cards as marketing tools, including employee rewards, referral programs, and corporate partnerships. The episode touches on the future of loyalty programs in a rapidly evolving payments landscape, highlighting the potential integration of cryptocurrency and digital wallets into gift card ecosystems. Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or fintech enthusiast, this episode offers actionable insights into the future of customer engagement through gift and loyalty programs.