Interview with Author – Anndy Lian [Web4: The Age of Autonomous Intelligence]

Interview with Author – Anndy Lian [Web4: The Age of Autonomous Intelligence]

About Anndy Lian:
Anndy Lian is an all-rounded business strategist in Asia. He has provided advisory across a variety of industries for local, international, public listed companies and governments.

What inspires you to write?
My writing is entirely driven by a desire to tackle systemic problems and demystify the complex technical realities shaping our society. When I look at the current digital landscape, I see an environment where users have been reduced to products and data refugees under the weight of surveillance capitalism.

What inspires me to put pen to paper is the belief that knowledge shared is power multiplied. I write to provide a rigorous, forward-thinking blueprint that gives individuals the tools to understand, challenge tech hype, and reclaim their digital sovereignty.

What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
When I look at authors and thinkers who influence my perspective, I am drawn to those who possess deep industry realism and refuse to get swept up in corporate or tech hype. I deeply respect pioneers, builders, and strategic minds who put in the work, say what they mean, and focus on practical frameworks over speculation.

My favorite literature consists of foundational whitepapers, rigorous economic models, and strategic treatises that analyze how human coordination, national-level regulation, and digital assets intersect to shape human civilization.

Robert Kiyosaki is one of my favourite. CZ Zhao has a good book too.

Tell us about your writing process.
My writing process is iterative, data-driven, and relies heavily on structural pressure testing. I spent three years and total of 23 versions finishing it. Because I write about bleeding-edge infrastructure and macroeconomic trends, my process begins with a raw critique of market conditions—such as tracking data extraction pipelines, analyzing validator concentration, or evaluating smart contract failures.

Once the core thesis is built, I write extensively to flesh out the concepts, and then I edit aggressively. For this book, I removed over 140 pages from the final draft simply to make it more “readable” and digestible for a mainstream audience. If a concept is too dense to be actionable for a builder or a policymaker, it gets cut.

For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
While I am a non-fiction writer, I do interact extensively with the “characters” of the machine economy: Autonomous AI Agents. My interaction with them involves rigorous behavioral modeling and game-theoretic pressure testing.

When mapping out scenes like the one in “A Day in the Life: 2035,” I am constantly evaluating how an agent like “Nate” would react to real-time supply chain data, health metrics, or zero-knowledge identity requests without human oversight. I don’t “talk” to them in a literary sense; instead, I simulate their algorithmic decision-making loops to ensure they remain cryptographically aligned with human stewardship rather than corporate exploitation.

What advice would you give other writers?
My primary advice is to write with skepticism and edit with courage. Do not write to simply repeat industry buzzwords or to flatter the pre-existing biases of your audience. If your work is going to be the basis for how people understand the future, it must survive intense internal stress tests.

Be willing to throw away entire sections of your work if they do not serve the reader’s clarity. If it takes you years and dozens of revisions to make a complex concept elegant and accessible, put in the work. True impact lies in execution and readability, not speculation.

How did you decide how to publish your books?
For my books, including Web4: The Age of Autonomous Intelligence, the decision of how to publish comes down to a balance of global accessibility, speed to market, and maintaining absolute content integrity. Because technology cycles move at an unprecedented velocity, waiting years in traditional publishing backlogs can render a forward-looking technological blueprint obsolete before it hits the shelves.

I opt for agile publishing frameworks across multiple digital formats (including PDF, Kindle, Mobi, and Epub) alongside physical rollouts (Hardback and Paperback) to ensure the community can access the insights instantly and globally. For new authors exploring the space, I highly advise prioritizing digital-first distribution and open accessibility. If your goal is to empower a global community, your infrastructure must allow you to bypass geographic and corporate gatekeepers seamlessly.

What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The future of book publishing is on the verge of its own agentic turn. We are transitioning away from a passive distribution model toward an era of intelligent, context-aware content ingestion. By 2035, fully autonomous AI agents will account for a massive percentage of digital decision-making, and this includes how information is parsed and consumed.

Books will no longer be static, inert files sitting on a digital shelf. Instead, they will act as dynamic, verifiable knowledge repositories that personal AI agents can query, verify via cryptographic audit trails, and instantly synthesize to assist humans in real-time problem solving. The future of publishing belongs to authors who write structured, high-integrity content that can seamlessly integrate into the cognitive and trust layers of tomorrow’s web.

What genres do you write?: Bitcoin & Cryptocurrencies, Technology & Infrastructure, Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence, Decentralized Finance (DeFi) & Blockchain Governance, Macroeconomics & Digital Sovereignty

 

Source: https://bookgoodies.com/interview-with-author-anndy-lian/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Bitcoin ETFs just lost US$1B: What smart money knows that you don’t

Bitcoin ETFs just lost US$1B: What smart money knows that you don’t

United States spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds experienced their most severe single-day outflow since late January. Investors pulled approximately US$648.6 million from these products in just one trading session, marking a stark reversal of fortune for digital asset investment vehicles that had enjoyed relatively stable inflows in recent months. This exodus represents more than an isolated incident, as cumulative withdrawals across roughly five trading days have now reached approximately US$1.8 billion, with close to US$1 billion exiting these funds in just the most recent 24 to 48-hour period.

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust bore the brunt of this selling pressure, accounting for roughly US$448 million of the total outflows. The redemption scale from the market’s largest Bitcoin ETF underscores the seriousness of the investor retreat. Ark 21Shares’ ARKB product saw approximately US$110 million in outflows, while Fidelity’s FBTC experienced about US$63 million in redemptions. The selling pressure proved to be universal across the sector, with smaller but notable withdrawals affecting products from Bitwise, VanEck, Invesco, and Franklin. Not a single Bitcoin ETF recorded inflows on May 18, painting a picture of wholesale investor retreat from cryptocurrency exposure through regulated investment vehicles.

This Bitcoin-specific weakness coincides with deeper structural concerns plaguing the broader decentralised finance ecosystem. Ethereum’s Total Value Locked has contracted by approximately US$43 billion since its January peak, according to Yahoo Finance data. This massive capital depletion locked into DeFi protocols signals waning confidence in the yield-generating opportunities that once attracted billions to the space.

Compounding these concerns, news that six core researchers departed the Ethereum Foundation has raised legitimate questions about leadership stability and the pace of innovation at the world’s second-largest blockchain network. These developments suggest that the weakness in cryptocurrency extends beyond simple price volatility to fundamental questions about ecosystem health and development momentum.

The total cryptocurrency market capitalisation declined to US$2.55 trillion, with Bitcoin’s 24-hour price movement tracking the broader market’s decline closely. This correlation indicates a beta-driven, risk-off environment rather than weakness specific to any particular digital asset. The Fear and Greed Index reading of 39, firmly in fear territory, reflects the anxious sentiment pervading cryptocurrency markets. Investors appear to be treating Bitcoin and other digital assets as what they truly are: high-beta risk assets that get sold aggressively when broader market conditions deteriorate.

Traditional equity markets provided no sanctuary for investors seeking stability. The S&P 500 Index closed at 7,353.61, down 49.44 points or 0.67 per cent. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite fared worse, falling 220.02 points to 25,870.71, representing a 0.84 per cent decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 322.24 points to 49,363.88, a 0.65 per cent loss, while the small-cap Russell 2000 Index suffered the steepest percentage decline at 1.01 per cent, falling 27.38 points to 2,747.07. These losses marked the third consecutive session of declines for major United States benchmarks, with Asian stocks extending their losing streak to four days. The major indices logged their sharpest three-day cumulative declines since late March, signalling intensified selling pressure across asset classes.

The root cause of this broad-based selloff traces directly to the bond market, where a brutal rout has pushed Treasury yields to multi-decade highs. The 30-year United States Treasury yield settled at 5.18 per cent, its highest level since July 2007. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.67 per cent. These rising risk-free rates have compressed the equity risk premium, making high-growth sectors like technology and cryptocurrencies significantly less attractive. When investors can earn over five per cent with virtually no risk from long-dated government bonds, the calculus for holding speculative assets with uncertain cash flows changes dramatically.

Inflation anxieties continue to simmer, exacerbated by energy prices that refuse to retreat. Global oil prices remain stubbornly above US$110 per barrel despite temporary pullbacks following political headlines. This persistent elevation in energy costs functions as a tax on corporate margins and consumer demand, reinforcing fears of systemic producer price inflation.

The situation grew more tense after United States President Donald Trump announced the postponement of planned military strikes against Iran in favour of continued negotiations. With no definitive resolution to the Middle East conflict, markets remain highly reactive to risks surrounding energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, where any disruption could send oil prices even higher.

Geopolitical volatility extends beyond the Middle East. In Asia-Pacific markets, broad declines swept across regional indices. South Korea’s KOSPI dropped 3.25 per cent, weighed down severely by memory chip and microprocessor hardware exporters. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.44 per cent as a higher GDP deflator of 3.4 per cent intensified domestic inflation fears. The United States dollar index strengthened to a six-week high on safe-haven flows and hawkish Federal Reserve rate expectations, creating additional headwinds for emerging markets and commodity prices.

Corporate developments provided mixed signals amid the broader weakness. Chip stocks pulled back ahead of Nvidia’s market-moving earnings, with additional pressure stemming from indications that China is shifting demand away from Western microprocessors to prioritise domestic technology.

Standard Chartered shares fell 2.2 per cent following an announcement to eliminate over 7,800 positions globally, with the bank directly citing a structural shift toward generative AI and automation workflows. In a rare bright spot, Macy’s shares jumped four per cent on news that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway initiated a fresh equity position in the retail chain, suggesting that value opportunities still attract patient capital even in turbulent times.

These factors create a challenging environment for risk assets like Bitcoin. Rising bond yields, persistent inflation, geopolitical tensions, and equity market weakness form a perfect storm that drives investors toward safety and away from speculation. Smart money understands that market cycles test conviction, and those who maintain discipline during periods of fear often position themselves for outsized returns when sentiment eventually shifts.

 
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Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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Oil spikes, bonds crash, Bitcoin drops: Here is what comes next

Oil spikes, bonds crash, Bitcoin drops: Here is what comes next

Bitcoin’s retreat to US$76,632.16 reflects more than a routine correction. It captures a moment when geopolitical friction, macro uncertainty, and technical structure converged to test market conviction. The trigger came from escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. A social media warning from Donald Trump stating that time is running out for Tehran abruptly shifted sentiment.

Risk assets wobbled as Brent crude surged above US$112 per barrel before cooling toward US$107 to US$109, following diplomatic appeals from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE that prompted a temporary pause in military action. That energy spike reignited inflation concerns and pushed expectations toward a higher-for-longer Federal Reserve policy, a headwind for any asset that thrives on abundant liquidity.

The macro shock exposed fragile positioning in crypto markets. Over US$607 million in bullish long positions were forcefully liquidated within 24 hours, part of a broader US$677 million wave of leveraged crypto long liquidations. When price fails to hold key levels, algorithmic selling and margin calls can accelerate moves far beyond fundamental justification. Bitcoin’s inability to clear its 200-day moving average near US$82,000 added technical pressure.

That rejection dragged the asset down to a critical support zone around US$76,000. Analysts note this level must hold to prevent a steeper structural breakdown toward US$65,000. The 200-week moving average near US$69,000 serves as a long-term trend reference, not a magnetic target price to be hit. Moving averages smooth past action; they do not dictate future paths.

The current weekly chart signals weakening momentum rather than outright capitulation. Price trades below shorter-term exponential moving averages but remains well above the 200-week trend line. The MACD indicator appears relatively controlled, suggesting the selloff lacks the extreme divergence often seen at major bottoms or tops. In strong trends, Bitcoin frequently establishes higher lows long before testing its slowest averages.

A move toward the low US$70,000s remains realistic if risk sentiment deteriorates further, but declaring US$61,000 inevitable simply because the 200-week moving average exists feels oversimplified. Markets respect context, and right now that context includes a regulatory landscape that is quietly evolving.

While traders navigate short-term volatility, Washington advanced a potentially transformative piece of legislation. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, known as the CLARITY Act, cleared a key hurdle when the Senate Banking Committee approved it in a bipartisan 15 to nine vote. This markup represents the first time a comprehensive crypto market structure bill has gained such momentum in the Senate.

The legislation aims to split oversight between the SEC and CFTC, define which digital assets qualify as digital commodities, and establish clearer registration and compliance frameworks for exchanges, brokers, and custodians. Provisions like a mature blockchain test and safe harbours for developers and noncustodial wallets seek to protect open source projects and peer-to-peer usage. If enacted broadly as described, large networks such as Bitcoin could receive clearer commodity treatment, easing institutional participation and exchange compliance.

Significant hurdles remain before the CLARITY Act becomes law. The bill must be merged with a separate Senate Agriculture Committee version, then secure 60 votes on the Senate floor, which requires at least seven Democratic votes. Ethics disputes over officials’ crypto holdings, the treatment of DeFi protocols and stablecoins, and a tight calendar window from June to early August, before recess and election politics intensify, all pose challenges.

Galaxy Digital’s research arm currently estimates a three-in-four chance that the bill becomes law in 2026, with an optimistic window for a presidential signature around early August if Congress moves quickly. For crypto participants, the critical signal will be whether Senate leaders schedule and win that 60-vote floor passage in the coming weeks. Without it, current momentum can still stall.

Global financial markets mirrored this fragmentation on 19 May 2026. US equity indices finished mixed as money rotated out of high-flying technology names and into defensive assets. The S&P 500 edged down 0.07 per cent to 7,403.05 while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.51 per cent to 26,090.73, dragged by a sharp correction in semiconductors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.32 per cent to 49,686.12, supported by energy and traditional industrial components. Fixed-income markets drove much of the anxiety.

The US 10-year Treasury yield briefly breached 4.60 per cent, a fresh one-year high, while 30-year yields hovered above 5.10 per cent. Hotter-than-expected inflation metrics tied to Middle East tensions led traders to price in no 2026 rate cuts, with some shifting bets toward a potential hike later this year. International bond markets echoed the stress, with Japanese Government Bond 30-year yields touching multi-decade highs and UK Gilts experiencing similar spikes.

Sector performance highlighted the rotation. Memory chip and AI infrastructure names were hit hard after Seagate management expressed near-term supply-chain and demand constraints. Seagate fell roughly seven per cent to eight per cent, Micron declined six per cent, and Nvidia slipped two per cent ahead of its highly anticipated earnings release.

Meanwhile, defensive sectors and energy giants like Chevron gained ground, helping rescue the Dow. The equal-weighted S&P 500 notably outperformed its tech-heavy cap-weighted counterpart, underscoring the breadth of the rotation. In commodities, Brent crude cooled slightly as geopolitical fears eased marginally, while spot gold managed a slight rebound near US$4,589 per ounce, finding support from central bank accumulation despite a firmer US dollar.

These crosscurrents matter for Bitcoin’s path. The asset does not trade in isolation. It reacts to real yields, dollar strength, risk sentiment, and regulatory signals.

 

Source: https://e27.co/oil-spikes-bonds-crash-bitcoin-drops-here-is-what-comes-next-20260519/

Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.

Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.

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