Lani Dizon: 0:00

The world of crypto still feels complicated and risky for most people. It's kind of like more of a maze than a movement.

Joeri Billast: 0:09

Hello everyone and welcome to the Web3 CMO Stories Podcast. My name is Joeri Billast, and I'm your podcast host. And today I'm really honored and really excited to be joined again by Lani Dizon. Lani is a co-founder and a president of Zenza Capital and the RYO Digital Project. Hello, Lani, how are you? So good to see you again.

Lani Dizon: 0:32

I'm doing really well, Joeri. I'm so excited to be here with you today. Thank you for calling me back.

Joeri Billast: 0:38

Yeah, you know, so many exciting things are happening on the RYO site. And so I said this is a really good moment to have a new conversation. It's already some time. But Lani, because you know, maybe not everyone knows RYO already. So if you if people are now hearing about RYO for the first time, can you maybe provide a summary of what RYO is all about?

Lani Dizon: 1:04

Definitely. I I'd love to explain that. You know, crypto was supposed to make life easier, right? Giving people freedom and control, but it's become very technical, as we've talked about before. It's too exclusive, and people suddenly need to understand the technology before they even use it and before they even invest in it, right? So that's actually that's the opposite of what innovation should be. New technology should make our lives more convenient, not more complicated. All of the services that we know of today, from Uber Eats to Instacart, DoorDash, it's all about convenience and we pay for convenience. Yet this new technology has come and it's it's pretty much given a lot of complication. I I do want to mention some eye-opening numbers that explain about what RYO is about and why we built it. Almost everyone now has heard about crypto, right? And but only six six point event of people worldwide actually own any. And actually four percent own Bitcoin. And even though crypto moves hundreds of billions of dollars every day, it still makes up less than just 1% of real-world payments. And most of that activity is from trading, not buying coffee, groceries, or paying bills. And so it's really surprising considering that Bitcoin's been around for more than 15 years, even with tens of thousands of other cryptocurrencies created since then, the world of crypto still feels complicated and risky for most people. It's kind of like more of a maze than a movement. And so that's why RYO was envisioned seven years ago to bring real-world usability to crypto and to make it simple, human, and usable for everyone. So that's we want to make it so that crypto isn't just held or traded, but actually used for online shopping, e-commerce, everyday payments, and global trade. And for those of you that don't know RYO or what RYO means, the name RYO came from over 500 years ago. RYO was Japan's original gold currency unit, a real gold that symbolized trust, honor, stability, and people used it for trade and commerce. And eventually it was replaced by the Japanese yen that we know of today. But RYO Coin through us has been reborn with that same principle as a digital payment solution for everyday life. But RYO isn't just a coin, it's the core of an ecosystem that's built to make crypto more practical and real. So it includes a life wallet where you can manage digital assets, chat with people, send money, and soon shop with crypto. Then we have a global mall where merchants can accept RYO for everyday goods and services from coffee to haircuts. And then we have Japan's first and only FSA licensed crypto ATM network where you can buy or sell cash in and cash out on familiar ATMs. Then we have what's called RYO Pay, our stable coin for real-world sediments like Grain Trade. And this is all designed so that the user doesn't have to think about blockchain. And last thing is that RYO was built in Japan by our passionate team who really believe in giving people more control, privacy, and freedom. So helping crypto and web 3 move from complication to convenience with accessibility for all, including the unbanked.

Joeri Billast: 5:10

Yeah, you know, that's all that I love crypto. You remember, Lani, I talked to you, you were on the podcast in the beginning when we just met, and now I hear the story again. It all makes a lot of sense. There is a lot of evolution, too. Let's unpack a few of the things that you mentioned. I want to talk first about real pay. So it's the grain trade partnership using real pay for real world settlement has been getting quite some attention in the press lately. Can you explain how that works and why it matters to people?

Lani Dizon: 5:43

Yes. So this is an example of how we're working on real-world usability in an industry that can benefit from refinement. So picture a farmer in Canada shipping grain overseas. Traditionally, that farmer might wait, make wait weeks to even months to get paid from the paperwork, the bank delays, the multiple intermediaries, and lots of unnecessary costs and steps. So with our partner, Grain X Global, our goal is to improve that. So through RYO Pay, once delivery is confirmed, payment can be completed almost instantly with lower fees, fewer steps, and full transparency. So what that means for farmers is faster cash flow. For buyers, it means clarity and reliability. And for consumers, it means the food supply chain works more efficiently. So a beta test is underway as our proof of concept. And real pay after this proof of concept is going is intended to be settled. It's intended to be a settlement currency for grain trade between Canada and Japan using real world assets. So the initial test test trade is going to validate the concept before implementation. And also, RYO Pay is intended to be a stable coin for settlement of all sizes and will later be implemented in the global mall and in the life wallet. But grain trade is just the first phase. As we start, we're starting with grain trade first because everyone can relate to it. It's putting food on tables. So, but at the same time, this same system can apply to other industries from real estate and automobiles, practically any product where trust and speed matter. And so when people ask, what is RYO about? This is just one example. It's it's bringing blockchain to action to improve everyday life and not just theory.

Joeri Billast: 7:50

Yeah, I love it. It's a great example. Everyone, you know, can imagine and you know the difficulties that are today about what RYO and stablecoins can solve. Now you mentioned the life wallet. I have it here on my phone. I'm so excited about it that it's there. It has been test launched on Apple, right? And so how it is now different, how it does this milestone actually fit in the larger RYO ecosystem.

Lani Dizon: 8:17

Well, our non-it's a non-custodial wallet, and and this non-custodial life wallet just launched, like you said, on the App Store about 10 days ago. And Android is soon coming. So, you know, we already got approval for that, and it's it's launching soon. But the life wallet was created to be an all-in-one digital lifestyle hub for everyday users. So, as you know, buying and and securely holding crypto has been one of the biggest hurdles for new users to onboard into the crypto space. And the reality is, most wallets out there are so complicated, they're intimidating, and many people are afraid of losing their assets. I know when I first got my first wallet, it was so complicated, and I cringed every time when I was gonna send assets from one wallet to another. And a lot of people still feel that today. So having a digital wallet that breaks the barriers is critical to adoption. So the Life Wallet is designed to feel familiar, like apps that people already use, but it's powered by Web3 from the background. So from one simple dashboard, you can manage transactions, control your digital keys to crypto, such as RYO, ETH, USDT, and more and more going to be added. You can check your market rates, you can chat with friends who also have a life wallet and send them digital assets instantly. You can also connect to favorite social media platforms and sites directly from within the wallet. That's we why we call it the life wallet. And then you can use the crypto ATM network in Japan, if you're in Japan, and then of course we're gonna be expanding this outside of Japan, but to buy or cash out crypto in person and soon shop directly on the global mall through the life wallet. So this helps both merchants and consumers adopt crypto much more easily. And as I mentioned earlier, in a future phase, RYO Pay will be integrated into the Life Wallet as well and allow stable and predictable payments for real-world purchases. What's launched today in the LifeWallet is just the first phase. It's going to keep expanding to incorporate more features such as AI assistants like RYOGun and more. But the bottom line is it's multi-function and it breaks the barriers of crypto, making it something that your family, your grandparents, your mother and father can actually use, which is the most important thing. And that's the essence of RYO, making Web3 serve people so they don't have to understand the technology behind it.

Joeri Billast: 11:10

Yeah, it's and actually it's you know, when people ask me about RYO, I say, okay, it's it's a coin, but it's a whole ecosystem behind, you know. If I hear you speaking about all that, so you mentioned the RYO chan and AI, because you know, I'm also into AI. Everyone these days, you know, you can you cannot neglect AI. And there are these problems today when people talk to me about crypto. Oh, Yuri, but I'm afraid for scams, I'm afraid of losing my money. So tell us a bit about the mascot RYO chan, and it has moved into phase two, I think, of his pre-sale, and how this RYO chan fits into the whole ecosystem.

Lani Dizon: 11:48

Well, RYO Chan is a very special part of our story. He's based on my own miniature schnauzer, who's been a very deep part of our journey here at RYO, and he loves coming to the office every day. In Japan, adding Chan, C-H-A-N, to a name is a term of affection. So RYO Chan means like dear RYO or cute RYO, and he's more than a mascot. He's evolving on the digital side into an AI-empowered companion to guide people through Web3. So he'll check for smart contract uh risks and share helpful portfolio tips. And what personally gets me excited is donating to animal rescues and charities that truly support real-world causes. The vision with RYOchan is about guidance, protection, and purpose. And he'll also be expanding to gaming for all ages, from young to elderly, which is important for engagement and education. So, and as well as earning rewards. So the point is making crypto and blockchain less technical and more human and bringing that into engagement, entertainment, and rewards. And RYOChan will be accessible inside the life wallet and other parts of the larger RYO ecosystem. Oh, and also, as you said, the RYOchan token is currently in its pre-sale stage. So there's three phases. It already went through phase one. Phase two is happening now at a very low price at 0.6025 USD. So that's the price now before it moves into phase three, and then followed by the public listing. So it's the best time to get involved right now as early adopters and be part of the journey. And so for the listeners who are interested in the RYO Chun presale, you can go to RYOChan.com for more information about him, what he's going to be doing on an AI perspective, and the pre-sale.

Joeri Billast: 13:57

Yeah, I was just gonna say, Lani, because people are listening and they have a lot of ideas. Oh, I need to check out RYOChan. There are show notes, and the the link that Lani mentioned will be in there, so you are sure to go to the right website and have all the information you need. Of course, you can always ask me questions as I am the ambassador for Europe for RYO. And RYO is a sponsor of this podcast that most of you already know this. Now, Lani, back to the questions, and a lot of things are going on on RYO, but also for you personally, you have been recognized globally for your leadership from best crypto solution to female entrepreneur of the year and more. So, how has your journey shaped RYO's mission of bridging Japan with the world?

Lani Dizon: 14:44

Thank you for that. You know, it's been it's been pretty tough, really tough. I mean, I'm talking about my entire career, you know, going from nursing and medical school to health and wellness, and then now into to RYO. But it's it's been a meaningful journey. Before RYO, I was in the nutrition and wellness field with my own product lines, which I still have now. So we both do both at the same time. But I built communities and companies and found founded several entrepreneurial opportunities that empowered people to live healthier, freer lives physically, mentally, and financially. And through this, we naturally developed a large loyal following of consumers and affiliates all around the world, with our hub being in Japan. And that's how I started in Japan over 30 years ago. Then I was hooked when I learned about what blockchain could do: helping people take control, taking back control of their lives, of their value and freedom, removing the middlemen, empowering anyone anywhere. That's what led me here. And so my mission to help people hasn't changed. It's just evolved into something bigger. With our health formulas, for example, we've we've always taken a multi-function approach. We we were feeling a need, we combined multiple benefits into each high-quality product. So our products are known as being multi-function. Every single one of our products does many, many things. So it's like taking 10 to 15 products and combining them into one. And so that's always been our strategy, you know, for simplicity, for convenience, and provides real results for people. And so that's the same approach that we've taken with the RYO ecosystem. And, you know, here in speaking of Japan, let's be real, building a project, especially like this in Japan is not easy. And for decades, we've worked under strict, other strict regulations in Japan, even before RYO, with the Ministry of Health, which is the most strictest health or health regulator in the world. And it demands discipline, patience, and integrity. And you cannot cut corners here in Japan. There's no under-the-table paying or anything like that. And so everything that we do must meet the highest compliance standards and consumer protection. But we're proud, you know, to be born where honor and trust means everything, means everything. And so all of this has shaped RYO's values. It's it's not the fastest model, but it's a model that's built to last. And that's why it's taken years to build. People don't understand the scrutiny that we've been under or the, you know, being under the microscope and needing to follow all these regulations and to even have uh the first and only crypto ATM network that is FSA licensed. There are zero regulated crypto ATMs here in Japan. We are the first to build out this crypto ATM network. And so, you know, we knew the hurdles before even building this project. We knew what we were getting into. And it's been tough, but but you know, it's worth it and it's part of our story. Also, speaking from experience, if you can build something from Japan or in Japan under Japan standards, you can set new standards anywhere. It could be embraced anywhere. And so, and also one point, because you you did talk about leadership. You know, people around me know that for me, leadership is not about titles, it's not even about awards, it's it's truly about making impact and it's about leaving a legacy. And so whether I'm helping people in wellness or I'm helping people to onboard into web three, you know, it's all it's all about empowering people and build and and building and focusing on people first. When someone, you know, like a farmer or a student or a grandmother can say, wow, that made my life easier or better, then that tells me that we're making an impact in this industry. So bringing Japan to the world means taking Japan's culture of respect, honor, trust, and precision, those values, and using it to create global solutions that anyone can use around the world.

Joeri Billast: 19:28

Thank you for sharing that. I was going to say about legacy because it's actually also an ambitious project which takes time. And my book on the background, you see, start with why. So actually, you explained your why. But talking about Japan, Lani, um, talk a bit about the Japan revival campaign that you launched. Yeah, what is that all about?

Lani Dizon: 19:49

Yeah, this was a this was an idea and it runs pretty deep within us. You know, like like I mentioned, you know, we've been here for over 30 years, about 32 years. And, you know, around the world, Japan is admired for its excellence in quality and innovation. A lot of people want to come here from the young generation to the elderly. I mean, people understand the quality. Um, and but it's faced some challenges as well. A reduced younger generation, slower economic growth. It used to be number two, dropped to number three, and is now at number four, for example. And our goal with the revival campaign is about reigniting the Japanese spirit, proving that once again this nation can rise up and help a global standard, set a global standard with Web3. We created a fascinating revival manga series based on true events. The first edition has already come out and it's going extremely well here in Japan. And we also're also going to be launching collector coins that celebrate Japan's values and help community projects. And these collector coins, they're going to be coming out in in different series. But I think what's most important to understand is that this revival is not just about Japan. It's it's also symbolic. So it represents something much bigger for the world. Web one and web two connected the world. But along the way, we lost privacy and we lost ownership. So Web3 gives us a chance to take that back. And that's why we're so passionate about this, this project and about Web3. But this revival is about people regaining control over their data, over their privacy, value, and ownership. So it's not solely about Japan's rise, it's a global revival of gaining back trust in money, in privacy, in autonomy, and in human connection. Because in the end, what we're really reviving is people. So that's our goal with the revival.

Joeri Billast: 22:08

Amazing. Now, Lani, you're so passionate about the project. And I guess my listeners now they want to know more. And they all they also see me posting about it and about RYO. And sometimes I go to conferences and they ask me about RYO. So, yeah, for those people that are now listening and they want to be part of the project, where should they start if they are outside of Japan?

Lani Dizon: 22:31

Yeah, well, you can everybody can already be part of the RYO project and this and this movement, no matter where you are. So there's actually different ways that you can connect with us now. The first thing is you can download the life wallet on iOS and then Android's on the way. But on lifewallet.app, you'll you can notice at the very bottom it has all the countries that the life wallet is has launched into, and then the countries that are pending. And then if you want, if you don't see your country and you want to add the country, then just you know, click that button to request it. And then the second thing is you can get involved with the RYOchan presale now while they're while early pricing is still available on RYOChan.com. And then you can also follow and engage with our online RYO Digital community. We would really love that. We built a community in Japan of hundreds of thousands of people, you know, it actually that stem from our health and wellness and entrepreneurial companies from before, but we really need to, you know, increase the our engagement and our exposure globally. And so it would be really great if Olive followed us there. Then the other thing is you can obtain RYOCoin. It's on Global Exchanges now. Just visit RYOcoin.com for the list of exchanges. Plus, there was just an announcement today that we are listing on BitTrue, B-I-T-R-U-E, another exchange as well on October the 15th in five days at 12 p.m. Japan Center Time. And then for those who are interested, we also have uh through Zenza Capital a first of its kind crypto convertible bond. And you could visit RYOBond.com for that or or get in touch with Yuri. And then for the Japan revival that we were talking about, uh it's japan-revival.com and you could subscribe for more news on that. But you know, with with our project RYO, you know, like I mentioned, we've been working on this for so long. It's been it's been really tough. We're unlike a lot of, we're unlike all of the other projects that have been launching globally because we have to comply within the standards and the regulations here in Japan. You know, but but we are very happy with all of the progress that we've made. We're very proud of this ecosystem that we've created. And you know, I truly appreciate everyone for taking a moment to learn more, to get involved, and truly become part of our DNA and journey. And Yurti, I especially thank you for being our Europe ambassador and for all that you do and doing everything that you can to expose the RYO project, but most importantly, for your belief and support.

Joeri Billast: 25:28

Thank you so much, Lani, for the beautiful words. Thank you so much for sharing your passion on this podcast episode. So many things happened. I will share this with everyone that already showed interest in RYO, that asked me questions because you gave all the answers. And it's always good to get the answers, you know, from one of the founders. So thank you so much, Lani. It was such a pleasure to have you on the show.

Lani Dizon: 25:51

Thank you so much, Yuri. And I always appreciate what your podcast stands for, and that's the reason why we are sponsors of this podcast.

Joeri Billast: 26:00

Thank you so much.

Lani Dizon: 26:01

And everyone, thank you for listening to everyone.

Joeri Billast: 26:04

Guys, what an amazing episode. So if you are interested in RYO, check out the blog article. All the links that Lani mentioned will be found in there. If you're not yet following RYO on the social channels, go ahead and for sure do this. You can also connect between if you haven't, because I'm regularly sharing updates about RYO. So if you think this episode is useful for people around you, you know that might want to learn about crypto or buy their first crypto, well, send them this episode because then they can get their hands on crypto. Also, if you haven't given me a review yet for the podcast, please do that because if you give me these five stars, I will reach an even bigger audience. And of course, I would like to see you back next time. Take care.