701Chain

North Dakota community banker Bernie Sinner has taken his expertise to the national stage as a newly elected Class A Director for the Minneapolis Federal Reserve. In this episode, he shares how his decades long journey, from ag lending to leading BankNorth, prepared him to represent the 9th District, elevate North Dakota’s voice in federal policy conversations, and collaborate with BND on innovations like Roughrider Coin that could shape the future of banking.

In this episode of 701Chain, Don Morgan, BND president and CEO, joins hosts Devon Smith and Michael Lehn for a dynamic conversation about the evolving work at Bank of North Dakota. Through a fast-paced fact-check segment, they dig into topics like Roughrider Coin, BND’s mission, ongoing education efforts, and the future of North Dakota’s unique banking model.

701Chain Recap spotlights major industry shifts from regulatory updates like the FDIC’s Genius Act and the Clarity Act, to the rise of AI-powered wealth advisory services and stablecoin innovations. Special guest Craig Hanson, Chief Banking Officer at Bank of North Dakota, shares insights on how local financial institutions are adapting, emphasizing the importance of community relationships and holistic banking.

Whether you are AI curious, AI skeptical or already experimenting, this episode of 701Chain gives you a practical view of what AI does well, what it misses, and what comes next for financial institutions.

With digital asset discussions expanding beyond retail audiences, this two part series outlines what institutions need to understand right now.

 

Key themes emerged from Bitcoin 2026 and Consensus 2026. Focusing on the regulatory changes, payment developments, and operational considerations are becoming increasingly relevant for community banks and credit unions. Across both episodes, industry experts from BND and Crowe, LLC highlight how digital asset conversations are evolving inside traditional finance settings and what financial institutions should be aware of as policy, risk expectations, and market activity continue to shift.

With digital asset discussions expanding beyond retail audiences, this two part series outlines what institutions need to understand right now.

 

Key themes emerged from Bitcoin 2026 and Consensus 2026. Focusing on the regulatory changes, payment developments, and operational considerations are becoming increasingly relevant for community banks and credit unions. Across both episodes, industry experts from BND and Crowe, LLC highlight how digital asset conversations are evolving inside traditional finance settings and what financial institutions should be aware of as policy, risk expectations, and market activity continue to shift.

 

In this month’s 701Chain recap, Michael Lehn and Devon Smith break down the biggest fintech and digital‑asset developments from May. From Circle’s AI‑powered financial infrastructure and new stablecoin use cases, to fresh regulatory clarity, accelerated payment modernization, and global advances in tokenization, this episode delivers a fast, focused look at the trends shaping financial institutions.

Chief Investment Officer Derek Binstock of Bravera Wealth joins 701Chain to discuss how AI, tokenization, and new trading behaviors are reshaping wealth management. From navigating market noise to preparing the next generation of investors, Derek offers a grounded look at the evolving financial landscape.