In this episode of the Mr. Beacon Podcast, we explore the evolving world of distributed ledger technologies with José Cantera, Tech Analyst and Project Lead at the IOTA Foundation.
Then we chat with Ersan Günes, SVP Product IoT / Head of AI at Inpixon. Ersan brings unique insight into how AI is augmenting IoT in real-world industrial contexts. He discusses how Inpixon—a Gartner-recognized leader in indoor location—has evolved through strategic acquisitions, including technologies like Chirp, a spread-spectrum alternative to Bluetooth and UWB. Ersan explains why Chirp excels in environments such as mines and manufacturing plants, and how it compares to other location technologies.
Blockchain may have been overhyped in its early days, but José makes a compelling case for how distributed ledger systems — and IOTA’s unique tangle architecture — are now solving real-world problems across global supply chains. Moving beyond speculation and crypto chatter, this conversation explores how IOTA’s open-source, energy-efficient infrastructure is enabling transparency, trust, and collaboration between businesses, regulators, and consumers.
José explains how IOTA differs from traditional blockchains and why its architecture is ideally suited for data-driven ecosystems, not just financial transactions. He unpacks how this technology is being applied to projects like Twin, a major IOTA-led initiative improving food visibility and certification in Africa and the UK. Twin uses distributed ledgers to verify product origins, prevent fraud, and empower developing countries to trade more fairly in global markets.
The discussion also touches on Europe’s Digital Product Passport and upcoming sustainability regulations that are accelerating digital transformation in manufacturing, agriculture, and retail. José shares insights from IOTA’s collaboration with the European Commission to develop scalable, energy-efficient blockchain infrastructure — and why these efforts matter for the future of sustainable trade.
If you’ve ever wondered where blockchain actually makes sense, how digital identity, IoT, and AI converge in supply chain visibility, or why open-source trust frameworks are essential for the circular economy, this episode will make you smarter about it all.
Join us as we untangle the myths of blockchain and explore how IOTA is turning technology into trust — one transaction, shipment, and digital twin at a time.
Jose’ Favorite Songs:
- “It’s The End Of The World” by R.E.M.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY
- “Chariots Of Fire” by Vangelis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a-HfNE3EIo
- “Philadelphia” by Bruce Springsteen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z2DtNW79sQ
Mister Beacon is hosted by Steve Statler, CEO of ambientChat.ai — Using AI to connect people with places and things with an app that puts you in control of YOUR data..
Our sponsor is Identiv https://www.identiv.com, whose IoT solutions create digital identities for physical objects, enhancing global connectivity for businesses, people, and the planet. We are also sponsored by Blecon http://www.blecon.net. Blecon enables physical products to communicate with cloud applications using Bluetooth Low Energy.