The Sidley Podcast

A brave new world of investing is now open for business, and with it, a new way to conceive of property. Tokenized real-world assets have gone mainstream. Major financial institutions are racing to tokenize everything — from U.S. treasuries, to art, to real estate, converting these assets into digital form and storing them on blockchains so they can be traded easily on new marketplaces. But the breakneck pace has fueled concern over compliance with existing laws, as Congress, regulators, and investors struggle to harness both the potential and risk of the technology. What’s in store for the tokenization of real-world assets in the U.S. and Europe? Will new legislation assuage concerns — or hinder widespread adoption? Has Europe surpassed the U.S. in regulating tokenization effectively? What is the impact of tokenization on the broader global marketplace? And what role does AI play with regard to digital assets? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Lilya Tessler, who leads Sidley’s Fintech and Blockchain group, and David Stewart, a partner in the firm’s Capital Markets practice. Together, they discuss what’s driving the surge in adoption of the tokenization of real-world assets and the related legislation in the U.S. and Europe, including the ability of these laws to drive innovation and enable entrepreneurs to create technologies. Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

President Donald Trump’s tariffs have upended world trade. And they are spawning haggling over international commerce — even between the U.S. and its closest allies. With the global economy on notice, the business community is feeling the uncertainty, as the Trump administration calibrates just how much executive power it can wield on trade without congressional input. Meanwhile, litigation has hit U.S. dockets and the World Trade Organization. What’s in store for businesses in the days and weeks ahead? Are the tariffs enforceable? Will Congress or court cases ultimately prevail against them? And how are companies and consumers responding? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Ted Murphy, a co-leader of the firm’s Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy practice, and Andy Shoyer, a partner in that practice. Together, they discuss President Trump’s goals for his tariffs, the impact on the business community and our trading partners, and what litigation is taking shape in response. Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

The GOP majority in Congress is looking to build on the Trump administration’s political and policy agenda, prioritizing tax cuts, energy reform, and border security, but tariffs could provoke a trade war that has already roiled the market and international business. Meanwhile, the administration is implementing major cuts to federal agencies — including the FDA, HHS, and NIH — and calling into question the breadth of research and development for the life sciences industry in the United States. What’s in store for businesses in the days and weeks ahead? Will the impending budget reconciliation process go smoothly? And how are tariffs impacting companies, our international trading partners, and consumers worldwide? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with three of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Michael Borden, who leads Sidley’s Government Strategies practice, Pattie DeLoatche, a senior policy advisor and a member of the firm’s Government Strategies practice, and Andy Shoyer, a partner in the firm’s Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy practice. Together, they discuss President Trump’s tariffs, the recent cuts to federal agencies, and how businesses can best navigate the evolving landscape. Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

With the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a Republican trifecta now rules the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the White House. That balance of power comes with its caveats: a GOP majority in the Senate may secure most of Trump’s cabinet picks. But the tight margins in the House may mean having to use executive orders to push through some policy priorities. Across the aisle, Democrats are re-grouping, and pinning their hopes on clawing back the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms. What’s in store for America’s relationship with other countries like China, Canada, Mexico, Russia, and Ukraine? Will proposed tariffs tank — or bolster business, trade, and the economy? And how might the nation’s healthcare legislation shift under a Republican budget? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with three of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Michael Borden, who leads Sidley’s Government Strategies practice, Pattie DeLoatche, a senior policy advisor and a member of the firm’s Government Strategies practice, and Andy Shoyer, a partner in the firm’s Global Arbitration, Trade and Advocacy practice. Together, they discuss what the new Congress may be able to accomplish and how foreign policy under the new administration could affect business. Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.

The Supreme Court made monumental moves last term, discarding the Chevron doctrine, and scrambling how regulation of the environment, public health, and consumer protection has worked for 40 years. And it granted the president of the United States vast immunity from criminal prosecution, raising alarm over how that expanded power might take shape. As the United States emerges from election season, the Supreme Court faces potential challenges on many fronts. Will proposed reforms finally take shape to restore faith in the nation’s highest court? And how will SCOTUS rule on several new cases involving commercial law? Join The Sidley Podcast host and Sidley partner, Sam Gandhi, as he speaks with two of the firm’s thought leaders on these issues — Kwaku Akowuah and Rob Hochman, co-leaders of Sidley’s Supreme Court, Appellate, and Litigation Strategies practice. Together, they discuss the Supreme Court’s monumental decisions last term and upcoming cases on the docket relating to the business community — and our culture at large. Executive Producer: John Metaxas, WallStreetNorth Communications, Inc.