{"id":"farokh-sarmad","title":"Farokh Sarmad","content":"**Farokh Sarmad** is a media host, interviewer, and entrepreneur active in the [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) space. He is the founder of the decentralized media platform [Rug Radio](https://iq.wiki/wiki/rug-radio) and serves as the president of DASTAN. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-uNSGgm1XRQ)\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ms4yQV0IvmU)$$\n\n# Education\n\nSarmad pursued legal studies at two institutions in Montreal. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Université de Montréal in 2014. He continued his education at the Université du Québec à Montréal, where he completed a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Law in 2017. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-2cikmMcZJ5)\n\n# Career\n\nSarmad's early career included a sales position at Influence-U in Montreal from 2010 to 2013. He gained legal experience through an internship at the law firm André Dorais Avocats between 2013 and 2014, where he was involved in research related to corporate law, civil litigation, and real estate law. In 2015, he founded Goodlife Media & Communications Inc., a digital marketing and social media management company. The firm managed several social media channels, including a luxury lifestyle account called \"Mr. Goodlife\" on platforms such as Tumblr and Instagram, which garnered a substantial online following. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m2T0XFyM6e)\n\nIn 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarmad became a prominent host on the audio-based social platform Clubhouse. He hosted discussions on topics such as marketing, social media, and business, interviewing a variety of entrepreneurs and public figures. His experiences on Clubhouse led to an interest in the emerging fields of [non-fungible tokens (NFTs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) and [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3). He subsequently shifted his professional focus toward decentralized technologies and digital ownership. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-vJ802pDYFx) [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m2T0XFyM6e)\n\nOn January 11, 2022, Sarmad launched [Rug Radio](https://iq.wiki/wiki/rug-radio), a decentralized media platform designed to support independent creators through [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology. The project aims to create an ecosystem where content creators and consumers share in the value generated. In December 2023, he also assumed the role of president at DASTAN, a Montreal-based organization. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m2T0XFyM6e) [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-2cikmMcZJ5)\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=6igLlmYp3xo)$$\n\n# Interviews\n\n## Bitcoin and Art\n\nOn The Ledger Podcast in April 2025, Sarmad and Danny Yang discussed the evolving relationship between [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) and art during an event in Paris, reflecting on the growth of the art-on-[Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) ecosystem over the past two years since the launch of OnChainMonkey (OCM). They explored the differences between [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) and [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin), noting that while [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) facilitated easier art creation through its [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) capabilities, [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) had historically been limited in this regard. Despite being in the early days of the [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) art scene, the conversation highlighted the increasing institutional and individual adoption of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin), with both guests expressing optimism about its future. They also mentioned the ongoing development of art collections on [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) and the challenges faced by artists in launching projects on this [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) compared to [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum). [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-XMg4H33ikm)\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=k2vPwzWg9Xc)$$\n\n## Interview with CZ\n\nOn the Farokh Radio podcast, Sarmad interviewed [Binance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance) CEO [Changpeng \"CZ\" Zhao](https://iq.wiki/wiki/changpeng-zhao), who reflected on his experiences during and after prison, describing how the challenges reshaped his priorities and strengthened his focus on family and health. He shared a mixed outlook on [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency), noting both the volatility driven by [memecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/memecoins) and the importance of utility-based projects, while also discussing the roles of [centralized](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cex-centralized-exchange) and [decentralized exchanges](https://iq.wiki/wiki/decentralized-exchange) as gateways to [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain). [CZ](https://iq.wiki/wiki/changpeng-zhao) highlighted the current US administration’s pro-[crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) stance as a positive development but criticized traditional media’s portrayal of [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) leaders. He concluded with a cautious yet optimistic view of the industry’s future, emphasizing that he prefers mentoring new entrepreneurs over returning to a CEO role. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-eecT75YH5V)\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=n1W5VbLFZtw)$$\n\n## The Rise of Rug Radio\n\nOn the Buster Show podcast in March 2023, Sarmad discussed the rise of [Rug Radio](https://iq.wiki/wiki/rug-radio), a media platform centered around decentralized conversations. Reflecting, he noted that the journey began during the early days of the pandemic when he and the host engaged in extensive discussions on collectibles, gaming, and the emergence of [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft), especially through platforms like Clubhouse. They experimented with various formats, eventually transitioning to Twitter Spaces and focusing on creating a community-driven media company that empowered both participants and creators. As interest in [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) surged, Sarmad observed a transformation in the cultural landscape, characterizing it as a digital Renaissance that encouraged artistic expression and entrepreneurship within the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) ecosystem. Ultimately, [Rug Radio](https://iq.wiki/wiki/rug-radio) emerged as a hub for engaging content and community building, aiming to provide a foundational space for individuals looking to navigate the evolving world of [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) and [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft). [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-KynBO7E7lg)\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y3HOmGBvNHM)$$\n\n## Content Creation in Web3\n\nIn October 2022, Sarmad discussed his experiences in the [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) space, notably founding [Rug Radio](https://iq.wiki/wiki/rug-radio), on the NGMI Podcast. Based in Montreal and originally from Paris, Sarmad detailed his journey through various social media platforms, starting with Tumblr, then moving to Instagram, and finally to Clubhouse, where he pioneered live social audio discussions focused on [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft). His determination led him to establish [Rug Radio](https://iq.wiki/wiki/rug-radio) as a decentralized media company, aiming to empower creators and build a community driven by participation and rewards. Throughout the conversation, he emphasized the importance of consistency and engagement in content creation, sharing personal stories about navigating criticism and building a following in the evolving [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) landscape. Sarmad remained optimistic about the future of [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft), believing that industry growth would continue to be driven by innovative developments and a stronger appreciation for the technology behind digital assets. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-vJ802pDYFx)\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=X889JXAVwY8)$$","summary":"Farokh Sarmad is a media host, interviewer, and entrepreneur in the Web3 space. 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