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Unchained podcast

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Unchained

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  Laura Shin  

Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world. Disclosure: I'm a nocoiner.

Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world. Disclosure: I'm a nocoiner.

 

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#798

Why Sony Launched Soneium, an Ethereum L2, and Blacklisted Some Memecoins - Ep. 767

This week, Sony launched the mainnet for Soneium, its Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain built on the OP Stack from Optimism. Soneium is designed to support creators, developers, and fans through tools like Sony’s NFT-based Fan Marketing Platform and Soneium Spark. However, Soneium’s launch has sparked controversy. Its decision to blacklist some memecoins—over intellectual property concerns—has raised questions about the balance between decentralization and protecting creators’ rights. Even Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin weighed in, highlighting the tradeoffs businesses face in Web3. In this episode, Sota Watanabe, director of Soneium, delves into the memecoin controversy, and explains the vision for the platform, their commitment to IP protection, and what’s next for Soneium in entertainment and finance. Plus, at the end of the episode, Laura speaks to Ari Gore, head of communications at Zengo Wallet, about protecting your private keys and your cryptocurrencies from natural disasters.  Show highlights: ---01:52 Why Sony decided to launch a layer 2 on Ethereum ---05:39 How Soneium will work with creators to support them ---11:29 Sota’s response to the backlash about blacklisting memecoins ---18:46 How Soneium protects IP rights ---23:56Why Soneium attracts people from certain demographics ---27:05 What the L2 blockchain will focus on next ---27:05 Tips to protect your crypto safe from natural disasters ---34:47 News Recap  Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Stellar Build Better] (https://betteron.stellar.org/) --- [Quai Network] (http://qu.ai/) --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) Guests --- [Sota Watanabe] (https://x.com/WatanabeSota) , director of Soneium --- [Ari Gore] (https://x.com/ArielMGore) , head of communications at Zengo Wallet Links --- [Soneium Mainnet: Invoking Emotion And Empowering Creativity] (https://soneium.org/en/blog/soneium-mainnet-is-live) --- [Tweet] (https://x.com/PopPunkOnChain/status/1879048432834560262) by PopPunkOnChain --- [Tweet] (https://x.com/0xKawz/status/1879032105767928026) by 0xKawz --- [Tweet] (https://x.com/vitalikbuterin/status/1879560670150017068?s=46&t=jalJsCZZQAGOJ3L-bvfu9g) by Vitalik  --- [Tweet] (https://x.com/donnoh_eth/status/1879210463952818472) by donnoh_eth --- [Soneium's Philosophy for Responsible Innovation] (https://soneium.org/en/blog/philosophy-for-responsible-innovation) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

17 Jan 2025

48 MINS

48:52

17 Jan 2025

#797

The Chopping Block w/ Guy Young: Lessons from USD0, Ethena's Bold Vision, and DeFi’s Future - Ep. 76...

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, we’re joined by Guy Young, CEO and founder of Ethena Labs, to break down the hard truths behind DeFi’s most recent chaos. We dive into the USD0++ depeg and its ripple effects across the ecosystem, exploring what went wrong and the critical lessons for the future of stable assets. Plus, we discuss Ethena’s meteoric rise, Guy’s vision for synthetic dollars, and how innovative yield strategies are reshaping DeFi. Stay tuned as we debate, analyze, and uncover the hidden forces shaping crypto today. Show highlights 🔹 USD0++ Depeg Drama: A deep dive into what caused the USD0++ depeg, the mechanics behind the chaos, and the broader implications for DeFi. 🔹 Lessons on Risk Transparency: Why sudden rule changes eroded trust and how protocols can improve communication to avoid similar fallout. 🔹 Ethena’s Rise and Vision: Guy Young shares the story of Ethena’s explosive growth, its innovative synthetic dollar model, and its role in DeFi’s evolution. 🔹 The Yield Dilemma: Exploring how Ethena’s yield model works, its appeal, and the risks it carries for users and the ecosystem. 🔹 DeFi’s Distribution Problem: Why centralized exchanges remain the key to scaling synthetic assets and stablecoins like Ethena’s USD. 🔹 Transparency vs. Overconfidence: Drawing lessons from Luna’s downfall and how Ethena’s approach to clear communication sets a new standard. 🔹 Athena’s 2025 Roadmap: From DeFi integrations to TradFi adoption, what’s next for Ethena as it scales synthetic dollars globally. 🔹 Reflections on Building in DeFi: Guy Young opens up about the challenges, surprises, and rewards of leading one of DeFi’s fastest-growing projects. 🔹 2025 Predictions: The crew debates who might become this year’s “main character” in crypto and what that could mean for the market. Hosts ⭐️ [Haseeb Qureshi] (https://twitter.com/hosseeb) , Managing Partner at Dragonfly ⭐️ [Robert Leshner] (https://twitter.com/Rleshner) , CEO & Co-founder of Superstate ⭐️ [Tom Schmidt] (https://twitter.com/tomhschmidt) , General Partner at Dragonfly  Guest ⭐️ [Guy Young] (https://x.com/leptokurtic_) , CEO & Founder of Ethena Labs [Disclosures] (http://choppingblock.xyz) Timestamps  00:00 Intro 01:30 Changes to Usual Money’s Protocol 06:05 Reactions & Analysis 09:12 Lessons from USD0  18:35 Transparency vs. Miscommunication 22:42 Ethena: A DeFi Success Story 32:12 Demand for Stablecoins & Yield 36:40 Custody & Market Structure Post-FTX 43:58 Handling Negative Yields and Market Corrections 48:22 Ethena's Roadmap and Future Plans 55:53 Reflections on Building Ethena Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

16 Jan 2025

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:15

16 Jan 2025

#796

Bits + Bips: AI Jobs Wipeout, Bitcoin as a Risk-Off Asset and Few Rate Cuts - Ep. 765

This week, Bloomberg’s James Seyffart, Lumida’s Ram Ahluwalia, and guest Tom Dunleavy explore whether the “Fed pivot” is officially dead, how AI will impact the job market, and what Tether’s move to El Salvador means for U.S. stablecoin policy. They also debate whether bitcoin could ever be a risk-off asset, how sovereign nations might already be accumulating BTC, and what the Coinbase legal win against the SEC signals for the future. Plus, why volatility is still king in crypto and what lies ahead for the global markets. Show highlights: ---02:12 Whether the “Fed pivot” is officially dead and whether rate cuts are coming ---08:37 What the impact of AI will be on the jobs market ---13:27 Why the markets have been chopping so much and whether it’s the bottom ---18:00 What Trump could achieve for the crypto industry in his first 100 days ---23:02 Whether the US sold the Silk Road bitcoin ---25:27 Why bitcoin will not be a risk-off asset in the near term according to Tom and Ram ---31:08 Whether sovereign nations have already started buying bitcoin ---36:49 Why Tether moving to El Salvador is a loss to the U.S., according to Ram ---40:26 How the L.A. fires will have an impact on the political landscape in the U.S. ---52:06 How Coinbase just achieved a “huge win” against the SEC Sponsors: --- [Stellar Build Better ] (https://betteron.stellar.org/) --- Hosts: --- [James Seyffart] (https://twitter.com/JSeyff) , Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence --- [Ram Ahluwalia] (https://x.com/ramahluwalia) , CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Guest: --- [Tom Dunleavy] (https://x.com/dunleavy89?lang=en) , Partner at Master Ventures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

15 Jan 2025

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:28

15 Jan 2025

#795

How New Stablecoin Startup Bridge Got Acquired by Stripe for $1.1 Billion - Ep. 764

In October, the crypto industry saw a jaw-dropping acquisition: Bridge, a stablecoin-focused company, was bought by Web2 payments giant Stripe for $1.1 billion. Now, three months later, Bridge co-founder Zach Abrams opens up about the wild journey that led to this moment, from navigating collapses like Terra’s UST and USDC’s depegging, to securing compliance and fraud prevention as core priorities. Zach also delves into his vision for the future of stablecoins, whether the U.S. dollar will continue to dominate, and why global financial infrastructure needs an upgrade. Plus, he recounts how timing and resilience helped Bridge stand out amidst massive industry challenges. Show highlights: ---01:49The problems of the payments system and how stablecoins could solve them ---13:35 What Bridge is, how it works and what types of consumers it serves ---19:33 What significant inconveniences Bridge found throughout its journey ---25:56 How Zach’s background in Coinbase influenced the launch of Bridge ---30:20 Whether there will be multiple stablecoins or just a couple of winners ---33:49 How Bridge worked with their customers to improve its product ---39:35 The story of how Bridge was acquired by Stripe for $1.1 billion ---46:37 Whether its dependence on banks is a problem for Bridge ---53:02 How Bridge deals with fraud and compliance  ---59:50 What Zach thinks about the competition in the stablecoin landscape ---1:04:37 Why Zach believes that the fiat infrastructure landscape is still Bridge’s main competitor ---1:10:08 Whether the U.S. dollar will remain the overwhelmingly predominant currency in stablecoins Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Stellar Build Better] (https://betteron.stellar.org/) --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) Guest: --- [Zach Abrams] (https://x.com/zcabrams) , Co-founder of Bridge Links ---Recent coverage of Unchained on stablecoins: --- [How This Stablecoin Business in Africa Is Taking on SWIFT and Big Banks] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/how-this-stablecoin-business-in-africa-is-taking-on-swift-and-big-banks/) --- [Why Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev Is Betting Big on Crypto, Stablecoins, and Prediction Markets] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/why-robinhood-ceo-vlad-tenev-is-betting-big-on-crypto-stablecoins-and-prediction-markets/) ---CNBC: [Stripe's $1.1 billion deal for crypto firm Bridge marks much-needed win for VCs] (https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/23/stripes-1point1-billion-deal-for-bridge-marks-much-needed-win-for-vc.html) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

14 Jan 2025

1 HR 15 MINS

1:15:45

14 Jan 2025

#794

Why Travis Kling Thinks Not Looking at AI Agents Would Be 'a Big Mistake' - Ep. 763

It’s been a tough week for the markets, with bitcoin gyrating from $102,400 to $92,000.  Travis Kling, CIO of Ikigai Asset Management, shares his thoughts on the selloff, whether this market dip is a cause for alarm, and how macro factors like the Fed’s rate policy and ETF dynamics are shaping the landscape.  Plus, he dives into the explosive growth of AI agents and why crypto investors should start paying attention to this new frontier. Could AI agents revolutionize crypto, or are we witnessing another bubble? Show highlights: ---01:49 Why Travis believes this market selloff was “abnormal” ---04:31 Whether he thinks the DOJ will sell Silk Road’s $6 billion worth of BTC from Silk Road ---07:36 Why Travis is supportive of a US bitcoin strategic reserve ---17:15 Why inflation and policy shifts might keep Fed rates steady ---22:30 What explains the significant outflows from bitcoin spot ETFs on Wednesday ---24:37 Whether Travis thinks the AI agent rise is a bubble  Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Stellar Build Better] (https://betteron.stellar.org/) --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) Guest --- [Travis Kling] (https://x.com/Travis_Kling) , Chief Investment Officer of Ikigai Asset Management ---Previous appearances on Unchained:  --- [With Rate Cuts and Upcoming Elections, What’s the Best Play in Crypto?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/with-rate-cuts-and-upcoming-elections-whats-the-best-play-in-crypto/) --- [With the Merge, Will Ethereum Take Over Bitcoin’s Title as Digital Gold] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/with-the-merge-will-ethereum-take-over-bitcoins-title-as-digital-gold-ep-389/) Links ---Previous coverage of Unchained on AI agents: --- [2025 Will Be a Year of Crypto Competition. Can Ethereum Make a Comeback?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/2025-will-be-a-year-of-crypto-competition-can-ethereum-make-a-comeback/) --- [With AI Agents Now Trading Crypto, What Does Their Future Look Like?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/with-ai-agents-now-trading-crypto-what-does-their-future-look-like/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

10 Jan 2025

44 MINS

44:50

10 Jan 2025

#793

The Chopping Block: Debanking Drama, Crowdsales, and the Future of Crypto Regulation - Ep. 762

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew dives deep into the FDIC’s alleged vendetta against crypto, whistleblower revelations, and the evolving dynamics of token distribution on platforms like Echo. Plus, we analyze the rise of crowdsales, explore the intersection of policy and crypto innovation, and reflect on our 2024 podcast stats with some friendly competition.  Show highlights 🔹 FDIC Scandal Unveiled: The panel discusses the whistleblower claims against the FDIC, allegations of a vendetta against the crypto industry, and the fallout from newly unredacted FOIA documents. 🔹 Echo Crowdsale Platform: A deep dive into Echo’s rise as a preferred crowdsale platform, its competition with CoinList, and its innovative token distribution model. 🔹 Regulators Under Scrutiny: Insights into systemic issues within regulatory agencies like the FDIC and parallels drawn with other organizations like the FTC. 🔹 VC Sentiment and Crowdsales: The crew explores the tension between venture capitalists and crowdsale platforms, examining fairness, community building, and strategic distribution. 🔹 KOL Rounds vs. Community Fairness: A comparison of KOL rounds and Echo’s syndicate model in balancing fairness and hype in token distribution. 🔹 Token Distribution Dynamics: Analysis of how platforms like Echo incentivize participation and create new avenues for community engagement. 🔹 2024 Podcast Stats Recap: Fun insights into which hosts spoke the most, used the most filler words, and referenced Ethereum, Solana, or Bitcoin the most in 2024. 🔹 Predictions in Review: Early check-ins on 2025 predictions and how trends like DeSci and crowdsales are already shaping the year. Hosts ⭐️ [Haseeb Qureshi] (https://twitter.com/hosseeb) , Managing Partner at Dragonfly ⭐️ [Robert Leshner] (https://twitter.com/Rleshner) , CEO & Co-founder of Superstate ⭐️ [Tarun Chitra] (https://twitter.com/tarunchitra) , Managing Partner at Robot Ventures ⭐️ [Tom Schmidt] (https://twitter.com/tomhschmidt) , General Partner at Dragonfly  [Disclosures] (http://choppingblock.xyz) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

09 Jan 2025

45 MINS

45:25

09 Jan 2025

#792

Bits + Bips: Trump Will Soon Be President. Where Will Bitcoin and Crypto Prices Go? - Ep. 761

Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark, only to slump back down on Tuesday, sparking debates about what’s next for the crypto markets. In this episode, James Seyffart and Alex Kruger are joined by Charles Edwards of quant fund Capriole Investments to break down the macro trends shaping Bitcoin’s trajectory. From Trump’s inauguration to the Fed’s looming decisions on quantitative tightening, they analyze the key factors influencing risk assets. Plus, they unpack the premium on MicroStrategy’s BTC holdings, the future of AI agents in crypto and whether AI agent swarms might someday hire humans, and their bold predictions —supercycle? SOL ETFs?—for 2025. Show highlights: ---01:54 Why bitcoin broke the $100K level again ---07:28 How the markets will react to the inauguration of Donald Trump as President ---19:09 What factors will affect the Fed’s next decision on rates ---26:38 What the premium of MSTR to its BTC holdings should be ---34:37 Why they all hate the current version of AI agents ---43:19 Why Charles likes Ethena and ENA ---45:49 Alex’s and Charles’ thoughts on what to expect in 2025: supercycle incoming? ---50:01 Alex’s analysis on the market corrections and what they teach us ---57:34 Whether James believes the spot Solana ETF will be approved this year Hosts: --- [James Seyffart] (https://twitter.com/JSeyff) , Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence --- [Alex Kruger] (http://x.com/krugermacro) , Founder of Asgard Guest: --- [Charles Edwards] (https://x.com/caprioleio) , founder of Capriole Investments  Links --- [Capriole Investments | Update #58] (https://capriole.com/update-58/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=Update58&utm_medium=email) --- [MicroStrategy just bought another $100m in Bitcoin on path to $2bn spree – DL News] (https://www.dlnews.com/articles/markets/microstrategy-buys-more-bitcoin-and-targets-2-billion-raise/) --- [With AI Agents Now Trading Crypto, What Does Their Future Look Like?] (https://youtu.be/S-XbXWfq7yo) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

08 Jan 2025

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:22

08 Jan 2025

#791

2025 Will Be a Year of Crypto Competition. Can Ethereum Make a Comeback? - Ep. 760

Ethereum, once the undisputed leader in the smart contract ecosystem, is facing intense competition from Solana, which has outpaced Ethereum on key metrics such as developer growth. Meanwhile, debates rage within Ethereum’s community over governance, scalability, and the Ethereum Foundation’s leadership. Adding to the disruption, AI agents are rapidly reshaping DeFi and token launches, reducing barriers to entry and creating new opportunities—and risks—for founders and investors. Is this the next big leap for crypto or just the latest bubble? In this episode, Marc Zeller of Aave Chan Initiative and Kain Warwick of Infinex discuss Ethereum’s future, the role of AI in DeFi, and whether Solana’s momentum will continue. They also share bold predictions for crypto in 2025 and debate whether Ethereum’s fragmented ecosystem can still deliver on its promise. Show highlights: ---03:35 Why 2024 became a turning point for the crypto ecosystem ---07:02 How AI agents could reshape onchain innovation and public discourse in 2025 ---14:47 Whether AI agents might soon compete with VCs ---22:10 Why fundamentals-driven crypto projects will gradually dominate the market, according to Marc ---26:05 Whether Solana will continue to steal Ethereum’s thunder ---37:56 Is Base cannibalistic to Ethereum? Can Base or Ethereum compete with Solana? ---42:53 Where the ETH ecosystem is headed and whether it can overcome issues of fragmentation, lack or interoperability, so many L2 tokens detracting from the ETH price ---52:30 Whether Coinbase's deep commitment to Ethereum is causing it to discriminate against Solana ---1:00:10 How Ethereum's reputation rises and falls with its price action, not its fundamentals, per Kain ---1:08:43 What the purpose is of the Ethereum Foundation and whether it should change its approach ---1:24:57 Why Kain doesn’t think the native rollups proposal is tenable  ---1:31:12 Whether Ethena is depressing the price of ETH ---1:34:00 What Kain and Marc think about crypto-specific phones, especially the Solana Seeker ---1:42:07 Kain’s and Marc’s predictions for 2025 Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Stellar Build Better ] (https://betteron.stellar.org/) --- [Robinhood & Arbitrum] (https://robinhood.com/web3-wallet/) --- [Kelp DAO] (https://kelpdao.xyz/gain/growth-vault/?utm_source=unchained) --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) Guests: --- [Marc Zeller] (https://x.com/lemiscate) , founder of Aave Chan Initiative --- [Kain Warwick] (https://x.com/kaiynne) , founder of Infinex Links ---Unchained: [Why Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev Is Betting Big on Crypto and Stablecoins] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZJz5bRxXFQ) ---Unchained: [2024 Was Solana's Best Year Yet. Can It Sustain the Momentum in 2025?] (https://youtu.be/ROOyZ9o1ylw) ---Unchained: [What's the Best Way for Ethereum to Grow? Two Ethereans Debate] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPR7ctfcerY) ---The Block: [Long-running Ethereum newsletter shutting down, cites lack of funding] (https://www.theblock.co/post/332878/week-in-ethereum-shutting-down#:~:text=The%20long%2Drunning%20Ethereum%20newsletter,that%20was%20shared%20on%20X) ---Unchained: [How Solana Beat Out Ethereum to Nab New Crypto Developers in 2024] (https://youtu.be/qvyfirgv9K0) ---Evan Van Ness’ [tweet] (https://x.com/evan_van_ness/status/1874525460060922103) on the newsletter shutdown  ---EF’s Josh Stark’s [reply] (https://x.com/0xstark/status/1875276279701742011) to Van Ness ---Unchained: [Vitalik Has Gone 'Founder Mode.' Is This Just What Ethereum Needs?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/vitalik-has-gone-founder-mode-is-this-just-what-ethereum-needs/) ---Marc’s [proposal] (https://x.com/lemiscate/status/1875543787377979460?s=46&t=69TtUb497YXgqeWelZVL2w) about the EF  ---0xMawuko’s [tweet] (https://x.com/0xMawuko/status/1875800732135563651) on ETH governance  ---Unchained: [Are Layer 2s Failing Ethereum? A New Proposal Advocates for Native L2s] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA0otaYRgSo) ---Ben Lilly’s [tweet] (https://x.com/MrBenLilly/status/1875640368445997379) on Ethena possibly suppressing the price of ETH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

07 Jan 2025

1 HR 48 MINS

1:48:59

07 Jan 2025

#790

The Chopping Block: Scarcity vs. Abundance, AI’s Crypto Role, and Virtuals - Ep. 759

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew is joined by special guest Jansen, co-founder of Virtuals, the leading AI agent launchpad. Together, they dive into the $5 billion Virtuals craze, explore the explosive rise of tokenized AI agents like AIXBT, and debate how AI is reshaping DeFi and blockchain. From the clash between scarcity and abundance to the emergence of agentic societies and decentralized economies, this episode unpacks the key trends driving the next phase of crypto innovation. Show highlights 🔹 AI and Crypto Convergence: The panel explores how AI agents are revolutionizing blockchain, tokenomics, and decentralized finance (DeFi). 🔹 Virtuals AI Launchpad: Jansen discusses Virtuals, a platform for tokenizing and crowdfunding AI-driven blockchain agents. 🔹 Autonomous AI Evolution: The rise of AI agents from basic chatbots to self-improving tools for crypto and DeFi applications. 🔹 Tokenized AI Agents: How agents like AIXBT generate revenue through trading, attention, and blockchain commerce. 🔹 Managing AI Risks: Insights into policy-based wallets and infrastructure to mitigate risks in autonomous crypto agents. 🔹 Decentralized Agent Societies: A vision for specialized AI agents collaborating in blockchain ecosystems. 🔹 Scarcity vs. Abundance in Crypto: Contrasting crypto’s scarcity-driven models with AI’s abundance and economic disruption. 🔹 AI Agent Backlash: Predictions of anti-AI sentiment as agents dominate Crypto Twitter and online communities. 🔹 Blockchain Verifiability: The role of cryptographic proofs in ensuring trust and security in AI-driven tokenized economies. 🔹 Future of AI in Crypto: Debates on sustainable applications for AI agents in trading, DeFi, and digital economies. Hosts ⭐️ [Haseeb Qureshi] (https://twitter.com/hosseeb) , Managing Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️ [Tom Schmidt] (https://twitter.com/tomhschmidt) , General Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️ [Tarun Chitra] (https://twitter.com/tarunchitra) , Managing Partner at Robot Ventures Special Guest ⭐️ [Jansen Teng] (https://x.com/ethermage) , Co-Founder and CEO of Virtuals Protocol [Disclosures] (http://choppingblock.xyz) Timestamps  ---00:00 Intro ---02:19 What Are AI Agents? ---07:23 AI Agents in Crypto ---13:04 AI-Driven Societies Emerge ---15:53 Challenges of AI Agents ---24:47 Tokenizing AI Revenue Models ---35:13 AI Crypto Predictions ---43:26 AI Influencers and Trust ---53:54 Perception of AI Content ---01:04:44 Humans vs. AI Roles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

04 Jan 2025

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:10

04 Jan 2025

#789

With AI Agents Now Trading Crypto, What Does Their Future Look Like? - Ep. 758

In this episode, Shaw Walters, founder of Eliza Labs, takes us through his journey of launching ai16z, a decentralized AI-driven investment DAO, and the explosive growth of the Eliza open-source framework. Shaw explains how AI agents are evolving beyond "reply bots" to serve as powerful tools for financial autonomy, community investment, and user empowerment. He shares the challenges of building trust between humans and AI, the possibilities of agents trading across multiple blockchains, and his vision of a world where financial freedom drives human progress. Show highlights: ---Why Shaw decided to launch ai16z ---What he believes AI agents are useful for  ---What the Eliza framework is and the role it plays being an open-source project ---Whether AI agents can be good at trading ---Why the Eliza framework works on every chain, even though there’s a focus on Solana ---How and why the AI version of Marc Andreessen was launched ---Whether ai16z will launch its own layer 1 and the details on the future launchpad ---How agents on social media could be really useful instead of being “reply bots” ---What Shaw thinks overall of the AI space and how it’ll impact human society Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) --- [Kelp DAO] (https://kelpdao.xyz/gain/growth-vault/?utm_source=unchained) Guest --- [Shaw Walters] (https://x.com/shawmakesmagic) , Founder of Eliza Labs Links ---Unchained:  --- [The Backstory of How 3 AI Agents Led to the Rise of the Hottest Memecoin, GOAT] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU1tkH228P0) --- [AI Meme Tokens Like FARTCOIN Dominate Crypto Markets, Suggesting Powerful 2025 Trend] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/ai-meme-tokens-like-fartcoin-dominate-crypto-markets-suggesting-powerful-2025-trend/) ---The Block: [AI agent platform ai16z considers tokenomics overhaul and launching Layer 1 blockchain] (https://www.theblock.co/post/332556/ai-agent-platform-ai16z-considers-tokenomics-overhaul-and-launching-layer-1-blockchain) ---Chain of Thought: [Ai16z: The Bazaar of Agents] (https://x.com/0xPrismatic/status/1872624976882512171) ---Cygaar: [How the Eliza Framework works] (https://x.com/0xCygaar/status/1874575841763770492) Timestamps: ---00:00 Intro ---03:01 Shaw’s inspiration for launching ai16z ---08:45 How AI agents are evolving beyond simple tasks ---10:28 The Eliza framework and its open-source impact ---13:22 Can AI agents excel at trading? ---21:19 Why Eliza works seamlessly across multiple blockchains ---24:08 The story behind launching Marc Andreessen as an AI character ---35:18 Plans for ai16z’s layer 1 and its future launchpad ---40:23 Transforming AI agents into more than just “reply bots” ---43:26 Shaw’s vision for AI’s role in shaping human society ---49:26 Crypto News Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

03 Jan 2025

59 MINS

59:49

03 Jan 2025

#788

2024 Was Full of Fascinating Crypto News. Here Are Its Top Moments - Ep. 757

2024 was nothing short of transformative for the crypto world. From bitcoin’s relentless climb amidst macroeconomic shifts to Solana’s continued rise amidst meme coin mania, this year saw narratives unfold that no one could have predicted.  In this special episode that has become a tradition at Unchained, Laura revisits the biggest moments of the year, featuring insightful clips from the standout guests who joined Unchained and Bits + Bips in 2024. Whether it was further institutional adoption, debates over decentralization, the victory over Gary Genser’s regulation by enforcement strategy, or the taking off of AI agents, this year marked a turning point for crypto. Tune in for a reflective journey through the year that was—and a glimpse of what lies ahead in 2025. Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) --- [Robinhood & Arbitrum] (https://robinhood.com/web3-wallet/) Highlights and Timestamps: ---03:15 | Matt Hougan on the significance of spot bitcoin ETFs ---04:31 | Jesse Pollak explains the impact of Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade ---05:43 | Eric Balchunas on the rapid adoption of bitcoin ETFs ---07:53 | Kyle Davies reflects on 3AC’s collapse ---10:11 | Carlos Domingo discusses BlackRock’s BUIDL fund ---11:13 | Sam Enzer on the reasoning behind SBF’s sentencing ---13:04 | Arthur Hayes debates the potential of a bitcoin supercycle ---15:44 | Ansem breaks down the memecoin craze ---16:42 | Eric Balchunas and Matt Hougan on ether ETF approval ---18:18 | James Seyffart on SEC politics and ETF decisions ---19:51 | Laura Brookover on the end of the Ethereum 2.0 probe ---21:08 | Bryan Pellegrino on tackling Sybil attacks with LayerZero ---23:42 | Iggy Azalea on her fascination with memecoins ---24:31 | Joe McCann on how the assassination attempt influenced Trump’s win ---25:47 | Ro Khanna on the democratic party’s stance on crypto ---26:44 | George Selgin critiques a U.S. bitcoin reserve proposal ---28:35 | Nick Tomaino on the truth-finding power of prediction markets ---29:50 | Jack Booth on TON’s viral growth strategies ---31:58 | Jeff Dorman on why the ETH sell-off was a buying opportunity ---32:29 | Caitlin Long and Michelle Kallen on their lawsuit against the Fed ---33:52 | Justin Bons on why layer 2s might be parasitic to Ethereum ---35:13 | Taylor Monahan on how North Koreans infiltrated crypto companies ---36:42 | Taylor Monahan recounts a failed North Korean job interview ---39:13 | Teng Yan on how truth terminal redefined AI and crypto ---40:36 | Ryan Salame on DOJ dealings and his guilty plea ---42:40 | Alex Kruger on Trump’s election and its crypto impact ---43:44 | Jeff Park on Uniswap and Solana’s post-election gains ---44:57 | Faryar Shirzad on the success of the FairShake PAC ---46:15 | Eric Balchunas on the importance of bitcoin ETF options ---47:26 | Cody Carbone on Paul Atkins’ nomination as SEC chair ---48:19 | Mike Selig on David Sacks as crypto and AI czar ---49:27 | French Hill on token standards under FIT21 ---50:33 | Maria Shen on Solana’s rise in new developer activity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

31 Dec 2024

52 MINS

52:47

31 Dec 2024

#787

RERUN: How to Figure Out Whether a Crypto Token Is Worth Its Trading Price - Ep. 756

Low float and high fully diluted valuation (FDV) coins have been a hot topic in crypto this year. Yet, understanding these coins' unrealized gains is critical for truly grasping their pricing. In this episode, Jose Macedo of Delphi Digital and Ari Paul of BlockTower Capital dive deep into metrics that help assess a coin’s true value. They discuss why upcoming token unlocks may put downward pressure on the market, how token unlocks could be better structured for long-term success, and whether VCs are extracting more value than they contribute. Show highlights: ---Why upcoming token unlock events are creating anxiety in the crypto market ---The role unrealized gains play in token price volatility ---How certain projects manipulate circulating supply metrics to influence perceptions ---Tips for everyday investors to uncover accurate token information ---The impact of secondary market trading on anticipated token unlock events ---Why short-term token strategies often prevail over those focused on sustained success ---Jose’s insights into why simple, time-based unlock models may outperform complex systems ---Ari’s thoughts on the SEC’s investigations into VCs and their parallels to pump-and-dump schemes ---Why many crypto projects face a bearish outlook due to pending token unlocks ---How the intersection of memecoins and VC involvement could shape the next market cycle Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) Guests: --- [Jose Macedo] (https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo) , founder at Delphi Labs --- [Ari Paul] (https://x.com/AriDavidPaul) , CIO of BlockTower Capital ---Previous appearances on Unchained: --- [Ari Paul on Why Bitcoin Is a Good Value Buy] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/ari-paul-on-why-bitcoin-is-a-good-value-buy-today-ep-95/) --- [Ari Paul of BlockTower Capital on the Crypto Downturn and Why It Could Change Direction] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/ari-paul-of-blocktower-capital-on-the-crypto-downturn-and-why-it-could-change-direction/) Links High FDV and unlocks: ---Unchained: --- [How ‘Fully Diluted Valuation’ Can Be a Very Dangerous Metric for Crypto Markets to Rely On] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/how-fully-diluted-valuation-can-be-a-dangerous-metric-for-crypto-markets/) --- [Who’s to Blame for the Underperformance of Low Float, High FDV Tokens?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/whos-to-blame-for-the-underperformance-of-low-float-high-fdv-tokens/) --- [80% of Tokens on Binance Are Down Since Listing Date: SwissBorg Researcher] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/80-of-tokens-on-binance-are-down-since-listing-date-swissborg-researcher/) ---Cobie newsletter: [New launches (part 1) - private capture, phantom pricing] (https://cobie.substack.com/p/new-launches-part-1-private-capture) ---Rocknblock: [Token vesting explainer] (https://rocknblock.io/blog/navigating-token-vesting-development-for-crypto-projects) ---CoinDesk: ['Liquid Vesting' Is Oxymoronic Blockchain Feature That Lets Early Investors Sell Without Waiting] (https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2024/05/14/liquid-vesting-is-oxymoronic-blockchain-feature-that-lets-early-investors-sell-without-waiting/) ---Jose’s [thread] (https://x.com/ZeMariaMacedo/status/1805581517466239472) that inspired the episode ---Ari’s [post] (https://x.com/AriDavidPaul/status/1805592057429254243) responding to Jose’s thread --- [Token.unlocks.app] (https://token.unlocks.app/) : Token vesting tracker Solutions: ---Hack VC: [Potential Solutions to Crypto's Unlock Problem] (https://blog.hack.vc/potential-solutions-to-cryptos-unlock-problem/) ---Colony Lab: [Early-Stage Program & Liquid Vesting] (https://www.colonylab.io) ---Imran Khan’s tweet on Blast [https://x.com/lmrankhan/status/1806040646433522149] (https://x.com/lmrankhan/status/1806040646433522149)   Timestamps: ---00:00 Intro ---02:46 Token unlocks creating market concerns ---11:06 Unrealized gains to market cap ratio impact ---13:06 Token supply manipulation tactics ---21:11 How investors can verify token projects ---24:21 Secondary market trading and unlock impacts ---35:36 Current token launch strategy persistence ---41:46 Short-term vs long-term project decisions ---47:21 Time-based vs metric-based token unlocks ---53:51 SEC investigations into VC practices ---59:56 Bearish outlook for upcoming token unlocks ---1:06:36 Investor risks in current cycle ---1:13:11 Future of VCs in crypto and memecoins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

27 Dec 2024

1 HR 24 MINS

1:24:08

27 Dec 2024

#786

2024 Was Solana's Best Year Yet. Can It Sustain the Momentum in 2025? - Ep. 755

2024 has been a transformative year for Solana. With a surge in developer activity, bold innovations in DePIN, and its ambitions to become a “decentralized Nasdaq,” the ecosystem is making waves. But are these changes enough to differentiate it from competitors like Ethereum and L2 solutions such as Base? In this episode, Lily Liu, president of the Solana Foundation, and Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius, join Unchained to discuss how Solana is carving out its niche. They debate whether Base is a serious contender, why they’re not concerned about the 2025 token unlocks, and how Solana’s unique approach to MEV could shape its future. Plus, they tackle the ecosystem’s broader challenges and why they believe Solana’s vision will endure. Show highlights: ---Why Mert feels paranoid but also vindicated  ---Why Lily started working on Solana after being known as a hardcore bitcoiner ---How Mert’s background in Coinbase led him to found Helius and become the voice of Solana online ---Whether Solana can become a place where unique innovations are built, rather than copying Ethereum ---Whether Solana can achieve its vision of a “decentralized Nasdaq” ---Why the ecosystem has attracted so many developers in 2024  ---Why Lily believes that Base is no competitor to Solana ---What network extensions actually mean, according to Mert ---How Mert responds to the criticisms around Solana’s MEV ---Why Mert and Lily are not worried about the token unlocks of 2025 ---How the Solana mobile phone will compete with the giants ---Why DePIN showcases the real value of blockchain technology Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Kelp DAO] (https://kelpdao.xyz/gain/growth-vault/?utm_source=unchained) --- [Robinhood & Arbitrum] (https://robinhood.com/web3-wallet/) --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) Guests: --- [Lily Liu] (https://x.com/calilyliu) , President of the Solana Foundation --- [Mert Mumtaz] (https://x.com/0xMert_) , CEO of Helius Links ---Unchained:  --- [Pudgy Penguins See NFT Floor Price Drop Almost 50% After PENGU Launch - ] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/pudgy-penguins-see-nft-floor-price-drop-almost-50-after-pengu-launch/) --- [Pump.fun Becomes First Solana DApp to Top $100M in Monthly Revenue] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/i/153298616/pumpfun-becomes-first-solana-dapp-to-top-m-in-monthly-revenue) --- [How Solana Beat Out Ethereum to Nab New Crypto Developers in 2024] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvyfirgv9K0) --- [Are Solana's 'Network Extensions' Just Like Ethereum's Layer 2s But by a Different Name?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/are-solanas-network-extensions-just-like-ethereums-layer-2s-but-by-a-different-name/) --- [What Are DePINs in Crypto? A Beginner’s Guide] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/depins-in-crypto/) Timestamps:  ---00:00 Intro ---02:34 Mert’s mix of paranoia and vindication about Solana ---07:08 Why Lily shifted from Bitcoin to working on Solana ---09:43 Mert’s journey from Coinbase to becoming Solana’s online advocate ---14:47 Can Solana foster unique innovations rather than mimic Ethereum? ---19:47 Solana’s vision of a “decentralized Nasdaq” vs. center of memecoin mania  ---27:54 What’s driving Solana’s surge in developer activity ---30:26 Why Lily sees Base as no real competitor ---33:04 The meaning and implications of network extensions ---37:07 Mert’s take on criticisms of Solana’s MEV approach ---42:11 Why they aren’t worried about the 2025 token unlocks ---44:26 Competing with tech giants through the Solana mobile phone ---50:48 How DePIN highlights blockchain’s true potential Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

24 Dec 2024

57 MINS

57:23

24 Dec 2024

#785

Why Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev Is Betting Big on Crypto, Stablecoins, and Prediction Markets - Ep. 754

Listen to the episode on [Apple Podcasts] (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unchained/id1123922160) , [ Spotify] (https://open.spotify.com/show/1cJrrfGY1SKBIRn5noKSAf) , [ ] (https://overcast.fm/itunes1123922160/unchained) [Pods] (https://pods.media/unchained) , [Fountain] (https://fountain.fm/show/XCVXRPNvY3wLrlMHwAMs) , [Podcast Addict] (https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4129535) , [ Pocket Casts] (https://pca.st/podcast/bb16e6b0-1469-0134-a447-13e6b3913b15) , [Amazon Music] (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f5ec630d-4dfa-4e73-baca-3f5062927c55/unchained?refMarker=null) , or on your favorite podcast platform. In this episode of Unchained, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev offers a rare glimpse into the company’s strategy. How did memes like Dogecoin become one of Robinhood’s biggest assets, onboarding millions of users? What drove its decision to embrace stablecoins, staking, and a dedicated crypto wallet—and what risks do these moves carry? As Europe’s MiCA regulations set the stage for a global crypto framework, Vlad discusses how Robinhood is positioning itself for growth, the role of prediction markets, and why blockchain could dramatically lower costs for investors. He also shares personal insights from his own experiences with hyperinflation, revealing how stablecoins might safeguard wealth for millions around the world. With crypto ETFs, regulatory shifts, and a new administration looming, here’s what he thinks is next for Robinhood—and the crypto industry. Show highlights: ---How Robinhood has been experiencing growth in the crypto retail market ---The effect of election night and Robinhood’s event contracts on trading volumes ---What Robinhood saw happened with the launch of spot ETFs in the U.S. ---How the exchange was able to attract crypto investors ---The role of MiCA in Robinhood allowing users to stake ETH and SOL ---How the company aims to enhance the user experience with the Robinhood wallet ---Why Robinhood decided to invest in Global Dollar Network, which has stablecoin USDG ---What’s on Vlad’s crypto regulation wish list under the new administration and Congress ---Whether the criteria to list crypto assets on Robinhood will change under a crypto-friendly Trump administration ---Why Vlad is so excited about prediction markets ---Why he sees blockchain technology as a tool that will ultimately help users Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) --- [Kelp DAO] (https://kelpdao.xyz/gain/growth-vault/?utm_source=unchained) Guest --- [Vlad Tenev] (https://x.com/vladtenev) , CEO of Robinhood Links ---Unchained: [Why Robinhood, a TradFi Hub, Is Growing Its Crypto Business Globally] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P3VfDUr1IM) ---Reuters: [Robinhood's top attorney Gallagher rules out SEC chair role] (https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/robinhoods-chief-legal-officer-gallagher-rules-out-becoming-sec-chair-cnbc-2024-11-22/) --- [Robinhood Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results] (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/10/30/2972043/0/en/Robinhood-Reports-Third-Quarter-2024-Results.html) --- [Robinhood to Acquire Bitstamp] (https://investors.robinhood.com/pressreleases/news-details/2024/Robinhood-to-Acquire-Bitstamp/default.aspx) --- [Spot Bitcoin ETF Options: Why You 'Can't Overstate' Their Importance] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ1WFe73miA) --- [The Legend Awakens: Introducing Robinhood Legend, Futures Trading, and Index Options] (https://newsroom.aboutrobinhood.com/the-legend-awakens/) ---Finimize: [Robinhood, Kraken, And Partners Launch New Stablecoin USDG - ] (https://finimize.com/content/robinhood-kraken-and-partners-launch-new-stablecoin-usdg) ---Decrypt: [Robinhood Launches US Presidential Election Prediction Market—For Americans Only] (https://decrypt.co/288635/robinhood-us-presidential-election-prediction-market) Timestamps  ---00:00 Intro ---02:43 Robinhood’s growth in the crypto retail market ---05:05 Election night’s surprising impact on trading volumes ---07:11 What Robinhood observed after U.S. spot ETF launches ---11:56 How the platform attracted millions of crypto investors ---16:49 MiCA’s role in enabling ETH and SOL staking on Robinhood ---19:09 Enhancing user experience with the Robinhood wallet ---21:32 Why Robinhood is betting on stablecoins ---25:37 Vlad’s crypto regulation wish list from the new administration ---30:05 Will Robinhood change its crypto listing criteria? ---32:18 Vlad’s excitement about prediction markets ---36:12 How blockchain could lower costs and empower users ---41:21 News Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

20 Dec 2024

54 MINS

54:13

20 Dec 2024

#784

The Chopping Block: 2025 Predictions, AI's Crypto Play, and U.S. Legislation - Ep. 753

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this special end-of-year episode, they recap 2024's key moments and forecast what's ahead in 2025. The team debates Bitcoin's potential to hit $180K, the impact of AI on crypto security, and upcoming U.S. crypto legislation. They also predict the rise of viral blockchain games. Join the crew as they unpack these predictions and more, offering unique insights into what the new year might bring for crypto enthusiasts. Show highlights 🔹 Bitcoin Hits New Highs: The crew debates Bitcoin's potential to reach $180K, with predictions of a significant rally and subsequent corrections. 🔹 AI Turns Crypto Scammer: A bold prediction that an AI system will become a crypto scammer makes waves, highlighting the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain security concerns. 🔹 Crypto Legislation Breakthroughs: Anticipation grows for groundbreaking crypto-specific legislation in 2025, reflecting a major shift in regulatory landscapes. 🔹 Consolidation in Crypto's Infrastructure: Predictions surface about mergers among AppChains and Layer 2 solutions due to economic pressures, signaling a major consolidation trend. 🔹 Viral Blockchain Games: The panel foresees blockchain-based games going viral, capturing mainstream attention and potentially becoming a cultural phenomenon. 🔹 DeFi's Continued Evolution: Discussions center around DeFi's comeback, its impact on the crypto market, and the evolving challenges it faces as it grows in popularity and complexity. 🔹 Surprising Crypto Predictions for 2025: The episode wraps up with each host sharing their most surprising predictions for the coming year, setting the stage for a dynamic and unpredictable future in crypto. Hosts ⭐️ [Haseeb Qureshi] (https://twitter.com/hosseeb) , Managing Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️ [Tom Schmidt] (https://twitter.com/tomhschmidt) , General Partner at Dragonfly ⭐️ [Robert Leshner] (https://twitter.com/Rleshner) , CEO & Co-founder of Superstate ⭐️ [Tarun Chitra] (https://twitter.com/tarunchitra) , Managing Partner at Robot Ventures [Disclosures] (http://choppingblock.xyz) Timestamps -  00:00 Intro 03:00 Biggest Winner 8:30 Biggest Loser 14:04 Biggest Surprise 20:50 Best New Mechanism 27:03 Best Meme 31:02 Best/Worst Pivot 38:57 Biggest Flop 44:08 Comeback Story of 2024 48:42 Favorite TCB Guest 51:18 Predictions for 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

19 Dec 2024

1 HR 05 MINS

1:05:26

19 Dec 2024

#783

Bits + Bips: Bitcoin Keeps Smashing All-Time Highs, and MSTR Joins the Big Leagues - Ep. 752

Bitcoin’s 2024 rally has been explosive, but is the next phase just beginning? In this episode of Bits + Bips, hosts Noelle Acheson, Ram Ahluwalia, and Alex Kruger are joined by Ledn’s Mauricio di Bartolomeo to unpack the forces shaping the crypto market as the year comes to a close. Mauricio explains how Ledn has grown amidst regulatory and economic shifts, and shares insights on why the “Trump put” is creating a new trading setup for crypto. The panel dissects the undercurrents behind Bitcoin’s surge, explores how MicroStrategy’s presence on the NASDAQ creates unique market dynamics, and debates how much higher BTC could climb. But they warn not to expect “buy” ratings on MSTR. Plus, they dive into why Solana underperformed in recent weeks, how Bitcoin enables capital flight (and how they may be happening from China), and what 2025 could hold for crypto. Packed with data, opinions, and a few book recommendations (well, except from Alex), this episode offers sharp analysis as 2024, a pivotal year for crypto, wraps up. Show highlights: ---Mauricio’s background and how Venezuela’s regime led him to crypto ---How Ledn works and how it’s seen substantial growth since the elections ---What’s driving this wave of growth in the price of bitcoin ---How much higher BTC will go and what the effects of the end-of-year portfolio rebalancing will be ---What the risks are for the U.S. economy ---How BTC is the easiest way to trade the Trump bump ---Whether the Chinese macro matters for crypto  ---How MicroStrategy has become a Trojan horse ---Why Alex likes XRP and ENA and why SOL has been underperforming recently ---2024 wrap-up: what everyone was most surprised about  ---Book recommendations from everyone, except Alex, who’s only focused on shitcoins Hosts: --- [Noelle Acheson] (https://x.com/NoelleInMadrid) , Author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” Newsletter  --- [Alex Kruger] (http://x.com/krugermacro) , Founder of Asgard --- [Ram Ahluwalia] (https://x.com/ramahluwalia) , CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Guest: --- [Mauricio di Bartolomeo] (https://x.com/cryptonomista) , cofounder & CSO of Ledn Links ---Unchained:  --- [Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/i/153203659/bitcoin-hits-new-all-time-high) --- [MicroStrategy Joins Nasdaq-100, Expanding Bitcoin Exposure to Billions] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/i/153203659/microstrategy-joins-nasdaq-expanding-bitcoin-exposure-to-billions) --- [Trump’s Crypto Project Spent Nearly $45M Onchain in 2 Weeks] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/i/153203659/trumps-crypto-project-spent-nearly-m-onchain-in-weeks) --- [FTX Distributions to Start in Under 2 Weeks] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/i/153248590/ftx-distributions-to-start-in-under-weeks) Timestamps: ---00:00 Intro ---01:38 Mauricio’s journey from Venezuela to crypto ---07:37 How Ledn thrived post-elections and saw major growth ---15:16 Key drivers behind Bitcoin’s explosive rally ---20:30 How high could BTC climb – and might year-end rebalancing affect the price? ---25:22 Risks facing the U.S. economy heading into 2025 ---32:47 BTC as the go-to trade for the Trump bump ---36:13 The significance of Chinese macro trends for crypto ---47:32 MicroStrategy’s role as a Trojan horse for Bitcoin adoption ---53:20 Why Alex likes XRP and ENA, but SOL is lagging ---1:02:35 Biggest surprises from 2024’s crypto market ---1:06:33 Book picks from everyone—except Alex, who’s all about shitcoins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

18 Dec 2024

1 HR 09 MINS

1:09:40

18 Dec 2024

#782

After an Incredible 2024 for USDe, Ethena Plans to Supercharge Growth - Ep. 751

USDe shattered expectations in 2024, emerging as the largest decentralized stablecoin in circulation and a game changer for DeFi. Ethena’s founder, Guy Young, joins the show to reveal how the protocol surpassed long-established giants, generating billions in fees and setting new benchmarks for yield generation. Guy also breaks down the mechanics behind Ethena’s innovative strategies, including “Aavethena,” a yield-boosting approach that’s changing how users interact with synthetic dollars. Plus, he addresses the risks: what happens when leverage goes too far, and how Ethena mitigates volatility at its core. Will Ethena bridge DeFi and TradFi, leveraging the disconnect between crypto and traditional interest rates to tap into a $100 trillion fixed-income market? Show highlights: ---Why Guy was surprised to see the rapid rise of USDe ---Why Guy is spending 80% of his time on bringing Ethena to TradFi ---The launch of Ethena’s UStb ---How regulation comes into play and the challenges in different jurisdictions ---Whether USDe could launch in the U.S. with a friendlier administration  ---Why Ethena hasn’t needed to utilize the reserve fund ---Why Guy believes Ethena has been able, at times, to surpass OG protocols like Ethereum and Uniswap in fees ---How USDe is being used across the board in DeFi applications  ---What the “Aavethena” strategy is and how it generates yield for users ---Whether USDe has brought considerable risks of liquidations ---How allowing Pendle’s PT tokens on Aave could supercharge growth ---How Ethena counters the centralization risks around exchanges ---Why Guy thinks that Ethena’s cross-chain strategy has been “pretty poor” ---How ENA has performed well despite airdrops not doing well in 2024 ---Why Guy believes this bull cycle is different  ---Why he’s expecting USDe to reach at least $15 billion in 2025 Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! --- [Polkadot] (https://polkadot.network/ecosystem/community/) --- [Robinhood & Arbitrum] (https://robinhood.com/web3-wallet/) Guest: --- [Guy Young] (https://twitter.com/leptokurtic_) , Founder of Ethena Labs ---Previous appearances on Unchained:  --- [Ethena’s USDe Grew to $2 Billion in 7 Weeks. Is It Safe?] (https://unchainedcrypto.com/ethenas-usde-grew-to-2-billion-in-7-weeks-is-it-safe/) --- [How Ethena’s USDe Challenges Traditional Stablecoin Models] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/p/how-ethenas-usde-challenges-traditional) Links ---Unchained: [Ethena’s USDe Becomes Third-Largest Stablecoin] (https://unchainedcrypto.substack.com/i/153066457/ethenas-usde-becomes-third-largest-stablecoin) ---UStB [announcement] (https://x.com/ethena_labs/status/1839258925981642834) --- [How BlackRock, the World's Largest Asset Manager, Took Crypto Mainstream] (https://youtu.be/-pdmASJlioE) ---Blockworks Research [thread] (https://x.com/blockworksres/status/1866894411638116515) on how USDe is used ---Aavethena [tweet] (https://x.com/leptokurtic_/status/1867583725254684998?s=46&t=jalJsCZZQAGOJ3L-bvfu9g) by Guy Young ---“androlloyd’s” [tweet] (https://x.com/androolloyd/status/1866127271897239597) on the level of exposure USDe has ---Unchained: [Circuit Breakers: Is ERC-7265 the Solution dApps Were Waiting For?] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exyQFCKDOyM) ---Seraphim’s tweet on the [Ethena endgame] (https://x.com/MacroMate8/status/1866441709363863729) Timestmaps: ---00:00 Intro ---01:52 The rapid rise of USDe and what surprised Guy about its ascent ---05:11 Ethena’s growth plans for 2025 ---07:36 Ethena’s role in launching UStb ---11:52 Regulatory challenges across different regions ---16:24 Could a U.S. launch for USDe happen with a friendlier administration? ---20:56 Why Ethena’s reserve fund hasn’t been tapped yet ---22:22 How Ethena surpassed OG protocols, including Ethereum, Uniswap, etc., in fees ---25:14 USDe’s growing role in DeFi applications ---27:17 The “Aavethena” strategy and how it generates yield ---30:38 Risks of liquidations tied to USDe ---33:48 Supercharging growth with Pendle’s PT tokens on Aave ---36:15 How Ethena mitigates centralization risks with exchanges ---40:39 Guy’s thoughts on Ethena’s cross-chain strategy struggles ---43:19 Why ENA has performed well despite airdrop fatigue ---48:42 Why this bull cycle feels different 52:44 Guy’s target for 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

17 Dec 2024

55 MINS

55:16

17 Dec 2024

#781

The Chopping Block: Google’s Willow Chip, ICO Resurgence, and Crypto Dev Trends - Ep. 750

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, the crew explores the resurgence of ICOs through Echo sales, diving into MegaEth’s record-breaking sale and the shifting meta of token launches. They also discuss Google’s quantum computing breakthrough with the Willow chip and its potential implications for cryptographic security in crypto. Tarun doubles down on his critique of Decentralized Science (DeSci), sparking a lively debate on its viability and accountability. Finally, the team unpacks Electric Capital’s developer report, highlighting Solana’s dominance in India and the global trends shaping crypto development. Show highlights 🔹 ICOs and Echo Sales Resurgence:The crew debates the return of ICOs, now rebranded as Echo sales, and their impact on token launches. Is the shift from airdrops to pre-sales a sustainable new meta for crypto? 🔹 MegaEth’s Record-Breaking Sale on Echo: A detailed analysis of MegaEth's $4.2M Echo sale that sold out in seconds. With a $200M FDV, the sale sparked discussions about community involvement and valuation dynamics. 🔹 Airdrops vs. Echo Sales: The panel dissects the shift in sentiment around airdrops, questioning their fairness and efficiency compared to community presales. Are Echo sales the new paradigm for engaging retail investors? 🔹 Quantum Computing and Crypto’s Future: Google’s breakthrough with the Willow chip sparks a discussion on quantum computing’s implications for cryptocurrencies. Is public key cryptography under threat, or do we have time to adapt? 🔹 The Satoshi Dilemma: Speculations about Satoshi Nakamoto’s coins and what would happen if they were ever moved. Could quantum computing make those coins vulnerable? 🔹 Decentralized Science (DeSci) Debate: Tarun doubles down on his criticism of DeSci projects, arguing they lack accountability and meaningful use cases. The team explores whether DeSci can evolve into something impactful. 🔹 Electric Capital’s Developer Report: Reactions to Electric Capital’s 2024 developer report, highlighting Asia overtaking North America in crypto developer activity, Solana’s dominance in India, and the growing trend of multi-chain developers. 🔹 Developer Efficiency in Crypto: Despite the plateauing number of developers, crypto projects demonstrate incredible efficiency. Fewer hacks, more battle-hardened code, and a shift toward higher-quality deployment signal a maturing space. Hosts ⭐️ [Haseeb Qureshi] (https://twitter.com/hosseeb) , Managing Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️ [Tom Schmidt] (https://twitter.com/tomhschmidt) , General Partner at Dragonfly ⭐️ [Robert Leshner] (https://twitter.com/Rleshner) , CEO & Co-founder of Superstate ⭐️ [Tarun Chitra] (https://twitter.com/tarunchitra) , Managing Partner at Robot Ventures [Disclosures] (http://choppingblock.xyz) Timestamps  ---00:00 Intro ---01:52 The Return of ICOs ---07:29 Airdrops vs. Community Sales ---19:27 Quantum Computing and Crypto ---28:18 Bitcoin Addresses & Quantum Computing ---32:24 DeSci Debate ---42:56 Electric Capital Developer Report ---51:35 Developer Efficiency in Crypto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit [megaphone.fm/adchoices] (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices) ... Read more

15 Dec 2024

56 MINS

56:51

15 Dec 2024