What's next on crypto's chopping block?

4 snips

Nov 28, 2022

Market trends are feeling the heat from protests in China, with stock indices and cryptocurrency values taking a hit. BlockFi’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy raises questions about the intertwined crypto universe. Meanwhile, Amazon faces challenges in India and the newly launched all-women venture firm Pact aims for sustainable investments. Lastly, management changes at the fintech startup Pipe spark rumors of tension beneath the surface. The future of the cryptocurrency landscape is looking uncertain as it begins to shift toward a hybrid model.

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INSIGHT

Crypto Winter and FTX Fallout

The cryptocurrency market is experiencing a downturn, impacting Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Several crypto companies, including BlockFi, Voyager, and Celsius, face bankruptcy proceedings due to FTX's collapse.

ANECDOTE

BlockFi Bankruptcy

BlockFi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after pausing withdrawals.
This was linked to FTX's collapse, as FTX had provided BlockFi with a credit line and purchase option.

INSIGHT

Web 2.5 Emergence

FTX's collapse will likely lead to a hybrid model between Web2 and Web3.
Startups might reshape, integrating Web2 elements or seeking funding outside traditional VC.

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It's me! Hi! (I'm not the problem, just the podcast's host, here to bring you the latest greatest in startup and tech news this fine Monday morning). Welcome back to Equity, the podcast about the business of startups, where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines. And for those of you who hummed the first sentence of this post, extra points to you.

I'm starting things off this week as a test run before Alex heads on paternity leave. We have lots to get to, so shake off the holiday feels and let's remember how this ecosystem works?

Here's what we got to:

The markets are broadly down, due to COVID-19 protests breaking out in China.
Blockfi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Our crypto reporter Jacquelyn Melinek has more on what happened - and she explains just how intertwined this universe is. I'll also get to notes I took from our recent crypto conference and how the reality may be looking like Web 2.5 before it looks like Web 3.0.
We also talk about Amazon's three-pronged retreat, and the common thread of India between them all.
After that, some good news from all-women led venture firm Pact and its debut fund. More funding for climate startups, please. Tim keeps writing about really cool ones.
We end with a note on Pipe, a $2 billion fintech that announced all of its co-founders are stepping down from their roles last week. Soon after that decision was announced, rumors and allegations began flying about tensions under the hood at the fintech. Mary Ann Azevedo has the story and keep reading the site today for the follow up. As I said on Twitter, on one end, when three founders step down in a single moment, people are undoubtedly going to talk and worry (out loud) about the stability of the company.

That was fun. Thanks for letting me spend a bit of your Monday with you. More to come! You can follow me on Twitter @nmasc_ or on Instagram @natashathereporter.

Equity drops at 7 a.m. PT every Monday and Wednesday, and at 6 a.m. PT on Fridays, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotifyand all the casts. TechCrunch also has a great show on crypto, a show that interviews founders, one that details how our stories come together, and more!

Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

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