Bankless Why Pro Athletes Are Betting on Bitcoin, Crypto & Prediction Markets | Tristan Thompson & Paul Grewal
Oct 27, 2025
Tristan Thompson, NBA star and web3 entrepreneur, joins Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer of Coinbase, to discuss why athletes are embracing crypto. They explore the shift towards Bitcoin for financial control and the challenges of trusting traditional advisors. Paul shares insights on stablecoin rewards and regulatory battles, while Tristan introduces his innovative app, basketball.fun, which tokenizes NBA players. They delve into the implications of prediction markets versus sportsbooks and emphasize the need for transparency in crypto regulation.
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Crypto’s Adrenaline Rush
- Tristan says crypto gives him the same adrenaline rush as a Game 7 NBA Finals.
- That emotional intensity helps explain athletes' strong attraction to crypto.
Crypto As Athlete Hedge And Upside
- Tristan frames crypto as both a hedge and a high-upside investment for athletes.
- He argues returns in crypto can far exceed traditional bank or money-market offerings.
From Nothing To Millions
- Tristan recounts rising from poverty and suddenly getting millions at 19 when he entered the NBA.
- That background fuels his distrust of strangers managing athletes' money and drives crypto adoption.