The News Agents Coining It with Lewis Goodall | Ep 3 - Coining It
Oct 18, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Stephen Boyes, financial advisor and friend of James Parker, shares gripping insights from a high-stakes trip to Dubai. They planned to convert glitchy Bitcoin into cash, but tensions rose when Coinspot accused James of theft just before their flight. Stephen recounts their nerve-wracking decision to proceed, meeting a broker, Jamal, who promised deals in gold and cash. They navigated challenges of carrying millions and the legal gray areas of their actions, all while exploring Dubai's opulent crypto scene.
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From Mouldy Flat To Lavish Spending
- James Parker rose from poverty to sudden wealth in Blackpool by exploiting a Bitcoin exchange glitch.
- He celebrated lavishly, buying cars and treating friends while showing them the glitch too.
Early Crypto Infrastructure Was Fragile
- In 2017 crypto exchanges were rudimentary and slow, making transfers and reconciliations chaotic.
- That fragility created opportunities for exploitation and delayed detection of anomalies.
Airport Call That Changed Everything
- James and Stephen flew to Dubai to meet 'Jamal', the broker who could convert their Bitcoin into cash and gold.
- At Manchester Airport they received calls from Coinspot accusing James of stealing £34m worth of Bitcoin.