Michael Rinko

Michael Rinko, a research analyst at Delphi Digital, joins independent researcher Jay to delve into Coinbase's intriguing business model. They discuss the company's evolution from reliance on trading fees to diversifying revenue streams like staking and USDC. The pair highlight Coinbase's strategic offshore expansion to navigate regulatory challenges, and its role as a custodian for Bitcoin ETFs. With $COIN's value plummeting, they explore the implications of market dynamics, institutional lending, and innovative approaches shaping Coinbase's future.

The conversation explores the concept of attention as a driving force in the crypto market, particularly in the context of meme coins. It discusses how attention influences demand and behavior, and how it can be a valuable asset in itself. The conversation also touches on the importance of distribution and capturing attention in the success of crypto projects. It examines the role of fundamentals in the market and how attention can drive price and technology improvements. The conversation concludes with a discussion on how crypto has the potential to disintermediate the Web2 model of monetizing attention through the use of tokens. The conversation explores the impact of meme coins and the attention economy on the crypto space. It discusses the beauty of meme coins as they are not trying to be something they are not, and the pure speculation they represent. It also highlights the difficulty of disintermediating incumbents in the web2 space and the importance of the application layer in web3. The conversation delves into the potential of tokens as a new distribution channel and the ability to connect creators with fans. It also explores the role of AI in changing the way we interact with the internet and the potential for AI to disrupt the advertising business models of big tech giants. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the net impact of meme coins and the attention economy on the crypto space. Kevin's Twitter - https://x.com/Kevin_Kelly_II Michael's Twitter - https://x.com/mrink0 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Inspiration for the Report 04:25 The Long-Term Value of Attention 09:44 Distribution Channels and Capturing Attention 23:40 Disintermediating the Web2 Model with Tokens 33:38 The Beauty and Speculation of Meme Coins 34:57 The Importance of the Application Layer in Web3 40:16 Tokens as a New Distribution Channel 46:42 The Potential of AI in Changing Internet Interaction 53:40 Debating the Net Impact of Meme Coins and the Attention Economy Disclosures This podcast is strictly informational and educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any tokens or securities or to make any financial decisions. Do not trade or invest in any project, tokens, or securities based upon this podcast episode. The host and members at Delphi Ventures may personally own tokens or art that are mentioned on the podcast. Our current show features paid sponsorships which may be featured at the start, middle, and/or the end of the episode. These sponsorships are for informational purposes only and are not a solicitation to use any product, service or token.