Crypto Critics' Corner

Bennett and Cas discuss Wyre, another cryptocurrency payments processor involved with fraud. Protos coverage of Ryan Breslow's many disasters Protos coverage of Wyre problems This episode was recorded on October 20th, 2023.

Molly White, newsletter writer, discusses ongoing testimony of Sam Bankman-Fried. Topics include his memory discrepancies, defense tactics, FTX's loss, decision to bypass risk engine, and trial tactics.

Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried testifies in the trial. Topics discussed include liquidity of exchanges, defense strategy, implementation of 'allow negative' feature, credibility of testimony, and reflections on the trial experience.

Katie Baker from The Ringer joins the hosts to discuss the trial, social media's role, and her recent article. Topics include the trial's impact on Twitter, the prosecution's storytelling skills, speculation on Sam Bankman-Fried testifying, bank and wire fraud, defense strategy, collateral damage, and courtroom proceedings.

Danny Nelson, a CoinDesk reporter covering the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, joins Bennett and Cas to discuss the ongoing trial and the testimony of Nishad Singh and Can Sun. They delve into topics like contradictions in Singh's claims, the defendants' extravagant lifestyle, the illusion of billionaires, responsible usage of stolen funds, and the lack of awareness of FTX's former lawyer. They also speculate on trial proceedings and Sam Bankman Fried taking the stand.

The podcast discusses the intriguing story of Moonstone Bank, its connection with FTX and Deltec Bank, and the overvaluation of the bank. It also explores the strategies used to establish banking partnerships in the crypto industry and the aftermath of the revelations about Moonstone Bank. The regulatory approach towards banks and the importance of US banking access are also explored.

Nikhilesh De of CoinDesk joins the podcast to discuss the ongoing trial of Sam Bankman-Fried. The interesting topics covered include the testimony of witnesses Gary Wang and Carolyn Ellison. They explore the implications of lying in the trial, Carolyn's testimony and her portrayal of her relationship with Bankman-Fried, Ellison's testimony about alleged Chinese government bribery, a funds freezing scheme, wire fraud rumors, and the judge's frustration during the trial. The podcast also analyzes the trial proceedings and defense strategy.

The podcast discusses the challenges faced by cryptocurrency companies in obtaining bank accounts, including the reduction in banking partners for Circle and the SEC lawsuit against Coinbase and Binance. It explores the parallels between payment processors in online poker and cryptocurrencies, as well as the difficulties of obtaining banking services for crypto companies. The chapter also touches on the future predictions for cryptocurrency companies' ability to get bank accounts.

Guests Adam Yedidia, Gary Wang, and Matt Huang discuss the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, revelations about FTX, flawed insurance fund calculations, and updates on the defense strategy and Cascoin. Things aren't going well for Sam in the trial.

Discussion on the SEC's settlement with the creators of Stoner Cats NFT and its implications for NFTs offering royalties, exploring the attention on NFTs by the SEC and the complexities of classifying NFTs as securities in the art market.