Bankless

They unpack gold and silver hitting all-time highs and what that means for markets and crypto. They reveal Tether’s growing role as a major gold holder and discuss a weaker dollar narrative. They cover Fidelity’s new onchain dollar and Tether’s USA₮ move. They highlight Ethereum’s resurgence, its quantum-resistance push, and a massive MegaETH stress test. Plus mainstream prediction markets and a bizarre $40M crypto theft.

Marek Olszewski, CEO of cLabs and longtime builder of the Celo mobile-first blockchain. He discusses Celo’s focus on cheap, mobile peer-to-peer payments and real-world traction like MiniPay and Opera integration. Conversation covers stablecoins for remittances, on-chain FX and hedging, identity with Self.xyz, and why fast, low-cost payments matter globally.

Ameen Soleimani, Iranian-born activist focused on Iran’s power structures. Sana Ebrahimi, Tehran-raised PhD student and diaspora activist amplifying protests and human rights. They unpack the regime’s control stack, gender apartheid and Mahsa Amini’s spark. They discuss internet blackout tactics, corruption and the IRGC’s rule. They also probe why protests keep returning and how diaspora politics shape narratives.

Zooko Wilcox-O'Hearn, founder of Zcash and longtime privacy-minded cryptographer, talks about privacy's comeback in the AI era. He explores why UX, wallets like Zashi, and shielded ZEC matter for usable private payments. He debates Zcash’s dev fund, the ‘encrypted Bitcoin’ meme, AI-driven surveillance risks, and what it takes to keep privacy practical for everyday users.

This week, markets react to Trump's Greenland chatter and resurfacing tariff threats, causing investor nerves. Highlights from Davos reveal crypto's newfound legitimacy amidst central bank debates. The NYSE unveils a tokenized trading platform, sparking discussions on DeFi implications. Meanwhile, concerns over quantum risks lead to a crypto sell-off. Social dynamics shift as Farcaster and Lens get acquired, while payrolls now embrace stablecoins. A mix of intrigue and uncertainty defines the crypto landscape as the next Fed chair looms.

Arnav Pagidyala, an investment partner at Bankless Ventures, dives into the intense rivalries shaping crypto in 2026. He discusses Ethereum versus Solana's contrasting trajectories and the battle between Coinbase and Robinhood as finance super-apps. Arnav highlights how prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi stack up, while unpacking the resurgence of ICOs and the pressing need for regulatory clarity. He also explores the implications of proof-of-personhood for crypto's future and how AI is transforming startup dynamics.

This week, Washington's crypto landscape heats up as the CLARITY Act faces hurdles and banks aim to stifle stablecoin yields. Tension rises with Trump's DOJ probing Jerome Powell, questioning Fed independence. Meanwhile, silver prices surge as safe havens draw attention. NYC's mayor faces backlash over a meme coin fiasco, and Tom Lee invests big in MrBeast, hinting at intriguing cultural shifts in crypto. Plus, X’s ambition to morph into a crypto super app adds another layer to the ongoing digital revolution.

C. Thi Nguyen, a philosopher specializing in the ethics of games, dives deep into the hidden dangers of modern scoring systems. He explores how social media and metrics can distort our values, transforming rich experiences into mere numbers. Nguyen challenges us to question the 'games' we participate in and highlights the pitfalls of 'value capture.' He advocates for playfulness and reflective control to reclaim our agency, suggesting that we should design our own rules that align with our true values. It's a thought-provoking discussion on finding meaning amid the metrics.

In this engaging discussion, Yuval Rooz, co-founder of Digital Asset and the Canton Network, dives into the innovative world of blockchain design. He explains Canton's focus on privacy through need-to-know information sharing and its unique federated architecture. Yuval addresses the governance challenges in regulated finance and details the role of super validators. He also shares insights on the DTCC's tokenization pilot and why Canton's model emphasizes institutional utility over full decentralization. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the future of blockchain!

Dive into the evolving world of prediction markets and their impact on real-time intelligence, including recent trades around Venezuela. Discover Solana's surge in decentralized exchange volumes and Ethereum's record in stablecoin settlements. The discussion also touches on Zcash's governance crisis and its market fallout. Plus, Vitalik's bold claim about solving the trilemma in blockchain, and insights into Morgan Stanley's ETF filings signal growing institutional interest.