Bankless

Dive into the latest chaos in crypto with the arrest of Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky, probing the impact on market sentiment. The ETHCC event is celebrated for its vibrant community spirit and innovation among Ethereum developers. Amid contrasting stock and crypto trends, there’s optimism about new stablecoin GHO from Aave. Discussions also touch on legal challenges within the industry, the evolution of MakerDAO, and the future of layer-one and layer-two blockchains, highlighting ongoing advancements and regulatory shifts shaping the landscape.

Nate Soares, the Executive Director at MIRI, and Deger Turan, who leads the AI Objectives Institute, dive deep into the challenges of AI alignment. They discuss the dual nature of AI as both a potential threat and a solution to societal issues. The conversation spans human coordination failures, the urgent need to prioritize human values, and innovative strategies for reducing biases in AI systems. They also emphasize the importance of fostering a hopeful outlook amidst the complexities of AI development, underscoring the need for skilled individuals in this critical field.

Hayden Adams, the creator of Uniswap and a pivotal figure in decentralized finance, reveals the groundbreaking Uniswap X protocol. This innovation ensures competitive order execution and protects users from issues like MEV extractors and front runners. It employs a Dutch auction system to optimize returns while improving efficiency in trading. The discussion also delves into how these advancements aim to revolutionize the user experience in DeFi, making Uniswap the go-to destination for seamless token swapping.

Avichal Garg, founder of Electric Capital known for his insights into crypto investments, and Sanjay Shah, an investor shaping the firm’s strategy, share their top bets in this bear market. They tackle the value of Layer 2 tokens and debate if 'ETH killers' will rise again. The discussion unfolds on whether a multichain universe will thrive or if a few giants will dominate. They also assess the buzz around restaking and identify distinct alt-coins poised for a comeback. Their insights offer a fresh perspective for crypto investors navigating challenges ahead.

Join Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, and Mike Selig, Counsel at Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, as they delve into a landmark U.S. court ruling declaring XRP is not a security. They discuss the ruling's implications for other cryptocurrencies and celebrate a hopeful shift in regulatory oversight. The duo examines the SEC's diminishing influence, the potential for broad legal precedents affecting token holders, and the need for clearer regulations in the evolving crypto landscape.

Recent court rulings have transformed XRP's status, leading to optimism in the cryptocurrency market. The revival of NFTs on Google Play sparks lively debate, while Ethereum's staking presents unique investment opportunities amid a fluctuating landscape. The ethical concerns surrounding blockchain privacy clash with emerging solutions. Innovations in Layer 2 solutions and decentralized finance are reshaping perceptions, as the hosts explore the delicate balance of transparency and user rights in the evolving digital finance world.

Drew Endy, the father of synthetic biology, John Cumbers, CEO of SynBioBeta, and Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, explore the groundbreaking world of synthetic biology. They discuss how reprogramming DNA can lead to sustainable solutions, such as creating clothing from carbon emissions. The conversation reflects on transforming industries like medicine and energy through advanced biological processes. The guests envision a future where innovation restores balance between humanity and nature, opening doors to a circular economy and addressing climate change.

Today we're joined by James Seyffart, a research analyst at Bloomberg who's the perfect person to answer our questions regarding the convergence of crypto and ETFs. We dive into: - The probabilities of a Blackrock Bitcoin ETF and why - Important dates in which the SEC will need to give us answers - Neutrality, or lack thereof around the ETF approval process ------ 🚀 Join Ryan & David at Permissionless in September. Bankless Citizens get 30% off. 🚀 https://bankless.cc/GoToPermissionless  ------ BANKLESS SPONSOR TOOLS: 🐙KRAKEN | MOST-TRUSTED CRYPTO EXCHANGE https://k.xyz/bankless-pod-q2 🦊METAMASK PORTFOLIO | TRACK & MANAGE YOUR WEB3 EVERYTHING https://bankless.cc/MetaMask  ⚖️ ARBITRUM | SCALING ETHEREUM https://bankless.cc/Arbitrum 🛞MANTLE | MODULAR LAYER 2 NETWORK https://bankless.cc/Mantle 👾POLYGON | VALUE LAYER OF THE INTERNET https://polygon.technology/roadmap  ------ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 7:44 What is an ETF? 13:00 ETF History Lesson 17:40 ETF Market Size and Holders 22:46 Types of ETFs 27:02 Where Are These Assets Stores 34:04 Who Approves ETFs? 40:08 Neutrality Of Regulators 44:16 Types of Bitcoin ETFs 49:17 Reasons For Rejection 55:12 Does Gary Just Hate Crypto? 58:13 Does Blackrock Change Things? 1:04:46 Will Blackrock Get Approved? 1:15:20 Possible Approval Dates 1:19:09 Lack of ETFs to Blame For Crypto Fallout? 1:28:38 Why Should we Care? 1:34:14 Risks and Disclaimers ------ RESOURCES James on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSeyff  Trillions Podcast: https://www.bloomberg.com/podcasts/series/trillions  ------ Not financial or tax advice. This channel is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. This video is not tax advice. Talk to your accountant. Do your own research. Disclosure. From time-to-time I may add links in this newsletter to products I use. I may receive commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. Additionally, the Bankless writers hold crypto assets. See our investment disclosures here: ⁠https://www.bankless.com/disclosures⁠

Raoul Pal, founder and CEO of Real Vision and a macroeconomic expert, takes the reins as he interviews Bankless creators, David and Ryan. They share their personal journeys into crypto and the inception of the Bankless movement. The trio dives into the transformation from skepticism to embracing decentralization, the evolution of Web3, and the importance of fostering innovation in the crypto space. They also discuss the challenges of tribalism within the community and how to navigate the emotional landscape of public scrutiny while aiming for unity.

The discussions highlight Larry Fink's bullish stance on Bitcoin, suggesting it could revolutionize finance. Delve into the current NFT winter and how Bitcoin's market sentiments are shifting, shaped by institutional interest. There's a focus on the stark contrasts between centralized and decentralized finance, and the implications of upcoming launches like Base by Coinbase. Also examined are the regulatory challenges and the influential power dynamics at play within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.