Bankless

Jake Chervinsky, General Counsel at Compound Finance and strategic advisor to Variant Fund, dives deep into the evolving landscape of crypto regulation. He discusses his influential role in amending the US Infrastructure Bill, particularly its surprising tax provisions. The conversation highlights the importance of community advocacy in Washington D.C., emphasizing the need for a cohesive regulatory framework. Chervinsky offers a hopeful outlook on future regulations, showcasing the resilience of decentralized finance amid rising tensions between innovation and regulation.

Michael Shaulov, CEO and co-founder of Fireblocks, leads a company revolutionizing institutional adoption of digital assets. He discusses why institutions are increasingly outsourcing their crypto workflows to firms like Fireblocks for security and convenience. The conversation delves into the surge of institutional interest in DeFi, the crucial role of cybersecurity, and how solutions like Arbitrum and Uniswap are enhancing decentralized finance. Shaulov also highlights the need for regulatory compliance while navigating the evolving DeFi landscape.

Dive into the latest crypto happenings, where Ethereum's burn mechanism spurs excitement about its future. Discover how Axie Infinity breaks barriers by surpassing $1 billion in trading volume and reshaping the NFT landscape. Hear insights on DeFi innovations, including Uniswap and Balancer, while learning about the implications of Arbitrum's launch. Plus, a deep dive into the Poly Network hack reveals security concerns, alongside a peek into the evolving dynamics of traditional banking integrating with crypto.

Join James Wang, Head of Tokens at Amun and former ARK Invest analyst, and DC Investor, a veteran Ethereum advocate and NFT collector. They delve into the revolutionary EIP-1559, discussing its role in reshaping Ethereum as a global software platform. The conversation touches on skepticism surrounding the upgrade, Ethereum's unique advantages over Bitcoin, and the impact of NFTs on gas prices. They also share personal tales of how Ethereum significantly influenced their lives and careers, highlighting the thrilling potential of this ever-evolving ecosystem.

Ben Jones, co-founder and chief scientist of Optimism, and Karl Floersch, CTO of Optimism and experienced cypherpunk, dive into the complexities of Ethereum's scalability. They discuss the revolutionary Optimistic Rollup, the transformative role of Layer 2 solutions, and the importance of collaborating across various protocols. The conversation also touches on philosophical questions surrounding power, responsibility, and the mission to improve humanity through innovation in the blockchain space, all while providing intriguing insights into the future of decentralized finance.

Richard Turrin, a fintech executive and bestselling author, shares his insights on China's groundbreaking Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and its implications for the global financial landscape. He discusses how China's rapid fintech innovations threaten U.S. dollar dominance and contrasts the user experience in China with outdated Western banking systems. Turrin also outlines the potential of upcoming smart contracts and explores how CBDCs could revolutionize financial inclusion while possibly reshaping the relationship between traditional currencies and cryptocurrencies.

This discussion kicks off with the transformative EIP-1559 upgrade on Ethereum, explaining its impact on ETH's monetary policy. Bitcoin's recent price dip contrasts sharply with Ethereum's rise, driven by soaring interest in DeFi. OpenSea's NFT market surge is highlighted, showcasing skyrocketing transaction volumes. The conversation dives into regulatory challenges facing the crypto industry, particularly a contentious infrastructure bill. Plus, there's a sneak peek into new gaming experiences and NFT partnerships that are shaping the future of crypto culture.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum and a prominent figure in blockchain, is joined by core developer Eric Conner and researcher Justin Drake. They celebrate the launch of EIP-1559 and its potential to deflate ETH supply. The trio dives into the evolution of Ethereum's gas dynamics and transaction fees while exploring the impact of recent upgrades on user experience and wallet interfaces. With lively community engagement and banter, they discuss the transformative nature of EIP-1559 and its implications for the future of Ethereum, blending technical insights with enthusiasm.

Join Ethereum core developer Tim Beiko, cryptoeconomics expert Hasu, EIP-1559 contributor Micah Zoltu, and game theory researcher Barnabe Monnot as they dive into the revolutionary impact of EIP-1559. They discuss the shifting dynamics between miners and users and the transformation of gas markets. Insights unfold on improving user experience, the complexities of miner extractable value (MEV), and ongoing challenges within the Ethereum ecosystem. This lively conversation highlights both skepticism and excitement as the community embraces change.

Lyn Alden, founder of Lyn Alden Investments and a macroeconomic expert, joins to dissect the intricate world of inflation. She breaks down the three types of inflation and their interconnectedness, providing a global perspective on economic dynamics. Discussion touches on the effects of fiscal policies triggered by COVID-19, the winners and losers in the inflation game, and the shifting landscape of currency dominance. Alden also explores how inflation impacts consumer behavior and the role of cryptocurrencies amidst these changes.