CoinDesk Podcast Network

For today’s roundup, the Blockspace team shares their year-end 2025 rankings for bitcoin mining stocks. Click here to create your own rankings and share them with us on X by tagging @blockspace!  Subscribe to the Blockspace newsletter! Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, Will, Colin, and Charlie are back with another (in)famous Vibe Rankings for Bitcoin Mining Stocks. For bitcoin mining stocks, 2025 was a year defined by aggressive expansion in the AI sector, but some miners have been more fruitful with their endeavors than others. For today’s roundup, the team dives into our 2025 year-end rankings for the top bitcoin mining stocks, which includes some spirited debate about who belongs in what tier – and whether or not any bitcoin mining stock earned an S rank in 2025. Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Timestamps: 00:00 Start 09:08 Vibe Ranking 12:39 Canaan (CAN) 16:09 Cipher Mining (CIFR) 20:55 Hive (HIVE) 26:26 American Bitcoin (ABTC) 34:31 BitFUFU (BITF) 39:04 Marathon (MARA) 44:53 Hut 8 (HUT) 49:40 Cango (CANG) 53:40 Bitfarms (BITF) 57:20 Core Scientific (CORZ) 1:02:52 Bitdeer (BTDR) 1:08:53 IREN (IREN) 1:12:53 RIOT (RIOT) 1:15:15 Terawulf (WULF) 👉CleanSpark, America's Bitcoin Miner! CleanSpark (Nasdaq: CLSK) is a market-leading data center developer with a proven track record of success. We own a portfolio of power, land, and data centers across the United States powered by globally competitive energy prices. Sitting at the intersection of Bitcoin, energy, operational excellence and capital stewardship, we optimize our infrastructure to deliver superior returns to our shareholders. Monetizing low-cost, high reliability energy by producing a global emerging critical resource – compute – positions us to prosper in an ever-changing world. 👉 FBOX, Cooling for Bitcoin Mining and the AI Data Center Transformation FBOX is the global leader in cooling system manufacturing, with the #1 shipment volume of bitcoin mining containers worldwide. Not only powering for the strongest hashrate, their technology also helps mining infrastructure transform into AI data centers. Backed by the largest production scale on earth, global deployment capability, and a full range of cooling solutions, they are shaping the future of compute. 👉 Luxor, Leaders In Bitcoin Mining and Compute Power! Get game-changing mining results with Luxor Firmware. Boost hashrate, cut energy costs, protect your hardware, and maximize mining profits with LuxOS. Published twice weekly, "The Mining Pod" interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews on Tuesday and a news show on Friday!

Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy at TRM Labs and former prosecutor, explores the tumultuous landscape of crypto security in 2025. He highlights the staggering $53 billion in scams while also celebrating unprecedented asset recovery successes. Ari calls blockchains the "ultimate crime scene," showcasing how they're leveraged to reclaim stolen funds. The rise of AI-driven scams, escalating by 500%, poses new challenges, yet there's optimism as policymakers engage with the technology. Predictions for 2026 emphasize action and practical deployment of solutions.

The podcast dives into the current state of U.S. crypto market structure legislation, highlighting essential wins in 2025 but noting a crucial missing bill. It investigates the House's passage of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act while the Senate drafts its version. The discussion also covers debates on anti-money laundering regulations for DeFi and the impact of political factors like shutdown risks and midterm elections on legislative progress. Finally, listeners learn about potential consequences if this critical legislation fails to pass.

Explore the wildest Bitcoin stories from 2025, including a dramatic ICE raid on a Texas mine and the end of Operation Chokepoint 2.0, reshaping crypto banking. Discover how miners adapted to AI workloads amidst panic over Trump’s tariffs and soaring ASIC imports. Dive into the mystery of the $8 billion OG whale sale and the amusing saga of a Bitcoin Puppets-branded race car. This is a rollercoaster of thrilling narratives that speak volumes about the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency.

The latest high-profile moves in D.C. highlight the revolving door between government and the crypto sector. Outgoing CFTC Chair Caroline Pham joins MoonPay, while Trump's administration fills roles with private-sector veterans. Concerns about conflicts of interest arise, but some argue this shift modernizes governance. The discussion also covers significant transitions within other regulatory bodies. Tune in for insights on how these changes may shape the future of cryptocurrency.

Arthur Hayes, Co-founder of BitMEX and Maelstrom CIO, shares his bold predictions for Bitcoin, forecasting it to reach $250,000 by 2026 and even $750,000 by 2027. He delves into the macroeconomic forces behind these predictions, highlighting the impact of U.S. politics and money printing. Hayes also discusses his top three investments for 2025, including Zcash, and explains why it's gaining traction. He emphasizes the importance of self-custody for privacy and offers insights on the future of stablecoins and DeFi.

Join Jean-Marie Mognetti, CEO of CoinShares, as he unpacks the transformative impact of Bitcoin ETFs on the crypto landscape. He reveals how the financialization of Bitcoin through derivatives is compressing volatility and changing trading dynamics. Mognetti discusses the stark contrast in ETF adoption between Europe and the U.S., attributing European lag to cultural and regulatory hurdles. He also paints a thought-provoking picture of Bitcoin as a 'bittersweet' response to global debt crises, highlighting its potential role amidst economic turmoil.

Adam Hollander, CMO of OpenSea and a seasoned expert in crypto and NFTs, discusses the platform's transformative journey. He envisions OpenSea evolving from a simple NFT marketplace to a comprehensive on-chain hub for all digital assets. Adam details the challenges of competition and the need for a robust platform rebuild. He also highlights plans for user engagement, multi-chain wallet integration, and adapting to market dynamics. With a focus on scalability, his goal is to see OpenSea become a vital resource for millions in the digital economy.

Mike Selig's confirmation as the new CFTC chairman marks a significant shift towards a crypto-first regulatory landscape. He plans to replace enforcement-driven rules with clarity and principles-based guidelines. The podcast delves into Selig's career trajectory and critiques the traditional regulatory approach. Concerns are raised about leadership vacancies as Selig stands as the sole commissioner. His agenda emphasizes tougher enforcement and ending reliance on opaque regulations, signaling a new path for cryptocurrency oversight.

Jesse Pollak, a prominent blockchain builder and creator of Base, joins the conversation about his role in driving growth for this Ethereum Layer 2 solution. He discusses Base's explosive expansion and the increasing interest from institutions like JPMorgan and Shopify. Pollak delves into progressive decentralization, emphasizing the importance of community governance and the risks of centralization. Plus, he shares rapid-fire predictions for the crypto landscape in 2026, touching on market trends and opportunities for innovation.