CoinDesk Podcast Network

Bitcoin is soaring, reaching near $121K as BlackRock's ETF breaks into the top 20. The hash rate has hit a historic 1 zettahash, driving optimism in the market. Mining stocks have surged an astonishing 624%, fueled by AI pivots. Retail investors are flocking to ETFs, enhancing mainstream adoption. Ordinals are experiencing a revival, with trading activity showing promising signs. Join the discussion on these thrilling developments in the crypto landscape!

Don Kaufman, co-founder of TheoTrade and a savvy market commentator, offers invaluable insights into the shifting dynamics of bitcoin and the markets. He warns that if bitcoin dips below critical price levels, panic selling could ensue. Kaufman also discusses potential impacts of a U.S. government shutdown on traders, the inflationary risks of Trump's proposed tariff dividend, and the evolving correlation between bitcoin and high-beta stocks like Nvidia. Prepare for a market shake-up!

Could a proposed $2,000 'tariff dividend' reignite the altcoin bull run? The discussion dives into comparisons with the 2020 stimulus and its impact on altcoins. Plus, there's excitement around BNB as it surges past $1,100, driven by endorsements and increasing network activity. Macro events like a potential government shutdown and delayed employment reports are also influencing crypto demand. Tune in for insights that blend economics with the evolving crypto landscape!

In this engaging discussion, Ben Harper, Director on the derivatives desk at Luxor Technologies, dives into the current Bitcoin hashrate trends and forecasts a significant surge to 1.2 zettahash by year's end. He breaks down the recent ICE raid on a Texas ASIC repair shop and its implications for compliance in the mining sector. The conversation also touches on Tether's impressive stash of over 85,000 BTC and the dynamics of hash rate forwards, highlighting how miners can strategically lock in revenue.

Chris Giancarlo, former chairman of the CFTC and known as 'Crypto Dad', dives into the pressing need for clear crypto regulations and tax policies. He emphasizes SEC-CFTC cooperation as essential for fostering innovation and modernizing financial infrastructure. Giancarlo compares global crypto regulations, discusses the potential economic gains from digital assets, and reflects on the evolving landscape of crypto markets. He highlights the exciting possibilities for crypto to contribute to U.S. economic growth while tackling national debt issues.

Bryan Steil, U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin and Chair of the House Digital Assets Subcommittee, dives into the implications of the government shutdown on crypto legislation. He discusses the challenges facing the SEC and CFTC due to reduced staffing. Steil reveals the bipartisan support behind the Clarity Act and outlines what must happen in the Senate to meet the year-end goal for its passage. He draws an intriguing analogy between crypto mining and gold mining when talking about taxation on gains, highlighting the complexities of regulatory oversight.

Bitcoin is gearing up to break the $120K mark, boosted by recent government shutdowns and weak labor data. Traders are buzzing, especially with a staggering 98.9% chance of a Fed rate cut predicted this month. Institutions are expected to heavily influence BTC's trajectory, with significant ETF inflows showcasing growing interest in tokenization. Meanwhile, Robinhood's CEO highlights the buzz around tokenized stock offerings, promising a new frontier for investors.

Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder of StarkWare and Zcash, shares exciting news about StarkNet's Bitcoin initiative. He introduces native Bitcoin staking with a hefty 100 million STRK tokens for lending incentives. Eli explains how zero-knowledge proofs can scale Bitcoin to fulfill Satoshi's vision of decentralized transactions. He discusses the significance of OP_CAT in enhancing Bitcoin’s functionality and emphasizes how StarkNet paves the way for self-custodial DeFi solutions, redefining the Bitcoin landscape.

The latest discussions center on the SEC and CFTC's joint roundtable, highlighting their renewed focus on regulatory harmony. SEC Chair Paul Atkins emphasizes crypto as a top priority while downplaying merger rumors. Meanwhile, Wall Street's interest in regulated Bitcoin options grows, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust making waves. The Bitcoin market sees a trading range around $113,000, while Swift and Visa explore blockchain for cross-border payments, signaling strong mainstream adoption.

Charlie Lee, the creator of Litecoin and former Google engineer, shares insights on the evolution of cryptocurrency. He discusses his journey from a gold advocate to Bitcoin's enthusiast, emphasizing Litecoin as the 'silver' to Bitcoin's 'gold.' Charlie highlights Litecoin's advantages for everyday transactions, its recent fungibility upgrades for privacy, and the importance of decentralization. He also reflects on selling his LTC in 2017 to maintain transparency and explains the significance of adapting to market demands while championing broader adoption.