CoinDesk Podcast Network

At the North American Blockchain Summit, the surprising truth emerges: Bitcoin miners are more focused on profits than technical debates. With Foundry dominating the market at 0% pool fees, miners prefer the predictability of FPPS revenue models. The hosts reveal that many miners are unaware of the Core version their pool uses. Texas is evolving into a finance capital, driven by energy and data center dynamics. The disconnect between the technical community and miners raises questions about the future of Bitcoin and its fee structures.

A leaked Senate proposal aims to regulate DeFi, prompting concerns about its potential to ban decentralized finance. BNB recently fell by 2.5% after hitting an all-time high, with factors influencing its dramatic rise. Additionally, the halt of Metaplanet's stock sales raises questions about capital management amid Bitcoin's fluctuations. Industry experts discuss compliance challenges for developers and wallets, highlighting the ongoing struggle between regulation and innovation in the crypto space.

Tom Bruni, Head of Markets & Retail Investor Insights at StockTwits, dives into the current retail sentiment in the crypto market. He discusses Bitcoin's recent highs contrasted with the stagnation of Ethereum and altcoins, sparking frustration among retail investors. Tom highlights shifts in capital towards precious metals and AI stocks driven by the 'debasement trade.' He also shares insights on what could reignite bullishness, emphasizing the critical role of community in long-term crypto narratives and the need for sustained price movements to boost investor confidence.

Ethan Vera, COO of Luxor, returns to discuss IREN's impressive $875 million convertible note and its implications for the AI cloud sector. He highlights Luxor's new ERCOT-certified retail electric provider, enabling miners to transact in Bitcoin for energy. Ethan also dives into the record $5.95 billion inflow of crypto ETFs and its effects on the market. Additionally, he touches on the estimated 14.05% of Bitcoin hash rate coming from China and the future of intelligent mining and AI integration.

Arthur Hayes challenges the traditional belief in bitcoin's four-year cycle, suggesting that monetary tightening is the real driver behind past bear markets. He also predicts what that means for bitcoin's future pricing. In a surprising twist, Luxembourg's sovereign fund diversifies its portfolio by investing 1% into Bitcoin ETFs, reflecting a growing trend in Europe. Additionally, the podcast features a highlight about Shane Copeland becoming the youngest self-made billionaire after a major investment in his platform, Polymarket.

Riccardo Spagni, known as Fluffypony, is the former lead maintainer of Monero and an expert in privacy and cryptocurrency. He tackles the Bitcoin filter debate, paralleling it to past blocksize wars, and explains why filtering often leads to censorship. Spagni delves into the nuances of node consensus and critiqued WorldCoin's influence. He also discusses the future of Bitcoin privacy, advocating for long-lived channels and the role of stablecoins in AI-driven commerce. Riccardo's insights on the evolving landscape of crypto are both critical and thought-provoking.

Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games and mastermind behind the iconic EVE Online, joins forces with Sam Blackshear, co-founder of Mysten Labs and former Facebook Libra lead. They unveil the ambitious EVE Frontier on blockchain Sui, a game focusing on player ownership and community-driven experiences. Discover how Sui's architecture supports vast real-time space battles and a dynamic economy. The duo emphasizes the importance of building a forever game and harnessing player creativity to ensure a vibrant, enduring universe.

Matt Hogan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management and a seasoned crypto investor, shares insights on the current crypto rally. He discusses the 'debasement trade' driving Bitcoin's rise and maintains his bold $200,000 year-end target. Hogan highlights Solana's potential as Wall Street's choice for fast transactions while advocating for investment in both Solana and Ethereum, as he believes the market can accommodate multiple winners. He also touches on the risks facing Solana's adoption and the impact of ETPs on its future.

JPMorgan's analysts reveal intriguing price targets for key Bitcoin mining stocks, sparking discussions on their future. The podcast dives into the economics of co-location versus cloud services, highlighting IREN's ambitious GPU expansion plans. The hosts analyze the strong market reactions to the report and how Core Scientific sets a crucial benchmark for AI pivots. Additionally, they compare enterprise-value ratios across various mining firms, uncovering insights into valuation models that could shape investor strategies.

Bitcoin hits a new all-time high of over $125,000, driven by massive ETF inflows and October's seasonal trends. Meanwhile, Polymarket bettors speculate on the duration of the U.S. government shutdown, with a 73% chance of it reopening after October 15. Contract odds suggest a significant likelihood of the shutdown lasting between 10 to 29 days. Additionally, Grayscale is making waves by introducing staking options for its Ether and Solana trusts, potentially unlocking rewards across billions in assets.