

Unchained
Laura Shin
Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world. Disclosure: I'm a nocoiner.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 12, 2025 • 32min
Why the War Over the USDH Ticker on Hyperliquid Is Bullish for Crypto - Ep. 902
Shuyao Kong, co-founder of MegaETH, dives into the dramatic battle for the USDH ticker on Hyperliquid. She reveals why they chose Ethena as their partner for their new stablecoin, USDm, stressing the importance of aligning with Hyperliquid over short-term gains. The conversation highlights the need for both yield-chasing and yield-agnostic stablecoins, contemplating the potential sidelining of giants like Circle and Tether amid this competitive landscape. Tune in for insights on compliance and the evolving dynamics within the stablecoin market.

39 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 7min
How Pump.fun Plans to Beat Social Media Giants and Win Beyond Crypto - Ep.901
Noah Tweedale, co-founder of Pump.fun, aims to challenge giants like YouTube and TikTok by aligning creators with communities. He discusses the platform's dynamic fee model and how they're tackling issues like bots and user engagement. The conversation dives into their project to foster a world-changing app, the importance of innovation beyond crypto, and strategies for improving user experience. Noah's vision highlights a future where content creators thrive on a fair, sustainable platform, reshaping the online content landscape.

24 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
Bits + Bips: Hyperliquid’s USDH Bidding War & Why the DAT Model Is Broken - Ep. 900
Join Sam Kazemian, CEO of Frax Finance; Kavita Gupta, Founder of Delta Blockchain Fund; and Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, as they dive into the intense competition for Hyperliquid's USDH stablecoin. They discuss why distribution trumps design in this bidding war, the accountability issues plaguing DATs, and the obstacles faced by tokenized stocks on L2s. The conversation reveals the trillion-dollar potential lurking in stablecoins and the significant implications for the future of decentralized finance.

10 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 49min
The Competition Is On. Who’ll Win the USDH Ticker on Hyperliquid? - Ep. 899
Nick van Eck, CEO of Agora, aims to create a community-first digital dollar, while Bhau Kotecha, Co-founder of Paxos Labs, focuses on scalable institutional solutions. The guests debate the implications of the USDH ticker for Hyperliquid—pointing out differences between 100% and 95% revenue back to users. Topics include liquidity dynamics, validator roles, and the transformative potential of a single ticker on onchain markets. Their heated discussion reveals what could shape the future of stablecoins in the evolving crypto landscape.

31 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 10min
Why Pokémon Cards Are Better Onchain (and How to Trade Them) - Ep. 898
Tuom Holmberg, CEO of Collector Crypt, and Danny Nelson, Research Analyst at Bitwise Asset Management, dive into the transformation of Pokémon cards into liquid assets on the blockchain. They discuss cutting eBay's hefty fees, authenticate cards using NFTs, and the spike in the $CARDS token. The conversation also touches on how these collectibles could integrate into DeFi and attract mainstream investors, paralleling trends seen with crypto assets like BTC and ETH. Their insights reveal a new era for trading cards, blending nostalgia with innovative technology.

66 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 55min
Bits + Bips: The Case for Why DATs Are Superior to Crypto ETFs - Ep. 897
Chris Perkins, Managing Partner at CoinFund, and Brian Rudick, Chief Strategy Officer of Upexi, dive into the advantages of Digital Asset Tokens (DATs) over traditional crypto ETFs. They discuss the potential for DATs to capture investor interest and the bullish math behind premiums. The conversation touches on market dynamics, questioning whether this is truly altcoin season or just a temporary trend. They also highlight the significance of Galaxy's tokenized-share move and a critical market unlock that could revolutionize the landscape.

63 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Chopping Block: Trump’s $22B “Gold Paper” DeFi Launch, Buybacks & Garbage Coins - Ep. 896
Dive into the explosive launch of World Liberty Financial, a $22B DeFi token backed by the Trump family. The hosts discuss its dubious marketing strategies and the controversy surrounding its valuation and Aave partnership. Political implications are explored, highlighting the potential for WLFi to fuel heated debates. Alongside, there's chatter about Gavin Newsom's meme coin tease and the U.S. posting GDP data on the blockchain. The conversation sheds light on the disarray in the crypto realm, emphasizing the need for clearer regulations and innovative solutions.

28 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 58min
How Crypto Insiders Are Sidestepping the Law to Dump on Retail - Ep. 895
Nicolas Vaiman, CEO and co-founder of Bubblemaps, dives into the murky waters of crypto shenanigans. He exposes how insiders like Hayden Davis and celebrity promoters have capitalized on high-profile token launches, often leaving retail investors in the dust. The discussion explores mechanics behind insider trading, deceptive tokenomics, and the rapid downfall of celebrity-endorsed coins. Vaiman also challenges listeners to consider what protections the crypto industry can realistically establish, given the current landscape of chaos and manipulation.

29 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 29min
Why These DeFi Builders Are Betting It All on Coinbase’s L2, Base - Ep. 894
Alex Cutler, co-founder of Aerodrome Finance, and Luke Youngblood, founder of Moonwell Finance, dive into the transformative potential of Coinbase's Layer 2, Base. They discuss how Base could redefine token distribution, making it possible to reach 100M+ users effortlessly. The conversation tackles the sustainability of DeFi, the centrality of exchanges in asset trading, and the complications of liquidity fragmentation. They also speculate on the future of trading sequencing and the need for fairer market practices that enhance speed and user experience.

79 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 58min
The Chopping Block: Tom Lee the New Saylor? DAT Consolidation, Token Wrappers Under Fire - Ep. 893
AJ Warner, Chief Strategy Officer at Offchain Labs and an influential voice in Arbitrum's ecosystem, joins the discussion on the latest in crypto. They explore Tom Lee’s ascendance as Ethereum's new advocate as BitMine claims 1.5% of its supply. The podcast dives into the intriguing dynamics of Digital Asset Treasuries, Japan's tax arbitrage, and the significant drop in mNAV premiums. Additionally, they tackle Robinhood's innovative tokenized stocks launch in Europe, and the potential shifts in crypto capital markets driven by mergers and acquisitions.