

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

53 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 5min
Bits + Bips: Could a Base Token Be Coinbase's Key to a Super App? - Ep. 905
In this engaging discussion, Nic Cary, Co-Founder of Blockchain.com, and Max Gokhman, Deputy CIO at Franklin Templeton, dive into the potential impact of Coinbase's Base token on the L2 landscape. They explore whether Coinbase could become DeFi's backbone and analyze the valuation of L2s. The conversation extends to how giants from Web2 and TradFi might transition to the onchain space and the overdue need for privacy infrastructure. Nic also outlines TON's superapp strategy and its implications for social platforms.

38 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 50min
Base Will Likely Have a Token: Why Now, Who Wins, and How Big It Gets - Ep. 904
Ryan Yi, a former Coinbase Ventures investor, and Ico Beast, a narrative merchant at Proof of Play, dive into Base's potential token launch. They discuss the surprising shift from 'no token' to exploring decentralization and governance strategies. Key insights include the impact of the Clarity Act on the rollout, fair token distribution, and how a Base-Solana bridge may reshape DeFi liquidity. The duo also touches on Mantle's innovative approach to combining traditional finance with web3.

48 snips
Sep 13, 2025 • 57min
The Chopping Block: USDH Bake-off—Native Markets, Validators & the “Beauty Contest” Debate - Ep. 903
Guy Young, Founder & CEO of Ethena Labs, joins the discussion about the whirlwind surrounding the USDH stablecoin Bake-off. They analyze why Native Markets dominated validator support amid accusations of favoritism and whether the bidding was genuine strategy or just a show. The team digs into implications for future native stables and the impact of branding and governance dynamics. With accusations of bribery and a tense competitive landscape, the conversation offers a captivating look at the fast-evolving crypto battlefield.

26 snips
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.

46 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.

36 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.