Unchained

In this engaging conversation, Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association and former CFTC Commissioner, dives into the complexities of new crypto market structure legislation. She highlights the challenges of defining DeFi and how proposed regulations could inadvertently encompass vital safety measures. Mersinger discusses the contentious stablecoin yield negotiations and the tensions between traditional finance and DeFi. Additionally, she addresses the mistrust driving regulatory language and the burdens posed by new illicit finance duties.

This discussion dives into the scandal surrounding Venezuela's crypto ties, exploring how the fintech Kontigo allegedly used stablecoins for sanctions evasion. The hosts weigh the morality of financial support against U.S. sanctions and debate insider trading issues sparked by a $400k bet on Maduro's capture. They also unravel the governance chaos within Zcash, highlighting mass resignations and the split between nonprofit foundations and for-profit ventures. The conversations reflect on the essential need for innovative wallet solutions in the crypto space.

Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, Cofounder and CSO of Ledn, shares his firsthand experiences of Bitcoin mining in Venezuela, where miners find freedom amidst economic turmoil. Jorge Jraissati, President of Economic Inclusion Group, discusses the potential of utilizing crypto to rebuild Venezuela's financial infrastructure. They explore the country's rumored $60 billion Bitcoin stash, the daily reliance on stablecoins for remittances, and the optimism surrounding a crypto-powered future as local sentiment shifts toward digital assets.

In this intriguing discussion, hosts explore Canton's partnership with Nasdaq and its implications for blockchain adoption. A fascinating look at Google DeepMind's vision for an agentic economy reveals the need for machine-readable money. The legality of insider trading on prediction markets sparks debate, especially in light of recent market activity following Maduro's capture. The potential impact of proposed legislation to bar federal officials from trading is analyzed, alongside positive crypto news highlighting donations to animal charities.

Marc Zeller, founder of the Aave Chan Initiative, dives into the Aave brand ownership battle, revealing a contentious vote over control of brand assets. He explains the implications of a recent revenue redirection by Aave Labs and why legal ownership matters for token holders. The conversation touches on regulatory pressures, governance risks, and the revenue model affecting valuations. Additionally, Zeller discusses the controversies surrounding Infinex's ICO and the nuances of prediction markets, highlighting the need for clearer structures in decentralized governance.

Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, and Ryan Graham, Research Analyst at Messari, discuss the tumultuous landscape of crypto heading into 2026. They examine the breakdown of Bitcoin's halving cycle and the macroeconomic forces at play, such as Fed policies and geopolitical tensions. The conversation shifts to Ethereum's value, Solana's competition for real-world applications, and the burgeoning field of prediction markets. They also highlight the growing importance of on-chain privacy for future blockchain applications.

The hosts debate the biggest winners and losers in crypto, from Trump's meme coins to Web3's untimely eulogy. They highlight surprising comebacks like Zcash and Circle's IPO while critiquing failed AI agents and Berachain's fall. Predictive markets gain momentum, and fresh predictions for 2026 suggest explosive AI-capital innovation and the rise of equity perps. Expect a blend of brutal honesty and humor as they dissect missed predictions and share the best memes of the year.

Peter Tchir, Head of Macro Strategy at Academy Securities, joins the discussion on the geopolitical implications of the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro. He shares insights on the surge of Bitcoin past $94,000 and analyzes how crypto markets react more swiftly to world events compared to traditional finance. Tchir also explores potential investment opportunities in Latin America, the shift from ESG to a 'production for security' framework, and the strategic message this operation sends to global powers like China and Russia.

Join Jason Pagoulatos, Head of Markets at Delphi Digital, and Jordan Yeakley, DeFi research lead at Delphi Digital, as they explore the current shifting dynamics in the crypto market. They discuss the potential end of the four-year cycle, the impact of gold prices on Bitcoin, and what recent market apathy means for investors. The duo also dives into the competition for capital among crypto and tech sectors and debates the future of privacy coins. Plus, they analyze the race to create the ultimate super app with competing giants like Coinbase and Robinhood.

A civil war brews within the Aave DAO as swap fees spark outrage over claims of 'stealth privatization.' The hosts dissect a contentious proposal aiming to seize Aave's intellectual property, highlighting governance tensions. They then explore a $3.9M exploit on the Flow chain, raising alarms about the dangers of rollbacks and bridges acting as custodians. Finally, the discussion pivots to Coinbase's ambitions for a super-app, debating whether its strategy will outpace Robinhood in the evolving financial landscape.