Unchained

Nik De, CoinDesk's managing editor for global policy and regulation, weighs in on the high-stakes trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-bankrupt FTX. He discusses the significance of jury selection and how public perception may impact the process. Key strategies for the defense are examined, including the challenges of discrediting proposed witnesses. Nik also touches on the implications of Bankman-Fried's political donations and the potential prison time he faces if convicted, making for a gripping legal analysis.

Danny Yang and Bill Tai, cofounders of Metagood and creators of the OnChainMonkey NFT collection, dive into the exciting world of Bitcoin Ordinals. They discuss the strategic move of their NFT collection from Ethereum to Bitcoin and the innovative potential of Bitcoin as a platform for digital assets. The duo explores notable developments in the Ordinals protocol, including Casey Rodarmor’s proposal on inscription numbering and the concept of recursive inscriptions, while advocating for more NFT creators to embrace Bitcoin's capabilities.

Thomas Braziel, founder of 117 Partners, shares his expertise on the FTX bankruptcy saga. He discusses the intricate legal landscape, including the potential lawsuits against Sam Bankman-Fried's parents and the moral implications of their actions. Braziel delves into how civil cases could escalate to criminal charges, and the challenges facing creditors in the bankruptcy process. The possibility of FTX clawing back funds from retail customers is also explored, revealing the tough road ahead for investors seeking recovery.

Will Warren, cofounder of 0x Labs, shares his insights on navigating the regulatory landscape in the crypto space. He discusses the recent Wells Notice from the CFTC and how the team addressed compliance challenges. Warren highlights the complexities of U.S. regulations and the need for clearer guidelines to foster innovation. He also explores the tensions between decentralized protocols and corporate interests, underscoring the need for a balanced approach amidst evolving regulatory pressures.

Zeke Faux, a Bloomberg investigative reporter and author of 'Number Go Up,' shares his journey through the wild world of cryptocurrency. He discusses the dubious nature of Tether and highlights the risky charm of Sam Bankman-Fried’s approach to risk management. Faux reveals how SBF’s open media relationships played a crucial role during the FTX collapse and delves into sinister pig butchering scams in Cambodia. With humor, he recounts his quest to buy a Mutant Ape NFT, capturing the chaos of crypto culture.

In this discussion, Steven Ehrlich, director of research at Forbes Crypto, and Michael Del Castillo, a veteran crypto reporter, dive into the future of Binance amid growing challenges. They explore the fallout from FTX’s collapse and how it's affecting Binance's market dominance and customer trust. Steven shares insights on Binance.US's precarious situation and the implications of recent SEC and CFTC lawsuits. The conversation also touches on whether Binance could face a fate similar to FTX, emphasizing the need for cautious optimism in the crypto industry.

Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and CEO of Circle, discusses the company’s multi-decade strategy in the evolving crypto landscape. He reveals how Circle emerged stronger post-banking crisis and shares insights on the collaboration with Coinbase. The conversation dives into the implications of new U.S. stablecoin regulations and Circle's innovative cross-chain transfer protocol. Allaire also touches on the challenges around PayPal's entry into the stablecoin market, emphasizing the importance of transparency and robust infrastructure for future growth.

Jacob Illum, Chief Scientist at Chainalysis, co-authors a groundbreaking paper on privacy pools designed to enhance crypto anonymity in a regulatory landscape. He delves into how this protocol, backed by Vitalik Buterin, separates legitimate funds from illicit ones, addressing shortcomings of Tornado Cash. Illum explains zero-knowledge proofs as critical technology behind the pools and raises intriguing discussions on user privacy, the role of association set providers, and managing potential risks associated with bad addresses.

Join Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle and a crypto veteran, as he shares insights about the future of stablecoins. He discusses how Circle navigated the recent banking crisis and the significant impact of FTX's collapse. Allaire gives his take on the potential success of PayPal's new stablecoin and addresses the perceived threat from CBDCs. The conversation dives into regulatory developments and the evolution of user preferences shaping the stablecoin landscape. Get ready for a deep dive into the exciting world of digital currencies!

J.W. Verret, an Associate Professor of Law specializing in securities and banking law, teams up with Jason Schwartz, a tax partner and co-head of the Digital Assets and Blockchain Practice at Fried Frank. They dive into Friend.tech, discussing whether the platform's 'keys' could be classified as securities. The conversation delves into tax implications for users, from gains to airdrops, and challenges surrounding privacy on the app. They also explore how Friend.tech differs from previous attempts at decentralized social media and ponder its future impact.