Unchained

Jake Chervinsky, Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association, and Kayvan Sadeghi, Partner at Jenner & Block, dive into the significant recent court ruling on the SEC vs. Ripple case. They discuss how this ruling differentiates between security and cryptocurrency sales, impacting exchanges like Coinbase. The conversation highlights the urgent legislative response it sparks in Congress, challenges for Ripple, and the broader implications for crypto regulations. They also explore the implications of the Howey Test in this rapidly evolving landscape.

In this discussion, Stephen Palley, a litigation partner at Brown Rudnick LLP specializing in crypto law, shares keen insights on the recent Ripple case ruling. He unpacks why retail sales of XRP were deemed non-violative of securities laws, and the implications of Judge Torres’ surprising ‘Footnote 16.’ Palley addresses whether the SEC might appeal, and warns that this ruling shouldn't be seen as a green light for investments. The conversation also touches on Coinbase and Kraken's recent decisions to re-list XRP amidst this regulatory turmoil.

Lewis Cohen, co-founder of DLx Law and a legal expert in cryptocurrency, breaks down the landmark ruling in the SEC vs. Ripple case. He discusses why XRP was deemed not a security for some buyers, a decision that may reshape crypto regulations. Lewis highlights the significance of distinguishing between programmatic and institutional sales, and how this ruling could influence future offerings across the industry. He also speculates on potential appeals and their implications for major exchanges like Coinbase.

Blake West, co-founder of Goldfinch, shares insights on the burgeoning interest in tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs). They discuss the challenges of adoption and why private credit could be a game-changer for crypto. West explains the importance of on-chain tools and stablecoins, while Robert Leshner expresses his disdain for the term "real-world asset." The conversation touches on traditional finance's embrace of tokenized assets and the evolving dynamics of capital flow, highlighting the transformative potential for transparency and liquidity in the blockchain space.

Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol and AI enthusiast, teams up with Jason Warner, founder of Poolside and former CTO at GitHub. They discuss the untapped synergy between AI and blockchain, exploring fascinating applications like AIs managing DAOs and the role of blockchain in enhancing AI transparency. The duo also tackles challenges such as misinformation and the potential for AI in crypto trading. With insights on code auditing and resource provisioning, they paint a picture of a future where these technologies collaborate for innovation.

Philippe Dumonet, Cofounder of DeRegLinks, discusses the crucial ERC-7265 proposal aimed at enhancing DeFi security. He highlights the alarming rise in crypto crime, with $3.8 billion stolen last year. The proposal introduces a 'circuit breaker' to protect decentralized applications, balancing security and governance. Dumonet explains how this could potentially centralize some protocols while improving the safety for newer teams. He also addresses the need for robust security measures in light of historical vulnerabilities and recent market challenges.

Benny Giang, Co-founder of Future Primitive, and Jayden Windle, its founding developer, dive into the groundbreaking ERC-6551 standard, which revolutionizes NFTs by associating them with smart contract wallets. They explore its potential in gaming, identity, and more, highlighting how this innovation can enhance digital interactions. The duo discusses the implications for creators and security, and the exciting idea of 'network playable characters' that could reshape online experiences. Discover how Future Primitive merges Web3 technology with culture, making NFTs even more interactive.

Thomas Braziel, founder of 507 Capital and a bankruptcy claims expert, dives into the chaotic legal saga surrounding FTX. He reveals shocking details from the Daniel Friedberg lawsuit, including whistleblower implications. Braziel discusses potential legal consequences for Friedberg’s former law firm and sheds light on John Ray's strategies regarding fraudulent transactions. He also shares insights about FTX's reorganization timeline and the uncertain chances for an FTX 2.0 relaunch, emphasizing that FTT won't factor into any recovery plans.

The hosts dive into the controversy surrounding Azuki's new NFT collection, with community backlash highlighting concerns over originality. They dissect the collapse of Prime Trust and its implications for crypto custody, questioning if it constitutes fraud. Layer 2 solutions also take center stage, with debates on the strengths of Arbitrum versus Optimism and potential future innovations like shared sequencers. Insights into the political nature of these rollups reveal the complex dynamics within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Aaron Kaplan, co-CEO of Prometheum, and Rodrigo Seira, special counsel at Paradigm, dive into the heated debate on crypto regulation. Kaplan argues that Prometheum is paving a compliant path for digital assets, while Seira challenges the feasibility of the current SEC framework. They discuss the complexities of token classification, the relevance of the Howey Test, and the implications of SEC licensing. The episode highlights diverging views on what constitutes a successful crypto exchange and the future of regulatory compliance in the industry.