Unchained

In this insightful discussion, security experts Jameson Lopp, co-founder and CTO at CASA, James Wester, Research Director at Javelin, and Alexander Leishman, CEO of River, address a shocking Coinbase data breach. They uncover how hackers exploited human vulnerabilities to steal sensitive data. The trio debates whether KYC regulations increase risk, emphasizes the need for better protective measures, and highlights that in crypto, people may be the greatest security threat. Their analysis offers actionable insights for improving user safety in the crypto landscape.

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Robert Leshner, and Tarun Chitra break down the biggest stories in crypto. This week, we’re joined by one of the most iconic anons on Crypto Twitter: Mosi, aka @vanacharma. Known for calling out sketchy tokenomics and vaporware valuations, Mosi joins the crew for a ruthless teardown of market maker games, OTC dumps, and the “hallucination yield” driving this cycle’s worst bets. From the $60M Movement Labs fiasco to OTC pump schemes and the collapse of community trust, the gang goes deep on why crypto’s market structure is broken—and what it’ll take to fix it. If you’ve ever wondered how the sausage gets made in crypto token launches, this one’s for you. Show highlights 🔹 $60M Movement Meltdown – How a token deal gone wrong became crypto’s latest fiasco and dragged down one of the cycle’s most hyped L1s. 🔹 Anon vs. Everyone – Iconic CT anon @vanacharma breaks down the float games, OTC dumps, and tokenomics illusions plaguing the industry. 🔹 Market Makers or Middlemen? – When is liquidity real, and when is it just backdoor exits? We unpack how MM incentives are getting abused. 🔹 Hallucination Yield & Vapor Valuations – Why funds chase tokens with the fakest traction — and what happens when reality hits. 🔹 Are VCs to Blame? – The crew debates whether investors are complicit in these token games or just bad at picking founders. 🔹 Pump, Dump, Repeat – How OTC discounts, fake float, and circular trading fuel a Ponzi-like system hiding in plain sight. 🔹 Why Retail Gets Burned – Most people never stood a chance. We walk through how asymmetric info and hidden unlocks wreck public buyers. 🔹 Can This Be Fixed? – Haseeb and Mosi clash on the path forward: enforceable disclosures, exchange oversight, or do-nothing chaos? 🔹 Self-Regulation Is the Only Way Out – Before the SEC nukes everything, the industry must grow up. Here’s where that starts. ⭐️Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly ⭐️Robert Leshner, CEO & Co-founder of Superstate⭐️Tom Schmidt, General Partner at Dragonfly  Guest ⭐️ Mosi, Just a Kid from Africa Timestamps  00:00 Intro 01:22 Mosi’s Crypto Philosophy 03:13 Market Structure Issues in Crypto 08:07 OTC Deals & Market Manipulation 15:36 Fixing the Market Structure 23:56 Self-Correcting Market Dynamics 29:19 VC Incentives and Market Impact 36:08 Retail vs. Institutional Investors 52:26 Superstate's Vision for Onchain Equities HostsDisclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Peter Tchir, Head of Macro Strategy at Academy Securities, and Zach Pandl, Head of Research at Grayscale, as they dive into pivotal financial discussions. They dissect the recent U.S.-China tariff pause and its implications for the global economy. The conversation touches on America's soaring deficit and why policymakers might underestimate the crypto community. They also explore Ethereum's unique positioning and debate the risks and rewards surrounding Solana, all while considering the specter of recession versus stagflation in this shifting economic landscape.

José Macedo, founder of Delphi Labs, Omar Shakeeb, cofounder of SecondLane, and Taran Sabharwal, CEO of STIX, dive into the dark side of cryptocurrency trading. They reveal how market makers can manipulate prices and why insider selling is more rampant than many believe. The discussion centers on notorious projects like Movement Labs and the systemic issues in crypto fundraising, raising urgent calls for transparency and reform to protect retail investors. Insightful and eye-opening, this conversation challenges the industry's status quo!

Evgeny Gaevoy, Founder and CEO of Wintermute, dives into the complex world of crypto market making, exposing the dark side of a recent $38M token dump. He discusses the blurred lines between providing liquidity and manipulative profit-sharing, revealing why VCs turned a blind eye. With insights on the necessity for transparency and the challenges of navigating market integrity, Evgeny also highlights the urgent need for better disclosure standards in the crypto space, raising critical questions about investor trust and the future of regulation.

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, and Amanda Tuminelli, executive director of the DeFi Education Fund, dive into the political drama surrounding the stalled GENIUS Act—the pivotal federal stablecoin bill. They discuss the shifting allegiances among lawmakers, especially Democrats who have changed their stance on crypto. The impact of Trump's crypto connections on the legislative process is analyzed, alongside the ongoing fight for a deal this year, highlighting the complexities of bipartisan support and market implications.

Owen Lau, Executive Director and Senior Analyst at Oppenheimer, shares insights on Coinbase’s groundbreaking $2.9 billion purchase of Deribit, the largest deal in crypto history. He discusses the strategic significance of Deribit’s position in the derivatives market and its implications for Coinbase’s dominance. Lau highlights how the derivatives market is outpacing spot trading and predicts industry consolidation. He also explains Coinbase's decision to primarily use stock in the acquisition and what this means for future revenue and competition among smaller exchanges.

In this discussion, Alex Kruger, an economist and crypto trader; Ram Ahluwalia, a digital asset risk management expert; and Katalin Tischhauser, head of research at Sygnum Bank, unpack why traditional investors like Warren Buffett may struggle in crypto's attention-driven market. They explore Ethereum's deeper sentiment issues, recent stablecoin legislation battles, and the significant implications of Apple's NFT ventures. Their insights challenge long-held beliefs about investing while highlighting the shifting landscape in finance and technology.

Tarun Chitra, CEO of Gauntlet, and Max Resnick, Lead economist at Anza, dive deep into Ethereum's struggles and its attempts to pivot. They discuss whether the recent gas limit increase could be a game changer and analyze what went wrong with Ethereum's economics. Max outlines the single most crucial change Ethereum must make, while debating its chances against Layer 2 solutions. The conversation raises concerns about whether these changes come too late in the game, and what they would prioritize if in charge of Ethereum.

Sam Kessler, Deputy Managing Editor at CoinDesk, uncovers the shocking scandal behind the MOVE token collapse. He discusses how questionable contracts and market manipulation appear to be part of a pump-and-dump scheme, raising serious ethical concerns. Key players' conflicts of interest and dubious dealings come to light, revealing a chaotic environment within Movement Labs. Kessler questions the reliability of their self-investigation and sheds light on the need for regulatory clarity in token launches, ultimately urging for greater market integrity.