Unchained

Join Ethereum Foundation Research co-leads Alex Stokes and Barnabé Monnot as they dive into Ethereum's Pectra and Fusaka upgrades. They discuss how these enhancements aim to bolster Ethereum's performance against competitors like Solana. While addressing the recent challenges faced during testnet launches, they explore the critical balance of decentralization and the implications for Ethereum's status in the smart contract arena. Tune in for insights on how Ethereum plans to navigate its evolving landscape and the changing leadership dynamics within the foundation.

Ryan Watkins, Co-founder at Syncracy Capital and expert in the crypto economy, shares groundbreaking insights on the new trend of "Fat Apps" out-earning traditional blockchains. He discusses why applications like Ethena are thriving in revenue generation, and what this means for major platforms like Ethereum and Solana. Watkins explains Ethena's bold move to launch its own blockchain, the changing dynamics of value capture, and how future blockchain architectures will evolve to stay competitive in this fast-paced market.

The hosts dive into Ethereum's existential crisis and question if its rollup-centric roadmap might be a misstep. They explore how AI is transforming not just software engineering but also how crypto is transacted and secured. The intriguing fallout from Solana's controversial political ad is discussed, revealing its unintended consequences. There's skepticism about whether Ethereum risks stagnation like IBM, along with reflections on leadership changes within the Ethereum Foundation amidst growing concerns about innovation and community trust.

The podcast dives into the turmoil of the financial markets, questioning whether the current economic instability signals a true shift or just noise. Discussions cover the challenges of inflation and tariffs, the potential for stagflation, and the implications for the Fed's relevancy. Bitcoin's underwhelming performance against gold is analyzed, alongside the promise of stablecoin legislation. The hosts also highlight the road ahead for crypto ETFs and speculate on factors that could reignite the next crypto boom.

The memecoin trade might be over. And Joe McCann says that’s just the beginning.The founder of Asymmetric has been at the intersection of crypto, macro, and tech for years. He called the $BONK trade early, made moves before most saw the opportunity, and now? He’s shifting his focus.Meanwhile, the crypto markets are a bloodbath, with bitcoin, ether, and solana down 10%, 41%, and 35%, respectively, year-to-date.In this episode, Joe joins Unchained to discuss: Why memecoins won’t work the way they used to How institutions are approaching crypto in this cycle Why prices are down so much Why Bitcoin might be so hard to outperform Whether Solana is still the fastest horse Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.comThank you to our sponsors! FalconX Bitwise Guest: Joe McCann, founder of AsymmetricLinksUnchained:  Solana Rejected Inflation Reduction—Here’s Why Are Memecoins Collapsing? These 8 Charts May Be Signaling Yes Bitcoin Has Declined 20%. How Soon Could the BTC Price Revive? Timestamps:👋 0:00 Intro🚀 2:19 How Joe’s background shaped his crypto investing approach🐶 10:25 Spotting the $BONK opportunity before the crowd📉 17:38 Why the memecoin trade might be over💰 21:51 Why Joe believes Pump.fun is NOT extractive📊 33:11 Why crypto prices have struggled despite a pro-crypto shift in Washington🎯 42:34 The moment Joe “finally” gives credit to Arthur Hayes⏳ 45:15 Could having no catalyst actually BE the catalyst?🔥 49:22 Why Joe wasn’t convinced by the SOL inflation proposal⚡ 56:45 Wait—no altcoin season?⚙️ 1:01:34 What still excites Joe about Solana🏦 1:04:57 Why Asymmetric is betting on Bitcoin DeFi🤖 1:07:29 How AI is helping Joe’s team optimize its strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tushar Jain, co-founder and managing partner at Multicoin Capital and co-author of the SIMD-228 proposal, reflects on the recent governance vote regarding Solana's inflation rate. He discusses why the proposal was essential for Solana's health, the surprising opposition from some validators, and how the governance process revealed key challenges. Jain also shares insights into a smaller successful proposal on fee sharing and hints at the possibility of revising SIMD-228 for another attempt.

Quinn Thompson, Founder and CIO at Lekker Capital, dives into the economic chaos surrounding Trump’s recent Bitcoin Reserve announcement. Market reactions are skeptical, with Bitcoin's price crashing despite the government's new hold on seized funds. The discussion reveals the implications of escalating trade wars and a turbulent macroeconomic landscape, questioning whether this is a controlled demolition of asset prices. Thompson also explores how these developments might affect the broader cryptocurrency environment amid liquidity challenges.

Travis Kling, CIO of Ikigai Asset Management with a decade of hedge fund experience, joins the discussion on today’s chaotic markets. He delves into the unpredictable effects of Trump’s policies, inflation concerns, and their impact on various asset classes. Kling explores whether the current downturn is temporary or a long-lasting trend. The conversation highlights the complexity of navigating the crypto landscape amidst political uncertainty, revealing how investor sentiment is shaped by shifting macroeconomic signals.

Mike Belshe, CEO of BitGo, and Chris Giancarlo, former CFTC chairman, discuss the pivotal White House Crypto Summit. They reveal insights on the potential shift in U.S. crypto policy under President Trump and the implications of a proposed strategic Bitcoin reserve. The duo debates whether this move is a genuine pro-crypto strategy or mere political theater. They also explore the possible influence of U.S. Bitcoin recognition on global financial landscapes and the complex relationship between government regulations and decentralized finance.

David Nage, a VC at Arca with deep insights into crypto investments, discusses the latest market tumult sparked by Trump's controversial posts about a crypto reserve. He critiques the inclusion of Cardano and XRP, favoring Bitcoin as a prime candidate for national reserve status. Nage also shares skepticism about the guest list at the White House Crypto Summit, suggesting it's skewed toward centralized interests. With ongoing market struggles, he explores possible catalysts for recovery and the intersections of politics with digital assets.