Unchained

Zack Seward, a contributing editor at Unchained and seasoned crypto journalist, engages in a deep conversation with Do Kwon, co-founder of Terra Labs. They reflect on the dramatic fall of TerraUSD and its emotional toll. Laura Shin shares standout moments from her journey in crypto podcasting, discussing the evolution of the industry and the challenges of regulating decentralized finance. The trio also touches on the cultural significance of NFTs and the future of Bitcoin in democratizing financial systems.

Aaron Kaplan and Rosario Ingargiola, leaders in digital asset trading, delve into the path toward regulatory compliance in the crypto landscape. They discuss the recent landmark approval for Prometheum as a broker-dealer and why the industry must embrace regulatory frameworks. The duo contrasts traditional finance with crypto operations, critiques the regulatory clarity's portrayal by incumbents, and backs SEC Chair Gary Gensler's view on crypto securities. Their insights illuminate the role of compliance in shaping the future of digital assets.

Luke Miles, CEO of mint.fun, shares insights on his platform designed to make NFTs more accessible and enjoyable. He discusses the shift toward Ethereum layer 2s as emerging hotspots for NFTs and explains how mint.fun differs from traditional marketplaces like OpenSea. Luke highlights a trend from generic PFP projects to unique creator-centric narratives, emphasizing the rise of open editions in minting. He also offers his thoughts on Bitcoin Ordinals and the impact of NFTs on the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Sreeram Kannan, Founder of EigenLayer and former professor, shares insights on how he transitioned from academia to the crypto space. He discusses EigenLayer's role in providing decentralized trust on Ethereum, explaining complex ideas like merge mining in a simple manner. The conversation unveils the potential of restaking to fund new projects without multiple tokens and examines the risks associated with Ethereum's security model. Kannan also addresses Vitalik Buterin’s concerns about validator corruption and the implications for the blockchain community.

Dan Berkovitz, a former CFTC commissioner and SEC general counsel, teams up with Colin Lloyd, a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, to dive into the heated debate over Ethereum's classification as a security or commodity. They discuss the implications of potential regulatory decisions and the challenges of overseeing rapidly evolving decentralized finance (DeFi) technologies. The duo emphasizes the importance of accountability in the DeFi space and suggests that legal frameworks must adapt to keep pace with innovation and protect investors.

In this discussion, Eric Wall, cofounder of Taproot Wizards and expert in Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens, dives into the brewing rivalry between the 'laser-eye tribe' and the 'magicians' within the Bitcoin community. He explores how Ordinals might attract Ethereum-style challenges to Bitcoin and whether they can stimulate demand for block space. The conversation also touches on security concerns around Ledger, the cultural shifts in Bitcoin, and the implications of Miner Extractable Value (MEV) for the network's future.

Seth for Privacy, a blogger and Head of Content at Foundation Devices, dives into the controversies behind Ledger's new recovery service. He discusses how Ledger Recover, with its closed-source code, poses serious risks to crypto self-custody. Seth highlights the dangers of relying on third parties and the implications for user privacy. He questions the trade-offs between convenience and security, citing Ledger's past security mishaps. Listeners gain insights into the ethical dilemmas and potential future challenges facing the crypto community.

In this discussion, Bitcoin educator Dan Held and Bitcoin Frontier Fund's Trevor Owens dive into the world of BRC-20 tokens and their impact on Bitcoin's ecosystem. They unravel ordinal theory, highlighting the rise of NFTs and memecoins on Bitcoin. Both are optimistic about BRC-20s, with Trevor arguing they're superior to Ethereum's memecoins. They also tackle the surge in transaction fees, the potential for scaling solutions like Layer 2, and whether innovations like these will fulfill Satoshi Nakamoto's original vision for Bitcoin.

The hosts dive into the latest controversies surrounding the Aragon Foundation's alleged accountability issues and questionable salaries. They explore Montenegro's potential as an emerging ETH hub and the vibrant atmosphere of Zuzalu, likening it to a daytime Burning Man. The discussion also touches on the excitement over BRC-20 tokens and the implications of market maker activities. Tune in for insights on governance challenges in decentralized organizations and the evolving language of crypto culture that shapes investor behavior.

Wassielawyer, a restructuring and insolvency specialist, dives into the $44 billion IRS claim against bankrupt FTX. He questions the accuracy of the tax estimates and discusses the implications for creditors hoping to recover funds. The episode highlights the dubious 'trust argument' and how it may—or may not—benefit FTX’s users. Comparisons are made between FTX and other crypto failures, such as Celsius and Mt. Gox, dissecting the legal complexities in cryptocurrency ownership and recovery.