Unchained

Celebrating a decade of self-employment, the host shares her inspiring journey filled with struggles and triumphs. She discusses her transformation from personal finance to cryptocurrency writing, revealing pivotal moments that shaped her career. Emphasizing self-compassion and creative freedom, she reflects on the vital role of mental resilience in overcoming challenges. The narrative highlights personal growth and the gratitude felt for support received, encouraging others to embrace their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Tim Beiko, head of Ethereum protocol developer calls, shares his insights on the recent Shapella upgrade, marking a significant milestone in Ethereum's shift to proof-of-stake. He discusses the implications of validator withdrawals and the challenges faced during this transition. Beiko highlights the future roadmap for Ethereum, including the pivotal EIP-4844 aimed at reducing Layer 2 costs, and explains the concept of proposer-builder separation and its intended benefits. The conversation is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of Ethereum.

Gabriel Shapiro, general counsel at Delphi Labs, and Fatemeh Fannizadeh, a lawyer specializing in DAOs, delve into the resilience of decentralized autonomous organizations amidst growing regulatory scrutiny. They discuss the legal ramifications of Wyoming's DAO LLC law and Utah's innovative Limited Liability DAOs. The guests analyze recent lawsuits, including the Ooki DAO case, and highlight crucial liability issues for governance token holders. Their contrasting views on the Mango DAO settlement provide further insight into the complexities of DAO governance and legal frameworks.

Congressman Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip and a vocal advocate for crypto, dives into the complexities of U.S. cryptocurrency regulation. He argues that the recent clampdown on crypto aims to disconnect it from the banking system. Emmer criticizes SEC Chair Gary Gensler, labeling him a 'bad-faith regulator.' He discusses the shifting views in Congress, the polarized approach to blockchain, and the ramifications of the FedNow system. Emmer warns that current U.S. attitudes could undermine the nation's economic power in the global crypto arena.

In this lively discussion, Laura Shin, an author and crypto journalist, joins Haseeb Qureshi, Tarun Chitra, and Tom Schmidt to dissect the Arbitrum governance crisis and its implications for decentralized organizations. They delve into the impact of the Shanghai upgrade on Ethereum staking, conversing about ETH's unique organic yield. The conversation takes a dramatic turn as they reveal the fallout from a $25 million MEV attack, exploring Ethereum's vulnerabilities while weaving in some lighthearted banter about personal choices, including haircuts!

Brian Quintenz, head of policy for a16z crypto, and Nic Carter, general partner at Castle Island Ventures, dive into the contentious relationship between the U.S. government and the crypto industry. They discuss Operation Choke Point 2.0 and its implications for banking access for crypto startups. The duo analyzes whether current regulatory actions from agencies like the SEC and CFTC threaten crypto's future, consider the impact of bank failures, and explore the long-term effects of these pressures on innovation in the sector.

Austin Campbell, a Columbia Business School professor and managing partner at Zero Knowledge Consulting, dives deep into the CFTC's allegations against Binance and their implications for the crypto world. He discusses the potential for criminal charges against key figures like CEO Changpeng Zhao. Campbell highlights how this case may redefine regulatory authority over crypto assets, speculating that Coinbase could emerge as a major winner if Binance US shuts down. He also examines the legal complexities of extradition and the classification of cryptocurrencies as commodities.

Regulatory issues are mounting for Binance, with serious allegations of evading compliance and potentially trading against customers. The discussion turns to the implications of the CFTC lawsuit and how it contrasts with the SEC's stance on tokens. Do Kwon's recent arrest adds a twist, coinciding with Vitalik's crypto experiment in Montenegro. As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, questions arise about the future of major exchanges and the evolving landscape of crypto regulation in Hong Kong versus the U.S. Will Binance's troubles ripple through the crypto markets?

Dan Boneh, a Stanford professor specializing in cryptography, and Ali Yahya, a general partner at a16z crypto, unravel the intricacies of zero-knowledge proofs and their pivotal role in blockchain. They discuss the nuances of SNARKs vs. STARKs, the magic behind recursive SNARKs, and the urgent need for privacy in decentralized applications. Their conversation explores how zkEVMs are essential for Ethereum's scalability and the potential of zero-knowledge technology in various sectors, from finance to social networks, while addressing challenges such as trusted setups and regulatory compliance.

Paul Grewal, the Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, dives into the recent SEC Wells Notice, which he deems a 'massive overreach.' He highlights the SEC's lack of clear rules for cryptocurrency and shares Coinbase's frustrations in seeking regulatory guidance. Grewal discusses the impact of the notice on the crypto landscape and the ongoing jurisdictional tug-of-war between the SEC and CFTC. He argues that this legal battle threatens crypto's future in the U.S. and emphasizes the urgent need for Congress to develop clearer regulations for blockchain technology.