Unchained

Andy Greenberg, a senior writer for WIRED and author of "Tracers in the Dark," dives into the complex world of crypto tracing and its impact on financial privacy. He discusses the shift from Bitcoin as a tool for crypto anarchy to its use in crime-fighting. Greenberg shares insights from his investigations, revealing how new techniques have been developed to deanonymize Bitcoin, and explores the ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement. He also reflects on the enigma of Satoshi Nakamoto and the evolving future of privacy in cryptocurrency.

Emily Parker, CoinDesk's executive director of global content, shares her expertise on the booming Asian crypto markets. She discusses Hong Kong's push for a regulated trading environment and explores the implications of China's past restrictions. Japan's innovative regulatory approaches, including stablecoin policies and DAO guidelines, are examined, showcasing a stark contrast to U.S. attitudes. Parker highlights the potential of Asia to lead the next bull run, emphasizing unique regional perspectives on crypto and investment.

In this insightful discussion, Pacman, the founder of Blur and a key player in the NFT marketplace revolution, shares his journey battling industry giant OpenSea. He reveals the strategic motivations behind Blur's creation, the controversial topic of NFT royalties, and the lessons learned from liquidity mining programs. Pacman also analyzes why forking Blur's code is not a viable option for competitors and offers his perspective on the enduring strength of the NFT market, even during bear phases. Explore his insights on the future of NFT trading dynamics!

Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, and Rebecca Rettig, Chief Policy Officer at Polygon Labs, dive into the SEC's recent crackdown on crypto. They discuss the fallout from FTX, questioning whether the SEC's actions threaten innovation in the U.S. They address the complexities of stablecoin regulation, the potential classification of certain stablecoins as securities, and the chilling effect on the market. Both express concerns about pushing crypto innovation offshore, which could become a national security issue.

Mike Selig, counsel at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, dives into the mounting regulatory pressures facing crypto in the U.S. He highlights the SEC's aggressive stance under Gary Gensler, particularly in light of cases like Kraken and Paxos. Selig raises concerns about potential coordinated efforts to regulate the industry out of existence, especially regarding stablecoins. He also discusses how the SEC’s recent rules could redefine custody practices, emphasizing the delicate balance between regulation and innovation in the crypto landscape.

Joining the discussion is Marc Boiron, Chief Legal Officer at Polygon, who delves into the SEC's enforcement actions against stablecoins and how they could reshape the crypto landscape. He shares insights on the implications of the SEC's moves against Paxos and the nuances of classifying stablecoins as securities. The conversation also touches on Kraken's staking settlement and its potential ripple effects on the industry. Overall, Marc emphasizes the need for clear guidelines amidst regulatory chaos to foster innovation in the crypto space.

Erin West, Deputy District Attorney of Santa Clara County, leads the charge against crypto ‘pig butchering’ scams. She shares chilling stories of victims who have lost hundreds of thousands and even faced tragic outcomes. Erin explains the manipulative tactics used by scammers and how they target vulnerable people. She highlights the crucial need for empathy in law enforcement and discusses her agency’s success in recovering nearly $1 million for victims. With fresh intel on scam locations and the call for better crypto education, she details how the fight against these crimes continues.

Chris Blec, a DeFi researcher and founder of The Blec Report, takes a critical look at a16z’s influence on Uniswap's governance vote, arguing it undermines decentralization. He challenges the effectiveness of the 'one token, one vote' system, highlighting how whales can distort true democratic governance. Blec also contends that VCs, while professing support for crypto ideals, may prioritize profits over community needs, raising concerns about the future of DAOs and potential regulatory actions.

Lawrence Zlatkin, VP of Tax at Coinbase, and Shehan Chandrasekera, Head of Tax Strategy at CoinTracker, dive into the complexities of crypto taxes. They discuss the IRS's increased scrutiny on staking and NFTs, essential tax forms like 1040 and 8949, and common filing mistakes to avoid. The duo offers insights on tax implications for bankruptcies and strategies to simplify tax time. Plus, they tackle what creators need to know about NFT taxes and the effects of the Ethereum Merge on tax reporting.

This week, the hosts dive into the tension between Bitcoin maximalists and the emerging NFT scene on Bitcoin. They scrutinize Canto's recent surge and debate its unique claims versus established blockchain norms. LayerZero's interoperability concerns spark a heated discussion about security risks. Finally, they tackle Uniswap's critical choice on bridging services, weighing transparency against competing technologies. The episode offers a fresh perspective on blockchain governance and innovation amidst traditional expectations.