Unchained

Hester Peirce, known as 'Crypto Mom' and SEC Commissioner, shares her insights on the frustrating pace of crypto regulation. She discusses the SEC's recent classification of tokens as securities and how the current framework struggles to keep up with innovative blockchain technology. Peirce advocates for a more tailored regulatory approach and addresses the complexities of integrating public blockchains into existing laws. With five years at the SEC, she expresses her desire for a productive shift in policy that supports both innovation and consumer protection.

Dive into the fascinating world of crypto as insiders debate the implications of Hinman's 2018 speech on BTC and ETH's security status. Discover the surprising transformation of the PEPE meme and its impact on perceptions of technology. Learn about Uniswap V4's innovative features and potential risks, all while navigating regulatory challenges faced by Binance.US. The podcast also tackles internal conflicts within Ethereum and Solana communities, highlighting the industry's shifting dynamics.

Angelina Kwan, CEO of Stratford Finance and former COO of BitMEX, teams up with Adrian Lai, founder of Newman Capital, to discuss Hong Kong's groundbreaking crypto regulations. They examine how these new rules could influence the crypto landscape, the tokens permitted on licensed exchanges, and the potential impact of China's regulatory stance. Angelina notes a surprising reversal of trends, as crypto firms are staying in Hong Kong. The duo also touches on the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's serious approach to integrating crypto into the banking system.

Emily Meyers, the General Counsel at Electric Capital, breaks down the SEC's recent lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase with her legal expertise. She discusses how these actions don't signal the end of crypto in the U.S. and highlights key differences between the two cases. The conversation delves into the SEC's questionable strategy, ethical concerns surrounding Gary Gensler, and regulatory challenges stemming from Coinbase's IPO. Meyers emphasizes the need for clearer guidelines as the industry evolves amidst ongoing legal battles.

Jake Chervinsky, Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association, shares his expertise on the SEC’s recent legal actions against Binance and Coinbase. He argues that the Binance lawsuit lacked surprises but reveals alarming allegations of wash trading. Chervinsky discusses the SEC's inconsistent enforcement, the potential targeting of Gemini, and the contrasting market reactions to these cases. He also speculates on how these developments might influence legislative action in Congress, suggesting a broader impact on the future of crypto regulation.

Itai Turbahn, Co-founder and CEO of Dynamic Labs, collaborates with Ouriel Ohayon, CEO of ZenGo, to tackle the hot topic of crypto wallet security. They discuss the recent Ledger Recover controversy, emphasizing that while management of keys is crucial, misunderstanding hardware wallets could lead to fear. Multi-party computation as a solution is delved into, alongside the trade-offs of security versus user experience. They also explore how innovations like Dynamic Wallet and account abstraction could revolutionize user interactions with crypto.

Dive into a lively debate about modular blockchains versus monolithic ones. The hosts tackle audience questions, sharing quirky insights and personal tidbits, like favorite video games. They explore the evolution of crypto communities, reflecting on how motivations have shifted over time. A detailed discussion on rollups reveals differing opinions and concerns about security. The complexities of the Cosmos ecosystem come into play as they analyze fragmentation in blockchain development. Expect humor and banter alongside intriguing crypto insights!

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.