Unchained

Arthur Hayes, cofounder of BitMEX and a keen commentator on crypto markets, dives into his transformative journey regarding Ethereum. He reveals why he once deemed Ethereum worthless and how the Merge has shifted his perspective, making him bullish on ETH. Discussions touch on NFTs unlocking vast cultural value, the importance of macroeconomic factors, and Ethereum's future compared to Bitcoin. Hayes shares trading strategies and thoughts on the potential impact of a US recession on crypto markets, making for an insightful exploration of digital finance.

In this enlightening discussion, Jill Gunter, the Empress of Espresso and a key voice in DeFi, joins crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi and Tom Schmidt. They delve into whether product management is nudging out traditional consulting roles. Jill shares her renewed faith in macroeconomics following insights from Fed authorities. Key topics include the over-compliance risks for crypto projects with Tornado Cash sanctions and the crucial need for educating regulators. They also debate issues of privacy in Ethereum's landscape, examining how social slashing could help maintain decentralization.

Miles Jennings, General Counsel at a16z crypto, dives into the firm's innovative "can’t be evil" NFT licenses. He explains how these licenses tackle essential rights issues in the NFT space, offering clarity for creators and buyers. Jennings discusses the five key rights provided by these licenses and how they aim to curb hate speech concerns. He also outlines why past attempts at standardizing NFT licenses failed and shares optimism about the future success of these transformative measures.

Drew Hinkes, a partner at KNL Gates and crypto law expert, teams up with Martin Koppelman, co-founder of Gnosis, to explore the complexities of Ethereum amidst sanctions on Tornado Cash. They discuss the unclear legalities of decentralized finance, the impact of proof-of-stake on censorship resistance, and the behavior shifts of miners. The duo also delves into entities involved in staking, the liabilities of validators, and the role of Flashbots in potential censorship. Expect insights on how these challenges affect Ethereum's decentralization and regulatory compliance.

Travis Kling, Chief Investment Officer at Ikigai Asset Management, shares his expertise on Ethereum's pivotal Merge, discussing how it may reshape the crypto landscape. He explains shifting supply-demand dynamics and how Ethereum could become a deflationary asset. Kling also delves into the growing institutional interest in ETH versus Bitcoin and the potential influence of macroeconomic factors. With insights into price volatility and staking risks, Kling presents a compelling case for ETH's future in the cryptocurrency world.

Stephane Gosselin, cofounder and chief architect of Flashbots, and Uri Klarman, CEO of bloXroute Labs, dive into the intriguing world of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV). They unravel the complexities of MEV within Ethereum, discussing issues like frontrunning and the impact of Proof of Stake. The duo explores how innovative solutions like MEV-Boost and proposer-builder separation aim to create fairer transactions. They even tackle the legal implications of MEV and debate whether its exploitation is ethical, shedding light on a contentious yet vital aspect of decentralized finance.

Ari Redbord, Head of Legal and Government Affairs at TRM Labs, shares his deep insights as a former federal prosecutor and Treasury advisor. He discusses the significant sanctions against Tornado Cash, emphasizing the heightened regulatory scrutiny following the Ronin hack. Ari explains how TRM's blockchain analytics tools aid compliance in DeFi, and debates the implications of recent regulatory actions on users' privacy. He also warns about the future of privacy technologies amid growing government intervention in the crypto space.

Discover the controversies surrounding Tornado Cash and the implications of OFAC sanctions on privacy in crypto. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by decentralized finance as government regulations rise. Delve into the intricate issues of Ethereum's shift to Proof of Stake and the centralization risks posed by MEV. Learn about the evolving landscape of NFT royalties and how innovative platforms like Sudoswap are changing the game for creators. Each topic unveils the complexities of navigating the intersections of regulation, technology, and market dynamics.

Surojit Chatterjee, Chief Product Officer at Coinbase, discusses his journey into cryptocurrency and the company’s vision for onboarding billions of users into the space. He highlights Coinbase's unique approach to differentiating itself in a competitive market and integrating with Web3. Surojit touches on the challenges faced with the failed NFT marketplace and how partnerships, like the one with BlackRock, reflect crypto’s growing institutional interest. He also delves into the importance of continuous innovation even in a downturn.

Jerry Brito, executive director of Coin Center, dives into the controversial sanctions against Tornado Cash. He discusses how the government's actions may have misclassified the decentralized service, impacting many legitimate users. Brito raises concerns about the constitutional validity of the sanctions and argues for clearer regulatory frameworks. He also explores the complexities of unfreezing assets affected by these sanctions, and the broader implications for financial privacy and the future of cryptocurrency regulation.