Unchained

In this engaging discussion, Maria Paula Fernandez, co-founder of JPG and NFT expert, shares insights on the valuation of NFTs in the art world. Kavita Gupta, early NFT investor, tackles insider trading issues, questioning if regulation is needed. Oliver Halsman Rosenberg, an artist, explores the intersection of technology and art, while NFT collector Gmoney compares Ethereum to other platforms, remarking on the pitfalls of scams. Together, they unravel the complexities of ownership, provenance, and the environmental impact of NFTs.

At Non-Fungible Castle 2021, an NFT exhibition in Prague, four NFT experts discuss the legal implications of NFTs. Guests include Jonathan Victor, product/business development at Protocol Labs; Louis Baudoin, advisor at Monax; Diana Stern, product counsel at Stripe; and Shant Marootian COO at Fractional.art. Show highlights: what users are receiving with the purchase of an NFT how the terms of service for different NFT marketplaces change NFT rights how on-chain storage and off-chain storage affects NFT ownership what rights do creators need to mint an NFT what recourse creators have if someone mints their art as an NFT and profits from it whether NFT marketplaces should respect NFT royalty standards on resales how NFT marketplaces could make it easier for creators to clarify licensing and royalty standards whether NFTs should be regulated under existing laws and what gaps in regulation need to be filled when an NFT should be considered a security how different jurisdictions may work together to regulate NFTs why money laundering is a problem for NFTs how a DAO could go about owning an NFT or IP what would happen to NFTs and DAOs if Ethereum were to suffer a hard fork again why DAOs should stay compliant with traditional regulations how to improve licensing and industry standards for NFTs whether NFTs should be considered as financial objects what would happen if a museum fractionalized the Mona Lisa   Thank you to our sponsors! Avado: ava.do Crypto.com: https://crypto.onelink.me/J9Lg/unconfirmedcardearnfeb2021  Nodle: https://bit.ly/3AXGydJ    Episode Links:   Non-Fungible Castle 2021 Website: https://www.nfcastle.com/ Conference recordings: https://www.nfcastle.com/conference Twitter: https://twitter.com/nf_castle  Tweet thread of Laura’s experience at NFCastle 2021:  https://twitter.com/laurashin/status/1449731658928824320    Jonathan Victor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-victor-69a44255  Louis Baudoin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lou-baudoin-5b847a151/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/MerkleData  Diana Stern Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianajstern  Shant Marootian LinkedIn: ​https://www.linkedin.com/in/smarooti/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tor Bair, the founder of Secret Foundation and a pioneer in privacy-first blockchain technology, dives into the significance of privacy in the crypto world. He discusses how the Secret Network empowers users by keeping smart contracts and NFTs private, unlike public blockchains which can lead to surveillance. Tor highlights the innovative aspects of private metadata in NFTs, explores the unique challenges of decentralization, and debates the appropriate regulatory approach for privacy tech in crypto.

Do Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, dives into the world of decentralized finance and the challenges it faces under US regulations. He explains the purpose behind their stablecoin, TerraUSD, and discusses the innovative Mirror protocol. Kwon reveals why he remains undeterred by the SEC’s scrutiny and shares his thoughts on effective crypto regulation. He emphasizes the need for a global approach to regulation and the importance of robust security measures in DeFi, especially after the recent Cream Finance hack.

In this insightful discussion, Abe Sutherland, an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law and a crypto tax law expert, dives into the alarming implications of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill's provision 6050I. He reveals how this regulation could criminalize basic transactions in digital assets and argues that its outdated reporting threshold stifles innovation. Abe emphasizes the tension between financial privacy and government oversight, urging the crypto community to mobilize against stringent regulations that prioritize surveillance over fair taxation.

PlanB, a former institutional investor turned Bitcoin analyst, shares his insights on Bitcoin's price dynamics and his innovative stock-to-flow model. He discusses the significant impact of Bitcoin futures ETFs on market confidence, the role of scarcity in asset pricing, and external factors like the pandemic that influence Bitcoin's trajectory. PlanB highlights how China's mining ban reshaped the mining landscape and predicts Bitcoin's price potential through the end of the year, stirring curiosity about whether we're in a supercycle.

Andrew Steinwold, a crypto asset expert, and John Egan, CEO focusing on digital markets, share insights on the metaverse and NFTs. They debate its definition and the implications of blockchain technology. John expresses skepticism about Facebook's foray into the metaverse, while Andrew highlights the potential of multiple blockchain-based metaverses. They explore economic opportunities like play-to-earn models and the challenges of online identity in this evolving landscape. Their predictions on the metaverse's trajectory over the next year are equally provocative.

Join Nick Grossman, General Partner at Union Square Ventures, Thomas France, Co-founder of Cygni Capital, Dylan Hixon, President of Arden Road Investments, and Rik Willard, Founder of Agentic Group, as they delve into the transformative potential of decentralized finance. They discuss how blockchain can counter inequalities, enhance financial inclusion, and promote ethical investing. The conversation also tackles the pressing gender imbalance in crypto and the importance of fostering diverse participation in this emerging landscape.

Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto, shares insights from his fintech background and his journey into the cryptocurrency world. He discusses how Visa plans to bridge traditional payment systems with crypto, focusing on the integration of USDC and the importance of stablecoins. Sheffield highlights how NFTs empower artists and promote financial inclusion, particularly for underserved communities. He also addresses the evolving regulatory landscape and why enhanced diligence is essential in the crypto space.

Ryan Gentry, Director of Business Development at Lightning Labs, dives into the exciting world of the Lightning Network, a layer 2 solution for Bitcoin. He highlights partnerships with major platforms like Twitter and Substack that are expanding Bitcoin's reach. Gentry discusses El Salvador's pivotal role in adoption and how its legalization of Bitcoin is shaping transactions. He also elaborates on why comparing Lightning to DeFi makes little sense, focusing on their distinct purposes and the unique innovations Lightning offers for micropayments.