Unchained

Pplpleasr is a renowned digital artist known for her stunning 3D animations and groundbreaking NFT projects, including the Fortune magazine crypto cover. In this discussion, she reveals how her journey began after not landing a job at Apple and expands on her collaboration with Uniswap. Pplpleasr shares insights into her creative process and the significance of representing anon-avatars on the Fortune cover. She also discusses how NFTs revolutionize monetization for creators and the growing institutional interest in the space.

Nick Johnson, the lead developer at the Ethereum Name Service (ENS), explains how he's making Ethereum more accessible with human-readable names. He shares insights on why Budweiser bought 'beer.eth' and the exciting use cases for ENS names. Privacy concerns surrounding attached identities and strategies to combat unwanted token spam are discussed. Johnson also details the transition to rent-based registration to curb name squatting, plus future plans for integrating traditional domains into Ethereum. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of digital identity!

Mike Belshe, Co-founder and CEO of BitGo, and Jeff Horowitz, Chief Compliance Officer, explore the complex world of crypto regulation. They discuss why the travel rule could be problematic for digital assets, especially concerning customer data sharing. Jeff explains his transition from traditional finance to crypto and the unique compliance challenges that arise in the sector. They delve into the implications of recent legislation and why DeFi is not yet ready for strict rules. The conversation highlights BitGo's merger with Galaxy and the evolving interest from institutional investors.

Kyle Samani, Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital and a crypto visionary, shares insights on the staggering 3,800% growth of Solana this year. He discusses key DeFi projects propelling this surge and argues that Solana could potentially outshine Ethereum. Samani highlights distinct advantages in Solana's scalability, composability, and NFT applications. He also addresses the recent Degen Ape Academy issues, predicting Solana's role in future crypto bull runs, and explains why he believes its centralization isn't a significant concern.

In this engaging discussion, Richard Chen, a general partner at 1confirmation, and Fredrik Haga, CEO of Dune Analytics, delve into the Ethereum ecosystem's current landscape. They explore the surge in NFT activity driven by platforms like OpenSea, the importance of on-chain data for deeper insights, and the challenges Ethereum faces. The duo discusses the rise of DeFi, its user trends, and predictions for the future of NFTs and ETH. They also differentiate between Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain while sharing excitement for rollup technologies.

Mudit Gupta, a security researcher and core developer at SushiSwap, provides an expert analysis of the recent $600M Poly Network hack. He breaks down how the attacker exploited vulnerabilities and the reasons behind the hacker's decision to return half the stolen funds. Gupta discusses the obscurity of Poly Network prior to the breach and how 'keepers' failed to protect it. He also sheds light on the intricate cat-and-mouse game between the hacker and Poly Network, as well as the implications for crypto regulations and security moving forward.

Justin Drake, a researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, dives into the implications of Ethereum's recent upgrades, including EIP-1559 and the transition to proof-of-stake. He argues that burning ether is beneficial for its economy and discusses how Ethereum could evolve into 'ultra-sound money,' surpassing traditional commodities. The conversation touches on the projected deflationary effects post-merge, the decreasing net sell pressure, and even some concerns about Bitcoin's future viability in a transaction-based world.

Kristin Smith, executive director at the Blockchain Association, shares her insights on the latest developments in crypto legislation. She discusses a controversial provision in the infrastructure bill that could impose heavy taxes on the crypto industry. Kristin points out the issues with the expanded definition of 'broker' and the negative impacts of a rival amendment supported by the White House. She emphasizes the potential harm to proof-of-stake networks and DeFi, while urging the crypto community to rally and advocate for clearer regulations.

CFTC Commissioners Dan Berkovitz and Brian Quintenz dive into the complex world of DeFi and crypto derivatives regulation. With backgrounds steeped in finance and law, they highlight the evolving CFTC jurisdiction and the need for clear regulatory frameworks. The discussion touches on the legality of smart contracts, challenges posed by platforms like BitMEX, and the potential impact of Hester Peirce’s safe harbor proposal. The commissioners argue that the future of DeFi will favor protocols that prioritize regulatory compliance.

Leah Callon-Butler, director of Emfarsis and screenwriter of the documentary "Play-to-Earn: NFT Gaming in the Philippines," talks about the transformative power of blockchain gaming. She reveals how Axie Infinity became a financial lifeline for Filipinos during the pandemic, particularly in rural areas. Leah discusses how gaming has created new income opportunities, the role of crypto exchanges for players, and innovative scholarship systems that assist new users. The conversation highlights surprising demographics entering the play-to-earn movement and emerging business models.