Unchained

In this engaging discussion, Aaron Lammer, author and host of the Exit Scam podcast, dives into the perplexing story of Gerald Cotten, the founder of QuadrigaCX. He reveals Cotten's shady background as a Ponzi scheme operator and the red flags that customers overlooked. The conversation spirals into Cotten's mysterious death on his honeymoon, his dubious financial maneuvers, and speculations on whether he faked his demise. Aaron raises questions about a potential exhumation and the implications for the vanished cryptocurrency, making for a riveting exploration of trust and deceit.

Jaynti Kanani, Co-founder and CEO of Polygon, shares insights on how his layer-2 scaling solution thrived amidst a down crypto market. He highlights the impressive year-to-date performance of Polygon and its transformative impact on Ethereum transactions. Audiences will learn about the diverse projects flourishing on Polygon, its cutting-edge technology that enhances efficiency, and its strategic plans for future funding. Jaynti also addresses the significance of Polygon post-ETH 2.0, showcasing its potential to remain vital in the evolving blockchain landscape.

Celebrate the five-year milestone with engaging listener questions! Discover insights on the intriguing link between psychedelics and crypto, and learn which guests have been the most memorable. Explore the future of DAOs and the evolution of Ethereum amidst the challenges of gas fees. Hear reflections on the impact of user-friendly products in DeFi and the creative journey behind the show. Plus, find out the three cryptos to watch in the next three years and the surprising moments from interviews with crypto legends!

Jeff Schulte, CEO of ForUsAll, leads the charge in making cryptocurrency investment available within 401(k) accounts. He explains how this innovative move differs from Bitcoin IRAs and the crucial guardrails ForUsAll is implementing for investors. Listeners will discover the tax advantages of investing crypto in a 401(k) and how the security of assets will be handled. Schulte also touches on the selection process for available cryptocurrencies and the fiduciary risks involved for employers. A game-changing discussion bringing crypto to retirement planning!

Willy Woo, an on-chain Bitcoin analyst and writer of the Bitcoin Forecast, teams up with Rafael Schultze-Kraft, co-founder and CTO of Glassnode. They dive into the recent factors affecting Bitcoin's price, including Elon Musk's market influence and the surge of corporate treasuries investing in Bitcoin. Topics include the environmental debate around mining, the role of derivatives in price volatility, and how on-chain metrics suggest Bitcoin could be undervalued. Predictions about Ethereum's impact and the market's bullish potential also take center stage.

Jeremy Rubin, a Bitcoin Core contributor and founder of Judica, dives into the transformative potential of Taproot. He explains how this upgrade can enhance Bitcoin privacy and efficiency, particularly through improved multi-signature transactions. Rubin discusses the implications for on-chain analytics and how Taproot could revolutionize wallet functionality, enabling features like vaults. He also touches on the complexities of miner signaling and the balance between network upgrades and user interests, all while celebrating the vibrant atmosphere of the Miami Bitcoin Conference.

Nick Tomaino, a general partner at 1confirmation and early investor in NFTs and DeFi, shares insights on his firm's $125 million fund focused on innovative crypto investments. He discusses why NFTs have surged in popularity, their current bubble status, and potential future applications. The conversation dives into competition among NFT marketplaces, the feasibility of royalties from secondary sales, and the environmental issues tied to crypto mining. Tomaino also highlights exciting projects like Polkadot and shares trends to watch in the evolving crypto landscape.

House Representative Tom Emmer from Minnesota is a leading advocate for crypto legislation in the U.S. He shares how a specific book ignited his passion for cryptocurrency. Topics include the need for clear accounting standards for digital assets and the potential consequences for companies under current regulations. Emmer discusses legislative efforts to clarify the distinction between digital tokens and securities. He also explores tax implications of cryptocurrency forks and expresses concerns regarding proposed FATF regulations on DeFi.

Kain Warwick, founder of Synthetix, and Kyle Samani, managing partner at Multicoin Capital, dive into the competitive landscape of Ethereum versus Solana and Binance Smart Chain. They debate whether decentralization still matters and discuss the biggest threats to Ethereum's dominance. The duo highlights Solana's advantages, the implications of Ethereum's layer two solutions, and the challenges of scalability. They also share their thoughts on the future of a multi-chain world and how market dynamics may lead to a winner-take-most ecosystem.

Mike Novogratz, founder and CEO of Galaxy Digital, shares his insights into the recent crypto market dip. He identifies five key factors driving the downturn and addresses Bitcoin's environmental concerns. The discussion also covers Ethereum's prospects and the future of centralized blockchains amidst regulatory scrutiny. Mike reveals his thoughts on Galaxy Digital's acquisition of BitGo, upcoming DeFi projects, and the potential approval of a Bitcoin ETF, alongside his price predictions for Bitcoin in 2021.