Unchained

Stephen Palley, a partner at Anderson Kill specializing in cryptocurrency law, and Gabriel Shapiro from BSV Law delve into the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple and its executives. They discuss the severity of the SEC's actions and the implications of XRP being classified as a security. The conversation highlights Ripple's potential defense strategies, the likelihood of severe repercussions for investors, and how this case might influence the broader crypto market. Predictions on the lawsuit's trajectory reveal a complex legal landscape in the crypto space.

Willy Woo, a leading on-chain Bitcoin analyst and author of "The Bitcoin Forecast," dives deep into the recent surge of Bitcoin prices. He discusses the multi-phase market trends, projecting a possible rise to $200,000-$300,000 by year-end. Woo reveals insights into who is buying Bitcoin this cycle and why it differs from past trends. He also highlights the impact of the pandemic on Bitcoin’s valuation and describes current on-chain movements as 'whale spawning season.' Expect intriguing perspectives on Bitcoin's price dynamics and Ethereum's future in the crypto landscape.

Rob Palatnick, a tech innovator at the DTCC; Matthieu Saint Olive, CBDC advisor at ConsenSys; and Robert Bench from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston discuss the future of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). They delve into how CBDCs can enhance transaction efficiency and the importance of privacy in their design. The panel examines the balance between decentralization and centralization, the challenges of adoption, and the potential coexistence of stablecoins with CBDCs. Perspectives on global privacy concerns and local needs also take center stage.

Host Laura Shin recaps the biggest stories of the year in crypto, with clips from shows throughout the year. In this episode, we cover how the pandemic drove Bitcoin to new all-time highs, how regulation began to come for the crypto space in a big way, plus new trends in DeFi, corporate structures, and how ETH will change as an asset.    Thank you to our sponsors!  Crypto.com: http://crypto.com 1inch: https://1inch.exchange   Episode links:  Meltem Demirors on Bitcoin’s behavior during the recession https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-bitcoin-now-meltem-demirors-and-lyn-alden-on-the-perfect-conditions-for-bitcoin/   Mike Novogratz and Raoul Pal on Bitcoin’s relation to fiat https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-bitcoin-now-mike-novogratz-and-raoul-pal-on-the-single-greatest-brand-of-the-last-10-years/   Chamath Palihapitiya on Bitcoin as a financial hedge https://unchainedpodcast.com/chamath-palihapitiya-why-bitcoin-will-be-the-category-winner/   Cathie Wood and Dan Tapiero on corporate adoption of Bitcoin https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-bitcoin-now-bitcoin-under-a-biden-administration/   Dave Jevans and Siân Jones on regulation and VASPs https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-the-travel-rule-is-one-of-the-most-significant-regulations-in-crypto/    Jake Chervinsky and Kristin Smith on the Swiss Rule and self-hosted wallets https://unchainedpodcast.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-looming-battle-over-privacy-in-crypto/   Jeremy Allaire and Kristin Smith on Mnuchin’s proposed FinCEN rule https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-is-the-proposed-fincen-rule-for-unhosted-wallets-being-pushed-so-quickly/   Jessi Brooks and Zia Faruqui on cryptocurrencies facilitating illicit activity https://unchainedpodcast.com/how-this-doj-strike-force-hunts-down-cryptocurrency-criminals/    Brian Brooks on Americans accepting more privacy restrictions https://unchainedpodcast.com/acting-comptroller-of-the-currency-brian-brooks-on-crypto-banks/   Meltem Demirors on privacy being under attack https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-bitcoin-now-meltem-demirors-and-lyn-alden-on-the-perfect-conditions-for-bitcoin/   Haseeb Qureshi on the maturation of DeFi https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-decentralized-trading-has-10xed-in-a-few-months/    Vitalik Buterin on risks that still exist in DeFi https://unchainedpodcast.com/vitalik-buterin-on-ethereums-five-year-anniversary/   Taylor Monahan and Dan Guido on DeFi security https://unchainedpodcast.com/defi-security-with-so-many-hacks-will-it-ever-be-safe/    Vitalik Buterin reflecting on the last five years of Ethereum https://unchainedpodcast.com/vitalik-buterin-on-ethereums-five-year-anniversary/    Ryan Watkins on Ethereum 2.0 https://unchainedpodcast.com/ethereum-2-0-what-you-need-to-know/    Olaf Carlson-Wee on DeFi impacting the traditional corporate structure https://unchainedpodcast.com/olaf-carlson-wee-if-there-is-a-money-losing-exploit-the-money-is-gone/ Andrew Cronje on shifting corporate structures https://unchainedpodcast.com/andre-cronje-of-yearn-finance-on-yfi-and-the-fair-launch-im-lazy/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Jeremy Allaire, founder and CEO of Circle Pay, and Kristin Smith, executive director of the Blockchain Association, dissect the proposed FinCEN rule targeting unhosted wallets. They argue that the regulation, imposed with urgency, is politically motivated and risks stifling the crypto industry. The duo also explores implications for privacy, compliance challenges, and how the impending Biden administration may reshape the regulatory landscape. They advocate for community action to counter these sweeping changes.

Marguerite deCourcelle, co-founder and CEO of Blockade Games, shares her journey from art to cryptocurrency in gaming. She discusses how blockchain can revamp the gaming landscape, particularly with the launch of Neon District, a blockchain RPG incorporating NFTs. Marguerite explores the significance of decentralized profiles and open economies in enhancing gameplay dynamics. She also delves into the differences between NFT types and challenges traditional gaming business models, highlighting the potential of blockchain to disrupt the industry.

Gavin Wood, the founder of Polkadot, Kusama, and Parity Technologies, shares his groundbreaking vision for Polkadot, a 'meta-protocol' designed to revolutionize blockchain. He explains the mechanics of parachains and how innovative auction formats enhance fairness. Wood also addresses security concerns stemming from Parity's past incidents and outlines on-chain governance to prevent forks. Additionally, he discusses Polkadot's collaboration with Ethereum and its potential to serve enterprise blockchains, emphasizing adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Ryan Watkins and Wilson Withiam, senior research analysts at Messari, dive deep into Ethereum 2.0's monumental upgrade. They discuss the shift from proof of work to proof of stake and the implications for validators. The duo highlights the innovative staking solutions that enhance liquidity and the relationship between staking and DeFi. They also explore Ethereum's unique monetary policy and how the upgrade redefines ETH as a store of value, capital asset, and commodity. Their insights illuminate the challenges and rewards facing Ethereum 2.0 as it aims to scale effectively.

Christine Sandler, head of sales and marketing at Fidelity Digital Assets, brings 30 years of finance experience to the crypto world. She shares the journey of Fidelity into digital assets and how they were pioneers in the field. The conversation touches on shifting client expectations, the educational challenges of crypto, and plans for a Bitcoin index fund. Sandler also discusses international investors' attitudes toward cryptocurrency and the evolving regulatory landscape, emphasizing Fidelity's commitment to innovation in this rapidly changing market.

Jake Chervinsky, General Counsel at Compound Labs, and Kristen Smith, Executive Director of The Blockchain Association, dive into the urgent issues surrounding privacy in cryptocurrency. They discuss crucial differences between self-hosted and custodial wallets, emphasizing user control and privacy. The conversation highlights looming regulations from FinCEN that could tighten financial surveillance, the risks posed by OTC brokers, and the implications for political dissent in authoritarian regimes. Ultimately, they analyze whether Americans should sacrifice privacy for enhanced security.