Unchained

Join Dan Tapiero, co-founder of 10T Holdings, and Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, as they analyze Bitcoin's future under a Biden administration. They dive into how political transitions might influence Bitcoin prices and regulations. They also explore the possible shift in attitudes from gold investors toward Bitcoin. The duo examines the impact of the pandemic on financial markets and Bitcoin’s role as a safe haven amid uncertainty. Additionally, they discuss Federal Reserve policies and the emergence of central bank digital currencies that could reshape the crypto landscape.

In this discussion, Meltem Demirors, Chief Strategy Officer at CoinShares, and Lyn Alden, founder of Lyn Alden Investment Strategy, dive into Bitcoin's relevance in current economic turmoil. They explore how Bitcoin's stability above $10k reflects confidence amidst a pandemic. The guests discuss potential shifts in global finance, including the implications of a new Bretton Woods and China's central bank digital currency. They also highlight the need for Bitcoin mining to localize and the critical role of privacy in the evolving landscape. It's a fascinating look at Bitcoin's future!

Brian Brooks, the Acting Comptroller of the Currency with a background in Coinbase, shares his insights on the evolving relationship between traditional finance and crypto. He discusses the potential for banks to custody cryptocurrencies and the emergence of crypto banks. Brooks also highlights the challenges facing regulators, particularly around stablecoins and decentralized finance. He emphasizes the impact of the pandemic on crypto adoption and advocates for a clear regulatory framework to foster innovation while addressing financial privacy in the space.

In this fascinating discussion, Zia Faruqui, a magistrate judge with extensive experience in cryptocurrency prosecutions, and Jesse Brooks, a U.S. attorney focused on national security, delve into the complexities of crypto crime. They explore how terrorists like Al-Qaeda adapt fundraising strategies using dynamic addresses and social media. The duo shares insights on significant cases including the Lazarus Group's massive theft and the exploitation of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic for scams. Their collaborative approaches highlight the evolving landscape of crypto-related crimes and law enforcement's response.

Hester Peirce, known as "Crypto Mom," is a prominent SEC Commissioner advocating at the crossroads of crypto and regulation. In this discussion, she shares insights on her dissent regarding the Unikrn settlement and her vision for a token safe harbor. Peirce delves into the classification of airdrops, the potential of DeFi governance tokens as securities, and whether existing laws can adapt to the evolving crypto landscape. She also touches on the future of Bitcoin ETFs and the implications of the BitMEX case on the industry.

Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO of FTX and advisor to Project Serum, teams up with Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana Labs, to discuss the groundbreaking Project Serum ecosystem. They delve into Solana’s unique approach to scaling, emphasizing its proof-of-history mechanism. The duo envisions Solana disrupting traditional finance and explain why interoperability with Ethereum is crucial for attracting DeFi developers. They also touch on the innovative roles of Serum's tokens and the future growth of the platform, sparking excitement for its potential impact.

In this discussion, Andreas M. Antonopoulos, a renowned Bitcoin educator, and Dan Held, growth lead at Kraken, delve into Bitcoin's unique monetary policy. They explore its differences from traditional systems and the implications of its hard cap of 21 million coins. The duo also examines Bitcoin's relationship with gold and the stock market, while pondering if it can truly democratize finance. They discuss how global events like the pandemic might influence Bitcoin’s adoption and stability in the evolving financial landscape, especially with the rise of crypto banks.

Matthew Leising, a Bloomberg reporter and author of "Out of the Ether," dives into the gripping early history of Ethereum and the notorious 2016 DAO hack. He reveals the intriguing motivations behind going from skepticism to storytelling, and shares his challenges in identifying the attackers. Leising recounts a pivotal meeting in Tokyo with a prime suspect and discusses the long-term implications of the DAO incident for Ethereum. He also contrasts the dynamic world of crypto journalism with traditional finance, offering insights into the evolving landscape.

Andre Cronje, the mastermind behind yearn.finance, dives into the world of DeFi and the innovative concept of the YFI token's fair launch. He reflects on his unconventional journey and the transformative power of community in governance. With candid insights, he discusses the soaring value of YFI and why traditional business structures might be ripe for change. He also addresses his controversial 'testing in production' approach and the challenges faced in decentralizing financial systems, all while maintaining a laid-back demeanor.

Olaf Carlson-Wee, founder and CEO of Polychain Capital and former Coinbase employee, shares his insights on the rapidly changing crypto landscape. He discusses the nuances of yield farming, liquidity mining, and decentralized finance's impact on traditional corporations. Olaf critiques projects like YFI, delves into the governance structures of Uniswap versus SushiSwap, and examines the scalability of Ethereum. He also highlights the significance of security in DeFi and envisions how new models can redefine finance.