The Rollup

Felix Jauvin, a macro commentator and host of Forward Guidance, dives into the shifting landscape of finance and investments. He shares insights on the debasement trade and how gold and Bitcoin are benefiting from the same macro trends. Jauvin discusses Trump's potential Fed takeover, the impact of tariffs, and the rising prominence of stablecoins in replacing traditional banking. He also critiques why value investing is faltering in today’s market while offering strategies for navigating expensive assets.

This week features Fijal, a macro commentator and host of Forward Guidance, who discusses the interplay between gold and bitcoin, emphasizing the impact of macro trends on asset performance. Jose Maria Masad from Delphi Labs shares insights on AI investing and strategies for accessing concentrated funds. Lastly, Nerolf advocates for prediction markets as a gamified finance tool, exploring how they can monetize creator engagement and attract mainstream users. Expect a whirlwind of macro analysis, investing strategies, and innovative market ideas!

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX and crypto macro analyst, shares his bold prediction that Bitcoin could soar to $250K by year-end, fueled by Trump's covert strategy to seize control of the Federal Reserve. He delves into the dynamics of hyperfinancialization, noting that salaried workers are often left behind, while asset owners thrive. Hayes also highlights stablecoins as global dollar bank accounts and discusses the geopolitical implications of America's declining dominance. It's a wild ride through the future of money and macroeconomics!

Hang Yin, co-founder of Phala and a privacy-centered AI researcher, shares crucial insights into the world of confidential computing. He breaks down the latest Intel TEE exploits and discusses why some encryption methods are often overlooked. Yin emphasizes the importance of full-stack confidentiality and decentralized key management for secure AI environments. The conversation furthers into the significance of private AI, comparing its potential impact to that of nuclear fusion, urging everyone to take an interest in privacy solutions.

Austin Federa, Co-founder of Double Zero, dives into the exciting world of bandwidth-focused blockchain infrastructure. He discusses the rapid launch of Double Zero's mainnet and its innovative token mechanics. Austin highlights the importance of regulatory clarity for telecom contributions, while exploring how his network achieves resilience and supports decentralized validators. He unveils benefits of multicast for ledger data distribution, touches on global market connections, and outlines future steps for onboarding validators. A fascinating look at the future of fiber in crypto!

In this engaging discussion, Michael Egorov, co-founder of Curve and founder of Yield Basis, delves into innovative approaches to unlock Bitcoin's yield. He shares insights on the significant demand for Yield Basis, addressing impermanent loss in DeFi, and the surge in Curve USD's potential adoption. Michael explains modified ve-tokenomics that differentiate real yield from token rewards, and highlights the symbiotic relationship between Yield Basis and stablecoin growth. Get ready to explore the future of crypto liquidity!

Ran Goldi, VP of Payments at Fireblocks and a former blockchain payments startup founder, delves into the transformative potential of stablecoins. He reveals that $200 billion is flowing monthly through these digital assets, reshaping cross-border B2B payments. Goldi discusses plans for a 'SWIFT for stablecoins,' the increasing embrace of blockchain by banks, and the innovative idea of enabling reversible transactions in crypto. He emphasizes how Fireblocks is facilitating this shift and speculates on the future integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.

Joining the discussion are Michael Igorov, a DeFi whiz behind YieldBasis and Curve, and Laura Shin, a prominent crypto journalist and host of Unchained. They dive deep into the massive demand for YieldBasis's token, exploring innovative features like real yield options and community-focused economics. Michael also discusses adapting to Bitcoin's volatility and addressing safety in their rollout. Meanwhile, Laura shares her journey with creator tokens, examining monetization strategies and community feedback, making for a vibrant dialogue that interweaves finance and creativity.

Avichal Garg, a general partner at Electric Capital with a rich background in early-stage crypto investments, teams up with Mike Silagadze, CEO of Ether.Fi, a pioneer in crypto-native banking. They delve into the explosive growth potential of digital asset treasuries and how they could unleash billions into DeFi. Mike shares his vision of a crypto neobank with unique rewards, while Avichal discusses a fundamental asset selection strategy and predicts a future with thousands of crypto billionaires. Exciting insights into the evolving landscape of institutional crypto await!

Ran Goldie, VP of Payments at Fireblocks, dives into the nuances of stablecoin payments and the challenges facing banks in adopting blockchain technology. He highlights the immense $200B monthly stablecoin flows, driven by B2B cross-border payments and payroll. Meanwhile, John Camerado, founder of ZK Verify, shares insights about their mainnet launch, discussing ZK proofs in gaming and how they enable trustless verification in payments and trading. Together, they illuminate the future of digital payments and verification on decentralized networks.