Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll

From Plasma to ARK: September’s new rails, ETF tailwinds, and euro stablecoins September 2025 was nothing short of explosive for digital assets, stablecoins, and the broader crypto-finance ecosystem — and in this news-packed episode of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll (BFRR), Manuel and Stefan take you through the whirlwind of developments that shaped the month. The episode kicks off with a market overview: crypto market cap reaching a fresh all-time high at $4.7 trillion, massive ETF inflows sparked by the Fed’s first rate cut of the year, and a landmark SEC decision to streamline spot crypto ETF approvals, reducing listing times from more than 200 days to just 75. These moves underline how deeply digital assets are embedding themselves into traditional finance. From there, the hosts dive into the infrastructure shake-up. Tether’s launch of the Plasma Chain stole headlines, debuting with $2 billion in total value locked and support from over 100 DeFi projects. Anchored to Bitcoin, EVM-compatible, and zero-fee for users, Plasma marks Tether’s bold attempt to merge payments use cases, DeFi traction, and emerging market adoption into a single ecosystem — complete with its own neobank, Plasma One. Circle is countering with its ARK blockchain, while Stripe’s Tempo and Fireblocks’ payment network illustrate how corporates and fintechs are redrawing the rails of stablecoin infrastructure. The stablecoin story doesn’t end there. Tether introduced USAT, a regulated, US-focused dollar stablecoin via Anchorage Digital. Meanwhile, Google unveiled its agent-to-agent payments protocol for AI-driven transactions, backed by a 60-member consortium including Mastercard, PayPal, and Coinbase. Cloudflare announced its Net Dollar stablecoin, while nine major European banks revealed plans for a euro-denominated alternative aimed at boosting “strategic autonomy” in payments. On the digital asset side, Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange began tokenization efforts, while Deutsche Börse and challengers like 21X push competing models for on-chain securities trading. In tokenized deposits, JPMorgan’s Kinexis and the multi-bank Partior consortium are expanding intraday FX and programmable payments. Closing with Knowledge Bytes, the hosts explore ERC-8004 — a new Ethereum standard for agent reputation in AI-driven payments — alongside the latest BIS survey showing central banks tilting toward wholesale CBDCs under pressure from stablecoin adoption. From ETFs to Plasma chains, euro stablecoins to AI-native payments, September shows one clear trend: the convergence of crypto, TradFi, and technology is accelerating faster than ever. Powering AI commerce with the new Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) Knowledge Bite Manuel: BIS CBDC Survey 2024 Knowledge Bite Stefan: ERC 8004 Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

What makes stablecoins special compared to other forms of money In this episode of BFRR – Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, we welcome a very special guest: Rhys Bidder, Deputy Director of the Qatar Centre for Global Banking and Finance and lecturer at King’s Business School and the University of Cambridge. With a background at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and years of research at the intersection of monetary policy and digital assets, Rhys brings rare insight into one of the most pressing debates of modern finance: the role of stablecoins. Our conversation traces Rhys’s journey from monetary theory and stress testing banks after the global financial crisis to becoming a leading voice on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), stablecoins, and blockchain infrastructure. He explains how stablecoins resemble “narrow banks,” why their settlement models differ radically from traditional banking systems, and why those differences matter for efficiency and global payments. We dive deep into the risks and opportunities: What counterparty risk and potential “run risks” mean in a stablecoin world. How deviations from the “singleness of money” raise fundamental questions for monetary stability. Why onboarding and offboarding between crypto and fiat is the hidden battleground for adoption. How stablecoins could both support and complicate monetary policy transmission. And whether regulators should explore central bank liquidity backstops for properly collateralized issuers. Rhys also challenges central banks’ often dismissive stance toward stablecoins, arguing that regulators should focus not only on risks but also on constructive frameworks that make them safer. From global lender-of-last-resort questions to the politics of dollarization, this conversation brings monetary economics back to first principles: what is money, how should it work, and who should control it? If you want to understand how stablecoins could reshape the financial system—and what role they should play alongside banks, CBDCs, and tokenized deposits—this is a must-listen. LinkedIn Rhys Google Scholar Rhys Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

How architecture enables institutional-grade crypto banking Step inside the engine room of a “crypto bank.” In this episode of BFRR (Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock ’n’ Roll), co-host Michael Blaschke sits down with Myles Harrison, Chief Product Officer at AMINA Bank, to unpack what it really takes to bridge TradFi and Web3—far beyond “adding a Bitcoin button.” Why do crypto-specialist banks exist when big incumbents are rolling out crypto services? What’s the secret sauce that lets a bank actually move USDC at scale, operate 24/7, and stay regulator-grade compliant across jurisdictions? Myles charts AMINA’s six-year head start from Switzerland’s forward-leaning DLT framework to today’s growth: zero defaults in crypto-collateralized lending over 5+ years, \$4.5B AUM, and 69% revenue growth in 2024. Then we go deep on architecture. AMINA’s three-layer model—Core Banking, a Bridge/Translation layer, and Crypto Services—is built to be dual-world native, modular, API-first, and always-on. Hear how that design lets them plug in custody (HSM/MPC), staking, DeFi data feeds (e.g., Pyth), and new capabilities like off-exchange custody and stablecoin rewards—rolling from two to four supported stables within months. We “double-click” on modularity with the bank’s rewards engine, and on compliance-by-design: how product, ops, and risk embed rulesets that adapt across Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong—without shipping three different banks. You’ll also get a practical, end-to-end walkthrough of a corporate USDC supplier payment, from wallet whitelisting and provenance checks to conversion, gas/settlement handling, and outbound transfer—plus how upcoming integrations (e.g., with Notabene) tighten travel-rule workflows. Whether you’re a TradFi leader eyeing tokenized markets, a crypto native needing bank-grade rails, or a fintech considering B2B2C white-labeling, this conversation maps the product and org design (squads, APIs, SLAs) behind institutional-grade crypto banking—right now, not “someday.” Links & next steps • Learn more: aminagroup.com • Connect with AMINA for partnerships and follow their thought leadership on crypto banking • Join the BFRR community on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Telegram (DE/EN) • Subscribe to BFRR and catch next week’s deep dive into another pillar of digital finance The latest research from the AMINA team Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

What happens when regular people strike it rich in crypto? BFRR dives into one of the most unconventional crypto books of the year: A Thousand Times as Much Money as Now (German: Tausendmal so viel Geld wie jetzt). Co-host Michael Blaschke sits down with author and sociologist Juan Guse to explore why he chose a sociological—and partly literary—lens to study crypto wealth, and what that reveals about the people behind the portfolios. Instead of profiling headline-grabbing founders, Juan spent years interviewing under-the-radar retail investors who started with small stakes and, in some cases, ended up with life-changing money. Drawing on interviews and ethnographic notes, he condenses recurring patterns into four fictionalized archetypes—composites that protect anonymity while surfacing the truths of the data. We unpack: Why now: Research spanning the 2021 bull run into the bear market, capturing whiplash—from “number go up” euphoria to painful drawdowns and tax hangovers. How he found them: Quiet “sleepers,” discovered via Reddit trails and snowball intros—not the flashy Dubai set. Psychology of sudden wealth: Survivor bias vs. luck, risk appetite, the crisis that follows “you can do anything,” and the strain of watching charts daily. Archetypes & ideology: From libertarian reformers and techno-optimists to community believers and pop-financial emancipation—why one “maxi” label isn’t enough. Institutions, meet retail: What banks and asset managers miss when they treat “retail” as one blob. We discuss typologies, narratives, custody trust gaps, and why licenses, audits, and UX must map to values, not just returns. Cautionary notes: The difference between realizing gains and paper wealth; how conviction can block diversification—and how some fortunes vanished. Whether you’re an allocator, policy maker, or curious listener, this episode reframes crypto as a social phenomenon—a movement of stories, status, and searching for purpose—not just a spreadsheet of tokens. Subscribe to Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, find the book link and show notes on our site, and join the discussion on YouTube, LinkedIn, and our DE/EN Telegram community. BFRR: Europe’s perspective on digital money, every week. Book “Tausendmal so viel Geld wie jetzt” Author Juan S. Guse Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

US crypto bulishness – and state actors entering the stablecoin space August flew by—and so did crypto. In this BFRR news special, Michael and Jonas welcome Nadine from Particular for an institutional tour of markets, policy, and stablecoin surge. She sketches Particular’s “Moody’s for digital assets” approach—rating asset-backed tokens from fiat- and MMF-backed stablecoins to gold—then we dive into the month’s moves. Markets first: total crypto market cap hovered around \$4T and briefly set a \$4.2T ATH. Bitcoin hit a fresh high mid-August yet closed slightly lower—steady, dominant, “boring” in the best way. Ether rallied ~20% with an ATH, a comeback from sub-\$2k last year. In policy, the U.S. flipped the script. We unpack the White House’s 160-page roadmap urging pro-innovation, a larger CFTC role, and clearer taxes; Trump’s push to enable crypto in 401(k)s—and the fiduciary frictions that could still bottleneck adoption; Commissioner Hester Peirce’s privacy-first speech; and the Fed’s retreat from “novel activities” oversight as Vice Chair Bowman calls for hands-on learning. Then: 2025, the year of stablecoins. With MiCA live and U.S. rules taking shape, issuance is exploding—PSPs (Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Stripe), commerce giants, and banks circling. We debate fragmentation versus consolidation: why network effects, distribution, and regulatory moats mean “winner takes most” by currency and region—even as new state actors (hello, Wyoming’s coin) and yield-bearing designs add complexity. Expect consolidation, not monoculture. On infrastructure, Circle’s ARK enters: a purpose-built, EVM-compatible L1 with USDC as native gas, integrated FX, sub-second finality, and opt-in privacy—vertical integration for institutional finance while staying multi-chain. Plus: Europe’s take, cash’s resilience, and three “knowledge bites” to keep you sharp. Subscribe to Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, join our Telegram community, and get Europe’s perspective on digital money. Disclaimer: Views are personal, not financial advice. Do your own research! Knowledge Bite Jonas: ECB Paper on cash](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/economic-bulletin/articles/2025/html/ecb.ebart202505_03~d74cb56069.en.html)) Knowledge Bite Nadine: a16z article on blockchain for Tradi Knowledge Bite Michael: New York Times article on US crypto report Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

A deep dive into the first, German BaFin regulated Euro Stablecoin In this special episode of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll (BFRR), we sit down with Alex Höptner, CEO of AllUnity, one of Europe’s most ambitious crypto ventures and the issuer of the first BaFin-regulated Euro stablecoin. Recorded in Frankfurt at AllUnity’s offices, this in-person conversation dives deep into the intersection of traditional finance, digital assets, and the future of European money on-chain. Alex takes us on a fascinating journey through his career: from a long tenure at Deutsche Börse, to leading Börse Stuttgart, pioneering retail crypto products like the Bison app, then becoming CEO of BitMEX, and now driving AllUnity’s mission to bring a regulated Euro stablecoin to market. He reflects on the evolution of crypto regulation, the lessons learned from bridging traditional finance with digital assets, and why solving the double-spending problem fundamentally reshapes the future of payments. Together, we explore the strategic vision behind AllUnity’s EuroAU: why the Euro stablecoin market is still in its infancy, why its real competition is not USDT or USDC but rather traditional fiat payments, and how a consortium of heavyweights like DWS, Flow Traders, and Galaxy Digital builds trust, scale, and credibility. We also unpack the geopolitics of stablecoins, the European response to US and Chinese initiatives, and why sovereignty in digital money is becoming a central issue for Europe. From cross-border payments to corporate treasury use cases, from regulatory clarity under MiCA to the role of DeFi, Alex shares why stablecoins are not just about crypto speculation but about powering the real economy. If you want to understand how the Euro can compete on a global scale in the digital asset era, this episode is for you. AllUnity Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

A deep dive into Bitcoin fraud with industry expert Daniel Winkelhammer 🎧 Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll – Live from Electric Love Festival 2025 This episode comes with a twist: we’re recording from one of Europe’s biggest electronic dance music festivals, the Electric Love Festival 2025. Amid the beats and energy of the crowd, we dive into one of the most pressing challenges in the crypto industry today—crypto fraud, with a special focus on Bitcoin. Our guest is Daniel Winkelhammer, founder and CEO of 21bitcoin, who brings both a deeply personal journey into the world of technology and an insider’s perspective from running one of Europe’s fastest-growing Bitcoin platforms. Born and raised in Salzburg, Daniel’s story began with tinkering on family computers, evolved through studies in informatics and business informatics, and eventually led him from corporate consultancy at Allianz and Porsche Bank to a full-time entrepreneurial path in Bitcoin. Together we unpack the realities of crypto fraud: how scammers exploit Bitcoin’s irreversible transactions, why newcomers are particularly vulnerable, and how fraudsters build fake relationships to trick victims into sending funds. Daniel shares extreme real-world cases—like clients losing six-figure sums despite repeated warnings—and explains why fraud in crypto is both different from, and more dangerous than, traditional financial scams. The conversation goes further: • Why fraudsters are attracted to Bitcoin, and why Bitcoin’s transparency still makes it harder to commit crime long-term. • How 21bitcoin protects its 80,000+ retail investors across 30 countries with transaction monitoring, customer education, and strict custody safeguards. • The challenges of preparing for institutional clients under MiCA licensing. • Why Daniel and his team remain Bitcoin-only, both for ideological and strategic reasons. Amid the festival atmosphere, we return to the essentials: building trust, protecting investors, and ensuring Bitcoin adoption remains safe and sustainable. Daniel’s key advice? Educate yourself, stay patient, and think long-term. 21bitcoin Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

Deep Dive into the Security Token industry in Germany In this episode of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, we dive deep into Germany’s pioneering role in tokenized securities under the Electronic Securities Act. Host Manuel welcomes Marion Spielmann (DecaBank) and Benjamin Schaub (Intas) for a comprehensive update on how blockchain is transforming capital markets. We explore how Germany’s legal framework enables native blockchain issuance of bonds, shares, and funds — without paper certificates — and the role of BaFin licensing for crypto securities registrars. Marion and Benjamin share insights from the Digital Asset Monitor, their semi-annual market report developed with DecaBank, Intas, Frankfurt School Blockchain Center, and WM Datenservice, which tracks issuance volumes, technologies used, and regulatory developments. Topics include: • Why Germany is ahead with regulated tokenized securities. • Market leaders like Cashlink, Smart Registry, and DecaBank. • The dominance of public blockchains (Polygon, Avalanche) vs. private networks in light of Basel capital requirements. • Shifts in issuance volume post-ECB blockchain settlement trials. • The rise of secondary markets through the DLT Pilot Regime and OTC deals. • How upcoming ECB settlement solutions, wholesale CBDC, stablecoins, and commercial bank money tokens could shape the future. We also discuss the biggest hurdles: regulatory clarity on capital requirements for public vs. permissioned blockchains, investor adoption, and liquidity. With Europe holding a first-mover advantage, our guests stress the urgency of moving from trials to live operations before being overtaken by other jurisdictions. If you want a sharp, insider’s view on tokenized securities, market data, and the next steps for digital finance in Germany and Europe, this episode is your guide. Digital Asset Monitor in English Digital Asset Monitor in German Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

Ether to new highs, while Coinbase announces super app and Trump signs Genius Act. In this monthly news edition of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, Jonas is joined by Alex, Michi, and Stefan to unpack the most important developments in crypto, digital money, and digital assets from July. Key topics include: 🚀 Ethereum’s comeback – A 50% price increase and a major narrative shift position ETH as “digital oil.” Institutional interest surges with billions in ETF inflows and companies like EtherMachine mirroring the MicroStrategy playbook. 📈 Bitcoin’s strong month – BTC hits new all-time highs with increasing corporate adoption. Over 200 companies now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Bitcoin ETFs reach $115B AUM. 💸 Stablecoins & Regulation – The US passed the GENIUS Act, establishing a regulatory framework for USD stablecoins. We explore its differences to the EU’s MiCA, the political motivations behind it, and its impact on issuers like Amazon and X. Plus: Germany’s AllUnity launches the first MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin. 🏦 Tokenized Equities – Robinhood and eToro launch tokenized stock trading, targeting crypto-native retail investors. Are tokenized stocks the next step in financial dollarization? 📱 Coinbase’s Transformation – Coinbase unveils its new “everything app,” acquires token launch platform Liquifi, and partners with Perplexity AI – signaling a serious shift toward a fintech platform strategy. 🏛 ECB’s Wholesale CBDC Plans – The ECB reveals two new projects: “Ponturo” (short-term) and “Apia” (long-term), exploring how to settle tokenized assets with central bank money on DLT. Plus, we share new tools and reads in our monthly “Knowledge Bites” segment — including insights from the ECB, The Economist, and a new crypto treasury tracker. 🎧 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the curve with Europe’s perspective on digital finance. Episode on Genius Act vs MiCAR FAZ article on Genius Act vs MiCAR (German) FAZ article on Genius Act vs MiCAR (English) Call for expressions of interest in participating in the Pontes contact group Knowledge Bite Jonas: Crypto Tracker Knowledge Bite Alex: ECB blog post by Juergen Schaaf Knowledge Bite Michael: Economis article “The world should follow Trump’s lead on stablecoins” Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

The US regulates stablecoins for the first time – what's next, Europe? Genius Act vs. MiCA – Stablecoins Between the US and EU In this episode of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, we dive into one of the hottest topics in crypto regulation: the newly passed US stablecoin legislation – the Genius Act. But we don’t stop there. Together with Anja von Rosenstiel, we go beyond the headlines and compare the Genius Act with MiCA – the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. What are the key differences between stablecoin regulation in the US and the EU? What do they mean for issuers, users, and central banks – especially the ECB? And why is the US seemingly opening its doors to global stablecoins while the EU remains hesitant? Anja von Rosenstiel is uniquely qualified to answer these questions. She’s a licensed attorney in both Germany and the US, counsel at FinLaw in Frankfurt, adjunct professor at Boston University, and a research fellow at the Decentralization Research Center. Together, we also co-authored an article on the topic in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung – linked in the show notes (English version included). In this episode, we discuss: • The content and implications of the Genius Act – and why it served as a “catalyst” for broader US crypto legislation • Key differences in issuer oversight, reserve requirements, capital obligations, and redemption rights • Why the Genius Act seems more innovation-friendly than MiCA – but comes with its own trade-offs • The strategic contrast: the US aiming for stablecoin dominance, while the EU focuses on restriction and control • What the EU needs to do now to stay relevant in the global stablecoin race – including ideas for ECB involvement This is a deep dive for anyone interested in stablecoins, regulation, and the global future of digital money. 🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share! LinkedIn Anja von Rosenstiel Article on Genius vs MiCAR in FAZ English version of the article on Genius vs MiCAR in FAZ Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!