Unchained

Bits + Bips: Why a US Strategic Crypto Reserve Doesn’t Even Make Sense - Ep. 794

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A strategic crypto reserve for the U.S. economy? That’s Trump’s latest proposal (or directive?)—and the reaction from the industry has been… let’s just say, mixed. Would it even work? And does it create more problems than it solves?

Meanwhile, the White House is hosting a crypto roundtable—but not everyone is convinced it’s going to be productive. Who will be in the room, what will actually be discussed, and will it help or hurt the industry?

On this episode of Bits + Bips, hosts James Seyffart and Noelle Acheson together with guests Steve Hou and Steven Ehrlich break it all down. Will tariffs and macro factors keep weighing on crypto? What’s driving the explosion in new ETFs? And what happens if banks start issuing their own stablecoins?

Plus: What could be the real next catalyst for the crypto market.

Show highlights:
  • 6:13 - Whether a strategic crypto reserve makes sense for the U.S.
  • 14:50 - How this reserve could actually give people outside of crypto second thoughts
  • 24:37 - What the Crypto Roundtable will be about and whether it’s what the industry wanted
  • 27:32 - Whether David Sacks is directing the reserve allocations so as to personally benefit
  • 32:07 - Why Noelle was surprised after the SEC stated memecoins are not securities
  • 42:22 - James’ insights into the avalanche of altcoin ETFs
  • 47:10 - The significance of BlackRock adding IBIT to its model portfolio
  • 54:02 - How macro news drove risk assets to such a selloff on Monday
  • 58:12 - Why the 10YT is such a significant chart to watch
  • 1:10:21 - Whether the war in Ukraine is coming to an end
  • 1:16:20 - What the next catalyst for crypto is
  • 1:19:07 - Whether stablecoins are a good business for banks


    • Thank you to our sponsors!

    • RockWallet
    • Bitwise


      • Hosts:
      • James Seyffart, Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence
      • Noelle Acheson, Author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” Newsletter 
        Guests:
        • Steve Hou, Quantitative Researcher at Bloomberg LP 
        • Steven Ehrlich, Executive Editor at Unchained
          Links

          Crypto reserve:

          • Unchained: Why Trump May Have Chosen This Week to Announce a Strategic Crypto Reserve
          • Bloomberg: Bitcoin Reserve Is Likely to Come First From States, Senator Lummis Says

            • Crypto roundtable: 

            • CoinDesk: Trump to Host First Crypto Roundtable at White House Next Week
            • Crypto Czar David Sacks says he sold crypto holdings before administration began


              • Memecoins:

              • SEC: Staff Statement on Meme Coins

              ETFs: 

              • SOL: CME Group to launch Solana futures on March 17 as ETF momentum builds
              • BlackRock Adds Its Bitcoin ETF to Model Portfolio for First Time 

                • Macro:

                • Trump’s tariff post on Truth Social
                • ​​Atlanta’s negative 2.8% GDP projection
                • CNBC: 10-year Treasury yield falls to lowest since December on latest signs of slowing economy
                • Reuters: 
                • Inflation, growth may be in conflict but Fed seen restarting cuts in June
                • US weekly jobless claims post largest gain in five months; weather blamed

                  • Stablecoins:

                  • CoinDesk: Bank of America CEO Says Bank Will Likely Launch Its Own Stablecoin

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                  UnchainedBy Laura Shin