Byte-Sized Insight by Cointelegraph

The US House of Representatives has declared July 14–18 “Crypto Week,” with lawmakers set to debate and potentially vote on three major crypto bills — the CLARITY Act, the GENIUS Act and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.

In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, we break down what’s at stake, who’s behind the legislative push and whether any of these bills stand a real chance of becoming law.

We hear from Cointelegraph US policy reporter Turner Wright and Mason Lynaugh, community director of Stand With Crypto, to unpack the political tensions, lobbying power plays and what this moment could mean for the future of crypto regulation in the US.

(00:30) What is “crypto week” 
(02:16) Why Congress is suddenly focused on crypto
(03:04) Bipartisan signals: Is crypto finally getting cross-aisle support?
(05:14) Political roadblocks: Skepticism and Trump ties
(06:27) Stand With Crypto: Industry momentum and why timing matters
(07:30) Has crypto become too politicized?
(08:52) Inside crypto lobbying: What advocacy actually looks like
(11:15) What’s at stake if Congress fails to act
(13:29) Listener spotlight: Comment of the week from X

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

As the US races ahead with crypto legislation and capital inflows, Europe and the UK are betting on more even-paced regulatory clarity. But who’s actually leading the West’s crypto future?

In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, we map the geopolitical landscape of digital assets across the US, UK and EU  and uncover the trade-offs between speed, certainty, and innovation. With commentary from Mark Jennings, Head of Europe at Gemini, we break down the momentum behind MiCA, the policy pivots in Washington, and whether the UK is falling behind or playing the long game.

(01:16) Crypto policy divides across the US, UK and EU
(02:00) Inside the U.S. crypto surge: new bills and political momentum
(03:28) What the U.S. legislative wave signals for innovation and investment
(05:59) How MiCA is reshaping crypto business strategy in Europe
(07:12) The UK’s cautious regulatory stance and what’s at stake
(10:28) Adoption vs. innovation: Where the real activity is happening
(13:09) The U.S. edge: capital markets and crypto growth potential
(14:47) Assessing the frontrunners: who’s leading the crypto race in the West?
(15:45) Final reflections from Gemini: regulation, opportunity, and balance

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In times of crisis, markets may react but technology adapts. In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, we examine how crypto behaves under pressure. 

First, Cointelegraph head of markets Ray Salmond and market analyst Marcel Pechman break down how digital assets react in times of war, political instability and macroeconomic uncertainty. Then, we shift focus from speculation to real-world utility. Featuring Megan Klimen of the Filecoin Foundation and Vivek Raman, CEO of Etherealize, to explore how decentralized technologies are being used to preserve truth, protect local journalism, and provide access to stable value in times of crisis.

(02:26) How crypto markets respond to global instability
(05:14) Bitcoin’s evolving role as a financial safe haven
(07:37) What to watch for in crypto markets in the days ahead
(10:27) Real-world use cases for crypto in times of crisis
(12:03) Preserving journalism in conflict zones with blockchain: Fasila’s mission
(13:16) Decentralized vs. centralized tech in unstable environments
(15:13) Why decentralized infrastructure matters, especially in crisis

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

The clock is ticking on meaningful crypto regulation in the US, and the consequences of continued inaction could be dire. In this episode of Decentralize with Cointelegraph, reporter Vince Quill sits down with Marta Belcher, president of the Blockchain Association and the Filecoin Foundation, to explore the urgent need for legislative clarity before the 2026 midterm elections.

Together, they dissect what’s holding Congress back, the long shadow of the Trump administration on the crypto industry and whether the US can still reclaim its leadership in Web3. From bipartisan momentum to market structure must-haves, Belcher offers her insights into the state of crypto in Washington, along with what both lawmakers and industry leaders need to do next.

(01:09) Why passing US crypto legislation before 2026 is critical
(03:08) What’s stalling crypto laws in Congress?
(05:22) Trump’s lingering influence on the crypto landscape
(06:36) Top concerns from within the crypto industry
(08:28) Has the US already lost too many crypto companies?
(09:41) Should the US take cues from other countries on crypto regulation?
(11:04) Is crypto truly a bipartisan issue in Washington?
(12:10) What must be included in a solid market structure bill?
(13:37) Is there any regulatory breathing room for crypto startups?
(18:38) Key legislation and proposals currently on the radar
(24:14) Advice for lawmakers and crypto leaders

This episode was hosted by Vince Quill, @VinceQuill and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Is Bitcoin still the decentralized money movement it set out to be — or has it been co-opted by politics and institutions? 

In this week’s Byte-Sized Insight, Gareth Jenkinson travels to Las Vegas for Bitcoin 2025, where political figures, Bitcoin treasury companies, and institutional giants shared the stage. Featuring interviews with Metaplanet’s Dylan LeClair, Twenty One’s Jack Mallers and legendary cryptographer Adam Back, we explore the rise of Bitcoin-native public companies, the implications of mainstream political embrace, and what this all means for the future of BTC.

(00:46) Cointelegraph heads to Bitcoin 2025 
(01:32) The rise of Bitcoin treasury companies 
(04:56) Metaplanet on the risks of Bitcoin treasury companies 
(06:50) Jack Maller on the rise of institutional and political Bitcoin 
(09:11) The evolution of Bitcoin’s use cases
(11:23) Adam Back on the future of Bitcoin
(14:01) Institutions vs individuals, who really owns Bitcoin now?

This episode was hosted by Gareth Jenkinson and produced by Gareth Jenkinson and Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

This week on Decentralize with Cointelegraph, we’re diving into the often-overlooked engine behind crypto’s public perception: opinion pieces. Joining us are Cath Jenkin, Cointelegraph’s opinion editor; Nikki Brown, chief strategy officer of Melrose PR; and Amal Ibraymi, legal counsel at Aztec Network. Together, we unpack the true power of op-eds in shaping discourse, influencing policy and guiding readers through the chaos of crypto commentary.

We’ll explore:

• How opinion pieces are selected, shaped and edited in Web3 journalism
• The fine line between thought leadership and PR
• What readers should watch out for — and how to spot quality takes.

Whether you’re a founder, a reader or a would-be op-ed contributor, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how narratives are built and who’s writing them.

(02:10) What is a crypto op-ed, really?
(05:34) What makes a compelling crypto op-ed? 
(13:37) A legal take on crypto op-eds
(16:17) Web3 op-eds that moved the needle
(19:38) Handling contrarian crypto takes
(22:00) Fluff vs. thought leadership
(23:58) Do policymakers read crypto op-eds?
(26:24) How readers should approach crypto op-eds
(29:35) The future of crypto commentary
(35:12) Crypto takes that will age well
(36:24) Web3 op-eds that made you think
(38:15) The ideal crypto op-ed 

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we’re heading to Capitol Hill, where US lawmakers are finally making moves on crypto regulation. From the Senate advancing the GENIUS Act — a major step toward federal stablecoin rules — to the reintroduction of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, which could protect developers from outdated licensing laws, crypto is a hot topic this week in Washington.

Host Savannah Fortis breaks it all down, with expert insight from Rashan Colbert, director of US policy at the Crypto Council for Innovation. 

(00:35) Stablecoins and blockchain bills hit the Senate floor
(02:15) Unpacking the GENIUS Act and the Senate’s advancement
(04:14) Does the GENIUS Act address industry concerns? 
(05:33) Bipartisan support for crypto regulations 
(08:08) Unpacking the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act
(09:58) Trump’s crypto involvement causes Democrats to hesitate
(12:15) What to watch out for next and how to stay active

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we’re diving into MiCA — the EU’s landmark crypto regulation — as it enters a critical implementation phase. From stablecoin restrictions to emerging licensing hurdles, what does MiCA mean for crypto’s future in Europe?

Tether has already said it won’t play ball. Meanwhile, companies like BitGo are racing to comply and regulators are navigating a fragmented landscape.

We hear directly from industry voices, including Brett Reeves of BitGo and Erwin Voloder of the European Blockchain Association, to unpack what’s at stake and who’s most affected.

Whether you're a crypto builder, holder or policymaker, this episode breaks down the key timelines, challenges and opportunities as MiCA moves from paper to practice.

(00:33) MiCA enters its critical implementation phase
(01:17) What MiCA aims to achieve: objectives and intentions
(03:44) Stablecoin issuers and their regulatory obligations under MiCA
(06:22) Tether CEO explains refusal to comply with MiCA
(10:22) BitGo becomes MiCA-licensed to operate in Germany
(13:38) European Blockchain Association on MiCA's rolling out across the EU
(16:55) Implications for policymakers and the crypto industry

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.
If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Can blockchain redefine the way student loans are financed and repaid? On the heels of Ripple’s $25 million donation to Teach for America, we connect the dots between initiatives building the infrastructure for Web3 adoption. In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu breaks down how Pencil Finance is using Web3 to reimagine education, from crypto-backed student loans to onchain reputations. 

Siu argues that education may be one of crypto’s most impactful use cases, not just financially, but socially and politically. Plus, we explore how Open Campus plans to onboard the next generation through grassroots efforts, and why he says teachers are the world's most under-recognized content creators.

(00:37) This week’s topic: crypto’s role in education
(01:00) Ripple’s $25M donation to Teach for America
(02:40) Donations vs building Web3 infrastructure 
(03:00) Animoca backs $10M in DeFi student loan liquidity
(04:10) Yat Siu on DeFi’s real-world impact
(05:47) Beyond lending: Web3’s broader potential in education
(07:30) Why student loans are crypto’s “hero use case”

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

In this special episode of Decentralize with Cointelegraph, Gareth Jenkinson, head of multimedia at Cointelegraph, sits down with Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, and Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of Near Protocol, during the Cointelegraph Longitude side event at Token2049 in Dubai.

The trio delves into the intersection of AI and blockchain technology, discussing how decentralized systems can address the challenges posed by centralized AI models. They explore the potential of blockchain to enhance transparency, security and user control in AI applications, emphasizing the importance of open-source models and on-chain reputation systems.

Tune in for insights on how AI and blockchain can collaboratively shape a more equitable and secure digital future.

(02:19) Introducing AI’s growing role in the blockchain space
(02:53) How Near Protocol is thinking about AI assistants
(05:42) The difference between AI hype and real utility in crypto
(09:11) What personalized AI could look like in decentralized ecosystems
(12:37) Where Polygon sees real use cases for AI in Web3
(18:28) The risks and tradeoffs of centralized versus decentralized AI
(23:08) Could smart agents be the next evolution after smart contracts?

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.