Carpe Consensus

A DeFi project steps precariously close to insider trading.

On "Carpe Consensus," hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson dive into the murky waters of DeFi news. 

Inside the Desk: Danny recaps his latest deep-dive piece looking at a highly profitable yet legally dubious DeFi trading strategy – one that could render those behind the trade vulnerable to what would be a first-of-its-kind insider trading investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A crypto winter of growth and optimism: from those who developed the tech to those who led the fight for sensible regulation, the year has been full of influential figures transforming the crypto industry.

On "Carpe Consensus," hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson are joined by Nik De to review some of the most influential figures of the year in crypto as part of Consensus Magazine's Most Influential 2023 list, including Messari CEO Ryan Selkis, Elizabeth Warren, Gary Gensler and more.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Nelson describes his recent scoop where he learned that Polygon quietly gave DraftKings preferential treatment while telling the public it was an "equal" member of the validator community.

On "Carpe Consensus," hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson take a deep dive into a recent scoop of Danny's, involving layer 2 blockchain Polygon and sports betting company DraftKings.

• [1:04] Inside the Desk: When Polygon announced DraftKings would be joining its validator community, it failed to disclose the financial incentives lurking in the background of the deal. Read Danny's full piece on CoinDesk: "​​Polygon's Secret Deal: Sending DraftKings Millions to Run Failed Validator."
• [17:09] Ben previews CoinDesk's Most Influential 2023, releasing Dec. 4.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jonathan Martin traveled across El Salvador, observing bitcoin adoption in the first country to make BTC legal currency.

On "Carpe Consensus," hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson take a look at bitcoin adoption alongside Jonathin Martin, bitcoiner and graduate student at The Wharton School. Martin discusses the nature of adoption – by who, in what parts of the country and for what purposes – and explores the complexities of attempting to imbed a new digital currency in a nation.

Check out Jonathan's latest report from El Salvador, "Westerners See El Salvador as a Template for a New Monetary System."

If you liked this episode, listen to Jonathan Martin's previous appearance on "Carpe Consensus" on Spotify or Apple.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Well, the show's over: Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty on all seven counts in the FTX fraud trial. Now, the crypto industry and its reporters move on to other topics – maybe even out of crypto winter, and into spring?

On "Carpe Consensus," hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson dive into the latest crypto news.

• [0:55] Inside the Desk: CoinDesk reporter Helene Braun has been covering the Sam Bankman-Fried trial alongside Danny Nelson. The pair reflect on the verdict and the experience in the courtroom.
• [14:58] The world of crypto still turns, even as SBF's trial comes to an end. Ben and Danny chat about what's on the horizon, from the end of crypto winter to the rise of real world asset tokenization. Ben highlights Consensus Magazine's Trading Week package.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When SBF decided to take the stand, reporters flocked to the courthouse to try and get a spot in the room itself to watch the former FTX CEO recount his version of events. Turns out Sam didn't remember much of what happened at FTX.

On “Carpe Consensus,” hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson center the episode on, arguably, the crypto news event of the year: the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.

• [0:53] Inside the Desk: For weeks, Danny's been predicting that SBF would choose to take the stand – either for his ego, or as a last-resort attempt to sway the jury. Danny recaps SBF's direct and cross examination.
• [12:10] Danny chats with David Z. Morris outside the courthouse.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a break from the Sam Bankman-Fried trial coverage, “Carpe Consensus” hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson chat about bitcoin ETFs and the state of crypto policy.

On “Carpe Consensus,” hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson center the episode on, arguably, the crypto news event of the year: the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.

• [0:46] Inside the Desk: October is historically a good month for bitcoin, and this year is no different. But, there’s some additional factors pushing the price, including the potential for a spot bitcoin ETF approval in coming months.
• [16:22] The ShillFest: Ben dives into policy, discussing the politicization of the industry, possible stablecoin regulation and what bankruptcy courts have to do with the U.S.’s approach to crypto policy.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CoinDesk reports from the courthouse on week three of Sam Bankman-Fried’s trial.

On “Carpe Consensus,” hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson center the episode on, arguably, the crypto news event of the year: the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.

• [0:46] Inside the Desk: Danny recounts what it's been like attending the trial.
• [16:22] Danny records outside the courthouse (and inside a bar, pardon the noise) alongside Nik De.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government’s star witness, the former CEO of Alameda Research and once romantic partner of Sam Bankman-Fried, testified this week. CoinDesk reports from the courthouse.

On “Carpe Consensus,” hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson center the episode on, arguably, the crypto news event of the year: the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.

• [1:09] Inside the Desk: Danny recounts what it's been like attending the trial.
• [14:24] Danny records outside the courthouse, alongside Eli Tan.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CoinDesk reports from the courthouse.

On “Carpe Consensus,” hosts Ben Schiller and Danny Nelson center the episode on, arguably, the crypto news event of the year: the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.

• [1:05] Inside the Desk: Nik De, CoinDesk's managing editor for global policy and regulation, breaks down CoinDesk’s approach to covering the trial.
• [10:08] Danny reports from the first two days at the courthouse, alongside Nik De and Sam Kessler.

“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.