CoinDesk Reports

“I think getting smart on crypto is one of the biggest business development opportunities for advisers of the next handful of years.”

Joining “On Purpose” host Tyrone Ross is Matt Hougan, CIO of crypto asset manager Bitwise. Hougan and Ross discuss Bitwise and ETF Trend’s joint benchmark survey of adviser attitudes towards the crypto asset class. The report surveyed over 600 advisers and revealed key indicators of the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) industry’s perceptions of crypto.

How many advisers have personal crypto holdings? Why is there a discrepancy between advisers’ personal holdings and client allocations in crypto? What factors are holding advisers and investors back?

Adviser engagement with crypto assets is on the rise, but client involvement is lagging behind. Continued education is key to relieving concerns on regulation, volatility and more surrounding crypto.

Retail and institutional investors alike have a significant presence in crypto. Will 2022 finally be the year the RIA industry joins them?

This show is produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso with additional production support from Eleanor Pahl. Our Theme song is “Walk With Swag.”

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

This week on “Opinionated,” the gang dives deep into some big news out of Russia, looks at the issue of rampant intellectual-property theft with NFTs and examines Vitalik Buterin’s idea for synthetic wombs. 

(Yes, you read that last one right. The founder of Ethereum thinks babies should be made in Cosmic Cocoons.)

Could Russia ban crypto? That’s a possibility raised by a highly critical Bank of Russia report this week. It said cryptocurrencies are volatile and widely used in illegal activities, such as fraud. The report called for the Kremlin to outlaw mining and issuance, if not the holding of crypto.

Anna Baydakova said banning bitcoin would be a “nightmare” if the West imposes further financial sanctions should Russia invade Ukraine.

Next up, we spoke with Sam Ewen, head of CoinDesk Studios, about an op-ed he wrote this week (“The Balance Between Art and IP Theft in NFT Culture”). Unauthorized NFT projects like MetaBirkins, The Squid NFT and Non-Fungible Olive Gardens have been making thousands of dollars. Ewen expects Web 3 to change the norms around IP online, posing headaches for brands and platforms like OpenSea. 

Finally, the gang unpacked Buterin’s baby pod idea, which he floated as a means of female empowerment:

“Disparities in economic success between men and women are far larger once marriage+children enter the picture. Synthetic wombs would remove the high burden of pregnancy, significantly reducing the inequality,” he wrote on Twitter.

While it might be admirable for a tech leader to care about gender inequality (everyone should care more about that!), the team didn’t rate the idea too highly. It smacks of techno-Utopianism. 

As we wait for pods to arrive, there may be more practical solutions, noted Baydakova. Like, say, paid maternity leave. 

This episode was produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso. Our theme song is by Elision.

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

This episode is sponsored by Quantstamp and Nexo.io.

“I don't think we should feel like this is going to be entirely a good thing … if Web 3 is becoming more like the offline world, in the sense of being exclusive and gate-kept in the ways that our physical world has been for so long.”

Web 3, the metaverse and NFTs have potential to be a force for good in the world, to improve decentralization, raise underrepresented voices and empower creators. But with a digital land grab for virtual real estate growing fast, will people soon find themselves locked out of the metaverse?

Joining “Money Reimagined” hosts Michael Casey and Sheila Warren is Kevin Roose, New York Times tech columnist and author of “Futureproof,” a cautiously optimistic look into an automated, AI-filled and algorithmically driven future. Roose has also delved into the world of crypto: In March of 2021, he wrote a column explaining non-fungible tokens (NFT), and then sold that column as an NFT for 350 ETH ($1.14 million at current prices.).

The future is rapidly approaching and the crypto industry is determined to establish its place in it. Web 3 is shaping up in opposition to the current Web 2, moving away from the centralized, data-driven approach of today's internet. Alongside Web 3 is the metaverse, where individuals can fragment themselves into two parts: their physical self, and their digital persona.

Before Web 3 and the metaverse take hold, important discussions should be had now about the opportunities and obstacles abound in a crypto future. What is the role of media in Web 3? What responsibilities do journalists in the crypto sector have today? Is it possible to remain hopeful and yet cautious of crypto’s role in shaping the coming years?

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Quantstamp is the leader of blockchain security, having secured over 100 billion USD worth of digital assets. Visit quantstamp.com to learn why top DeFi projects like Maker, Compound and BarnBridge trust Quantstamp to secure the financial infrastructure of tomorrow. Learn more at quantstamp.com/blog.

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Nexo is a powerful, all-in-one crypto platform where you can securely store your crypto. Invest, borrow, exchange and earn up to 17% APR on Bitcoin and 20+ other top coins. Insured for $375M. Audited in real-time by Armanino. Rated excellent on Trustpilot. Get started today at nexo.io.

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This episode was produced and edited by Michele Musso with announcements by Adam B. Levine and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Our theme song is “Shepard.”

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

It’s time for the wealth management industry to pay attention to the exploding ecosystem of stablecoins. 

At the same time, host Tyrone Ross explains: “Advisers just can’t jump into this stuff without knowing the counterparty risk, smart contract risk and understanding all of the things that come along with DeFi.”

This episode of “On Purpose” serves as a primer on stablecoins for financial advisers. What are they and where do they fit into the wealth management space? What are the biggest stablecoins on the market today? Where does regulation on decentralized finance stand and what are the associated risks and rewards for clients?

As stablecoins become an attractive option for clients, the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) industry needs to adapt in order to integrate this new technology into the existing infrastructure. Advisers need to educate themselves today to prepare for a future filled with stablecoins.

This show is produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso with additional production support from Eleanor Pahl.  Our Theme song is “Walk With Swag.”

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

This episode is sponsored by Quantstamp and Nexo.io.

In theory, crypto and blockchain technology present unique opportunities to improve, accelerate and strengthen global aid efforts. In practice, geopolitical challenges and complexities in distribution hinder projects before they’ve even had a chance to deploy the new technology.

Joining “Money Reimagined” hosts Michael Casey and Sheila Warren are Sara Pantuliano, chief executive of ODI and member of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, and Sasha Kapadia, director in the Humanitarian and Development group at Mastercard. The guests are intimately familiar with the processes and challenges associated with cross-border aid efforts, as well as the opportunities for blockchain integrated aid in the future.

How can blockchain-based digital aid solutions improve the lives of those in crisis? Even if the technology could be helpful, is it ethical to test emergent technology on a vulnerable population?

Blockchain technology is likely to be increasingly included in aid solutions in the next decade. Alongside the sweeping potential , it’s also important to maintain awareness of its dangers if communities are to avoid widening the “digital divide” that developing technologies can easily create.

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Quantstamp is the leader of blockchain security, having secured over 100 billion USD worth of digital assets. Visit quantstamp.com to learn why top DeFi projects like Maker, Compound and BarnBridge trust Quantstamp to secure the financial infrastructure of tomorrow. Learn more at quantstamp.com/blog.

-

Nexo is a powerful, all-in-one crypto platform where you can securely store your crypto. Invest, borrow, exchange and earn up to 17% APR on Bitcoin and 20+ other top coins. Insured for $375M. Audited in real-time by Armanino. Rated excellent on Trustpilot. Get started today at nexo.io.

-

This episode was produced and edited by Michele Musso with announcements by Adam B. Levine and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Our theme song is “Shepard.”

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

“By the end of the year, all of the notable RIAs in this space are going to be in. I don’t necessarily mean allocating, but just doing something whether it’s education, webinars, tax planning, estate planning."

In this episode of “On Purpose,” host Tyrone Ross dives into his predictions for crypto and the wealth management industry in 2022. Perhaps this will be the year for regulation in areas like stablecoins, investor protections and securities designations. How would this change the role of the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)?

RIAs will need to stay knowledgeable in areas like Web 3, play-to-earn and the metaverse as associated crypto technologies and assets continue to develop. In 2022, it will no longer be possible for advisers to ignore the crypto industry. Ross highlights the most important areas to pay attention to as the year progresses.

This show is produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso with additional production support from Eleanor Pahl. Our Theme song is Walk With Swag.

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

2022 has just begun. What will the hot topics in crypto be this year?

On this episode of “Opinionated,” hosts Ben Schiller, Anna Baydakova and Danny Nelson kick off the new year with a discussion on the future and purpose of emerging technologies such as Web 3 and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Though both include egalitarian philosophical interests like freedom, democracy, self-custody and decentralization, many worry the ideals will fall as well-funded companies and individuals step in.

How will the ideals of Web 3 and DAOs pan out as the technology develops further?

This episode was produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso with additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Our theme song is by Elision.

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

This episode is sponsored by Quantstamp and Nexo.io.

“We can’t use 1920s to 1940s definitions in securities laws for digital assets … We need to bring our laws into the 21st century,” Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) says.

Cryptocurrency has emerged as a topic around which representatives from both sides of the aisle can create coalitions with aligned interests and values while constructively disagreeing on other matters. Last year, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), a co-chairman of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, joined “Money Reimagined” to discuss how crypto is being received in Congress.

In this episode, hosts Michael Casey and Sheila Warren are joined by Soto, the second co-chairman of the caucus, to provide a Democrat’s perspective on the state of crypto legislation. Soto introduced two bipartisan bills last summer, the Blockchain Innovation Act and parts of the Digital Taxonomy Act, which were the first blockchain bills to ever pass the House as part of H.R. 3723, the Consumer Safety Technology Act.

Soto explains the many challenges facing crypto’s advocates in Washington, from educating colleagues to outdated securities laws. With representatives like Soto and Emmer pushing for more education, recognition and legislation for crypto, will 2022 bring more certainty and jurisdiction to the industry?

This episode was produced and edited by Michele Musso with announcements by Adam B. Levine and additional production support by Eleanor Pahl. Our theme song is “Shepard.”

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Quantstamp is the leader of blockchain security, having secured over 100 billion USD worth of digital assets. Visit quantstamp.com to learn why top DeFi projects like Maker, Compound and BarnBridge trust Quantstamp to secure the financial infrastructure of tomorrow. Learn more at quantstamp.com/blog.

-

Nexo is a powerful, all-in-one crypto platform where you can securely store your crypto. Invest, borrow, exchange and earn up to 17% APR on Bitcoin and 20+ other top coins. Insured for $375M. Audited in real-time by Armanino. Rated excellent on Trustpilot. Get started today at nexo.io.

-

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

“Onramp does write three things: education, access and tools. ‘E.A.T.,’ we help the RIA space eat.”

In this second part of “On Purpose” host Tyrone Ross’ state of the union episode, Ross explains how Onramp aims to help registered investment advisors (RIAs) integrate crypto into their services by providing education, access and tools. 

As crypto as an investment class quickly becomes too big to ignore, advisers need to understand how the introduction of crypto alters the core four topics that RIAs need to keep in mind: risk tolerance, investor policy statements, financial planning and estate planning.

This show is produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso with additional production support from Eleanor Pahl. Our Theme song is Walk With Swag with an added tune by Sam Barsh.

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

“The crypto space and the traditional financial advisor space, they don't speak the same language, they're dancing to a different beat. Onramp needs to be the DJ.”

In this episode of “On Purpose,” host Tyrone Ross recounts the origin story of Onramp Invest. From Onramp’s founding principles to its impact to today, Ross covers the key moments in the company’s history and how it changed both the crypto and financial advisor industries.

This show is produced, announced and edited by Michele Musso with additional production support from Eleanor Pahl.  Our Theme song is Walk With Swag with an added tune by Sam Barsh.

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