Crypto In America

Caroline Pham is the former Acting CFTC Chair, and is currently the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at MoonPay. In this conversation, we discuss all the work that Caroline has done to create regulation for crypto. We get into her law background, joining the CFTC, struggles during previous administrations, her reflections on her time on the CFTC, thoughts on Brian Quintet’s CFTC withdrawal, & the biggest challenges for Mike Selig, updates on market structure, and what to expect at her brand new role at MoonPay, why 2026 is the year for institutional adoption.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA 

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/noxG7sE60eQ

Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is powered by Sei.

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Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Caroline Pham!

0:39 - What ‘Crypto In America’ Means To Caroline

01:15 - Journey Through Law School & Intro Into Crypto

04:23 - Getting An Internship at the CFTC

12:15 - Comparing Commodities & Crypto

14:20 - When Did Caroline Realize Crypto’s Potential

18:05 - Making the CFTC Great Again

21:45 - Is CFTC Prepared For Retail Oversight? 

23:50 - Challenges Ahead For The CFTC

30:00 - Thoughts On Gary Gensler 

33:48 - Why The Past Few Years Were So Frustrating 

37:55 - Regulatory Sandboxes

39:02 - Changing Rules For Crypto Ownership For Regulators 

42:32 - Comparing Digital Assets to Derivatives

43:40 - How Markets Will Operate Better With Regulatory Frameworks

46:40 - Leaving CFTC, Joining MoonPay

52:46 - Brian Quintenz CFTC withdrawal

55:00 - Mike Selig Swon In At CFTC - His Biggest Challenges 

57:00 - Thoughts On Prediction Markets

1:02:00 - Market Structure Update For 2026

1:05:00 - Why 2026 The Year Of Institution Adoption 

1:07:00 - Thanks Caroline For Joining!

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

It was a packed week for crypto policy in Congress’s final legislative session of the year. Instead of a market structure markup in the Senate, Banking Chairman Tim Scott held a consequential meeting with players from the crypto and banking industries. Cody Carbone, CEO of the Digital Chamber, joins us to break it down.

Regulators were busy too: a changing of the guard at the CFTC, key guidance from the Fed, and a SEC privacy roundtable, where StarkWare GC Katherine Kirkpatrick Bos shared her insights.

Plus, Jito Labs announced its return to the U.S., and we’ll hear from Jito Foundation President Brian Smith about what it means for the industry.

Anthony Noto is the CEO of SoFi. In this conversation, we discuss SoFi becoming the first nationally chartered crypto bank, exclusive news about SoFi's plan to launch a native stablecoin, lowering the cost of borrowing, the future of crypto banking, thoughts on market structure in 2026, why Anthony is keeping an eye on blockchain and AI emerging together, and the success of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA 

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/Sl5xbtAZatk

Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is powered by Sei.

Learn more about Sei: 

https://www.sei.io/

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:45 - What Does ‘Crypto In America’ Mean To Anthony

1:10 - Anthony’s Career - What Led To Crypto

2:30 - SoFi Dropping Crypto To Secure Bank Charter in 2023

4:30 - Becoming The First National Bank To Offer Crypto Trading

7:45 - SoFi’s Focus Going Forward - Lowering Cost Of Borrowing, SoFI USD

10:45 - Why SoFi Built On Ethereum, Creating The Safest Stablecoin

12:50 - Why Was It Important For SoFi To Have A Native Token

16:00 - Risks With Lesser Charters

18:30 - Filling The Void Of Previous Crypto Banks

19:45 - Bank Issue Stablecoins Will Be The Future Of The Dollar?

21:00 - Tokenized Deposits 

22:14 - Why Trusted Companies Should Be Public

27:30 - Why Competition For SoFi Is Good To Grow Crypto

29:00 - SoFi Crypto Lending - Offering Lower Rates

31:30 - State Of The Markets/Fed Rates For Lending

35:00 - Biggest Objective For Digital Assets In 2026 - SoFi Pay

37:15 - Market Structure Regulation Needs In 2026

40:15 - SoFi Stadium Enormous Success

44:30 - SoFi USD Super Bowl Ad Coming??

46:15 - The Combo Of Blockchain & AI Emerging At The Same Time

47:00 - Anthony Supports Open Banking

50:30 - Thanks Anthony For Joining! Like & Subscribe

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

It was a big week for crypto policy in DC, as lawmakers and regulators descended on the Blockchain Association’s annual policy summit to discuss the latest developments in the crypto regulatory landscape. From progress on market structure to outlooks on the midterm elections and updates from key government agencies, we’ll get the highlights from BA CEO Summer Mersinger. Privacy hawk J.W. Verret joins us after speaking on a panel about the Big Banks’ “war on crypto” and what their involvement in market structure negotiations and the open banking debate could mean for the industry’s future. Plus, Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner stops by to break down his firm’s novel crypto bank charter and give his take on the deeper integration of crypto into the U.S. banking system.

John D'Agostino is the Head of Institutional at Coinbase. In this conversation, we discuss Coinbase’s role at the center of institutional interest, bringing liquidity to the market, the impact of Bitcoin ETFs, How John’s past life in oil markets compare to crypto, the uptick in de-banking in the US, regulatory updates, and how Coinbase is building their super app

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA 

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/v7SMCK93vk8

Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is powered by Sei.

Learn more about Sei: 

https://www.sei.io/

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome John D'Agostino To Crypto In America! 

00:29 What ‘Crypto In America’ Means To John

01:33 - Coinbase At The Center Of Institutional - Recent Trends

04:03 - Liquidity - Depth & Breath

06:58 - What Is Crypto Missing For A Robust Market? 

10:43 - Impact Of Bitcoin ETFs14:22 - How October 10th Scared Market Makers 

16:00 - The Role Of Leverage & Perpetual Futures 

20:42 - Bitcoin as Digital Gold

25:04 - John's Past Life In Oil Markets - Path To Crypto 

28:43 - Crypto & Commodities Volatility Comparison

29:08 - The State of De-Banking in the US

31:02 - Survey Insights on Banking Discrimination

35:17 - Regulator Relationships

41:40 - Coinbase's Super App - Acquisitions Of Echo, Launch of Monad

4:30 - A True Public Utility Token Raise

49:41 - Everyone Wants Custody Staking & Lending 

51:50 - Why John Is Watching The Czech National Bank's Bitcoin Experiment

55:30 - Thanks John For Joining! Like & Subscribe 

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

Chris Perkins is the President & Managing Partner at CoinFund. In this conversation, we discuss the latest on regulation in the United States, why institutions are still very interested in crypto, when/if market structure will ever get passed, the roll of CFTC & SEC in 2026, the emergence of DATs, spot trading, the concept of privateering, and the stablecoin market.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VCF62egSOZA

Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is powered by Sei.

Learn more about Sei: 

https://www.sei.io/

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Chris To Crypto In America!

0:48 - What Does ‘Crypto In America’ Mean To Chris

2:20 - Chokepoint & Why We Needed Regulation In the US

05:28 - Crypto Infrastructure For Trading 

08:30 - Institutions Are Still Moving Forward Despite Market Pull Back

11:15 - ADL Explained

12:15 - How Regulation Can Impact Centralized Exchanges

15:00 - Market Structure Will Never Get Done??

18:00 - Path Forward For CFTC & SEC

22:00 - Future & Derivatives Exchanges Doing Spot Trading

25:14 - Digital Asset Treasury Companies

28:40 - Do We Want Crypto Seperated From Securities? 

30:49 - The Concept of Privateering

37:30 - CEO Council 

42:55 - The Role of Privacy 

44:17 - Chris’ Military Strategies Applied to Crypto

48:00 -Tether Credit Downgrade, Thoughts On Stablecoins

52:30 - Chris Is Obsessed With Futures, The State Of Alt Coins

54:00 - Thanks Chris For Joining! Like & Subscribe

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

On this Black Friday edition of CIA Live, the hosts break down their Thanksgivings and what turned into a surprisingly newsy holiday week. Anchorage Digital’s Head of Global Operations Rachel Anderika and Vice President of Stablecoins Martin Carrica join the show to discuss Anchorage’s new stablecoin rewards program amid a fierce push by banks to curb crypto firms’ ability to offer yield. Then, New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Executive Director James Key-Wallace and Wave Digital co-founder Les Borsai join to explain how New Hampshire is breaking ground with its first-ever Bitcoin-backed conduit bond.

Stani Kulechov is the Founder of Aave Labs. We spoke to Stani live on stage at SmartCon. In this conversation, we discuss how Aave’s is bridging the gap from TradFI to DeFi, tokenization, the introduction of the new initiavte Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance aimed at shaping DeFi policy, his thoughts on the SEC & current regulatory environment, if crypto is protecting the wrong people, market volatility, and token buybacks.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA 

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjEQtdlNx1fxmS8hB?si=813495451b9f4e4e 

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crypto-in-america/id1799000155 

Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is powered by Sei.

Learn more about Sei: 

https://www.sei.io/

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Stani To Crypto In America

0:48 - What ‘Crypto in America’ Means To Stani

1:42 - TradFi Entering The DeFi Space - How Aave Is Bridging the Gap

3:50 - Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance - Shaping DeFi Policy In DC

7:00 - U.S. Opportunities vs. Overseas Counties (AAPAC, Europe, Latam)

9:25 - Is Crypto Protecting The Wrong People (I.e. Roman Storm) - Thoughts On Protecting Developers

11:30 - Is The SEC understanding crypto? Is Stani Optimistic About DeFi Regulation?

14:15 - Recent Market Volatility In The Space

16:25 - Navigating Small Team Startups vs. Large Institutions/Compliance

17:50 - $50M Token Buyback - Will DeFi Continue To Adopt TradFi-style buybacks? 

19:10 - Stani Is Excited About Providing More Access To Finance 

20:15 - Thanks Dani For Joining! Like & Subscribe

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

Against the backdrop of Bitcoin wiping out all of its 2025 gains again, there’s a lot happening in crypto policy this week. 36-year-old crypto lawyer Khurram Dara announced his campaign for New York AG, challenging anti-crypto incumbent Letitia James. Dara joins the show to dicuss running on a platform to reverse what he calls James’s business-unfriendly policies and lawfare tactics, which he says are worsening New York’s affordability crisis. More than 60 crypto firms joined forces to send a letter to President Trump, urging the administration to move quickly on a handful of policy recommendations under consideration. The letter was spearheaded by the Solana Policy Institute, and engagement director Colin McLaren breaks down what’s behind it. Plus, Paul Brigner talks Zcash’s meteoric rise this month and what’s driving it.

Hunter Horsley is the Co-Founder & CEO of Bitwise Asset Management. In this conversation, we discuss launching one of the first crypto index funds, the evolution of ETFs, staking, and institutional adoption, including the first Solana staking ETF on Wall Street, the next ETFs to be released, DATs, the impact of regulatory changes, and the ongoing efforts to educate mainstream investors.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA 

This episode is sponsored by Avalanche: https://www.avax.network/

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/gDEpaMj_2Wg

Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is powered by Sei.

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Hunter Horsley To Crypto In America 

0:50 - What ‘Crypto In America’ Means To Hunter

1:59 - Hunter's Journey from Big Tech to Crypto

7:35 - The Evolution of ETFs & Crypto Asset Management in 7 Years

9:45 - Bitwise’s Operation 

14:35-  Regulatory Challenges During Gensler, ETF Launch

17:20 - Is Regulation Taking Too Long?

19:30 - Why Bitwise Prefers ETFs

23:00 - Allowing People To Get Exposure To Crypto Through ETF

26:45 - Appealing To Retail Traders

28:53 - The Success of Solana Staking ETF - The Largest ETF Launch

36:47 - Solana Community 

37:08 - Launching More ETFS (Filing For XRP, Chainlink, Avalanche) 

40:39 - Bitwise's Staking Business

44:00 - In-Kind Transactions and Digital Asset Treasuries

53:00 - How DATs took over 

55:46 - Crypto Education and Institutional Interest

59:45 - Bearish Sentiment In The Crypto Markets

1:03:00 - Banking Adoption 

1:06:30 - Crypto As Emerging Tech Similar To E-Commerce

01:10:00 - Thanks Hunter For Joining

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america