The show kicks off with a discussion on the Department of Justice's lawsuit against Visa for alleged antitrust practices in its debit card business, highlighting the $7 billion in annual processing fees that burden users and retailers. This case is seen as another instance of a company profiting from being a toll taker, underscoring the need for financial system disruption. The sale of Visa shares by Paul Pelosi in early July is also addressed, calling for increased accountability for legislators in trades potentially involving insider information.

The show then transitions to updates on the political arena, including Donald Trump's use of Bitcoin to pay for burgers at NYC crypto hotspot Pubkey and Kamala Harris's mention of digital assets during a campaign event. Stand With Crypto downgraded her crypto friendliness from a B to NA, arguing that her policy towards crypto remains unclear. However, Mark Cuban and Coinbase representatives suggest that her team has signaled support for crypto, and new research from Lyn Alden indicates that Bitcoin may perform well regardless of the election outcome, as it tends to do well when more money is printed and spent by the government which could be the case if Harris wins. 

The House Financial Services Committee's session featuring all SEC commissioners is discussed, with highlights on Hester Peirce's assertion that the commission has "fallen down on our duty as regulators" and Ritchie Torres directly questioning Gary Gensler on the treatment of Yankee tickets as securities. The show celebrates the growing opposition to Gary's approach but warns that his future plans remain uncertain.

The market activity for Bitcoin and Runes following the Fed's rate cut decision is examined, with a focus on the success of Solana meme coin Moo Deng. The show concludes by discussing a recent incident on Liquidium's platform, where a contract was edited after one party's wallet was drained without notifying the lender, raising questions about the best course of action and centralization concerns in such cases.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

For this special deep dive episode, the show features Gerard from VIVID Gallery, delving into the cutting-edge world of generative art Ordinals and showcasing the groundbreaking projects curated by the VIVID Gallery team.

The episode explores the magnetic appeal of inscribing generative art on Bitcoin via Ordinals, discussing the intriguing possibilities associated with the Bitcoin chain's distinctive features, such as provenance and parent/child relationships. The role VIVID plays in introducing artists to the Bitcoin ecosystem and the enthusiasm these artists exhibit for its potential is also examined.

The discussion then delves into the one-of-a-kind nature of these pieces for both artists and collectors, emphasizing the importance of being cautious when it comes to what and how to inscribe. The conversation then takes a turn towards an overview of the VIVID Chefs d'OEuvre collection and the current auction, highlighting how the pieces can transform on an algorithmic daily basis. The Eternal Tides piece is showcased as an example of linking the outputs to on-chain activity.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

The show begins with speculation surrounding today's Federal Reserve rate cut decision. It is pointed out that while it could represent a tipping point for change in economic policy, any action the Fed may take will ultimately not have much impact on Bitcoin. The notion of moving towards a decoupling of Bitcoin from the stock market is further evidenced by the release of BlackRock's Bitcoin presentation for investors, which addresses the need to look at Bitcoin outside of the traditional financial buckets of definitions. The slides tied to the resilience of Bitcoin in the face of geopolitical events as well as the U.S. debt dynamics are also examined and discussed.

The conversation then moves onto the news this week that the ETH/BTC ratio has hit a low point, and a drop in staker revenue leads to a review of chain activity, as well as questions tied to how L2s are impacting Ethereum overall and if a change in investment thesis could be warranted. Again, Michael Saylor's conviction with Bitcoin is noted, as is the news that he purchased another 1.1 billion in Bitcoin, and wonders what will happen when more companies apply this strategy of holding Bitcoin.

Next, there is an analysis of the recent Trump appearance on a crypto X spaces. It is noted that from his segments, Trump appears to have a genuine interest in crypto and expressed some articulate explanations on why he is interested in the evolving space, including his forays into NFTs as well as seeing campaign donations come in the form of cryptocurrencies.

The SEC's enforcement actions towards the FlyFish Club NFT project are addressed, and Hester Pierce & Mark Ulyda are lauded for their articulate and humorous dissent, with some excerpts from the dissent being read. The dissent is celebrated for its understanding of the value of NFTs and the overreach such enforcements represent. A recent letter to Gary Gensler from House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Patrick McHenry, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, questioning the SEC's approach to airdrops and even asking questions about how airdrops differ from other incentives such as airline miles and credit card points. These letters both point to how there appears to be a powerful shift in the arguments in favor of more favorable policy for the space overall.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

In this episode, Disco and Blutoshi dive into the similarities of drama currently taking place both in macro U.S. politics and the emerging Bitcoin, Ordinals, and Runes space. They explore how these seemingly disparate worlds share commonalities in their struggles with power dynamics and the importance of critical thinking.

The show delves into the current drama surrounding Ordinals founders and builders, offering insights for individuals and the community on navigating these complex relationships. The hosts then shift focus to the limited pool of active Ordinals traders compared to Ethereum and Solana, speculating on what a unified Bitcoin/Ordinal/Rune community could mean for the future.

Lastly, Disco and Blutoshi weigh in on recent market trends for Runes as a whole, with particular attention given to the Decentralized Runes camp's decision to cease operations – an event that leaves a lingering sense of disappointment

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

In this in-depth exploration of tokenized art, we're joined by Steven Miller, the leading web3 art curator. Together, we dive into the world of digital art and its potential to disrupt traditional methods.

We begin with Steven's inspiring journey to becoming a successful art curator and podcast host. He shares insights on the importance of nurturing talent and fostering growth in the art community.

Our conversation then delves into the unique characteristics and benefits of tokenized art, as well as its global reach and influence. We examine various formats, tools, and outputs that are shaping this rapidly evolving landscape, including cutting-edge innovations from White Walls and others for showcasing collections.

We also explore how traditional artists can adapt to digital opportunities and how some visionary creators are redefining the way collectors engage with their work through swarming techniques.

Post Wook, a highly regarded yet underappreciated artist, is highlighted as is her incredible work on The Astronomer's Daughter collection. We also discuss the groundbreaking Gamma Art Packs project, BIT L'ORDS, which brings a fresh perspective to collecting.

New and upcoming collections like Yokshi Sodeoka's The Swarm and Eternal Tides by Phenomena from Vivid Gallery are featured. The exciting benefits of being a part of an art community such as Aeons is also discussed. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of digital art and its impact on the world.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

This week's show kicks off with a compelling discussion on free speech and censorship, sparked by the recent news that X has been banned in Brazil. We delve into which platforms are benefiting from this ban while also exploring the broader implications of government censorship on the exchange of ideas and opinions for everyone moving forward. The story of Telegram's founder being jailed, coupled with Mark Zuckerberg's letter to Jim Jordan revealing Meta's past cave to pressure from the Biden administration to censor news, provides additional context. The importance of teaching critical thinking skills is also examined, along with some reasons why we're so passionate about this space.

The hosts then turn their attention to the bearish market activity over the past week, noting global crypto outflows and downward price action. However, they highlight that Bitcoin's hash rate has hit an all-time high, making a case that the price level doesn't necessarily reflect the current strength of Bitcoin overall. There are still many reasons to feel bullish as we head into year-end.

The show then reviews the latest election and political news, starting with an analysis of U.S. Presidential election odds on Polymarket. News from Trump's world about a foray into crypto via World Liberty Financial is discussed, along with recent SEC activity towards OpenSea.

Web3 art curator and podcast host Steven Miller joins the show to discuss the story about KnownOrigin NFT platform's issues with IPFS storage of their NFTs. This highlights the importance of understanding whether the art you're collecting is truly on-chain.

Finally, the show covers updates on Fractal's buzz and celebrates a milestone achievement for the NounsDAO Chicago Curling Club proposal becoming a reality.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

In this special deep dive episode, Skigod shares his fascinating journey from poker to crypto trading and shares valuable lessons he learned along the way. Starting as a poker player, Skigod realized that he wasn't destined for greatness in the field and pivoted to traditional finance and trading.

He recounts his experiences in trad-fi, discussing the pivotal moments and lessons learned during his first year and a half before scoring his first big win. These insights shaped his perspective on crypto, teaching him the importance of staying true to himself when evaluating opportunities and avoiding the pitfalls of FOMO (fear of missing out).

The conversation then delves into Skigod's transition to the crypto space, including a compelling story about his initial interest in Ethereum and the advice he received from traditional traders to invest more than he was comfortable with. This leads to another noteworthy encounter with Dan Bilzerian, where Skigod learned valuable lessons about risk and opportunity.

Finally, the discussion touches on questions surrounding the U.S. debt and its potential implications for investors and positioning. 

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

This week's episode delves into two significant news stories: Mark Zuckerberg's letter to Jim Jordan, revealing that the Biden Administration pressured Meta to take down COVID-19 content, including humor and satire; and Pavel Durov's recent imprisonment in France amidst an investigation into various crimes.

The discussion explores the implications of censorship on different formats and channels, as well as its potential impact on people's daily lives and thoughts. The episode also delves into Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and independent media in today's fast-paced world.

The show then shifts to Blu sharing his insights from his experience as a CryptoPunk holder and reflections on its recent sale. He describes his involvement within the community and discusses what he believes is needed for CryptoPunks to become an attractive investment again. This leads to a broader conversation about Ethereum, touching on gas prices, staking rewards, Bitcoin's development with Runes, and Vitalik's recent comments.

The episode concludes with an update on Blutoshi's Chicago Curling Club Nouns DAO proposal, which appears to be moving toward approval and serves as a great example of the potential of DAO structures like Nouns.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

In this deep dive episode, Scribe returns for an in-depth discussion on RSIC and Runecoin. The conversation begins with a recap of recent updates from Runedev and Runecoin, which have sparked renewed interest in the Rune projects as a whole. Scribe recounts key events from Season 1, including the airdrop, community growth, token pooling, and the halving event.

The episode explores speculation on symbols and rarity, delving into what to expect from RSIC and the broader Runes ecosystem with Season 2 potentially on the horizon. The conversation covers Layer 2 vs. Layer 1 development options and the RSIC team's goal of becoming the #2 cryptocurrency.

Memes are analyzed for their impact on Rune projects, examining factors that contribute to a successful meme, such as Runecoin and Billy. The show acknowledges that current market conditions may postpone new developments in Rune projects until liquidity improves.

The use of Runecoin by the team to acquire rare pieces recently sparks speculation about future utilization and potential implications for the cryptocurrency's growth. The episode concludes with advice on navigating opportunities in the Runes space moving forward.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

This week, the show celebrates Bitcoin Infinity Day, August 21st. The episode begins by covering new stories highlighting the global adoption of Bitcoin, including South Korea's Pension Fund adding more exposure to Bitcoin through Microstrategy shares, and Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund indirectly investing in Bitcoin.

The discussion then shifts to institutional investment in Bitcoin ETFs, with 60% of global hedge funds now invested. A notable statistic is that over 65% of these investors have either added to or maintained their positions despite a recent 20% price drop from recent all time highs, indicating a trend towards long-term holding. It's also mentioned that the BlackRock IBIT ETF has experienced the third-largest year-to-date inflows of any global ETF. 

The Ethereum ETFs are contrasted with net outflows of $440 million since launch, leading to speculation about Ethereum's role moving forward. The Solana ETF was denied, but Solana remains active and vibrant compared to other chains.

A rumor that Kamala Harris plans to appoint Gary Gensler as Treasury Secretary if elected is debunked as an example of the importance of verifying information before acting on it.

New data from Game of Trades showing credit card defaults and a drop in net savings leads to a discussion about a potential recession and it's implications for Bitcoin. The show announces a surprise, the sale today of Blutosh's crypto punk, leading to reflections on its significance and future possibilities.

The episode concludes with updates on political polls, polymarket moves, and speculation about RFK Jr.'s future plans for the race. 

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/