FYI - For Your Innovation

Since inception, ARK has researched and published thoughts on the cryptocurrency ecosystem within Big Ideas and through articles, whitepapers, monthly Bitcoin reports and podcasts. Now, in coordination with Bitcoin Park, ARK is pleased to introduce a monthly conversation with leaders in the Bitcoin space, to discuss everything happening in the rapidly-changing and still nascent Bitcoin ecosystem. Published through the For Your innovation podcast channels, this monthly series aims to be informative and enlightening, including experts with diverse viewpoints.

Guests on this month’s Bitcoin Brainstorm include:

Senator Cynthia Lummis: Senator, Wyoming

Perianne Boring: CEO and Founder, Chamber of Digital Commerce

Eric Balchunas: Senior ETF Analyst, Bloomberg

Alex Thorn: Head of Research, Galaxy Digital

Ophelia Snyder: Co-Founder and President, 21Shares

Yassine Elmandjra: Director of Digital Assets, ARK Invest 

Cathie Wood: Founder, CEO and CIO, ARK Invest

Rod Roudi: Co-Founder, Bitcoin Park

Key Points From This Episode:

00:00:00 Rod introduces the Bitcoin Brainstorm and hands over the floor to each of our fantastic guests

00:05:01 Cathie sets the stage for what led to the eventual approval of the bitcoin ETF

00:10:34 Why a bitcoin ETF can be a bridge between the traditional financial world and the world of innovation and digital assets

00:17:30 What made the launch of bitcoin ETFs different from any other ETF launch in history

00:19:59 Will the launch of bitcoin ETFs lead to fast tracking policy around digital assets in general?

00:29:11 Senator Lummis outlines the impact Sam Bankman-Fried is still having on digital asset legislation in the Senate

00:38:51 The impact education makes on the cryptocurrency industry as a whole

00:45:20 Why did so many assets flow to bitcoin ETFs in the first few weeks, when bitcoin has existed since 2008

00:55:32 What are some of the trade-offs of using a bitcoin ETF to gain exposure to the asset rather than bitcoin itself

00:57:03 Comparing the impact the Federal Reserve can have on the equity market to how decentralized bitcoin and the Bitcoin network is

01:06:00 Why has bitcoin been so resilient in the face of controversy

01:10:30 How popular will bitcoin ETFs end up being?

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Learn more about Bitcoin Park: bitcoinpark.com

Parker Lewis book, Gradually Then Suddenly: https://academy.saifedean.com/product/gradually-then-suddenly-hardcover/

Learn more about Senator Cynthia Lummis: https://www.lummis.senate.gov/

On today’s episode of FYI, ARK CEO and CIO Cathie Wood and ARK Advisor Angie Dalton interview Commissioner Caroline Pham from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The episode explores the intricacies of digital asset regulation and the CFTC's role in overseeing derivatives markets. Commissioner Pham shares her extensive background in both the public and private sectors, touching on the evolution of financial regulations, crypto's impact on traditional markets, and the potential of blockchain technology. Key discussions include the CFTC's bipartisan structure, its approach to crypto regulation, and insights into the interplay between technology, finance, and regulation. This episode provides a unique perspective on the balance between innovation and regulation in the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape.

“There's no good version of AI, nor evil. It's just technology, and why not study it and use it and see if you can deploy it if it's going to make sense for you and your clients, your stakeholders, and your investors.” – Commissioner Caroline Pham

• Introduction of Commissioner Caroline Pham and her role at the CFTC.
• Pham's disclaimer clarifying her personal views do not represent the CFTC.
• Overview of the CFTC's structure and comparison with the SEC.
• Discussion of the derivatives market and its vast scope.
• Pham's background, including her work during the financial crisis and with Dodd-Frank Act.
• Insight into the regulatory treatment of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
• Pham's career journey from the public to the private sector, focusing on financial regulation and compliance.
• Exploration of blockchain technology's potential in various sectors beyond finance.
• Commissioner Pham highlights the integration of blockchain technology in gaming, focusing on its potential to create new types of in-game economies and digital interactions.
• The importance of understanding the risks and regulations associated with digital assets.
• Final thoughts on the future of regulation in the digital asset space.

Let's unpack the latest Tesla Earnings! This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by Director of Investment Analysis and Institutional Research Tasha Keeney, CFA. Together they discuss Tesla Earnings, and their outlook for the company.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

• Tesla Earnings

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

Addressing common bitcoin myths! This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous are joined by Director of Digital Assets Yassine Elmandjra. Together they discuss some of the common bitcoin myths circulating, especially after Jamie Dimon's comments at Davos and the bitcoin ETF approval. 

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

• Debunking bitcoin myths
• Mr Beast's revenue on X

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

Did the Apple Vision Pro flop? This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous discuss Rabbit R1, Apple vs. Epic Games court case, and a potential Apple Vision Pro Flop.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

• Rabbit R1
• Apple Vs. Epic Games
• Vision Pro Flop?

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

On this episode of FYI, we dive into the intricacies of crypto infrastructure with Konstantin Richter, the CEO and founder of Blockdaemon, and Chris Sharp, Blockdaemon's Chief Technology Officer (CTO). They cover Blockdaemon's journey, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the early crypto market. Konstantin and Chris share insights into the evolving belief in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, reflecting on their growing acceptance in mainstream finance. They then discuss developing Blockdaemon's product suite, transitioning from basic node operations to sophisticated services like staking and Application Programming Interface (API) integrations. The conversation explores the importance of decentralization and multi-party computation in ensuring crypto security, emphasizing Blockdaemon's commitment to robust and reliable infrastructure. Finally, they touch on the diverse regulatory landscapes in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., exploring their impact on the crypto industry and the future possibilities in this rapidly evolving sector.

"Not a lot of people saw the benefit of like, ‘Hey, why do I want to pay someone to do something? I can just download some open-source software and run on the server myself’. Even if it's janky, the requirements in the network and expectation around crypto was low enough that people weren't like, ‘Hey, I need to make sure there's instant settlement that my transaction goes through.’” - Konstantin Richter 

• Origin of Blockdaemon
• Unique challenges in maintaining and operating crypto infrastructure
• The importance of multi-party computation in crypto security
• The evolving belief and adoption of Bitcoin and Ethereum
• Decentralization and resistance to censorship in crypto
• Blockdaemon's impact on crypto infrastructure
• Acquiring a wallet company, Sepior, and its implications
• Blockdaemon’s product evolution
• The importance of reliability and distributed computing in crypto networks
• Perspectives on the evolution of the crypto market

On today’s episode of FYI we will be featuring the most recent In The Know with Cathie Wood, a monthly video series that covers fiscal policy, monetary policy, market signals, economic indicators, and innovation. On this specific In The Know, Cathie Wood is joined by ARK Director of Digital Assets, Yassine Elmandjra. Together, they discuss ARK's history with bitcoin, bitcoin spot ETF approval, the upcoming halving, and why we believe bitcoin is both a risk-on and risk-off asset. 

Key Points From This Episode

• ARK's history with bitcoin
• Bitcoin Spot ETF Approval
• Bitcoin halving
• Why we believe bitcoin is both a risk-on and risk-off asset
• Fiscal policy
• Monetary policy
• Market signals
• Economic indicators
• Innovation updates

The convergence among technologies: robotics and artificial intelligence. This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Chief Futurist Brett Winton discuss the rapidly evolving robotics landscape and how AI has greatly improved robotic performance.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

• The convergence of AI and robotics

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public

Since inception, ARK has researched and published thoughts on the cryptocurrency ecosystem within Big Ideas and through articles, whitepapers, monthly Bitcoin reports and podcasts. Now, in coordination with Bitcoin Park, ARK is pleased to introduce a monthly conversation with leaders in the Bitcoin space, to discuss everything happening in the rapidly-changing and still nascent Bitcoin ecosystem. Published through the For Your innovation podcast channels, this monthly series aims to be informative and enlightening, including experts with diverse viewpoints.

Guests on this month’s Bitcoin Brainstorm include:

Parker Lewis: Head of Business Development, Zaprite

Lyn Alden: Founder of Lyn Alden Investment Strategy

Ryan Gentry: Director of Business Development, Lightning Labs

Preston Pysh: Show Host and Co-Founder, The Investor’s Podcast Network and General Partner, Ego Death Capital

Lucas Nuzzi: Head of Research and Development, CoinMetrics

Yassine Elmandjra: Director of Digital Assets, ARK Invest 

Cathie Wood: Founder, CEO and CIO, ARK Invest

Rod Roudi: Co-Founder, Bitcoin Park

Key Points From This Episode:

00:00:16 When episode actually starts

00:00:00 Rod Roudi introduces the Bitcoin Brainstorm and hands over the floor to each of our fantastic guests

00:04:30 Rod introduces one of the biggest stories in bitcoin: the potential approval of a spot bitcoin ETF

00:16:54 The group considers bitcoin as an asset in a diversified portfolio

00:26:35 What is the long term viability of bitcoin as a store of value, or as a currency?

00:34:56 How the infrastructure around bitcoin has improved in recent years

00:43:34 The volume on the lightning network grew 12x in 2023

00:51:11 Comparing Bitcoin network transaction volume to large credit card networks

01:01:01 How bitcoin can be utilized as a decentralized Venmo

01:04:34 What our guests are most excited about in the world of bitcoin heading into 2024

Important Links From This Episode:

·      Lyn Alden’s Book, Broken Money: https://www.lynalden.com/broken-money/

·      Parker Lewis’ Book, Gradually Then Suddenly: https://graduallythensuddenly.xyz/

·      Clark Moody Dashboard: Halving date tracking towards is April 19, 2024: https://bitcoin.clarkmoody.com/dashboard/

·      River Lightning report: https://blog.river.com/the-lightning-network-in-2023/

·      Preston Pysh’s 2% bitcoin portfolio reference: https://twitter.com/PrestonPysh/status/1349385684071677952

·      Nashville Energy & Mining Summit at Bitcoin Park: bitcoinpark.com/mining

·      Learn more about Bitcoin Park: bitcoinpark.com

This week, Autonomous Technology and Robotics Director of Research Sam Korus and Associate Portfolio Manager Nick Grous reflect on 2023. Nick and Sam discuss each of their favorite stories in disruptive innovation this year as we close out 2023.

If you know ARK, then you probably know about our long-term research projections, like estimating where we will be 5-10 years from now! But just because we are long-term investors, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong views and opinions on breaking news. In fact, we discuss and debate this every day. So now we’re sharing some of these internal discussions with you in our new video series, “The Brainstorm”, a co-production from ARK and Public.com. Tune in every week as we react to the latest in innovation. Here and there we’ll be joined by special guests, but ultimately this is our chance to join the conversation and share ARK’s quick takes on what’s going on in tech today.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Nick's favorite consumer technology device
• Sam's expectations for SpaceX in 2024

For more updates on Public.com:

Website: https://public.com/

YouTube: @publicinvest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/public