On this episode of Talking Tokens, Jacquelyn sits down with John Darsie, CEO of SALT and managing partner at SkyBridge Capital, best known for connecting Wall Street, Washington, and the crypto industry. They unpack the evolution from the exuberant Crypto Bahamas era in 2022 to today’s Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, how institutions and policymakers are engaging crypto, why narrative and PR are more important than ever, and the secret behind attracting actual capital allocators (not just the crypto echo chamber) to conferences. John shares firsthand insights on the Trump administration’s approach, regulatory progress, bipartisan outreach, and what it will take to propel the next wave of adoption. Plus: event philosophy, why fun matters, and wild stories from Jackson Hole.This episode is sponsored by Across Protocol.⏱️ Timestamps

(00:00) - Crypto’s PR Problem: Misconceptions, narratives, and industry unity

(00:49) - Why the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium? The journey from SkyBridge to Bahamas to Jackson Hole

(05:04) - Learning from the Bahamas era: From FTX parties to regulatory focus

(06:32) - Creating “the adults’ conference”: Curation, institutions, and escaping the echo chamber

(09:16) - Genius Act, Circle IPO, Bitcoin rally: The tipping point for institutional adoption

(11:10) - Real change: Word-of-mouth, inbound interest, and what’s different this year

(12:22) - Bridging government and tech: Fed, SEC, Treasury—roundtables and candid talks

(14:10) - Fireside chat takeaways: U.S. crypto policy, Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, and regulatory progress

(17:00) - Federal vs. state regulation: Wyoming vs. New York and long-term policy debates

(18:52) - How the Trump administration and key hires have altered crypto’s future

(22:10) - The American Bitcoin project, Eric Trump, and what public/private engagement looks like

(26:38) - What still holds U.S. crypto adoption back? Due diligence, regulatory clarity, and industry PR

(32:08) - Making crypto bipartisan, persistent misconceptions, and event strategy

(33:36) - Event philosophy: Why “fun” is as important as networking and policy

(34:57) - Lessons from Jackson Hole: Moose sightings, bear run-ins, and the “intimate” advantage

(35:39) - What’s next: SkyBridge as a crypto bridge, future SALT events, and the golden age of alternative assets

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Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed assets or companies. Not investment advice.