In this episode of Licensed to Shill, the Blockcast crew dives headfirst into the industry's accelerating maturity, turbocharged by eye-popping M&A deals and the convergence of TradFi and crypto. Your host Takatoshi Shibayama is joined by Lisa J.Y. Tan (Economics Design), Nikhil Joshi (Emurgo), and Valentin Fournier (BRN) for a no-holds-barred analysis of the industry's most compelling narratives.

Topics Discussed:

• Crypto’s Billion-Dollar Shopping Spree:
  Coinbase acquires Deribit, Kraken snags NinjaTrader, Ripple and Stripe enter the fray — what's fueling this tidal wave of M&A?
• TradFi vs. Crypto: Who’s Swallowing Whom?
  The panel debates whether crypto is becoming more like TradFi — or the other way around.
• Equity vs. Tokens:
  Are token-based startups doomed to stay in the shadows of equity-heavy crypto giants?
• Bitcoin-Holding Public Companies – Hype or Hedge?
  Why are firms like 21 Capital and Nakamoto listing just to buy Bitcoin? Is this the next ETF workaround?
• Launchpads & Internet Capital Markets:
  Lisa introduces Believe, a Solana-based auto-tokenizing Launchpad. Are we democratizing early-stage funding — or reinventing pump-and-dumps?
• Retail = Exit Liquidity?
  Nikhil throws down a challenge: Are “community” and “creator economy” just euphemisms for exit liquidity?
• Valentin’s Market Breakdown:
  With BTC dominance dropping and alts pumping, are we heading into a new altseason? Plus: How inflation data and trade negotiations could turn the tide.

Links & Mentions:

• Blockhead.co – Your go-to for Web3 news.
• BRN (Blockhead Research Network) –  Daily market insights by Valentin.

🎙️ Hey there, Blockcast listeners! 🎙️ This podcast provides commentary and discussion on cryptocurrency and related topics. It is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Guests appearing on this podcast may discuss companies or strategies, but these discussions are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any particular asset or pursue any specific strategy. The hosts and guests are not financial advisors, and listeners are urged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Investments in cryptocurrency are inherently risky, and you could lose money.
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