The Crypto Beat

The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, and co-host Kelvin Sparks was joined by Securitize President Michael Sonnenshein.

In this episode, Sonnenshein explores the evolving market for tokenized securities, and explains the advantages of bringing traditional assets like equities, treasuries, and private credit onto public blockchains in a fully regulated, investor-protective way.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

00:37 – Promotion to President

01:28 – White House Digital Asset Report

03:44 – Regulatory Interest in Security Tokens

05:40 – Vision for Tokenized Equities

09:07 – Demand for Tokenized Treasuries

10:38 – Path to One Trillion in Tokenized Securities

12:38 – Robinhood and Tokenized Equities

15:24 – Benefits of Tokenized Equities

19:43 – Hamilton Lane Integration with Elixir

22:05 – Grayscale Bitcoin ETF Reflections

23:30 – SEC and In-kind Redemption

26:08 – Future of ETFs

26:17 – Systemic Risk of Bitcoin Treasury Companies

28:26 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Michael Sonnenshein - https://x.com/Sonnenshein

Securitize -⁠ https://x.com/Securitize

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Federico Brokate, head of U.S. Business at 21Shares.

In this episode, Tim and Federico discuss the remarkable success of Bitcoin ETFs. Brokate delves into institutional adoption trends, future crypto ETF developments, and potential shifts in market dynamics. The conversation also touches on burgeoning institutional interest in new crypto assets.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

00:25 – Bitcoin ETFs' Success

04:43 – Hedge Funds and Basis Trade

06:11 – Options on ETFs

09:35 – From BlackRock to 21Shares

11:49 – International vs US Demand

14:49 – Selecting Assets

18:18 – Next Major Developments in Crypto ETFS

22:24 – Tokenized Equities

23:45 – Composable ETFs and DeFi

24:57 – Regulatory Environment Shifts

26:43 – Bitcoin Treasury Concerns

29:05 – Systemic Risk in Crypto Markets

29:53 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Federico - ⁠⁠https://x.com/Fede_Brokate

21Shares - https://x.com/21Shares

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Veda co-founder and CEO Sun Raghupathi.

Tim and Sun discussed how DeFi vaults are simplifying complex finance systems and looking to drive mainstream and institutional adoption. Sun explained on Veda's Vault architecture, the importance of security, and the evolving competitive landscape in the DeFi space.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

00:25 – What is Veda?

03:31 – Potential Contagion Risks

04:30 – GMX Hack

05:39 – DeFi Hacks 

08:16 – Challenges of Building Vaults

09:48 – DeFi's Evolution

15:23 – Institutional Involvement

16:58 – Vault Uses in TradFi

17:47 – Tokenized Stocks

20:44 – Vaults vs. Staking

22:48 – Types of Vault Strategies

24:39 – AI in Vault Management

25:47 – Veda’s Future Plans

26:37 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Sun - ⁠https://x.com/sunandr_

Veda - ⁠⁠https://x.com/veda_labs

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by OpenLedger Core Contributor Ram Kumar in this episodes sponsored by OpenLedger.

Tim and Ram discussed the emerging intersection of decentralized AI and blockchain technology. Ram explains how OpenLedger is building infrastructure to let users contribute proprietary data to train AI models, with on-chain attribution and rewards for data contributors. The conversation covers OpenLedger’s upcoming mainnet launch, tokenomics, and the broader promise of creating a transparent, community-driven AI economy.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – What is Openledger?

02:27 – Data Contribution Model

08:47 – Access to Agents

15:16 – Ensuring Quality Data

19:09 – Incentive Structures

23:18 – The Role of Tokens

24:56 – The Convergence of AI and Crypto

27:53 – Competing with Centralized Systems

30:23 – Openledger's Future and Success

33:32 – Data Economy Insights

36:17 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Ram -⁠ https://x.com/Ramkumartweet⁠

OpenLedger - ⁠https://x.com/OpenledgerHQ⁠

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Co-Host Kelvin Sparks and memecoin aficionado Murad.

In this episode, Murad argues that the future of crypto lies in belief-driven, community-powered assets rather than short-term speculation or utility tokens. He explains why meme coins like SPX6900 are not just speculative plays but cultural and spiritual movements that offer their holders meaning, identity, and potential financial upside.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

00:47 – Memecoin Landscape

04:58 – Rise of Bonk.Fun

07:10 – The next six months

09:15 – SPX6900 as a Schelling Point

18:33 – Responsibilities with Memecoins

23:45 – Flipping the Stock Market 

29:23 – Memecoin mullet

34:13 – Memecoin strategy

38:55 – Bitcoin Treasury Trade

45:47 – Crypto's Future

48:17 – Murad's Motivation in Crypto

52:56 – Creating or Moving Value

54:56 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Murad - https://x.com/MustStopMurad

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Wormhole Co-Founder Robinson Burkey.

In this episode, Copeland and Burkey discuss the growing adoption of multi-chain frameworks and increasing institutional interest in blockchain technology. The conversation also touches on tokenized assets and the growing emphasis on revenue in the crypto space.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

01:22 – Wormhole’s growth

04:07 – Which chains are seeing growth

06:47 – RWAs

08:57 – Tokenized Credit

11:47 – Wormhole's Role in RWA

14:14 – Institutional adoption

17:45 – Institution’s opening up to crypto

20:23 – Future Crypto Expansion

23:05 – IPOs and On-Chain Opportunities

25:54 – Wormhole’s Governance Model

32:06 – Effects of Shifting US regulations 

36:00 – Potential For Revenue Sharing

37:51 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Robinson Burkey -⁠ https://x.com/RobinsonBurkey

Wormhole Foundation - https://x.com/wormholefdn

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Silhouette Founder Chandler De Kock.

In this episode, Copeland and De Kock discuss Silhouette and dark pools, the integration of privacy features into DeFi, and the implications for market transparency. The conversation also touches on the role of market makers and recent industry trends on token launches.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

00:36 – Dark Pools Explained

03:34 – Ensuring Private Transactions

07:39 – Maintaining Standards

12:57 – Hyperliquid.

15:44 – James Wynn and Public Positions

19:48 – Challenges and Opportunities

21:38 – Market Maker Engagement

23:33 – Next Steps to Launch

28:55 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Chandler De Kock -⁠ https://x.com/chandlerdkk

Silhouette - https://x.com/silhouette_exhttps://x.com/silhouette_ex

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Alluvial CEO Mara Schmiedt.

In this episode of The Crypto Beat, Copeland and Schmiedt discuss Alluvial's role in shaping institutional Ethereum staking. Schmiedt also discusses a new partnership between Liquid Collective and Galaxy, and shares insights on market trends, compliance, and the future of crypto regulations.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Introduction

00:34 – Alluvial's Mission

02:29 – Compliance and KYC

05:12 – ETH Withdrawals

06:05 – Partnership with Galaxy

08:02 – Institutional Staking Demand

10:06 – Adding ETH to balance sheets

12:38 – Convergence of Crypto and TradFi

14:24 – Institutional Adoption and Compliance

15:27 – SEC Staking Guidance

18:33 – Growth of Liquid Staking Tokens

20:06 – US Staking Lawsuits

21:21 – ETFs and Staking

25:50 – Future of Staking

26:57 – Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Mara Schmiedt - https://x.com/MaraSchmiedt

Alluvial - ⁠https://x.com/alluvialfinance

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Upexi CEO Allan Marshall and CEO Brian Rudick.

In this episode, Marshall and Rudick explain why their company is going all-in on Solana as the core of a digital asset treasury strategy. They discuss the upside potential of Solana, staking yields, and how disciplined leverage and capital markets dynamics could mirror or improve on MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin playbook.

OUTLINE

00:00 - Intro

00:55 - Why Upexi chose Solana over Bitcoin

02:45 - Staking Solana and revenue benefits

04:41 - Regulatory clarity and the bull case

07:23 - Wen Solana ETF

10:39 - Explaining the premium

15:12 - Risk management 

19:18 - Locked SOL supply and market impact

21:39 - GameStop & SharpLink

23:53 - Concerns about treasury strategies

26:32 - Navigating downturns in crypto

31:45 - Looking ahead

33:24 - Conclusion

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Allan Marhsall -⁠ ⁠⁠https://x.com/marshall_a22015

Brian Rudick - https://x.com/thetinyant

Upexi - https://www.upexi.com/

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The Block's Head of Growth, Tim Copeland, was joined by Across Protocol Co-Founder Hart Lambur.

In this episode, Copeland and Lambur discuss how Across Protocol is looking to revolutionize cross-chain interoperability by using an intent-based system that enables near-instant, secure asset transfers between blockchains. They also touched on Lambur's history as a bond trader at Goldman Sachs, chain abstraction, and crypto treasury companies.

OUTLINE

00:00 – Intro 


00:33 – What is Across Protocol?


03:42 – How Intent-Based Bridging Works


05:05 – Solver Mechanics Explained


06:34 – Fee Structure & Value Prop


09:07 – Lambur’s history with Goldman Sachs


11:13 – Across and Intents


14:57 – The Future of Seamless UX


19:06 – Onboarding new users


22:14 – Other Projects Lambur Likes


26:55 – Market Outlook & Bitcoin Macro


28:15 – MicroStrategy Copycats Risk?


31:18 – Closing Remarks

The Block Newsletters

The Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest links:

Hart Lambur - ⁠⁠https://x.com/hal2001

Across Protocol - ⁠https://x.com/AcrossProtocol⁠

Are you hiring in crypto?

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