Unchained

On Tuesday, options on BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF, IBIT, launched, seeing $1.9 billion worth of those options changing hands on the first day.

The launch of these options could mark a turning point for crypto markets, with implications for liquidity, volatility, and institutional adoption. 

Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, explains why these options are so significant, who they’re designed for, and how they could impact the broader ecosystem.

Plus, he offers some cautionary advice to bitcoiners, gives insight into whether spot ether etf options are on their way, and discusses the odds of SOL ETFs launching.

Show highlights:

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

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Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner get together and give the industry insider's perspective on crypto. This week, special guest Vance Spencer of Framework Ventures joins the crew to explore Ethereum’s Beam Chain proposal, a bold yet contentious vision for Ethereum 3.0. With promises of quantum resistance, faster transactions, and decentralized staking, is this five-year roadmap a revolutionary leap or an unachievable ambition? The team dives into the tension between Layer 2s and Ethereum’s base chain, alongside Solana’s growing dominance as a UX benchmark. On the political front, the conversation breaks down Trump’s pro-crypto administration. From speculation around key cabinet picks to the potential establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve, they analyze what this new era could mean for regulation, innovation, and the broader market. Tune in for a lively discussion of the forces shaping Ethereum’s evolution and crypto’s role in America’s future.

Show highlights

🔹 Polymarket CEO Raided: The crew discusses the FBI’s raid on Polymarket founder Shayne Coplan following the election, raising questions about politically motivated actions and the future of prediction markets.

🔹 Trump’s Crypto Administration: Trump’s pro-crypto agenda, including cabinet picks and a proposed Bitcoin strategic reserve, signals a potential shift in U.S. crypto policy.

🔹 D.O.G.E. and Dogecoin: The Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, ignites a Dogecoin rally and highlights crypto’s rising cultural impact.

🔹 Bitcoin’s Surge: Bitcoin hits $94,000, sparking predictions of $250K or more during Trump’s presidency, while the crew debates whether a long-awaited altseason is imminent.

🔹 Ethereum’s Challenges: Ethereum’s Layer 2 friction and Solana’s growing UX dominance fuel concerns over Ethereum’s long-term competitiveness.

🔹 Solana and memecoins: Solana’s connection to memecoin markets strengthens its position as a key rival to Ethereum.

🔹 Crypto Regulation Outlook: The potential for sweeping pro-crypto legislation under Trump’s administration raises hopes for innovation but also risks overexuberance.

🔹 Ethereum 3.0 Skepticism: The Beam Chain proposal reflects Ethereum’s struggle to balance long-term visions with immediate market pressures, drawing comparisons to Solana’s rapid growth.

🔹 Future Price Predictions: Vance and the crew share bold price predictions for Bitcoin and Ethereum, exploring the political and technological forces driving market momentum.

Hosts

⭐️Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly

⭐️Robert Leshner, CEO & Co-founder of Superstate

⭐️Tarun Chitra, Managing Partner at Robot Ventures

Guest:

⭐️Vance Spencer, Co-Founder Framework Ventures

Timestamps 

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Bitcoin and SOL are flirting with all time highs, Ethereum is lagging behind, and the next six months could define the trajectory of crypto markets. 

In this episode of Bits + Bips, James Seyffart, Alex Kruger, and guest David Grider unravel the key stories driving the space: What could a meeting between Trump and Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong mean for crypto policy? Could a new Treasury Secretary pick become the industry’s biggest ally? And is Ethereum’s underperformance hiding a major comeback?

Plus, what crypto categories might be winners in the near future.

Trump and politics:

Markets:

Bitcoin ETF options:

Timestamps:

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Martin Köppelmann, co-founder of Gnosis, has proposed that Ethereum should have native rollups—a vision aimed at addressing scalability and decentralization.

Köppelmann critiques the current state of layer 2 solutions, highlighting their limitations in fully inheriting Ethereum’s security and composability. 

He proposes a bold alternative: 128 Ethereum-native rollups designed to expand block space, strengthen alignment with Ethereum’s core principles, and ensure long-term viability for developers and users.

Plus, Martin tackles the controversies: Are L2s parasitic? Could native rollups spell the end for existing solutions? And why should they rely on zero-knowledge proofs instead of Optimism?

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

Timestamps: 

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BlackRock’s entry into crypto through its bitcoin ETF (and later on the spot ether ETF) has rewritten the record books, driving massive inflows and reshaping the narrative for institutional crypto adoption.

Robbie Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, unpacks the story behind this monumental shift. He shares the journey from skepticism to success, how BlackRock’s ETF has changed the market, and the surprises even he didn’t expect.

Plus, he explains why he believes people mistake bitcoin for a risk-on asset, what the investment case is for Ethereum, and what’s next for crypto in 2025.

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

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The 2024 elections have reshaped the future of crypto in Washington. With almost $200 million in donations, the Fairshake Super PAC not only backed pro-crypto candidates but also took bold risks by challenging entrenched incumbents. This strategic gamble appears to have paid off, leading to the most crypto-friendly Congress in U.S. history.

In this episode, Coinbase’s Faryar Shirzad and Kara Calvert reveal the behind-the-scenes decisions that drove this unprecedented effort, discuss why crypto needs to transcend partisanship, and explain how this election could usher in long-awaited regulatory clarity. They also delve into the global stakes of blockchain adoption and whether the U.S. can reclaim its leadership as other nations surge ahead in Web3 innovation.

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

Previous coverage of the elections on the podcast:

Unchained: 

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Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner get together and give the industry insider's perspective on crypto. This week, Laura Shin joins the squad to help break down the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. presidential election and its impact on the crypto landscape. With a new pro-crypto administration on the horizon, they explore what Trump’s stance on blockchain regulation could mean for the industry, from ETFs and stablecoin legislation to the potential of a national Bitcoin reserve. They also dig into the power of prediction markets, which outperformed mainstream media in election coverage, signaling a shift in trust and transparency. From the populist appeal of crypto to the challenges facing a divided Democratic Party, this episode uncovers the political dynamics that could drive innovation or stifle growth in the U.S. crypto market. Expect insights on the forces shaping America’s crypto future and the role of policy in crypto’s place on the global stage.

Show highlights

🔹 Prediction markets outpaced mainstream media in calling the 2024 election, marking a shift in how people track election outcomes.

🔹 Trump’s pro-crypto stance signals potential changes for the industry, from new ETFs to a possible federal Bitcoin reserve.

🔹 The Democratic Party’s anti-crypto stance highlights a disconnect between progressive values and blockchain innovation.

🔹 As prediction markets gain popularity, more Americans rely on them over traditional media for real-time election insights.

🔹 One high-stakes bettor’s multi-million-dollar wager on the election paid off, thanks to a unique strategy involving the "neighbor effect."

🔹 The Democratic Party’s focus on "woke" issues may have contributed to a historic loss, raising questions about the future of these policies.

🔹 With pro-crypto Republicans in control, sweeping legislative changes are expected, from stablecoin laws to crypto tax reforms.

🔹 Crypto’s anti-elite appeal is resonating with populist movements, indicating a potential path for mass adoption.

🔹 The idea of Bitcoin on the U.S. national balance sheet is gaining traction as a pro-crypto administration takes office.

🔹 Political choices could propel or stifle America’s standing as a global leader in blockchain innovation and technology.

Hosts

⭐️Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly 

⭐️Tom Schmidt, General Partner at Dragonfly 

⭐️Robert Leshner, CEO & Co-founder of Superstate

⭐️Laura Shin, journalist, author of ‘The Cryptopians,’ founder and CEO of Unchained

Kamala Harris Shouldn’t Just Embrace Crypto. She Must Help It Flourish by Laura Shin:

https://time.com/7111315/kamala-harris-crypto-laura-shin-essay/ 

How the Trump Whale Correctly Called the Election by Alexander Osipovich

https://www.wsj.com/finance/how-the-trump-whale-correctly-called-the-election-cb7eef1d 

Timestamps 

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With a friendlier regulatory environment in sight, will crypto finally get its moment?

Jeff Park, head of alpha strategies at Bitwise, joins Unchained to break down what a pro-crypto approach in Washington could mean for the industry, why DeFi tokens such as UNI are thriving, and whether Bitcoin has a place as a strategic national asset. 

Plus, Park shares insights into how China will respond to Trump’s economic measures and explains what he means by the “radical portfolio” thesis. 

Tune in to find out how this new political era could set the stage for crypto’s long-awaited breakout.

Show highlights:

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

Unchained: 

Haralabos Voulgaris’s tweets on gambling:

Timestamps:

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Donald Trump is headed back to the White House, and the crypto markets are surging in response. 

This episode of Bits + Bips dives into what the election means for crypto, the potential crypto IPOs coming soon, why DeFi tokens are outperforming, and what changes in U.S. regulation could mean for investors. Ram Ahluwalia and Noelle Acheson join to explore this unprecedented moment in crypto and how inflation and policy changes may boost Bitcoin and the broader ecosystem.

Thanks to Gemini for sponsoring this episode of Bits + Bips.

Guests:

Timestamps:

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Crypto networks are meant to be decentralized, community owned systems. But they’re turned out to be dominated by whales and to have more mercenaries who are just interested in getting free tokens to dump them, rather than having long-term believers who want to build the ecosystem. How can tokens be launched in a way that gets token holders aligned with long-term success? 

Today’s guests, Mike Dudas, founding partner of 6th Man Ventures, and Matt O’Connor, co-founder of Legion, believe there’s room for improvement. In this episode, they share how Legion aims to reshape the process, focusing on fair distribution, incentivizing organic user growth, and building loyal communities. They explore Legion’s approach to token sales, its compatibility with regulatory frameworks, and why it might be the key to bringing new people into crypto.

Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

Timestamps:

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