Unchained

By Laura Shin

Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Sh... more

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The podcast currently has 857 episodes available.

Unchained episodes:

November 26, 2024What's the Best Way for Ethereum to Grow? Justin Drake and Martin Köppelmann Debate - Ep. 740
Ethereum has been left behind in this bull market. As rivals like Solana gain ground in metrics such as speed, cost, and developer mindshare, questions are being raised about whether Ethereum’s reliance on Layer 2 solutions is the right path forward—or if it needs a more fundamental redesign.
In this episode, Martin Köppelmann, co-founder of Gnosis, and Justin Drake, researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, discuss the trade-offs of native and based rollups, execution capacity, and Ethereum’s ability to maintain its dominance. They debate how Ethereum should address fragmentation across rollups, whether ETH has strayed from its ultrasound money narrative, and whether its deliberate pace of innovation could make it vulnerable in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Whose ideas will lead Ethereum out of this dark forest?
Show highlights:
03:10 Why Justin is so optimistic about pre confirmations and Ethereum scaling its throughput
06:15 Whether Ethereum could reach “maintenance mode” within 5 years
08:20 Whether Ethereum can solve the problem of fragmentation
20:21 The difference between based rollups and native rollups
25:29 Why Martin believes that Ethereum is not building for developers
34:21 What real-time proving is and why it is relevant
37:46 How programmable native rollups could have different business models from Ethereum but the same security
44:51 Why most assets on L2s might not actually be secured by Ethereum
50:24 Whether Ethereum’s consensus layer might see a “clean slate” redesign with the Beam Chain
58:59 Whether Ethereum’s slow pace of change could leave it vulnerable to competition
01:06:55 How Ethereum's shift to rollups and blob data has reshaped its ultrasound money narrative by transforming the primary sources of fee burn
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Robinhood & Arbitrum
iYield
Guests:
Martin Köppelmann, Co-founder and CEO of Gnosis
Previous appearances on Unchained:
Are Layer 2s Failing Ethereum? A New Proposal Advocates for Native L2s
Given the Sanctions on Tornado Cash, Is Ethereum Censorship Resistant?
Justin Drake, Researcher at the Ethereum Foundation
Previous appearances on Unchained:
Why MEV Will Always Be Controversial
Did the Merge Make Ethereum ‘the Most Secure Blockchain in the World’?
Can Bitcoin Be Secured Only by Transaction Fees? Two Researchers Sound Off
Is ETH on Its Way to Becoming Ultra-Sound Money? Yes, Says Justin Drake
Links
Previous coverage of Unchained on Ethereum layer 2s:
ETH Is Down Bad, While Layer 2s Are Ripping. Are L2s Parasitic to Ethereum?
Are L2s ‘Parasitic’? Analysis Shows Ethereum Only Gets a Tiny Percentage of Fees
Are Solana’s ‘Network Extensions’ Just Like Ethereum’s Layer 2s But by a Different Name?
Ethereum Has Had a Banner Year in Most Areas. Except Price.
Should Ethereum Layer 2s Urgently Decentralize Their Sequencers?
Ethereum Scaling With L2s Has Damaged Its Tokenomics. Is It Possible to Fix It
Beam Chain:
Unchained: Ethereum Researcher Justin Drake Proposes Beam Chain Redesign, but Not All OGs Are Onboard
Bankless: You’re Not Bullish Enough! Ethereum Roadmap & Beamchain with Justin Drake

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1h 27min
November 22, 2024Spot Bitcoin ETF Options Are Here. Why You ‘Can’t Overstate’ Their Importance - Ep. 739
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:
What bitcoin ETF options are and why they are relevant for traders and investors
Whether options will reduce the volatility of BTC
Why Eric offers caution after seeing bitcoin surging so much recently
What Eric thinks about the possibility for Bitcoin ETF options to spark a “gamma squeeze”
What type of investors Eric thinks typically trade options
Whether regulators treat Bitcoin differently and with prejudice
What he would like to see from a new SEC
Why IBIT options will likely dominate the market, according to Eric
Why Eric was surprised that options on futures ETFs was so low compared to the spot ETFs
How the launch of options will affect Deribit, the main exchange for trading options
Whether options for ether spot ETFs are coming as well
His thoughts on the news that spot SOL ETFs may be moving to the next phase
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Mantle’s FBTC
Guest
Eric Balchunas, Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg
Previous appearances on Unchained:
Why Spot Ether ETFs Are Now Likely to Be Approved on Thursday
How, in 7 Weeks, Bitcoin ETFs Reached Inflows That Took Gold ETFs 3 Years
Why Spot Bitcoin ETFs Are Likely to Finally Start Trading on Thursday
Will a Spot Bitcoin ETF Finally Get Approved?
Links
Previous coverage of Unchained on bitcoin ETFs options:
Why Bitcoin ETF Options Could Unlock Massive Amounts of Capital for Crypto
Unchained: Bitcoin Hits New All Time High as IBIT’s First-Day Volume Nears $1.9 Billion
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:15 Why Bitcoin ETF options are a game-changer for traders
07:35 How options could impact Bitcoin’s volatility
11:38 Eric’s cautionary take after Bitcoin’s recent surge
13:13 Whether price rises will be due to gamma squeezes or a lack of resistance
16:04 Insights into the typical investors trading ETF options
16:58 Perceptions of bias against Bitcoin in traditional markets
18:53 What Eric hopes for under new SEC leadership
20:47 Why IBIT options might dominate the market
23:05 Comparison between futures and spot ETF options
25:20 What IBIT options mean for Deribit’s dominance
28:58 Are ether spot ETF options on the horizon?
29:25 What Eric thinks of the filings for SOL ETFs
32:37 News Recap

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46min
November 21, 2024The Chopping Block: Polymarket CEO raided by FBI, Ethereum’s Beam Chain, and Trump’s Pro-Crypto Agenda feat. Vance Spencer - Ep. 738
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
Disclosures

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:36 Trump's Election and Market Reactions
03:14 Polymarket CEO FBI Raid
13:37 DOGE or the Department of Government Efficiency?
16:10 Memecoin Meta Update?
23:17 Trump's Pro-Crypto Administration
33:23 Market Sentiments and Predictions
42:00 Ethereum 3.0 and Beam Chain
52:17 Ethereum's Future and Competitors

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1h 9min
November 20, 2024Bits + Bips: Will Rate Cuts and Trump's Policies Spark a Bitcoin Supercycle? - Ep. 737
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.
Show highlights:What the potential meeting of Trump with Brian Armstrong shows
Which pick for the Treasury Secretary position would be most positive for crypto
Whether Michael Saylor has been driving the bitcoin market
Whether rate cuts are coming in December and what impact it’s having on the markets
How tariffs are not as bad as people think, but massive deportation is, according to Alex
Why a potential Treasury General Account (TGA) rundown would be bullish for the markets
Whether traders will be taking profits at the $90,000 bitcoin level
How ETH has been underperforming and why David sees a silver lining
How the lack of institutional interest in ETH has changed dramatically since the election
Why David is so optimistic about restaking across different ecosystems
What the outlook for crypto regulation looks like in the near future and what will benefit the industry
Why James believes that we’ll have in-kind creations and redemptions for bitcoin ETFs under new SEC leadership
What the future trajectory of bitcoin’s price is and the role of a strategic bitcoin reserve
How different categories within crypto will perform in the markets
Hosts:
James Seyffart, Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence
Alex Kruger, Founder of Asgard
Guest:
David Grider, Partner at Finality CapitalLinks
Trump and politics:
Unchained:
Donald Trump to Meet Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong: Report
Truth Social in Talks to Acquire Crypto Platform Bakkt
Who Might Trump Pick for S.E.C. Chair? This Is Who Jay Clayton Hopes to See
The Trump-Connected Brad Bondi Is a New SEC Chair Contender and Pro-Crypto
A Degen Administration? Why the Crypto Czar May Be Allowed to Own Tokens
Markets:
Unchained:
Spot Ether ETFs See Record $515 Million Weekly Inflows
Solana dApps See Massive Fees Amid Memecoin Frenzy
Bitcoin ETF options:
Unchained:
Bitcoin Hits New All Time High as IBIT’s First-Day Volume Nears $1.9 Billion
Why Bitcoin ETF Options Could Unlock Massive Amounts of Capital for Crypto
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:31 What a Trump-Brian Armstrong meeting means for crypto
07:36 Who could be crypto’s biggest ally as Treasury Secretary
12:43 Is Michael Saylor driving bitcoin’s rally?
14:46 Whether December rate cuts will shake the markets
19:33 Tariffs vs. deportation: What’s worse for crypto?
26:03 Whether a Treasury General Account rundown would be bullish for markets
30:19 Whether traders will take profits at $90K Bitcoin
35:50 Why ether’s underperformance might hide a comeback
47:15 Whether institutional interest in ETH has turned around
51:49 Why David is bullish on restaking across ecosystems
54:09 What’s next for crypto regulation and industry growth
1:06:55 Whether new SEC leadership would greenlight better bitcoin ETF structures
1:09:10 Whether strategic Bitcoin reserves could drive its price higher
1:17:25 Which crypto categories could lead the next rally

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1h 27min
November 19, 2024Are Layer 2s Failing Ethereum? A New Proposal Advocates for Native L2s - Ep. 736
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?
Show highlights:
Whether the Ethereum scaling roadmap is accomplishing its goals
Why based rollups are not a full solution, according to Martin
What Martin proposes instead
Why Martin is proposing these rollups to be ZK-rollups instead of optimistic
Whether the proposed solution would focus on privacy
What it is about chain abstraction that Martin doesn’t like
How he envisions that these native rollups will solve many composability issues across L2s
Whether the community has embraced this proposal and how likely it is to be implemented
What would happen to current L2s if native rollups get implemented
Why despite being against the current state of L2s, Martin says that they are not parasitic to Ethereum
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Robinhood & Arbitrum
iYield
Guest:
Martin Köppelmann, Co-founder and CEO of GnosisLinks
Previous coverage of Unchained on Ethereum layer 2s:
ETH Is Down Bad, While Layer 2s Are Ripping. Are L2s Parasitic to Ethereum?
Are L2s ‘Parasitic’? Analysis Shows Ethereum Only Gets a Tiny Percentage of Fees
Are Solana’s ‘Network Extensions’ Just Like Ethereum’s Layer 2s But by a Different Name?
Ethereum Has Had a Banner Year in Most Areas. Except Price.
Should Ethereum Layer 2s Urgently Decentralize Their Sequencers?
Blockworks: Gnosis founder argues Ethereum needs native L2s
Martin’s tweet on USDC yields
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Is Ethereum’s scaling roadmap meeting its goals?
04:07 Why Martin believes based rollups aren’t the full solution
08:11 Martin’s bold proposal for native rollups
12:07 Why ZK-rollups over optimistic rollups
15:56 Whether these rollups should also preserve privacy
17:11 Martin’s issue with chain abstraction
22:35 How native rollups could solve L2 composability problems
26:49 Has the community embraced Martin’s vision?
30:52 What happens to existing L2s if native rollups win
36:06 Whether Martin thinks L2s are parasitic to Ethereum

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39min
November 15, 2024How BlackRock, the World's Largest Asset Manager, Took Crypto Mainstream - Ep. 735
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.
Show highlights:
01:31 What and who is driving this massive amount of activity in bitcoin trading
05:05 Why Robbie offers some caution about the future of digital asset regulation
08:35 What about crypto captivated Robbie
13:32Whether Robbie was the one who “orange pilled” BlackRock CEO Larry Fink
14:37 Why Robbie thinks that bitcoin is not a risk-on asset
18:08 The backstory of how BlackRock ended up filing for a spot bitcoin ETF
20:15 How inflows into ETFs surprised Robbie, even considering fairly optimistic projections
24:14 Why BlackRock’s clients always ask about bitcoin’s correlation with other assets
27:22 Robbie’s take on the critique that BlackRock could centralize a decentralized ecosystem
29:34 What his thesis is on stablecoins, payments, and tokenization
31:25 The reasons why Ethereum ETFs have not been as successful as bitcoin
34:14 How Robbie pitches the ether ETF to clients
35:26 Why BUIDL is built on Ethereum, a public blockchain, rather than on a private one
36:48 Why DeFi’s potential is “immense,” according to Robbie
41:56 How bitcoin ETF options will impact the behavior of investors
43:57 What features BlackRock would love to see under a new SEC regime
45:32 What it’ll take for regulators to approve staking in ether ETFs
46:33 Why Robbie is not sure which crypto ETFs might come next
48:16 Whether BlackRock will develop proof of reserves for its ETFs
52:21 Robbie’s outlook for the markets in 2025
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Mantle’s FBTC
Guest:
Robbie Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets for BlackRockLinks
Previous coverage of Unchained on Bitcoin ETFs:
Why Bitcoin ETF Options Could Unlock Massive Amounts of Capital for Crypto
How, in 7 Weeks, Bitcoin ETFs Reached Inflows That Took Gold ETFs 3 Years
Bitcoin’s Price Is Way Up. And $48 Trillion in Wealth Just Got Access
How Small Bitcoin ETF Issuers Will Compete With the Likes of BlackRock
Unchained: BlackRock’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Eclipses Firm’s Gold ETF in Net Assets
CNBC: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink: I believe bitcoin is a legit financial instrument
CoinDesk: BlackRock Sees Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pensions Coming to Bitcoin ETFs
Forbes: A Trump U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve ‘Game-Changer’ Is Suddenly Hurtling Toward The Bitcoin Price

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1h 9min
November 12, 2024How Crypto Played the Political Game—and Won 'Bigly' - Ep. 734
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.
Show highlights:
01:48 The journey of how crypto became so important in this election
04:16 The differences between Fairshake and Stand With Crypto
08:48 How Fairshake decided which candidates to support
12:48 How Washington reacted to the massive influx of money to support pro-crypto candidates
15:51 Why Fairshake stayed out of the Presidential race
18:23 How hard it was for Fairshake to handle its non-partisan stance with both parties
22:32 How the U.S.’s approach to crypto can be compared to how it lost on the cutting-edge technologies of 5G and semiconductors
26:41 What drove the decision to attempt to unseat Sherrod Brown, which ended up giving Sen. Warren more power on the Senate Banking Committee
32:54 Whether Sen. Warren’s anti-crypto stance has been diminished after the elections
35:28 How the industry got past the fiasco of Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX
42:07 Why Faryar believes that “anyone would be an upgrade” from Gary Gensler as Chair of the SEC
46:45 How blockchain technology allows for instant settlements, a feature so needed in capital markets
49:36 What could happen with the SEC’s legal actions against crypto companies now that Gensler will lose his position as SEC chair
53:22 What Faryar and Kara expect the new administration to do around crypto
56:47 How DeFi can be regulated in the U.S. and whether Trump will support the motto “code is free speech”
1:01:37 The perception of Washington insiders about Polymarket
1:04:28 Whether the technology sector will be on the Republican side from now on
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Robinhood & Arbitrum
iYield
Guests:
Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase Chief Policy Officer
Kara Calvert, Coinbase Head of US Policy
Links
Previous coverage of the elections on the podcast:
Under Trump, the First Crypto President, Where Will Markets Go?
Bits + Bips: Trump Won and the Question Is: Do You Have Enough Crypto?
How Arthur Hayes Has Prepared His Portfolio for the Elections
The Chopping Block: 2024 Election Debate feat. Mike Novogratz & Shaun Maguire
It’s Not Just the Presidency. Congressional Races Matter a Lot for Crypto
Unchained:
DeFi Tokens Jump on Hopes That Trump Will Provide Crypto Regulatory Clarity
What Gary Gensler Could Still Do Against Crypto in His Remaining Days as SEC Chair
Elizabeth Warren Will Be the Top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee
Stand With Crypto Says These Races Are Crucial for Crypto. But Why?

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1h 13min
November 08, 2024The Chopping Block: How Prediction Markets Outsmarted the 2024 Election feat. Laura Shin - Ep. 733
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
DisclosuresLinks
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
00:00 Intro
01:17 Election Night Observations
04:32 Polymarket's Role
06:19 French Whale x Neighbor Effect
14:52 Mainstream Media vs. Prediction Markets
25:54 The Future of Prediction Markets
27:26 Crypto and the Democratic Party's Missteps
30:30 Democratic Party's Superiority Complex
31:38 Crypto's Global Impact and Legislation
43:23 Predictions for Crypto's Future in the U.S.
49:47 The Return of Crypto Companies to the U.S.

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57min
November 08, 2024Under Trump, the First Crypto President, Where Will Markets Go? - Ep. 732
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:
Jeff’s main takeaways from the intersection of crypto and politics this cycle
Whether crypto has become a partisan issue
Why Jeff highlights the usefulness of Polymarket to track the chances of each candidate
Why Uniswap’s token UNI outperformed the broader market
What sectors of the industry could boom with more regulatory clarity
Whether the idea of using bitcoin as a strategic reserve is feasible
How China will respond to Trump’s economic measures
What is the “radical portfolio” thesis and what’s bitcoin’s role in it
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Mantle’s FBTC
Guest
Jeff Park, Head of Alpha Strategies at Bitwise
The Radical Portfolio Theory
Links
Unchained:
Ether Breaks Past $2,800 to 3-Month High Following Trump’s Victory
DeFi Tokens Jump on Hopes That Trump Will Provide Crypto Regulatory Clarity
Bitcoin Just Gained $100 Billion in Market Cap Overnight. Is it Time to Take Profits?
Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High of $75,000
What Gary Gensler Could Still Do Against Crypto in His Remaining Days as SEC Chair
Haralabos Voulgaris’s tweets on gambling:
Expressing concern about gambling addiction
Contrasting gambling now vs. when he started
His opposition to how much gambling is promoted
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:13 Key takeaways on crypto’s role in politics
02:38 Has crypto become a partisan issue?
06:47 Why Polymarket is crucial for tracking election odds
09:29 Why UNI is outperforming the market
11:56 Which sectors could thrive with regulatory clarity?
15:07 Could Bitcoin become a national strategic reserve?
18:32 How might China respond to Trump’s economic policies?
20:17 What is the “radical portfolio” thesis?
29:57 Crypto News Recap

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42min
November 07, 2024Bits + Bips: Trump Won and the Question Is: Do You Have Enough Crypto? - Ep. 731
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.
Show highlights:
Everyone’s initial reactions to Trump’s win
How some crypto companies could have their IPO soon
Whether it’s time to take profits after the substantial run
Why DeFi tokens have been the biggest winners
What the next crypto spot ETF will be and whether we’ll see staking rewards for ETH
Why mainstream media didn’t see the Trump win coming
Why Ram and Alex believe that Kamala Harris was not the right candidate
How Trump won the appeal of the lower class in the U.S.
Whether immigration was key to sustaining the GDP and avoiding a “hard landing”
Crypto’s massive win in Congress
How much impact Elon Musk had in the outcome of the elections
How Polymarket has become a “new source of truth,” according to Ram
Why the Fed doesn’t have a need to accelerate rate cuts
Whether Trump’s policies will be inflationary and whether he’ll go forward with tariffs
Whether the 10-year bond will reach new highs
Thanks to Gemini for sponsoring this episode of Bits + Bips.

Hosts:
James Seyffart, Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence
Alex Kruger, Founder of Asgard
Guests:
Ram Ahluwalia, CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida
Noelle Acheson, Author of the “Crypto Is Macro Now” Newsletter
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:57 Reactions to Trump’s election win
03:13 Which crypto companies might IPO soon?
09:28 Is it time to take profits in crypto?
17:30 Why are DeFi tokens surging?
20:31 What’s next for crypto ETFs and ETH staking rewards?
28:00 Why mainstream media missed Trump’s victory
33:44 Ram’s thoughts on Kamala Harris’s candidacy
43:52 How Trump gained appeal with lower-income voters
45:41 Did immigration help sustain GDP?
53:11 Crypto’s big win in Congress
56:53 Elon Musk’s influence on the election outcome
1:04:10 Is Polymarket becoming a “new source of truth”?
1:10:30 Why the Fed may not need faster rate cuts
1:13:26 Will Trump’s policies drive inflation?
1:17:08 Will the 10-year bond hit new highs?

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1h 21min

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