Yuval Rooz and Eric Saraniecki (Digital Asset) on the Canton Network (EP.613)

Yuval Rooz and Eric Saraniecki, co-founders of Digital Asset join the show. In this episode we discuss:

  • The origins of Digital Asset and the path to starting the firm.
  • Views on privacy in the context of public blockchains.
  • How enterprises and financial institutions are approaching tokenizing assets and leveraging blockchain technology.
  • Examples of how on-chain privacy enables use cases in collateral management and stablecoin payments.  
  • The role of the Canton Network public blockchain for enabling institutional use cases.
  • How Canton Network works from a design perspective.

To learn more:

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 04/11/25 (Tether’s new stablecoin, Signature, dedollarization, DoJ disbands crypto team) (EP.612)

Matt and Nic are back with another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • Is dedollarization happening?
  • The SEC’s Division of Corporate Finance released a “Statement on Stablecoins
  • The US Justice Department has disbanded its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement team
  • The SEC releases new guidance on securities offerings in crypto markets
  • FDIC Chair relaxes rules on crypto activities at banks
  • Paul Atkins is confirmed
  • The SEC has approved options trading for spot ETH ETFs
  • Tether is exploring a US stablecoin
  • Janover is doing a Microstrategy for SOL strategy
  • Michelle Bowman is launching a review of the Fed’s failures in 2023 around the banking crisis
  • What happened to Signature? 
  • Matt’s critter situation

Content mentioned:

SEC, Offerings and Registrations of Securities in the Crypto Asset Markets

Check out this episode!

Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez (Vaneck Ventures) on Stablecoin Adoption and The Institutionalization of Crypto (EP.611)

Wyatt Lonergan and Juan Lopez of Vaneck Ventures join the show to talk stablecoins and institutionalization. In this episode, we cover: 

  • The landscape of stablecoin growth and activity
  • A world with many stablecoins vs few stablecoins
  • Winning/losing companies in the new stablecoin era
  • Impact on the longer tail of altcoins

Check out this episode!

Hoolie Tejwani (Coinbase) on The Evolution of Coinbase Ventures (EP.610)

Hoolie Tejwani, the head of Coinbase Ventures joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

  • The history and rationale behind the launch of Coinbase Ventures.
  • The evolution of the crypto venture category.
  • Areas of focus for Coinbase Ventures.
  • Stablecoins, Crypto/AI and consumer startup category.
  • The regulatory landscape in the United States.
  • Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and the impact on startups.
  • The rise of the Coinbase Mafia.

To learn more visit coinbase.com/ventures

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 04/03/25 (Circle S1, Tariffs, Galaxy settles, BitMEX pardons) (EP.609)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • What’s the deal with the tariffs?
  • Are the tariffs 4D chess?
  • STABLE Act advances from committee
  • Galaxy settles with the NYAG for touting Luna
  • Trump pardons the BitMEX founders
  • Coinlist returns to the US
  • FDUSD has a depeg amidst Justin Sun drama
  • Fidelity launches a no-fee crypto IRA product
  • Larry Fink is bullish bitcoin

Content mentioned:

Check out this episode!

Alexei Zamyatin (Build on Bitcoin) on True Rollups on Bitcoin (EP.608)

Alexei Zamyatin, the cofounder of Build on Bitcoin (BOB), joins the show to talk about the state of the art in Bitcoin Rollups. In this episode: 

  • Can Bitcoin achieve parity with Ethereum rollups?
  • How BitVM and BitVMv2 changed the game for Bitcoin rollups
  • When will Bitcoin rollups be considered “Stage 1”
  • Ethereum’s existential crisis
  • Bitcoin fees in a rollup world
  • The risk of L2s cannibalizing Bitcoin
  • Will Bitcoin DeFi look different from Ethereum DeFi?
  • Why Bitcoin deserves Rollups
  • What soft forks is Alexei looking forward to?
  • Does institutionalization ossify Bitcoin?
  • BOB’s progress and roadmap for 2025

Learn more about Build on Bitcoin 

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 03/28/25 (MiCA Stablecoins, Gamestop, Hyperliquid) (EP.607)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • We reflect on our podcast with Paolo Ardoino
  • The EU’s MiCA rules make launching a stablecoin virtually impossible
  • We explain the Ghiblification crazy
  • OCC removes Reputation risk from bank supervision
  • World Liberty Fi launches a stablecoin
  • Hyperliquid suffers an exploit – are they decentralized?
  • Fidelity is exploring the launch of a stablecoin
  • ICE is looking to use USDC
  • Coinbase is reportedly looking to acquire Deribit
  • US Treasury lifts sanctions on Tornado Cash
  • Sei is looking to buy 23andme

Check out this episode!

Paolo Ardoino (Tether) on stablecoin bills, pursuing an audit, and getting to 400m users (EP.606)

Paolo Ardoino, the CEO of Tether, rejoins the show for a timely discussion. In this episode:

  • How is Paolo feeling about political trends in the US today?
  • Tether is the 7th-largest buyer of USTs at the sovereign level
  • Paolo’s decision to spend more time in the US
  • What does Paolo make of the stablecoin bills in Congress?
  • Does Tether want to eventually come onshore to the US?
  • Tether is pursuing a Big 4 Audit
  • The effect of Operation Choke Point 2.0 on Tether
  • Tether is moving their HQ to El Salvador
  • Paolo’s thoughts on stablecoins in MiCA
  • How does Tether get to the figure of 400m global users of the stablecoin?
  • Tether’s efforts to better understand their userbase and usage modes
  • Tether’s methodology around balance sheet investing
  • Is Paolo concerned about crypto-dollarization?
  • Tether’s relationship with Cantor now that Lutnick is Commerce Secretary
  • Is Paolo concerned about the emergence of interest-bearing stablecoins?

See also:

Check out this episode!

Brian Foster on Coinbase’s wholesale business (EP.605)

Brian Foster, the Global Head of Wholesale at Coinbase joins the show for his second appearance. In this episode we discuss:

  • A catch-up on the Wholesale business at Coinbase and the types of customers that are active in this market
  • How banks and broker-dealers are accelerating their efforts post-election
  • Perspectives on build vs. buy vs. partner decisions that are happening at banks after the repeal of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 121
  • Views on how banks will approach M&A
  • Coinbase’s role in the digital asset ETF market
  • How Coinbase engages with government customers
  • Views on the Bitcoin strategic reserve

To learn more about Coinbase visit coinbase.com. Also follow Brian on X.

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 03/21/25 (Trump addresses DAS, Kraken buys NinjaTrader, FIRM act advances) (EP.604)

Nic and Matt are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • Trump speaks at DAS
  • Is anyone in Washington talking about abolishing capital gains tax for crypto?
  • Trump denounces OCP2.0
  • TON raises a huge round
  • Remember IOTA?
  • We reminisce about Slock it and the DAO
  • What happened to Ethereum Classic?
  • Can you redeem PAXG for physical gold?
  • Kraken acquires NinjaTrader for $1.5b
  • The SEC says PoW mining is not a security
  • Tim Scott’s debanking FIRM act advances from the Senate Banking Committee
  • We review Bessent’s appearance on All In 
  • What was the deal with the ‘vibecession’

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 03/14/25 (SBR is real, Trump and Binance, CZ pardon rumors) (EP.603)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve exists
  • Will the government buy additional Bitcoin?
  • What does “cost neutral” mean?
  • What’s the deal with our cheese reserve
  • Have Bitcoiners lost their libertarian origins?
  • The OCC reverses their anti-crypto guidance
  • Sentiment in crypto is at all time lows
  • Is CZ seeking a pardon deal in exchange for a sale of Binance equity?
  • Senate Banking votes to advance the Hagerty Stablecoin bill
  • The banks are against interest-bearing stablecoins
  • We recap the White House Crypto Summit
  • Banks want to do crypto 

Check out this episode!

Jeff Park (Bitwise) on Digital Asset Alpha Strategies (EP.602)

Jeff Park, the Head of Alpha Strategies at Bitwise Asset Management joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

  • The latest developments at Bitwise, including the firm’s Alpha Strategy division.
  • Yield strategies in the digital asset ecosystem.
  • Stablecoins and how the idiosyncratic opportunities that active managers are pursuing.
  • MicroStrategy
  • Thoughts on market structure and digital asset policy.

To learn more about Bitwise visit their website.  You can also follow Jeff on X.

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Brandon Mulvihill (Crossover Markets) on the future of market structure in the USA (EP.601)

Brandon Mulvihill, the co-founder and CEO of Crossover Markets joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

  • The shifting regulatory landscape in the USA and the impact that it is having on traditional financial institutions.
  • How banks and broker-dealers are responding to regulatory progress.
  • The battle for “Primary Market” in the United States.
  • The future of market structure and the bifurcation of exchanges vs. brokerages.
  • How Crossover is positioned in 2025.

To learn more about Crossover Markets visit their website.

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 03/07/25 (Crypto Reserve, Debanking Bill, Broker Rule) (EP.600)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode:

  • We debate the prudence of a BTC reserve
  • A Strategic Reserve of just BTC or altcoins?
  • How would a crypto reserve be “strategic”
  • Should the US Government just seize BTC to build the reserve?
  • Is there a “strategic” purpose to owning a gas token?
  • SEC task force for crypto is starting roundtables
  • SEC drops lawsuits against Kraken, Cumberland, and Yuga labs
  • Tim Scott’s bill to eliminate reputational risk from bank regulation
  • CME launches SOL futures
  • An Argentine prosecutor is looking to seize $110m in the Libra case
  • Tether and Circle are fighting in Washington
  • SBF makes an appearance on Tucker 

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 02/28/25 (Bybit Hack, SEC drops lawsuits, bank-issued stablecoins) (EP.599)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • Figure Markets announced the launch of their YLDS stablecoin, which is the first yield-bearing stablecoin to be approved by and registered with the SEC
  • Crypto exchange Bybit was hacked on Friday for an estimated $1.48 billion worth of ETH in the largest hack in the industry’s history
  • n the past week, the SEC dropped lawsuits and investigations related to Coinbase, Robinhood, OpenSea, Uniswap, Gemini, and MetaMask
  • Microstrategy purchased an additional 20,356 BTC last week
  • Crypto exchange OKX pled guilty and agreed to pay $504 million in penalties for anti-money laundering law violations
  • U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has appointed Tyler Williams as an advisor on digital asset and blockchain policy
  • During an interview with Bloomberg, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan stated that in light of the expected upcoming stablecoin legislation, he expects that Bank of America will “get into that business,” and may even launch their own stablecoin

Content mentioned in this episode:

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 02/21/25 (Milei’s Libra scandal, physical gold chaos, are memecoins dead?) (EP.598)

Matt and Nic are back with another week of news and deals. In this episode: 

  • Milei launches and immediately abandons the Libra memecoin
  • Is the memecoin sector dead?
  • What is the future of Solana post memecoin fallout?
  • Hagerty’s GENIUS act gains bipartisan support
  • Why securities laws exist
  • What laws apply to memecoins?
  • What’s going on with physical gold?

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 02/14/25 (OCC and CFTC nominations, nation-state memecoins, Tigran retrospective) (EP.597)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode:

  • Our episode with SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce
  • The SEC and Binance are pausing their litigation
  • Brian Quintenz nominated for CFTC
  • Jonathan Gould nominated for OCC
  • Central African Republic launches a memecoin
  • Is Vitalik crashing out?
  • CBOE wants to add staking to their ETH ETF
  • We reflect on the Tigran Gambaryan story
  • Rep Waters rolls out a draft stablecoin bill
  • Is there a run on gold vaults underway?
  • Tungsten is rallying

Check out this episode!

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce on the journey ahead (EP.596)

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

  • The past several years of digital asset policy at the SEC
  • Different ways that regulators have the potential to stymie technical innovation through policy
  • SAB 121
  • The impact on the SEC’s policies on capital formation in the digital asset industry
  • The role of Congress, specifically with regards to market structure
  • The future of token disclosures
  • Tokenization and how a regulatory framework could emerge in this category
  • Advice to founders

You can follow Commissioner Peirce on X.

Check out this episode!

Nathan McCauley (Anchorage) on the evolving banking and custody landscape (EP.595)

Nathan McCauley, the co-founder and CEO of Anchorage joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

  • The history of Anchorage and the evolution of the company from a product and regulatory perspective.
  • Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and the debanking of digital asset startups.
  • How banks are approaching the digital asset custody ecosystem and the sub-custody market.
  • The evolution of stablecoins, the prospects of a stablecoin bill and the Global Dollar Network stablecoin consortium.
  • Anchorage’s Porto Wallet and Atlas products and the role they are playing with institutional customers.

To learn more about Anchorage visit www.anchorage.com

Check out this episode!

Weekly Roundup 02/07/25 (FDIC Files, House & Senate Hearings, SEC crypto priorities) (EP.594)

Matt and Nic are back for more news and deals. In this episode: 

  • Matt and Nic’s ski adventure
  • Berachain launches
  • Mike Lempres of Silvergate finally speaks
  • What we learned in the Senate debanking hearing
  • The FDIC releases 790 pages of new documents related to the pause letters
  • The FDIC is reprimanded by a judge in the Coinbase case
  • Senator Lummis reveals a Fed memo that may be proof of OCP2.0
  • The SEC releases their list of priorities for the Crypto Task Force
  • Hagerty releases the GENIUS Act on Stablecoins
  • Czech Republic waives capital gains on Bitcoins held for 3 years
  • Microstrategy is now just Strategy
  • Truth.fi is releasing a Bitcoin product
  • Ethereum’s existential crisis

Check out this episode!