Matt and Nic return for the last week of 2023. In this episode:

• South Shore bar pie
• Our 2024 resolutions
• Was Barry Silbert the main character
• Bitcoin miners had a good year
• ARK is selling their GBTC holdings
• The Cointucky Derby
• Will an ETH ETF be a fast follow?
• Will ETF sponsors sue the SEC over cash create for ETFs?
• Nic and Matt’s 2024 predictions for stablecoins, Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, NFTs, and adoption
• Solana versus Ethereum debate
• ETH L2 gas usage and EIP4844
• Is the BSA unconstitutional?
• Is 2024 the year the 3AC boys are finally apprehended?

Sponsor notes

• Coin Metrics’ Best of State of the Network in 2023
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 239, we reflect on a year full of riveting data and crucial events through the lens of the research team’s favorite issues from 2023

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

• Matt’s tree crisis
• The Jamie Dimon Elizabeth Warren nexus
• Is there a really a revolving door between crypto and the government?
• Warren’s latest volley of letters
• Promethian gets authorization to start trading
• We recap the inscriptions frenzy
• A new Super PAC is raised
• The BVI issues a seizure of the 3AC assets
• Zooko steps away from Zcash

Content mentioned in this episode:

• Messari’s Crypto Theses for 2024
• Bitwise 2024 predictions
• Blockchain Coinvestors 2024 predictions

Sponsor notes

• State of the Network’s 2023 Year in Review
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 238, we revisit major stories that shaped the digital asset industry in 2023 with a data-driven lens

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Dan Tapiero, the founder and Managing Partner of 10T Holdings and 1RoundTable Partners joins this show. In this episode we discuss:

• The state of the crypto/blockchain markets since the FTX collapse.
• The impact of the Bitcoin ETF on fund flows in the industry.
• The market for growth and secondary investing.
• The LP landscape and how allocators are thinking about the sector.
• 1RT’s strategy and the categories that Dan is finding compelling.

To learn more about 1RT visit their website and follow Dan on X.

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Andreas Tsamados, the founder of Fileverse joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

• Andreas’ academic background and path that led him to starting Fileverse
• An overview of Fileverse and the ambitions of the project.
• Why a decentralized file sharing platform is necessary and better than a centralized option for certain customer types.
• SAFE multi-signs
• The state of decentralized file storage.
• Token models and how these could evolve over time.
• The Fileverse roadmap in the coming year.

To learn more about Fileverse visit fileverse.io

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In this episode, we host Nick Neuman, CEO of Casa to discuss their recent stablecoin launch and:

• Casa’s value proposition
• How customers use Casa
• The decision to expand beyond Bitcoin to Ethereum
• The rationale behind supporting stablecoins
• Building custody tools for security versus convenience
• Nick’s views on experimentation on Bitcoin

Further reading:

• Protect your stablecoins: Hold USDC and USDT with Casa

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Itai Turbahn, the co-founder and CEO of Dynamic joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

• The mission of Dynamic and the how the company is enabling seamless web3 log in experiences.
• Breakout applications in the web3 category.
• An overview of Passkeys and the impact that this technology will have on both web2 and web3 log in experiences.
• Account abstraction and the innovation that is likely to emerge using this technology.
• Dynamic’s new embedded wallet offering.
• Itai announces Dynamic’s Series A round of financing from a16z, Founders Fund, Castle Island Ventures and others.

To learn more about Dynamic visit dynamic.xyz

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

• Coinbase’s positioning ahead of the ETF
• Cantor CEO Howard Lutnick acknowledges their Tether role
• Where do we stand on cash creation versus in-kind creation for the Bitcoin ETF?
• Coinbase launches an RWA hub in Abu Dhabi
• Kucoin settles with the state of New York
• Do Kwon is staying in Montenegro a bit longer
• Coinlist settles an OFAC violation
• FASB adopts (again?) fair value accounting for Bitcoin
• SBF’s lawyer said he was the “worst witness he’s ever seen”
• The status of Warren’s anti-ML crypto bill
• How potent will the crypto lobby be in 2024?

Content mentioned in this episode:

• Charles Rettig, IRS Digital Assets Plan Would Be a Setback for Taxpayer Services

Sponsor notes:

• Coin Metrics State of the Network’s Q4 2023 Mining Data Special
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 237, we spotlight crucial developments and data across the mining ecosystem

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

• Brian’s career and the path that led him to joining Coinbase.
• An overview of the Coinbase business model and how the company is segmented.
• The evolution of the Coinbase Institutional business.
• The Wholesale business at Coinbase and how the company is positioned with brokers, banks and ETF issuers.
• Views on the Bitcoin ETF proposals and how Coinbase is positioned in this market segment.
• The BlackRock partnership and how Coinbase and BlackRock are collaborating.
• Views on the evolution of the competitive landscape for Coinbase.
• BASE, RWAs and stablecoins.

Learn more at coinbase.com

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In this episode, we sit down with Rowan Stone who leads Business Development at Base – the layer-2 network on Ethereum launched by Coinbase earlier this year. Rowan expands on:

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

• Chainalysis Geography of Crypto adoption
• Jamie Dimon comes out against crypto – again
• Our vote for Time Person of the year
• The AICPA announces their stablecoin attestation framework
• Do Kwon is being extradited to the US
• Nubank is getting into crypto
• Rep McHenry is retiring

Content mentioned in this episode:

• Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index
• It’s all a Game by Colleen Sullivan
  

Sponsor notes:

• Coin Metrics STATE OF THE NETWORK—State of Stablecoins:Signs of Returning Liquidity
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 236, we look into stablecoin supply, usage, adoption and key trends in market evolution

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

• CZ must stay in the US until sentencing
• The SEC is looking into Binance US
• In kind versus cash creations for ETFs
• The Major Questions Doctrine
• FDIC scandal keeps rumbling
• Is there a world where GBTC doesn’t get converted?
• Elizabeth Warren versus Subway

Content mentioned in this episode:

• Austin Campbell tweet on Treasury letter
• Coin Center blog on Treasury letter
• Fortune, Gary Gensler has remade the SEC into a crypto nemesis and climate warrior. Now a backlash is brewing

Sponsor notes:

• Coin Metrics STATE OF THE NETWORK—Dollar-Cost Averaging Portfolio
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 235, we delve into the dollar-cost averaging strategy in the digital asset market, emphasizing the need for informed investment choices

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Kim Grauer, director of research at Chainalysis, joins the show to talk about their 2023 Geography of Crypto Adoption report. In this episode: 

• The difficulty of ascertaining reliable illicit finance data for crypto
• Why Chainalysis started publishing the Geography of Crypto report
• Why emerging markets dominate in terms of crypto adoption
• How Chainalysis devised their methodology
• What the variables in their index mean
• Potential sources of error or noise in the data
• How Chainalysis overlays internet traffic data with blockchain data to determine usage on a country by country basis
• Top countries on the index and changes from prior years
• Evidence for cryptodollarization
• What variables correlate with crypto adoption globally
• Countries with positive year/year growth in crypto adoption

Content mentioned in this episode:

• Chainalysis, The 2023 Global Crypto Adoption Index

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Ruud Smets and Marc de Kloe of Theta Capital join the show. In this episode we discuss:

• Theta‘s initial foray into the world of blockchain focused venture funds and hedge funds.
• The process of educating institutional limited partners on this emerging technology.
• How the Theta team segments the investable opportunities in the blockchain industry.
• Views on fund capacity and securing allocations in promising managers.
• Views on co-investment opportunities and how Theta has approached these opportunities.
• Promising trends for 2024.
• The Legends4Legends conference and plans with the event going forward.

To learn more about Theta Capital visit thetacapital.com

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Vivek Ramaswamy is a Republican candidate for President in 2024. In this episode we sit down to dig into his crypto policy proposals: 

• Vivek’s keynote in Ft Worth
• Vivek’s crypto platform and how that derives from his convictions
• Vivek’s view on Bitcoin mining
• Is Choke Point 2.0 real?
• Is banking a utility?
• ‘Choke Point 6.0’ and how it goes beyond just crypto and banking
• Does the suppression of speech have a technological solution?
• Can public blockchains actually be supportive of the US Dollar?

Further resources:

• Vivek2024.com
• Vivek’s Speech in Ft. Worth: “Three Freedoms of Crypto Policy”

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Matt and Nic return for a Thanksgiving episode. In this edition: 

• Fidelity files for an ETH spot ETF
• The SEC sues Kraken
• Javier Milei wins – and prospects for dollarization
• Stablecoins versus dollar liabilities in emerging markets
• Prediction markets do well in the Argentine election
• We digest the OpenAI scandal and reflect on corporate governance
• Do we need a new McCarthyism directed at effective altruists?
• CZ settles with the DoJ and the CFTC over BSA and OFAC violations
• Binance appears to be solvent thanks to their Proof of Reserve
• Where the Binance settlement leaves the industry
• Tether supply hits $88b
• Bhutan is mining bitcoin

Sponsor notes:

• Coin Metrics STATE OF THE NETWORK— Checking On-Chain Indicators for Green Shoots in the Digital Assets Market
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 234 we present a selection of indicators that offer us insights against the backdrop of a recent surge in valuations within the digital assets ecosystem.

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We sit down with Mike Cahill, CEO of Douro labs, to talk Pyth’s retroactive airdrop and launch. In this episode:

• A brief history of Pyth
• What was the problem with legacy oracles before Pyth
• How is Pyth is technically differentiated from other oracles
• The importance of introducing confidence intervals into prices
• How does Pyth achieves cross chain data delivery
• Disintermediation in the oracle market
• Major proof points that convinced Mike that Pyth could work
• Pyth’s traction on various chains
• Which blockchains Pyth does particularly well on
• Mike addresses the ‘collusion FUD’?
• Why Pyth oracles are not like LIBOR
• How the Pyth retrospective airdrop works
• What’s happening with Pyth governance on a go forward basis?

Further reading: 

• Pyth, How the Retrospective Airdrop works
• On The Brink ep. 364, Solving The Oracle Problem

Check out this episode!

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

• Tail risks with the Bitcoin ETF
• Are SBF’s parents off the hook?
• The FDIC is embroiled in scandal
• Should Marty Gruenberg step down?
• Tokenized bank deposits versus stablecoins
• What’s wrong with the third party doctrine
• SAB121 under pressure

Content mentioned in this episode:

• Fidelity Digital Assets, Understanding Proof of Work
• The WSJ, Strip Clubs, Lewd Photos and a Boozy Hotel: The Toxic Atmosphere at Bank Regulator FDIC
• Whip Emmer Letter to Treasury regarding Hamas crypto financing

Sponsor notes:

• Coin Metrics STATE OF THE NETWORK—November Rally Reaches New Corners of the Digital Asset Market
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 233, we delve into the primary beneficiaries of the recent market rally and explore diverse avenues channelling this momentum

Check out this episode!

Anthony DeMartino, the co-founder and CEO of Trident Digital joins the show. In this episode we discuss:

• Anthony’s background in the banking industry and his path to founding Trident Digital.
• Digital asset lending markets and how Trident is innovating in this category.
• Trident’s US Treasury product and how he is going to market.
• The state of the U.S. banking system and the status of the FDIC insurance fund.
• The potential impact of Commercial Real Estate on the banking sector.
• Chokepoint 2.0 and the regulatory landscape in the USA.

To learn more about Trident Digital visit their website.

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

• WSJ bounty updates
• Will Euro stablecoins take off?
• SBI and Standard Chartered start a crypto infrastructure fund
• SEC opens talks with Grayscale over the GBTC conversion
• Kraken is exploring the creation of an L2
• SEC staff can’t own crypto
• FTX 2.0 prospects
• CME OI flippens Binance
• Nouriel Roubini is launching a token

Sponsor notes: 

• Coin Metrics STATE OF THE NETWORK — Ethereum Staking through the Lens of Lido 
• In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 232, we dive into Lido—the largest player within the staking economy—and understand the state of its liquid staking token (stETH), governance token (LDO) and underlying node-operator composition.

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