Jack Tao, CEO of Phemex, on Building The Fast Growing Cryptocurrency and Derivatives Exchange In The World

Wall Street is doubling down on crypto as major financial institutions accelerate their blockchain strategies. Mastercard is enabling 3.5 billion cardholders to make Bitcoin and crypto transactions, Western Union has launched its USDpt stablecoin on Solana, and the NYSE-backed ICE is partnering with Polymarket to adopt 24/7 tokenized collateral. Meanwhile, new ETF filings and growing institutional investment signal that traditional finance is moving deeper into digital assets. As adoption expands, the line between crypto and Wall Street continues to blur.

31 Loka 19min

Bitcoin dropped following renewed trade tensions after former President Trump’s tariff announcement, as markets weigh the broader impact on global risk assets. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts and calls to pause quantitative tightening have sparked debate about monetary stability and crypto market direction. On the adoption front, Visa and Western Union expanded their stablecoin initiatives, Fidelity updated its Solana ETF filing, and Mastercard acquired Zero Hash to strengthen its blockchain infrastructure. With ConsenSys reportedly eyeing an IPO and new crypto ETFs launching despite the SEC shutdown, institutional momentum continues to build even as Bitcoin faces renewed volatility.

30 Loka 28min

This episode of Crypto Town Hall covers the latest drama in the crypto policy world, focusing on CZ (Changpeng Zhao) suing Senator Elizabeth Warren for alleged libel over her public statements relating to criminal charges and Trump's pardon. The panel explores the implications of Warren's comments, the potential legal pushback, and the broader impact of anti-crypto sentiment among US policymakers. The discussion pivots to challenges facing US crypto regulation, updates on potential market structure legislation, and the evolving landscape of ETFs and market liquidity. The show then analyzes the state of the crypto and equity markets post-FOMC, including strategies for investing and the changing nature of bull markets, highlighting the dominance of Bitcoin as a core investment thesis.

29 Loka 59min

Bitcoin is gearing up for a volatile week as $31 billion in options near expiration, while the Federal Reserve signals two potential rate cuts in 2025 — a move that could reshape global markets. At the same time, new crypto ETFs continue to launch despite the SEC shutdown, Visa expands its stablecoin settlement support across four blockchains, and Western Union enters the arena with its own USDpt stablecoin. With institutions doubling down and regulators still at odds, the crypto market may be setting up for its next big shift.

29 Loka 44min

Bitcoin braces for volatility as $10 billion in options approach expiration, potentially triggering major market moves. Meanwhile, IBM launches a new digital assets platform to help financial institutions enter the blockchain era, and U.S. lawmakers debate banning politicians from holding crypto after Trump’s pardon of Binance founder CZ. Elsewhere, Hedera’s HBAR token surges following the NYSE listing of the first-ever Hedera ETF, even as government uncertainty looms. With institutional activity shifting and regulatory tensions rising, the crypto market could be in for a defining week.

28 Loka 56min

This episode of Crypto Town Hall centers around current events and big moves in the crypto markets, particularly focusing on the upcoming Fed rate cut, the launch of new digital asset ETFs (including Solana, HBAR, and Litecoin staked ETFs), major product launches by companies like IBM, and ongoing developments in the stablecoin and DeFi ecosystems. The conversation weaves through technical analysis, the impact of ETFs on various crypto assets (and why some launches generate less excitement), institutional adoption, and the evolution of crypto market maturity. A featured guest, Matan—the founder and CEO of TFi—joins in the second half to discuss his DeFi superapp and the project's upcoming advances and philosophy. The aim is to better understand both immediate price movements and the longer-term direction of crypto as it goes mainstream, with a practical look at utility, infrastructure, and adoption.

28 Loka 55min

Markets are moving — but not breaking. Bitcoin’s rangebound, altcoins are quiet, and stablecoin headlines are stirring questions about liquidity and regulation. Meanwhile, Trump’s new tariff rhetoric and gold’s reaction are reshaping macro sentiment.

27 Loka 57min

Today’s market action comes as optimism builds around a potential Trump–Xi trade breakthrough, easing global tensions and driving risk assets higher. Meanwhile, JPMorgan expects the Fed to end quantitative tightening this month, a move that could unleash massive liquidity into markets and further fuel Bitcoin’s run. On the innovation front, Zelle and Western Union are both adopting stablecoin payment systems, Japan has launched its first yen-backed stablecoin, and Trump’s new CFTC chair Michael Selig has vowed to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world.” With Bitcoin eyeing a record monthly close, ETF inflows climbing, and macro policy shifts aligning in its favor — the question now is whether this rally has the strength to break into new all-time highs… or if the market is setting up for a massive pullback.

27 Loka 1h 2min