Hyperliquid Saved Itself a $15 Million Loss, but Sparked Criticism - Ep. 807

In this episode, George Selgin, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, discusses the recent proposals by Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Senator Cynthia Lummis for the U.S. government to establish a strategic bitcoin reserve. George provides his insights into the differences between these proposals, their potential implications, and why he believes the government should not be investing in bitcoin or other assets. Show highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:16 How the Bitcoin proposals by Trump, RFK Jr., and Lummis differ 04:08 Why George believes that Trump’s proposal to not sell the government’s bitcoin is just symbolic  07:36 What the purpose of acquiring BTC is in the Lummis and RFK proposals 11:29 Whether the government should even be investing in bitcoin or other assets 18:53 How would the government buy BTC as per the Lummis bill 25:08 How likely is it that the bill passes through Congress 27:40 Crypto News Recap Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! iTrustCapital Polkadot Guest George Selgin, Senior Fellow and Director Emeritus of the Cato Institute's Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives Links Trump’s proposal: Unchained:  At Bitcoin Conference, Trump Promises to Fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler If He Wins Trump Has Made Promises to Crypto Voters. If He’s Elected, What Could He Actually Do? Lummis proposal:  Unchained: A Bitcoin Strategic Reserve for the U.S.? Senator Cynthia Lummis Reveals Her Bill  Decrypt: There’s a Problem With Senator Lummis’ Bitcoin Reserve Plan, Cato Institute Expert Says  Lummis Introduces Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Legislation RFK. Jr proposal:  RFK Jr. Proposes 550 Daily Bitcoin Purchase Plan for U.S. Economy | Kennedy24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Elo 202439min

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Robert Leshner, and Tarun Chitra explore the latest trends in the crypto world. In this episode, we dive into topics like the potential U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve proposed by Trump and political figures, and its implications for the institutional adoption of Bitcoin. The episode explores the recent turmoil in DAO governance through the example of Compound's voting mishap with a controversial proposal, analyzing the role of activist investors. The squad also reflects on the legal challenges faced by the founder of BitClout, Nader Al-Naji, who was charged with misappropriation of funds, offering insights into the importance of transparent and ethical governance in the crypto industry. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Pandora, Castbox, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. Show highlights 🔹 Analysis of the potential implications of U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserves as discussed by presidential candidates, focusing on how this could affect global crypto policies and market reactions. 🔹 Exploration of the influence of regulatory environments on DAO participation, particularly how U.S. funds are hesitant to vote due to potential legal liabilities. 🔹 Examination of the controversial proposal by the 'Golden Boys' on Compound Finance and the role of activist investors in DAO governance.  🔹 Discussion on the complexity and innovation in crypto governance models, with examples of Compound and the challenges faced by DAOs in managing proposals.  🔹 Debate on the role of governance structures and how they can evolve to prevent malicious actions by large stakeholders.  🔹 Review of the SEC and DOJ charges against BitClout founder Nader Al-Naji for misappropriation of funds and misleading investors.  🔹 Overall reflection on the responsibility of crypto project leaders in maintaining transparency and ethical financial practices. Hosts ⭐️Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️Tom Schmidt, General Partner at Dragonfly ⭐️Robert Leshner, CEO & Co-founder of Superstate ⭐️Tarun Chitra, Managing Partner at Robot Ventures Disclosures Links DOJ - Founder Of “BitClout” Digital Asset Charged With Fraud In Connection With Sale Of “BitClout” Tokens: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/founder-bitclout-digital-asset-charged-fraud-connection-sale-bitclout-tokens  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Elo 20241h 1min

In this episode of Bits + Bips, hosts James Seyffart, Alex Kruger, and Joe McCann dive deep with Nic Carter into the game-changing promises Trump is making to the crypto community, Kamala Harris’s unexpected policy shifts, and the explosive rise of Solana.  Plus, Nic reveals his unexpected journey into amateur fighting and tackles the pressing issues around Ethereum ETFs, and what ecosystem he’s been funding more as of late.  Show highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:23 Why Alex believes the conference was one of the most incredible moments in the history of crypto 10:00 Nic’s reaction to Trump mentioning breaking down ‘Operation Chokepoint 2.0,’ a term that Nic himself coined 13:44 Nic’s karate fight and his journey to becoming an amateur fighter 21:42 Why Nic thinks that there’s no chance that the Lummis bill proposing the US government establish a strategic bitcoin reserve will pass 29:31 The significance of Trump’s promises at Bitcoin Nashville 36:26 How Tether is comparable to the Eurodollar system 39:41 What the potential impacts are of the Fed's language during their upcoming meeting 47:17 The implications of the Harris campaign's outreach to reset relations with crypto companies 55:44 How the ETH ETFs launch went and why Nic says that Ethereum has a “narrative problem” 59:34 How Solana has been ripping lately and Joe’s response to some of the criticisms 1:07:22 How Nic, as a VC, sees the ETH vs. SOL debate and how founders are increasingly choosing Solana Hosts: James Seyffart, Research Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence Alex Kruger, Founder of Asgard Joe McCann, Founder, CEO, and CIO of Asymmetric Guest Nic Carter, general partner at Castle Island Ventures Links Bitcoin Conference: Trump’s speech: Unchained:  At Bitcoin Conference, Trump Promises to Fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler If He Wins Trump Has Made Promises to Crypto Voters. If He’s Elected, What Could He Actually Do? Lummis proposal:  Unchained: A Bitcoin Strategic Reserve for the U.S.? Senator Cynthia Lummis Reveals Her Bill  The Block: Hong Kong lawmaker advocates for including bitcoin in financial reserves following Trump’s speech |  Democrats/Harris seeking “reset” Letter from Democratic politicians to DNC chair to put crypto plank in Democratic party platform:  ETH ETFs Debut: Unchained:  Grayscale Ethereum Trust ETF net outflows hit $1.5B Will ETH Follow Bitcoin’s Path and Reach New Highs Now That Spot ETFs Are Here? BlackRock: Our Spot Ether ETFs Are Complements to Bitcoin ETFs, Not Substitutes The Block: At this rate, Grayscale's ETHE could run out of ether within weeks |  Solana’s ripping: Unchained:  Solana’s Growth Metrics, Including Stablecoin Supply, Continue to Take Off -  Solana Exceeds Ethereum in Monthly Trading Volume for First Time, But Not When Ethereum’s L2s Are Included Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 Heinä 20241h 11min

As the 2024 elections approach, crypto voters are a real bloc that could be a deciding factor in what looks to be a tight race.  In this episode, Sheila Warren of the Crypto Council for Innovation and Justin Slaughter from Paradigm discuss the significance of Trump appearing at Bitcoin 2024, promising the crypto community pretty much everything on its bucket list, the Democrats’ seeming pro-crypto shift behind the scenes, and the game theory around Gary Gensler’s future (likely not at the SEC).  Plus, they cover the significance (and likelihood of passing) of the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve Bill proposed and to be introduced by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, what would it take for Kamala Harris to show that she truly is a crypto-friendly candidate, and what the Democrats would have to do to undo the damage done by Gensler and win some of the crypto vote.  Lastly, they explore the potential impact on the SEC of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Chevron doctrine. Show highlights: 00:00 Intro 02:08 The significance of a US Presidential candidate, Trump, embracing Bitcoin 04:59 What Justin’s and Sheila’s takes are on the Democrats' sudden shift towards embracing a pro-crypto agenda and whether they can catch up 15:03 The key factor in Trump's shift from giving crypto platitudes to making substantive promises that top the crypto community’s wish list 20:21 How significant crypto could be in influencing the election, particularly in swing states 23:52 Whether Trump would even be able to fire Gary Gensler as SEC Chair, as he has promised 33:23 How the dynamics between Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris differ from the relationship Warren has with Biden 42:48 What could happen with the SEC Commissioner if Harris wins the presidency 50:34 The meaning of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in the US 57:55 How JD Vance's status as a Bitcoin owner could influence crypto voters and whether Harris could pick a pro-crypto VP 1:05:43 The chances the Democratic Party adopts a crypto plank, and what it might include 1:09:9 Whether there’s a chance a crypto bill could be passed this year 1:14:49 How the Supreme Court's recent decision to limit agency power by overturning the Chevron doctrine could impact the SEC's approach to crypto regulation 1:20:45 How Harris can establish a new stance on crypto while distancing herself from Biden's administration, without appearing disloyal 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 Guests: Sheila Warren, CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI)  Justin Slaughter, Policy Director at Paradigm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Heinä 20241h 32min

The Democratic Party has faced criticism from the crypto industry for its stance on the sector, but House Representative Ro Khanna is determined to change that narrative.  In this episode, he talks about his efforts to shift the party’s approach, his thoughts on the current regulatory environment, and his vision for a crypto-friendly future. He gives his insights on the implications of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Chevron doctrine, the potential for a crypto bill this year, and his upcoming remarks at the Nashville Bitcoin conference. Plus, if you are a single-issue voter, he’s got something to say to you. Show highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:36 How Rep. Khanna is working to change the Democrat approach to crypto policy in the U.S. 04:54 What Rep. Khanna's response is to formerly Democratic crypto voters, such as Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, who have decided to vote for Trump this election 07:12 What Rep. Khanna would like to see in a potential crypto plank of the Democratic Party platform 07:58 Who Rep. Khanna believes should be the next SEC chair under a potential Harris administration 08:41 His thoughts on Christy Goldsmith Romero's nomination as chair of the FDIC 09:37 Rep. Khanna's perspective on how to convince Democratic Party members about the benefits of crypto 11:21 How Rep. Khanna views the Supreme Court's overturning of the Chevron doctrine and its implications for crypto 13:29 What key points Rep. Khanna will address in his upcoming remarks at the Bitcoin conference 14:16 What broader implications Rep. Khanna sees in the vote and its potential impact on the crypto industry 15:43 Whether a crypto bill could pass this year in Congress 18:11 Crypto Recap Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! iTrustCapital Polkadot PlayFi Labs Guest Ro Khanna, U.S. representative from California Previous appearance on Unchained: Congressman Ro Khanna: How to Get More Democrats into Web3 Links Recent coverage of Unchained on politics and the elections: Congressman French Hill on Crypto and His Top Pick for the Next SEC Chair Anthony Scaramucci on Why He Supports Biden and Thinks He, Not Trump, Is Best for Crypto Why Many Democrats, Including the White House, Have Come Around on Crypto Senator Cynthia Lummis on Why Crypto Now Has Bipartisan Support in Congress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Heinä 202429min

The Open Network, aka TON, has been on a tear since late February. TVL has skyrocketed 34x since the beginning of the year, reaching over $750 million as of the time of recording. The price of TON has more than tripled from about $2 to $7, and daily active addresses recently exceeded those of Ethereum in May and June. Games with fun names like Hamster Kombat and Catizen are gaining traction, and Pantera Capital, an OG crypto investor, is making its largest investments yet in TON.  In this episode, Alena Shmalko and Jack Booth from the TON Foundation discuss how TON has managed to garner this traction, especially after a rocky start when the SEC went after the original founder, Telegram. Show highlights: 00:00 Intro 02:13 Alena’s and Jack’s backgrounds and how they ended up at TON 05:35 How TON evolved from its origins with Telegram to its current status and how it began getting traction this year, according to Jack 11:21 How The Open League helped TON grow its TVL and other important metrics 15:40 How Telegram's collaboration with TON has evolved through time and how much they work together 24:47 Whether there are plans for TON to integrate with apps beyond Telegram 30:15 What in TON’s architecture allows it to be extremely scalable 33:20 The mechanics of Notcoin and why it has been so successful 36:49 Whether the rise of games like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat can be sustainable 46:05 The importance of USDT in Ton 51:53 When might a Bitcoin trustless bridge be deployed and why it could be significant 54:43 Whether TON is being used by criminals and what could be done to combat it 58:59 What strategies will lead TON to have $1 billion in TVL by the end of the year 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 Guests: Alena Shmalko, Ecosystem Lead at the TON Foundation Jack Booth, Director of Marketing at the TON Foundation Links Previous coverage on Unchained of TON: Could Telegram-Associated TON Blockchain Be the 'Next Solana' and Challenge Ethereum? Layer 2 Networks Are Arriving on the Telegram-Associated TON Blockchain  TON Blockchain's Stablecoin Transfer Volume Reaches Record $299 Million on US Independence Day  What Is Telegram's Ads Network on TON And How Will It Impact Advertisers & Creators? History & Structure TON roadmap CoinDesk:  Telegram Abandons TON Blockchain Project After Court Fight With SEC Telegram Agrees to Pay $18.5M Penalty in SEC Settlement Over Failed TON Offering Messaging App Telegram Gives Endorsement to TON Project; Token Surges Cointelegraph: Telegram ad platform to launch via TON blockchain Notcoin: Decrypt: What's Next for Notcoin? Becoming the 'Netflix of Social, Viral Games' Notcoin, a Free Telegram Game Based on the TON Blockchain, Surges in Popularity Hamster Kombat Cointelegraph: Hamster Kombat destined for Guinness World Record?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 Heinä 20241h 9min

In this episode of Unchained, Congressman French Hill provides an insider's perspective on the present and future of crypto regulation.  Hill delves into the ongoing legislation and the implications of the FIT21 Bill, shares his views on who should succeed Gary Gensler as SEC chair if Trump is re-elected, and discusses the controversial role of the CFTC in regulating the crypto industry. He also touches on the potential impacts of the Chevron doctrine being overturned by the Supreme Court, Trump’s evolving stance on crypto, and the latest developments in the Binance executive detention case in Nigeria. Show highlights: 00:00 Intro 01:26 How Rep. Hill's long-time passion for technological advancement led to his involvement in crypto and blockchain 04:00 The current state of ongoing legislation and why Rep. Hill is proud of the FIT21 bill 08:49 Who would be his top pick to chair the SEC if Trump is re-elected as president 11:42 Why he supports having the CFTC regulate the spot crypto markets  12:40 How he thinks teams should launch tokens in the US  15:02 How he thinks the overturning of the Chevron doctrine will impact crypto 20:02 Why Trump changed his mind on crypto, according to Rep. Hill 23:14 Why Congressman Hill is running for chair of the House Financial Services Committee 25:14 The update on Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria, whom Rep. Hill visited recently 28:13 Crypto News Recap Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com Thank you to our sponsors! iTrustCapital Polkadot PlayFi Labs Guest Congressman French Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Heinä 202439min

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Robert Leshner, and Tarun Chitra explore the latest trends in the crypto world. In this episode, we invite Laura Shin and special guest Kristin Smith of the Blockchain Association to discuss the latest in crypto politics. We dive deep into JD Vance's VP candidacy alongside Donald Trump and its implications for the crypto industry. We also explore the impact of recent political events on the crypto markets, the potential outcomes of key legislative efforts, and the future of the SEC post-2024 elections. Don't miss this insightful conversation on how the shifting political landscape might shape the future of crypto in the U.S. Show highlights 🔹The attempted assassination of Donald Trump and its effects on the crypto market, including his announcement of JD Vance as his running mate. 🔹Analysis of Trump's changing stance on crypto, and his increasing willingness to engage with the industry and its leaders. 🔹Explanation of the Vice President's role in setting financial services and innovation policy, especially in a potential Trump administration. 🔹 Speculation on whether Gary Gensler will step down if Trump wins and what this could mean for crypto regulation. 🔹 Overview of recent meetings between crypto executives and White House officials, signaling a shift in the Biden administration's approach to the industry. 🔹 Examination of the significant fundraising by crypto PACs like the Fair Shake PAC and their impact on political and regulatory decisions. 🔹Discussion on the Digital Commodities Act, market structure bills, and the challenges of passing crypto legislation in the current congressional session. 🔹 The evolving bipartisan support for crypto legislation and the importance of maintaining this support for future regulatory clarity. Hosts ⭐️Haseeb Qureshi, Managing Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️Tom Schmidt, General Partner at Dragonfly  ⭐️Laura Shin, Journalist, Author of ‘The Cryptopians,’ founder and CEO of Unchained Guests ⭐️Kristin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Blockchain Association Disclosures Timestamps  00:00 Intro 02:15 Trump & JD Vance 10:27 Politicians Stance on Crypto Policy 27:41 Crypto's Lobbying Efforts 34:56 Crypto's Political Influence 36:58 SEC Enforcement and Legal Battles 39:19 Speculations on Biden Administration's Crypto Stance 49:48 Legislative Pipeline and Market Structure Bills 01:01:36 Future of Crypto Regulation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Heinä 20241h 7min