Author: CoinDesk

Lucas Bruder, the CEO of Jito Labs, which builds infrastructure for Solana, says despite the outages, the blockchain still has a lot going for it. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Fountain, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Pandora, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

On Tuesday, Solana suffered a network outage, just shy of a year since its last shutdown. The blockchain had to quickly get a new version out and notify its validators to upgrade to it and restart their systems before blocks could be produced again, resulting in downtime of roughly five hours. This was previously something that had happened regularly to the blockchain but seemed to have been largely addressed over the past year.

Lucas the CEO of Jito Labs, which builds infrastructure for Solana and staged a highly successful airdrop last year that helped rejuvenate the blockchain, joined Unchained to discuss what caused the outage, whether it’s something that builders on Solana should be concerned about for the future, recent improvements Solana has made to its technology, whether the implementation of Firedancer would have prevented this incident, and the promise of the Solana phone. 

Show highlights | 

• What caused the Solana blockchain’s outage this week
• Whether Solana needs to have better quality control 
• Whether the halt of the network affects the builders in the space
• What recent developments in the infrastructure surrounding Solana give Lucas confidence in the network
• Whether the Firedancer client that’s now in development would have prevented this week’s outage
• The promise of the Solana phone
• Whether the network going down presents a setback for the Solana community in terms of recognition and momentum
• Whether financial companies will consider using Solana if these issues keep occurring

Thank you to our sponsors!  Popcorn Network  | iTrustCapital  | Polkadot

Guest |  Lucas Bruder, CEO of Jito Labs

Links:

Recent coverage of Unchained on Solana:

Jupiter Founder Meow to Critics of JUP Airdrop: ‘Give Me a Break’

Three Crypto Pioneers on Crypto’s Monolithic vs. Modular Debate

Anatoly Yakovenko on Solana’s Astounding Recovery and Its Future Plans

Outage:

Unchained: Solana Back Online Again After Suffering 5-Hour Outage

Matthew Sigel’s explanation for why the outage happened

Mert’s tweet on how Solana prioritizes security over liveness

CoinDesk: Can We All Stop Pretending That Solana Is in Beta?

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Unchained Podcast is Produced by Laura Shin Media, LLC.  Distributed by CoinDesk. Senior Producer is Michele Musso and Executive Producer is Jared Schwartz. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CoinDesk Indices presents notable data insights from the week, followed by additional analysis from an industry expert.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

The CoinDesk Market Index (CMI) functions as a benchmark for the performance of the digital asset market, delivering institutional quality information to digital asset investors. Subsets of the CoinDesk Market Index (CMI) are investible CoinDesk Crypto Sectors and the CoinDesk 20 Index, designed to measure the performance of the top digital assets. Today’s takeaways are provided by Tracy Stephens, senior index manager at CoinDesk Indices with additional analysis from Eric Ervin, CEO of Onramp Invest. For more on CoinDesk Indices, visit: coindeskmarkets.com.

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Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MD15. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

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This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl, alongside Senior Booking Producer Melissa Montañez. All original music by Doc Blust and Colin Mealey.

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Charlie, Matt and Will talk about bitcoin mining news this week, including price, Hut 8’s leadership change, the EIA seeking energy data and French Montana shilling his latest Bitcoin NFT.

Follow along on your favorite podcast player of choice by clicking here.

Charlie, Matt and Will talk about bitcoin mining news this week. We go over bitcoin’s price rebounding from ETF outflows, Hut 8’s new CEO, the Federal government seeking energy information on Bitcoin miners and rapper French Montana shilling his Quantum Cat.

Published twice weekly, "The Mining Pod" interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews Tuesday and a news show on Friday! 

Check out our other shows and content by going to Blockspace.media today.

Follow our host on Twitter, @wsfoxley.

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Thank you to our sponsor, CleanSpark, America’s Bitcoin miner!

"The Mining Pod" is produced by Sunnyside Honey LLC and distributed by CoinDesk. Senior Producer is Damien Somerset.

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Special Guest Host Nebojsa Urosevic, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Tenderly, joins us to share insights on Ethereum's development process and future.

This episode is sponsored by the Stellar Community Fund

Follow the show here for more.

In this installment of "The Protocol," hosts Brad Keoun, the founding editor of The Protocol Newsletter, and tech journalists Sam Kessler and Margaux Nijkerk, explore the following stories:

The Solana Blockchain Freeze 

Solana, the low-latency blockchain that's seen an explosion in activity in recent months, experienced an approximately five-hour outage on Tuesday.

Eigenlayer Lifts Staking Cap, Soars Past $3B 

The temporary lift comes as restaking on Ethereum is booming despite warnings from developers that it might strain the network.

Taproot Wizards NFT Project Sells OUT

All 3,000 of the "Quantum Cats" digital images were claimed by the end of Monday's public mint, selling for a fixed price of 0.1 BTC ($4,265) each – despite severe technical issues that had delayed the process by a full week.

PROTOCOL VILLAGE INTERVIEW SEGMENT  

Final ‘Holesky’ Testnet

The test simulated “proto-danksharding,” a technical feature aimed at reducing the cost of transactions for rollups as well as making data availability cheaper.

Guest: Nebojsa Urosevic is Co-Founder and SVP of R&D at Tenderly -

A full-stack infrastructure solutions provider, powering Web3 developer teams with the essential tools and services throughout their development journeys. As a former software engineer for almost a decade, with experience in building, scaling and maintaining large-scale distribution cloud systems, Nebojsa is now responsible for the development and maintenance of a custom scalable Ethereum Virtual Machine that has the ability to reverse engineer transaction execution and perform various simulations in real-time.

Takeaways | 

• The recent Solana outage highlights the challenges of scaling blockchain networks and the need for continuous infrastructure improvement.
• The Eigen Layer restaking protocol offers a new way to earn rewards and secure other protocols, but there are still risks and uncertainties associated with it.
• The DenKun upgrade and Proto-Dang Sharding are important steps towards improving scalability and reducing costs on the Ethereum network.
• The development of layer 2 solutions and the competition among them will play a crucial role in the future of Ethereum and blockchain technology.

Sign Up for THE PROTOCOL NEWSLETTER 

EPISODE LINKS |  

Solana Back Up Following Major 5-Hour Outage 

EigenLayer Lifts Staking Cap, TVL Soars Past $3B 

Bitcoin NFT Project Taproot Wizards Sells Out First Collection, Raking in $13M 

Ethereum's Dencun Upgrade Reaches Final ‘Holesky’ Testnet, Starting Countdown to Data 'Blobs'

Tenderly 

From Our Sponsor: 

The Stellar Community Fund (SCF) is an open-application awards program that draws on community input to support developers and startups building on Stellar and Soroban. Accelerate your web3 project today.

Apply for Funding at communityfund.stellar.org

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The Protocol has been produced and edited by senior producer Michele Musso and our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Take Me Back” by Strength To Last.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest price moves and insights with Jennifer Sanasie and guest Ric Edelman, founder of Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

On "Markets Daily," host Jennifer Sanasie speaks with Ric Edelman, founder of Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals as he explains why it's going to take time for asset managers to get their clients set up with the spot bitcoin ETFs – but once they do, the market will skyrocket.

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Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MD15. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

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This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl, alongside Senior Booking Producer Melissa Montañez. All original music by Doc Blust and Colin Mealey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bitcoin’s potential to revolutionize the global economy through financial inclusivity and enhanced efficiency lies in its technology and the innovations that can be built on top of the blockchain.

This episode is sponsored by Consensus 2024 

Now Available for pre-order | 

Michael Casey’s New Book with Frank H. McCourt, their forthcoming book:  Our Biggest Fight: Reclaiming Liberty, Humanity, and Dignity in the Digital Age

In this week's installment of "Money Reimagined," hosts Michael Casey and  Sheila Warren are joined by Tim Draper, Venture Capitalist and Founder at Draper Associates/DFJ/Draper University. The discussion delves into Bitcoin's evolution, its interactions with L1s and L2s, and analyzes the ramifications of spot ETF approval on Bitcoin's rebellious ethos.  How does Bitcoin contribute to global wealth creation, and what is its potential to revolutionize the world economy, with a focus on user experience and upcoming innovations on the Bitcoin blockchain?

Takeaways | 

Bitcoin's evolution goes beyond investment opportunities and explores its potential as a transformational economy.

The spot ETF approval validates Bitcoin's presence in the traditional financial system but also raises concerns about its rebellious ethos.

Bitcoin has the potential to create global wealth by providing liquidity and enabling participation in the world economy.

The future of Bitcoin lies in its technology and the innovations that can be built on top of the blockchain.

The age of AI will bring new challenges and opportunities, and Bitcoin can play a role in creating a depoliticized and decentralized form of money.

Links | 

Why Tim Draper Is Still Bullish on Bitcoin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFZI5dq88E

A recent book that he launched:

Amazon.com: How to be The Startup Hero: A Guide and Textbook for Entrepreneurs and Aspiring Entrepreneurs eBook : Draper, Tim: Kindle Store 

The World Economic Forum  

CoinDesk.com

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Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences.  Take 15% off registration with the code MRP15. 

Register now at consensus.coindesk.com

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Money Reimagined has been produced and edited by senior producer Michele Musso and our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “The News Tonight ” by Shimmer. 

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The latest price moves and insights with Jennifer Sanasie and guest Katie Stockton, founder and managing partner of Fairlead Strategies.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

On "Markets Daily," host Jennifer Sanasie speaks with Katie Stockton, founder and managing partner of Fairlead Strategies, as she breaks down the models and charts she's watching this week, meaningful changes to the bitcoin versus ether ratio and updates on altcoin market moves.

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Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MD15. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

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This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl, alongside Senior Booking Producer Melissa Montañez. All original music by Doc Blust and Colin Mealey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The co-authors of a new paper discuss how to block illicit activity without turning neutral software into financial institutions. 

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Fountain, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Pandora, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Trying to regulate DeFi is a huge challenge because in a truly decentralized system, there should be no centralized actors to make and enforce rules for. This could make combating illicit finance challenging since traditionally, regulation has been targeted at centralized intermediaries. Yet Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal and Policy Officer at Polygon Labs; Michael Mosier, the co-founder of boutique law firm Arktouros; and Katja Gilman, senior lead for public policy at Polygon Labs, published a paper last week that proposes to do just that. 

Rettig and Mosier join Unchained to discuss what prompted them to write the paper, what the difference is between "onchain CeFi" and "genuine DeFi," how targeting high-risk wallets can be one part of the solution, how critical communications transmitters (CCTs) are another piece of the puzzle, and what next steps they are pursuing. 

Show highlights | 

• The motivations behind their paper and Michael and Rebecca’s legal backgrounds
• Why Michael views the Bank Secrecy Act as outdated in the context of DeFi
• How critical KYC and AML compliance is for the integrity of DeFi
• What Rebecca identifies as the principal risks in the DeFi sector
• Why their proposal target the protocol layer for effective DeFi regulation
• How "onchain CeFi" differs fundamentally from "genuine DeFi"
• Whether a decentralized protocol can be effectively regulated when controlled by a DAO
• How if DeFi were to be classified as critical infrastructure by the Cyber and Information Security Agency (CISA), it would impact the sector
• Whether the critical components of blockchain networks, such as RPCs, can be regulated effectively
• How categorizing wallets based on risk can be one part of the solution to fighting illicit finance
• Why Rebecca considers Tornado Cash a prime example of “genuine DeFi”
• What steps Rebecca and Michael plan to take next following the publication of their paper

Thank you to our sponsors!  Popcorn Network  |  Polkadot

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Guests | Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal and Policy Officer at Polygon Labs

Previous appearances on Unchained:

Just a Coincidence? Coinbase and Polygon Lawyers See Bad Omens in SEC Crackdown

Kik’s Surprising Move in Its Lawsuit With the SEC

Michael Mosier, cofounder of Arktouros PLLC

Links | 

Previous coverage of Unchained on the topic: Could the Bank Secrecy Act Harm Crypto? Coin Center Thinks So 

Full paper: Genuine DeFi as Critical Infrastructure: A Conceptual Framework for Combating Illicit Finance Activity in Decentralized Finance

Rebecca’s thread

Coin Center: Broad, Ambiguous, or Delegated: Constitutional Infirmities of the Bank Secrecy Act

Tornado Cash

Unchained: Given the Sanctions on Tornado Cash, Is Ethereum Censorship Resistant?

Illicit funds in crypto:

Unchained: How Much Money Are Terrorists Actually Raising in Crypto?

Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal and Policy Officer at Polygon Labs

Michael Mosier, Cofounder of Arktouros PLLC

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Unchained Podcast is Produced by Laura Shin Media, LLC.  Distributed by CoinDesk. Senior Producer is Michele Musso and Executive Producer is Jared Schwartz.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest price moves and insights with Jennifer Sanasie and guest Anthony Moro, CEO of Provenance Blockchain Foundation.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

On "Markets Daily," host Jennifer Sanasie speaks with Anthony Moro, CEO of Provenance Blockchain Foundation, about the performance of recently launched spot bitcoin ETFs compared to the introduction of gold ETFs and the practical use of real world assets for traders and institutions.

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Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MD15. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

-

This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl, alongside Senior Booking Producer Melissa Montañez. All original music by Doc Blust and Colin Mealey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celsius Mining recently completed its Chapter 11 restructuring and is now managed by Hut 8. Are creditors getting a good deal?

Follow along on your favorite podcast player of choice by clicking here.

Celsius Mining was one of the only truly functional parts of Celsius, a defunct lending firm that went belly up in mid-2022. The mining firm recently transitioned to its own entity, Ionic, and is working with Hut 8 to run its mining assets. But did creditors get a good deal? We brought on citizen journalist and long time skeptic ‘ChazzonKe’ to learn more.

Published twice weekly, "The Mining Pod" interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews Tuesday and a news show on Friday! 

Check out our other shows and content by going to Blockspace.media today.

Follow our host on Twitter, @wsfoxley.

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Thank you to our sponsor, CleanSpark, America’s Bitcoin miner!

"The Mining Pod" is produced by Sunnyside Honey LLC and distributed by CoinDesk. Senior Producer is Damien Somerset.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.