Author: CoinDesk

Noelle Acheson, the mind behind the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter, explores ether outperformance, inflation expectations, Mt. Gox and more.

Today's episode is sponsored by CME Group.

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

Today’s Stories:

Mt. Gox Appears to Have Started PayPal Repayments Tied to 2014 Bitcoin Hack 

Infamously Hacked Crypto Exchange Mt. Gox Delays Bitcoin (BTC) Repayment Deadline by a Year 

CoinDesk Turns 10: The Legacy of Mt. Gox – Why Bitcoin's Greatest Hack Still Matters 

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From our sponsors:

CME Group Cryptocurrency futures and options provide market-leading liquidity for bitcoin and ether trading. These cash-settled contracts give full exposure to crypto performance without the hassle of holding the physical position. No digital wallet? No problem. Trade nearly 24/7 in a transparent, CFTC-regulated market. Visit cmegroup.com/crypto to learn more.

Disclaimer:

This communication is not directed to investors located in any particular jurisdiction and is not intended to be accessed by recipients based in jurisdictions in which distribution is not permitted. The information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Trading derivatives products involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation.

-

This episode was hosted by Noelle Acheson. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl. 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.

Spotlighting groundbreaking projects that are committed to the industry's progress, ongoing innovation, and adaptability.

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:

TOPIC | New Technology - Projects 

• Celestia

Celestia has released its mainnet beta after issuing tokens to 580,000 users.

• Avail

The announcement comes as Celestia's recent launch and airdrop have kindled interest in "modular" blockchain projects that can relieve the burden on primary networks like Ethereum.

• EigenDA 

EigenLayer’s platform for "re-staking" is designed to extend Ethereum’s pooled security from ETH stakers to other blockchain systems – a way for developers to bootstrap new networks without having to create their own communities of network validators.

• SUAVE

Unbundles the mempool and block builder role from existing blockchains and offers a highly specialized and decentralized plug-and-play alternative. Sharing the same sequencing layer allows crypto to stay decentralized, block builders to capture cross-domain MEV, validators to maximize their revenue, and users to transact with the best execution, while reducing the economic centralization pressure on each domain.

• Bitcoin

PROTOCOL VILLAGE SEGMENT  

TOPIC | INDUSTRY TRENDS - BUSINESS SIDE 

• Real World Assets and Industry Adoption
• Zero-Knowledge Explosion
• Is crypto ready? / A16z - better UI

EPISODE LINKS |  

Celestia Airdrops TIA Token as Network Goes Live, Claims Start of 'Modular Era'

Avail, Data Availability Solution to Rival Celestia, Unveils 'Incentivized Testnet' 

Ethereum 'Restaking' Takes Shape as Next Big Trend in Blockchain Security 

2023 Q4 Outlook Report | CCData

The Future of MEV is SUAVE | Flashbots 

JPMorgan says ether to outperform bitcoin next year | The Block

JP Morgan: Ethereum to Outperform Bitcoin in 2024, Halving ‘Priced In’ - Decrypt

Sign Up for THE PROTOCOL NEWSLETTER 

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.

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

Sheila Warren's top picks from the year, compelling discussions with Noelle Acheson and Hyun Song Shin, shedding light on Bitcoin's impressive performance, India's evolving crypto landscape, and the challenges faced by central banks in a tokenized world. It's a celebration of insightful conversations and noteworthy moments that defined the financial narrative in the past year. 

This episode is sponsored by Cboe Digital

We are celebrating the holiday season with a special "Money Reimagined" edition featuring the hosts' top picks from the year in our 'Best of' compilation.

In this week's episode, Sheila Warren selects two of her favorite picks: 

• Noelle Acheson On What’s Not Happening With Bitcoin
• The Impact of Tokenization on the Monetary System and the Need for Tokenized Central Banks

In the first installment, Sheila Warren is solo talking with Noelle Acheson CoinDesk collaborator and author of the Crypto is Macro Now newsletter on Substack. Acheson provides persuasive proof of Bitcoin's resilient performance over the course of the year, demonstrating its remarkable outperformance in comparison to conventional stocks.

They explore the importance of Bitcoin ETFs, with Warren offering insights into India's changing perspective on cryptocurrency and its position in global crypto regulations, offering a thorough analysis of the country's evolving landscape.

Sheila’s second pick is a conversation Michael and she both had with Hyun Song Shin, Head of Research at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), about the recent release of the Annual Economic Report. 

They examine the challenges presently confronting central banks, and explore the immobilization or locking of tangible assets, along with the legal obstacles associated with tokenization.

From our sponsors:

Do you have a trusted partner for your crypto trading? Cboe Digital will introduce financially settled margin futures on Bitcoin and Ether on January 11th, 2024 with physically delivered contracts to follow. Listed and cleared on Cboe’s U.S. regulated exchange and clearinghouse, and complemented by a liquid crypto spot market for greater ease and access. We invite you to learn more about this and all applicable risk disclosures at cboedigital.com/coindesk.

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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. 

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

2023 was another packed year for crypto, with some big winners, and regulatory news taking the main spot. 

Take the Unchained 2023 survey!

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

In 2023, the crypto industry began with post-FTX fallout such as Operation Chokepoint 2.0, the failures of banks serving the crypto industry, and the SEC's Wells Notice against Coinbase.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin Ordinals brought innovation to the Bitcoin network, while Ethereum's Shanghai upgrade introduced new functionalities. 

The criminal trial of Sam Bankman-Fried was the dramatic climax of the year, as lawmakers’ concerns about crypto being used for terrorist financing brought crypto into the mainstream conversation. The year ended with Binance's substantial settlement with the U.S. government and spot Bitcoin ETFs in the horizon, ushering in what looks like the beginnings of another bull market. 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Arbitrum Foundation  |  Uniswap  |  Popcorn Network

Links | 

DCG

Unchained: Gemini vs. DCG Is Heating Up. Could Gemini Force Genesis Into Bankruptcy?

Reuters: Crypto lending unit of Genesis files for U.S. bankruptcy

CELSIUS

Unchained: 

7 Revelations From Celsius’ Examiner Report

Why the Celsius Examiner Report Shows 'a Complete Disaster in Almost Every Way'

Operation Chokepoint 2.0

WSJ: Regulator Orders Crypto Firm Paxos to Stop Issuing Binance Stablecoin

The Verge: Kraken pays a $30 million fine and shuts down crypto staking in the US

Unchained: 

Coinbase’s Top Lawyer Calls SEC Wells Notice a ‘Massive Overreach’

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

Bitcoin Ordinals

Unchained: 

Bitcoin Ordinal NFTs Are Hot and Getting Hotter. What's the Hype About?

Bitcoin’s Daily Transaction Fees Surpass Ethereum’s for First Time Since 2020

Signature, Silvergate, SVB, Bank Failures and USDC Depeg

Investopedia: What Happened to Silicon Valley Bank?

CNBC: Stablecoin USDC breaks dollar peg after firm reveals it has $3.3 billion in SVB exposure

Unchained: 

The Chopping Block: Was Crypto Just Debanked?

Why Caitlin Long and Meltem Demirors Are Worried About Crypto’s Future in the US - Cryptocurrency

SEC Issues Coinbase a Wells Notice

Rep. Emmer on Why He Believes Gary Gensler Is a ‘Bad-Faith Regulator’

Reuters: Signature Bank failure due to 'poor management,' US FDIC report says

The Verge: Silvergate has collapsed

Ethereum’s Shanghai upgrade

Unchained: 

Shapella in the Rearview: After Major Upgrade, What’s Next for Ethereum? 

Staked Ethereum Withdrawals Enabled As Shanghai Upgrade Goes Live

CoinDesk: What’s Next After the Ethereum Shanghai Upgrade Known as Shapella

Prometheum

Unchained: 

Prometheum and Paradigm in Debate: Can the Status Quo Work for Crypto

These 2 Crypto Trading Platforms Agree With SEC Chair Gary Gensler

Crypto Community Unearths Questionable History of SEC-Aligned Prometheum - Cryptocurrency Regulation

SEC vs. Binance and Coinbase

Unchained: 

SEC Files 13 Charges Against Binance Including the Mishandling of Funds, Sale of Unregistered Securities

SEC Sues Coinbase for Breaking Securities Laws

SEC Sues Binance, Coinbase: ‘This Is Not the End of Crypto in the United States’

Ripple

Unchained: 

New Order in SEC vs. Ripple Over XRP Is a Win for Crypto: What Happens Now?

The Chopping Block: Jake Chervinsky on How the SEC Has Lost Credibility

CoinDesk: Ripple, Crypto Industry Score Partial Win in SEC Court Fight Over XRP

Bitcoin ETFs

Unchained: 

Grayscale Wins Lawsuit Against SEC Over Denial of Bid to Convert GBTC Into a Bitcoin ETF

Does Grayscale’s Win Against the SEC Mean a Spot Bitcoin ETF Will Be Approved?

Why a Spot Bitcoin ETF Will Probably Launch No Later Than January 10

How Much Money Will Flow Into Bitcoin ETFs? Here’s One Projection

Why Financial Advisors Are So Excited About a Spot Bitcoin ETF

Market Forecaster Raoul Pal Says There’s a Good Chance Bitcoin Will Hit $100K-$200K in 2024

Why Swan CEO Cory Klippsten Is Still Convinced That Bitcoin Is Headed to $1 Million

SBF Trial

Unchained: 

How Heated Sidebars During the SBF Trial Could Impact the Jury’s Decision

While Wang Reveals Alameda’s Special Privileges

Sam Bankman-Fried Trial: Here’s Everything That Happened So Far

Did Sam Bankman-Fried Have Intent to Defraud FTX Investors?

A 20+ Year Sentence? Why the Evidence Against SBF Was Too Hard to Overcome

Terrorism in crypto

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

WSJ: Hamas Militants Behind Israel Attack Raised Millions in Crypto

Binance settlement 

Unchained: 

How Binance Will Open All Its Activity to the U.S. Government 

Binance to Pay $4.3B Penalty to Resolve U.S. DOJ Criminal Investigation; Changpeng Zhao Resigns, Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charges

WSJ: Binance Penalties Include a Number of Crypto Industry Firsts: The Treasury Department’s FinCEN is imposing its first-ever monitorship on the cryptocurrency exchange

Points systems

Unchained: Crypto Points Systems Are a 100x Opportunity, But Founders, Be Wary 

Li’s Newsletter: Lessons on Points Programs for Crypto Apps

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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.

Experimentation with tokenization is leading to growing confusion about terminology, and that is getting in the way of a deeper understanding of its potential, says Noelle Acheson.

Today's episode is sponsored by CME Group.

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

For today’s featured story, Noelle Acheson reads her piece for CoinDesk: “Security Tokens and Tokenized Securities Are Not the Same Thing.” 

Further reading: Overdue: Statement of Dissent on LBRY

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From our sponsors:

CME Group Cryptocurrency futures and options provide market-leading liquidity for bitcoin and ether trading. These cash-settled contracts give full exposure to crypto performance without the hassle of holding the physical position. No digital wallet? No problem. Trade nearly 24/7 in a transparent, CFTC-regulated market. Visit cmegroup.com/crypto to learn more.

Disclaimer:

This communication is not directed to investors located in any particular jurisdiction and is not intended to be accessed by recipients based in jurisdictions in which distribution is not permitted. The information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Trading derivatives products involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation.

-

This episode was hosted by Noelle Acheson. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl. 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.

Puma's Head of Emerging Technology, Ivan Dashkov, joins us to discuss how the sportswear brand is approaching digital fashion, community building and marketing innovation.

Today's episode is sponsored by Chainalysis.

In the final episode of 2023, Avery and Sam discuss predictions for 2024 and interview Ivan Dashkov, Head of Emerging Technology at Puma, about innovation in marketing and brand-building strategies like social media, NFTs, the metaverse and AI.

Links mentioned from the podcast: 

• Threads is officially starting to test ActivityPub integration
• The rise of AI fake news is creating a ‘misinformation superspreader’
• H&M nailed its metaverse entry with one simple priority, UX
• Ivan’s Twitter

Follow us on Twitter: 

• Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

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From our sponsor:

Chainalysis is the blockchain data platform. We provide data, software, services, and research to government agencies, web3 companies, financial institutions, and insurance and cybersecurity companies. Our data powers investigation, compliance, and business intelligence software that has been used to solve some of the world’s most high-profile criminal cases. For more information, visit www.chainalysis.com.

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"Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni, with editing by Jonas Huck. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

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

U.S. crypto regulation has much to learn from Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. But while these jurisdictions offer legal clarity around digital assets, they also have some of the toughest rules in the world, says CoinDesk’s Emily Parker.

Today's episode is sponsored by CME Group.

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

Today’s featured story is an opinion piece from Emily Parker, titled: “Crypto-Friendly Does Not Mean Crypto-Easy.”

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From our sponsors:

CME Group Cryptocurrency futures and options provide market-leading liquidity for bitcoin and ether trading. These cash-settled contracts give full exposure to crypto performance without the hassle of holding the physical position. No digital wallet? No problem. Trade nearly 24/7 in a transparent, CFTC-regulated market. Visit cmegroup.com/crypto to learn more.

Disclaimer:

This communication is not directed to investors located in any particular jurisdiction and is not intended to be accessed by recipients based in jurisdictions in which distribution is not permitted. The information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Trading derivatives products involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation.

-

This episode was hosted by Noelle Acheson. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl. 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.

Li Jin of Variant Fund dives into the trend of points in crypto: why projects favor points over tokens, the art of designing such systems, and the potential of on-chain points.

Take the Unchained 2023 survey!

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

Over the past year, the crypto industry has seen the rise of a new trend: the adoption of points systems. 

Li Jin, cofounder of Variant Fund, says that while points systems have long been a staple in the Web2 domain, their integration into the crypto ecosystem could have pitfalls. 

She covers how these points are currently being leveraged within crypto applications in the hopes of driving user engagement and retention, why they’re taking off now, and why they’re off-chain. She also points out that, if implemented poorly, they could engender disloyalty instead of leading to sustainable communities, and urges founders to be thoughtful about the design of these systems, especially about how points translate to economic value.

Show highlights  | 

• What points are in crypto and their role in rewarding user behavior​​
• 
  
• Examples of popular projects that have successfully implemented points systems​​
• 
  
• Why points mechanisms are gaining traction in crypto, offering benefits of tokens without the downsides​​
• 
  
• Whether points, that are currently off-chain, will eventually move on-chain, and the implications for users and founders​​
• 
  
• How points can incentivize inorganic behavior, drawing from Li Jin's experience in the Web2 sector​​
• 
  
• The potential pitfalls of points systems and how they can sometimes create more disloyalty than loyalty​​
• 
  
• Identifying which crypto projects are best suited for using points, and the importance of product-market fit​​
• 
  
• Why keeping the economic value of points ambiguous can enhance user engagement and loyalty​​
• 
  
• Whether points are being used by projects to navigate around regulatory challenges​​
• 
  
• Future developments in points systems, including the potential of bringing points on-chain for a universal loyalty system​​
• 
  

Thank you to our sponsors!

Arbitrum Foundation  |  Uniswap  |  Popcorn Network  | Phemex

Guest |

Li Jin, cofounder and General Partner at Variant Fund

Previous appearances on Unchained: 

Will Every Piece of Media Enter the Internet as an NFT? Variant Fund Says Yes

The Chopping Block: Two on Two Debate: NFT Royalty Throwdown!

Links | 

Points:

Li’s Newsletter: Lessons on Points Programs for Crypto Apps

Li’s comments on the topic: 

Tweet 1 on points entering “the crypto app zeitgeist”

Tweet 2 on points discounting the cost of the product

Tweet 3 on points and product-market-fit

Tweet 4 on how points can “distort activity”

CoinDesk: 

Crypto Points: Off-Chain Derivatives That Everyone is Talking About 

Web3 Loyalty Programs Are a Trojan Horse for Good Crypto Policy

DL News: Why DeFi protocols love to offer ‘points’ before airdrops 

Projects using points

Rainbow wallet

Friend.tech

Blast

Blackbirds

Marginfi

Parcl

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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.

Noelle Acheson, the mind behind the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter, speaks with Jeff Dorman, chief investment officer at Arca.

Today's episode is sponsored by CME Group.

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

As the year comes to a close, host Noelle Acheson speaks with guest Jeff Dorman, CIO of Arca, about what the crypto narrative is shaping up to be in 2024.

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From our sponsors:

CME Group Cryptocurrency futures and options provide market-leading liquidity for bitcoin and ether trading. These cash-settled contracts give full exposure to crypto performance without the hassle of holding the physical position. No digital wallet? No problem. Trade nearly 24/7 in a transparent, CFTC-regulated market. Visit cmegroup.com/crypto to learn more.

Disclaimer:

This communication is not directed to investors located in any particular jurisdiction and is not intended to be accessed by recipients based in jurisdictions in which distribution is not permitted. The information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Trading derivatives products involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation.

-

This episode was hosted by Noelle Acheson. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl. 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.

Noelle Acheson, the mind behind the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter, explores market moves, crypto predictions, consumer confidence and more.

Today's episode is sponsored by CME Group.

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

Today’s Stories:

Consensus Magazine 

6 Predictions for Crypto in 2024: Pantera’s Paul Veradittakit 

Blockchain Tech Predictions for 2024, From Experts at Ripple, Coinbase, a16z, Starknet 

ETFs, Halving, Upgrades – What to Expect With Bitcoin Next Year 

7 Predictions About the Crypto Lending Landscape in 2024 

2024: The Year of Regulatory Compromises 

5 Predictions for Real World Assets in 2024 

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From our sponsors:

CME Group Cryptocurrency futures and options provide market-leading liquidity for bitcoin and ether trading. These cash-settled contracts give full exposure to crypto performance without the hassle of holding the physical position. No digital wallet? No problem. Trade nearly 24/7 in a transparent, CFTC-regulated market. Visit cmegroup.com/crypto to learn more.

Disclaimer:

This communication is not directed to investors located in any particular jurisdiction and is not intended to be accessed by recipients based in jurisdictions in which distribution is not permitted. The information herein should not be considered investment advice or the results of actual market experience. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Trading derivatives products involves the risk of loss. Please consider carefully whether futures or options are appropriate to your financial situation.

-

This episode was hosted by Noelle Acheson. “Markets Daily” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl. 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.