Author: CoinDesk

The most valuable crypto stories for Thursday, March 9, 2023. 

The digital asset industry is in the middle of a banking crisis with the collapse of crypto-friendly Silvergate Bank, and Crypto.com hasn’t been spared. "The Hash" team discusses the latest developments. Plus, a non-fungible token (NFT) collection is rapidly rising in interest and value based on its association with the co-founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin, although his direct involvement in the NFT drop has yet to be established.

See also:

Why Financial Analysts Missed Silvergate’s Red Flags

4 Potential Winners of the Silvergate Unwind

Block.one Exits Silvergate Stake, Says Portfolio Firm Has No Exposure

Crypto.com Struggles to Maintain Fiat On-Ramps in the Face of Crypto Banking Crisis

Bitcoin Climbs Above $22K as Powell Softens Tone on Day 2 of Congressional Testimony

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This episode has been edited by Ryan Huntington. The senior producer is Michele Musso and the executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

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Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.

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

Did Silvergate Bank become a political target?

Beleaguered Silvergate Bank has announced that it will be winding down. NLW examines whether the turn of events is due to banking crypto companies, specific business decisions made by Silvergate or a coordinated political campaign against the company. 

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“The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Lerbank/ Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. 

Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com.

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

Binance’s slew of bad news, art on the blockchain with Eli Scheinman of Proof, and what NFT project More Than Gamers promised, but didn’t deliver.

On “Carpe Consensus,” hosts Ben Schiller and Cam Thompson bring listeners up to speed on the latest news in crypto. Plus: Proof’s head of art Eli Scheinman discusses art on the blockchain and the diversification of NFT marketplaces.

• [1:40] Inside the Desk: CoinDesk’s Nik De joins to break down the latest on crypto exchange Binance, including misplaced $1.8 billion in USDC, questions of Binance.US operating an unregistered securities exchange and U.S. senators with their eye on the company.
• [11:50] Eli Scheinman joins to discuss how non-fungible token (NFT) art collective Proof builds community regardless of market cycle, the future of NFT marketplaces and how NFTs are transforming the art world.
• [26:14] Cam’s Corner: More Than Gamers Sold a Breakthrough Web3 Game and Delivered Empty Promises

Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.

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“Carpe Consensus” is executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced and edited by Eleanor Pahl.

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

The most valuable crypto stories for Wednesday, March 8, 2023. 

Bitcoin (BTC) is hovering around $22,000 as Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell stressed that the central bank has yet to make a decision on the size of the rate hike when the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets later in March. Powell is testifying before the House Financial Services Committee for his semi-annual monetary policy report. Separately, Coinbase is launching a "wallet as a service" business that will enable companies to customize their blockchain wallets for their own customers. "The Hash" panel weighs in on today's top stories.

See also:

Federal Reserve’s Powell: We Don’t Want to Strangle Crypto Innovation, but Sector Is a Mess

Fed Chair Powell's Comments Shift Rate Projections; Bitcoin Holds Warily

Bitcoin Rebounds Above $22K, Equities Struggle After Fed Chair Powell Says Rates Are ‘Likely to Be Higher’

Coinbase Starts ‘Wallet as a Service’ Companies Can Build Into Their Own Apps

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This episode has been edited by Ryan Huntington. The senior producer is Michele Musso and the executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

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Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.

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

This month's FOMC meeting is expected to result in a 50 basis point interest rate hike.

In today's episode, NLW looks at the macro as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell discusses monetary policy this week before the Senate and House of Representatives banking committees. The markets are betting on a 50 basis point rate hike at the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting based on his Tuesday comments.

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“The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/ Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. 

Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com.

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

On this week’s show, Kamz is joined by Gwendolyn Regina!

Gwendolyn has spent 17 years living in the worlds of media and technology across Asia Pacific, Paris and Silicon Valley. 

She currently leads investments at BNB Chain and is also an angel investor.

Before that, she was an intrapreneur at Facebook (now Meta Platforms), building up a new business unit of venture capital partnerships and startup growth. 

Gwendolyn also founded OnQuestions, where she spends her time exploring “What is a good question?”

Gwendolyn has been speaking internationally, giving keynotes and moderating for 10 years across Asia, Europe, and the US. 

Gwendolyn built her first website when she was 12. She has lived in Singapore, Paris, Silicon Valley and Ho Chi Minh City. She speaks three languages and is a certified rescue diver, has jumped off a plane twice and almost fell to her death into an ice crevasse in Chile.

Kamz and Gwen discuss:

🔋Catalyzing and amplifying paradigm shift as it pertains to investing in technology

🌍The future and potential global benefits of Web3 technology

🥳Bringing Web3 to the next 1 billion users and ensuring at least half are women

❤️Egg freezing and the importance of improving and supporting women’s reproductive health

✨Rihanna and Gal Gadot: The intersection of women empowerment and pregnancy

🧘🏽‍♀️We end with a two-minute mindfulness exercise to relieve stress! :) 

See also: 

Follow Gwen on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Article: I froze my eggs in Asia Gwen’s honest story and advice from her egg-freezing journey.

Follow me on Twitter @KamalaAlcantara to stay up to date on the show and join our weekly Twitter Space!

Subscribe to my new LinkedIn newsletter Rest & Digest: A rest stop at the busy intersection of mindfulness, tech, women empowerment, UX and diversity, equity and inclusion.

This episode was produced and edited by Michele Musso with executive producer Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is ‘Twennysomething’ by Daniele Musto. Other music used is ‘Mind and Soul’ by Stefano Vita and ‘Electrolove’ by Lunareh. 

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

The most valuable crypto stories for Tuesday, March 7, 2023. 

"The Hash" team discusses the biggest headlines shaping the crypto markets today, including Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, in prepared remarks before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, stating that inflationary pressures are running higher than expected. Separately, Punchbowl reports that U.S. lawmakers are planning on reintroducing a bill that will reform the way crypto is treated for tax purposes.

See also:

Bitcoin Price Slides to $22K as Powell Warns on Inflation

US Senate Banking Committee to Hold ‘Crypto Crash’ Hearing This Month

U.S. Lawmakers to Reintroduce Crypto Tax Reform Bill: Report

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This episode has been edited by Ryan Huntington. The senior producer is Michele Musso and the executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

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Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.

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

Apparently the judges agreed with Grayscale that the SEC's policies regarding bitcoin ETFs are inconsistent.

Last year, Grayscale, a CoinDesk sister company, filed suit against the Securities and Exchange Commission after its proposal to convert the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into a bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund was rejected. Today the hearing began, and the SEC was almost immediately put on the defensive. In this episode, NLW explains the background of the SEC and bitcoin ETFs, the specifics of the Grayscale case and how the community is reacting to today's hearing.

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“The Breakdown” is written, produced and narrated by Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Michele Musso and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. Music behind our sponsor today is “Foothill Blvd” by Sam Barsh. Image credit: Nuthawut Somsuk/ Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. 

Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

Join the most important conversation in crypto and Web3 at Consensus 2023, happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Come and immerse yourself in all that Web3, crypto, blockchain and the metaverse have to offer. Use code BREAKDOWN to get 15% off your pass. Visit consensus.coindesk.com.

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

This week we delve into terraUSD’s winners, its losers and the rules of the whole twisted game.

"Crypto Crooks" is sponsored by Chainalysis.

TerraUSD and its so-called “ecosystem” were always a game – one only some investors realized they were playing. 

As we fall deeper into the death spiral, we look at the retail investors who were indisputable victims of Do Kwon’s scheme. Many of them lost life savings and even, ultimately, their lives, in the wave of suicides which followed the depeg. We also look at the more complicated role of financial professionals in propping up Do Kwon’s empire, many of whom got out of the racket millions of dollars richer than when they’d gone in. 

After this, two more episodes to come – plus a bonus fifth on the bombshell revelations of a new SEC investment suit against Do Kwon and Terraform labs.

Clips:

• Pomp & Mike Novogratz Bitcoin Fireside | Bitcoin 2022 Conference
• Kyle Davies clip, found by Cas Piancey

Episode transcripts are available at coindesk.com/podcasts/crypto-crooks. 

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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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“Crypto Crooks” is a CoinDesk Podcast Production. The executive producer is Jared Schwartz, with additional production by Eleanor Pahl, Nora Battelle, Jonas Huck, and Moon Beast. Fact-checking is by Amber Von Schassen, and sound design and music are by Altus Noumena. This show is written and voiced by David Z. Morris.

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

The most valuable crypto stories for Monday, March 6, 2023. 

Bankrupt crypto lender Voyager Digital has denied claims by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that its VGX token is a security, as it seeks court approval for a $1.02 billion buyout offer from Binance.US. Separately, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice proposes Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail conditions should restrict his use of the internet, including the use of a non-internet-connected flip phone, in court filings late Friday.

See also:

Voyager Denies SEC Claims VGX Token Is a Security as Binance.US Decision Looms

Voyager Digital's Reward Program Lost $58M in 2022: Court Filing

Voyager Bankruptcy Judge Says He Is ‘Absolutely Shocked’ by SEC Objection to Binance.US Deal

Voyager Bankruptcy Judge Says He Is ‘Absolutely Shocked’ by SEC Objection to Binance.US Deal

Bankman-Fried Should Have Only Flip Phone, Website Whitelist, DOJ Says

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This episode has been edited by Ryan Huntington. The senior producer is Michele Musso and the executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

-

Are you building the next big thing in Web3? Apply to pitch your project live on stage at the CoinDesk Pitchfest Powered by Google Cloud at Consensus, the industry’s most influential event happening April 26-28 in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 31 for a chance to be among the twelve finalists selected to pitch. Visit consensus.coindesk.com/pitchfest for more information.

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