The Scoop

Steve Kurz is the Global Digital Head of Asset Management at Galaxy Digital.In this episode, Kurz and Chaparro discuss the current state and future of crypto asset management, including the challenges and opportunities in the industry.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 01:53 Refining Market Structure 03:36 Galaxy Strategy 06:31 TradFi Capital Allocators 09:17 Future Products 13:26 Galaxy PMF 15:05 Crypto Lending 17:11 Regulatory Climate 19:40 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

David Ripley is the CEO of Kraken.In this episode, Ripley discusses Kraken's strategic expansion into institutional services, including custody and lending.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 03:57 Institutional Crypto Services07:22 FTX Fallout11:02 Institutional Adoption15:25 Crypto Credit Crisis17:10 Crypto Banking19:14 Regulatory Environment22:39 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

This episode of The Scoop was recorded with former chairperson of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Jay Clayton.Chaparro and Clayton discuss how the crypto industry has evolved since Clayton's tenure as head of the SEC.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 00:54 Crypto's Evolution 03:42 Crypto Securities & Crypto Commodities 07:02 Token Fundraising 09:57 US Crypto Exchanges 11:12 2022 Crypto Credit Crisis 12:47 The Future of Finance 15:05 Short Selling 16:08 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

This episode of The Scoop was recorded with US Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Falcon X Global's Head of Revenue and Business Austin Reid live at the SALT Conference in Jackson Hole.Senator Scott and Reid discuss the growing political interest in crypto and digital assets in the United States, and the need for better education that clearly conveys the value proposition of this new form of technology.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 00:40 Crypto's Political 03:05 Trump's Crypto Shift 04:23 US Regulatory Landscape 08:06 Crypto's 'Branding' 16:23 Bipartisan Crypto Support18:23 Harris' Crypto Policy19:48 SEC Leadership ChangeThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Carlos Domingo is the founder and CEO at Securitize.Earlier this year, Securitize partnered with BlackRock to launch the BlackRock USD Institutional Digital Liquidity Fund (BUIDL).In this episode recorded live at last week's SALT Conference, Domingo discusses the successful launch of BUIDL and highlights the growing institutional adoption of tokenized treasuries over stablecoins.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 01:03 Blackrock & BUIDL02:13 Strengthening Crypto Collateral 05:50 Tokenization Evolution 09:04 Crypto UX 11:16 BUIDL Target Audience 13:53 TradFi in Crypto 17:03 Tokenization Value Prop 19:05 Securitize Roadmap This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Anthony Scaramucci serves as both the founder and managing partner of Skybridge Capital, as well as the founder and chairman of SALT Conferences. In this episode recorded live at last week's SALT Conference in Jackson Hole, Chaparro and Scaramucci discuss the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election and the rising importance of the 'crypto vote.'OUTLINE00:00 Intro 04:16 2024 Election 14:19 Presidential Crypto Policy15:58 Donald Trump19:59 China Policy 25:05 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Caitlin Cook is the director of growth at the onchain fitness platform Moonwalk Fitness.In this episode, Cook shares how Moonwalk is attempting to build a consumer crypto app that helps people hit their health goals through daily step competitions.Moonwalk plans to tap into fitness communities, influencers, and corporate wellness programs to attract a broader non-crypto audience.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 02:12 Moonwalk Overview 02:56 Consumer Crypto Apps 21:44 Moonwalk's GTM Strategy 23:32 Moonwalk's Roadmap 27:17 Daily Exercise 32:16 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more, head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Diogo Mónica is the founder and executive chairman of Anchorage Digital, and a general partner at Haun Ventures.In this episode, Chaparro and Diogo discuss how culture and intensity are crucial in building successful teams and companies in the crypto industry.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 03:44 Macro & Geopolitical Risks 04:39 Buying the Dip 06:20 VC Conviction 09:20 Mónica's Background 18:19 Startup Culture 23:58 Building Crypto Companies 26:13 Advice for Founders 33:44 2024 VC Landscape 38:19 Consumer Crypto Apps 41:31 Crypto x AI 47:11 PredictionsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Smokey the Bera is the pseudonymous co-founder of Berachain — a Layer 1 network that raised $100 million in a Series B back in April.In this episode, Chaparro and Smokey discuss how memetics influences community building, and unpack Berachain's innovative 'proof of liquidity' consensus, where users earn governance tokens by contributing liquidity to the ecosystem.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 04:42 Berachain Conception 14:08 Ecosystem 'Politics' 15:58 The Power of Memetics 20:31 Tri-Token Model 27:43 Layer-1 "BD War" 32:39 Smokey's Inspiration 35:02 Aligning Incentives 39:17 Identifying Passion 42:49 Berachain RoadmapThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Nick van Eck is the co-founder and CEO of Agora — a stablecoin issuer that raised a $12 million seed round led by Dragonfly in April. In this episode, Van Eck explains how Agora's AUSD is attempting to innovate the centralized stablecoin using a neutral, customer-first perspective.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction02:29 Bootstrapping a Stablecoin06:09 Stablecoin Issuers09:24 Agora's Strategy10:43 Market Structure Changes16:10 'Tokenization' Taxonomy20:12 Stablecoins & Instant Settlement21:49 Agora's RoadmapThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Jeff Lunglhofer is Coinbase's Chief Information Security Officer.In this episode, Lunglhofer highlights common techniques used by malicious actors in the crypto space and offers suggestions on how to avoid these threats.The crypto industry lost $336 million in the first quarter of 2024 due to hacks and fraud, according to blockchain bug bounty platform Immunefi.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction01:22 Malicious Actors03:32 Data Leaks09:30 Scammer Psychology10:19 Red Flags12:57 Phising Frequency15:06 Victim Recourse17:57 Security Best Practices23:21 Scammer Trends26:46 Coinbase's Security30:20 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Wesley Pryor is the founder of Acheron Trading — a crypto market maker operating in the space since 2018.In this episode, Pryor discusses the role of market makers in the context of token market debuts, and explains the nuances of market making in the crypto space, where assets are highly volatile and lack established processes.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction04:40 Institutional Trading11:19 Institutional Adoption17:02 Market OpportunitiesThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Kaledora Fontana Kiernan-Linn is the co-founder of Ostium — a startup that facilitates the trading of digitized commodities perpetual swaps.In this episode, Kaledora discusses Ostium's integration of perpetual swaps with real-world assets, highlighting the maturation of digital asset trading.The conversation also addresses technical and structural challenges in creating perpetual-like instruments, emphasizing the need for robust onchain data systems.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction00:50 Ostium Overview02:26 RWA Landscape04:45 Post-Covid Market06:17 Geopolitical Risk08:17 Ostium Value Prop13:04 RWA Perps15:11 Ostium Architecture26:50 Onchain Price Oracles34:42 Price Data Innovations37:19 Predictions This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Anton Katz is the co-founder and CEO of Talos — a one-stop shop for institutional digital asset trading.In this episode, Katz shares how large buy-side institutions such as hedge funds and asset managers are entering the crypto market, and why a lack of asset diversity is keeping others sidelined.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction04:40 Institutional Trading11:19 Institutional Adoption17:02 Market OpportunitiesThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Willem Schroé is the founder of Botanix Labs — a development team building an EVM-compatible Layer 2 on Bitcoin that allows users to deploy Ethereum smart contracts on the Bitcoin network.In this episode, Schroé discusses the development of Bitcoin Layer 2s and the potential for Bitcoin-native ecosystems to become major platforms for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction02:45 Bitcoin L2 Landscape08:48 Improving Bitcoin L2s12:16 Bitcoin Applications15:07 The Future of BitcoinFi16:18 The Future of Ethereum17:24 Bitcoin L2 Attack18:36 Bitcoin L2 User Profile21:00 Bitcoin RWAs23:53 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Avi Zurlo is the chief product officer at the =nil; Foundation — a cryptography firm building a zkEVM Layer 2 on Ethereum.In this episode, Zurlo discusses the importance of horizontal scaling in the crypto space and the need for blockchain technology to solve societal issues of trust and transparency.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction 02:15 L2 Competition 04:22 =nil;'s Architecture06:41 Scaling for Mass Adoption08:56 Horizontal Scaling 14:34 Scaling Solutions 19:41 Accelerating Mass-Adoption24:18 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Justin Sun is the founder of Tron and Tron DAO.In this episode, Sun discusses his recent legal victory in the People's Court of China against a media group that published false and defamatory content about him.Sun emphasizes the importance of the court ruling in dispelling rumors and further establishing the legitimacy of cryptocurrency in China.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction00:37 Sun's Legal Victory in China03:55 Defamation Article05:19 Sun's Legal Argument08:12 What's Next?09:39 Market Outlook11:44 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Luke Youngblood is a former Coinbase employee and one of the founding contributors to the onchain finance protocol Moonwell.Recently, Moonwell became one of the first apps to integrate Coinbase's new smart wallet.In this episode, Youngblood explains how smart wallets solve major crypto onboarding pain points — and could be the key to bringing over a billion people onchain.OUTLINE00:59 Moonwell Overview 02:21 Youngblood's Background 04:56 DeFi Summer 07:42 Smart Wallets 09:54 Smart Wallet Security 13:58 Onchain Economy 17:12 Crypto App Developers 24:40 Moonwell's Mission 32:36 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Sidney Powell is the CEO and co-founder of Maple Finance — a decentralized finance platform that facilitates loans.In this episode, Powell discusses the evolution of crypto's decentralized lending market, the challenges faced by centralized exchanges, and the strategic vision behind Maple's new permissionless lending product, Syrup.OUTLINE00:53 Maple Overview 02:06 Permissionless DeFi 04:00 DeFi 2.0 06:12 Derisking DeFi 09:44 DeFi Creditworthiness 11:19 DeFi Lending Robustness 13:48 Crypto Lending Market 19:04 Maple's Strategy 21:12 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Monica Long is the President at Ripple.In this episode, Long discusses the growth and expansion of Ripple's business, the impact of the SEC's decision on XRP, the upcoming launch of a stablecoin, and more. OUTLINE00:00 Introduction00:50 Ripple Updates02:55 Regulatory Status of XRP04:46 Ripple Product Offerings08:14 Ripple & Payments09:06 Ripple's Stablecoin19:30 Ripple & RWAs21:41 Institutional Paradigm Shift24:52 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

This is the second installment of a miniseries sponsored by Axelar and featuring co-host Sergey Gorbunov, co-founder of Axelar — you can find part 1 with Eigen Layer's Sreeram Kannan here.In this episode, Chaparro and Gorbunov are joined by Mysten Labs co-founder and chief cryptographer Kostas Chalkias to discuss the potential of zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to revolutionize the blockchain space.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction04:27 ZK-proof overview08:45 Adoption of zk-proofs15:33 Standardizing zk-proofs22:27 Advice for builders27:57 ZK & AI35:55 How ZK improves UX45:00 PredictionsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Axelar.Axelar is scaling interoperability to connect hundreds of new blockchains anticipated in the Ethereum L2 ecosystem. Find out more at axelar.network/layer2The Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Matthew Graham is the founder and managing partner of Ryze Labs — the crypto VC firm formerly known as Sino Global. In this episode, Chaparro and Graham discuss the state of the stablecoin market and the potential impact of stablecoins on the global financial system.Graham also highlights the importance of stablecoins in emerging markets and the potential for stablecoins to enhance financial inclusion. OUTLINE00:00 Introduction00:47 Ryze Portfolio Positioning 03:25 Stablecoin Opportunities 10:17 Stablecoins & Emerging Markets 13:00 Stablecoins & US Dollar Dominance 18:08 Financial Inclusion 20:21 Remittances 22:03 Political Paradigm Shift 26:42 Stablecoin Risks 28:20 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Stani Kulechov is the founder and CEO of Avara — the software development company behind some of web3's biggest projects, including Aave and Lens.In this episode, Kulechov gives an overview of the modular architecture underpinning the recently announced Lens Network and explains how a modular design is essential to helping Web3 social applications scale.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction02:00 Onchain Media 03:40 Lens Scaling Research 07:17 Security Considerations 09:42 Lens Network Architecture12:58 Tech Stack Considerations 18:42 Web3 Social App Developers 20:36 Lens Network Migration 22:52 Developments in Web3 Social26:36 Web2 vs. Web3 29:15 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Ric Edelman is the founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP).In this episode, Edelman discusses the importance of financial advisors in the crypto space and emphasizes the need for advisors to understand and embrace crypto to serve their clients' best interests.OUTLINE0:00 Introduction04:46 Financial Advisors & BTC09:38 Bitcoin Adoption Curve14:02 Shifting FA Perspectives22:44 Logistics of BTC Allocation30:51 Updating Portfolio Thoery34:30 Ric's BTC Price Target38:01 Residual Skeptics42:28 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Jeff Dorman is Arca's Chief Investment Officer.In this episode, Chaparro and Dorman discuss the recent approval of the spot ether ETFs and how it opens the door for institutional investors to engage with the Ethereum ecosystem.The discussion also highlights the importance of regulatory clarity and the shifting sentiment towards crypto in Washington. OUTLINE00:00 Introduction02:34 ETH ETF Approval06:02 Wall Street Onchain?12:05 ETH ETFs & Market Structure17:53 ETH Headwinds & Underperformance21:28 Altcoin ETFs?25:27 Crypto's Crowded VC Landscape34:32 Liquid Crypto Funds41:47 Traditional Hedge Funds & CryptoThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Kristin Smith is the CEO of Blockchain Association and Anthony Scaramucci is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge Capital.In this episode, Smith and Scaramucci discuss the impact of crypto policy and politics on recent events, including the ETH ETF win, bipartisan support, and the influence of Trump and Biden.The discussion highlights the significance of the crypto voter, the evolving stance of the White House, and the potential impact on elections.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction00:38 Political Paradigm Shift05:57 Biden WH Crypto Policy08:09 Crypto 'Voting Bloc'13:02 Trump's Crypto Flip Flop16:33 Biden's Crypto Strategy23:17 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens to stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Kain Warwick is the co-founder of the DeFi protocol Synthetix, and a partner at the crypto VC firm Bodhi Ventures.In this episode, Warwick discusses the brokenness of the traditional venture capital model and how it has led to the emergence of new fundraising mechanisms in the crypto space.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction00:41 Warwick's Crypto Journey02:37 Synthetix History04:47 RWA Trends11:42 Tokenized Commodities15:15 Crypto VC Trends25:19 Airdrop Mechanism Design27:56 Points31:12 Early-Stage Inefficiencies40:49 Deal Flow This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Paolo Ardoino is the CEO of Tether.In this episode, Ardoino discusses the strategic vision of Tether and its expansion into new business units, including AI and education.The current market cap of Tether's primary product USDT is hovering around $110 billion.OUTLINE00:00 Tether & Disintermediation08:12 Tether’s New Strategies17:44 Macroeconomics & USDT Growth21:07 Tether’s Reserves25:00 Tether Gold27:22 AI Revolution33:07 Tether’s AI Division38:30 Tokenized RWAs43:47 Closing ThoughtsThis episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Jake Brukhman is the founder and CEO of CoinFund.In this episode, Brukhman explores the intersection of AI and blockchain technologies and their impact on consumers, and shares his thoughts on the saturation of the early-stage crypto VC market.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction01:33 CoinFund's Structure & Strategy05:56 Early vs. Late Stage Crypto Venture16:37 Crypto AI & DePIN28:35 Crypto DePIN32:51 Tokenomics & PMF37:00 Interoperability Trends41:14 Shifting LP Expectations46:50 Closing Thoughts This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe, visit theblock.co/newsletters

Denelle Dixon is the CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation — the primary development team supporting the Stellar blockchain.In this episode, Dixon emphasizes the potential of blockchain technology to transform financial services in low- to medium-income countries, particularly in Africa and South America.She also addresses the need for policymakers to create a supportive environment for the industry and the importance of asset issuance and payments in creating equitable access to the global financial system. This episode is brought to you by our sponsor PolkadotPolkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.networkThe Block CommunityThe Block is launching a new community experience for fans of The Scoop! Follow us on Lens on stay in the loop: hey.xyz/u/theblockcommunityThe Block NewslettersThe Block's newsletters bring you the latest news and analysis of the fast-moving crypto and DeFi markets. To subscribe visit theblock.co/newsletters

Luke Hoersten is the founder and CEO of Bitnomial — a derivatives exchange that aims to replace the underlying rails of the global commodities trading market with crypto.Bitnomial has obtained regulatory approval for an exchange license, a clearinghouse license and a brokerage license, making them the first business to have all three licenses under one roof.In this episode, Hoersten discusses the technical innovation to collateral management and trading offered by crypto and the future of collateral management in the crypto derivatives market. OUTLINE00:00 Introduction04:36 Bitnomial's Licenses05:48 Bitnomial's Product Suite07:46 Competition 12:09 Phases of Crypto Collateral 19:01 CME Marketshare 21:07 Importance of Derivatives 24:55 Future of Crypto Derivitives 32:18 Onshore vs. Offshore Derivatives 35:09 TradFi Perps 37:37 Closing Thoughts

Zaheer Ebtikar is the founder and CIO of Split Capital.In this episode, Ebtikar discusses the opportunity of liquid crypto investment strategies and the challenges faced by crypto venture firms, including crowded markets and longer lock-up periods.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction05:14 Evolution of Crypto Venture08:12 Nuances of Liquid Crypto Funds10:58 Liquid Fund Capital Allocators13:59 Crypto Market Inefficiencies17:38 Shifting Fundamentals20:38 Impact of ETFs22:49 Market Opportunities37:02 Closing Thoughts

Max Boonen is the founder of PV01 — a platform that allows issuers to access capital and for investors to purchase debt using blockchain.In this episode, Boonen discusses the challenges of accessing debt capital markets and the potential of tokenization in the crypto space, including the paradigm shift from provider-based markets to token-based markets in DeFi.PV01 uses a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to buy one bond and issue a token that represents the bond. This token is both a representation of a bond and a bond itself.

Mike Cagney is the co-founder and CEO of Figure Markets.In this episode, Cagney discusses the need for a 'marketplace of everything,' the potential for equity trading on the blockchain, and more.OUTLINE00:00 Intro07:21 The 'Everything' Platform12:16 Onchain Equities Trading17:50 Institutionalization of Crypto27:12 DeFi Lending29:59 Rebuilding Crypto's Credit Markets33:51 Wall Street Appetite for ATS36:28 Regulatory Considerations38:09 Closing Thoughts

Soona Amhaz is the managing parter at Volt Capital.In this episode, Amhaz delves into the evolving crypto venture landscape including: challenges for capital allocators, the rise of meme coins, and controversies in token distributions.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction03:40 New Venture Verticals10:30 Last Cycle's Winners14:29 Mainstream Crypto Adoption21:26 Macro Impact on Crypto VC25:44 The 'Memecoin Meta'30:21 Points vs. Tokens38:09 Tokenomics Best Practices42:19 Closing Thoughts

Michael Bentley is the co-founder and CEO of Euler Labs.In this episode, Bentley reflects on last year's $200 million Euler hack and the recovery process and walks through the steps taken to enhance security in Euler V2.Euler V2 is a modular and composable lending platform that allows users to create flexible and secure lending pools.

Roshun Patel is a partner at the Web3 venture capital firm HackVC.In this episode, Chaparro and Patel discuss the recent crypto market volatility and the trends shaping crypto's venture capital landscape.OUTLINE00:00 Intro08:11 Market Volatility25:57 Caution in the Funding Market32:18 The Intersection of AI and Crypto43:05 The Future of Tokenomics

Li Jin is a co-founder and general partner at the crypto VC firm, Variant.In this episode, Li analyzes the memecoin phenomenon that has recently swept over the crypto market, and explores how different types of memecoins capture and monetize attention.OUTLINE00:35 Memecoin Zeitgeist04:04 The Attention Economy10:58 Classifying Memecoins17:40 Trading Memecoins21:05 Are Memecoins Productive?23:14 Memetic Analysis29:10 Memecoins & Marketing Strategies34:42 Closing Thoughts

Professor J.W. Verret teaches corporate and securities law and financial accounting at George Mason Law School.In this episode of The Scoop, Verret discusses the potential legal challenges that Uniswap may face from the Securities and Exchange Commission and highlights the similarities between the Coinbase case and the possible claims against Uniswap.Verret says the charges the SEC is likely to bring against Uniswap could include operating as an unlicensed broker dealer, operating an unregistered exchange, and/or selling unregistered securities.

Brandon Mulvihill is the co-founder and CEO of Crossover Markets.In this episode of The Scoop, Mulvihill discusses crypto's changing market structure and the role of Crossover as an execution-only trading venue.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction and Background01:07 The Role of Crossover in the Market04:04 FX & Crypto Trading Similarities08:22 ECN vs. CLOB Differences18:30 The Importance of Fee Compression22:33 Crypto Flash Crashes26:15 Crypto Market Structure Maturity29:27 Institutional Credit34:02 Closing Thoughts

Austin Reid is the global head of revenue and business at FalconX.In this episode of The Scoop, Reid discusses why we are still at the 'early stages' of institutional adoption of crypto, and the role retail traders have played in the market's current rally.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction04:12 Market Overview08:06 FalconX Volume12:03 Crypto Derivatives15:55 Interest Rates19:19 Institutional Adoption22:10 ETF Flows26:49 Retail Flows32:51 Market Maturation35:06 Exchange Improvements39:25 Closing Thoughts

Haseeb Qureshi is a managing partner at the crypto VC firm Dragonfly.In this episode of The Scoop, Qureshi explains how the crypto VC landscape has changed during his five years at Dragonfly and why he believes 'points' are a more useful mechanism than airdrops for incentivizing user behavior.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction05:41 Dragonfly Early Days09:45 Early Crypto VC13:14 Competing in Layer-1s26:11 Old Blockchains29:26 Points31:47 Airdrop Mechanism Design37:38 Closing Thoughts

Craig Burel is a partner at Reciprocal Ventures.In this episode of The Scoop, Burel explains how the recent market rally caused sidelined venture capitalists to return to the crypto industry in earnest.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction07:38 Nuances of Crypto VC10:05 Crypto Venture Maturation13:12 Valuations in the Bull19:15 Solana Conviction23:15 Navigating Market Cycles28:17 Consumer Crypto Apps32:22 Improving Tokenomics38:00 Closing Thoughts

Mike Belshe is the co-founder and CEO of BitGo.In this episode of The Scoop, Belshe discusses the growth and challenges of the custody market in the crypto industry, and explains what it will take to make crypto's market structure more robust.OUTLINE00:00 BitGo Background05:15 Institutional Crypto Custodians10:41 New Market Participants14:36 Market Structure24:09 Bullish Catalysts32:08 Crypto Robustness41:58 Closing Thoughts

Muneeb Ali is the CEO of Trust Machines and the co-creators of Stacks — a layer-2 that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications to utilize bitcoin for base-layer security.In this episode of The Scoop, Ali discusses the growth and importance of Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions. He emphasizes the need for BTC capital to be deployed in L2s and the potential for Bitcoin L2s to become a significant category in the crypto industry.According to Ali, creating more on-chain uses for bitcoin will ultimately make the asset more valuable:“Bitcoin rails can be upgraded through layer-2s... There can be all sorts of use cases that that are deployed there and BTC the capital can be more productive — it will make bitcoin more valuable.”

This episode of The Scoop explores the technical headwinds and security challenges faced by the crypto industry.Blockaid co-founder Raz Niv discusses common scams and phishing attacks in the crypto space, and emphasizes the importance of good on-chain hygiene and best practices for engaging with different protocols.Just last month, Metamask integrated Blockaid-powered security alerts by default across multiple chains.

In this episode of The Scoop, Anatoly Yakovenko, the co-founder of Solana, explains how a Bonk airdrop caused the Solana Saga mobile phone to sell out and discusses the importance of community and meme culture for bootstrapping crypto networks.OUTLINE00:00 Disrupting App Store Duopoly06:10 Bonk Saga Airdrop09:19 Memes & Community14:51 Solana Saga22:29 Saga Developer Experience24:19 Solana Ecosystem Entrepreneurs28:48 Solana's Roadmap34:31 Real Wold Adoption

Brian Rudick is a senior strategist at GSR.In this episode of The Scoop, GSR senior strategist Brian Rudick examines the differences between the forces driving the crypto markets and those affecting stocks. He also offers insights into the market dynamics supporting the current rally in the crypto market.OUTLINE00:00 Introduction04:47 Crypto vs. Equities06:56 Memetics in Crypto11:26 Macro Factors14:11 Retail Participation17:02 Crypto Tailwinds22:03 Bitcoin Halving26:03 Closing Thoughts

Reed Werbitt is the CEO of the crypto market-making firm Flowdesk, and Greg Guttas is Flowdesk's Head of OTC.In this episode, Werbitt and Guttas share their insider perspectives on how the new spot bitcoin ETFs are altering market structures across different facets of the global bitcoin market, and why they believe these products will continue to see inflows for many years to come. Earlier this year, Flowdesk raised a $50 million Series B round at a valuation of $250 million.

Luuk Strijers is the Chief Commercial Officer at Deribit.In this episode, Chaparro and Strijers delve into the technological edge and institutional focus as helped position Deribit as the dominant player in the crypto options space, as well as the surge in options trading volumes driven by ETF excitement and macroeconomic factors.Deribit recently reached a record $4 billion in client assets on exchange, as well as a new all-time high for the exchange’s 24-hour trading volume of $12.4 billion.