The Ultimate Guide to Crypto Finance. Level up. Go bankless.
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Listeners of Bankless that love the show mention: ryan and david,The Bankless podcast is an exceptional resource for anyone interested in the world of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance. Hosted by David Hoffman and Ryan Sean Adams, this podcast consistently delivers informative and engaging content that has revolutionized the understanding of crypto for many listeners, myself included. With great guests from the crypto world, they offer deep insights into current crypto stories and emerging trends in the web3 space.
One of the best aspects of The Bankless podcast is its ability to educate and inform listeners about the complex world of crypto in an accessible way. David and Ryan put in a tremendous amount of work to provide a thorough understanding of various topics, making it easier for newcomers like myself to grasp concepts and stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving industry. The podcast has played a significant role in expanding my knowledge about crypto, introducing me to new ideas and helping me navigate this exciting ecosystem.
While it's challenging to find any notable drawbacks to The Bankless podcast, one potential downside could be its focus on Ethereum and DeFi. As avid enthusiasts of these platforms, David and Ryan predominantly discuss topics related to Ethereum, which may limit the perspective on other cryptocurrencies or blockchain technologies. However, given their expertise in this area and their ability to provide valuable insights on Ethereum-based projects, this can also be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
In conclusion, The Bankless podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of crypto and decentralized finance. Through their informative discussions, high-quality interviews, and comprehensive coverage of current trends and developments in the industry, David Hoffman and Ryan Sean Adams have created a podcast that truly stands out among other crypto podcasts. Their enthusiasm for this space shines through every episode, making it an enjoyable and educational experience for listeners. I highly recommend The Bankless podcast to anyone interested in exploring the world of cryptocurrencies.
In this episode of Bankless, Ryan and David dive into prediction markets and their place in today's financial landscape. They unpack how peer-to-peer markets differ from traditional sportsbooks, spotlighting Polymarket and Kalshi, and explore scalability, regulation, and societal impact. Are these markets tools for informed decision-making or just another gambling avenue? ------
Why does China build so much faster—and what does that reveal about two very different ways of running a society? Ryan and David sit down with Dan Wang, author of Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future, to unpack China's “engineers-in-charge” model versus America's “lawyerly” governance. We cover how this shapes daily life and growth (from subways and high-speed rail to batteries, EVs, and drones), common western misconceptions about China (surveillance, social credit, “imminent collapse”), why U.S. capital markets soar while Chinese manufacturing dominates, what an American “abundance agenda” could look like, and Dan's closing prescription: the U.S. needs ~20% more engineering; China needs ~50% more rights-protecting legalism. ------
OpenAI's personalization leads, Christina Kaplan and Samir Ahmed map the shift from an “assistant with a notebook” to Pulse—the part of ChatGPT that quietly preps your day while you sleep. We unpack how short- and long-term memory work across sessions and why April's subtle update changed the experience, show how daytime chats stay aligned with overnight prep, and close on the big questions: privacy, consent, and why this is an assistant/representative—not a digital clone. ------
How do you spend money in ways that actually make life better? Morgan Housel, author of the new book The Art of Spending Money, explores status vs. satisfaction, the hedonic treadmill, and why money's best use is buying independence. We also cover quiet compounding, a practical 15-stage path to financial freedom, when to spend vs. save, helping kids without spoiling them, and small experiments that raise the utility of every dollar. ------
In this week's Weekly Rollup, Uptober kicks off with Bitcoin and Ethereum surging toward all-time highs as Tom Lee drops another $1B into ETH and Vanguard finally opens its doors to crypto ETFs. We cover Stripe's push to break the Tether–Circle duopoly with its new stablecoin platform, Cloudflare's surprising entry into onchain payments, and Swift teaming up with Consensys on blockchain rails. Plus, Zcash rockets 200%, Ethereum's Lighter perps exchange goes live, and Circle sparks debate with plans for reversible USDC. ---
Authoritarian regimes are upgrading their playbook — from surveillance cameras and spyware to algorithmic censorship and AI-driven policing. Steven Feldstein, senior fellow at Carnegie and author of The Rise of Digital Repression, joins Bankless to map the expanding world of repression technology. We cover everything from Nepal's protest movement to China's sophisticated censorship stack, the global spyware industry, and the unsettling rise of predictive policing and AI in warfare. Along the way, Feldstein explains how financial repression and social credit systems extend state power into the economic sphere — and where crypto fits into the story of resistance.
Authoritarian regimes are upgrading their playbook — from surveillance cameras and spyware to algorithmic censorship and AI-driven policing. Steven Feldstein, senior fellow at Carnegie and author of The Rise of Digital Repression, joins Bankless to map the expanding world of repression technology. We cover everything from Nepal's protest movement to China's sophisticated censorship stack, the global spyware industry, and the unsettling rise of predictive policing and AI in warfare. Along the way, Feldstein explains how financial repression and social credit systems extend state power into the economic sphere — and where crypto fits into the story of resistance. ---
Is this really the cycle top, or just a reset before Q4 fireworks? Michael Nadeau from The DeFi Report joins Ryan to decode the latest onchain and macro data. We dig into Bitcoin's key levels, ETH's $4K line, and why September's liquidation event might have cleared the path for new highs in Q4. Michael explains what a “mini alt season” tells us about dominance, where fresh capital could come from, and how to think about positioning ahead of year-end. Michael Nadeau & The DeFi Report: https://x.com/JustDeauIt https://thedefireport.io/research/is-the-top-in ——————
Crypto vs. Banks — the proxy war for the future of money is heating up. Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association and former CFTC Commissioner, joins Bankless to unpack the battle over the GENIUS Act, why banks are fighting to roll it back, and how stablecoins have become the frontline. From Elizabeth Warren's fading influence to the $700M bank lobbying machine, we explore what's really happening on Capitol Hill, the global stakes for stablecoins, and how upcoming U.S. policy could reshape innovation, regulation, and consumer freedom. ---
In this week's Weekly Rollup, we break down “Downtemper” market moves as Bitcoin and Ethereum slide, and examine why Vitalik Buterin is calling low-risk DeFi Ethereum's true backbone. We highlight Tether's ambitious $500B raise, Polymarket's mainstream moment on South Park, and Gary Gensler's testy CNBC appearance. We also cover Paul Atkins' push for pro-crypto regulation, the heated debate over whether Base should be regulated like Nasdaq, and the surprising deletion of 86 million bank accounts in Vietnam as digital ID mandates expand. ------
James Seyffart from Bloomberg Intelligence joins to break down the state of crypto ETFs and their explosive growth. We cover the rise of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, the debate between ETFs and DATs, and the institutional inflows reshaping the market. James explains how advisors, hedge funds, and sovereign wealth funds are participating, the regulatory hurdles around staking ETFs, and why basket products may be the next big wave. We also explore the implications of tokenized ETFs, the S&P 500's gatekeeping of crypto companies, and what to watch for in the coming months as approvals and new products hit the market. ------ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:18 DATs vs ETFs 6:18 DATs Final Equilibrium 9:21 ETFs 1-Year Check-in 23:42 Crypto Indexes 30:41 ETF Approval Process 41:03 Solana ETF 44:17 BTC & ETH ETFs 56:11 What's Driving the Price? 59:39 Crypto Companies in the S&P 1:07:17 Blackrock Tokenized ETFs? 1:13:59 Key Outcomes 1:19:14 Closing & Disclaimers ------ RESOURCES James Seyffart https://x.com/JSeyff https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesseyffart Bloomberg Intelligence https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/products/bloomberg-terminal/research/bloomberg-intelligence/ ------ Not financial or tax advice. See our investment disclosures here: https://www.bankless.com/disclosures
Vitalik Buterin just declared DeFi as Ethereum's “killer app.” In his new post, he compares it to Google Search, the dependable core business that powers everything else. Ryan and David break down why Vitalik believes DeFi has finally earned this title, how it survived the volatility of the last cycle, and what it means for ETH as collateral, culture, and revenue. They cover the Google analogy, the risks DeFi has outgrown, and why this moment could define Ethereum's future. ------
What happens when stablecoins break apart the traditional business model of banks? Economist Charles Calomiris explains how the “unbundling” of payments and lending reshapes finance, why politics matter more than technology, and what this revolution could mean for the dollar's future. ------
In this Weekly Rollup, we discuss the implications of recent Federal Reserve rate cuts on crypto markets, exploring their potential benefits for Bitcoin and Ethereum. We highlight the SEC's easing of crypto ETF regulations, Tether's new compliant stablecoin, and SEC Chair Paul Atkins' vision for clearer regulations. Finally, we touch on how global finance is adapting to crypto innovations in Ghana and Nepal. ---
What if payment chains are the “AWS moment for money”? Simon Taylor — fintech veteran, ex-Barclays crypto lead, and author of FinTech Brainfood — joins Bankless to map the convergence of fintech and crypto. From stablecoins serving as the Trojan horse for tokenisation to Tempo's push for a payments chain, Simon explains why finance is on the brink of its biggest infrastructure shift since Visa. We cover the rise of payments L1s, the regulatory roulette of stablecoins, and whether neutrality and permissionlessness can survive in corporate-led networks. Plus, Simon breaks down the differences between stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and CBDCs — and explains why the future of finance is already being rebuilt on-chain. ---
Why do recessions feel like a relic of the past? Macro strategist Vincent Deluard argues we've entered an era where fiscal dominance, structural inflation, and relentless asset debasement reshape how capital flows and how investors must position themselves. We cover the U.S. supercycle, the role of tech and energy, why the “2% inflation target” is dead, and what a portfolio looks like in the age of permanent stimulus. ------
In the 2nd Weekly Rollup of Flat-tember, we discuss whether the crypto bull market is over amid rising unemployment and market uncertainty. We cover stablecoin competition for Hyperliquid partnerships, Justin Sun's frozen WFLI tokens, and Nasdaq's tokenized equities. With Ethereum leading in asset tokenization, they also reflect on lost SEC Chair Gensler's texts and the rise of DAOs, alongside major moves from Fidelity and Robinhood. —-
Ryan & David sit down with Ondo Finance's Nathan Allman and Ian De Bode to map the path from stablecoins to tokenized treasuries to tokenized stocks. We break down why Ondo's wrapper model is set out to win, how blockchain brings 24/5 primary markets with 24/7 secondary markets, Defi composability and liquidity at fair prices. Ethereum and Ondo are leading a $100T onchain migration you can't miss. ------
Hyperliquid is less than a year old, yet it's already rivalling Ethereum and Solana in revenue. In this episode, Ryan and Michael from the DeFi Report dive deep into the rise of crypto's hottest exchange: from its fair-launch token drop to its Binance-like UX, to why whales and builders can't get enough of it. We cover the project's inception story, the ecosystem forming around HyperEVM, and the unique buyback model funnelling millions back into its token. Along the way, we unpack tough questions about valuation, decentralization, and regulatory risk. Is Hyperliquid the future of on-chain trading or just another bull market phenomenon? Tune in for a full breakdown of the fundamentals, the risks, and the potential upside. ---
Zach Abrams—co-founder of Bridge, acquired by Stripe—joins Ryan to unpack Stripe's stablecoin strategy and why tokenized dollars are poised to devour global payments. We cover Bridge's sale to Stripe, how “fiat L1 / stablecoin L2” rails unlock faster, cheaper cross-border payouts (from startups to government aid), the case for many issuer- and app-specific stablecoins with better yield sharing, and what the Tempo chain targets for payment-scale throughput, privacy, and finality. ------
In this episode, we discuss Ethereum's rise past $4,780 and co-host David Hoffman's insights from Burning Man. We explore Ethereum's treasury dynamics, the debut of the World Liberty Financial Token, and potential Bitcoin and Ethereum listings on major exchanges. The episode also covers advancements in tokenized securities, competition in prediction markets, and the quirky rise of tokenized Pokémon cards. Join us for a concise look at the latest in crypto! ---
Austin Campbell (NYU) and Omid Malekan (Columbia) debate a simple question: is Ethereum ready to host real-world assets? They walk through stress tests—what if an exchange is hacked, a stablecoin breaks, or a court order targets the chain—and whether the network should ever step in. You'll hear where they agree and disagree, what protections are realistic today, and what still needs to be built before RWAs can scale. ------
What does BlackRock's former crypto lead see in Ethereum that others still miss? Joseph Chalom joins Bankless to take us inside the IBIT/ETHA ramp, why BUIDL launched on Ethereum mainnet, and the simple—but powerful—framework he uses to value ETH as “high-octane money.” We break down staking inside ETFs, the tokenization roadmap from stablecoins to the S&P in your wallet, and the real mechanics of ETH treasury companies—mNAV premiums, ATMs, converts, and the transparency metrics that matter. Less hype, more architecture: if security, liquidity, and 24/7 settlement are the future, this is the bridge. ---
On this week's Weekly Rollup, Ryan and Haseeb debate if ETH's new all-time high signals the top or just the start, with whales rotating from BTC into ETH and alt season heating up. Powell hints at rate cuts, ETFs keep pulling billions, and Tom Lee's billion-dollar ETH bet takes center stage while treasury premiums sink. Meanwhile, Google teases an L1, Hyperliquid outpaces Robinhood, and Europe floats a digital euro, setting up another pivotal week in crypto. ---
ETHZilla wants to turn ETH into Wall Street's new reserve asset, and they've built a plan to do it. Ryan sits down with Avichal Garg (Electric Capital) and Mac Rudisill (ETHZilla) to unpack why ETH treasuries exploded this cycle, how credit markets (converts, preferreds, and debt) supercharge accumulation, and why stablecoins → DeFi → ETH forms a flywheel that turns Ether into high-quality collateral. We dig into leverage discipline, mNAV premiums, operational security, and the business math that makes an ETH treasury look more like Berkshire than a hype trade. Plus: can this wave trigger a DeFi after-boom, and what does “winning” actually mean for ETHZilla? ---
Crypto cycles have always topped on a four-year rhythm, but are we heading for a Q4 2025 peak or an extended run into 2026? Michael Nadeau from The DeFi Report joins Ryan to break down the onchain and macro signals shaping this cycle. We cover Powell's dovish pivot at Jackson Hole, global liquidity trends, and why loosening bank lending standards could fuel risk-on markets. Michael explains how whale Bitcoin selling, ETH's breakout, and muted altcoin flows fit into the bigger cycle map. Finally, we dive into portfolio strategy, from core holdings to high-beta “hot sauce” bets, and why holding fewer, higher-conviction assets is the edge most investors miss. Michael Nadeau & The DeFi Report: https://x.com/JustDeauIt https://thedefireport.io https://thedefireport.io/research/how-many-assets-should-you-hold-in-a-crypto-portfolio#closing-thoughts ------
Eric Peters, CIO of Coinbase Asset Management joins Ryan to chart how crypto matured to today's institutional market with deep liquidity, ETF rails, and stablecoin clarity. They unpack why Wall Street is leaning in, why the next wave is digitally native issuance of treasuries, bonds, and equities on Ethereum, and how macro tailwinds (fiscal dominance, Fed–Treasury convergence, AI-driven productivity) intersect with crypto's reflexivity. Risks and realities aren't ignored—over-financialized “treasury companies,” security lapses, and policy whiplash—plus a 12–18 month roadmap of real on-chain use cases as pensions and sovereigns start arriving. ------
On this week's Weekly Rollup Ryan and David ask if the cycle top is in and whether alt season is coming, debating if it is time to buy the dip or sell everything while reviewing 30 market signals. ETH ETFs pull in over $3B as Tom Lee buys and Saylor mints more MicroStrategy shares, yet prices remain stuck and treasury premiums compress. Meanwhile the Fed signals a pro-crypto shift, Wyoming unveils a state stablecoin, and New York threatens new taxes, setting up another pivotal week in crypto. ---
What if everything you thought about the dollar was wrong? Monetary historian Jeff Snider joins Bankless to deliver a radical thesis: the Federal Reserve doesn't control the U.S. dollar; a sprawling offshore system of interbank ledger money does. This hidden network, known as the Eurodollar system, is the real engine of global finance, and it's been breaking down for over 15 years. In this episode, we unpack how Eurodollars work, why the Fed lost control, the eerie similarities between stablecoins and shadow banking, and why Jeff sees a “Silent Depression,” masked by asset booms but driven by deflationary forces. If you've been bullish on crypto because of debasement fears, Jeff's counter-narrative might challenge everything you believe. ---
Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas joins the show to explore how AI agents, personalization, and new browsing models could transform the internet experience. From replacing mundane workflows with proactive assistance to envisioning a fully AI-native operating system, Aravind shares his long-term vision, the thinking behind Perplexity's new Comet browser, and why curiosity will remain humanity's most valuable skill in the AI era. We also dive into competing with Big Tech, protecting users from AI-generated “slop,” and the architectural choices that make AI-assisted browsing faster, more reliable, and more personal. ------
Contrarian strategist Michael Green lays out why “passive” isn't passive at all—it's a flow-driven algorithm, turbocharged by policy, that funnels capital into mega-caps, starves small caps, and raises the odds of market non-clearing shocks. We unpack Sharpe's arithmetic vs. rebalancing reality, lessons from Volmageddon, the aging of investor cohorts, why stress may be deflationary before inflationary, and how to “doom-proof” a portfolio with assets that throw off cash (including overlooked duration/TIPS and munis). Michael also separates crypto's burn-it-down narrative from its true promise: tokenized, programmable securities that fix TradFi's paper plumbing. ------
On this week's Weekly Rollup, ETH flirts with ATH while BTC tags a new one, PPI spooks then fades? Ryan and david dig into a $1B ETH ETF day, Tom Lee's 1M ETH treasury, and the ETH/BTC setup. Also, Stripe and Circle launch L1s, Coinbase routes Aerodrome in-app, Uniswap's Wyoming DUNA and fee switch path, Monero's 51% attack, plus quick hits on Do Kwon and bank pushback on the Genius Act. ---
Jake Chervinsky and Amanda Tuminelli join us to unpack the Roman Storm verdict—what it means for DeFi, why Section 1960 is a looming threat to open-source developers, and the strong grounds for appeal. We discuss the legal, political, and legislative paths forward, the role of Congress in protecting developers, and how the crypto industry can mobilize to prevent future prosecutions. ------
Ethereum just turned 10, and Vitalik Buterin returns to reflect on the last decade—and where it's headed next. In this conversation, Vitalik shares what surprised him most about Ethereum's growth, the hard lessons from challenges like The DAO and NFTs, and what he'd do differently if starting again. We explore Ethereum's evolving cultural identity, privacy as a core value, the tradeoffs between L1 and L2, and how Vitalik envisions Ethereum surviving an AI-dominated future. ------
On this week's Weekly Rollup, Ryan and David cover Tom Lee's $3B ETH buying spree at 12x Michael Saylor's pace, the race to become the top Ethereum treasury, and whether these companies are a buy or not. They also discuss the Roman Storm verdict, Trump's surprise $8.7T 401(k) crypto order, and Arthur Hayes selling millions in ETH. Plus, Base's 33-minute outage, the launch of Succinct's ZK prover network, and the SEC declaring liquid staking tokens are not securities. ---
Welcome to BanklessTV, featuring Peter Van Valkenburgh from Coin Center and David Morris of The Rage, freshly back from the SDNY courtroom with the inside scoop on the Roman Storm verdict. In this episode we unpack the split decision—how Storm beat the money-laundering and sanctions-evasion counts yet was found guilty on the hot-button “unlicensed money-transmission” charge—and what that single conviction means for every non-custodial developer in crypto. Peter breaks down the legal tightrope between FinCEN guidance and DOJ prosecution, outlines three clear appeal paths (including the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act), and explains why Roman's case could still become a rallying point for financial-privacy legislation. David shares firsthand color from the trial: jury deadlocks, high-stakes witness drama, and the emotional moment Storm walked free to see his daughter. Join us to hear why this verdict is both a wake-up call and an opportunity, what Congress, the courts, and the next administration might do next, and how the outcome could reshape DeFi, privacy tech, and open-source innovation for years to come. ------
In this episode, we talk with Tom Lee, chairman of Bitmine, about the rapid growth of his ETH treasury company and its goal to secure 5% of the total ETH supply. Tom believes Ethereum could surpass Bitcoin in value, forecasting potential prices between $4,000 and $15,000. We discuss market dynamics, risks of excessive leverage, and his insights on valuing Ethereum and NFTs like Pudgy Penguins. Tune in for key insights into Ethereum's future and Wall Street's role in crypto. ------
Public companies are racing to lock ETH onto their balance sheets, but is this the spark for a late-cycle greed run or a setup for a painful reversal? Mike Nadeau from The DeFi Report joins Ryan to unpack the ETH treasury boom, explain how staking yield and convertible debt amplify reflexivity, and show why onchain signals place us around 9 p.m. on the market clock. We examine surging DEX volumes, record stablecoin supply, and the alt-season gauges that could send ETH to new highs. Finally, we outline the risks of leverage, premium flips, and the exit strategy smart investors are already planning. Michael Nadeau & The DeFi Report: https://x.com/JustDeauIt https://thedefireport.io ------
Ethereum has flipped the switch. After years of underperformance, ETH is showing decisive momentum, not just in USD terms, but against Bitcoin and the broader altcoin market. In this episode, Ben Cowen returns to break down what's changed, why ETH may be on a path to new all-time highs, and what its dominance means for the rest of the cycle. We explore ETH's regression bounce, ETHBTC targets, the fading strength of altcoins, and how market narratives tend to follow price, not the other way around. Ben also lays out his roadmap for the coming months and shares why this phase might be “Ethereum season,” not just in name, but in structure. For anyone navigating crypto in 2024–2025, this is essential context. ------
We're joined by Haseeb Qureshi from Dragonfly Capital to discusses the SEC's Project Crypto and its impact on the crypto landscape. We celebrate Ethereum's 10th birthday, reflect on its growth, and analyze the ongoing trial of Roman Storm linked to Tornado Cash. The episode also covers the launch of Ethereum treasury company ETH Zilla and advancements in crypto ETF regulations. Haseeb: https://x.com/hosseeb —-
Can a country wage war without ever firing a bullet? In this episode of Bankless, we uncover the surprising truth: America's most powerful weapon isn't its military - it's the dollar. Joining us is Edward Fishman, a former State Department official and the author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. He explains how U.S. sanctions work, why they're so effective, and what happens when countries try to escape them. From Iran and Russia to the rise of stablecoins and China's digital yuan, we dive deep into the geopolitical power of financial infrastructure and crypto's growing role in rewriting the rules. If you want to understand the silent machinery behind global power, and why crypto might be the next battleground - don't miss this one. ---
Is intelligence just compute plus data? And if so... what happens next? In this episode, Dwarkesh Patel, host of one of the most respected AI podcasts and author of “The Scaling Era”, joins us to break down the exponential rise of artificial intelligence. We explore how scaling laws became the engine behind modern models, why AI still can't learn on the job, and whether we're truly on the brink of AGI. From coding to consciousness, from geopolitics to governance, Dwarkesh shares a grounded but urgent perspective on what it means to live through the transition and how we might prepare for what's coming. ------
Andrew Keys and David Merin join us to unveil the Ether Machine—a bold new strategy to make ETH the internet's reserve currency. We unpack their ambitious plan to acquire and actively manage hundreds of thousands of ETH, why they believe ETH is more than just a treasury asset, and how institutional capital can finally understand and tap into Ethereum's full potential. From staking and restaking to DeFi yield generation and Wall Street education, this episode explores why Ether is not just digital oil—it's the engine of the next internet. ------
The internet is broken for creators, and Base thinks it has the fix. Jesse Pollak joins Bankless to unveil the Base app, a crypto-powered everything app where posts earn, creators own, and mini apps go viral. From meme coins to market-based social media, this might be the start of a new onchain economy. —-
In this episode, we celebrate the crypto market reaching a $4 trillion cap, exploring the impact of the Genius Bill on stablecoins and digital assets. We discuss Polymarket's U.S. acquisition, Ethereum's ETF inflows, and the courtroom drama surrounding the Roman Storm trial. —-
The race for ETH supremacy among public companies is heating up—and BitDigital is charging hard. CEO Sam Tabar joins us to share why they're going all-in on Ether, how they're copying Michael Saylor's playbook (but for ETH), and what sets BitDigital apart from the rest of the pack We talk staking strategies, ETH yields, competitive dynamics, and the explosive rise of ETH treasury companies. This is the next phase of institutional Ethereum adoption—don't miss it. ------
Everyone wants to climb the wealth ladder - but very few ask if they should. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Nick Maggiulli to explore the six stages of wealth, how your strategy should evolve at each level, and why reaching the top isn't always the win it seems. From early savings and side hustles to ownership leverage and lifestyle trade-offs, Nick guides us through practical, data-driven ways to build wealth, without losing sight of happiness along the way. If you're somewhere between $10K and $10M, this episode is for you. ------
Crypto's murky market making practices are finally getting sunlight. We sit down with Coinwatch co-founders Matt Jobbe and Brian Tubergen to uncover how market makers have been quietly influencing token prices, the call-option structures enabling extraction, and how shady tactics have hurt retail. Then, we explore how Coinwatch Track is bringing real-time transparency to the space using trusted execution environments (TEEs), giving projects verifiable insights into what market makers are really doing with their tokens—and why this might just restore trust and open the door for more liquid capital to enter crypto. ------
The bots are winning. AI-generated spam, fake profiles, and deepfakes are turning the internet into a digital hall of mirrors. But what if there were a way to prove you're human, without sacrificing privacy? Worldcoin Co-Founder Alex Blania returns to Bankless to share a bold vision for addressing the online identity crisis. From 14 million users already “Orbed” to new integrations with dating apps and DeFi protocols, Worldcoin is evolving rapidly and facing significant questions. What happens when governments come knocking? And why does Alex think we're heading toward internet-native citizenship? Whether you're curious about AI-proof identity or sceptical of eyeball scanning orbs, this conversation cuts deep. ------
We're celebrating "Crypto Week" as declared by Trump amid the introduction of key regulatory bills. But perhaps more importantly, Bitcoin's new all-time high, Ethereum's rising institutional interest, and Tom Lee's goal of acquiring 5% of ETH supply. Highlights include Base's new "everything app," the trend of Bitcoin miners viewing ETH as a treasury asset, and updates on macroeconomic factors and the Roman Storm trial. This is the hottest news in crypto. —-