Bankless

This week, Ryan and David unpack Ethereum's game-changing "Pectra" upgrade, doubling Layer 2 blob space and sparking fresh debates on L1 scaling. Meanwhile, Washington sets its sights on a $2 trillion stablecoin market, Apple's App Store monopoly cracks open to crypto, and Coinbase makes a historic acquisition of Deribit. Plus, Bitcoin breaks $100K and ETH $2k, are we officially back in bull territory? Find out on this week's Weekly Rollup.------

Welcome to the AI Rollup, from the Limitless Podcast. David, Ejaaz, and Josh break down the week's most important AI headlines, from OpenAI's $3B Windsurf acquisition and Google's full-stack AI play, to Visa and Mastercard preparing for agentic commerce. We explore the state of robotics, major interpretability challenges, and why the race to AGI may outpace our ability to understand it. Plus: AI ASMR, glow-up GPT, and why autonomous agents still kinda suck. Stay curious, this one's stacked.------

In this episode of the Bankless Roundtable, hosts BreadGuy, John Charbonneau, and Andy8052 tackle pivotal issues in the crypto world. They explore the disconnect between institutional bullishness and community despair, with Bread highlighting the plight of altcoin holders amid Bitcoin's dominance. The conversation turns to a scandal involving a token loan, revealing manipulation that undermines trust in the industry.Later, they discuss the upcoming Ethereum Pectra upgrade, emphasizing its potential to improve functionality while cautioning about implementation challenges. The hosts also dive into the meme coin phenomenon, navigating the ethical dilemmas of this niche. As they wrap up, the team reflects on the challenges and hope within the crypto community, encouraging thoughtful engagement in this dynamic market.Jon Charbonneau: https://x.com/jon_charb Bread: https://x.com/0xBreadguy Andy8052: https://x.com/andy8052---

Ethereum Foundation's new Co-Executive Directors, Tomasz Stanczak and Hsiao-Wei Wang, join Bankless to outline their vision for the future of Ethereum. We explore their backgrounds, the changing leadership at EF, and the roadmap ahead—from accelerating L1 scaling and improving UX to making Ethereum more dynamic and product-focused. This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Ethereum plans to stay resilient, decentralized, and mission-aligned in a fast-changing world. ------

This week, Ryan and David dive into crypto's dramatic new re-prioritization (pivot?) as Ethereum is shifting rapidly, prioritizing Layer 1 scaling in a move that has sparked intense community debate. Meanwhile, macro turmoil hits crypto with a looming tariff-driven recession and signs of American capital flight shaking global markets. Bitcoin tightens its grip on Washington, cementing itself as digital gold in the eyes of the Trump administration, and Worldcoin launches a U.S. rollout amid rising fears of an AI-driven dystopia. Plus, Sui surges on wild Pokémon rumors, Ripple's bold move to buy Circle gets rejected, and Monero rockets after a massive Bitcoin hack. Is crypto entering a new golden age, or are these the early tremors of deeper uncertainty? Find out on this week's must-watch Weekly Rollup. ------

This week on the AI Rollup, David, Ejaaz and Josh ride OpenAI's latest roller-coaster. The release of o3 is making waves for its native multi-modality while 4o gets a “genius-but-sycophantic” update and a rumored social network is in the works. They unpack the Reddit mind-hack experiment, an open-sourced natural-language coding agent, a 40-point jump in AI IQ, and more before asking: is it ethically okay for AI to cheat? David: https://x.com/TrustlessState Ejaaz: https://x.com/cryptopunk7213 Josh: https://x.com/Josh_Kale ------

Jon Charbonneau, Bread, and Andy8052 join David to break down Ethereum's bold pivot back to Layer 1 and what it means for the future of crypto. They also dive into the implications of scaling the L1 over rollups, the looming death of longtail L2s, and the shifting meta around value accrual, memecoins, and onchain activity. The crew also debates ETH's monetary identity, HyperLiquid's EVM ambitions, and whether Ethereum can reassert itself as crypto's dominant tech and cultural platform. Jon Charbonneau: https://x.com/jon_charb Bread: https://x.com/0xBreadguy Andy8052: https://x.com/andy8052 ------

Can Crypto disrupt the IP Market? In this episode, we dive deep with Jason Zhao, co-founder of Story Protocol, on how their new token launch could unlock the $70 trillion intellectual property market. We explore the bold vision of making IP liquid, programmable, and globally accessible — and how crypto-native creators, DAOs, and even major studios could reshape how stories are owned and built. This might just be crypto's most ambitious attempt at disrupting the media yet. ------

Ethereum has achieved groundbreaking technological success, but has it failed to properly define ETH the asset? In this episode, Frax founder Sam Kazemian joins us to discuss what he believes is Ethereum's biggest mistake: confusing the ETH asset with Ethereum the technology. Sam argues that post-EIP-1559 and Proof of Stake, ETH unintentionally shifted toward a discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation model, undermining its potential as a commodity-like store of value. We explore how the Ethereum community can reclaim a stronger narrative around ETH and why social consensus — not just tech — determines an asset's destiny. ------

This week, the one, the only, Ryan Sean Adams makes his return to the Weekly Rollup and crypto, after a 90-day crypto detox to find a radically changed landscape. Ryan and David break down crypto's shifting cycle, what Ryan missed, and Bitcoin's dramatic decoupling from equities as it earns a strategic reserve in the U.S. Treasury. Meanwhile, Ethereum faces an existential pivot as it tries to reclaim lost ground against Bitcoin and Solana. Plus, Zora sparks heated debate with “content coins” amid new regulatory wins—and new fears of political corruption. Did crypto lose its soul chasing mainstream adoption, or is this the messy price of progress? It's an essential Weekly Rollup you can't afford to miss.------

In this episode, we unpack Paradigm's groundbreaking 2025 report, “TradFi Tomorrow: DeFi and the Rise of Extensible Finance,” with Paradigm's Dan Robinson and Justin Slaughter. We explore the stunning stat that 66% of traditional financial institutions are actively engaged with DeFi—and what that really means. From tokenization and stablecoins to regulatory clarity and decentralized exchanges, this conversation dives deep into how Wall Street is already integrating with crypto. ------

Jon Charbonneau and Bread join David Hoffman to unpack Ethereum's pivotal moment—facing tough choices to re-focus on its Layer 1.They break down Ethereum's shift back toward prioritizing L1 growth, the delicate dance between Layer 1 and Layer 2 strategies, and why Ethereum must reclaim DeFi as its core strength. The conversation also explores the nuanced dynamics between Ethereum's cultural vision and technical roadmap, how Layer 2s fit into Ethereum's evolving ecosystem, and what this strategic recalibration means for Ethereum's future in a competitive crypto landscape.Jon Charbonneau: https://x.com/jon_charb Bread: https://x.com/0xBreadguy ------

Ethereum Foundation researchers Dankrad Feist and Ansgar Dietrichs join David Hoffman and Michael Ippolito to discuss Ethereum's identity crisis—and how it's turning the ship around.They break down Ethereum's cultural and organizational challenges, the pivot toward L1 growth, and the evolving role of the Ethereum Foundation under new leadership. The conversation covers the future of base and native rollups, L2 alignment, and why Ethereum's unique values still matter in a competitive landscape.------

This week, Bread joins David to unpack Ethereum's surprising pivot back to Layer 1, as insiders push for a more pragmatic roadmap and faster block times. MegaETH's 10ms testnet drops jaws and breaks dApps, while WalletConnect shocks the industry with a late-stage token launch. Meanwhile, Base stirs chaos with its “content coins,” OHM crashes $6B in hours, and Solana's token wars heat up. Is Ethereum finally finding its focus — or just reacting to the noise? It's a jam-packed Weekly Rollup you don't want to miss. Bread: https://x.com/0xBreadguy MegaETH: https://x.com/megaeth_labs Modern Market: https://x.com/modernmarket_ ------

OpenAI just rocked the week with a groundbreaking memory update, sparking debate over whether “soul data” is the real moat in AI. Google fires back with its Agent‑to‑Agent protocol and a Cursor‑killer. We riff on 1,000 AI agents unleashed in Minecraft, labs turning pets into humans, and how Dolphin AI somehow beat GTA 6 to market. Buckle up as David, Ejaaz, and Josh roll through the top five stories shaping the AI‑crypto frontier and what they mean for builders, traders, and the future of intelligence. David: https://x.com/TrustlessState Ejaaz: https://x.com/cryptopunk7213 Josh: https://x.com/Josh_Kale ------

Donald Trump is attempting something no leader has done before—unwind the global economic order. In this episode, Financial Times columnist and CNN analyst Rana Foroohar joins us to unpack Trump's economic strategy, the unraveling of Bretton Woods, and whether America is becoming an emerging market. From soaring bond yields to declining dollar strength, we explore what markets are signaling, how business leaders are reacting, and why this may mark the end of the neoliberal era. ------

Stablecoins are no longer a niche crypto curiosity—they're a full-blown financial revolution. In this episode, Rob Hadick, General Partner at Dragonfly, joins us to unpack the emerging stablecoin tech stack and why cross-border payments, savings, and financial infrastructure are being rebuilt from the ground up. From Circle and Tether to next-gen orchestration layers and stablecoin-native blockchains, we explore why this $200 trillion global opportunity is only 5% unlocked—and who stands to win the most.------

This week, Haseeb Qureshi joins us to break down Trump's explosive new tariffs that rocked global markets and triggered a full-blown trade war with China. Stocks whipsawed, recession odds spiked, and the world scrambled to the negotiation table — except China. Was it 3D chess or policy chaos? Plus, we explore the ripple effects on crypto markets, investor sentiment, and what this all means for the future of U.S. economic leadership. It's a jam-packed Weekly Rollup you don't want to miss.Follow Haseeb on X:https://x.com/hosseeb ------

Welcome to the AI Rollup, your weekly ride through the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence! This week, we're joined by frontier tech enthusiast Josh Kale to unpack the drama around Meta's controversial launch of Llama 4, scrutinized for potentially overstating its capabilities. We dive into “AI 2027,” a provocative roadmap predicting espionage, geopolitical turmoil, and runaway intelligence, and explore Shopify's bold move making AI usage mandatory for employees. Plus, we cover Claude Education's groundbreaking efforts to boost student performance with tailored AI tutors and a16z's massive $20 billion AI startup fund aiming to shape the industry's next era.------

We've got the team behind Etherealize on the show today—Vivek Raman and Danny Ryan—to discuss their mission to onboard institutions, governments, and capital markets to Ethereum.We explore how Ethereum is “open for business” with L2 scaling, modular architecture, and a maturing regulatory landscape. The Etherealize team breaks down their dual structure—a for-profit consulting and product arm alongside a nonprofit focused on R&D and policy—to drive institutional adoption.------

This week, Alex Thorn joins us to unpack Trump's shocking tariff announcement that sent markets plunging and investors scrambling. Circle files for its IPO, revealing surprising financials, while the FDIC gives banks the crypto green light. CoreWeave debuts with a blockbuster IPO, and Eric Trump dives deeper into Bitcoin mining. We cover all this chaos and more in this week's Weekly Rollup. Follow Alex on X & check out his Galaxy Brains podcast: https://x.com/intangiblecoinshttps://www.galaxy.com/insights/podcasts/galaxy-brains/ ------

AI heats up, markets shake, and the internet gets Ghbilified. OpenAI hits 1M users in 60 minutes, CoreWeave IPO rocks NASDAQ, and XAI acquires X. A new “world's best” model quietly drops—did Google just take the lead? Cursor raises at a $9.6B valuation as “vibecoding” enters the mainstream. Welcome back to another week of the AI Rollup. ------

Felipe Montealegre, co-founder of Thea Capital, joins us to unpack a new vision for global finance—what he calls the Internet Financial System. Felipe makes the case that today's financial world still runs on siloed, permissioned databases—slow, expensive, and riddled with gatekeepers. But blockchains and smart contracts offer something radically different: a unified, open system where capital can move efficiently across borders and property rights are stronger than ever. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wondering how crypto is building the financial infrastructure of the 21st century.------

Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev returns to Bankless for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of tokenization, crypto regulation, and Robinhood's evolving product suite. Vlad lays out a bold vision for bringing tokenized assets like SpaceX and OpenAI equity to retail investors, discusses the role of prediction markets as "truth machines," and introduces Robinhood's latest products: Strategies, Cortex, and Banking. This one's a big glimpse into where TradFi and DeFi collide.------

This week, Mike Ippolito joins us to break down crypto's big flip as institutions rush into stablecoins—triggering excitement and anxiety alike. Hyperliquid faces drama after a high-stakes market manipulation attack, BlackRock's tokenized treasuries surge to nearly $2 billion, and the U.S. Treasury finally removes Tornado Cash from its sanctions list. Meanwhile, Robinhood enters banking, raising questions about DeFi's future. We dive into all of this and so much more.Follow Mike on X & Checkout Bell Curve: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_https://www.youtube.com/@bellcurvepodcast/videos ------

Alon, co-founder of Pump.Fun, joins us to discuss the meteoric rise of their token launchpad platform, the controversial yet impactful role of memecoins in crypto, and the vision behind their newest product, PumpSwap. We dive deep into the cultural influence, sustainability mechanisms, and future possibilities for the memecoin launchpad ecosystem. Alon on X: https://x.com/a1lon9 ------

We're joined by Tim Beiko, Ethereum Foundation coordinator, to break down Ethereum's next major upgrades and the future of scaling.We explore the upcoming Petra hard fork, which introduces validator consolidation, increased blob space for rollups, and EIP-7702 for improved account abstraction. Tim also shares insights on Fusaka and Glacier Dam, Ethereum's roadmap for scaling, and how Ethereum's upgrade process is becoming more efficient.------

This week, Anthony Sassano joins us to unpack Solana's most controversial governance vote yet, Ethereum's major leadership overhaul, and crypto markets wrestling with macro chaos despite promising policy shifts. Kraken makes waves with a massive $1.5B acquisition—but will it move the needle? We dive into all of this and so much more.Follow Anthony on X: https://x.com/sassal0x------

This week on the AI Rollup, we're diving into hyper-realistic AI-generated podcast hosts, showcasing Hedera Studio's cutting-edge character tech. Google drops Gemini 2.0 Flash, making AI image generation even more powerful with improved consistency and text integration. Meanwhile, China is pushing hard—Baidu's latest model beats GPT-4.5 at half the cost, challenging OpenAI's dominance. Plus, Sesame open-sources its voice model, and the crypto AI market sees brutal drawdowns. Despite the turbulence, teams like Virtuals and Bittensor keep building, while Pluralis raises $7.6M to decentralize AI model training. Where does AI Crypto go from here? Let's find out.------

Native Rollups are the next big step toward scaling Ethereum securely. In this episode, Uma Roy (CEO of Succinct) and Justin Drake (Ethereum Foundation researcher) break down what Native Rollups are, how they leverage Ethereum's core infrastructure for execution and validation, and why they're crucial for stronger security, better composability, and sustainable Ethereum growth. Tune in to understand the evolution of Ethereum's rollup-centric roadmap and how Native Rollups could become a foundational upgrade for Ethereum's future. ------

This week, the U.S. establishes its long-awaited Strategic Bitcoin Reserve yet the charts barely move and questions remain about altcoins like ADA, XRP, and SOL. A high-profile White House Digital Summit draws big names but yields few concrete regulatory wins. Meanwhile, HyperLiquid got exploited? Not quite but we'll get into that this week and so much more. Follow Jordi on X: https://x.com/gametheorizing  ------

In this episode, we break down China's latest AI breakthrough—the Manus agent—and how it's shaking up the AI race. We discuss Alibaba's powerful, compact new AI model, the rise of autonomous coding agents, and Microsoft's shifting relationship with OpenAI. Plus, we explore how AI agents like Grok are starting to impact crypto markets.------

AI isn't just growing—it's skyrocketing us into an unprecedented era of hyper-acceleration. Josh Kale joins us to explore how breakthroughs in intelligence, from protein sequencing and synthetic biology to autonomous transportation and energy abundance, are reshaping our world at dizzying speeds.  Prepare for a future that's closer than you think, where the cost of intelligence approaches zero and possibilities become boundless. ------

Joining the Weekly Rollup this week is Haseeb Qureshi, dissecting Trump's controversial Crypto Strategic Reserve announcement featuring Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Ripple—causing an initial market surge and a swift reversal. They unpack Sam Bankman-Fried's candid prison interview with Tucker Carlson, revealing a stark divide between human empathy and detached pragmatism. Plus, Trump's erratic tariff policies are rattling macro markets; is it strategic or simply chaotic? Finally, they delve into Ethereum's leadership shuffle, Base's new speed upgrade challenging Solana, and AI's profound reshaping of crypto startups and blockchain usability. Follow Haseeb: https://x.com/hosseeb ------

In this episode, we kick off with jaw-dropping scenes of home robots that aren't just putting groceries away, they're taking the fight to you, echoing the dark vibes of i-Robot. Next, we unravel a crazy demo where encrypted agents develop their own language, and break down Google's game-changing agent swarm that's setting new research standards. We also explore Claude's innovative new model and code that transforms complex problem-solving, plus Anthropic's record-shattering $3.5B raise. And that's not all, we share exclusive takeaways from ETH Denver's AI scene, highlight AskBilly's profit-making sports betting agent, and introduce Freysa's digital twin game with a $250K prize. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about tomorrow's breakthroughs, this episode is your all-access pass to the cutting edge of innovation. ------

Is Trump trying to wreck the economy, or is he just ripping off the Band-Aid?  Macro expert Jim Bianco breaks down Trump's economic strategy—tariffs, tax cuts, and shifting focus from the stock market to the 10-year Treasury yield.  We discuss the potential risks of short-term pain, the surprising Crypto Strategic Reserve, and whether this shift could lead to long-term economic stability. Is this the start of a recession or a necessary correction?  Tune in for Jim's expert take. ------

The AI arms race is on, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Bankless podcast producer Josh Kale breaks down which players are poised to dominate this next industrial revolution. From the transformative power of AI across industries to the geopolitical and economic implications, we explore the critical dynamics shaping our technological future—and what this means for investors, builders, and society at large. ------

Joining us this week is Alex Thorn to break down why crypto markets are taking a hit. Major hacks, bearish macro signals, and fresh tariffs from the U.S. all played a role. But it's not all bad news: the SEC is backing off from lawsuits against Coinbase, OpenSea, and Uniswap, signaling a potential shift in regulatory pressure. Plus, Bybit suffered the biggest crypto hack ever, losing $1.5B—how did it happen, and who's behind it? Follow Alex: https://x.com/intangiblecoins ------

Ben Cowen, founder of Into the Cryptoverse, breaks down why the current crypto cycle feels different from past ones.  We explore the Advanced Decline Index and how it reveals why Bitcoin is thriving while most altcoins struggle. Ben also discusses the impact of quantitative tightening, the ETH/BTC ratio, and why meme coin speculation is distorting market dynamics.  A must-listen for anyone navigating crypto's shifting landscape and seeking deeper market insights! ------

This week's Weekly Rollup, David and Kain Warwick dive into Argentine President Milei's LIBRA fiasco and Strategy's bold $2B Bitcoin play, while we check out the new Kaito airdrop making waves. We also explore Ethereum's biggest upgrade yet—Pectra—plus Monad's high‐speed L1 testnet launch. Finally, we dig into the SEC's fresh “CETU” cyber unit and what the brand‐new Infinex platform means for DeFi. Tune in for all the drama and alpha happening in the third week of February! ------

Ejaaz and David are back this week with a new frontier model to dissect. With the release of Grok 3, xAI is now a real competitor to companies like Anthropic and OpenAI. Joining this news cycle is Kaito, set to launch it's airdrop and it turns out Ejaaz is... a top yapper?  Meanwhile, David tried to get a date with an AI agent and a Kardashian is quote tweeting Virtuals, it's been a weird week.  ------

SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce discusses her new role as head of the SEC Crypto Task Force and its impact on crypto regulation. We explore the repeal of SAB 121, how the task force aims to bring clarity to token issuances, and potential pathways for retroactive relief for crypto projects. Peirce also shares insights on SEC-CFTC collaboration, no-action letters, and her approach to prioritizing key industry issues. A must-listen for understanding the future of crypto regulation and policy shifts at the SEC! ------

This week's Weekly Rollup covers Trump's clash with the Fed over interest rates and the surprising crypto moves from Trump Media. Gauntlet's Tarun Chitra joins us to unpack the latest developments—from OpenSea's upcoming airdrop to Arbitrum's permissionless fault proofs—while we debate whether airdrops are truly over. We also dig into Vitalik's “communist” joke and Dave Portnoy's memecoin mania. Tune in for all the drama and alpha happening in the second week of February! ------

Ejaaz and David reunite to dissect the AI Crypto sector's rebound from a 70% crash, fueled by Elon's rumored $97B OpenAI bid and the relentless rise of open-source devs being heads down. They explore how tokens might be the most accessible path to AI exposure, why ARC's curated launchpad could elevate agent quality, and what Virtuals' move onto Solana means for cross-chain expansion. Meanwhile, X (Twitter) embraces a new wave of AI agents, and AI16z reorganizes to stay competitive. Is this the turning point for AI and crypto—or just another plateau? Tune in to find out, anon. ------

In this episode, we speak with Smokey the Bera, co-founder of Berachain, about the project's newly launched mainnet and its innovative Proof of Liquidity model. The discussion unpacks Berachain's unique three-way relationship between its app layer, validators, and a nontransferable governance token that reimagines traditional proof of stake systems. Smokey explores both the potential benefits and the challenges of this economic experiment as it seeks to reshape blockchain economics. We also spotlight our sponsor Morpho, whose cutting-edge integration of DeFi with traditional finance is driving new opportunities in the market. ------

Hayden Adams, creator of Uniswap, introduces UniChain, a new Layer 2 solution designed to enhance DeFi scalability and efficiency.  We explore UniChain's innovations, including its decentralized sequencing mechanism, one-second block times, and seamless interoperability with Ethereum and the Optimism Superchain. Adams also discusses Uniswap v4's impact on gas efficiency and how UniChain aims to reduce MEV extraction, benefiting users and liquidity providers.  A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of DeFi scalability and cross-chain integration! ------

The 2024 U.S. election has reshaped the macro landscape, and few understand its implications better than Lyn Alden.  She joins Bankless to discuss the impact of Trump's policies on the dollar, Bitcoin, and global markets. From fiscal dominance and trade wars to the possibility of a new Plaza Accord and the role of Bitcoin in sovereign reserves, this episode covers the key macro trends that will shape 2025 and beyond.  Will Trump's economic agenda lead to a weaker dollar and lower interest rates? What does it mean for Bitcoin and risk assets? Tune in to find out. ------

This week on Bankless Weekly Rollup, we explore major crypto updates from Berachain's mainnet launch and the rollout of its BERA token, to Uniswap V4's new features and hooks that are shaking up decentralized trading. The episode delves into market dynamics including SEC moves led by Hester Peirce, Microstrategy's rebranding, and the impact of US tariff actions on global trade. We also unpack Ethereum's scaling upgrades and discuss the innovative strategies behind emerging DeFi protocols. Tune in for an in-depth look at the evolving crypto landscape and the key developments driving the space. Thanks to Mike Ippolito for joining us: https://x.com/MikeIppolito  ------

David and Ejaaz dissect the latest in AI crypto markets after a ruthless 70% drop, weighing whether it's just a temporary setback or a major reset. Arc and Fartcoin show surprise rebounds, Virtuals unveils a $2M “fiscal policy” to fund agent innovation, and Coinbase's AI hackathon spotlights a future swarming with yield-bots and marketing agents. Meanwhile, Freya's vision of sovereign on-chain AI may mark the next frontier. If you're tracking the evolution of agents, markets, and where crypto's AI boom goes next, this episode is a must-listen (as always, anon). ------

Donald Trump's newly announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico (and 10% on China) have rattled global markets and sparked fresh uncertainty around the U.S. dollar. According to Bitwise's Jeff Park—whose article “Tariffs, Triffin, and Trump: How the End Game Sends Bitcoin Vertical” has gone viral—this policy shift is fueling one of the biggest crypto-macro convergences since COVID. In this episode, we explore how these cascading forces could radically suppress Treasury yields, devalue the dollar, and propel Bitcoin into unprecedented territory. ------