Off the Record on the Rocks

We're deep in the spin-cycle of tariff season—Antarctica's sanctioned, Trump's on the links, and Larry Fink is whispering “recession” like it's a bedtime story. Meanwhile, Satoshi whales are buying the dip, Buffett is sitting on cash like it's 2008, and stablecoins are assembling a Treasury-bond Voltron behind the curtain. It's all vibes until it's policy. So… is this the decoupling?

On ‘Liberation Day Eve' our breath is baited and held… “how many of the fifteen-million purported tariffs will affect my life?” the people scream as they run to hide their seed phrases. Magic 8-ball says “FEDs signal Crypto is here and here to stay!” Bitcoin mining OK, meme-coin shilling OK, lawsuit dropping OK, and Texas Stock Exchange and subsequent geofencing OK! But if all indicators say the tailwind pushes us forward, are we actually moving forward?

First the Bitcoin ETF, then the Ethereum ETF, then the Solana ETF… but now a basket of memes ETF? As the new economy ebbs and flows in advance of ‘Liberation Day', maybe a derivative product of Pudgy Penguins is just what we need to offset a global economic crisis? Meanwhile all-Crytpo bars are a fixture in Washington replacing stallwort bbq enclaves. And don't sleep on Sammy Altman as OpenAI World Coin seeks VISA deal!

SXSW was a vibe! Web3, AI, and creator economy talk ruled the scene, but no one's saying “metaverse” anymore. Why? The tech has matured, and it's all about ownership now. Disney, Apple, and Accenture are doubling down on immersive content, and the collaborative spirit of Web3 is alive and well. Remember Audio Galaxy? Early SXSW days meet the new AI-generated music and media landscape. Plus, the fall of format — AI's making content fluid across platforms, and the next creative boom is already here.

Have you been involved in another week of absolute crypto chaos? Episode 103 is packed with wild headlines—Alexis Ohanian wants to put TikTok on-chain, Dogecoin just got the ETF green light, and the SEC is suddenly not interested in Yuga Labs anymore. Meanwhile, Trump's late-night tweets are sending Bitcoin and Ethereum on a ride wilder than a meme stock rally. Is this market manipulation at its finest, or just another day in the digital asset circus? We break it all down—strategic reserves, power plays, and why Brian Armstrong is out here acting like the only adult in the room. Grab a drink, this one's a trip.

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The playbook is out in the open—Bitcoin gets a “strategic reserve” narrative, Ethereum ETFs move forward, and sovereign wealth funds quietly load up on digital assets. Musk's OpenAI bid fuels another AI war, Doge investigators track government spending in real time, and Taylor Swift is single-handedly rewriting the NFL's financial model. But the real question—who's setting up the ultimate crypto rug pull?

First the BItcoin Digital Reserve, then Microstrategy rebrands to “Strategy, a BTC” (Bitcoin Treasury Company)... Not to be outdone, Gov explores Sovereign Wealth Funds to acquire Real World Assets! Take a nod from Scandinavian Royalty, buy up distressed companies under DOJ watch. Pachai happy to sell Chrome to the USA, why? Google wants to focus on AI for military implementations anyway… I give you my chrome, and let us help you on the battlefield! China happy to sell TikTok to USA, why? Fork-off plurality of regional products!

Like the schoolyard song, “whomever smelt it, dealt it.” There's a cloud of hard gas (fees) around your Aeron, sir! Perhaps Solana's ‘Sputnik Moment' will be like China's? $6MM Deep Fake, er Deep Seek ‘spooks' Wall Street, everything on discount. Sammy Alman launches ChatGPT GOV so stocks surge back, whew! All the while, Saylor loads up on crypto and ‘boilerplates' Musk, makes BTC = ‘Bitcoin Treasury Company'… all bark and no bite, DOGE-y?

For the second time inauguration moves indoors… keep away from the rain, sleet, and bullets! Like every January 6th rioter, TikTok lives to see another day… his executive order sharpie almost out of ink! Technology illuminati round out TrumpTV cast of characters, from Bezos to Cook to Pichai to Musk. But good ol' American A.I. stole the show… you can't control the world with hardware alone! Watch as new A.I. collaborations become our next weaponized version of ‘Manifest Destiny'! TikTok with American A.I. inside? Yup, sign here!  

Geopolitical maneuvering continues… maybe we stop long range missiles into Ukraine? Maybe China sells Tik-Tok to Elon. Maybe the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve is ready to go? Domestically the stage is quickly being set… a week away from inauguration day, from congress kicking-off the 2025 winter session. Jamie Dimon bashes Bitcoin just in time for no reason, and gets15% discounts on crypto across boards (and allows JPMorgan to pump Spot ETFs!) And ALL OF SILICON VALLEY has been invited… the new cast of characters on Trump TV!

Vance and Musk both have Silicon Valley heritage, but Elon gots mo' DOGE, mo' rockets, and mo' raw cash, fam! Meanwhile, the battle of AI collaboration continues: Amazon's Alexa and AWS will need to work with Anthropic's Claude.AI, Apple's Siri will need to understand OpenAI's Sora, and Microsoft's Azure AI may integrate with Facebook's Llama and Reality Labs for AR/VR capabilities globally. Sounds like the kind of ‘healthy competition' that brings innovation and efficiencies… after optimizing AI, the United States Government will be next (or first?) 

Credit card companies were the cornerstones of “The Golden Age of Capitalism”, opening up transaction opportunities in the post-war era (1945-1973). BUT, you can't hide from Uncle Sam forever! Visa ‘future credit dollars' will no longer de-dollarize the american economy, no more 50% profit margins! Perfect  timing as the Strategic Bitcoin reserve takes shape at Federal & State levels. Will American Bitcoin get F.D.I.C. insurance? So many stories to unpack and more!

A brazen assassination in Manhattan, but aging military complex convinced “not professional…” Even M told Bond it gets easier after your first. Sundar believes that AI is slowing down, maybe because Feds forcing a Chrome sale to Sammy Altman. Or maybe Gemini isn't that good? US Holidays offer obfuscation opportunities to the world… al-Assad flees to Moscow? Just don't check into the rooftop penthouse, comrade! Oh, and BTC at all-time highs… so we feeling rich!

When Netanyahu declares a ceasefire just in time for Turkey Day, how do we know it's real? Is it on Polymarket? Is it on the blockchain— Or just another geopolitical production? While the world debates peace, we're tracking truth layers and onchain prediction markets. Not to mention, Bitcoin's stubborn 100k ceiling, and the wild FOMO of nations hoarding BTC like it's Black Friday. Grab a drink, it's about to get weird!

Bitcoin continues to rip… but is it a charade? Certainly not the Kabuki Theater that was a “Paul vs. Tyson Boxing Match” Everything is scripted, and spectacles entertain for a reason… what's the cover up? Hope about firing MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems into Russia? Or maybe throwing the most famous Russian ballet dancer off a balcony? Versace briefs are the new air cover our American Military didn't know it needed so bad!

Bitcoin's at an all-time high, Trump's back in office, and rumors are swirling that Musk might join his administration. What could go wrong? Toner and Ankarino dive into what's driving Bitcoin's surge and whether a federal Bitcoin reserve could be next. Meanwhile, McDonald's teams up with Doodles—NFTs in your Happy Meal? Will Gensler gets the Thanksgiving boot, Bezos buys into Anthropic, and a surprise supermoon keeps everyone looking up. Grab a drink; it's gonna be a wild one!

While Sam Altman rolls out Worldcoin with its biometric eye scans, Apple whispers “privacy” and keeps its AI tucked into your secure enclave. Meanwhile, at DC Startup Week, everyone's on the blockchain bandwagon—whether it's putting “cows on the chain” or racing to build the next big layer two solution. Apple's AI doesn't need fanfare; it's there, integrated and subtle, unlike Altman's bold, eyeball-collecting approach. Is blockchain the quiet backbone of these innovations, and will regulation catch up before the holiday slowdown? Grab a drink and join us as we explore Apple's stealthy play in the AI and blockchain arena.

Jefferies downgrades Apple Stock because “Serious AI is two-years off…” But they mean Apple or Artificial Intelligence? Meanwhile Zuck doubles down on Meta Ray-Bans, solves battlefield private edge network needs! Also, 15 second AI generated videos on Facebook, but no disinformation this time. Cuban hates Trump and Musk, Musk loves Mars, and the IMF urges El Salvador to steer clear of Bitcoin… Bukele says no thanks, and sends anti-gang troops to Haiti!

Sammy Altman has done it again, headed to the Middle East and raised a boatload of cash… Six Point Six Billion is no joke! Apple might have seen too much OpenAI + DOD coziness, backed out of the investment. Guess who backed in? Abu Dhabi-based MGX! Wait, will AI be responsible for all our nukes? Is anyone still talking about Effective Altruism anymore, or did they all effectively, and altruistically, get disappeared?

When Shark Week with John Cena draws more headlines than mass layoffs in the tech industry, you know there's a massive imbalance! Insanity in the US! Assassination attempts, bungling officers from the Secret Service, FBI, and CIA. The seemingly disorganized ways that regulators evaluate Crypto and Web3 products are apparently typical of big government, even when someone's life is in the balance! Put it all on the blockchain and maybe we'll get transparency!

‘Artificial' is now ‘Apple' Intelligence. Your ‘Apple Wallet' is now… just your ‘Wallet'! We've been calling the big moves WAY before they happen. Coming off the heels of Google Gemini and Microsoft AutoPilot, WWDC quelled the overall fever pitch with a nice, long conversation about secure enclaves, clouds, and computing. Ah, so NOW it's private? What about all those lock icons that we've seen over the past decade?

Joe Biden vetos the resolution to repeal SAB 121… and he does so, to ‘protect investors'. The Heat Dome has descended on North America this summer, much like the pressure dome over Crypro and Web3! Lots of mixed messages coming in from the SEC and the DOJ… who will raise their hand and say SOMETHING?

Big guys holding ETH… and they provide liquidity for the whole marketplace… what if the inflows and the outflows don't make sense? They just print more ETH! Sound familiar? Sounds a lot like the US dollar! Off the Record on the Rocks at Genesis ETH conference in Washington D.C.!

Seems like they are clearing the path for crypto regulation to make way for the Hedera Hashgraph token, while the SEC drags its feet on the ETH ETF? What about integrating AI into apps or following the FTC's ban on non-competes? Michael Toner and BTC Ankarino unravel these threads while the US government targets Binance, and de-dollarization and crypto wallet hacks roil Venezuela and beyond. The two also navigate the politics of crypto, Meta's blockchain ambitions, and Grayscale's ETF filing for fun exploration of the latest chaos.

Is SEC *truly* dragging its feet on Spot ETH ETF approvals, or just political theater, obfuscating the true narrative? SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 121 was reversed… will Biden veto? This clears way for massive inflows of cash to ETH ETF market just like the BTC ETF before. Consolidation continues: Vanguard fires CEO, installs Ramji from Blackrock, Greyscale sacks leader, hiring Mintzberg from Goldman Sachs. Meanwhile, Trump wraps court session, announcing he'll accept crypto donations that same day. And *someone* decided flying helicopters in fog is a great way to transport the President of Iran and his cabinet… someone

APRIL 19, 2024- The Halving

approved in Hong Kong, we explore this new era of crypto investments and the complex world of digital ownership and fractionalization. The limitations of the FDIC, the need for higher crypto deposit insurances, and the geopolitical impacts on Bitcoin stability are in the spotlight. The episode concludes with a deep dive into Meta's innovative Meta Quest and its potential as a gateway to the metaverse, exploring the intersections of AI and hardware. Tune in for a detailed breakdown of today's financial and digital landscapes, preparing listeners for the challenges of the future.

Back of a dollar bill says “In God We Trust”... if our fiat economy's truth layer is managed by an all-seeing deity, why can't the blockchain be managed by Artificial intelligence? The immutable ledger is but a data set, requiring governance and trust to be validated. AI is the filter on that data set… after all, isn't reality what just happened yesterday? Maybe God.ai is just what the crypto community ordered? An American AI, steeped in separation of Church & State rhetoric, but actually just a government funded Trust layer, filtering and grooming your interpretations!

The proliferation of cryptocurrencies before the upcoming halving is jarring, and underscores the importance of cleaning up and building infrastructure. Election cycles are impacted by topics related to technology, finance, and government. Will Gary Gensler and the SEC get Spot Ethereum ETFs in place before November? Certainly the emergence of crypto-funded Super PACs and commensurate shift towards AI governance will be important, as will the role of stablecoins versus USDC. How will fractional ownership coexist with the need for an immutable ledger and ultimate transparency? Don't worry about all that… let's just go back to the moon!

“Sora ain't so, Batman!” The Feds vacation on Snake River AND legally recognize DAOs, regardless of their members. But who really cares, Bitcoin is at an all time high! Microstrategies and Blackrock swing their genitals around, while Bezos quietly contemplates parking billions of dollars. Mastercard and Metamask believe that an untested Etherium Layer 2 blockchain is the best place to secure your financial future. And all the while our pals across the pond keep pumping out legislation… this time they know what types of AI are best for your family! 

Sammy Altman wants $7TT (TRILLION) to fund AI microchip development… how many Sheiks can spare a few shekels? What is impact of AI on jobs and innovation? Actors and writers cut their deal, what about electricians, gaffers, cinematographers? Tyler Perry cancels $800MM Atlanta studio… says, “Sora is the way.” Let's juxtapose the space race and Bitcoin accumulation:  AI influences entertainment, the geopolitical race influences technology. We need AI regulation! UK and China have plans–US should take the AI Spurs and Space Reigns! Chapters 00:00 The Space Race and Lunar Landing 02:20 Bitcoin Accumulation and Cost of Space Exploration 03:09 Global Powers and Space as the Next Frontier 06:01 Bitcoin ETF and Double-Backing 09:26 Institutions Accumulating Bitcoin 12:32 Tyler Perry Studio and AI in Entertainment 29:32 AI Regulation and Political Landscape 38:47 Funding on Capitol Hill and Tension Resolution

AI-related stocks and securities make waves, decentralization and new software businesses. Capital One makes major discovery… acquires Discover! Why are so many SEC staff members leaving? Let's discuss network effects and decentralized applications, ownership and incentivization, the potential for individual innovation, consolidation and the current state of AI and the “hype cycle.” How does geopolitical landscape affect AI funding? AI in Hollywood and human relationships? What is the future of AI and celebrity, and the potential for self-discovery! Chapters 00:00 AI-related stocks and securities 01:08 Market activity and new companies 02:31 Decentralization and new software businesses 03:10 Capital One and Discover acquisition 04:42 AI and blockchain in the financial market 05:41 Regulation and legal dynamics 06:18 Leap Day and IRS regulations 07:10 SEC staff turnover and acquisitions 08:40 New network effects and decentralized applications 09:49 Ownership and incentivization in new networks 11:12 AI and the evolution of the internet 13:26 AI and the power of syntax 14:48 The potential for individual innovation 17:14 Consolidation and true innovation 18:27 The current state of AI and the hype cycle 20:17 The short-term excitement and long-term value of AI 23:24 The impact of AI on jobs and innovation 25:21 The need for AI-specific hardware 27:44 The geopolitical landscape and AI funding 32:01 AI in Hollywood and human relationships 35:51 The future of AI and celebrity 39:27 The potential for self-discovery in the AI era 41:30 The future of AI regulation and consolidation

Spatial Computing is here… with 2D apps and some 3D movies I don't wanna see again? Give it time, haters! When iPhone hit, we didn't need until social media apps. iPads hit because of SkyWalk app… VisionPro developer APIs are out and available, so get busy y'all! Meanwhile, Gary Gensler is on anti-AI train again: thinks GPTs create false layers of regulatory truth. Bitcoin touched $50,000, a great sign for ETH and all alt-coins, but will sustain through halvening? And Wolrdcoin just became eSports Verification Orb, just in time for the 2024 EA Madden Games. Join us as we unpack and repack it all! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Screen Time 00:27 Discussion on Apple Vision Pro 02:18 Spatial Computing and Immersive Experiences 03:36 3D Movies and Apps on Apple Vision Pro 04:06 Challenges and Limitations of Apple Vision Pro 06:02 Gaming and Immersive Environments 07:46 Isolating Nature of Apple Vision Pro 08:44 Shared Experiences and Social Component 09:15 Timing and Use Cases of Apple Vision Pro 10:14 Themed Environments and Immersive Rooms 11:13 User Experience Challenges with Apple Vision Pro 12:39 Interaction and Navigation in Apple Vision Pro 14:06 Sharing and Privacy Concerns 15:33 Limitations of Sharing Apple Vision Pro 16:09 Future Iterations and User Feedback 17:04 Design Decisions and Iterative Progress 18:33 Transition to Must-Have Product 20:02 Low-Cost Alternatives to Apple Vision Pro 22:26 Spatial Video and Content Creation 23:55 Blended Reality and Clear Glasses 25:28 Augmented Reality and Social Interaction 27:44 Cryptocurrency and Microtransactions 29:22 Transitionary Period and Hardware Considerations 30:48 Social Media, Betting, and Cryptos 32:07 Conspiracy Theories and Super Bowl 34:56 Twitter, Jay-Z, and Spatial Computing 36:41 Rigged Super Bowl and Cryptocurrency 37:39 Biden's Laser Eyes and Market Trends 38:48 Killer Apps in Web 3 41:01 Esports and Identity Verification Apple Vision Pro, Augmented Reality, Immersive Tech, Digital Interactions, Digital Persona, Starwalk App, Virtual Reality, VR, Isolation, Technology Interaction, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin ETFs, Killer Apps, Esports, Blockchain, Content Creation, Social Engagement, Spatial Computing, 3D Movies, iPhone, iPad, Metaverse, Hardware and Software Integration, Digital Presence, Worldcoin Project, Thematic Digital Landscapes, Personal Stories, Nascent Technology, Cinematic Wonder, Iron Throne Room, Game of Thrones, COVID-19 Lockdowns, Familiar Yet Visually Obscured Setting, Iterative Design, iPhone 15, Camera Settings, Low-Cost Alternatives, Budget-Friendly Devices, First-Person Content Creation, Smart Glasses, Digital Landscape, Digital Identities, Metaverse, Xbox, Halo, Worldcoin Project, Hardware and Software Integration, Digital Presence, Blockchain, Ownership, Identity

The era of new worlds ushers in Spatial Computing: just a concept today, but will be commonplace by end of decade. Reality skinning will allow me to look at you however I want… so which side of uncanny valley are we standing? More Bitcoin ETFs hit around the world, everyone wants to talk to Gary Gensler. Scammers AI deep fake a zoom call to the tune of $25MM, how will we know if our colleagues are real? Check the blockchain for the transparent truth!

“Cryptocurrency” has become a normalized concept, so all attention turns to AI: the true existential crisis facing our economy. Taylor Swift is  Web3 product: new & valuable, and at center of ownership conversation…  human embodiment of self-custody and self-regulation! VisionPro's expensive, but focused on privacy, right? Xreal costs 80% less, but will low-cost Chinese AR goggles saturate the metaverse and compromise National Security?

VisionPro sells out first day? No worry, you can visit Apple Experience Centers (fka Apple Stores) and test soon! Will the parallax define Disney's future? Bitcoin ETFs pull in billions USD daily…  so why no BTC price movement? IRS says “we rewriting rules”, so “please accumulate tax free!” Wait a second… who scheduled the BTC halvening for US tax day? Seems like this new BTC ETF based 100% on cash equivalent holdings is… price-fixing the price of Bitcoin?!?

Apple steals CES narrative: who cares about micro transparent screens when we pre-order VisionPro Jan 19th? And BTC ETF? A January 10th deadline looms… Gary Gensler loves splitting hairs and missing deadlines. AND the DOJ loves flexing $5.3BB in confiscated BTC! Next crash brought to you by good ol' U S of A. Cryptos on sale! It's 2024, accumulate, mate! Summary: Apple's announcement of the Vision Pro goggles marks a significant step towards the era of spatial computing. The potential approval of a Bitcoin ETF could revolutionize the digital currency market and pave the way for broader adoption. Samsung's hardware innovations and partnerships demonstrate their commitment to the metaverse and virtual worlds. The CES conference poses challenges for AI companies in showcasing their generative AI models and algorithms. Skepticism and caution are advised in the face of market speculation and potential manipulation surrounding the Bitcoin ETF approval. Political factors and institutional readiness may influence the timing and adoption of digital currency. The movement of money to a known Satoshi wallet raises questions about the identity and intentions of Bitcoin's creator. The identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, remains unknown, leading to speculation and theories. Market manipulation tactics, such as creating narratives and artificially inflating prices, can distract from the true value of cryptocurrencies. There is a possibility of a market crash in the near future, and investors should be cautious. The cryptocurrency market is unpredictable, and it is important to stay informed and make well-informed decisions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Apple's Announcement 09:15 Bitcoin ETF and the Future of Digital Currency 13:46 Apple's Vision Pro and the Era of Spatial Computing 19:35 Samsung's Hardware Innovations and Partnerships 21:23 The Challenges of AI Companies at CES 22:46 Bitcoin ETF Approval and Market Speculation 28:20 Skepticism and Slow Adoption of Bitcoin ETF 35:04 Possible Pump and Dump Scenario 41:43 Potential Manipulation and Political Factors 42:14 Money Moved to Known Satoshi Wallet 42:51 The Mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto 44:15 Distractions and Market Manipulation 44:45 Prediction of a Market Crash 45:25 Looking Ahead

Blackrock has pole position on Bitcoin ETFs… will the SEC play fair, approving all at once, or will big money play first? Also, Blackrock and others will use American Dollars instead of Cryoto to back the ETFs… makes sense if you're a bank, mang! Apple cheats on Goldman Sachs with Chase, clearing way for micropayments across Mastercard MasterPass platform! Just in time for the holidays: AI will be implemented as decency police across social networks! 2024.ai, baby!

We in the White House! Turns out: way harder to ask Biden direct questions in person. Fidelity discusses BTC ETF operational frameworks with SEC, while BlackRock works to convolute the very intention of crypto. Buckle up! Mr. Fink wants to circumvent restrictions preventing banks from holding Bitcoin directly on balance sheets! China is using AI to hack into US infrastructure, while American unions scramble to restrict AI in workforce. Do 2 wrongs make 1 right? Let's ask the EU what to do, they seem to know…. get that dirty business done by January 1st, 2025 tho!

We'll be at the White House on Friday getting answers to the HARD questions. Why exactly does my contractor need an electric battle tank that repels .45 caliber bullets? Might sell big in El Salvador and Argentina! Coinbase battles on two opposite fronts: (1) repelling the SEC and (2) courting retail investors. And is the word of a Bitcoin ETF just rumor or news? Michael Saylor says there's no “I” in “accumulate”, so Microstrategies buys up another $500,000,000 BTC bag!

First take down criminals like Voyager, Terra Luna, and FTX. Second, nail Binance, the largest (illegal) exchange. Third, smoke smaller exchanges and stable coins. Why? USA needs to clear decks of charlatans before trotting BTC and ETH Spot ETFs! #NoBlackRock Next up, let's cream Meta + Zuckerberg, cuz their products destroy mental health. SEC Tribunal says: “Our regulation will keep you safe AND sane.” Um, yeah... while we submissively hand over all financial data to Feds. Wait, is ownership 9/10th of the law, or just 10% of an NFT? Freedom!

Biden sends pandas back, Xi visits Silicon Valley… we agree AI shouldn't make military decisions. Satya Nadella weathers Activision acquisition debacle, burns Open.ai to ground and acqui-rehires from ashes. One more thing? Disney quietly partners with Dapper Labs to bring trading pins into metaverse… Oh, and SEC shakes down Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao to the tune of $4.3BB dollars… Thanksgiving table set: Blackrock at head carving the bird and Gary Gensler serving hot, steamy sides (of bad news!)

Xi and Biden meet in Silicon Valley, only tech and trade on the table! SEC's first BTC ETF window opens… and stays… open? SEC employees can't hold crypto, yet Gensler's open to an FTX reboot? JPMorgan bets hard on blockchain with JPMCoin, and Blackrock eyes a spot Ethereum ETF! Meta wants political ad AI transparency just as Hollywood negotiates AI and compensation. Oh, and the strike ended just in time for T-Day!

Back from the Bahamas, Bankman-Fried guilty as charged! Ouija Board says March 2024 gunna be BIG, while Bored Apes sail Yachts to Hong Kong (and get laser eyed for reals!) Ripple says “we not Stable Coins”, then Paypal and Binance get grilled! #NoPaxos… Senator Lumis is gunning for Gensler hardcore, and Elon ponders A.I. to govern A.I. to police A.I. Aye aye aye!

We whisk you away to the Bahamas, where Sam Bankman-Fried, the maestro of crypto, ran his empire amidst tax havens and sandy beaches. But watch out, AI's lurking, and President Biden's executive order is stirring up debates - are we innovating or over-regulating? Dive into the wild world of cryptocurrency, where SBF's strategies meet the wit of regulatory challenges, all sprinkled with a dash of tropical charm and tech intrigue. = = = = Each week, Mike Toner and Ankarino Lara discuss breaking news and trends in all things Crypto: from Bitcoin to ETH & Altcoins, from DeFi to NFTs, and of course Artificial Intelligence and the burgeoning Metaverse. Subscribe today and prepare yourself for a better tomorrow!

Global tensions and domestic upheavals. China and Russia get buddy buddy, while court revelations shed light on Alameda's backdoor casino and gangsta' style price manipulation. The US govt gots a hefty BTC bag amid wild market fluctuations, makes ya think? Meanwhile, AI's intersection with crypto captures regulators' attention, with Gensler warning of an impending financial crisis without proper regulation of AI, HUH? The recent enactment of California's Digital Financial Assets Law signals a regulatory shift, prompting reflections on the future of blockchain and crypto. Join us as we decode these intriguing developments in the fast-paced global landscape.

Gov shutdown averted, but Senator McHenry steals McCarthy's gavel. Trump in court, Sam Bankman-Fried in court, Gensler talks Pokèmon with congress. CFTC says Bitcoin *has always been* a commodity, duh, just check our undated web pages. And Brazil is confused as to what ‘blockchain' means. But who cares? Taylor steals all the narratives, dancing in a luxury box!

Biden on the picket lines, Writers off the picket line (for now), and McCarthy off his votes by a few! Apple + Disney = Entertainment-Verse, Google + Samsung = Business-Verse? The SEC, CFTC, and others open during shutdown because “essential”. American cultural exports strong this week: Dumb Money & Creator release, reshape narratives around wealth and A.I.!  = = = = Each week, Mike Toner and Ankarino Lara discuss breaking news and trends in all things Crypto: from Bitcoin to ETH & Altcoins, from DeFi to NFTs, and of course Artificial Intelligence and the burgeoning Metaverse. Subscribe today and prepare yourself for a better tomorrow!

The Cartel must be extra busy, what with gray cadavers in tiny coffins! Apple has Wanderlust, teases Spatial Video… Google has their day in court, teases 2010 indiscretions. Congressman Emmer thinks SEC has gone too far, Senator Warren says not far enough. GOP hates CBDCs, but Fednow.gov has USDC! Wait, if government shut down is imminent, does any of this matter?  = = = = Each week, Mike Toner and Ankarino Lara discuss breaking news and trends in all things Crypto: from Bitcoin to ETH & Altcoins, from DeFi to NFTs, and of course Artificial Intelligence and the burgeoning Metaverse. Subscribe today and prepare yourself for a better tomorrow!

Dumb Money leads sheeple to the slaughter… look Retail Investor, you can win! IRS says NO CRYPTO TAX for next 16 months… Accumulate! Accumulate! SEC kicks BTC ETF rulings down the road, SOMA.finance repackages old news with a new ribbon. VISA, JPMorgan, and the FEds all have blockchains! And China tanks Apple stock on a whisper… but not at G20! = = = = Each week, Mike Toner and Ankarino Lara discuss breaking news and trends in all things Crypto: from Bitcoin to ETH & Altcoins, from DeFi to NFTs, and of course Artificial Intelligence and the burgeoning Metaverse. Subscribe today and prepare yourself for a better tomorrow!