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THE PROTOCOL: Polygon | Building a Unified Environment for Value and Liquidity Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Brendan Farmer, Co-Founder of Polygon, gives an overview of Polygon's Ecosystem and its adoption and benefits of the Ag Layer.

This episode is sponsored by the Stellar Community Fund

Follow the show here for more.

In this installment of "The Protocol," hosts Brad Keoun, the founding editor of The Protocol Newsletter, and tech journalists Sam Kessler and Margaux Nijkerk, dive into

the strategy and vision behind the Ag layer, which aims to solve the problem of L2 fragmentation on Ethereum with Brendan Farmer Co-Founder of Polygon.

Polygon is focused on building a unified environment for value, liquidity, and state in the Ethereum ecosystem. The Ag layer connects different mini-ecosystems within Polygon and allows chains to plug into the liquidity and value that already exists.

Takeaways

Polygon's strategy is to build a unified environment for value, liquidity, and state in the Ethereum ecosystem.
The Ag layer connects different mini-ecosystems within Polygon and allows chains to plug into existing liquidity and value.
The Ag layer includes a builder marketplace where builders can simultaneously build blocks across multiple chains, providing users with a seamless experience.
The goal is to create a positive-sum outcome for all chains involved and avoid fragmentation in the ecosystem.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:19 Polygon's Strategy and Tech Shift

06:50 Analogies for Understanding the Ag Layer

07:26 Adoption and Benefits of the Ag Layer

09:36 Overview of Polygon's Ecosystem

10:54 Polygon Today: POS Chain and ZKVM Chain

12:28 Polygon's Technological Innovations

14:35 POS Chain and the Future of Polygon

19:42 The Ag Layer as a Connector

22:02 Competition and Collaboration in the Industry

23:36 Avoiding Fragmentation and Rent-Seeking

25:23 The Challenge of Monetizing Users in Crypto

27:44 The Builder Marketplace and Block Building

28:16 MEV and the Ag Layer

32:16 Addressing Outages and Ensuring Stability

34:44 Precautions and Warnings for Users

38:27 The Eigen Layer and L2 Vision

40:17 The Den Koon Upgrade and the Blob Market

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EPISODE LINKS |

Polygon Acquires Ethereum Scaling Startup Mir for $400M

Polygon Plans 'AggLayer,' in Bid to Synthesize Modular, Monolithic Blockchains

Polygon Releases 'Type 1 Prover,' Claiming Milestone Set by Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin

Polygon, StarkWare Tout New 'Circle STARKs' as Breakthrough for Zero-Knowledge Proofs

From Our Sponsor:

The Stellar Community Fund (SCF) is an open-application awards program that draws on community input to support developers and startups building on Stellar and Soroban. Accelerate your web3 project today.

Apply for Funding at communityfund.stellar.org

The Protocol has been produced and edited by senior producer Michele Musso and our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Take Me Back” by Strength To Last.

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COINDESK DAILY: Australia Moves on a Spot Bitcoin ETF; Franklin Templeton on Bitcoin NFTs Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the latest news in the crypto industry from a potential spot bitcoin ETF in Australia to Franklin Templeton's new report on bitcoin NFTs.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the biggest headlines impacting the crypto industry today, as Australia-based Monochrome Asset Management announced their application for a spot bitcoin (BTC) exchange traded fund. Plus, the state of bitcoin miner Hut 8 (HUT) after its merger with US Bitcoin Corp. (USBTC) And a new report from Franklin Templeton on Bitcoin NFTs.

Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “First Mover” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and Melissa Montañez and edited by Victor Chen.

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UNCHAINED: Ethena’s USDe Grew to $2 Billion in 7 Weeks. Is It Safe? Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Ethena's synthetic dollar, USDe, hit a $2 billion market cap in just seven weeks, raising eyebrows. Ethena Labs founder Guy Young explores the risks of reinventing the digital dollar.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,Fountain, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts,Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

This week, Ethena was in the spotlight after the airdrop of ENA, its new governance token. Ethena’s flagship product, the “synthetic dollar” USDe has amassed a $2 billion market cap in less than two months. Meanwhile, ENA’s market capitalization sits around $1.4 billion, with a fully diluted valuation of $15.5 billion.

In this episode, Guy Young, founder of Ethena Labs, discusses the risks associated with Ethena, including custodial risks and counterparty risks to exchanges. Young also talks about the use cases of Ethena's governance token, and discusses the potential for Ethena to be integrated with DeFi and CeFi.

Show highlights:

An introduction to what Ethena is and how USDe works
Why the team doesn't want to refer to USDe as a stablecoin and prefers to use the term "synthetic dollar"
What the risks of USDe are, including custody, counterparties, and smart contracts
Why Guy is "pleased" with how the ENA airdrop went through
How ENA will be used and what its role will be in the governance of Ethena
Why Ethena is now onboarding Bitcoin as collateral
Why Guy thinks that there's been an "exaggeration" regarding the situation with Maker and Aave
Guy's response to the critics who say that Ethena is essentially Terra/Luna
Whether USDe would only work in a bull market
How the Ethena insurance fund works and what it aims to accomplish
What's next for Ethena after onboarding Bitcoin, with Solana potentially being the next asset

Thank you to our sponsors! Polkadot | iTrustCapital

Guest

Guy Young, founder of Ethena Labs.

Previous appearance on Unchained: How Ethena's USDe Challenges Traditional Stablecoin Models

Links

Ethena:

Unchained: What Is Ethena’s USDe Synethic Dollar? A Beginner’s Guide

Decrypt:Ethena Just Launched to a $1.2 Billion Market Cap: Here’s What You Need to Know

Dust on Crust by Arthur Hayes

Airdrop:

Unchained: Airdrops From Wormhole and Ethena Labs Set to Inject $2.4 Billion Into Crypto Market This Week

CoinTelegraph: Ethena will become highest revenue-generating crypto project — Delphi Labs CEO

ENA Airdrop and Season 2: Sats Campaign

Learn more: What Is a Crypto Airdrop? A Beginner’s Guide

MakerDAO/Aave controversy:

The Block: MakerDAO proposes allocating $600 million worth of DAI into USDe and sUSDe

The Defiant: DeFi Projects Clash After MakerDAO Adds Ethena’s USDe As Collateral,

Comparisons to Terra’s UST:

Unchained: As Ethena’s USDe Quickly Reaches $2 Billion in Market Cap, Some Wonder If It’s as Risky as Terra’s UST

The Defiant: Ethena Stablecoin’s 27% Yield is Triggering Terra-Induced PTSD

Andre Cronje’s thoughts on USDe

Cointelegraph: Ethena Labs founder clarifies USDe stability amid high yield worries

Unchained Podcast is Produced by Laura Shin Media, LLC. Distributed by CoinDesk. Senior Producer is Michele Musso and Executive Producer is Jared Schwartz.

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THE MINING POD: Taiwan’s Earthquake, Franklin Templeton on Ordinals and Poolin’s Asset Sale Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

We go through this week’s Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining news, including the dangers to TSMC chip production from the earthquake in Taiwan, Franklin Templeton on Ordinals and Poolin selling its 100 MW farm for a fair chunk of change.

Follow along on your favorite podcast player of choice by clicking here.

Welcome to the news roundup! Today we chat about potential delays to TSMCs chip production from the earthquake in Taiwan, Franklin Templeton on Ordinals and Poolin selling its 100 MW farm for a fair chunk of change.

Chapter Markers:

00:00:00 Start

00:01:07 Intro

00:04:21 The Big Empty Documentary

00:05:40 Taiwan Earthquake Impact

00:10:55 Bitcoin Ordinals Corner

00:15:33 Mining Pool Centralization

00:24:23 Stratum V2 Discussion

00:29:35 Poolin Sells Texas Assets

00:35:18 Sauna Miner Test: S21 vs M60

00:38:08 Outro

Published twice weekly, "The Mining Pod" interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews on Tuesday and a news show on Friday!

👉 Check out our other shows and content by going to Blockspace.media today.

👉 Join our Bitcoin Halving party in Denver, Colorado on April 20th!

👉 Watch our newest documentary, The Big Empty!

Follow our host on Twitter, @wsfoxley.

Thank you to our sponsor, CleanSpark, America’s Bitcoin miner! And thank you to Foreman Mining, Master Your Mining!

"The Mining Pod" is produced by Sunnyside Honey LLC with Senior Producer, Damien Somerset. Distributed by CoinDesk with Senior Producer Michele Musso and Executive Producer Jared Schwartz.

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Markets Daily: CoinDesk Markets Week in Review Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

CoinDesk Indices presents notable data insights from the week, followed by additional analysis from an industry expert.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

The CoinDesk Market Index (CMI) functions as a benchmark for the performance of the digital asset market, delivering institutional quality information to digital asset investors. Subsets of the CoinDesk Market Index (CMI) are investible CoinDesk Crypto Sectors and the CoinDesk 20 Index, designed to measure the performance of the top digital assets. Today’s takeaways are provided by Tracy Stephens, senior index manager at CoinDesk Indices with additional analysis from Connor Farley, CEO and Co-Founder of Truvius. For more on CoinDesk Indices, visit: coindeskmarkets.com.

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FIRST MOVER: Crypto Is 'Waking Up' to Real World Assets: Securitize CEO Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Securitize founder and CEO Carlos Domingo discusses BlackRock's launch of its tokenized asset fund on the Ethereum network.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

Asset management giant BlackRock (BLK) partnered with Securitize to launch its tokenized asset fund on the Ethereum network. Securitize founder and CEO Carlos Domingo joins "First Mover" with insights on the partnership and evolution of real-world assets in the crypto space.

This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “First Mover” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and Melissa Montañez and edited by Victor Chen.

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COINDESK DAILY: Wormhole’s W Token Has a 999% Weekly Return; Why VanEck Is Bullish on Ethereum Layer 2s Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

Host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the latest news in the crypto industry from the latest with Wormhole’s newly released W token to VanEck's bullish prediction for Ethereum Layer 2s.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the biggest headlines impacting the crypto industry today, including Solana DeFi application Kamino offering a weekly yield of more than 999%, paid out in W and JTO tokens. Plus, VanEck predicts Ethereum layer 2 networks to be valued at over $1 trillion by 2030 and CFTC data shows that leveraged funds held record net short positions in CME's bitcoin futures last week.

This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “First Mover” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and Melissa Montañez and edited by Victor Chen.

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

MARKETS DAILY: Crypto Update | Could Rate Cuts By the Fed Pose Implications for Bitcoin? Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

The latest price moves and insights with Helene Braun and Aaron Klein, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

On "Markets Daily," Aaron Klein, senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution, joins Markets Daily with insight on the macroeconomic environment and its relation to financial markets. They focus on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates and inflation and the potential impact on Bitcoin and other crypto assets.

Takeaways |

The Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates and inflation is a key factor to watch in the macroeconomic environment.
Rate cuts by the Fed could have implications for Bitcoin, other crypto assets, and financial markets in general.
Global factors, such as geopolitical tensions and economic developments in other countries, can impact the US economy and financial markets.
Understanding the relationship between macroeconomics and financial markets is important for investors and traders.

Chapters |

00:00 Introduction and Market Update

01:20 The Federal Reserve's Impact on Financial Markets

06:02 Monitoring Global Factors concerning the US Economy

10:22 The Intersection of Macroeconomics and Financial Markets

12:12 Conclusion

LINKS |

CoinDesk 20

Consensus 2024 is where experts convene to discuss ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers, and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. CoinDesk curates the tenth annual Consensus to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities, and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MD15.

Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

This episode was hosted by Helene Braun. “Markets Daily” is produced and edited by senior producer Michele Musso, and executive producer Jared Schwartz alongside Senior Booker, Melissa Montañez—all original music by Doc Blust and Colin Mealey.

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MONEY REIMAGINED: Navigating Crypto Culture Clash | Strategies for Inclusivity and Positive Online Communities Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Blending tech, culture, and crypto to address online inequities, empowered by blockchain's transformative potential.

This episode is sponsored by Consensus 2024

Now Available for pre-order |

Michael Casey’s New Book with Frank H. McCourt, their forthcoming book: Our Biggest Fight: Reclaiming Liberty, Humanity, and Dignity in the Digital Age

In this week's installment of "Money Reimagined," hosts Michael Casey and Sheila Warren discuss the intersection of technology, culture, and crypto. They explore the increasing toxicity in certain corners of the crypto community and the need to create a more equitable and inclusive culture. They also touch on moderation challenges and the incentives that drive behavior on social media platforms. Their conversation highlights the importance of building better communities and rethinking the structures and incentives that shape online interactions.

Takeaways |

The crypto community needs to address the increasing toxicity in certain corners and strive for a more inclusive and equitable culture.
The challenges of moderation on social media platforms highlight the need to rethink the structures and incentives that shape online behavior.
Building better communities and promoting positive norms and behaviors is crucial for creating a healthier digital environment.
The intersection of technology, culture, and crypto presents opportunities to address inequities and distortions on the internet. The online economy incentivizes extreme behavior and polarizing discussions, driven by the pursuit of attention and financial gain.
Crypto culture emerged in the social media era and is influenced by algorithmic systems that prioritize engagement over thoughtful discourse.
Blockchain technology has the potential to empower hyperlocal communities and enable meaningful change at a local level.
The erosion of local media has contributed to the rise of toxic behavior in online communities.
Policy-making should consider the nuances of different communities and focus on addressing local issues that directly impact people's lives.

Links |

Crypto Council for Innovation

CoinDesk.com

Consensus is where experts convene to talk about the ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MRP15.

Register now at consensus.coindesk.com

Money Reimagined has been produced and edited by senior producer Michele Musso and our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “The News Tonight ” by Shimmer.

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

MARKETS DAILY: Crypto Update |Bitcoin ETFs Trade $111 Billion and Assessing the Launch Timeline for Ethereum ETF Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

The latest price moves and insights with Helene Braun and Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise.

To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.

On "Markets Daily," CIO of Bitwise, Matt Hougan, joins Markets Daily with insights on the recent trends in crypto assets, focusing on Bitcoin and Ether, and how ETFs have influenced their trading volumes. It credits the success of Bitcoin ETFs to making Bitcoin more accessible to a broader investor base. Hougan also explores Bitcoin's volatility and its potential to reach new highs, while addressing the outflows from Grayscale's GBTC and the chance for reduced fees. Additionally, the impact of Fed Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming speech is considered less significant than the effects of ETF inflows and the Bitcoin halving event on Bitcoin's price.

Takeaways |

Bitcoin ETFs have contributed to increased trading volumes and accessibility of Bitcoin to a wider range of investors.
Bitcoin's volatility is seen as part of a fixed channel, and the expectation is that it will surpass its previous all-time high.
Outflows from Grayscale's GBTC are attributed to the availability of lower-cost products and the need for investors to do due diligence.
The introduction of an Ethereum ETF may be more beneficial after the market has had time to digest Bitcoin ETFs.
The flows into ETFs and the Bitcoin halving are expected to have a greater impact on Bitcoin's price than the actions of the Fed.

LINKS |

CoinDesk 20

Bitcoin Back Down to $66K as Rising Treasury Yields Catch Investor Interest

Consensus 2024 is where experts convene to discuss ideas shaping our digital future. Join developers, investors, founders, brands, policymakers and more in Austin, Texas from May 29-31. The tenth annual Consensus is curated by CoinDesk to feature the industry’s most sought-after speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Take 15% off registration with the code MD15.

Register now at consensus.coindesk.com.

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

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