CoinDesk Podcast Network

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BREAKDOWN: The Arrest Heard Round the World Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

On Friday, Dutch authorities arrested a 29-year-old Tornado Cash developer.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis and FTX US.

On today’s episode, NLW looks at the crypto industry’s response to news that 29-year-old Alexey Pertsev was arrested for his work on Tornado Cash. He also looks at Coin Center’s new potential court challenge to the Office of Foreign Asset Controls sanctions, which argues that the agency doesn’t have the authority to sanction a smart contract in the first place.

Nexo is a security-first platform where you can buy, exchange and borrow against your crypto. The company safeguards your crypto by relying on five key fundamentals including real-time auditing and insurance on custodial assets. Learn more at nexo.io.

Chainalysis is the blockchain data platform. We provide data, software, services and research to government agencies, exchanges, financial institutions and insurance and cybersecurity companies. Our data powers investigation, compliance and market intelligence software that has been used to solve some of the world’s most high-profile criminal cases. For more information, visit www.chainalysis.com.

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I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk facilitates capital flow and market growth by connecting the digital economy with traditional finance through the presenter’s mainstage, capital allocation meeting rooms and sponsor expo floor. Use code BREAKDOWN20 for 20% off the General Pass. Learn more and register at coindesk.com/ideas.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Chalermphon Kumchai/EyeEm/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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

THE HASH: Galaxy Digital Abandons $1.2B Plan to Acquire BitGo; and Another Stablecoin Tumbles After Hackers Exploit Bug Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

The most valuable crypto stories for Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.

"The Hash" hosts discuss Galaxy Digital walking away from its plan to buy crypto custody firm BitGo. Also, an update on the depegging that happened on Sunday of Acala’s native stablecoin, aUSD, tumbled after hackers exploited a bug. In a final topic Terraform founder Do Kwon speaks out on his first interview since the $45 billion collapse of Terra.

Galaxy Digital Abandons $1.2B Plan to Acquire Crypto Custody Firm BitGo

Crypto Custody Firm BitGo to Sue Galaxy Digital for Abandoning $1.2B Merger Agreement

I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk facilitates capital flow and market growth by connecting the digital economy with traditional finance through the presenter’s mainstage, capital allocation meeting rooms and sponsor expo floor. Use code HASH20 for 20% off the General Pass. Register now: coindesk.com/ideas

This episode has been edited by Michele Musso. Our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

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

BREAKDOWN: Why Economic Wars Are Inflationary Aug 14, 2022

Show notes

Why our understanding of inflation might be fundamentally mistaken.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR.

On this edition of “Long Reads Sunday,” NLW excerpts Credit Suisse analyst Zoltan Pozsar’s “War and Interest Rates.”

NEAR is a simple, revolutionary Web3 platform for decentralized apps, created by developers for developers. More than 700 projects are now building on NEAR’s fast, secure and infinitely scalable protocol, from DeFi apps to play-and-earn games, NFT marketplaces and more. Start your developer journey now by visiting NEAR at near.org.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore, aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: sorbetto/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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

THE HASH: Headlines – Top Stories of the Week 08-13-22 Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

A roundup of the week’s most valuable crypto stories for Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.

Missed any episodes of “The Hash” this week? Today’s recap episode will get you caught up.

“Hash Headlines” rounds up this week’s headline stories, including:

Crypto Mixing Service Tornado Cash Blacklisted
Reddit Teams Up With FTX Pay
Bitcoin Pops as US Inflation Slows Down
The Ethereum Network Successfully Runs Final Test of Upgrade; ETH Rises to Two-Month High, Outperforming Bitcoin

Reddit Expands Community Points Offering With FTX Pay Integration

US Inflation Slowed to 8.5% in July, CPI Report Shows; Bitcoin Jumps

Ether Tops $1.9K as Ethereum Runs Final 'Merge' Rehearsal

I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk facilitates capital flow and market growth by connecting the digital economy with traditional finance through the presenter’s mainstage, capital allocation meeting rooms and sponsor expo floor. Use code HASH20 for 20% off the General Pass. Register now: coindesk.com/ideas

This episode has been produced and edited by Michele Musso. Our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is by Matt Wigton “Angeles Crest.”

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

BREAKDOWN: Tornado Cash Sanctions – The Most Significant Crypto Overreach by the US Government Yet? Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

Some argue the sanctions threaten the very idea that code is speech.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR.

On this edition of the “Weekly Recap,” NLW reflects on the July inflation data as well as the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions on Tornado Cash.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore, aka NLW, with today’s editing by Eleanor Pahl and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: z_wei/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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

THE HASH: Suspected Tornado Cash Developer Under Arrest Is Reportedly Identified Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

The most valuable crypto stories for Friday, Aug. 12, 2022.

"The Hash" team discusses the latest developments. According to The Block, the developer who was arrested in Amsterdam and is suspected of being involved in the sanctioned Tornado Cash protocol is Alexey Pertsev. Plus, sales of Pudgy Penguin non-fungible tokens (NFT) heat up after the project announced it would be licensing select NFTs to be made into physical toy collectibles.

Pudgy Penguins NFT Prices Surge After Creator Unveils IRL Toys

Tornado Cash's Discord Appears to go Dark

I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk facilitates capital flow and market growth by connecting the digital economy with traditional finance through the presenter’s mainstage, capital allocation meeting rooms and sponsor expo floor. Use code HASH20 for 20% off the General Pass. Register now: coindesk.com/ideas

This episode has been edited by Michele Musso. Our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

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

BREAKDOWN: A Primer on How Oil Has Reflected Macro and Geopolitics Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

From negative prices in 2020 to a major driver of inflation of 2022, oil is a key geopolitical and economic player.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR.

On today’s episode, NLW provides a primer on the recent history of oil markets. He looks at how oil went from trading in negative territory in April 2020 to being a massive contributor to 2022’s inflation. Finally, he explores how oil reflects political realignments that will shape the world in the years to come.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore, aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: sesame/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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

MONEY REIMAGINED: Regulation in the Wake of the Crypto Winter. Will It Go Too Far? Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Circle and NEAR.

Until this year’s massive correction in token prices with the related collapse of Terra, Celsius Network and other once-big players, industry leaders could argue that a lightweight touch to regulation would allow innovation in this booming sector to flourish, however the extent of the losses has swung the balance in favor of regulators.

Recently, concerns have been raised with Tornado Cash, a decentralized software that mixes ether (ETH) payments to hide users’ tracks. The usage of this Ethereum-based smart contract has been banned for all US citizens and companies since it was added to the U.S. OFAC SDN list due to North Korean hackers using the program.

On today’s episode of “Money Reimagined,” discussing crypto regulation with host Michael Casey, is Tonya Evans, professor at Penn State Dickinson Law, a published author and influential crypto adviser with expertise in blockchain and crypto asset law, information privacy, administrative law and social justice.

Overcompensation happens in finance and there’s a good chance it will happen with crypto.

Crypto-Mixing Service Tornado Cash Blacklisted by US Treasury

What Happens When You Try to Sanction a Protocol Like Tornado Cash

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Money Reimagined listeners get a special discount on Converge22, Circle’s first annual conference on the blockchain-driven future of money. Coming this September, Converge22 is for change makers looking to build what’s next in Web3. Use the code “CoinDesk” at checkout https://hubs.li/Q01hpy4w0.

NEAR is a simple, revolutionary Web3 platform for decentralized apps, created by developers for developers. More than 700 projects are now building on NEAR’s fast, secure and infinitely scalable protocol, from DeFi apps to play-and-earn games, NFT marketplaces and more. Start your developer journey now by visiting NEAR at near.org.

I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk is the place to see your idea for the next big thing through – meet with leading investors, vet service providers and meet fellow visionaries at the Investing in Digital Assets and Enterprises Summit. Learn more and apply to become a presenter today: coindesk.com/ideas

This episode was produced and edited by Michele Musso with announcements by Adam B. Levine and our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. The theme song is “Shepard.”

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

THE HASH: The Ethereum Network Successfully Runs Final Test of Upgrade Causing ETH to Rise Two-Month High, Outperforming Bitcoin Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

The most valuable crypto stories for Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.

"The Hash" team discusses its excitement about the Ethereum networks’ final test of its upcoming upgrade. Mailchimp apparently “de-platformed” the accounts of several crypto-related firms, according to the affected outlets. And another story, the team breaks down further is one week after announcing a partnership with Coinbase, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is releasing a spot bitcoin (BTC) private trust for U.S. clients.

Email Marketing Firm Mailchimp Suspends Several Crypto-Related Accounts

BlackRock, Fresh Off Coinbase Tie-Up, Offers Direct Bitcoin Exposure

I.D.E.A.S. 2022 by CoinDesk facilitates capital flow and market growth by connecting the digital economy with traditional finance through the presenter’s mainstage, capital allocation meeting rooms and sponsor expo floor. Use code HASH20 for 20% off the General Pass. Register now: coindesk.com/ideas

This episode has been edited by Michele Musso. Our executive producer is Jared Schwartz. Our theme song is “Neon Beach.”

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

BREAKDOWN: How Much Privacy and Decentralization Really Matter, Feat. Jill Gunter Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

The investor and crypto privacy entrepreneur reflects on the Tornado Cash sanctions.

This episode is sponsored by Nexo.io, Chainalysis, FTX US and NEAR.

NLW is joined today by Jill Gunter, the chief strategy officer at Espresso Systems. In this conversation, they discuss why the U.S. Treasury Department might have chosen an action that seemingly leaves them open to much legal recourse, and why part of the answer might be technological not political.

“The Breakdown” is written, produced by and features Nathaniel Whittemore, aka NLW, with editing by Rob Mitchell and research by Scott Hill. Jared Schwartz is our executive producer and our theme music is “Countdown” by Neon Beach. The music you heard today behind our sponsors is “The Now” by Aaron Sprinkle. Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images, modified by CoinDesk. Join the discussion at discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8.

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