Crypto In America

Latest Episodes:

The "Clean Slate" Proposal That Could Rewrite Crypto's Past | Adrian Wall Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

The best crypto use cases haven't been invented yet according to Adrian Wall, Senior Director of U.S. Policy at Tron DAO and Managing Director of the Digital Sovereignty Alliance. A former finance executive turned crypto policy advocate, Adrian has helped shape some of Washington's biggest digital asset debates, including around the GENIUS and Clarity Acts.

In this episode, Adrian breaks down his "Clean Slate" proposal to protect good-faith crypto builders from retroactive liability, explains why Jamie Dimon's reversal on stablecoin yield felt like "a kick in the teeth" after months of negotiations, and why he still believes compromise with the banking industry is the right path.

We also discuss the Clarity Act's final hurdles, whether it can still pass the Senate this summer, and why Adrian believes America's biggest crypto breakthroughs won't happen until Washington gets the rules right.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 What Crypto in America Means to Adrian

02:51 Why Adrian Entered Crypto

05:51 How TradFi's View of Crypto Changed

08:58 The Trust Problem in Crypto

11:49 Is Crypto Policy Finally Working?

14:45 The "Clean Slate" Proposal Explained

17:58 The Stablecoin Yield Fight

21:00 Is the Banking Lobby Slowing Clarity?

23:53 Why Compromise Matters

32:43 GENIUS Implementation: What's Next?

35:13 Can the Clarity Act Still Pass?

39:03 The Final Push on Capitol Hill

45:01 Why TRON Is Investing in Washington

49:50 Bringing Crypto Innovation Back to the U.S.

53:02 Tether, TRON & Washington

56:20 Will Crypto Matter in the Midterms?

1:00:53 Streaming Payments & Crypto's Next Big Use Case

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Please note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

This show is sponsored by Sei. Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/

This show is sponsored by Sumsub. Get your copy of its State of the Crypto Industry report: https://sumsub.link/cdt

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Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

Perps, Policy & Policing Crypto | CME vs. CFTC, Clarity Act & Compliance Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, we break down the latest market selloff as bitcoin slips below $60,000, Strategy's mounting paper losses, and a wave of crypto industry layoffs. We also examine the escalating legal fight over Illinois' proposed crypto transaction tax, what Congress' summer recess means for pending crypto legislation, and the growing uncertainty surrounding the Clarity Act.

Then, we sit down with three expert guests: StarkWare General Counsel Katherine Kirkpatrick Bos to unpack the CME Group's lawsuit against the CFTC over perpetual futures, Sumsub Chief Growth Officer Ilya Brovin to discuss how AI is transforming compliance and fraud prevention, and Connecticut State Police Detective Matt Hogan to provide a front-line perspective on crypto investigations, blockchain policy, and the practical impact of regulation on law enforcement.

Is August 7th the Real Deadline for the Clarity Act? | Miller Whitehouse-Levine Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

The clock is ticking on the Clarity Act.

In this episode, recorded at the Solana Policy Institute's Washington and Wall Street event in Chicago, SPI founder and CEO Miller Whitehouse-Levine explains why he believes August 7 is the Senate's last real opportunity to pass crypto market structure legislation this Congress and why he's grown frustrated with calls for more time after 18 months of negotiations.

Miller breaks down the final hurdles standing in the bill's way, including the battle over the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA), why he believes the provision is essential to protecting software developers from criminal liability, and how ongoing negotiations with law enforcement groups could shape the bill's path forward.

We also discuss the growing political influence of the crypto industry, why durable legislation matters more than temporary regulatory relief, the rise of developer-focused advocacy in Washington, and what could happen to innovation in the United States if Congress fails to act before the window closes.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to the Solana Policy Institute Event

01:40 Regulatory Landscape for Crypto and Perpetual Futures

03:11 The Importance of Durable Wins in Crypto Regulation

05:26 Politics and Its Impact on Crypto Regulation

06:32 Supreme Court and Independent Commissions

07:56 Clarity Act: Current Status and Expectations

10:23 The Role of Law Enforcement in Crypto Regulation

12:07 Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) Overview

15:57 Potential Changes to BRCA Language

17:51 Ethics in Crypto Regulation

20:44 Political Engagement and the Developers Pack

23:06 The Future of Software Development and Regulation

25:44 Navigating Uncertainty in the Crypto Space

28:04 Impact of Leadership Changes on Crypto Cases

30:12 Future Priorities for the Solana Policy Institute

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjEQtdlNx1fxmS8hB

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crypto-in-america/id1799000155

This show is sponsored by Sei. Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/

This show is sponsored by Sumsub. Get your copy of its State of the Crypto Industry report: https://sumsub.link/cdt

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

CME vs. CFTC, SpaceX HYPE, and Wall Street's Tokenization Push Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

The crypto industry is closely watching a lawsuit between CME and the CFTC that could shape the future of innovation in U.S. derivatives markets. We break down what's at stake for perpetual futures and other crypto-native products with Hyperliquid Strategies CEO David Schamis and 250 Digital CEO Chris Perkins. Plus, a new coalition backed by some of Wall Street's biggest names is pushing to modernize the regulatory framework for tokenized markets. Chris Hayes, Executive Director of the Coalition for Tokenized Markets, joins us to discuss the policy changes still needed to make the U.S. a global leader in tokenization.

Rep. Dusty Johnson Warns Senate: Pass the Clarity Act Before August Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Rep. Dusty Johnson says the window for passing crypto market structure legislation is rapidly closing. In this episode, the House Agriculture Committee’s Digital Assets Subcommittee Chair explains why the Senate needs to move quickly on the Clarity Act, where he believes lawmakers should land on DeFi regulation, how Congress is thinking about CFTC funding, and what happens if the Senate sends the House a bill it can’t support.

Johnson also explains why he compares today’s crypto industry to the early days of the internet and argues that the Clarity Act could do for digital assets what the Telecommunications Act of 1996 did for broadband. He also breaks down why the House Agriculture Committee was able to advance the original bill with overwhelming bipartisan support and the hurdles that still stand between the legislation and the President’s desk.

In this episode,

TIMESTAMPS:

00:40 Congressman Dusty Johnson’s Perspective on Crypto In America

02:17 Agriculture Committee’s Shared Jurisdiction Over Crypto

04:04 Expanding Broadband and Blockchain's Power

05:34 Parallels Between Telecom Act of 1996 and Clarity Act

06:54 Policy Initiatives and Why Passing Clarity is Urgent

13:25 DeFi Regulation and Senate vs. House Approaches

21:42 Spot Authority and CFTC Oversight

25:47 Path to Bipartisan Support and Legislative Timeline

28:53 Evolution of Anti-CBDC Legislation

30:43 Johnson’s Message to Industry

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjEQtdlNx1fxmS8hB

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crypto-in-america/id1799000155

This show is sponsored by Sei. Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/

This show is sponsored by Sumsub. Get your copy of its State of the Crypto Industry report: https://sumsub.link/cdt

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

SpaceX Goes Public as Clarity Act Negotiations Reach a Critical Stage Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

The largest IPO in history has arrived. Elon Musk's SpaceX begins trading at a roughly $1.8 trillion valuation as the crypto market looks to recover from recent lows. Meanwhile, Clarity Act negotiations continue in the Senate, but progress on at least one key sticking point appears to have slowed with just a month left before lawmakers depart for the August recess. White House Crypto Council Executive Director Patrick Witt joins us with the latest from Washington. We also dive into the House's renewed focus on crypto taxes with former IRS Digital Assets Senior Advisor and Crypto Tax Girl Tax Director Trish Turner, and discuss the industry's push to preserve developer protections in the Clarity Act with Jito Labs CEO Lucas Bruder.

Does Crypto Need Wall Street, or Does Wall Street Need Crypto? | Adam Back & Jenny Johnson Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

Adam Back is the co-founder of Blockstream, the Bitcoin infrastructure company behind the Liquid Network, and one of the original figures in the cypherpunk movement. Jenny Johnson is the CEO of Franklin Templeton, the $1.8 trillion asset manager that was the first traditional finance firm to tokenize a money market fund.

In this episode, recorded live at the 2026 Proof of Talk Conference, Eleanor sits down with both guests to discuss the convergence of Wall Street and crypto, what institutional adoption means for Bitcoin’s original vision, why tokenization is gaining momentum, the future of wallet-native finance, and where the debate over stablecoin yield is headed.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:07 The Convergence Of Wall Street And Crypto

1:01 Cypherpunk Movement And Institutional Adoption

4:34 Efficiency In Financial Services Through Blockchain

8:04 Impact Of Regulation On Crypto And Financial Services

15:20 Wallet-Native Infrastructure Vs. Traditional Intermediaries

24:32 Bitcoin's Evolution

42:03 The Relationship Between Wall Street And Crypto

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjEQtdlNx1fxmS8hB

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crypto-in-america/id1799000155

This show is sponsored by Sei. Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/

This show is sponsored by Sumsub. Get your copy of its State of the Crypto Industry report: https://sumsub.link/cdt

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

Is AI Crashing the Crypto Market? Crypto Meltdown, Illinois' Crypto Tax, and New Software Dev PAC Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Crypto is having its worst week in two years. We break down what's behind the selloff, from the AI trade to the fallout from Michael Saylor's recent bitcoin sale, with Bitwise Head of Research Ryan Rasmussen. Plus, Illinois moves to impose a new 0.2% tax on crypto transactions, and Executive Director of the Illinois Blockchain Association Olta Andoni explains why some fear it could drive users and businesses out of the state. And a new PAC launches to support pro-developer lawmakers as legal protections for software developers become one of the biggest fights in the Clarity Act. The PAC's founder, Gavin Zavatone, joins the show.

BitGo’s CEO on its IPO Journey, Regulatory Tailwinds and Bridging Finance & Crypto Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Mike Belshe is the co-founder and CEO of BitGo, the digital asset infrastructure firm that custodies more than $100 billion in digital assets and handles roughly one-fifth of all bitcoin transaction value moved onchain.

In this episode, Mike explains why BitGo went public in January despite a choppy market, how he thinks about the wave of digital asset treasury companies following in Michael Saylor’s footsteps, and why he believes the current regulatory tailwinds are separating real builders from those simply chasing the latest cycle. He also shares his candid views on why traditional banking models are ripe for disruption.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Mike Belshe and BitGo

02:20 The Meaning of Crypto in America

04:48 Going Public: The IPO Experience

10:10 Market Cycles and Bitcoin's Current Environment

19:18 Custody and Security in Digital Assets

24:04 BitGo's Role as a Bridge Between Finance and Crypto

22:19 Navigating the Crypto Banking Landscape

26:50 Competition and Collaboration in the Crypto Space

28:31 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities

30:33 The Political Landscape of Digital Assets

32:39 The Future of Banking Models

34:48 Rethinking Reserve Banking

38:57 Access to Fed Master Accounts

42:47 The Future of Stablecoins

46:48 BitGo's Vision and Future Directions

50:52 Innovations Beyond Crypto: Space and AI

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjEQtdlNx1fxmS8hB

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crypto-in-america/id1799000155

This show is sponsored by Sei.

Learn more about Sei: https://www.sei.io/

This show is sponsored by Sumsub. Get your copy of its State of the Crypto Industry report: https://sumsub.link/cdt

Follow Crypto in America: https://x.com/CryptoAmerica_

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

CFTC Greenlights Bitcoin Perps, DTCC Taps Stellar & Crypto's Midterm Power Play May 29, 2026

Show notes

In a move it's been teasing for months, the CFTC greenlighted bitcoin perpetual futures contracts in the U.S. Gerald walks us through what this means and how it could impact offshore crypto companies like Hyperliquid. Plus, crypto-backed candidates swept key Texas primary runoffs. We speak with former NRSC Executive Director Jason Thielman about the industry's growing political influence and strategy heading into the midterms. And Stellar Development Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon joins us to discuss a new initiative with DTCC to bring DTC-custodied assets on-chain and what it could mean for the future of tokenization.

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