Crypto In America

Latest Episodes:

Crypto Policy Power Hour: Summer Mersinger, J.W. Verret, Paul Neuner Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

It was a big week for crypto policy in DC, as lawmakers and regulators descended on the Blockchain Association’s annual policy summit to discuss the latest developments in the crypto regulatory landscape. From progress on market structure to outlooks on the midterm elections and updates from key government agencies, we’ll get the highlights from BA CEO Summer Mersinger. Privacy hawk J.W. Verret joins us after speaking on a panel about the Big Banks’ “war on crypto” and what their involvement in market structure negotiations and the open banking debate could mean for the industry’s future. Plus, Telcoin CEO Paul Neuner stops by to break down his firm’s novel crypto bank charter and give his take on the deeper integration of crypto into the U.S. banking system.

Coinbase’s John D'Agostino on Institutional Adoption, Market Liquidity, Bitcoin ETFs, & Regulation Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

John D'Agostino is the Head of Institutional at Coinbase. In this conversation, we discuss Coinbase’s role at the center of institutional interest, bringing liquidity to the market, the impact of Bitcoin ETFs, How John’s past life in oil markets compare to crypto, the uptick in de-banking in the US, regulatory updates, and how Coinbase is building their super app

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/v7SMCK93vk8

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.

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TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome John D'Agostino To Crypto In America!

00:29 What ‘Crypto In America’ Means To John

01:33 - Coinbase At The Center Of Institutional - Recent Trends

04:03 - Liquidity - Depth & Breath

06:58 - What Is Crypto Missing For A Robust Market?

10:43 - Impact Of Bitcoin ETFs14:22 - How October 10th Scared Market Makers

16:00 - The Role Of Leverage & Perpetual Futures

20:42 - Bitcoin as Digital Gold

25:04 - John's Past Life In Oil Markets - Path To Crypto

28:43 - Crypto & Commodities Volatility Comparison

29:08 - The State of De-Banking in the US

31:02 - Survey Insights on Banking Discrimination

35:17 - Regulator Relationships

41:40 - Coinbase's Super App - Acquisitions Of Echo, Launch of Monad

4:30 - A True Public Utility Token Raise

49:41 - Everyone Wants Custody Staking & Lending

51:50 - Why John Is Watching The Czech National Bank's Bitcoin Experiment

55:30 - Thanks John For Joining! Like & Subscribe

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

Institutions Are Still Coming In Despite Crypto Market Pull Back | Chris Perkins, CoinFund Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

Chris Perkins is the President & Managing Partner at CoinFund. In this conversation, we discuss the latest on regulation in the United States, why institutions are still very interested in crypto, when/if market structure will ever get passed, the roll of CFTC & SEC in 2026, the emergence of DATs, spot trading, the concept of privateering, and the stablecoin market.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VCF62egSOZA

This show is powered by Sei.

Learn more about Sei:

https://www.sei.io/

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

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Chris To Crypto In America!

0:48 - What Does ‘Crypto In America’ Mean To Chris

2:20 - Chokepoint & Why We Needed Regulation In the US

05:28 - Crypto Infrastructure For Trading

08:30 - Institutions Are Still Moving Forward Despite Market Pull Back

11:15 - ADL Explained

12:15 - How Regulation Can Impact Centralized Exchanges

15:00 - Market Structure Will Never Get Done??

18:00 - Path Forward For CFTC & SEC

22:00 - Future & Derivatives Exchanges Doing Spot Trading

25:14 - Digital Asset Treasury Companies

28:40 - Do We Want Crypto Seperated From Securities?

30:49 - The Concept of Privateering

37:30 - CEO Council

42:55 - The Role of Privacy

44:17 - Chris’ Military Strategies Applied to Crypto

48:00 -Tether Credit Downgrade, Thoughts On Stablecoins

52:30 - Chris Is Obsessed With Futures, The State Of Alt Coins

54:00 - Thanks Chris For Joining! Like & Subscribe

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

Black Friday Bounce, Stablecoin Rewards & America’s First Bitcoin Bond Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

On this Black Friday edition of CIA Live, the hosts break down their Thanksgivings and what turned into a surprisingly newsy holiday week. Anchorage Digital’s Head of Global Operations Rachel Anderika and Vice President of Stablecoins Martin Carrica join the show to discuss Anchorage’s new stablecoin rewards program amid a fierce push by banks to curb crypto firms’ ability to offer yield. Then, New Hampshire Business Finance Authority Executive Director James Key-Wallace and Wave Digital co-founder Les Borsai join to explain how New Hampshire is breaking ground with its first-ever Bitcoin-backed conduit bond.

How Aave Is Transforming Finance with DeFi and $64 Billion in Deposits Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

Stani Kulechov is the Founder of Aave Labs. We spoke to Stani live on stage at SmartCon. In this conversation, we discuss how Aave’s is bridging the gap from TradFI to DeFi, tokenization, the introduction of the new initiavte Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance aimed at shaping DeFi policy, his thoughts on the SEC & current regulatory environment, if crypto is protecting the wrong people, market volatility, and token buybacks.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y3bQRjEQtdlNx1fxmS8hB?si=813495451b9f4e4e

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

This show is powered by Sei.

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

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Stani To Crypto In America

0:48 - What ‘Crypto in America’ Means To Stani

1:42 - TradFi Entering The DeFi Space - How Aave Is Bridging the Gap

3:50 - Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance - Shaping DeFi Policy In DC

7:00 - U.S. Opportunities vs. Overseas Counties (AAPAC, Europe, Latam)

9:25 - Is Crypto Protecting The Wrong People (I.e. Roman Storm) - Thoughts On Protecting Developers

11:30 - Is The SEC understanding crypto? Is Stani Optimistic About DeFi Regulation?

14:15 - Recent Market Volatility In The Space

16:25 - Navigating Small Team Startups vs. Large Institutions/Compliance

17:50 - $50M Token Buyback - Will DeFi Continue To Adopt TradFi-style buybacks?

19:10 - Stani Is Excited About Providing More Access To Finance

20:15 - Thanks Dani For Joining! Like & Subscribe

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

Crypto's Christmas Wish is Clarity | $ZEC's Wild November Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Against the backdrop of Bitcoin wiping out all of its 2025 gains again, there’s a lot happening in crypto policy this week. 36-year-old crypto lawyer Khurram Dara announced his campaign for New York AG, challenging anti-crypto incumbent Letitia James. Dara joins the show to dicuss running on a platform to reverse what he calls James’s business-unfriendly policies and lawfare tactics, which he says are worsening New York’s affordability crisis. More than 60 crypto firms joined forces to send a letter to President Trump, urging the administration to move quickly on a handful of policy recommendations under consideration. The letter was spearheaded by the Solana Policy Institute, and engagement director Colin McLaren breaks down what’s behind it. Plus, Paul Brigner talks Zcash’s meteoric rise this month and what’s driving it.

How Bitwise's Solana ETF Topped The Charts - Will XRP, Chainlink & Avalanche Be Next? Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Hunter Horsley is the Co-Founder & CEO of Bitwise Asset Management. In this conversation, we discuss launching one of the first crypto index funds, the evolution of ETFs, staking, and institutional adoption, including the first Solana staking ETF on Wall Street, the next ETFs to be released, DATs, the impact of regulatory changes, and the ongoing efforts to educate mainstream investors.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA

This episode is sponsored by Avalanche: https://www.avax.network/

Watch On YouTube: https://youtu.be/gDEpaMj_2Wg

This show is powered by Sei.

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

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome Hunter Horsley To Crypto In America

0:50 - What ‘Crypto In America’ Means To Hunter

1:59 - Hunter's Journey from Big Tech to Crypto

7:35 - The Evolution of ETFs & Crypto Asset Management in 7 Years

9:45 - Bitwise’s Operation

14:35- Regulatory Challenges During Gensler, ETF Launch

17:20 - Is Regulation Taking Too Long?

19:30 - Why Bitwise Prefers ETFs

23:00 - Allowing People To Get Exposure To Crypto Through ETF

26:45 - Appealing To Retail Traders

28:53 - The Success of Solana Staking ETF - The Largest ETF Launch

36:47 - Solana Community

37:08 - Launching More ETFS (Filing For XRP, Chainlink, Avalanche)

40:39 - Bitwise's Staking Business

44:00 - In-Kind Transactions and Digital Asset Treasuries

53:00 - How DATs took over

55:46 - Crypto Education and Institutional Interest

59:45 - Bearish Sentiment In The Crypto Markets

1:03:00 - Banking Adoption

1:06:30 - Crypto As Emerging Tech Similar To E-Commerce

01:10:00 - Thanks Hunter For Joining

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

XRP ETF Record Launch | Coinbase Heads South | Senate Ag Bill Buzz Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

The U.S.’s largest crypto exchange is relocating from Delaware to Texas, part of a broader wave of companies leaving the First State for more favorable jurisdictions. Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal joins the show to explain the move and why Texas is fast becoming a new hub for U.S. innovators.

Canary Capital made history this week with the first-ever 33 Act spot XRP ETF, opening Wall Street’s doors to institutional access to the world’s third largest digital asset by market cap. Canary CEO Steve McClurg joins the show to discuss the record breaking launch.

And on Capitol Hill, the Senate Agriculture Committee released its long-awaited market structure discussion draft. We get Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone’s take on the text and how the industry is reacting to it.

How Avalanche Is Onboarding Institutions, FIFA, & States Through L1s and Tokenization | John Wu Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

John Wu is the President of Ava Labs, In this conversation, we discuss regulatory changes in the U.S, the importance of onshoring crypto innovation, updates on market structure in DC, real world adoption, why Avalance has many L1s, Tokenization, the growing trend of enterprises embracing blockchain technology. John details Ava Labs' projects such as partnerships with the Cleveland Cavaliers, FIFA World Cup, Wyoming Stablecoin, the California DMV, and land registries in NJ.

This episode is sponsored by Gemini: https://gemini.com/CIA

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DKPBf709vaQ

This show is powered by Sei.

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

Follow Sei: https://x.com/SeiNetwork

Follow our hosts

Jacquelyn: https://x.com/jacqmelinek

Gerald: https://x.com/thatgerald

Eleanor: https://x.com/EleanorTerrett

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Welcome John Wu To Crypto In America

0:33 - What Does ‘Crypto in America’ Mean To John?

1:20 - Regulatory Changes In The Last Year

2:19 - Market Structure Developments in DC - What Is John Excited About?

3:55 - Is Enterprise Now Comfortable With Ava? - Real-World Applications

6:21 - Is Crypto Still Cool? Does It Need To Be?

8:55 - Working With FIFA & The World Cup

10:56 - Stateside Growth vs. Global Expansion

13:08 - Products That Ava Labs Is Working On in The US

17:03 - Avalanche Has Several Chains - Flexible Architecture For Enterprise

21:00 - Do Enterprises Want To Build L1s?

23:00 - How Many Avalanche L1s Does John Want To See?

23:50 - What Do Institutions Want To Do With Tokenization

29:24 - Tokenizing Traditional Assets, Digital Asset Treasuries, Asset Wrappers

31:00 - Challenges in Marketing & Mainstream Knowledge of Ava

35:25 - Stablecoins and Liquidity Volume For All Ecosystems

38:30 - TradFi and DeFi Convergence?

41:07 - Acquisitions in the Crypto Space

44:20 - John Wu's Journey into Crypto

47:33 - Future of Private Market Access

53:08 - What John Is Paying Attention

55:00 - Thanks John For Joining! Like & Subscriber

#crypto #bitcoin #blockchain #investing #technology #america

2025 Market Gains Gone? Recap of Ripple Swell & SmartCon Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

The team had a busy week in New York City attending Ripple's Swell and Chainlink's SmartCon conferences. We sat down with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, Aave founder Stani Kulechov and Ben Jones, co-founder of Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain Optimism.

In today’s episode, we will recap the week’s news including the market turmoil that has wiped out nearly all of crypto’s gains this year and share our on-site interview with Ben Jones. We will also dive into policy with Ava Labs General Counsel Lee Schneider, discussing key priorities for market structure and why the SEC and CFTC will still play a big role in crypto regulation.

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