Unconfirmed

Latest Episodes:

Electric Capital on the Coins Punching Below Their Weight - Ep.86 Aug 16, 2019

Show notes

Maria Shen, head of data science at Electric Capital, dives into the details of the firm's report on crypto developer activity, which analyzed 27,000 code repositories to find that a recent decrease in crypto developer activity came from a drop-off in one-time-per-month and part-time developers, while full-time developers increased 13%. She explains how this breaks out among coins, how developer activity in Bitcoin and Ethereum have consolidated, what mid-tier coins are also seeing a lot of activity, and which ones appear to be punching below their weight price-wise. She also explains her metric of "active ecosystems," which ones are most active or gaining and gives us projections for further crypto development based on the data thus far.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.com

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Electric Capital: https://www.electriccapital.com

Maria Shen: https://twitter.com/mariashen?lang=en

Full deck of report: https://www.slideshare.net/MariaXinheShen/developer-report-published-august-2019-163234235

Blocktivity: https://www.blocktivity.info

Unchained episode with Chris Dixon: https://unchainedpodcast.com/chris-dixon-on-how-trust-is-the-best-lego-block-ep-70/

Most recent Unchained episode with Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin: https://unchainedpodcast.com/vitalik-buterin-on-whether-or-not-ethereum-is-blowing-it/

Unchained episode on Monero: https://unchainedpodcast.com/moneros-riccardo-spagni-aka-fluffypony-on-how-he-feels-about-monero-being-used-for-crime-ep-93/

Unchained episode on Grin: https://unchainedpodcast.com/grin-a-more-private-lighter-bitcoin/

Unchained episode on MakerDAO, part 1: https://unchainedpodcast.com/grin-a-more-private-lighter-bitcoin/

MakerDAO, part 2: https://unchainedpodcast.com/rune-christensen-of-makerdao-part-2-how-dai-stayed-at-1-while-eth-crashed-from-1400-to-85/

Litecoin: https://unchainedpodcast.com/charlie-lee-on-how-litecoin-can-be-truly-successful/

Unconfirmed episode on the Bitcoin Cash hard fork: https://unchainedpodcast.com/the-bitcoin-cash-hard-fork-bitcoin-abc-vs-bitcoin-sv-ep-046/

Kik's Surprising Move in Its Lawsuit With the SEC - Ep.85 Aug 09, 2019

Show notes

Rebecca Rettig, partner at FisherBroyles, talks about Kik's answer this week to the SEC's complaint, why she predicted they would make this move as opposed to filing a motion to dismiss as many had expected and what their main arguments were. We discuss the key points of their answer, such as the distinction they make between their SAFT sale to accredited investors vs. the token sale to the general public, how we could get new law applied to tokens as well as how the SEC took quotes out of context to make it appear that Kik and/or its board members and other associates said the opposite of what they meant.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.com

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Rebecca Rettig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-rettig-8b90a284/

FisherBroyles: https://www.fisherbroyles.com

Kik's response to the SEC: https://www.scribd.com/document/420998937/Kik-Response-to-SEC#from_embed

Katherine Wu's annotations on the response: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ac136ed12b13f7c187bdf21/t/5d4a3cfcfe4cc000019dff3b/1565146371923/KIK_SEC_+Answer+to+Complaint_3.pdf

CoinDesk article summarizing Kik's answer: https://www.coindesk.com/kik-says-sec-twisted-facts-about-100-million-token-sale

CoinDesk interviews with Kik CEO Ted Livingston, and blockchain lawyers Joshua Klayman, Rebecca Rettig and Nelson Rosario on this week's news: https://www.coindesk.com/watch-join-coindesk-live-with-ted-livingston-ceo-of-kik

The IRS Is Cracking Down on Crypto Taxes: What You Need to Know - Ep.84 Aug 02, 2019

Show notes

Chandan Lohda, the cofounder and CEO of CoinTracker, talks about the 10,000 letters the IRS sent to cryptocurrency holders last week, what kinds of letters were sent, what recipients should do depending on what type of letter they received and how the IRS even knew who to write to in the first place. Plus, we discuss which types of transactions are taxable events, where the tax laws still need further clarification, and which types of changes he believes should be made to tax law.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.com

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

CoinTracker: https://www.cointracker.io/

Chandan Lodha: https://mobile.twitter.com/cglodha

IRS sending letters to 10,000 crypto holders:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/irs-sending-warning-letters-to-more-than-10-000-cryptocurrency-holders-11564159523

https://blog.cointracker.io/irs-sends-letter-6173-6174-6174-a-cryptocurrency-warnings-what-to-do/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2019/07/26/irs-sending-warning-letters-to-more-than-10000-taxpayers-about-cryptocurrency-reporting/#553158e35d3b

IRS press release: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-has-begun-sending-letters-to-virtual-currency-owners-advising-them-to-pay-back-taxes-file-amended-returns-part-of-agencys-larger-efforts

CoinTracker guide to filing crypto taxes: https://www.cointracker.io/bitcoin-taxes

Jeremy Allaire on Why the US Government Needs a New Category for Digital Assets - Ep.83 Jul 26, 2019

Show notes

Jeremy Allaire, cofounder and CEO of Circle, explains why the company has opened a new subsidiary in Bermuda, obtained a full Digital Assets Business Act license there and how it plans to create separate offerings for the US market vs. non-US. He discusses why Circle chose Bermuda out of the many jurisdictions that have created crypto-friendly regulations, why Circle believes the SEC's April guidance on digital assets expanded the scope on which digital assets are securities and why regulators should have a new definition for digital assets rather than putting them into existing categories like commodity, security, currency, etc. We cover how much of Poloniex's struggles have to do with restrictive regulations in the US vs. poor business choices on the exchange's part, and why some other US-based crypto exchanges are not having the same struggles. He also reveals what it is that he'll be telling the Senate next week when he testifies in a hearing on regulation for digital assets and blockchain technology.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.com

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Circle: https://www.circle.com/en/

Poloniex: https://poloniex.com

Jeremy Allaire: https://twitter.com/jerallaire

New Bermuda entity and license:

https://medium.com/circle-blog/circle-expands-international-offerings-with-new-bermuda-operations-and-digital-assets-business-ff4509ed76b9

https://www.coindesk.com/circle-moves-non-us-poloniex-customers-to-new-bermuda-entity

https://www.theblockcrypto.com/2019/07/22/circle-is-opening-up-shop-in-bermuda-seeking-clearer-regulatory-framework-and-it-could-be-its-last-hope/

BTC trade volume:

https://www.bitcointradevolume.com

Trollbox:

https://medium.com/circle-trader/trollbox-is-back-a458e3ec58df

Next week's Senate hearing on crypto legislation:

https://medium.com/circle-blog/circle-ceo-to-testify-before-senate-on-crypto-regulation-dbaeaeba3a3b

https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/examining-regulatory-frameworks-for-digital-currencies-and-blockchain

The Bermuda rig: https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2015-01-26/dress-code-how-to-wear-bermuda-shorts

Why the Congressional Hearings on Facebook's Libra Were Good for Bitcoin - Ep.82 Jul 19, 2019

Show notes

Peter Van Valkenburgh, director of research at Coin Center, explains the significance of all the governmental activity around crypto in the last week -- the President's tweets, the Treasury Secretary's and Fed Chair's remarks and of course the Congressional hearings about Libra. We discuss whether Facebook's baggage could harm regulation of the space broadly, just what Libra is and who controls it (especially compared to decentralized networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum), and how that might require different regulatory approaches. We also covered how the lack of partisanship in the line of questioning could affect Libra's prospects, the odds that the draft bill to keep tech out of finance will go through and whether the idea of a Facebook-created digital currency could spur interest in central bank digital currencies. Plus, we talk about what we thought were the most memorable moments of the Congressional hearings, and why we both felt that, amazingly, the hearings seemed to teach Congress about the merits of decentralized networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.com

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Coin Center: https://coincenter.org

Peter Van Valkenburgh: https://twitter.com/valkenburgh

President Donald Trump's tweets about Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and Libra: https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1149472282584072192?s=20

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony about Libra: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/technology/fed-chair-facebook-cryptocurrency-libra.html

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's news briefing on cryptocurrencies: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/15/treasury-secretary-mnuchin-will-hold-a-news-conference-on-cryptocurrencies-at-2-pm-et.html

Senate hearings on Libra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUQpmEjgFAU

House hearings on Libra: https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-libra-cryptocurrency-hearings-with-congress-day-2-watch-here-live/

Rep. Sean Duffy questioning David Marcus about who can transact in Libras: https://twitter.com/crypto/status/1151531255550230529

Rep. Warren Davidson bringing up a term that has not yet been heard in the halls of Congress — "sh*tcoin": https://twitter.com/bitstein/status/1151586640307064833

Why Crypto Regulation Is Surprisingly Cypherpunk - Ep.81 Jul 12, 2019

Show notes

Lawson Baker, head of operations and general counsel at TokenSoft (disclosure: a previous sponsor of the podcast), explains the significance of this week's SEC statement on broker-dealer custody if digital asset securities, what issues it outlines, what problems remain to be resolved, what impact it could have on the overall industry — and why this, and other regulatory guidance, could push the industry in a more cypherpunk direction. Plus, we discuss Blockstack's Reg A+ initial coin offering, which was finally approved by the SEC, whether it's too onerous for startups and how this will affect the initial coin offering phenomenon. And finally, we talk about what we'll be watching out for in next week's Senate and House hearings on Facebook's Libra, and what the odds are that the regulators quash the project.

Don't forget about the Crypto weekend retreat at Omega Institute: Sign up here! https://www.eomega.org/workshops/virtues-of-the-crypto-revolution

Thank you to our sponsors!

Crypto.com: https://crypto.com/

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Lawson Baker: https://twitter.com/lwsnbaker

TokenSoft: https://www.tokensoft.io/

SEC statement on broker-dealer custody of digital asset securities: https://www.sec.gov/news/public-statement/joint-staff-statement-broker-dealer-custody-digital-asset-securities

Blockstack's Reg A+ offering approved: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-clears-blockstack-to-hold-first-regulated-token-offering-11562794848

Details on Blockstack's token sale: https://blog.blockstack.org/blockstack-sec-qualified-token-sale-open/

Fed raises concerns about Libra: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/10/technology/fed-chair-facebook-cryptocurrency-libra.html

Unconfirmed episode with Dante Disparte, head of policy and communications for Libra: https://unchainedpodcast.com/libras-dante-disparte-on-why-we-should-trust-a-financial-system-designed-by-facebook/

Unconfirmed episode with Michael Casey on why it would be good if Libra rivaled the US dollar: https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-it-would-be-good-if-libra-rivaled-the-us-dollar/

Why It Would Be Good if Libra Rivaled the US Dollar - Ep.80 Jul 05, 2019

Show notes

Michael Casey, chairman of the advisory board at CoinDesk, CEO of Streambed Media and a former Wall Street Journal reporter who covered global financial and economic affairs, discusses the regulatory response to Libra, in particular the letter from the US. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services to Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg and the head of Calibra, David Marcus, calling on them to halt development of Libra. Casey explains why he think it would be good if the House's concern that Libra becomes "an entirely new global financial system that is based out of Switzerland and intended to rival US monetary policy and the dollar,” as the letter put it. We also discuss the likelihood that Libra actually achieves its goal of financial inclusion for the two billion unbanked, how Facebook's track record with privacy factors in and what smart regulation would look like.

Last chance to participate in the Unchained Survey 2019!

Last week to participate in the survey and enter to win a free Casa Bitcoin LIghtning node! Go to surveymonkey.com/r/unchainedsurvey2019 to give us your thoughts what you like about the show, what we could do better and who you’d like to see as a guest.

Those who answer the survey can enter to win one of five free Casa Bitcoin lightning nodes, plus a free year of Casa's Gold membership -- including a multisig security app for iPhone and Android, a Trezor hardware wallet, a Casa faraday bag, and 24/7 support! Those of you interested in learning more about Casa, or about protecting your Bitcoin investment generally, should check out my interview with CEO Jeremy Welch. Thank you to Casa for donating!

Again, go to surveymonkey.com/r/unchainedsurvey2019 now to give us your thoughts and enter to win.

Thank you to our sponsor!

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Michael Casey: https://twitter.com/mikejcasey

CoinDesk: https://www.coindesk.com

Michael’s CoinDesk column on how smart, not heavy-handed regulation of Libra is necessary:

https://www.coindesk.com/a-monumental-fight-over-facebooks-cryptocurrency-is-coming

Michael’s CoinDesk column on understanding Libra and the Bitcoin price swings in the global economic context: https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-facebook-and-the-end-of-20th-century-money

House Financial Services Committee letter to Facebook executives: https://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/07.02.2019_-_fb_ltr.pdf

David Marcus's blog post on Libra, published after Michael and I recorded: https://www.facebook.com/notes/david-marcus/libra-2-weeks-in/10158616513819148/

'Bitcoin Billionaires' Author Ben Mezrich on the Zuckerberg- Winklevoss Rivalry - Ep.079 Jun 28, 2019

Show notes

Ben Mezrich, author of the Accidental Billionaires, which formed the basis of the movie The Social Network, and the author of the recently published Bitcoin Billionaires about the Winklevoss twins' rise in the cryptocurrency industry, discusses what he initially got wrong about Cameron and Tyler. He also talks about Facebook's Libra, how he thinks personal animus against the is part of Mark Zuckerberg's motivation behind this new cryptocurrency, and what Facebook and Libra would have to do to assuage concerns over privacy issues. Plus, we cover his writing process and who can expect to be on the big screen, playing the Winklevoss twins and Charlie Shrem in the upcoming movie.

Take the Unchained/Unconfirmed survey!

Help make Unchained and Unconfirmed better! Take our survey and enter the giveaway for a free Bitcoin lightning node and a yearlong Casa Gold membership, — including a multisig security app for iPhone and Android, a Trezor hardware wallet, a Casa faraday bag, and 24/7 support! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/unchainedsurvey2019

Thank you to our sponsor!

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Ben Mezrich: http://www.benmezrich.com/

https://twitter.com/benmezrich

Bitcoin Billionaires: http://www.benmezrich.com/books/bitcoin-billionaires/

Accidental Billionaires: http://www.benmezrich.com/books/accidental-billionaires/

The Unconfirmed interview with the Libra Association's Dante Disparte: https://unchainedpodcast.com/libras-dante-disparte-on-why-we-should-trust-a-financial-system-designed-by-facebook/

Unchained with Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss in January 2019: https://unchainedpodcast.com/tyler-and-cameron-winklevoss-on-being-the-fastest-tortoise-in-the-race/

Unchained with Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss in September 2016: https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-tyler-and-cameron-winklevoss-fell-in-love-with-bitcoin/

The NYT on the Winklevoss Bitcoin fortune: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/technology/bitcoin-winklevoss-twins.html

Libra's Dante Disparte on Why We Should Trust a Financial System Designed by Facebook - Ep.078 Jun 21, 2019

Show notes

Dante Disparte, head of policy and communications for the Libra Association, describes the roles of the various entities that make up the Libra ecosystem and how he came to be in this position. He addresses the most common concern being expressed: why people should trust a financial system designed by Facebook, which has lost public trust over privacy breaches. Plus, we discuss how Facebook will handle the financial information of Calibra's users, how the Libra Association will deal with the regulatory headwinds and why he believes that it's better if the project succeeds. We also discuss what impact this currency could have on the currencies of developing countries, what an identity system based on Libra might look like, and how it plans to get banks on board. Plus, we discuss what its social impact goals are.

Take the Unchained/Unconfirmed survey:

Thank you to our sponsor!

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Dante Disparte: https://twitter.com/ddisparte

The Libra Association: https://libra.org/en-US/association/

Libra: https://libra.org/en-US/

More details on the Libra Association: https://libra.org/en-US/association-council-principles/#overview

Security and privacy on the Libra network: https://libra.org/en-US/security-privacy/#overview

Commitment to compliance and consumer protection: https://libra.org/en-US/compliance-consumer-protection/#overview

France calls for central bank review of Libra: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-18/france-calls-for-central-bank-review-of-facebook-cryptocurrency

Senate banking hearing on Libra is scheduled: https://twitter.com/ElleBeyoud/status/1141429557846781960 (link to webcast: https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings)

Europe working around US sanctions: https://www.apnews.com/b7fbb9c4b97b41c98d625cea0529386b

Edgeware's Unusual Lockdrop: Get Tokens Even With Frozen Funds - Ep.077 Jun 14, 2019

Show notes

Dillon Chen, CEO of Edgeware, talks about how the network is distributing its tokens via a "lockdrop" in which people can lock up ether for certain time periods in order to obtain Edgeware tokens, why it chose to do so and how that could affect the distribution of the tokens. We also discuss how even people with ether frozen in the Parity multi-sig wallet can still use those funds to obtain Edgeware tokens. Plus, he describes what Edgeware tokens will be used for and how it fits in the Polkadot ecosystem.

Take the Unchained Survey!

How do you think we can make the show better? How would you like to see Unchained and Unconfirmed expand? Take our survey at surveymonkey.com/r/unchainedsurvey2019.

Thank you to our sponsor!

CipherTrace: http://ciphertrace.com/unconfirmed

Episode links:

Edgeware: https://edgewa.re

Dillon Chen: https://twitter.com/dillchen

Edgeware lockdrop: https://edgewa.re/lockdrop/

Edgeware blog post on lockdrops: https://medium.com/commonwealth-labs/whats-in-a-lockdrop-194218a180ca

CoinDesk article on the lockdrop: https://www.coindesk.com/1confirmation-canaan-partners-back-startup-pushing-new-spin-on-airdrops

Frozen funds: https://www.parity.io/a-postmortem-on-the-parity-multi-sig-library-self-destruct/amp/