They Told You Crypto Was a Scam & Now They Are Investing Trillions

Jan 8, 2026

Keith and Ben discuss the surprising shift of financial elites embracing crypto, challenging previous anti-crypto sentiments. They explore the history of Bitcoin’s origin as an anti-inflation tool and the impact of scandals like Silk Road and FTX on market perception. The conversation dives into regulatory challenges, including the rise of stablecoins and KYC issues. Looking forward, they analyze institutional moves, like BlackRock’s ETF launch and Walmart's crypto integration, and offer insights on market psychology and future trends.

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ADVICE

Fiduciaries Must Vet Crypto Custody

If you act as a fiduciary or manage other people's money, do due diligence and avoid trusting unvetted custodial platforms.
Demand institutional-grade security and governance before allocating client funds to crypto.

INSIGHT

BlackRock ETF Reshaped The Market

BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF flipped institutional sentiment and created a massive institutional bid for Bitcoin.
Institutional products changed the market dynamics from retail-driven cycles to an institutional-driven cycle.

INSIGHT

Institutional ETFs Change Cycle Dynamics

Institutional ownership via ETFs concentrates supply and alters price dynamics versus past retail-driven cycles.
That shift explains muted altcoin action during a BTC-focused institutional influx.

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Keith & Ben break down the major moves financial elites are making to adopt crypto & what it means for everyone else.Memes and Markets explores how culture and memes shape & get shaped by financial markets to present the information you want at a level you can understand and relate to. Don't forget to subscribe to me notified when we go live on Tuesdays & Thursdays.Subscribe to our Substack: https://www.memesandmarkets.com/Memes & Markets Socials x: https://x.com/MemesandmktsTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/memesandmarketsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/memesandmkts/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1GSfFx3sQoG2bYAbIYUocN?si=-iGrWrvmTUSEZw7S06AS1gApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/memes-and-markets/id1840280923Our socials Follow Keith on his main channel @theinneroperator Follow Keith on X: https://x.com/inneroperatorFollow Ben's Crypto channel @dontbuy_this Follow Ben's Podcast @BenLeavittShow Follow Ben on X: https://x.com/iambenleavittJoin the waitlist for our Gambling Monitoring App: https://nodice.app/Chapters00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introduction02:57 The Shift in Crypto Perception06:13 Historical Context of Crypto Criticism09:08 The Role of Major Financial Institutions12:06 The Evolution of Bitcoin and Its Challenges15:02 The Impact of Regulatory Bodies18:01 The ICO Boom and Its Consequences20:56 The Future of Crypto and Political Accountability37:06 The Evolution of Crypto Regulation39:59 The Impact of FTX and Stablecoins46:01 The Rise of Institutional Interest in Crypto54:00 Operation Choke Point 2.0 and Its Implications01:01:05 BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF and Market Dynamics01:05:46 The Rise of Crypto Adoption by Major Retailers01:12:30 Institutional Interest in Crypto and ETFs01:18:45 Market Cycles and the Potential for Rapid Change01:25:03 The Importance of Content Packaging in Crypto01:39:10 Cultural Reflections and Broader Conversations01:40:05 The Weirdness of Modern Media01:43:14 Exploring the Influence of Terence McKenna01:44:43 The Concept of Subscription to Content01:45:53 The Challenge of Content Discovery01:47:05 Comparing Influential Figures: Steve Jobs and Charles Hoskinson01:48:43 Engaging with the Audience: Q&A Session01:49:53 The Impact of Positive Engagement01:51:50 Navigating Negative Comments and Bots01:53:03 Reflections on Personal Experiences in Bangkok01:56:40 The Challenges of Social Media Platforms01:58:10 Building Connections and Networking02:02:26 Wrapping Up and Future PlansDisclaimer This video is for education and entertainment only. We are not financial, legal, tax, or investment advisors. Nothing here is a recommendation or a solicitation to buy/sell any asset or strategy. Crypto and markets are risky—you can lose all your money. Do your own research and consult a qualified professional.We (and guests) may hold positions in assets discussed and may receive sponsorships/affiliate revenue from links—assume we do. Mention of any company, protocol, or product is not an endorsement. Information may be inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated as of recording. Past performance is not indicative of future results.