CoinDesk Podcast Network Blockspace: Coinbase and CLARITY, OP_NET Raises $5M, Blockfills Goes Bankrupt, Drukenmiller Fades BTC
Mar 17, 2026
Valentin Rousseau, analyst at Hashlabs who ranks countries for bitcoin mining. Danny Plainview, co-founder of OP_NET building Bitcoin smart contract tooling. Chad Masters, OP_NET co-founder focused on Bitcoin-native infrastructure and fundraising. They discuss OP_NET’s $5M raise and mainnet launch. They also cover Hashlabs’ mining country rankings and the fallout from Blockfills’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
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Coinbase Pushes Stablecoin Wins Over Bitcoin De Minimis
- Coinbase reportedly prioritized stablecoin-friendly provisions in the CLARITY Act over Bitcoin's de minimis tax exemption.
- Sources claim exchanges want interest on stablecoin deposits, which directly benefits their business more than a small BTC reporting exemption.
What The De Minimis Exemption Actually Does
- The de minimis exemption would exempt small crypto purchases (roughly $200–$300) from capital gains reporting when used as payment.
- Advocates like Cynthia Lummis pushed for $300; opponents argue stablecoins' tiny price fluctuations complicate identical treatment.
Stablecoin Interest Is The Real Regulatory Prize
- Stablecoin interest provisions in CLARITY would let exchanges pay interest to stablecoin holders and attract deposits away from banks.
- That provision is a major regulatory bargaining chip motivating exchange lobbying.