Markets Outlook

Sanat Rao discusses the impact of recent Fed rate cuts on crypto markets and sets the stage for a potential new DeFi summer. He highlights how lower interest rates enhance DeFi yields and encourages risk-on behavior. The conversation also touches on Traditional Finance's increasing engagement with on-chain finance, suggesting a convergence of the two sectors. Rao compares today's landscape to the past, noting a more institutionalized DeFi environment while addressing the evolving risks facing investors, such as stablecoin stability.

Join NBA champion Tristan Thompson and Somnia's Herman Narula as they blend sports with crypto innovation. They discuss empowering fans to influence sports decisions and introduce InfoFi for crowdsourced insights. The duo challenges traditional sports business models and explains how tokenizing players can turn fandom into real value. Expect exciting ideas on global scouting democratization and a unique blockchain experience. Plus, Tristan makes a bold Bitcoin prediction that'll have listeners buzzing!

An update on Drex with Ronaldo Lemos To get the show every week, follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. In today’s Markets Outlook, CoinDesk’s Jennifer Sanasie and Sam Ewen sit down with Ronaldo Lemos — advisor to Brazil’s Central Bank, and board member of the Stellar Development Foundation — to explore Drex, Brazil’s upcoming central bank digital currency. This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes. - This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie and Sam Ewen.

Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins and Abstract, is a pioneer in blending culture with crypto. He shares insights on why Korea is the global epicenter for both, pointing to impressive K-pop and crypto trading stats. Luca highlights the stark differences between American institutional approaches and Korea's focus on community-driven retail. He also discusses exciting potential collaborations between Pudgy Penguins and K-pop groups and explains how Abstract aims to improve the consumer experience within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Jaime Leverton, the CEO of ReserveOne and a former executive at Hut 8, dives into the world of bitcoin mining economics and Bitcoin DeFi. She discusses the critical importance of transaction fees in light of bitcoin halving, while sharing insights on ReserveOne’s ambitious Nasdaq debut. Jaime outlines the 80/20 diversified treasury strategy, featuring 80% Bitcoin and 20% altcoins, and highlights her team—dubbed the "Avengers of Crypto." Tune in for an engaging exploration of the future of crypto investments!

Arthur Hayes, Chief Investment Officer at Maelstrom and co-founder of BitMEX, shares his insights from Korea Blockchain Week. He discusses South Korea's vibrant crypto scene, driven by educated retail traders and a unique internet culture. Hayes predicts Bitcoin could hit $250k by year-end, with a potential leap to seven figures by 2028, influenced by political cycles. He also reveals why he exited a major HYPE position due to concerns over token unlocks and competition. Hayes provides a fresh perspective on the interplay between crypto and traditional finance.

Announcing PayPal PYUSD on Stellar with PayPal's Larry Wade and Stellar's José Fernández Da Ponte. To get the show every week, follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Live from Stellar Meridian 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie and Sam Ewen sit down with PayPal's Global Head of Compliance and Regulatory Relations for Crypto, Larry Wade and Stellar's President and Chief Growth Officer José Fernández Da Ponte to announce their new partnership. They discuss how this partnership will bring more utility to stablecoins, the role of compliance in a regulated space, and how this alliance serves a long-term vision for the future of finance. This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes. - This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie and Sam Ewen.

Unveiling a new $50M Fund for RWAs with Onigiri Capital Managing Partner Qin En Looi. To get the show every week, follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A new $50M fund called Onigiri Capital is bridging a key market gap by connecting Latin American startups with Asia's institutional investors. In today's Markets Outlook, live from Rio de Janeiro, Managing Partner Qin En Looi explains why this link is so crucial, the growing role of real-world assets in the blockchain space, and how Onigiri is building the next generation of financial products and services. This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes. - This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie and Sam Ewen.

In this engaging discussion, Justin Norman, Founder of The Flip and filmmaker, shares insights from his documentary series on stablecoin adoption in emerging markets. He reveals how Argentinians navigate complex legal gray areas while using stablecoins, motivated by taxes and a preference for dollars over mere hyperinflation. In Bolivia, he highlights the critical role stablecoins play for businesses striving to survive amidst economic challenges. Listeners gain a fascinating look at how these digital currencies serve as lifelines in turbulent economies.

Cboe's Global Head of Derivatives, Catherine Clay, discusses the launch of their new products. To get the show every week, follow the podcast ⁠here⁠. Cboe recently announced new continuous futures for bitcoin and ether, mimicking popular offshore perpetual contracts but with a key difference: they're long-dated, cash-settled products with a 10-year expiry. In today's Markets Outlook, CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie sits down with Cboe's Global Head of Derivatives, Catherine Clay, to dive into these innovative new products, plus Catherine shares key takeaways from the Hood Summit, including what today's retail traders are really after. This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes. - Midnight is introducing a novel approach to token distribution. The Midnight Glacier Drop is a multi-phase distribution of the NIGHT token, aimed at empowering a broad, diverse community to build the future of the Midnight network. Holders of ADA, BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB, AVAX and BAT are eligible to participate in the first phase. Help usher in the next generation of blockchain with rational privacy and cooperative tokenomics on the Midnight network. To learn more, visit midnight.gd and prepare for the Midnight Glacier Drop. - This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie.