CoinDesk Podcast Network

A new Google quantum whitepaper warns Bitcoin could be cracked with far less computing power than thought. The report raises concerns that recent protocol changes may make real-time targeting of transactions easier. The show also covers a selective-disclosure privacy mainnet launch and a U.S. proposal to let 401(k)s access crypto and private equity.

Alex Pruden, Project Eleven researcher on quantum threats to Bitcoin; Jameson Lopp, Bitcoin security engineer and custody expert; Marty Bent, political commentator on crypto legislation. They discuss Google’s accelerated post-quantum timeline and what that means for Bitcoin cryptography. They cover AI agents as growing security risks and practical hardening. They unpack Warren’s pressure on Bitmain and Bitdeer’s 180MW AI site in Norway.

Sal Gilberti, CEO of Teucrium, on leveraged XRP ETFs and macro links. Giang Bui, Securitize VP, on tokenized equities and 24/7 trading. James Seyffart, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, on Bitcoin ETF flows and institutional demand. They discuss Morgan Stanley’s low-fee BTC ETF, tokenization reshaping markets, and XRP’s evolving product and market role.

They discuss a major pause in a 13-week Bitcoin buying streak and what it could signal for strategy. They connect rising Middle East tensions to a recent bitcoin price drop. They cover shifting Federal Reserve rate expectations tied to energy-driven inflation. They note Canada proposing a ban on crypto political donations.

Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8, leading AI data center builds like Riverbend. Matt Williams, Head of Financial Services at Luxor, focused on energy products and GPU/ASIC financing. Ken Egan, Head of Government Affairs at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, advising on crypto legislation. They discuss Hut 8’s AI expansion, CLARITY Act stablecoin rulemaking, Luxor’s AI energy and financing offerings, and Marathon’s $1.1B BTC sale.

Report on a $171 million withdrawal from U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs and what that might mean for institutional interest. Recap of a regulator’s policy work on stablecoin rules and market structure. Coverage of GameStop using thousands of bitcoins as collateral for a covered-call income strategy.

Will McEvoy, Cypherpunk CIO and Winklevoss Capital principal focused on privacy-preserving tech, argues privacy is massively undervalued. He discusses why AI will amplify privacy demand. He outlines Zcash as a tradable privacy monetary unit and sketches scenarios for its price. He also covers regulatory resilience and front-end adoption strategies like ZODL.

A fast-moving crypto token doubled as staking surged across decentralized AI subnets. The conversation covers a marketplace where developers submit models and top performers earn token rewards. Listeners hear about a recent distributed 4B-parameter training milestone and how staking signals drive a feedback loop of builders and demand.

Jay Patel, founder of Lygos Finance and private credit expert, explains strains in private credit and how they could shape bitcoin‑backed lending. Gwart, a provocative crypto commentator, dissects crypto’s lull, VC retrenchment, and market maturity. They also cover Tether’s Big Four audit, the CLARITY Act’s tilt toward banks, and a new conservative Bitcoin client.

Fahmi Syed, President of the Midnight Foundation, who led Midnight's privacy-forward mainnet launch. Mintoo Bhandari, Founder of Monument Bank, building regulated tokenized deposit products. They discuss tokenizing retail deposits on a privacy-first public chain. They cover programmable privacy, hiding blockchain complexity for customers, GDPR-friendly proofs, and phased rollout and banking-as-a-service plans.