Unchained

Fais Khan, the author of the Startups and Econ newsletter, shares insights from his research on crypto tokens and Coinbase listings. He discusses the surprising trend of VC-backed tokens often plummeting post-listing due to possible insider dumping. Fais raises questions about the ethics of venture capital firms like a16z engaging with exchanges and offers advice for token investors. He also emphasizes the importance of transparency and regulatory measures to safeguard retail investors in the evolving crypto landscape.

Gwendolyn Regina, investment director at the Binance Smart Chain Growth Fund, and Samy Karim, ecosystem coordinator at Binance Smart Chain, tackle the wild ride of BSC's rapid growth. They discuss its unique structure with 21 validators and how blockchain gaming is a priority with a $1 billion growth fund. Candidly addressing criticisms, they delve into why transaction failures occur, question BSC's originality against Ethereum, and share insights on improving user confidence after multiple hacks, all while navigating the evolving crypto landscape.

Aftab Hossain, a prominent crypto investor and NFT collector known as @iamDCinvestor, shares his insights on the booming NFT market. He discusses the recent surge in NFT trading volumes, driven by platforms like LooksRare and the effects of wash trading. Aftab believes that rising floor prices and the role of 'flippers' could sustain NFT growth, even amid a crypto downturn. He also delves into the significance of royalties in NFT projects and how competition with OpenSea could spark decentralization efforts.

Join Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly Capital, and Tarun Chitra, co-founder of Gauntlet, as they dissect the recent downturn in crypto markets following the FOMC meeting. They debate which emerging assets might endure a bear market and analyze the implications of major investments by Paradigm and Sequoia in Citadel Securities. The conversation also takes a critical turn as they discuss the controversial 'Cryptoland' project and the uprising within the Pudgy Penguins NFT community, focusing on the shift towards community governance.

Kristin Smith, executive director of the Blockchain Association, and Jake Chervinsky, head of policy, dive into the evolving landscape of crypto regulation. They discuss 2021 as a pivotal year for crypto advocacy and the importance of political mobilization. The duo explores how crypto could shape midterm elections, emphasizing bipartisan support. They analyze the President’s Working Group report on stablecoins and argue against a U.S. CBDC. Additionally, they highlight educational efforts and the regulatory challenges facing DeFi and DAOs, revealing their vision for future crypto policies.

Maria Shen, a partner at Electric Capital, shares insights from their recent report on Web3 development, noting a dramatic rise in developer engagement beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. She discusses the factors driving this growth, like asset prices, and highlights Ethereum’s impressive ability to retain developers. Maria delves into the emerging ecosystems of Polkadot and Solana, contrasts their growth rates with Ethereum's history, and expresses enthusiasm for studying community growth in the future.

Larry Cermak, VP of Research at The Block, and Igor Igamberdiev, Director of Research and Data at The Block, dive deep into crypto trends of 2021 and forecasts for 2022. They dissect why the market didn't peak as expected post-Bitcoin halving, Larry’s views on DeFi tokens, and the implications of Ethereum's transition to 2.0. Igor shares insights on multichain solutions fueling VC investments and the shifting dynamics of NFTs. Their discussion also navigates the future of KYC-DeFi and the metaverse, offering a fresh perspective on this evolving landscape.

Jonathan Mann, a musician famed for his 'Song a Day' project, shares his journey of composing a daily song for over 13 years. He discusses how he embraced NFTs and created SongADAO to shape the music industry's future. The conversation dives into the creative synergies between music and cryptocurrency, alongside anecdotes from his unique path. Jonathan also reveals his thoughts on upcoming trends in crypto for 2022, highlighting the balance between artistic expression and financial opportunities in this evolving landscape.

Join Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly Capital, Robert Leshner, managing partner at Robot Ventures, and Tarun Chitra, also from Robot Ventures, as they unpack 2021 in crypto. They delve into the standout winners like Solana and discuss the fall of EOS. The trio also covers the NFT boom and the influence of memes and celebrity endorsements. Predicting trends for 2022, they analyze the future of DeFi, the rise of DAOs, and what emerging technologies mean for the industry. Their insights blend humor and expertise, making for a captivating discussion.

Mitchell F. Chan, an early NFT pioneer and artist, dives into his groundbreaking journey in the NFT space. He reflects on his artistic evolution and the powerful influence of Yves Klein. Chan shares insights from his notable projects, including the LeWitt Generator Generator, and discusses why he's minted only one NFT this year. He highlights the profound impact NFTs are having on traditional art, addressing the skepticism they face and the changing landscape of art ownership and value. It's a fascinating exploration of art, technology, and community.