

Unchained
Laura Shin
Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 21, 2020 • 1h 3min
Camila Russo on the Most Pivotal Moments in Ethereum's History - Ep.182
In this engaging discussion with Camila Russo, founder of The Defiant and author of "The Infinite Machine," she reveals how Argentina's currency crisis sparked her passion for cryptocurrency. Camila shares pivotal moments in Ethereum's journey, its competition with other protocols, and her insights on Ethereum 2.0's potential risks. She discusses launching 'CAMI' tokens while emphasizing the importance of ERC-20 tokens in the market. With predictions on DeFi trends, this conversation is a must-listen for crypto enthusiasts.

Jul 14, 2020 • 1h 27min
Why Bitcoin Now: Michael Casey and Niall Ferguson on How Bitcoin Fits in the History of Money - Ep.181
Michael Casey, Chief Content Officer at CoinDesk, and Niall Ferguson, a Senior Fellow at Stanford, dive into the evolution of money and Bitcoin's role in it. They share personal journeys into crypto amid financial turmoil, emphasizing trust in new monetary systems. The duo discusses Bitcoin's potential as digital gold and its volatility, while examining the power struggle between the US dollar and emerging digital currencies from China. They also ponder how blockchain could reshape finance and empower individuals in a shifting economic landscape.

Jul 7, 2020 • 1h 12min
DeFi Yield Farming: Why It's All the Rage But Risky - Ep.180
Dan Elitzer, an investor at IDEO CoLab Ventures, and Will Price, a data scientist at Flipside Crypto, dive into the thrilling yet risky world of yield farming. They discuss how liquidity mining affects user incentives and the precarious nature of protocol interactions. The potential valuation of DeFi tokens, particularly Compound's impact on the ecosystem, is critically examined. They also explore security challenges in yield farming and speculate on the future of Ethereum and Bitcoin integration in decentralized finance.

Jun 30, 2020 • 1h 12min
Why Bitcoin Now: Mike Novogratz and Raoul Pal on 'the Single Greatest Brand' of the Last 10 Years - Ep.179
Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital, and Raoul Pal, founder of Global Macro Investor, dive deep into the world of Bitcoin. They discuss why Bitcoin's recent price drop reflects macro uncertainties, the role of quantitative easing in attracting institutional investors, and why retail interest remains strong despite economic turmoil. The pair analyze how social unrest could boost Bitcoin’s appeal and ponder the geopolitical implications of China’s digital currency initiatives. They also explore potential futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum amid evolving regulations.

Jun 23, 2020 • 1h 12min
Chamath Palihapitiya: Why Bitcoin Will Be 'the Category Winner' - Ep.178
Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital and chairman of Virgin Galactic, delves into compelling topics surrounding Bitcoin, COVID's economic impact, and financial foresight. He predicts a looming debt crisis and supports Bitcoin as essential protection against poor governance. Chamath critiques large corporations, advocating for their breakup, and discusses why he finds Ethereum lacking. He champions SPACs over ICOs and emphasizes the need for simplicity in blockchain design while reflecting on personal growth amid the pandemic.

Jun 16, 2020 • 55min
Christopher Giancarlo: Why the US Needs to Have a Digital Dollar - Ep.177
In this discussion, Christopher Giancarlo, former CFTC Chairman and co-founder of the Digital Dollar Foundation, presents his vision for a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC). He explains how a digital dollar would modernize the economy, enhance financial inclusion, and differ from stablecoins. The conversation delves into security, privacy, and pilot program designs, plus the implications of COVID-19 and global competition, particularly with China's advancements in CBDCs. Giancarlo emphasizes the importance of reflecting societal values in the digital currency's design.

Jun 9, 2020 • 1h 3min
Rep. Warren Davidson: 'I Think Bitcoin Is a Great Store of Value' - Ep.176
Warren Davidson, a U.S. House Representative from Ohio with a military background and MBA, dives into the evolving world of crypto legislation. He shares his belief in Bitcoin as a solid store of value and outlines his Token Taxonomy Act aimed at clarifying regulations for digital tokens. Davidson discusses how COVID-19 and U.S. fiscal policies could influence crypto's future, and he addresses the competitive landscape of digital currencies, particularly concerning China's initiatives. He emphasizes the need for bipartisan support to push forward crypto-friendly laws.

Jun 2, 2020 • 1h 8min
How to Decentralize a Crypto Project Without Harming Security - Ep.175
In a fascinating discussion, Jesse Walden, founder of Variant Fund, and Robert Leshner, founder of Compound, tackle the challenges of decentralization in crypto projects. They emphasize the necessity of starting with some centralization for security's sake. The duo explores governance tokens and community engagement, providing insights on strategic token distribution to avoid regulatory pitfalls. They also examine the importance of transparency and user-friendly governance, as well as lessons learned from successful projects like Compound.

May 26, 2020 • 1h 4min
Ready Layer One: Who Competes With Ethereum? - Ep.174
This insightful discussion features Illia Polosukhin (NEAR Protocol), Zaki Manian (Cosmos), Rob Habermeier (Polkadot), and Arthur Breitman (Tezos). They explore how their projects compete with Ethereum and the unique innovations they're bringing to the table. The panel dives into the scalability challenges developers face and the dynamics between Bitcoin and Ethereum. They also discuss the future of blockchain governance, the transition to Ethereum 2.0, and the need for collaboration to build a sustainable ecosystem.

May 19, 2020 • 51min
Listen to CZ Compare Binance to Bitcoin - Ep.173
Changpeng Zhao, or CZ, is the co-founder and CEO of Binance, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges. In this conversation, CZ discusses Binance's strategy amid regulatory challenges in the U.S. and the impact of China's digital currency. He explores the strong potential of the Binance Smart Chain and its relationship with Ethereum developers. CZ also addresses the class-action lawsuit against Binance and emphasizes the importance of competition in the industry, stating it ultimately benefits all players involved.


