The Crypto Conversation

Matthew Graham is the CEO of Sino Global Capital, a team of Beijing-based investment bankers. China sees blockchain as a key strategic technology pillar critical to the next decade of growth. As it prepares to deploy a state-issued digital currency or DCEP (Digital Currency / Electronic Payment) China has a unique opportunity to take control of its monetary system and get a jump on other nation states. What are the implications for China and its citizens? Why you should listen: China's leaders are engineering-minded and technologically bold. China has a large influence on the crypto space. The majority of bitcoin mining is based in China, and China's changing stance towards crypto assets has tended to have an exaggerated effect on the volatile crypto markets. China sees blockchain very differently from the west and appears uniquely positioned to be the first large nation state to deploy a state-issued digital currency. Plus Andy and Matthew discuss Tokenization, Star Wars, sneaker trading. Key takeaway: A state-issued digital currency is a powerful idea. However, if combined with other technologies such as facial recognition, a social credit score, digital identity, and phone tracking, it would be an authoritarian method of control. State issued digital currency puts into stark relief the potential of an open, borderless, decentralized non-state issued digital currency such as Bitcoin. Supporting links: Sino Global Capital Matthew on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Andreas M. Antonopoulos has spent the last decade traveling the world, delivering hundreds of live talks on Bitcoin. Combining his knowledge of economics, psychology, technology, and game theory with his unique views on politics and history, Andreas makes a compelling case for the importance of open, decentralized, borderless, censorship-resistant, neutral, public blockchains. As we enter the 2020s, Andreas reflects on the first decade of blockchain and asks what happens next? Why you should listen: Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a critically-acclaimed best-selling author, speaker, educator, and one of the world's foremost bitcoin and open blockchain experts. A prolific speaker, teacher, author and bitcoin advocate, Andreas says this has become his life mission. After achieving his goal of reaching 10 million people by 2020, his next goal is to reach 100 million by the end of 2022. Key takeaway: Bitcoin had an incredible first decade of existence. It started as an idea on a small cryptography email list and grew into the world's most valuable, decentralized blockchain network. Learn why Andreas describes himself as a Gen X who aspires to be a millennial. Andy and Andreas talk science fiction, discussing the dystopian near-future as depicted by Cory Doctorow, George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley. Finally, in the Crypto Conversation hot take section, Andreas says that The Next Generation is his favorite Star Trek universe. Supporting links: Aantonop.com The Aantonop Youtube Channel Andreas on Twitter Unauthorized Bread Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Sergey Nazarov is the CEO at Chainlink where he is spear-heading the smart contract oracle revolution. Sergey believes that blockchain technology has the ability to change the way societies distribute wealth, enforce contracts, and share, monetize, and utilize critical information. Relentlessly focused and logical, Sergey is single-minded in his approach to unleashing the true potential of smart contracts. Key takeaway: Smart contracts have the potential to change the world by making it possible for anyone to enter into a digital agreement with anyone else. But there's a problem - for the potential of smart contracts to truly be unleashed - they need a reliable way to connect with events in the real world - this is called the 'oracle problem.' An oracle's function is to find and verify real-world occurrences and provide this data to a blockchain based smart contract in a manner that is decentralized and not vulnerable to a single point of failure. This is the solution that Chainlink provides. Why you should listen: Sergey says that the blockchain space is in an early form and has a long way to evolve, he is committed to helping this process. He sees smart contracts as an extremely reliable form of automation that has the potential to unlock vast amounts of value across the existing financial system, and also improve emerging markets by enabling individuals to pursue their economic destiny in whatever manner they see fit. Finally, in the Crypto Conversation hot take section, Sergey explains his passion for science fiction and the Star Trek and Expanse universes. Supporting links: Chainlink The Brave New Coin Chainlink Nick Szabo Smart Contract Essay Chainlink on Twitter Sergey on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Chris Brookins is the author of a new report - Ethereum Price Forecast into 2020 - a data first analysis. The report assess Ethereum's tumultuous 2019 and attempts to address the question - is an ETH price reprieve on the horizon? Against the backdrop of the Ethereum 2.0 Serenity blockchain upgrade, Andy and Chris discuss how the Ethereum team plan to maintain the network's position as the leading smart contract platform blockchain and how this might lead to a new bull cycle for the ETH token. Key takeaway: Ethereum has had a tumultuous 2019 and there are further growing pains ahead. The upcoming, long-anticipated launch of Ethereum 2.0 in January will be the most important and comprehensive update in the network's history. The 2.0 launch will reconfigure and adjust many existing Ethereum network dynamics. Chris's report analyzes Ethereum's seasonal characteristics and uses the Hurst exponent to tease out a likely trajectory in 2020. We verify the fundamental metrics driving price and assess their implications for the future of the Ethereum network. Why you should listen: Chris Brookins is the Founder and CIO of Valiendero Digital Assets, a quantitative cryptocurrency investment fund founded out of Carnegie Mellon University. Andy and Chris discuss Nike's patent to tokenize sneakers on Ethereum, Chris gives his assessment of Plan B's Bitcoin stock to flow model and he shares a view on what he expects to happen around the Bitcoin halving. Finally, Andy and Chris geek out over The Expanse and agree that it is an accurate depiction of a dystopian near future. Supporting links: Ethereum Price Forecast 2020 Report Ethereum At The Crossroads Report Valiendero Chris on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Kadan Stadelmann is the Komodo Platform's Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Kadan's background includes coding from an early age which led to him becoming a white-hat hacker and operations security and penetration testing at the nation-state level. Komodo has conducted the world's first web browser-based atomic swap and is expanding its decentralized exchange solution, AtomicDEX, to web browsers. The atomic swap is a smart contract technology that allows users to trade digital assets without any third-party involvement. Key takeaway: To date, most decentralized exchange solutions have been clunky and lacking in users. Komodo says that the AtomicDEX is now the industry leader. Komodo has been working on atomic swaps since 2014 and has collaborated with their inventor, Tier Nolan. In the last four months, Komodo has launched the first DEX for mobile phones, on-boarded thousands of users, and executed the first web browser-based atomic swap. Komodo is on a mission to make it so that if you want to trade crypto without a middleman, you can do it by typing in a URL or pulling out your phone." Why you should listen: Hear why Kadan's experience working in op-sec at the nation-state level led to a realization that trustless, decentralized solutions are the most effective means to change the world. Plus, hear Kadan's diplomatic assessment of the McAfeeDEX, and learn why Kadan is extremely pessimistic about humanity's future. Supporting links: Komodo Platform AtomicDEX Kadan on Twitter Komodo on Twitter AtomicDEX on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Notsofast is the pseudonymous Twitter persona of a crypto OG. Notsofast was a prolific early altcoin spec miner, a dogecoin enthusiast and one of Crypto Twitter's most helpful personalities. Notsofast is a consultant to many blockchain projects and an advocate for the potential of decentralized, permissionless systems. An insightful and engaging speaker Notsofast says it's important to get friendly with the idea of cognitive dissonance. Key takeaway: Deploying a pseudonymous persona gives the individual a blank canvas to build a solid reputation by setting a good example. This is a kind of superpower. Notsofast's entry into crypto came via Dogecoin, a fun community and an entry into the space that allowed users to not take themselves too seriously, or have to engage with fringe political beliefs. Notsofast has approximately 300 altcoin bags and believes that while Bitcoin maximalism is a strong argument for the success of blockchain generally, there is a part of it that descends into groupthink meaning nuanced discussion is lost. Why you should listen: Hear why Dogecoin is an oscillator that has proven store of nostalgia properties, and while Notsofast was once a prolific spec miner, hobbyist mining opportunities are rare now that anyone can launch their own token. Notsofast says it's important to get friendly with cognitive dissonance and he uses the Indian parable of the blind men and the elephant to illustrate the difficulties of grokking the crypto asset space. Plus Andy and Notsofast discuss Willy Woo's Oscillators and Degenerators thesis, why families might be natural crypto custodians and the practicalities of securing 300 different altcoin holdings. Supporting links: Notsofast at CoinfestUK Die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain Willy Woo's Oscillators and Degenerators The parable of the blind men and an elephant The Wasp Factory Cryptochrisw on Twitter Notsofast on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Alex Mashinsky is a successful entrepreneur best known for inventing VOIP which enables 1B people to talk over the internet for free. VOIP disrupted the Telecom companies, and now Alex wants to disrupt the banks with Money Over IP. His newest start-up Celsius Network has a massive goal - allow crypto users to unbank themselves by depositing crypto with Celsius, and receive interest rates on crypto deposits or fiat loans that are far superior to legacy banking. Key takeaway: Alex Mashinsky is a fascinating guy with a fascinating background. He was born into communism, raised under socialism, and he has made a fortune via capitalism. Alex views Decentralization as a 4th system - and the one system that has the potential to benefit the 99%, not just the 1%. Is there a theme running through Alex's career? Yes. The theme is taking a risk, trusting your gut, and trying to change the world by disrupting an entire industry. Alex has done this once, and now he wants to do it again. First the Telecom companies, and now the banks. Why you should listen: Alex is positioning Celsius to bring mainstream users into the crypto ecosystem by offering financial services with rates superior to the legacy system, and to the emerging DeFi ecosystem. Alex has a long history of successful investments and missed opportunities. In fact, in a roundabout way, Alex founded Uber before it was Uber, it was called GroundLink, and he then got crushed by Uber. Alex has 50 patents that make everything from voice over internet, Twitter, Skype, the App Store, and Netflix streaming possible. Alex has made 120 VC investments, he's raised over a billion dollars for his companies, and Alex has achieved exits to the value of $3 billion. Supporting links: Celsius.network Mashinsky Groundlink Alex on Twitter Andy on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin

Danny Kim is Head of Growth at SFOX, a crypto trading platform and prime dealer for whale traders and institutional investors. SFOX is connected to 20+ exchanges and OTC desks to provide a single point of access to the crypto markets. SFOX was one of only two crypto companies to make Y Combinator's list of the Top 100 most valuable companies to come out of its accelerator program. Key takeaway: A prime dealer provides a single point of liquidity to all the major crypto exchanges, a vital access point for large whale traders and institutional investors. The prime dealer model is an evolution in the Bitcoin and crypto markets as more sophisticated traders demand a more comprehensive liquidity solution via a single trading platform. The exact amount of OTC volume is unknown but may be up to 70% of the market. Why you should listen: Danny explains the animal-inspired suite of SFOX algorithms - Polar Bear, Tortoise, Hare, and the Gorilla. He says the institutions are coming, however, it's a slow and steady process due to the complex requirements of the larger pension funds and custodial clients. In the Crypto Conversation hot take round, Danny says he is a fan of Andrew Yang, and his favorite science fiction film is Interstellar. Supporting links: SFOX SFOX on Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Andy on Twitter SFOX-Crypto-Volatility-Report Brave New Coin Y Combinator Top Companies

Professional trader and market analyst Josh Olszewicz joins Andy Pickering for a brain dump on the crypto news cycle. Bakkt's volume hit a new all-time-high, and Square had its sixth consecutive growth quarter - bullish for Bitcoin? Plus recent developments in China, why Libra is dead in the water, and Andy tells the story of how Kim Dotcom introduced him to Bitcoin. Key takeaway: Crypto has a scam problem, a fungibility problem, and a user-experience problem, are these solvable? Darknet markets still prefer Bitcoin over privacy coins, why? As Boomers fade out, millennial adoption of Bitcoin as digital money for a digital world will become inevitable. China has been working on the digital yuan for 3-4 years, what is really happening, and why China is so adept at playing the long game. Bitcoin's stock to flow model suggests a $55,000 Bitcoin after the 2020 halving. Why you should listen: Andy and Josh discuss whether "nocoiner" is a derogatory term in the same way as "Ok Boomer," and Josh outs himself as an Overwatch and Magic: The Gathering enthusiast. Everyone is mad at Facebook, and just as well, as Libra looks like it is designed to use private social media data to calculate credit scores. That would be dystopian. The story of the next decade will a Darwinian battle between decentralized digital currencies, corporate coins, and central bank digital currencies. Spoiler alert - Josh picks Bitcoin as the winner. Supporting Links: Plan B - The Bitcoin Stock to Flow model Josh On Twitter Brave New Coin on Twitter Andy on Twitter Josh's Brave New Coin reports Josh's Trading tips Ledger Status Libra is Architecturally Unsound

BTSE is a crypto asset exchange and futures trading platform. BTSE has partnered with crypto data company Brave New Coin to create two indices - the BBCX and BBAX, around which BTSE has developed futures trading products. Brian Wong and Lina Seiche from BTSE talk to Andy Pickering about crypto futures trading, the role of marketing and social media in crypto, and we finish with the Crypto Conversation hot take round. Key takeaway: An index tracks the performance of a basket of assets to represent the overall strength of a market. The new BTSE BBCX index tracks Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin and can be combined with leveraged futures trading. Brian discusses the collaborative process working with the Brave New Coin market data team to create the index. Brian and Lina explain why they think the next Bitcoin bull run will be even bigger than 2017, how futures trading allows miners and traders to hedge their positions and why liquidity attracts liquidity. Why you should listen: Lina talks about the importance of separating signal from noise on social media and at crypto conferences. She explains why there is a first-place prize of 10 Bitcoins in the BTSE trading competition and why centralized exchanges need to win the trust of their users. In the Crypto Conversation hot-take round, Brian says he admires the vision of Andrew Yang, Lina explains why BTSE sponsors the Magical Crypto Friends, and why she respects Elon Musk's vision to take humanity to another planet. Not to be outdone in the sci-fi stakes, we learn that Brian's Twitter handle is a reference to the Infinite Square Well - the particle in a box model in quantum mechanics. Brian says that his favorite sci-fi film is Interstellar, while Lina admits to being more of a fantasy fan, and picks the Lord of the Rings as her fantasy literature of choice. Supporting links: Btse.com Btse trading-competition Btse-x-bnc-bbcx-index-futures-trading-tutorial Brave New Coin indices-program BNC-BTSE Composite Index (BBCX) Brave New Coin BNC-pro.com Andy on Twitter Lina on Twitter Brian on Twitter Fluffy Pony sells BTSE like a BOSS Particle in a box