Galaxy Brains - podcast cover

Galaxy Brains

Galaxy Digital Research
Welcome to Galaxy Brains, hosted by Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy. Our weekly podcast provides insights and analysis on trends and events across the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Each week Alex will be joined by members of the research team to discuss the latest developments on all things crypto and blockchain technology.
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Episodes

Future of Blockchain Infrastructure with Zane Glauber and Harry Austin

Alex Thorn is joined by Zane Glauber and Harry Austin from Galaxy’s Strategic Opportunities team to explore the future of blockchain infrastructure. They discuss recent regulatory shifts around staking, the evolution of institutional staking, and the growing role of blockchain infrastructure in capital markets. The conversation covers validator operations on Solana, on-chain governance, ETF integration, L2 decentralization, and how Galaxy supports protocols and institutions across the full stack...

Jul 03, 202544 min

Bitcoin Policy Summit Takes Over DC with Matthew Pines

In this episode of Galaxy Brains, Alex Thorn records live from Washington, D.C., where he’s attending the third annual Bitcoin Policy Summit, hosted by the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI). He welcomes BPI Executive Director Matthew Pines to discuss the growth of the summit, Bitcoin’s evolving role in U.S. policy conversations, and key legislative efforts like the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act. They explore how Bitcoin intersects with national strategy, energy policy, and emerging technologi...

Jun 26, 202525 min

Politics of Crypto Legislation with Austin Campbell

Alex Thorn talks to Austin Campbell, NYU professor and founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, about the passage of the GENIUS Act, prospects for market structure in the House, and what a tie-up between crypto and traditional finance means for both. Alex also talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about the Federal Reserve’s latest FOMC meeting, geopolitical risks affecting the market, and what the risk of stagflation means for markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. ++ Fo...

Jun 19, 20251 hr 1 min

Life After Bitcoin with Peter McCormack

On this week’s episode of Galaxy Brains, Peter McCormack, Chairman of Real Bedford FC, joins Alex Thorn to reflect on his journey after What Bitcoin Did from local activism in Bedford to building a grassroots economic revival using Bitcoin. Peter discusses his legal battle with Craig Wright, the potential for Real Bedford to adopt a Bitcoin treasury strategy, and why localism, free speech, and economic reform are essential. Plus, Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) unpacks CPI trends, political press...

Jun 12, 20251 hr 23 min

Should MicroStrategy Do Proof of Reserves? with Sam Abbassi

Alex Thorn talks with Sam Abbassi, founder of Bitcoin Proof of Reserves company Hoseki, about Michael Saylor’s comments on proof of reserve, the strategic bitcoin reserve, and bitcoin’s auditability. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe about economic data, inflation, the Federal Reserve, and markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.galaxy.com/research/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more! This podcast, and the informat...

Jun 05, 202541 min

The Philosophy of Bitcoin w/ Brad Rettler

Alex Thorn talks to Prof. Brad Rettler (University of Wyoming) about evaluating bitcoin through first principles and whether it’s a net positive or negative for the world. Brad also explains the Bitcoin Research Institute, a first-of-its-kind institution solely focused on producing academic grade research on Bitcoin. Alex also talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about bitcoin’s new all-time high and pressure in fixed income markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. ++ Fo...

May 22, 202542 min

Galaxy’s Nasdaq Debut w/ Mike Novogratz

In this episode of Galaxy Brains, Alex Thorn is joined by Galaxy Founder and CEO Mike Novogratz for a wide-ranging conversation on markets, Bitcoin momentum, and the company’s upcoming Nasdaq listing. They discuss crypto’s recent drawdown and rebound, the rise of Bitcoin treasury strategies, macro headwinds and dollar risks, and how stablecoin legislation could bolster U.S. financial leadership. Mike also shares why Galaxy is doubling down on AI infrastructure, what it means for the future of th...

May 15, 202548 min

The DOJ’s Case Against Samourai Wallet With Zack Shapiro

In this episode of Galaxy Brains, Alex Thorn is joined by Zack Shapiro, Head of Policy at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, to examine the DOJ’s criminal case against the developers of Samourai Wallet and its far-reaching implications for open-source software, financial privacy, and the future of non-custodial Bitcoin tools in the U.S. Alex also speaks with Natalia Li, Head of U.S. Policy at Galaxy, about the Senate’s stablecoin legislation and with Beimnet Abebe, Head of Credit Trading at Galaxy, a...

May 08, 202552 min

Strategic Bitcoin Reserve With Matt Pines

In this episode of Galaxy Brains, Alex Thorn is joined by Matt Pines, Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, for a deep dive into national Bitcoin strategy, including the concept of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the mechanics and potential of BitBonds, and the looming risks of quantum computing to Bitcoin’s cryptography. They explore how sovereign adoption, fiscal policy, and geopolitical shifts may shape the future of Bitcoin. Alex also speaks with Galaxy Trading’s Beimnet Abeb...

May 01, 20251 hr 23 min

Galaxy Research’s First Governance Proposal With Zack Pokorny

In this episode of Galaxy Brains, Alex Thorn speaks with Zack Pokorny, Galaxy Research Associate, about MESA, Galaxy Research’s first-ever governance proposal. Designed to reduce Solana inflation through a more democratic voting framework, the proposal introduces multiple voting options rather than a binary outcome. Zack unpacks the motivation behind the proposal, compares it to SIMD-228, and explores how token emissions shape lending, staking, and yield dynamics across DeFi. Plus, Beimnet Abebe...

Apr 24, 202543 min

The State of Crypto Lending w/ Max Bareiss

Alex Thorn talks with Max Bareiss (Galaxy Lending) about the state of the bitcoin and crypto lending market. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informa...

Apr 17, 202553 min

Is the Bull Market Over? with James Check

Alex Thorn talks with James Check (Checkonchain) about the state of the bitcoin market. Alex and James discuss insights derived from onchain bitcoin data, what it tells us about bitcoin holder behavior, and what needs to change to build a base and move higher once again. Alex also talks with Connor Finemore (Galaxy Trading) about tariffs, treasuries, and trade wars. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy....

Apr 10, 202542 min

Kraken’s View of the Crypto World w/ Arjun Sethi

Alex Thorn talks with Arjun Sethi, GP at Tribe Capital and Co-CEO of Kraken, one of the world’s biggest and oldest crypto exchanges, about markets, regulatory shifts, and institutional adoption of bitcoin. Alex also talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading), about markets, tariffs, and the U.S. economy in 2025. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the inform...

Apr 03, 202555 min

Future of Institutional Crypto Trading w/ Anton Katz

Alex Thorn talks with Anton Katz (Talos) about institutional crypto trading, adoption, and technology. Alex also talks with Connor Finemore (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for information...

Mar 27, 202553 min

Future of Bitcoin Adoption w/ Preston Pysh

Alex Thorn talks to Preston Pysh, host of the Bitcoin Fundamentals podcast and GP at Ego Death Capital, about the strategic bitcoin reserve, institutional bitcoin adoption, and macro markets. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe about markets and the FOMC meeting this week. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provi...

Mar 20, 202554 min

Will Bitcoin Upgrade w/ Will Foxley

Alex Thorn talks with Will Foxley (Blockspace Media) about the future of Bitcoin. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) solely for informational purposes. View the full disclaimer at...

Mar 13, 202556 min

Crypto’s Existential Threat w/ Jake Chervinsky

Alex Thorn talks with Jake Chervinsky, Chief Legal Officer at Variant, about the presidential working group on digital assets, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and how Bank Secrecy Act and money transmission laws can be an existential threat to crypto. Alex also talks to Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, a...

Mar 06, 20251 hr 6 min

Bitcoin Businesses Are Thriving w/ Marty Bent

Alex Thorn talks with Marty Bent, managing partner at Ten31 and founder of TFTC, about bitcoin mining, artificial intelligence, strategic bitcoin reserve, bitcoin backed financial products, and bitcoin venture investing. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained here...

Feb 27, 20251 hr 6 min

Clash of the Titans w/ Dan Morehead & Mike Novogratz

Alex Thorn talks with Pantera founder Dan Morehead and Galaxy founder Mike Novogratz about their shared history in bitcoin and markets, the state of global bitcoin adoption, and the future of crypto. Alex talks with Dan and Mike about the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), Telegram, artificial intelligence (AI), the Federal Reserve and macro and rates, and much more. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 6, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galax...

Feb 20, 202557 min

The New SEC w/ Hester Peirce

Alex Thorn talks with Hester Peirce, Commissioner at the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and head of the its Crypto Task Force, about the SEC’s priorities and plans to reshape its approach to regulating crypto in America. Alex and Hester also talk about the struggles of the last 4 years, the impact of the Presidential Working Group on Digital Assets, and if we will one day see stocks on the blockchain. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter,...

Feb 13, 202553 min

Bitcoin Reserve Is Back In Play w/ Natalia Li

Alex talks with Natalia Li (Galaxy Public Policy) about recent crypto regulatory news like the executive order, David Sack's congressional press conference, and Hester Peirce SEC content. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Ga...

Feb 06, 202555 min

Trump, Bitcoin, and USA w/ David Bailey

Alex Thorn talks with David Bailey (BTC Inc., Bitcoin Magazine) about Trump’s election and what it means for bitcoin policy. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”) ...

Jan 30, 202553 min

What Trump’s Inauguration Means for Crypto w/ Tyler Williams

Alex Thorn talks to Tyler Williams (Galaxy’s Global Head of Policy) about the Crypto Ball, Trump Inauguration Weekend, and Trump’s early actions on crypto policy. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP ...

Jan 23, 202534 min

Crypto Markets Stay Interesting w/ Dan Matuszewski (CMS)

Alex Thorn talks with Dan Matuszewski (CMS Holdings) about bitcoin, crypto, AI, memecoins, politics, and the future of trading. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets, rates, and inflation. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affil...

Jan 16, 202553 min

Will Stocks Go on the Blockchain? w/ Omid Malekan

Alex Thorn talks with Columbia Business School professor Omid Malekan about stablecoins, tokenization, equities on the blockchain, and the strategic bitcoin reserve. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affilia...

Jan 09, 20251 hr 25 min

Building the Biggest Bitcoin Miner w/ Paul Giordano (MARA)

Alex Thorn talks with Paul Giordano (MARA) about the world’s largest Bitcoin miner and its plans for mining, bitcoin treasury operations, and AI. They also discuss the impact of tariffs, bitcoin development, ordinals, private mempools, and more. This episode was recorded on Thursday, December 23, 2024. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digi...

Dec 26, 202434 min

PubKey Founder on Trump’s Bitcoin Burger w/ Thomas Pacchia

Alex Thorn talks with PubKey founder Thomas Pacchia about bitcoin culture, a big year for BTC, and what comes next. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe about markets and the Federal Reserve’s latest rates decision. This episode was recorded on Thursday, December 18, 2024. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliat...

Dec 19, 202444 min

Michael Saylor on BTC at $100K and the Future of MicroStrategy

Alex Thorn talks with Michael Saylor, Founder and Chairman of MicroStrategy (MSTR), about bitcoin crossing $100k, President Trump, the bitcoin strategic reserve, bitcoin development, proof of reserves, Ethereum, crypto in general, and much more. This episode was recorded on Thursday, December 5, 2024. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digit...

Dec 11, 20241 hr 42 min

Is This Time Different? w/ Sam Callahan

Alex Thorn talks with Sam Callahan (The News Block) about bitcoin markets, MicroStrategy, and the Trump administration’s impact on markets. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading). This episode was recorded on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information contained herein, has been provided to you by Galaxy Digital Holdings LP and its affiliates (“Galaxy Digital”)...

Dec 05, 202453 min

How the US Should Store the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve w/ Rob Hamilton

Alex Thorn talks with Anchorwatch CEO Rob Hamilton about ways the US government could securely store the “strategic bitcoin reserve,” why insurance on bitcoin is a big step forward, and happenings in the world of bitcoin development. Alex also talks with Beimnet Abebe (Galaxy Trading) about markets. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. ++ Follow us on Twitter, @glxyresearch, and read our research at www.galaxy.com/research/ to learn more! This podcast, and the information c...

Nov 28, 202450 min
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