On The Brink with Castle Island - podcast cover

On The Brink with Castle Island

Castle Island Venturescastleisland.libsyn.com
Hosts Matt Walsh and Nic Carter of Castle Island Ventures explore news and deals in the public blockchain space and talk to some of the leading experts in the industry. Learn more and stay up to date at CastleIsland.vc and follow on twitter @CastleIslandVC
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Episodes

Weekly Roundup 07/04/24 (Chevron overturned, prediction markets, revisiting Silvergate) (EP.541)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Will Biden step down? The importance of prediction markets in elections Can you insider trade on prediction markets? What does the SCOTUS repeal of Chevron mean for crypto? SEC sues Consensys Stripe and Coinbase partnership Circle achieves MiCA compliance for USDC and EURC Will Euro stables ever be popular? Silvergate settles with the SEC, SF Fed, and California Why the Silvergate story remains a huge scandal Polkadot's str...

Jul 04, 202449 minEp. 541

Weekly Roundup 06/28/24 (Solana ETF, Coinbase sues FDIC, SCOTUS vs SEC) (EP.540)

Nic and Matt are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Nic's vehicular issues BTC mining FUD is now AI fud Abra settles with state regulators over lack of MTLs State Street and Galaxy Digital partner up US reps visit imprisoned Binance exec in Nigeria Vaneck files for a Solana ETF Coinbase is suing the FDIC and the SEC Germany is selling Bitcoin SCOTUS further limits the SEC's power Sponsor notes: Mastering Crypto Derivatives In Coin Metrics' State of the Network issue 265, w...

Jun 28, 202439 minEp. 540

Adam Healy (Station 70) on Digital Asset Cybersecurity (EP.539)

Adam Healy, the co-founder and CEO of Station 70 joins the show. In this episode we discuss: Adam's career and path that led him to enter the digital assets industry as a CSO and eventually co-founder of Station 70. The evolution of digital asset custody from a technology perspective. The evolution of MPC as an infrastructure technology. The threat vectors that CSOs must confront in managing a custodial business. Cybersecurity best practices. The inception of Station 70 and the state of private ...

Jun 26, 202442 minEp. 539

Weekly Roundup 06/21/24 (Certik v Kraken, Trump's memecoin, Paul Ryan op-ed) (EP.538)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Certik goes from white hat to black hat regarding a Kraken exploit Bozo of the week The DJT memecoin scandal and Martin Shkreli What's the deal with Barron Trump and the DJT memecoin? Should we welcome celebrity memecoins? Should bankers have been more supportive of crypto over SAB121? Paul Ryan's stablecoin op-ed in the WSJ Sponsor notes: Floating on Thin Air In Coin Metrics' State of the Network issue 264, we dive into th...

Jun 21, 202437 minEp. 538

Edward Woodford (Zero Hash) on Digital Asset Infrastructure (EP.537)

Edward Woodford, founder and CEO of Zero Hash joins the show. In this episode we discuss: Edward's origin story in the digital asset industry and his path to founding Zero Hash. Zero Hash's product lineup and the ways that the firm is powering companies seeking to engage in the digital asset ecosystem. The regulatory landscape for digital assets and how Zero Hash has positioned the firm both in the United States and internationally. Stablecoin adoption and the types of businesses that are emergi...

Jun 17, 202428 minEp. 537

Weekly Roundup 06/14/24 (Nigeria v Binance, Terraform settles with SEC, Are Dems pivoting on Crypto?) (EP.536)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: GME and Roaringkitty drama The detention of Tigran Gambaryan continues OP_CAT prospects Biden considers accepting crypto campaign donations What's the deal with Hamster Kombat Martin Shkreli vs PleasrDAO Terraform labs settles up with the SEC Microstrategy is still buying Bitcoin Should crypto holders donate coins to Biden? New nominee for FDIC chair Are democrats pivoting on crypto? We dissect a tweet thread by Rep Sean ...

Jun 14, 202439 minEp. 536

David Tse (Babylon) on Bitcoin Staking (EP.535)

In this episode, Wyatt sits down with Babylon founder David Tse to cover: Restaking/shared security and how it works Why shared security is a valuable use case for Bitcoin Bitcoin's structural limitations and their impact on Bitcoin innovation Bitcoin innovation broadly and Bitcoin L2's

Jun 10, 202424 minEp. 535

Weekly Roundup 06/07/24 (Bitstamp acquired, Paxos launches USDL, Bitcoin miners and AI, Kraken IPO rumors) (EP.534)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Kerrisdale versus Bitcoin miners Robinhood buys Bitstamp for $200m Biden vetoes the SAB121 overturn bill Is the Biden admin's pro crypto tilt over? Tucker interviews Bukele Coinbase donates to Fairshake SEC takes more Ls Big inflows into the bitcoin ETFs Are ETF inflows more about the basis trade? Paxos launches the interest-bearing stablecoin USDL out of the UAE Can Bitcoin miners sell into the AI cloud market? Kraken is...

Jun 07, 202441 minEp. 534

Martin Carrica (Mountain) and Philippe Bekhazi (XBTO) on Digital Assets in Bermuda (EP.533)

We sit down in Bermuda with Mountain Protocol founder Martin Carrica and XBTO founder Philippe Bekhazi for a talk on stablecoins and doing business on the island. In this episode: Why XBTO is Bermuda-first and why Mountain set up there The "Bermuda triangle" for doing business on the island The overlap between Bermuda's reinsurance industry and crypto The partnership between Mountain and XBTO The rise of interest-bearing stablecoins USD stables as extending the reach of the dollar The relationsh...

Jun 06, 202454 minEp. 533

Julian Duran (Marathon Digital) on Bitcoin Miners and Sidechains (EP.532)

Wyatt sits down with Julian Duran , product lead of Marathon Digital's Anduro project. Discussion included: Why miners are strategically expanding and exploring new initiatives New innovation in Bitcoin broadly How Bitcoin today differs from Bitcoin 2+ years ago Where Bitcoin L2's and sidechains are headed Learn more about Anduro...

Jun 03, 202439 minEp. 532

Weekly roundup 05/31/24 (Gemini Earn, Salame sentenced, PYUSD on Sol) (EP.531)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: We recap the Coin Center annual dinner Will Biden follow through on his SAB121 veto threat? The Biden admin is reportedly reaching out to key industry figures Ethereum ETF prospects Recap of the fight that didn't happen Prediction market issues Gemini Earn recovery Sponsor notes Exploring the Impacts of ETH ETF Approvals In Coin Metrics' State of the Network issue 261, we explore the market reaction and network implications...

May 31, 202433 minEp. 531

Manuel Godoy (Felix Pago) on disrupting the LatAm remittance market (EP.531)

Felix Pago CEO and Co-Founder Manuel Godoy joins us for an episode to share how Felix Pago is utilizing stablecoins to make remittances easier for immigrants. Manuel's personal story including financial services pain points as an immigrant Felix's founding story around the massive Latin American remittance market The importance of trust for remittance businesses The dominance of WhatsApp as an operating system across Latam Utilizing stablecoins to move money faster and cheaper...

May 28, 202428 minEp. 531

Weekly Roundup 05/24/24 (ETH ETF, FIT21 Act, Anti CBDC bill) (EP.530)

Matt and Nic return for another wild week in crypto. In this episode: Whip Emmer returns to OTB Matt's animal problems Congress passes the SAB121 overturn Gruenberg offers his resignation and what it means for crypto In a stunning overturn the SEC approves the ETH ETF The significance of the FIT21 act The anti-CBDC bill passes the House Sponsor notes: Decoding the Digital Dollar In Coin Metrics' State of the Network issue 260, we assess the growth and usage patterns across Coin Metrics' suite of...

May 24, 202434 minEp. 530

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) on Crypto's Legislative Wins (EP.529)

Minnesota Representative and House Whip Tom Emmer joins the show once again to talk about the policy sea change in Washington and recent legislative successes. In this episode: The House passes Emmer's anti-CBDC bill Trump's embrace of crypto and what that means Why some Democrats and the White House have changed their tone on crypto Congress votes to repeal SAB121 in defiance of Biden's veto threat Is the influence of the progressives in DC waning with regards to crypto? Will Biden follow throu...

May 24, 202431 minEp. 529

Weekly Roundup 05/17/24 (SAB121 repeal, Paul Ryan on stables, Bitcoin ETF 13Fs) (EP.528)

Matt and Nic are back with another week of news and deals. In this episode: The Senate votes to repeal SAB121 Which Democrats defied Biden on SAB121? Chuck Schumer breaks with Warren Paul Ryan's pro-stablecoin comments on Bloomberg CME is launching a spot crypto exchange The State of Wisconsin owns over $100m of Bitcoin ETFs Pump.fun exploited MEV exploiters arrested by the DoJ What's up with Roaring Kitty? Content mentioned in this episode: Matt Hougan, Who's Buying Bitcoin ETFs (According to 1...

May 17, 202439 minEp. 528

Weekly Roundup 05/10/24 (Biden threatens SAB121 veto, Trump embraces crypto, FDIC scandal deepens) (EP.527)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: The SAB121 repeal bill passes the House with 21 Democrat votes Biden threatens to veto SAB121 repeal Trump endorses crypto Is Gensler a liability for Biden? A scandal deepens at the FDIC Senator Warren defends the embattled FDIC chair Robinhood gets a Wells Notice from the SEC Is FTX really offering over 100% recovery to creditors? We review the Ohio State commencement speech Greyscale withdraws their Ethereum ETF applicati...

May 10, 202437 minEp. 527

Will Peck on Digital Assets at WisdomTree (EP.526)

Will Peck, Head of Digital Assets at WisdomTree re-joins the show. In this episode we discuss: WisdomTree's journey in digital assets and the firm's strategy in the area. Views on the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. Will's views on tokenization and how the firm is approaching this category. WisdomTree's New York Trust Charter and the opportunities that the license opens up. The evolving stablecoin landscape. Views on evolving regulatory landscape. To learn more about WisdomTree...

May 06, 202433 minEp. 536

Weekly Roundup 05/03/24 (CZ sentenced, Roger Ver arrested, Coinbase earnings) (EP.525)

Matt and Nic are back for more news and deals. In this episode: Matt get's 2nd in Jeopardy at ETH Boston We reminisce over Nic's 2020 holiday quiz Ian Cain's Senate candidacy in MA CZ get 4 months in prison The significance of '4' Did CZ deserve his sentence? Roger Ver arrested for tax fraud Tough week of outflows from the ETFs The chilling effects of the DoJ Samourai case Coinbase reports earnings Content mentioned: Nic's 2020 Bitcoin Esoterica Compendium Sponsor notes: Measuring Exchange Quali...

May 03, 202443 minEp. 525

Ian Cain on Running for U.S. Senate from Massachusetts (EP.524)

Ian Cain , republican candidate for U.S. Senate in the state of Massachusetts against Elizabeth Warren joins the show. In this episode we discuss: Ian's personal background and path to politics. How he became interested in emerging / blockchain technology. Qubic Labs and fostering a startup ecosystem in Massachusetts. The on-chain municipal bond project in Quincy, MA. The key issues that MA voters care about. Elizabeth Warren's posture on crypto and whether the "anti-crypto army" is a real thing...

Apr 29, 202431 minEp. 524

Weekly Roundup 04/26/25 (DEBTBox fallout, DoJ vs Samourai Wallet, IMF on Bitcoin flows) (EP.523)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: CIV's new stablecoin survey What happened with Runes? Lawsuit against the SEC's dealer rule New capital gains tax proposal How would taxing unrealized gains work? Two SEC lawyers leave in connection with the DEBT Box scandal The founders of Samourai wallet are arrested and charged by the DoJ Morgan Stanley close to permitting Bitcoin ETF to be solicited by their brokers Hong Kong Bitcoin ETFs go live Block is building Bitco...

Apr 26, 202431 minEp. 523

Chris Harmse (BVNK) on Building Global Stablecoin Infrastructure (EP.522)

Chris Harmse, co-founder and VP of Revenue at BVNK joins the show. In this episode we discuss: Chris' career and the path to founding BVNK. The origin story of BVNK and how the company has evolved over time. The key drivers behind the adoption of stablecoins. Segmenting the stablecoin market. Interest bearing stablecoins and the impact that this category will have on the overall market. Tokenized money funds and the future of securities settlement. How stablecoins will refactor the global FX mar...

Apr 24, 202431 minEp. 522

Alexei Zamyatin (BOB) on the Bitcoin Renaissance (EP.521)

In this episode we sit down with Alexei Zamyatin , the founder of Build On Bitcoin (BOB). Topics covered: Why EVM-compatibility is important for Bitcoin and Bitcoin L2s Merge mining and fostering adoption of Bitcoin L2's Why now for the Bitcoin Renaissance BitVM, use cases, and unlocks for Bitcoin

Apr 22, 202436 minEp. 521

Weekly Roundup 04/19/24 (Stablecoin bill, Halving, Code is not law) (EP.520)

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Dubai is underwater The Lummis Gillebrand stablecoin bill and its prospects Do stablecoins affect the US' ability to make sanctions? Avraham Eisenberg has been found guilty for the Mango markets hack Stablecoins as proto CBDCs Do stablecoins disintermediate commercial banks? What do the 13F filings tell us about ETF flows? Sponsor notes: Bitcoin's 4th Halving In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 255, we understand t...

Apr 19, 202440 minEp. 520

Cynthia Lo Bessette and Matt Horne on Digital Asset Management at Fidelity (EP.519)

Cynthia Lo Bessette and Matt Horne of Fidelity Digital Asset Management join the show. In this episode we discuss: The history of digital asset innovation at Fidelity. The decision to operationalize a digital asset-management capability under Fidelity's Asset Management business unit. The launch of the Fidelity Bitcoin ETF and the path to getting this product to market. How Bitcoin ETFs are currently being consumed and the distribution of these products to various investor types and platforms. H...

Apr 15, 202432 minEp. 519

Weekly Roundup 04/12/24 (SEC sues Uniswap, Core dev funding controversy, CPI print) (EP.518)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Our reactions to the CPI print The SEC announces its intention to sue Uniswap Sen Warren doesn't like the stablecoin bill Howard Lutnick weighs in on stablecoins again Saylor's core dev funding controversy Sponsor notes: An Introduction to the Solana Network In Coin Metrics State of the Network Issue 254, we provide a data-driven overview of the Solana blockchain, exploring its architecture, ecosystem, network usage and ado...

Apr 12, 202431 minEp. 518

Quinn Thompson (Lekker Capital) on why the Macro matters for Crypto (EP.517)

Quinn Thompson, founder and CIO of Lekker Capital , joins the show. In this episode: Launching Lekker Capital Quinn's investment strategy with Lekker Using crypto instruments to take a view on macro trends The significance of the move in the 10year How unusual is it to cut rates when inflation is running hot Is inflation the lesser of two evils? Why an inflationary reset is the only way out of our fiscal position Is Bitcoin more analogous to gold or NASDAQ? What are memecoins telling us about th...

Apr 08, 202443 minEp. 517

Weekly Roundup 04/05/24 (WSJ attacks Tether, Chris Waller on Stables, Nic's fight announced) (EP.516)

Matt and Nic are back with another week of news and deals. In this episode: How risky is Eigenlayer? The SEC is asking for public comment on ETH ETFs Is the US government about to liquidate $2b worth of Silk Road Bitcoin? Goldman wealth management CIO doesn't like Bitcoin WSJ is back with a Tether hitpiece Fed Governor Chris Waller says crypto is good for the dollar Nic and David Hoffman are fighting at Karate Combat at Consensus Sponsor notes: State of the Network's Q1 2024 Wrap-Up In Coin Metr...

Apr 05, 202438 minEp. 516

David Hoffman (Bankless) on Eigenlayer (EP.515)

David Hoffman of Bankless and Bankless Ventures returns to the show. In this episode we discuss: What Bankless Ventures has been focusing on, including Bitcoin Layer Twos. Eigenlayer – what originally attracted David to the project. The Eigenlayer value chain and the emerging categories of projects building in this ecosystem. Liquid Restaking Tokens, Actively Validated Services and how these primitives work in the Eigenlayer ecosystem. Views on risk management and leverage in the context of Eige...

Apr 03, 202442 minEp. 515

DeFi Education Fund and Beba sue the SEC (EP.514)

Miller Whitehouse-Levine and Amanda Tuminelli of the DeFi Education Fund join the show. In this episode we discuss: Beba, an American apparel company based in Waco, TX and the DeFi Education fund have filed a complaint against the SEC, challenging the agency's pattern of regulation via enforcement. The specific's of Beba's airdrop campaign. The Debt Box case and the pattern of behavior that the case highlights. The status of Congressional action on market structure, stablecoins and SAB 121. How ...

Apr 02, 202430 minEp. 514

Weekly Roundup 03/29/24 (SBF sentenced, Blast and Munchables, the MSTR convergence trade) (EP.513)

Matt and Nic return for another week of news and deals. In this episode: Was SBF's 25-year sentence too lenient? Beba vs SEC Coinbase motion to dismiss is dismissed Coinbase notches a win vs the SEC over their Wallet product SDNY v Kucoin Ripple vs SEC Will MSTR ever converge to the fair value of their Bitcoin? North Korea allegedly hacks Blast's Munchables farm How did Blast persuade the hackers to give the money back? What's going on with ETH blobspace? Bitwise's ETH vs ETH futs correlation an...

Mar 29, 202436 minEp. 513
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