Native L2s, Bitcoin Supercycle, ETF Options, and More!
This week on Unchained: A potential new way to scale Ethereum, how far crypto could go this cycle, the launch of spot bitcoin ETF options, and more!
Are Layer 2s Failing Ethereum? A New Proposal Advocates for Native L2s
Ethereum’s scalability challenges are no secret, but are current layer 2 solutions living up to their promise? Martin Köppelmann argues they fall short in inheriting Ethereum’s core strengths.
Martin Köppelmann, co-founder of Gnosis, has proposed that Ethereum should have native rollups—a vision aimed at addressing scalability and decentralization.
Köppelmann critiques the current state of layer 2 solutions, highlighting their limitations in fully inheriting Ethereum’s security and composability.
He proposes a bold alternative: 128 Ethereum-native rollups designed to expand block space, strengthen alignment with Ethereum’s core principles, and ensure long-term viability for developers and users.
Plus, Martin tackles the controversies: Are L2s parasitic? Could native rollups spell the end for existing solutions? And why should they rely on zero-knowledge proofs instead of Optimism?
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Bits + Bips: Will Rate Cuts and Trump’s Policies Spark a Bitcoin Supercycle?
Will rate cuts and a strategic Bitcoin reserve cause Bitcoin and equities to rise indefinitely? Is Ethereum on the verge of a comeback? And how will regulation shape the next bull run?
Bitcoin and SOL are flirting with all time highs, Ethereum is lagging behind, and the next six months could define the trajectory of crypto markets.
In this episode of Bits + Bips, James Seyffart, Alex Kruger, and guest David Grider unravel the key stories driving the space: What could a meeting between Trump and Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong mean for crypto policy? Could a new Treasury Secretary pick become the industry’s biggest ally? And is Ethereum’s underperformance hiding a major comeback?
Plus, what crypto categories might be winners in the near future.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
The Chopping Block: Polymarket CEO raided by FBI, Ethereum’s Beam Chain, and Trump’s Pro-Crypto Agenda feat. Vance Spencer
Polymarket CEO Raided, Trump’s Cabinet, and Ethereum’s Future.
Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner get together and give the industry insider’s perspective on crypto. This week, special guest Vance Spencer of Framework Ventures joins the crew to explore Ethereum’s Beam Chain proposal, a bold yet contentious vision for Ethereum 3.0. With promises of quantum resistance, faster transactions, and decentralized staking, is this five-year roadmap a revolutionary leap or an unachievable ambition? The team dives into the tension between Layer 2s and Ethereum’s base chain, alongside Solana’s growing dominance as a UX benchmark. On the political front, the conversation breaks down Trump’s pro-crypto administration. From speculation around key cabinet picks to the potential establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve, they analyze what this new era could mean for regulation, innovation, and the broader market. Tune in for a lively discussion of the forces shaping Ethereum’s evolution and crypto’s role in America’s future.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Pandora, Castbox, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Spot Bitcoin ETF Options Are Here. Why You ‘Can’t Overstate’ Their Importance
Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas says ETF options attract whales and that they create a moat of liquidity for Bitcoin, similar to gold ETFs like GLD.
On Tuesday, options on BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF, IBIT, launched, seeing $1.9 billion worth of those options changing hands on the first day.
The launch of these options could mark a turning point for crypto markets, with implications for liquidity, volatility, and institutional adoption.
Eric Balchunas, senior ETF analyst at Bloomberg, explains why these options are so significant, who they’re designed for, and how they could impact the broader ecosystem.
Plus, he offers some cautionary advice to bitcoiners, gives insight into whether spot ether etf options are on their way, and discusses the odds of SOL ETFs launching.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
On Unregulated:
In Case You Missed It 👀
Here are some articles you will probably want to read:
South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson Likely to Lead House Digital Assets Subcommittee
Under the House Agriculture Committee, this Subcommittee would workshop portions of market structure legislation.
Stablecoin Supply Hits Record $174.7 Billion, Boosting Crypto Liquidity to All-Time High
Tether’s USDT is responsible for the majority of the growth in the overall supply of stablecoins, but competition is heating up.
Solana-Based Memecoin Generator Pump.Fun Shatters Adoption, Usage Records
Monthly fees, daily active addresses, and daily tokens launched on Pump Fun have all hit all-time highs, according to two Dune Analytics dashboards.
XRP, XLM, and ADA Lead Market Gains Following Gensler Resignation Announcement
The price jumps for these older generation tokens are a sign that retail investors have returned to crypto, experts argued.
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