The Rise of GOAT, Stablecoins in Africa, The 'Trump Trade,' and More!
This week on Unchained: The hottest mememcoin and how stablecoins may challenge SWIFT and big banks. Plus, new episodes of Bits + Bips & The Chopping Block.
The Backstory of How 3 AI Agents Led to the Rise of the Hottest Memecoin, GOAT
The intersection of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency is gaining momentum with the rise of memecoins like GOAT, an AI-created token now valued at over $700 million.
The two-week-old GOAT memecoin, which hit a market cap of almost $880 million on Thursday, is captivating everyone in crypto. Not because this is memecoin szn, but because its rise was fueled by an AI called Truth Terminal, which is itself, a baby of two other AI models.
Teng Yan, founder of Chain of Thought, joins Unchained to break down how this unexpected AI creation has turned into a phenomenon, why it has captured the attention of the crypto world, and what the future holds for AI-driven tokens.
At the end, Laura also discusses with Unchained’s regulatory reporter Veronica Irwin two interesting and important news stories: who Kamala Harris is vetting for SEC chair and how one Senate race could inadvertently give Senator Elizabeth Warren more power over crypto.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
How This Stablecoin Business in Africa Is Taking on SWIFT and Big Banks
This former Pokemon card seller is at the forefront of a quiet crypto revolution in Africa, where stablecoins are already disrupting international payments and helping businesses thrive.
Africa is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic regions for crypto adoption, but the story unfolding there is very different from what many in the West might imagine.
Chris Maurice, co-founder and CEO of Yellow Card, joins the show to share how stablecoins are already transforming businesses across the continent, solving real-world problems, and taking on SWIFT. Plus, he explains why USDT is the stablecoin of choice there.
He also dives into the long-term economic impact of crypto adoption and explains why anyone serious about business should be paying close attention to Africa.
Bits + Bips: The Real ‘Trump Trade’ & Why Trump’s World Liberty Financial Was a Flop
The hosts say the recent ECB paper criticizing Bitcoin “is a joke,” dig into the impact of institutional demand for Bitcoin ETFs, and explain why Bitcoin ETF options are more important than many realize.
In this episode of Bits + Bips, hosts James Seyffart, Alex Kruger, and Joe McCann are joined by Jeff Park of Bitwise to discuss some of the latest developments in the crypto world. They share their thoughts on a controversial ECB paper about Bitcoin, breaking down why they believe the authors missed the mark. They also dive into the rising institutional interest in spot Bitcoin ETFs and how Trump’s momentum in the polls could impact the market, especially for altcoins. Plus, the conversation explores the significance of Bitcoin ETF options and why they could have a larger impact than many expect.
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 (feat. Anatoly): Solana’s Second Act, SVM vs EVM, & Extension Dilemma
Solana’s Second Act, SVM vs EVM, & Extension Dilemma
Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner slice into the juiciest topics in crypto. In this episode, the crew is joined by special guest Anatoly Yakovenko, the mastermind behind Solana, for a deep dive into the network’s evolution and future. The conversation kicks off with a look at Solana’s rapid rise from its rocky early days to its current status as a blockchain powerhouse. They debate the role of memecoins in Solana’s ecosystem and whether they’re here to stay or just a passing craze. Next, Anatoly opens up about Fire Dancer’s impact on the network’s scaling and performance, sparking a broader discussion about vertical vs. horizontal scaling. Finally, they explore Solana’s ambitious push into the mobile space with the Seeker phone and its implications for the broader crypto industry.
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10 Bitcoin Protocols With Points Programs That Will Likely Airdrop Tokens
Bitcoin protocols such as various layer 2 blockchains and liquid staking providers are currently offering points programs, which users speculate are signals of an upcoming airdrop.
Are Real World Assets Just a Wrapper on a ‘Pile of Dog Shit’? 2 Crypto Heavyweights Debate
Superstate’s Robert Leshner argued tokenizing real-world assets holds great potential, while Crucible’s Meltem Demirors likened the practice to putting lipstick on a pig.
Hackers Steal $20 Million From US Government Wallets: Arkham
Around $20 million in USDC, USDT, aUSDC, and ETH have been suspiciously moved from a US government-linked address.
Pennsylvania House Passes Pro-Crypto Bill by Wide Margin
The measure received strong bipartisan support, and now moves on to the State Senate for further approval.
OPINION: Why It’s Critical for the US to Pursue a Pro-Innovation Approach to Software Regulation
by Miller Whitehouse-Levine & Lizandro Pieper
Unlike the European Union, the US seems open to holding users of new technology liable for injuries or damage, rather than the technology’s creators. Here’s why the US needs to stay true to that approach.
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