The Crypto Beat

Episode 75 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Lucas Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins and Igloo Inc., to break down his strategy for transforming Pudgy Penguins into a billion-dollar brand by prioritizing emotional connection, consumer products, and real-world distribution over traditional crypto narratives.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction01:02 - 10/10 Market Impact02:28 - Where Crypto Stands04:13 - Meme Coins and Culture07:04 - Building a Global Brand12:13 - NFT Value Explained16:59 - Taking Over Pudgy19:34 - Breakout Moments24:40 - Scaling Beyond Crypto32:53 - ETF and InstitutionsFollow the guest:Luca Netz → https://x.com/LucaNetzPudgy Penguins → https://x.com/PudgyPenguinsIgloo Inc. → https://x.com/iglooincHosted by:Tim Copeland → https://x.com/timccopelandKelvin Sparks → https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

Episode 74 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance to discuss the current state of crypto markets and the long-term outlook for the industry. He explains why fundamentals like stablecoins, ETFs, and tokenization continue to strengthen despite short-term volatility, and how global regulation is accelerating adoption.OUTLINE00:44 - Introduction00:57 - Market vs Fundamentals02:35 - Building Through Cycles05:06 - Regulation Driving Adoption08:54 - Binance Super App Vision12:47 - Macro and Market Risk17:18 - Expanding Beyond Crypto24:10 - AI Across Binance32:30 - Stablecoins and Global Usage45:51 - Bitcoin, Risk and FutureGuest links:Richard Teng - https://x.com/_RichardTengBinance - https://x.com/BinanceHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠...---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

Episode 73 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Sam Green, Founder of Cambrian Network, and Austin Griffith, Head of Builder Growth at the Ethereum Foundation.They discuss how AI agents are already building smart contracts, managing capital, and interacting with onchain systems, while also introducing new risks around security and user control.OUTLINE02:01 - Introduction03:32 - AI Tooling Setup06:53 - Vibe Coded Game09:08 - AI Hacking Debate15:42 - X402 Payments19:38 - Permissioned Chains24:07 - Agent Standards30:28 - AgentFi Trends36:15 - DeFi Risk Layer41:49 - Letting Agents TradeGuest links:Sam Green - https://x.com/0xsamgreenCambrian Network - https://x.com/CambrianNetworkAustin Griffith - https://x.com/austingriffithEthereum Foundation - https://x.com/ethereumfndnHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

Episode 72 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Nikola Plecas, VP of Payments at TON Foundation, to break down how Telegram is evolving into a crypto payments platform.He explains TON’s strategy around merchant tools, stablecoin payments, and reducing friction for everyday users, while highlighting key growth areas like remittances and crypto commerce.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction00:43 - TON Payments Strategy01:21 - Merchant Tools and SDK04:50 - Growth Opportunities06:59 - Blockchain vs Fiat Rails09:41 - TON vs Visa Experience11:20 - Industry Challenges13:04 - Institutional Adoption18:13 - Telegram UX and Wallets23:04 - Regulation and Market OutlookGuest links:Nikola Plecas - https://x.com/nikola_plecasTON - https://x.com/ton_blockchainHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

Episode 71 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Charlie Lee, creator of Litecoin, to reflect on crypto’s evolution from its early cypherpunk roots to today’s institution-driven market. He explains why Litecoin has remained focused on fast, reliable payments, the importance of privacy and fungibility, and how new trends like AI intersect with crypto.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction01:02 - Early Crypto Growth02:20 - Competing in Crypto03:58 - Smart Contracts on Litecoin05:26 - Privacy and Fungibility09:58 - AI and Engineering14:07 - AI Agents and Money15:42 - Why Decentralization Matters18:27 - Institutions Enter Crypto24:40 - Market Cycle OutlookGuest links:Charlie Lee - https://x.com/SatoshiLiteLitecoin - https://x.com/litecoinHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠...---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

Episode 70 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Thomas Cowan, Head of Tokenization at Galaxy Digital, and Jim Hiltner, Co-Founder of Superstate. The conversation explores how Superstate tokenized Galaxy’s equity onchain, the regulatory and infrastructure challenges involved, and why institutions are increasingly exploring tokenization.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction00:57 - Galaxy Stock Onchain02:39 - When Equities Move Onchain05:16 - Trading Volume Today07:25 - IPOs on Blockchain09:17 - Market Adoption Curve12:25 - TradFi Interest Rising16:14 - Regulatory Capital Clarity19:37 - DeFi and TradFi Converge23:01 - CLO Example30:45 - Ownership Models Explained38:04 - DeFi Collateral Markets43:06 - What Assets Come NextGuest links:Thomas Cowan - https://x.com/ThomasCowan93Jim Hiltner - https://x.com/HiltnerJimGalaxy HQ - https://x.com/galaxyhqSuperstate - https://x.com/SuperstateIncHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠...---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

Episode 69 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with Markus Infanger, SVP at RippleX | Ripple. The conversation explores why firms like Aviva Investors are experimenting with tokenized funds, how blockchain infrastructure could modernize financial market plumbing, and where institutional DeFi is gaining traction.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction01:19 - Aviva Tokenization Announcement02:31 - Why Tokenize Funds05:42 - Compliance and Permissioned Access07:42 - TradFi Interest Changing10:14 - RWA Growth Opportunities16:57 - XRP Utility Explained19:57 - Agents and Blockchain25:36 - Automated Finance Future31:18 - RippleX 2026 Roadmap39:40 - From Banking to CryptoGuest links:Markus Infanger - https://x.com/markusinfangerRippleX - https://x.com/RippleXDevRipple - https://x.com/RippleHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

In episode 68 of The Crypto Beat features Tim and Kelvin in conversation with BitGo CEO Mike Belshe. The discussion covers BitGo’s pursuit of a national bank charter, the expanding role of traditional finance in the crypto ecosystem, and why market structure, custody infrastructure, and clear regulation will be essential to long-term industry adoption.OUTLINE00:00 – Introduction01:11 – BitGo’s Institutional Growth02:38 – IPO and Market Shift04:31 – Building Crypto Infrastructure06:32 – Market Structure Debate08:23 – National Bank Charter10:07 – Wall Street Entering Crypto15:43 – Future Crypto Innovations24:00 – From Google to Bitcoin29:14 – AI and Crypto Custody37:51 – Crypto and Global Events42:27 – Stablecoin Depeg DiscussionGuest links:Mike Belshe - https://x.com/mikebelsheBitGo - https://x.com/BitGoHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

In episode 67 of The Crypto Beat, Tim and Kelvin were joined by Ethos Network CEO Trevor Thompson to discuss the escalating bot crisis on X and how AI tools like OpenClaw have made it trivially easy to spin up fake accounts at scale. He argues that biometric solutions like WorldCoin aren't cypherpunk enough, and instead pitches Ethos's social consensus model — where humans vouch for each other's authenticity with skin in the game — as a privacy-preserving alternative to KYC.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction01:54 - The Bot Problem on X03:59 - AI and the Slop Super Cycle05:19 - Credibility in the Age of AI11:40 - The Chess Engine Analogy12:55 - Why Serpentax Built Ethos15:11 - Ethos Human Verification Explained20:06 - Sybil Attacks and Proving You're Human28:18 - Social Capital and Alt Accounts36:56 - Community Erosion in CryptoGuest links:Trevor Thompson/Serpin Taxt - https://x.com/serpinxbtEthos - https://x.com/ethos_networkHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus

In episode 66 of The Crypto Beat, Tim and Kelvin were joined by Galaxy's Michael Marcantonio and Ondo's Matt Blumberg to discuss the ways in which AI agents will operate in the economy, and how crypto and DeFi and primed to play a key facilitating role. They also make the case that despite bearish price action, every fundamental indicator is screaming bullish.OUTLINE00:00 - Introduction02:40 - AI Meets the Money Legos07:05 - Galaxy's AI & Crypto Thesis09:17 - AI Trading Agents in Practice14:48 - Ondo Perps & Capital Efficiency21:50 - Perps Architecture Deep Dive28:00 - Yield Capture as the New Meta32:40 - Most Bullish Bear Market Ever39:00 - BTC Price Predictions45:00 - The Store of Value Debate50:00 - AI Agents as DeFi's UX FixGuest links:Matthew Blumberg - https://x.com/matt_blumbergOndo - https://x.com/OndoFinanceMichael Marcantonio - https://x.com/marcryptonioGalaxy Digital - https://x.com/GalaxyHQHosts:Tim Copeland - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/timccopeland⁠⁠⁠⁠Kelvin Sparks - https://x.com/imyoungsparks---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨‍🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.theblock.co/newsletters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theblock.co/campus