Episodes
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Coming soon: When nerdy gamer Sam Bankman-Fried rocketed to fame as the world’s richest 29-year-old, he pledged to donate his billions to good causes. But then his crypto exchange FTX collapsed Billions of dollars were missing, and Sam was in handcuffs. Those who knew him were left wondering — who was Sam really? A well-meaning billionaire who made a mistake? Or a calculating con man? From Wondery and Bloomberg, the makers of The Shrink Next Door, comes a new story of incredible wealth, betrayal and what happens when “doing good” goes really really bad. Learn more here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spellcaster-the-fall-of-sam-bankman-fried/id1685258534
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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It’s been another wild week of financial mayhem connected to crypto. But this time the crisis focused on banks.
It started earlier this month [March], when Silvergate Capital shut down operations. The California-based bank serviced various crypto companies like Coinbase and Gemini. But its most notorious clients included the now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX and its sister firm Alameda. As these two giants faltered, Silvergate suffered a series of financial difficulties and fell under intense regulatory scrutiny, leading to its eventual shut down.
Then, last Friday, one week ago now, the tech and startup-focused Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. It was the largest bank failure since 2008, and incited investor panic.
By late last Sunday, another domino had fallen: New York State regulators announced they were taking possession of Signature Bank. It was moving to retreat from crypto, but was still known for having some ties to the digital asset industry, at one point even launching a crypto-payments platform. This was the third-largest bank failure in the US to date. Bloomberg reported that regulators took action after they “lost faith in management.”
This trio of recent closures is another blow to crypto - leaving the industry nearly cut off from the fiat banking sector. All the while a Bitcoin rally ensued, but has since cooled a bit.
So. In the aftermath of one of the biggest weeks in finance so far this year, how has the crypto industry fared? And how does it move forward?
Bloomberg senior executive editor Chris Nagi joins this episode.
Listen to Bloomberg Crypto on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Listen to Bloomberg Crypto on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Last year, just before the crypto winter had hit in earnest, Princeton University opened up “The Center for the Decentralization of Power Through Blockchain Technology”.
The Center was funded in part by a $20 million gift from prominent Princeton alumni including Mike Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners, and Joe Lubin, co-founder of the Ethereum crypto platform.
The university says the Center focuses on the software engineering that makes blockchain technology work, finds innovative uses for decentralized systems and considers how it might affect our collective future.
One year on, as the crypto winter persists, what’s the Center up to these days?
Bloomberg reporter Francesca Maglione joins this episode to discuss the role universities are playing in studying blockchain.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Listen to Bloomberg Crypto on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Some might argue that the popularity of NFTs faded as quickly as it rose. NFTs boomed in early 2022 when the crypto mania was at fever pitch. But a steep decline in sales and prices quickly followed, as 2022’s crypto winter set in, and digital asset bankruptcies piled up, culminating with the collapse of FTX late last year. But as we move into 2023, some crypto traders and NFT owners are cautiously optimistic, eyeing a Bitcoin bump despite the last year.
Former bond traders Ovie Faruq and Mike Anderson recently sold 72 iconic Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs for around 78 Eth each, which translated to roughly $9.25 million at the time.
Bloomberg reporter Abhinav Ramnarayan and Ovie Faruq, Co-founder at Canary Labs, join senior editor Anna Irrera to discuss the ins and outs of trading NFTs.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The last 12 months or so have been a particularly grueling season for crypto. And as we head into the spring months of 2023, we’re getting a better sense of what the slump in crypto prices has meant for the companies that shape the fledgling industry.
One of the biggest consequences digital asset firms are now finding is the need to make job cuts. Since the start of 2023, more than 15 crypto companies have posted labor force cuts including big names like Galaxy Digital, Genesis Global, and Chainanalysis. Some - like Silvergate Capital and crypto lender Amber Group - have cut as much as 40% of their workforce.
While that trend is not universal – Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire spoke with Bloomberg a few weeks ago, and said Circle is actually hiring people –what do these cuts say about the general health of crypto?
Bloomberg reporter Hannah Miller joins to discuss the latest in the crypto workforce.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Argentina is one of the countries with the highest rates of inflation in the world - currently hovering at close to 100%.
The nation is also one of the countries with the biggest population of crypto enthusiasts. In this environment, digital currencies can be perceived as a safer bet than the peso.
This popular enthusiasm for digital tokens has faced pushback from the country’s central bank. But ever since the crypto winter has stepped up volatility, and exchanges like FTX collapsed, many Argentinians likely feel squeezed: with fewer ‘safe’ places to protect their life savings from inflationary pressures.
Bloomberg’s Nacho Olivera Doll reported on a recent study by Buenos Aires-based Wunderman Thompson - it found that nearly two-thirds of the nation’s crypto investors use digital currencies as a way to protect their savings. He joins this episode to discuss.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Legal battles, circling regulators and a troubled bank. It's all happening in crypto this week.
Court is in session as Grayscale challenges the SEC over the prospects for a Bitcoin ETF, while themselves facing a lawsuit filed by FTX’s Alameda Research.
Voyager won a key court ruling that would a proposed sale to to Binance US to proceed despite the objections of multiple federal and state regulators.
And speaking of regulators: US officials showed up at Silvergate’s California headquarters as the troubled crypto-friendly bank tries to salvage what’s left of its business.Bloomberg reporters Justina Lee & Emily Nicolle join senior editor Anna Irrera to discuss the biggest stories in crypto this week.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Bloomberg’s stacy-marie ishmael interviewed Jeremy Allaire, Chief Executive Officer of Circle Internet Financial Ltd. to discuss stablecoins and his views on crypto regulation.
The CEO of the Boston-based firm behind the second-largest stablecoin, USDC, told Bloomberg that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is “not the right regulator” for the tokens. So who should regulate them? Listen to this episode to find out.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Listen to Bloomberg Crypto on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Voyager. Celsius. Genesis. And of course, FTX. All major crypto companies that went bankrupt last year. All names we’ve talked a lot about on this podcast.
But even if you’ve heard of these companies, did you know there’s a tax season quirk for US investors who had digital tokens tied up in accounts on these platforms?
These investors have lost access to these funds while bankruptcy cases wind through the court system, and in some cases they’re going to have pay taxes on those assets.
Bloomberg’s Claire Ballentine, and Bloomberg Tax reporter Lauren Vella join this episode to help crypto investors who are dreading US tax season. We also connect with a crypto investor who owes tax on his losses.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
This podcast is produced by the Bloomberg Crypto Podcast team: Supervising producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Janet Babin, Producers: Sharon Beriro and Muhammad Farouk, Associate Producers: Mo Andam and Ty Butler. Sound Design/Engineer: Desta Wondirad.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Over the past few weeks, we've seen US regulators, both federal and state in some cases - take aim at crypto companies with accusations of fraud and unregistered securities offerings.
These moves sent shockwaves through the digital asset industry. And the new regulations have also raised concerns about potential over regulation.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the UK and EU are taking a different approach.
The UK Treasury has recently proposed new rules for crypto-related businesses aimed at stepping up transparency and consumer protection. This, as the planned EU's Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation seeks to provide a clear legal framework for digital assets across all member states.
Joining senior editor Philip Lagerkranser to discuss the crypto regulation competition across Europe is Bloomberg reporter Emily Nicolle.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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It’s been three months since one of the most influential crypto exchanges collapsed into bankruptcy. FTX’s demise brought with it a wave of financial uncertainty and distress in the crypto industry. But it also had an effect on the small islands where the crypto exchange had established its headquarters: the island nation of the Bahamas.
This is not the Caribbean’s first financial crisis. History suggests it won’t be the last. But it is perhaps one of the highest profile losses, and potentially the most damaging. It comes as islands in the region try to diversify away from tourism revenue.
The Bahamas had high hopes that an ambitious financial sector would achieve that. But crypto was a big part of that game plan, and now it’s gone.
Can the Bahamas fill the gap left in its financial sector? Can the nation still be a hub for digital assets? Bloomberg’s Katanga Johnson joins this episode.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Last month marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had a devastating impact on Ukraine's economy, people and landmarks. In this episode, we consider the nuanced role that crypto has played so far in the conflict.
Plus, a review of what's happening with Bitcoin miner Marathon Digital: The company was supposed to report earnings this week, but instead announced it’s restating financials from previous quarters. We’ll explain what, if anything, accounting and the price of Bitcoin have to do with prospects for the sector.
The show also has the latest on an FTX lieutenant who recently pleaded guilty to various crimes in a New York court.
Bloomberg senior editor Dave Liedtka and reporter Emily Nicolle join this episode to discuss.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
This podcast is produced by the Bloomberg Crypto Podcast team: Supervising producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Janet Babin, Producers: Sharon Beriro and Muhammad Farouk, Associate Producers: Mo Andam and Ty Butler. Sound Design/Engineer: Desta Wondirad.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Most crypto enthusiasts pride themselves on being tech visionaries. After all, they were among the first to back innovative blockchain technologies and even embrace Web3 and NFTs.
Now there’s a new innovation that's captured the public imagination, and it's getting a lot of buzz in the crypto world too. It’s ChatGPT.
Late last year, OpenAI's new chatbot sparked a conversation about the future of artificial intelligence. People on the internet were going CRAZY about its ability to craft human-like responses and even ace an exam from Wharton.
Ever since, AI-linked crypto tokens have been on a rapid rise. At one point in early February, tokens from decentralized AI companies like SingularityNet and SingularityDAO soared over the span of just a couple of days.
But as the fervor grows, so do concerns. And some industry insiders are warning investors against being too bullish. So, what exactly are AI tokens and how can they shape the industry? Bloomberg’s Hannah Miller joins this episode.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Bank of England and the UK Treasury are moving forward with a plan to launch a digital currency. It’s being called the CBDC, or Central Bank Digital Currency, dubbed (or nicknamed) 'Britcoin.'
The action is part of a global effort to stay ahead of various new currency options and prepare for a future in which consumers adopt card payments backed by companies instead of by governments. But, some critics are calling it a "solution in search of a problem", particularly in light of the country's already-strong fintech industry.
Senior editor Philip Lagerkranser and reporter Emily Nicolle discuss the implications.Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The story of crypto lender Celsius Network’s bankruptcy officially began last summer, when it filed for Chapter 11 and cited a severe liquidity crisis. At the time, FTX and its CEO were still heralded as promising figures in the industry, even as companies and users were struggling to get by in the midst of a grueling crypto winter.
But now, we're getting a glimpse of just how bad things were at Celsius, almost from its inception. The recent release of a final independent examiner's report contains a searing account of how the lender may have concealed ineffective risk management and misled customers.
In the report, Celsius appears to have failed to properly track assets and liabilities. They also failed to disclose crucial financial information about its native token, CEL, and falsely portrayed the financial state of the company as robust and healthy. It’s a whopping 689-page read. So - what else did it say about Celsius?
Bloomberg's Olga Kharif joins this episode to discuss.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In a major twist in the digital-assets world, Bitcoin has added nonfungible tokens (NFTs) to its blockchain. The new protocol that makes them is called “Ordinals.” And just like anything in crypto, fierce debate has ensued about this on social media.
Bitcoin NFT proponents call the move a game-changer. Naysayers worry about potential pitfalls of Bitcoin NFTs — like rising transaction costs and environmental concerns. Higher fees could push Bitcoin away from its primary use as a decentralized currency. Plus, some hard-core Bitcoiners are also concerned that these NFTs could clog up the blockchain.
Bloomberg reporters Emily Nicolle & David Pan join this episode and consider how the integration of NFTs impacts the network, Bitcoin and the broader crypto ecosystem.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Coinbase released quarterly earnings this week, providing an etch-a-sketch road map of what’s ahead for digital asset investors.
Regardless, the darkening outlook for Coinbase’s business of stablecoins and staking is having an impact. The company had been counting on these business threads to help jump-start growth. But regulators are pushing for increased scrutiny of these offerings.
Also this week: A lot of action is happening on Bitcoin. Plus, FTX Japan has resumed withdrawals. Bloomberg Senior Editors Beth Williams & Anna Irrera join this episode to unpack the news of the week.
Listen to Bloomberg Crypto on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Want to hear a big number? How about $3.8 billion. That’s the amount of crypto that hackers managed to steal last year. That’s a new record. The company behind that report, Chainalysis, also found that one specific hacking group was responsible for a huge chunk of that stolen crypto. If you guessed that hacking group was Lazarus, connected to North Korea, you’d be correct.
Lazarus allegedly stole $1.7bn in 2022, compared with only $400 million worth of crypto the year before. It further solidifies the notion that North Koreans are likely using the cryptocurrency sector as a way to raise funds in the face of international sanctions. But what does all of this mean for the crypto market? And what can we do to prevent more hacks from happening?
Bloomberg reporter Jeff Stone joins this episode.
Listen to Bloomberg Crypto on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Over the course of the crypto winter we’ve seen companies falling like dominos. Several have filed for bankruptcy, with consequences that continue to reverberate across markets. In July 2022, Celsius became the first of the major crypto companies to seek bankruptcy protection, but it would be far from the last. Now, consumers and courts alike are grappling with what these collapses mean.
Regulators have sharpened both their rhetoric and their actions against crypto companies and individuals in the market. How are these bankruptcies informing their thinking? What precedents are they setting and what are the potential consequences for crypto?
Joining this episode to discuss the growing power and importance of bankruptcy court judges is Bloomberg reporter Steve Church.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
This podcast is produced by the Bloomberg Crypto Podcast team: Supervising producer: Vicki Vergolina, Senior Producer: Janet Babin, Producers: Sharon Beriro and Muhammad Farouk, Associate Producers: Mo Andam and Ty Butler. Sound Design/Engineer: Desta Wondirad.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Bitcoin “evangelist” Roger Ver has said in at least one interview ... when he was a little boy, he wanted to be a garbage truck driver. That way, he could drive heavy machinery around his neighborhood and get to talk to everyone. Fast forward, to the recent past and Roger Ver actually DOES, talk to a LOT of folks…Just not while collecting their trash. He was instead promoting Bitcoin as the future of money and finance so much so that people started calling him “Bitcoin Jesus.” According to his website, he’s one of the early investors in several BTC projects - including Kraken, purse.io, Blockchain.com, and Ripple.
But in 2017, Ver switched his enthusiasm away from Bitcoin and more toward something called Bitcoin Cash - an offshoot of the original currency. Recently, Ver became entangled in the bankruptcy of crypto lender Genesis that says BTC Jesus owes millions of dollars on trades. So, what happens when Bitcoin Jesus speaks? Do people say ‘Hallelujah’ or ‘deliver us from evil.’
Bloomberg Reporter Olga Kharif joins host Vildana Hajric to discuss.
Subscribe to the Bloomberg Crypto Newsletter at https://bloom.bg/cryptonewsletter
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