Unchained
Podcast

Unchained

by Laura Shin

329 episodes

Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find out how Web 3.0, the decentralized web, will revolutionize our world. Disclosure: I'm a nocoiner.
Ask about UnchainedAnswers are grounded in this source's posts from the last 30 days.

Recent Posts

329 posts
Base Will Likely Have a Token: Why Now, Who Wins, and How Big It Gets - Ep. 904

A Base network token is highly anticipated, and investors can position for a potential airdrop by actively using applications on the Base network now. To gain indirect exposure before a launch, consider investing in established ecosystem projects like Aerodrome. The unlaunched token is speculated to debut at a $20 billion valuation, signaling a significant market event. For broader crypto exposure, consider holding both ETH for its institutional adoption and SOL for its strong consumer and retail growth. This strategy captures the two dominant and competing blockchain ecosystems.

The Chopping Block: USDH Bake-off—Native Markets, Validators & the “Beauty Contest” Debate - Ep. 903

Hyperliquid's recent stablecoin strategy is viewed as a major strategic win that could drive significant value to the HYPE token through new revenue-sharing agreements. This event has exposed a major risk for the stablecoin issuer business model, signaling severe margin compression for companies like Circle and Paxos. Due to its deep liquidity moat, Tether (USDT) appears to be the most insulated from this pressure, making it a potentially more resilient player. While a similar native stablecoin narrative is emerging for Solana (SOL), internal ecosystem politics make this a highly uncertain catalyst for now. Investors may see a bullish case for HYPE while re-evaluating the long-term profitability of most other stablecoin issuers.

Why the War Over the USDH Ticker on Hyperliquid Is Bullish for Crypto - Ep. 902

Significant institutional capital is flowing into top Layer 1 blockchains, creating strong bullish catalysts for both Solana (SOL) and Avalanche (AVAX). Consider accumulating Solana (SOL) as public company Forward Industries is creating a $1.65 billion corporate treasury to buy the token, fueling the "Solana season" narrative. For traditional stock market exposure to this trend, investors can look at Forward Industries (FWD), which now acts as a public proxy for the Solana ecosystem. Similarly, Avalanche (AVAX) is a high-conviction investment, with its foundation in late-stage talks to raise $1 billion by selling discounted tokens to long-term investment vehicles. These large-scale purchases are expected to reduce the available supply and signal strong institutional confidence in both assets.

How Pump.fun Plans to Beat Social Media Giants and Win Beyond Crypto - Ep.901

Consider an investment in PUMP as a direct bet on the SocialFi trend, driven by its powerful policy of using 100% of platform revenue for token buybacks. The company is a revenue-generating leader aiming to expand beyond memecoins to compete with major social media platforms. For a more diversified approach, consider investing in Solana (SOL), as its value is directly supported by the high transaction volume from ecosystem apps like Pump.fun. This emerging sector is highly speculative, representing a high-risk, high-reward opportunity. Always conduct your own research before investing in volatile crypto assets.

Bits + Bips: Hyperliquid’s USDH Bidding War & Why the DAT Model Is Broken - Ep. 900

A bidding war for the Hyperliquid ecosystem's native stablecoin, USDH, presents a major investment opportunity to watch. Frax Finance (FXS) is a key contender, and a win would serve as a significant catalyst for its token. In another key development, Galaxy Digital's choice to tokenize its shares on Solana (SOL) provides a strong vote of confidence for the network. This move validates SOL as a preferred platform for institutional-grade assets due to its decentralized structure, potentially boosting its adoption. Investors should monitor the outcome of the USDH competition and the growing institutional use of Solana as key catalysts.

The Competition Is On. Who’ll Win the USDH Ticker on Hyperliquid? - Ep. 899

A major competition to launch a new USDH stablecoin on the Hyperliquid platform presents a significant bullish catalyst for its native token, HYPE. The winning proposal will share 95-100% of the revenue generated from reserves back to the community, creating a direct value accrual mechanism for HYPE holders. The proposal from Paxos is especially noteworthy, as it includes plans to integrate the HYPE token into its brokerage network used by PayPal and Venmo. Alternatively, the competing proposal from Agora, backed by VanEck, offers a 100% revenue share and institutional-grade safety with State Street as custodian. Regardless of the outcome, this event is poised to drive substantial growth and attention to the Hyperliquid ecosystem.

Why Pokémon Cards Are Better Onchain (and How to Trade Them) - Ep. 898

Collector Crypt (CARDS) on the Solana blockchain offers direct exposure to the tokenization of physical trading cards, a market ripe for disruption. The broader trading card asset class may see a bull market from this trend, with the upcoming Pokémon 30th anniversary acting as a potential catalyst. As the underlying network, Solana (SOL) stands to benefit significantly, especially with its Alpenglow upgrade promising a 100x increase in network throughput. For traditional investors, watch for the upcoming NASDAQ IPO of crypto exchange Gemini (GEMI), but note the company is currently unprofitable. Lastly, be aware of potential short-term sell pressure on Ethereum (ETH) due to the foundation's planned sale of 10,000 tokens.

Bits + Bips: The Case for Why DATs Are Superior to Crypto ETFs - Ep. 897

Consider investing in the Solana-focused Digital Asset Treasury UPEXI to gain leveraged exposure to SOL, which benefits from an 8%+ staking yield and the ability to purchase tokens at a discount. Buying spot Ethereum (ETH) is a direct way to profit from the constant buying pressure created by the growing number of Ethereum-focused DATs. For assets like Solana and Ethereum, these DATs are presented as a superior investment to spot ETFs because they can capture and benefit from staking yields. Investors should watch for the approval of altcoin futures in the U.S., as this is viewed as the single most important catalyst for the next major altcoin rally. Be aware of potential short-term weakness for Bitcoin (BTC), as September is historically a poor-performing month for the asset.

The Chopping Block: Trump’s $22B “Gold Paper” DeFi Launch, Buybacks & Garbage Coins - Ep. 896

Investors should avoid the new World Liberty Financial (WLF) token, which is viewed as a high-risk speculative asset with numerous red flags and no existing product. Keep Aave (AAVE) on your watchlist, as a favorable resolution to its dispute with WLF could serve as a major positive catalyst for the token. For a long-term theme, consider how Coinbase (COIN) and Robinhood (HOOD) are positioned to become dominant "everything apps" for finance. Their success will depend on overcoming security concerns to attract both speculative crypto and traditional investments onto their platforms. The government's use of blockchain for economic data validates the essential infrastructure role of oracle networks like Chainlink (LINK) and Pyth (PYTH).

How Crypto Insiders Are Sidestepping the Law to Dump on Retail - Ep. 895

Avoid celebrity memecoins like TRUMP and YZY, as analysis shows they are systematically exploited by insiders, causing significant losses for most public investors. Be cautious with World Liberty Financial (WLF) due to a massive supply of locked tokens that could crash the price upon release. For a potential yield opportunity, consider RE Protocol, which offers up to 16% APY on stablecoins like USDC through its insured reUSDE product. Investors interested in the "blockchain for banking" theme can research Mantle (MNT), a token designed to benefit from the growth of its financial ecosystem. Before investing in any new token, use tools to check for large, connected wallets holding over 20% of the supply, which is a major red flag for manipulation.

Why These DeFi Builders Are Betting It All on Coinbase’s L2, Base - Ep. 894

Coinbase (COIN) is presented as a top long-term investment due to its strategy of integrating its Base network directly into its app, creating a massive on-chain economy. For direct exposure to this ecosystem's growth, consider investing in its core infrastructure protocols which feature "DeFi 2.0" tokenomics. The highest conviction opportunity is Aerodrome (AERO), the leading exchange on Base, which distributes 100% of its revenue to token holders. Another key protocol is Moonwell (WELL), a lending platform on Base that also rewards its token holders with a share of protocol revenue. These value-accruing tokens are seen as superior investments to "DeFi 1.0" governance tokens like Uniswap (UNI), which lack direct revenue sharing mechanisms.

The Chopping Block: Tom Lee the New Saylor? DAT Consolidation, Token Wrappers Under Fire - Ep. 893

Ethereum (ETH) shows strong bullish momentum, driven by corporate treasury accumulation and a potential price target of $16K. Consider Arbitrum (ARB) as a key "picks and shovels" investment, poised to benefit directly from its major partnership with Robinhood. For leveraged Bitcoin exposure, MicroStrategy (MSTR) remains a popular but premium-priced option tied to its leadership. Alternatively, look into smaller Digital Asset Treasuries like Sharplink (SBET), which offers ETH exposure and is trading closer to the value of its underlying assets. Be aware that the premium on these DATs is highly dependent on their leadership, and the sector may see future consolidation.

Two VCs on Why the 4-Year Cycle Is Dead, DATs & Hyperliquid vs. Binance - Ep. 892

Institutional interest is fueling a momentum trade in Ethereum (ETH), which is seen as playing catch-up to Bitcoin's recent performance. As this trend continues, capital may rotate to Solana (SOL), which is positioned as the next asset to benefit from new investment vehicles. Investors should watch for new Solana Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), favoring those funded with cash over in-kind contributions from locked token holders. Bitcoin (BTC) is increasingly trading as a separate macro asset, and being underweight has likely led to portfolio underperformance. The old strategy of buying the entire crypto market is no longer effective; focus on picking individual assets based on their specific fundamentals and narratives.

The Chopping Block: Robinhood’s Vlad Tenev on Tokenized Privates, 24/7 Stocks & AI-Verified Code - Ep. 891

Robinhood (HOOD) is a long-term investment focused on merging traditional finance with crypto through its new Robinhood Chain, aiming to tokenize Real-World Assets (RWAs). This move serves as a major validation for Arbitrum (ARB), positioning its technology as a key infrastructure for the growing RWA theme. The core strategy involves tokenizing assets like private company equity, a high-risk, high-reward play on providing retail access to pre-IPO wealth creation. Investors should view both HOOD and its competitor Coinbase (COIN) as bets on becoming the dominant "financial super app" that integrates stocks and crypto. The primary assets to watch are HOOD for its disruptive strategy and ARB as the underlying technology beneficiary of this institutional adoption.

The LayerZero/Wormhole Bidding War Shows How to Value a Crypto Business - Ep. 890

Stargate Finance (STG) presents a compelling opportunity as it is an acquisition target, with a potential bidding war between LayerZero and Wormhole likely to drive its price higher. A positive catalyst is emerging for SoFi Technologies (SOFI), which is adopting Bitcoin's Lightning Network for international payments, signaling innovation and potential growth. Conversely, investors should be aware of a significant security threat to Dogecoin (DOGE), as it is the publicly announced target of a potential 51% attack. Similarly, exercise extreme caution with Monero (XMR), which recently suffered a network attack that has damaged its integrity and investor confidence. Finally, keep an eye on the upcoming IPO for crypto exchange Gemini (GEMI), which will offer a way to invest in a major regulated platform through traditional stock markets.

Companies Are Competing to Bring Crypto to the Masses. Who Is Best Positioned? - Ep. 889

Robinhood (HOOD) is a high-conviction investment, viewed as a "dark horse" positioned to win in crypto due to its exceptional product team and user experience. Investors should monitor the adoption of its on-chain features, as this is a primary catalyst for growth. In contrast, Coinbase (COIN) is best evaluated as a foundational financial institution, with its value derived from its role in major deals like the USDC stablecoin rather than its consumer application. The key investment theme is that value will be captured by companies building the best user-facing applications on top of stablecoins. The struggles of PayPal's (PYPL) stablecoin highlight a significant opportunity for more nimble, product-led companies to dominate this space.

Crypto Firms, Fintechs and Banks Hope to Dominate Stablecoins. Who Will Win? - Ep. 888

A major investment theme is the race to build blockchains for stablecoin payments, with established financial players and crypto-natives competing for dominance. Avalanche (AVAX) is positioned as a prime beneficiary for institutional adoption, as its Subnets offer a more compliant and secure environment for real-world assets than Ethereum. Consider Uniswap (UNI), as its proposal to form a legal entity could soon unlock a major bullish catalyst by activating its revenue-generating "fee switch." As a key distribution partner for USDC, Coinbase (COIN) offers direct investment exposure to this ecosystem's growth and is positioned as a long-term survivor. Be cautious with Ethereum (ETH) for this specific use case, as its current resistance to transaction reversals presents a significant risk for institutional adoption.

The Chopping Block: Corpo Chains, Monero’s AI Vampire Attack, and DAT Mania - Ep. 887

Analysts are extremely bullish on Ethereum (ETH) following its recent all-time high, with some price targets reaching as high as $16k. A major force driving the market is the rise of Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), publicly traded companies like MicroStrategy (MSTR) that hold crypto on their balance sheets. Investors should monitor the premium of these stocks over their crypto holdings, as a compressing premium suggests a healthier market while a rapidly expanding one signals a potential bubble. Keep an eye out for new DATs focused on Ether, as they are expected to have an outsized impact on ETH's price due to its smaller market size. Finally, the recent approval for alternative assets in 401k plans creates a massive long-term catalyst, potentially bringing trillions in retirement funds into crypto over time.

Bits + Bips: Why ETH Is Soaring and How Long The Rally Can Continue - Ep. 886

Consider earning yield on stablecoins through platforms like Maple Finance (MPL), as crypto credit yields may paradoxically increase if central banks cut interest rates. The current Ethereum (ETH) rally is primarily fueled by large purchases from new treasury companies, a trend that could continue for several more months. For Bitcoin (BTC), expect sideways price action until major macro catalysts emerge, with $125,000 acting as significant resistance. A key future catalyst for Solana (SOL) would be the launch of a dedicated treasury company, which could trigger a major price move. To play the broader crypto treasury theme, consider "picks and shovels" investments like crypto-native investment bank Galaxy (GLXY.TO).

Which Types of Crypto Assets Make for Good Treasury Companies?  - Ep. 885

MicroStrategy (MSTR) is presented as a unique leveraged play on Bitcoin, justifying its premium due to a superior capital structure that is unavailable to retail investors. For exposure to the rapidly growing stablecoin market, consider TLGY, a public vehicle providing access to the high-growth Athena ecosystem. Be extremely selective with other altcoins, as the vast majority are considered "vaporware," and instead focus on the few projects with real revenue. Avoid paying high premiums for most crypto treasury companies, as these are expected to deflate, and scrutinize them for high fees and shareholder dilution. For direct, unleveraged exposure to Bitcoin or Ethereum, the recently approved ETFs remain the most straightforward option.