Decentral Lens: Bitcoin ETF Trading | ETH ETF | Vanguard's Fumble | Fingerprints DAO

01/17/24 • 137 min

In this episode, Chicago and Disco initiate the discussion by dissecting the aftermath of the Bitcoin ETFs' approval and listing, scrutinizing the immediate price fluctuations and unpacking the advantages of ETFs versus self-custody. They underscore the imperative of upholding self-sovereignty and adhering to the original crypto ethos.

Tackling the day's legal headlines, Chicago and Disco delve into the SEC's legal skirmish with Coinbase, conjecturing about the possible outcomes and the wider implications of the case's potential dismissal. The dialogue then shifts back to Bitcoin as a bulwark against inflation, leading to a contemplation of Apple's imminent Vision Pro launch and the broader theme of our relationship with technology.

The duo then reviews the recent promotional campaigns for Bitcoin ETFs and addresses Vanguard's contentious choice to bar client access to these ETFs. Chicago shares his unique perspective on why he favored one specific ETF over the others.
The conversation takes a turn towards Ethereum, with Chicago and Disco analyzing the likelihood of Ethereum ETF approvals and Larry Fink's evolving stance on tokenization and his aspiration for an ETH ETF. They dissect the intricate distinctions between BTC and ETH, notably staking, and draw intriguing comparisons between blockchain ETFs and tech company IPOs.
Chicago and Disco then steer the discussion towards the art of digital collecting, pondering the value of on-chain purity for collectors. Chicago poses a reflective question to Disco and their listeners about his Azuki NFT in the wake of Azuki's new rewards initiative. The options laid out include selling the Azuki to invest in Fingerprints DAO, burning it to make a statement, or simply holding onto it—though a firm decision remains elusive on the show. However, the positive impression made by the Fingerprints DAO makes it appear that this will be a subject the show returns to in more depth in the near future.

In closing, Chicago and Disco celebrate the groundbreaking on-chain graduation certificates from the University of Nicosia Metaverse, applauding the program's innovation. Disco brings the episode to an end by sharing his enthusiasm for Royal.io's latest initiative, which democratizes music creation through AI-generated beats, envisioning it as a pivotal step towards a decentralized music industry.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

Previous Episode

Decentral Lens: SEC ETF Approved!!! | ETH's Move | Ordinals | Azuki Update

In this episode, Chicago and Disco delve into the latest news of 2024 to date, kicking off with a thoughtful analysis of the current state of the crypto space. The duo expresses their frustration with the ongoing internal politics and the outsized influence of influencers in the industry, emphasizing the need for greater unity as the sector stands on the brink of a significant shift. This change is marked by the anticipated approval of Bitcoin ETFs and the entry of traditional finance players into the crypto ecosystem.
The discussion naturally gravitates towards yesterday's blunder by the SEC on Twitter, where they mistakenly announced the approval of a Bitcoin ETF, sparking widespread reactions. Reflecting on this "Where were you" moment, Chicago and Disco share their insights on how a real approval might impact Bitcoin's price and examine the increasing availability of Bitcoin on exchanges. They also take a closer look at the various ETF applicants, their rates, and share potential choices for purchasing Bitcoin ETFs.
Shifting focus to Ethereum, they explore its recent price spike and the speculation surrounding the possible approval of Ethereum ETFs in the wake of Bitcoin ETF developments. The duo highlights the key differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum, particularly Ethereum's Proof of Stake mechanism, and debate whether these differences might complicate the approval process for Ethereum ETFs. Furthermore, Disco raises an intriguing question about the potential impact of the 2024 election on the crypto landscape and vice versa.
The conversation then turns to the success of BTC Ordinals, noting the recent increase in volume and discussing the unique aspects of the platform. However, the pair once again laments the disproportionate influence of crypto influencers on Twitter, expressing a desire for an independent media source in the crypto world.
The episode also touches on Disco's frustrations with the VeVe digital art website, especially concerning his recent acquisition of a digital piece from the London Police. This leads to a broader discussion on the emerging landscape of NFT galleries, designed for collectors to showcase and enthusiasts to explore diverse collections. Additionally, they delve into the recent partnership between Azuki and a renowned anime creator, analyzing the potential directions for the project. Chicago shares his preference for non-utility based NFTs, leading to an appreciation of collections like MFers, Crypto Punks, and a review of the latest auctions from the Nouns DAO.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

Next Episode

Decentral Lens: ETF Market Review | Punks vs Apes | Hyperstructures | Bankless DAO Drama

In this episode of Decentral Lens, the hosts delve into the recent market dynamics following the Bitcoin ETF's debut, focusing on the impact of the GBTC sell-off, including FTX's significant offloading. Despite initial turbulence, they foresee a stabilization in demand and a subsequent price increase. The conversation then pivots to Coinbase, dissecting a critical tweet from DCinvestor regarding ETH staking concerns on the platform and analyzing the potential risks of a single-client staking model.

The episode further scrutinizes Coinbase's legal tussle with the SEC, considering the potential for a case dismissal given the SEC's recent setbacks while also noting a follow up report outlining that a SIM swap was at the core of the debacle involving the premature BTC ETF announcement. The hosts also comment on the U.S. Presidential campaign, particularly Donald Trump's recent stance against a Central Bank Digital Currency and Vivek Ramaswamy's influence on the campaign. Blutoshi references a new report highlighting the fact that the number of global crypto holders rose 34% year over year as well as data that shows that 74% of crypto developers reside outside the U.S.
Shifting focus, Blutoshi elucidates the technical aspects and anticipated implications of the Decun Ethereum update, focusing on Layer 2 solutions and ETH deflation. The discussion then ventures into the NFT realm, sparked by VanEck's sponsorship of NFT Paris, leading to a debate on the long-term value of Crypto Punks versus Bored Apes, with a nod to the intrinsic value of 'No utility.'
The episode takes an introspective turn with Blutoshi's exploration of the Terraforms art project, contemplating its classification as a Hyperstructure and discussing the theoretical and practical challenges inherent in such ambitious ventures, using Uniswap as a case study.
In the closing segment, Disco shares his latest NFT acquisition—a Nakamigo featuring a homage to Walter Payton and a unique headphones motif. The show wraps up with a discussion on Ryan Sean Adams' proposal to the Bankless DAO, reflecting on the current state of the Bankless brand and it's potential path forward.

The Decentralized Era is just beginning. Come join us on the Socials:

X | @DecentralLens | @Blutoshi | @DiscoHODL
YouTube: @DecentralLens
Web: https://decentralpod.com/

Decentral Lens - Decentral Lens: Bitcoin ETF Trading | ETH ETF | Vanguard's Fumble | Fingerprints DAO

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:00.100

Now the big fight that we all all OGs and people who care about security and self-sovereignty and freedom of speech and freedom to transact is to make sure that these bank secrecy laws don't start including every single human being with a hardware wallet .

Speaker 200:00:22.920

Welcome to Decentralized On , where lifelong friends Chicago and Disco navigate the