CBDC in the crosshairs: Congress debates the future of the digital dollar, Decentralize with Cointelegraph

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CBDC in the crosshairs: Congress debates the future of the digital dollar

Sep 05, 2025 • Season 1 • Episode 79 • 18 min 5 sec

CBDCs are back in the spotlight as the US Congress returns from recess. Lawmakers have tucked a ban on the digital dollar into the must-pass defense bill, framing it as a fight over privacy and surveillance. But is a CBDC really an imminent threat or just a political talking point?

In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, host Savannah Fortis sits down with Sheila Warren, CEO of the Project Liberty Institute, to cut through the noise. From wholesale vs retail CBDCs to how other governments are moving ahead, Sheila explains where the US stands and whether stablecoins may already be filling the gap.

[0:00] Intro: Congress back, CBDC debate heats up
[3:07] Anti-CBDC bill and NDAA provision explained
[5:20] Sheila on US vs global CBDC progress
[8:08] Privacy concerns are design choices
[10:33] Wholesale vs retail CBDCs
[12:32] Why retail CBDCs aren’t realistic in the US
[14:31] Stablecoins as “jet fuel” of the digital economy
[15:45] Political fight: Banks vs crypto over rails
[16:41] Real privacy risks beyond CBDCs
[27:50] A future “Fed-adjacent” product?

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

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The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

China’s stablecoin push: Can the yuan challenge the dollar?

China is considering launching a yuan-backed stablecoin, a surprising pivot after years of cracking down on crypto and pushing the digital yuan. What’s driving this move, and what does it mean for global markets and US dollar dominance?

In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, host Savannah Fortis speaks with Martin Chorzempa (Peterson Institute for International Economics) and Patrick Tan (ChainArgos) to unpack the policy ambitions, market realities and trust challenges facing a Chinese stablecoin. From Hong Kong to Belt and Road nations, could Beijing’s latest experiment reshape the future of money, or is it destined to remain a symbolic play?

(01:40) – Intro: China’s stablecoin push
(03:04) – The digital yuan’s (CBDC) struggles
(04:54) – Stablecoin potential in cross-border payments
(07:33) – China’s offshore vs onshore yuan
(08:45) – Can the yuan challenge dollar stablecoins?
(10:55) – Why the dollar still dominates
(12:29) – The trust problem for China’s stablecoin
(17:33) – Stablecoins as geopolitical instruments in 2025

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Aug 22, 2025 • S1E78 • 20 min 11 sec

Bitcoin, big money and the end of the old system: Tim Draper explains

In this episode of Decentralize with Cointelegraph, venture capital investor and Bitcoin advocate Tim Draper joins Cointelegraph reporter Vince Quill for a deep dive into the shifting tides of Bitcoin adoption. From the slow but inevitable embrace by institutions to the macroeconomic headwinds threatening the US dollar, Draper lays out why FOMO, regulatory clarity and technological freedom are converging to push Bitcoin into the mainstream.

He also shares his take on whether Bitcoin’s famous four-year halving cycle still matters, or if bigger macro forces are now in play. Tune in to hear his takes!

(01:00) Why institutions are moving into Bitcoin
(02:59) Institutional FOMO and bank custody scramble
(04:44) Is Bitcoin FOMO risky? Treasuries, El Salvador and “gunpowder” analogy
(07:30) Retail still lagging; “dinosaur” risk for holdouts
(08:35) How they buy: boardrooms, SPACs, MicroStrategy, Fidelity
(10:17) Why Big Tech rejected BTC treasuries
(11:19) “Irresponsible not to own Bitcoin”
(12:10) Dollar vs Bitcoin: Inflation, satoshis, escape valve
(15:34) Halving cycle damped: Macro drivers take over
(17:07) Dollar extinction? Could BTC be a budget fix?

This episode was hosted by Vince Quill and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Aug 15, 2025 • S1E77 • 21 min 55 sec

Crypto treasury boom: Why public companies are stockpiling crypto

In this week’s Byte-Sized Insight, we explore the fast-growing world of crypto treasury companies: publicly traded firms using digital assets as strategic reserves. With billions in capital raised, these companies are giving investors new, regulated ways to gain exposure to not only Bitcoin (BTC) but assets like BNB and SOL.

Host Savannah Fortis speaks with David Namdar, CEO of BNB Network Company (formerly CEA Industries), and Joseph Onorati, CEO of DeFi Development Corporation, to unpack why these vehicles are emerging now, how they work, and what they could mean for the future of institutional crypto adoption.

(01:05) – Why crypto treasury companies matter now
(03:02) – The MicroStrategy playbook
(04:30) – Evolution beyond Bitcoin
(06:05) – Why BNB?
(08:42) – The big billion demand
(10:47) – Enter DFDV: The Solana treasury company
(12:42) – The Power of validator yield
(16:07) – Who’s buying these stocks?
(18:57) – The future of crypto treasury companies

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis with original music by Savannah Fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Aug 08, 2025 • S1E76 • 20 min 56 sec

Stablecoin boom: The GENIUS Act’s ripple effects worldwide

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we dive into the groundbreaking passage of the GENIUS Act, examining its profound impacts on stablecoins and global crypto markets.

Joined by Fabian Dori, chief investment officer at Sygnum, we discuss how new US regulations are reshaping institutional confidence, redefining stablecoin use cases and prompting Europe to rethink its crypto strategies. Plus, we explore what’s fueling the stablecoin boom and why traditional banks are wary of crypto firms gaining banking licenses.

(00:08) Introduction: Exploring the GENIUS Act
(02:09) Fabian Dori on the significance of the GENIUS Act
(03:23) Institutional adoption and the future of stablecoins
(04:09) Controversy: The ban on yield-bearing stablecoins
(04:51) How stablecoins differ from tokenized money-market funds
(05:25) Europe’s response: Digital euro and regulatory pressures
(07:40) How Sygnum navigates regulatory changes
(08:26) Traditional banks push back on crypto licenses
(09:55) What’s driving the stablecoin market boom?
(11:39) Final thoughts: Stablecoins reshaping global finance.

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Aug 01, 2025 • S1E75 • 13 min 6 sec

Senator Cynthia Lummis and the US crypto comeback: ‘Help is on the way’

This week on Decentralize with Cointelegraph, we sit down with US Senator Cynthia Lummis, one of the most vocal and informed advocates for digital assets and financial innovation on Capitol Hill. Senator Lummis discusses her unlikely entry into the crypto world, how Wyoming’s early leadership shaped federal policy and what she sees as the biggest legislative milestones from the recent “Crypto Week” in Congress.

From the passage of the GENIUS and CLARITY acts to her ongoing work on comprehensive market structure reform, Lummis explains how bipartisan cooperation is driving momentum for the first serious wave of US crypto regulation. We also explore how her RISE Act aims to prepare the US for a future shaped by AI.

If you’ve been wondering whether the US is finally getting serious about crypto, tune in to hear from one of the industry’s most important allies in Washington.

(00:57) How Senator Lummis discovered crypto and why it stuck
(02:14) From Wyoming to Washington: Local innovation, national impact
(03:57) Key wins from Congress’ landmark “Crypto Week”
(06:19) Why crypto is gaining bipartisan momentum in D.C.
(09:03) Inside the Senate’s new crypto market structure draft
(10:57) What’s next for digital asset legislation in the Senate
(12:57) Educating Congress: One-on-one crypto bootcamps
(13:46) The RISE Act: Regulating AI with liability and transparency
(16:18) Senator Lummis’ message to US crypto builders and innovators

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Jul 25, 2025 • S1E74 • 19 min 4 sec

The AI revolution is here, don't get left behind: Kevin O'Leary interview

In this special interview, Shark Tank investor and entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary joins Cointelegraph US Reporter Vince Quill for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of artificial intelligence, stablecoins and the battle for technological dominance between the US and China.

Mr. Wonderful shares why he refuses to back companies that aren’t integrating AI, explains how stablecoins could stabilize inflation globally and dives into his investments in Bitcoin mining and AI-powered infrastructure. Plus, O’Leary gives blunt advice to tech founders on why Washington, not Wall Street, is where the real power lies.

(00:13) Why Kevin O’Leary refuses to invest in companies that don’t use AI
(02:02) How AI cut 60% of production costs for O’Leary’s commercial
(03:34) “Who’s running your AI stack?”
(04:10) AI’s impact on insurance, banking and even the wine industry
(06:37) “We’re in a technological war with China,” O’Leary explains the chip race
(09:04) Why he's “violently” against U.S. tech sanctions on China
(11:49) Stablecoins and USDC: “The biggest buyers of U.S. treasuries are now crypto firms”
(13:18) How stablecoins could stabilize inflation in volatile economies
(17:24) Lobbying for small business: “It’s all about job creation, not politics”
(19:14) Why O’Leary invested in Bitcoin infrastructure instead of just the asset
(24:49) AI and data centers are reshaping global energy demand
(29:49) O’Leary’s #1 advice for tech founders

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

Jul 18, 2025 • S1E73 • 30 min 53 sec

Authors

Cointelegraph

Cointelegraph covers everything from fintech to blockchain technology to Bitcoin, bringing you the latest news, prices, breakthroughs and analysis from across the future of money.

About podcast

The Decentralize with Cointelegraph podcast covers all things Web3 and cryptocurrency, from challenges facing the industry to breaking news and in-depth dives into the culture of BTC, Ethereum and Web3. Experience crypto news like never before with the Decentralize with Cointelegraph podcast.

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Disclaimer These podcasts (and any related content) are for entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial advice, nor should they be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcasts' participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.