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US goes all-in on crypto? Breaking down Trump’s Bitcoin strategy

US goes all-in on crypto? Breaking down Trump’s Bitcoin strategy

Mar 14, 2025 Season 1 Episode 58 18 min 28 sec
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In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, we break down the biggest takeaways from President Donald Trump’s Crypto Summit, including the groundbreaking move to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a US Digital Asset Stockpile. What does this mean for Bitcoin’s role in global finance? How is the market reacting? And could stablecoins play a role in securing the dollar’s dominance?

To make sense of it all, we’re joined by Bill Hughes, senior counsel at Consensys, and Cointelegraph market analyst Marcel Pechmann, who provide expert insights on regulation, market impact, and what comes next for crypto under the Trump administration.

(00:36) Flashback to the Crypto Summit and Trump’s initial promises
(01:48) What was signed to action at the 2025 Crypto Summit
(03:11) The strategic Bitcoin reserve and the digital asset stockpile
(05:49) The crypto industry’s reaction to the Crypto Summit
(07:04) Bill Hughes’ (Consensys) take on the summit
(09:35) What does this mean for U.S. crypto businesses? 
(11:00) Effects of the Crypto Summit on the crypto marks 
(14:43) What did the White House say about stablecoins? 
(16:41) The U.S. Senate Banking Committee advances the GENIUS bill

Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most pivotal moments in crypto policy.

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

Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.

Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.

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Episodes

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GENIUS Act moves forward: Can it fix U.S. crypto regulation?

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we’re heading to Capitol Hill, where US lawmakers are finally making moves on crypto regulation. From the Senate advancing the GENIUS Act — a major step toward federal stablecoin rules — to the reintroduction of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, which could protect developers from outdated licensing laws, crypto is a hot topic this week in Washington.

Host Savannah Fortis breaks it all down, with expert insight from Rashan Colbert, director of US policy at the Crypto Council for Innovation. 

(00:35) Stablecoins and blockchain bills hit the Senate floor
(02:15) Unpacking the GENIUS Act and the Senate’s advancement
(04:14) Does the GENIUS Act address industry concerns? 
(05:33) Bipartisan support for crypto regulations 
(08:08) Unpacking the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act
(09:58) Trump’s crypto involvement causes Democrats to hesitate
(12:15) What to watch out for next and how to stay active

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.

May 23, 2025 S1E66 14 min 43 sec
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MiCA regulations in motion: Stablecoins, fragmentation, and who gets to stay in the EU

This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we’re diving into MiCA — the EU’s landmark crypto regulation — as it enters a critical implementation phase. From stablecoin restrictions to emerging licensing hurdles, what does MiCA mean for crypto’s future in Europe?

Tether has already said it won’t play ball. Meanwhile, companies like BitGo are racing to comply and regulators are navigating a fragmented landscape.

We hear directly from industry voices, including Brett Reeves of BitGo and Erwin Voloder of the European Blockchain Association, to unpack what’s at stake and who’s most affected.

Whether you're a crypto builder, holder or policymaker, this episode breaks down the key timelines, challenges and opportunities as MiCA moves from paper to practice.

(00:33) MiCA enters its critical implementation phase
(01:17) What MiCA aims to achieve: objectives and intentions
(03:44) Stablecoin issuers and their regulatory obligations under MiCA
(06:22) Tether CEO explains refusal to comply with MiCA
(10:22) BitGo becomes MiCA-licensed to operate in Germany
(13:38) European Blockchain Association on MiCA's rolling out across the EU
(16:55) Implications for policymakers and the crypto industry

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.

May 16, 2025 S1E65 18 min 29 sec
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From Ripple to DeFi student loan financing: Crypto’s expanding role in education

Can blockchain redefine the way student loans are financed and repaid? On the heels of Ripple’s $25 million donation to Teach for America, we connect the dots between initiatives building the infrastructure for Web3 adoption. In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu breaks down how Pencil Finance is using Web3 to reimagine education, from crypto-backed student loans to onchain reputations. 

Siu argues that education may be one of crypto’s most impactful use cases, not just financially, but socially and politically. Plus, we explore how Open Campus plans to onboard the next generation through grassroots efforts, and why he says teachers are the world's most under-recognized content creators.

(00:37) This week’s topic: crypto’s role in education
(01:00) Ripple’s $25M donation to Teach for America
(02:40) Donations vs building Web3 infrastructure 
(03:00) Animoca backs $10M in DeFi student loan liquidity
(04:10) Yat Siu on DeFi’s real-world impact
(05:47) Beyond lending: Web3’s broader potential in education
(07:30) Why student loans are crypto’s “hero use case”

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.

May 09, 2025 S1E64 10 min 23 sec
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AI in crypto: Insights from Polygon and NEAR Protocol founders

In this special episode of Decentralize with Cointelegraph, Gareth Jenkinson, head of multimedia at Cointelegraph, sits down with Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon, and Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of Near Protocol, during the Cointelegraph Longitude side event at Token2049 in Dubai.

The trio delves into the intersection of AI and blockchain technology, discussing how decentralized systems can address the challenges posed by centralized AI models. They explore the potential of blockchain to enhance transparency, security and user control in AI applications, emphasizing the importance of open-source models and on-chain reputation systems.

Tune in for insights on how AI and blockchain can collaboratively shape a more equitable and secure digital future.

(02:19) Introducing AI’s growing role in the blockchain space
(02:53) How Near Protocol is thinking about AI assistants
(05:42) The difference between AI hype and real utility in crypto
(09:11) What personalized AI could look like in decentralized ecosystems
(12:37) Where Polygon sees real use cases for AI in Web3
(18:28) The risks and tradeoffs of centralized versus decentralized AI
(23:08) Could smart agents be the next evolution after smart contracts?

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.

May 02, 2025 S1E63 29 min 43 sec
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Paul Atkins' SEC leadership: What it means for crypto regulation

In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, we dig into the appointment of Paul Atkins as the new SEC chair and what his crypto-friendly stance could mean for digital asset regulation in the US.

Atkins, a former SEC commissioner and longtime advocate for market-driven oversight, takes the helm at a pivotal moment — with over 70 crypto ETF applications awaiting review and industry players calling for clearer guidance. His swearing-in marks a sharp contrast to Gary Gensler’s enforcement-first approach, raising hopes for a more coherent regulatory framework.

We speak with Bitwise general counsel Katherine Dowling, CoinFund president Chris Perkins, and Exodus chief financial officer James Gernetzke to unpack what this leadership change signals for the future of tokenization, investor protection and the broader Web3 ecosystem.

From policy priorities to market sentiment, and a surge in chatter across Crypto Twitter, we cover the shift from resistance to potential regulatory reset.

(00:29) Paul Atkins sworn in as SEC chair
(01:15) Key takeaways from Atkins’ White House speech
(02:21) Atkins’ background: SEC, crypto and finance
(04:42) CoinFund’s Chris Perkins on Atkins and crypto regulation
(07:22) Bitwise’s Katherine Dowling on industry response and SEC signals
(09:49) Exodus chief financial officer James Gernetzke on retail impact under new SEC
(11:20) How Atkins may handle pending crypto ETF approvals
(13:29) Market structure shifts expected under Atkins’ SEC
(15:08) Predictions for the first year of Atkins’ leadership
(17:58) Crypto community reacts to Atkins as new SEC chair

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.

Apr 25, 2025 S1E62 20 min 16 sec
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Crypto in Q1 2025: Cointelegraph editorial roundtable

What made headlines and what flew under the radar in crypto’s first quarter of 2025? Join members of the Cointelegraph editorial team as they break down the trends, turning points, and surprises that defined Q1.

From memecoin mania and political power plays to regulatory shakeups and market momentum (or lack thereof), this roundtable dives into the stories behind the stories, and what they might mean for the rest of the year.

This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis @savannah_fortis. Follow our team on X: Gareth Jenkinson, managing editor and head of multimedia at @gazza_jenks; Zoltan Vardai, breaking European news reporter at @ZVardai; and Vince Quill, US news reporter @VinceQuill.

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.

Apr 11, 2025 S1E61 51 min 16 sec

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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.