This week’s live stream was our first ever for DCN, and while we had some technical difficulties (microphone issues, anyone?), we covered a ton of important crypto news, updates, and answered listener questions. Here’s the full breakdown of what went down:
Trump’s Crypto Policies: A Shift in Tone
The Trump administration has already set a different tone from Biden’s when it comes to crypto. The appointment of David Sacks as ‘Crypto Czar’ and the inclusion of pro-business figures in key regulatory positions suggest a more open stance toward crypto adoption.
Sacks has emphasized the need for clear regulatory frameworks, distinguishing between securities, commodities, and other classifications of digital assets. While some in the community were hoping for an immediate Bitcoin reserve announcement, this structured approach is arguably more responsible and sustainable.
Our Take
The Trump administration’s stance represents a necessary shift away from the SEC’s adversarial approach under Gary Gensler. The appointment of pro-crypto figures like Hester Peirce at the SEC is a good sign, but responsibility must be the priority. We don’t need government officials pumping meme coins; we need regulatory clarity so businesses and retail investors alike can operate securely in the U.S.
Barachain Airdrop Letdown
Barachain’s much-hyped airdrop was met with disappointment as the allocation favored social clout over actual testnet users. Many early adopters expected rewards for their engagement, only to find that influencers and insiders received a large share of the pie.
In contrast, Hyperliquid, which flew under the radar, delivered the largest airdrop in history and continues to perform well post-launch.
Our Take
Barachain overhyped itself and ultimately failed to meet expectations. The lesson here? Over-marketing can backfire. The Hyperliquid model of rewarding actual users rather than insiders shows that fair launches still have a place in crypto.
Tornado Cash Founder Released
Alexey Pertsev, the co-founder of Tornado Cash, was released from custody following a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This case raises fundamental questions about code as free speech and whether developers should be held accountable for how their tools are used.
Our Take
This case was crucial for the future of privacy in crypto. The government going after code instead of criminals sets a dangerous precedent. That said, there’s a thin line between providing privacy tools and actively facilitating illicit transactions. We need more legal clarity here.
Coinbase’s Growing PR Nightmare
Coinbase users reportedly lose over $300 million annually to scams, and the exchange is facing increasing criticism for its poor customer service and lack of fraud prevention measures. Many users claim they were locked out of their accounts with little to no recourse.
Our Take
Coinbase has long had customer service issues, but the fact that they aren’t actively preventing known scams is concerning. While users must take responsibility for their security, exchanges need to step up and take fraud protection seriously.
How to Make Money with Stablecoins
Listener question: Can you actually make money with stablecoins, or is their only utility just stability?
The answer is yes, but you have to be strategic:
Staking – Coinbase and Kraken offer up to 5% APY on USDC.
Liquidity Providing – Platforms like Aave and Curve allow users to earn yield by providing stablecoin liquidity.
DPEG Arbitrage – Platforms like Quark Protocol let users bet on stablecoin depegging events.
Our Take
Stablecoins are a solid way to earn passive income with lower risk, but beware of anything offering over 10% APY—that’s usually a red flag.
Share this post