Good Sunday!
Ethereum is making its biggest push yet to win over Wall Street.
A new initiative backed by more than 50 institutions aims to convince the world's largest financial firms to build on Ethereum, with one goal: bring institutional finance onchain.
Laura sits down with Joseph Chalom, CEO of SharpLink and board member of Ethereum Institutional, to explain why Ethereum's biggest competitor isn't another blockchain, but institutional inertia, and why he believes Michael Saylor is in a pickle.
Meanwhile, one ENS vote sparked one of the week's biggest governance debates.
On Uneasy Money, Nick Johnson, Alex Van de Sande, Kain Warwick, and Taylor Monahan unpack the backlash, the future of DAO governance, and whether token holders should really control 9-figure treasuries.
Here’s more on what we unpacked this week on Unchained:
🦄 Can Ethlabs Finally Give ETH a Clear Purpose?
Former Ethereum Foundation researchers launch Ethlabs with a mission to make Ethereum more intentional. Ansgar Dietrichs explains why ETH still lacks a compelling value story, how Ethlabs will complement the Foundation, and why he believes Ethereum remains the only credible foundation for the global financial system.💵 Visa, Mastercard & 140 Giants Launch a Stablecoin Challenge
A powerhouse consortium backed by Visa, Mastercard, BlackRock, Google, and Coinbase is taking aim at Circle and Tether with a no-fee stablecoin. The Chopping Block panel also breaks down Saylor’s new Digital Credit strategy, the memecoin revival, and the growing debate over whether DAOs actually work.📊 Why Bitcoin’s Options Market Isn’t Panicking
Bitcoin sentiment looks bleak, but Anchorage’s David Lawant says the options market tells a very different story. He explains what traders are seeing beneath the surface, why Strategy’s turmoil hasn’t triggered widespread fear, and what Bitcoin needs to regain momentum.₿ Will Bitcoin Stay Stuck Until Strategy Breaks?
With ETF outflows mounting and Strategy shifting from buyer to potential seller, the Bits + Bips panel asks whether Michael Saylor has become Bitcoin’s biggest headwind. They also cover the CLARITY Act, community banking, and why crypto’s biggest opportunity may lie beyond Wall Street.⚖️ Why Governments Still Can't Freeze Crypto Fast Enough
New research suggests stablecoin freezes often arrive too late to stop illicit funds. The DEX in the City crew explores why sanctions enforcement is becoming a market structure problem, how AI and crypto laws are beginning to overlap, and the latest developments around MiCA, the CLARITY Act, and digital asset regulation.
All these episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
In Case You Missed It 👀
If you've been hearing us say that Bits + Bips is moving to its own channel, the time has finally come.
The show has officially launched on its own feed, making it easier than ever to catch every episode. You'll still find select segments on Unchained, but for the full Bits + Bips experience, be sure to subscribe to the new channel and never miss an episode.
If You Like Unchained:
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
