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Trump's Crypto Reserve, the Rise of Berachain, and More!

Interviews with Arca's David Nage and Smokey from Berachain. Plus, new episodes of Bits + Bips and The Chopping Block

March 08, 2025

Berachain is one of the most talked-about new blockchains, but its token launch sparked major debate. Smokey joins Unchained to explain the vision, the criticism, and what’s next.

A new consensus model. A bear-themed brand. And one of the most debated token launches in recent memory.

Berachain is trying something radically different. Instead of just rewarding validators, it pays liquidity providers—turning the traditional blockchain incentive model on its head.

But not everyone is convinced. Some critics say too much of the token supply went to VCs. Others question whether “proof of liquidity” can actually work at scale.

In this episode, Smokey, Chief Smokey Officer at Berachain, joins Unchained to break it all down. Why did Berachain choose to make itself EVM-identical? What really happened with the token launch? And what’s next?

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

The crypto markets are in waiting mode—but waiting for what? Here’s why traders are eyeing policy moves, how XRP and Cardano’s potential inclusion in a government reserve is causing debate, and what catalysts could actually trigger the next rally.

Trump’s latest crypto moves have sent the market on a rollercoaster.

First, he posted on Truth Social that a U.S. crypto reserve would include XRP, Solana, and Cardano. A couple hours later, he had to clarify that Bitcoin and Ethereum would also be included. The market jumped 12%—only to crash the next day.

Meanwhile, the White House crypto summit is happening Friday, and not everyone is happy with the guest list. Some say it’s a step toward real regulation, while others argue that without DeFi voices, it’s just a meeting of centralized players.

So what does it all mean? David Nage, VC at Arca, joins Unchained to talk about:

  • Why David is unfazed by crypto’s swings around Trump’s reserve posts

  • David’s take on Cardano and XRP being named for the crypto reserve list

  • Why he thinks Bitcoin is a strong candidate for a national reserve asset

  • Why David isn’t impressed with the guest list at the White House Crypto Summit

  • Why the markets have been struggling—and what could finally turn things around

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

A strategic crypto reserve, altcoin ETFs, and a White House crypto roundtable—there’s a lot happening in the crypto space, but not all of it makes sense.

A strategic crypto reserve for the U.S. economy? That’s Trump’s latest proposal (or directive?)—and the reaction from the industry has been… let’s just say, mixed. Would it even work? And does it create more problems than it solves?

Meanwhile, the White House is hosting a crypto roundtable—but not everyone is convinced it’s going to be productive. Who will be in the room, what will actually be discussed, and will it help or hurt the industry?

On this episode of Bits + Bips, hosts James Seyffart and Noelle Acheson together with guests Steve Hou and Steven Ehrlich break it all down. Will tariffs and macro factors keep weighing on crypto? What’s driving the explosion in new ETFs? And what happens if banks start issuing their own stablecoins?

Plus: What could be the real next catalyst for the crypto market.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Crypto Strategic Reserve or Political Theater? XRP, ADA, and the Market Mess

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner break down the biggest stories in crypto. This week, we’re joined by special guest Laura Shin to dissect Trump’s Strategic Crypto Reserve fiasco. Why did he name-drop XRP and Cardano first? Was this real policy or just a market pump? Meanwhile, Crypto Twitter is melting down over Trump’s crypto summit guest list—who made the cut, and who got snubbed? Plus, another SEC lawsuit bites the dust, and memecoins look deader than ever. Let’s get into it.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pods, Fountain, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

In Case You Missed It 👀

Here are some articles you will probably want to read:

The 47th president equates his job performance with the stock market more than any predecessor. Was he really going to convene an industry event with bitcoin down 23% in recent weeks?

A White House source said the Cardano team is “not involved in anything” related to crypto policy.

New reporting indicates that Ripple’s own executives were aware that a reserve that did not include other, more reputable altcoins would be seen as problematic.

The reserve would be made up of bitcoin the government already owns from criminal or civil asset forfeiture proceedings, while the stockpile would also include other digital assets. 

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