First Mover

European Central Bank Chief Christine Lagarde throws the latest lobby in the debate over whether Russia is using crypto to evade sanctions, saying crypto service providers are accomplices to circumventing the sanctions. Joining “First Mover” to discuss is Daniel Lacalle, Tressis chief economist. Tim McCourt of CME Group shares his markets analysis. Plus, decorated speed skater and Tribe Capital Partner Apolo Ohno details his interest in crypto, and Regulatory Reporter Sandali Handagama adds crypto mining news from Italy.

23 mar 2022

Marc Chandler of Bannockburn Global Forex joins “First Mover” to provide market analysis as investors weigh Powell’s inflation comments. Also joining are Ava Labs President John Wu at the Avalanche Summit in Barcelona, and Joe Vezzani of social intelligence for crypto platform LunarCrush.

22 mar 2022

Stellar Development Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon joins “First Mover” to discuss Ukraine’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) project, and plan for Stellar’s latest $30 million push to fund startups. Plus, crypto markets insights from Katie Stockton of Fairlead Strategies, and mining reporter Aoyon Ashraf with a look at the state of the global mining industry as CoinDesk kicks off Mining Week.

21 mar 2022

Ukraine legalizes crypto as digital currency donations continue to pour in. Michael Chobanian of the Kuna exchange, who testified before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, joins “First Mover” to discuss the significance of the new law, crypto donations to Ukraine and more. Additional viewpoints from Jason Grad, CEO and co-founder of Massive, on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and how crypto can help. Plus, crypto market insights from Hany Rashwan of 21Shares.

18 mar 2022

The U.S. Senate Banking Committee is holding a hearing entitled “Understanding the Role of Digital Assets in Illicit Finance.” Witnesses include Jonathan Levin, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Chainalysis; Michael Mosier, former acting director, deputy director and digital innovation officer of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN); Michael Chobanian of the Ukrainian KUNA Exchange and the Blockchain Association of Ukraine; and Shane Stansbury, the Robinson Everett distinguished fellow and national security senior lecturing fellow at the Duke University School of Law.

17 mar 2022

White House NSC Director of Cybersecurity and Secure Digital Innovation Carole House joins “First Mover” to discuss digital asset concerns and opportunities amid Russia sanctions, and the impact of Biden’s executive order on the crypto industry. Additional viewpoints on the topics from Michael Chobanian of KUNA Exchange who is expected to testify before the Senate Banking Committee this morning. Plus, insights on the intersection of institutional finance and DeFi from Robert Leshner of Compound Labs, and crypto markets analysis from Raghu Yarlagadda of FalconX.

17 mar 2022

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is holding a press conference to discuss the central bank’s latest policy and economy update, including the decision to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2018.

16 mar 2022

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise the interest rate by 25 basis points to tame soaring inflation in the U.S. Ben Emons of Medley Global Advisors joins “First Mover” to share his readings on the pulse of the U.S. economy and global markets. Rebecca Rettig of Aave weighs in on the role of crypto exchanges in the Ukraine crisis amid calls for compliance with Russia sanctions. Plus, former NBA star Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Metta World Peace) on celebrity endorsement of NFTs.

16 mar 2022

Everstake COO Bohdan Opryshko joins “First Mover” to share details of the new crypto donation site “Aid for Ukraine” in partnership with FTX and the Ukrainian government. The Federal Reserve is poised to raise interest rates this week. Dexterity Capital Managing Partner Michael Safai shares his crypto markets analysis. Robbie Ferguson of Immutable shares the company’s plan to bring blockchain gaming to the masses after raising $200 million in its latest funding round.

15 mar 2022

European Union parliamentarians are to vote on a proposed rule to limit proof-of-work crypto mining. O’Shares ETFs Chairman Kevin O’Leary lobbies in favor of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act by U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) that could alter the capital gains taxation rules for crypto. The “Shark Tank” co-host joins “First Mover” to discuss. Plus, bitcoin markets analysis from Jeff Mei of Huobi Global and insights on metaverse regulation from Bradley Tusk of Tusk Strategies.

14 mar 2022