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Opinion

If Bitcoin Can’t Handle a Few JPEGs, How Can It Handle the World?

Network congestion from ordinals and BRC-20s is a stress test – and Bitcoin is failing.

(Getty Images)

Opinion

A Eulogy for a Day Trader's Exchange

Bittrex, a popular exchange during the initial coin offering (ICO) boom, offered users and the crypto industry invaluable lessons in economics and regulatory affairs.

(Hannah Wernecke/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

Fractional Reserve Banking Is a Fraud (but It's Genius)

The modern financial system is built on banks risking customer deposits – and the U.S. government has blocked safer alternatives.

Federal Reserve Board Building (AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia)

Opinion

Pump the BRCs: The Promise and Peril of Bitcoin-backed Tokens

A new way of issuing tokens on Bitcoin is growing fast. So why did their creator warn that they “will be worthless?"

Piggy bank bent forward change money coins (Andre Taissin/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

The Reactionary Political Theater of CBDC Bans

The jury is out on whether the benefits outweigh the risks of central bank digital currencies, but stymying research and passing premature legislation comes with its own harms.

(Mackenzie Marco/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

I Owe Brian Armstrong an Apology

With Coinbase under pressure from Gary Gensler's scattershot enforcement, it's time to reassess the most boring cryptocurrency exchange on the planet.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (Coinbase)

Opinion

Coinbase Grew Quickly by Working With U.S. Regulators. Will It Expand Even More by Disregarding the SEC?

After its IPO in 2021, the largest U.S. crypto exchange had reason to think it was in the SEC’s good books. Then came Gary Gensler and now the exchange is going overseas with its new business.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (CoinDesk)

Opinion

Bitcoin Set New Record of Daily Transactions the Same Day the U.S. Government Quietly Engineered a Bank Buyout

The events are unconnected, but crypto has a role to play in the wider political realignment questioning the sanctity of central banks and established powers.

(Shutterstock)

Opinion

3 Giga-Brained Ideas From Consensus Day 2

Crypto shows that ideas can be valuable, even if they’re not useful … yet.

Consensus 2023 Highlights

Opinion

What Taylor Swift Can Teach You About Investing

The megastar reportedly dodged a catastrophic deal with FTX by asking one simple question.

(Raph_PH/Flickr, modified by CoinDesk)