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LMAX Group CEO on $300M Raise, $1B Valuation
David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Group, a London-based fintech company that operates exchange trading platforms, including its crypto exchange LMAX Digital, discusses the latest $300 million raise that values the firm at $1 billion. Plus, his thoughts on Solana amid the network failure, competitor Binance facing regulatory scrutiny in the U.K., and the broader crypto markets outlook.
Christie's Exec. on Booming NFT Market, NFTs Up 5900% YTD
British auction house Christie's continues to bet on crypto and NFTs, following a record $69 million Beeple NFT sale in March. Noah Davis, head of digital art and online sales at Christie's, discusses insights into the booming NFT market, which is up 5900% year-to-date, the significance of a historic institution like Christie’s embracing digital art, and if this new tide is bringing younger buyers to the auction house.
Crypto.com CEO on Striking Lucrative Multi-year Sponsorship Deal With Paris Saint-Germain
European soccer giant Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) named crypto exchange Crypto.com as its official cryptocurrency platform partner. Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek shares insights into the details and implications of the agreement, which will include issuing exclusive PSG-branded NFTs. Plus, reactions to Coinbase potentially facing a SEC investigation over its crypto yield product.
'Crypto Dad' Chris Giancarlo on His New Book, the SEC's Warning to Coinbase, Blockfi, CBDCs and More
Reacting to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's frustration over the SEC's threat to sue if his company launches a planned lending product, Chris Giancarlo, former CFTC chairman and "Crypto Dad," discusses the problems with long-standing regulations and shares his thoughts on a different approach. Giancarlo also discloses why he remains an adviser to BlockFi even though he has left its board, and he gives his vision of the future featuring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and other cryptocurrencies. Plus, highlights from his new book, "#Crypto Dad: The Fight for the Future of Money" launching Oct. 26.
Sam Bankman-Fried on Crypto's Future
29-year-old multi-billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, head of crypto exchange FTX, trading firm Alameda Research, decentralized finance (DeFi) project Serum, and now the new owner of options platform LedgerX, joins a special episode of “First Mover” to discuss his personal mission and vision for the crypto industry at large. Plus, insights into crypto regulation, leveraged tokens, DeFi, altcoins, Web 3.0, business partnerships, altruism, and utilitarianism.
Vast Bank CEO on Becoming First US Bank to Allow Clients Direct Access to Crypto
Oklahoma-based Vast Bank has become the first national bank to allow consumers to buy, sell, and manage their cryptocurrencies 24/7 directly with their bank accounts. CEO Brad Scrivner discusses insights into the crypto strategy and the underlying market implications. Plus, how it differs from its competitors and its stablecoin plans.
Ethereum’s Most Popular Software Client Issues Hotfix to High Severity Bug
Ethereum’s most popular software client, Geth, has issued a hotfix to a high-severity security issue in its code, encouraging users to upgrade immediately to the latest version. CoinDesk's Christine Kim breaks down the release and the implications for the Ethereum blockchain. Plus, insights into the developments and impact of the highly anticipated London hard fork upgrade nearly three weeks after its launch.
'The Defiant' Founder Camilla Russo on the Future of DeFi, Ethereum
Camila Russo, CEO of decentralized finance-focused media platform The Defiant and "The Infinite Machine" author, discusses why she believes SEC Chair Gary Gensler saying DeFi projects could be subject to regulation could only push DeFi "to be truly decentralized." Plus, her take on ether's net effect on DeFi, the Ethereum network's competitive advantage over emerging smart contract platforms and the evolution of the Ethereum community's culture.
Peter Thiel-Backed Crypto Unicorn Bitpanda Triples Valuation to $4.1B
Vienna-based crypto exchange Bitpanda raised $263 million in a Series C funding round led by U.S. tech billionaire Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures, valuing the company at $4.1 billion. It comes five months after a Series B raise that valued the firm at $1.2 billion and made Bitpanda Austria's first tech unicorn. CEO Eric Demuth discusses how his investment platform achieves rapid growth and differentiates from its competitors and crypto's state in Europe.
CoinDCX Becomes First Crypto Unicorn in India
Indian crypto exchange CoinDCX has raised 6.70 billion rupees (US$90 million) from investors to a total valuation above $1 billion, becoming the first crypto firm in the country to achieve unicorn status. Co-founder Neeraj Khandelwal discusses the implications of the achievement in the face of regulatory uncertainty relating to Indian officials' stance toward cryptocurrencies. Plus, highlights on the trends in Indian crypto markets.