Today's Top Episodes
The Sunday Daily: Hollywood’s A.I. Moment
Is AI about to write the next Hollywood blockbuster and replace your favorite stars? Dive into the ethical battle raging in Tinseltown!
#634 - Fiona Cauley
Discover how dark humor becomes a superpower for Fiona Cauley as she navigates life with a rare disability and fights for agency.
TIP785: My Reflections on Money, Life, and Happiness w/ Stig Brodersen
Beyond the billions: Unlock the secrets to lasting happiness and make your money work for your true self, not against it.
Will AI Make Bitcoin More Valuable Than Ever? | Jordi Visser
Is Bitcoin the ultimate AI play? Explore how the rise of artificial intelligence could redefine the value of digital assets and your career.
Defending the Disabled
A simple act of bullying, a powerful wave of kindness: Discover how students rallied to defend a disabled classmate.
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Bitcoin Wakes Up
- Bitcoin's price is nearing the $45,000 mark, with technical analysis suggesting potential upward movement towards $46,200 based on symmetrical triangle patterns and an inverse head and shoulders formation.
- Cardano is showing strong bullish signals with an 8% increase, potentially heading towards $0.94 according to chart analysis, and Matic also presents an inverse head and shoulders pattern.
- The overall crypto market cap is challenging resistance levels and showing signs of an upward trend, with altcoin markets (Total 3) on the verge of a potential breakout, suggesting a broader market rally.
Phase Two of Institutional Bitcoin Adoption
- The conversation highlights a dramatic shift in institutional adoption and governmental recognition of Bitcoin, moving from perceived impossibility to active consideration of strategic reserves and digital frameworks.
- Bitcoin's price appreciation to $84,000 is presented as evidence of significant accumulation by major global institutions.
- The rapid progress in Bitcoin's mainstream acceptance is a key theme, with the acknowledgment that this momentum is sometimes taken for granted.
Powell Under Prosecution and the End of Fed Independence
- Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, a move linked to a $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed's headquarters.
- Powell alleges the investigation is politically motivated, stemming from President Trump's pressure regarding interest rate decisions.
- This situation raises serious concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve and its ability to set monetary policy free from political influence.
Morgan Stanley Goes All In on Crypto
- Morgan Stanley disclosed an increased exposure to Bitcoin through its ownership of over 1 million shares in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC).
- The disclosure reveals that among the funds holding GBTC, the "Morgan Inside Fund" accounts for the largest portion with over 928,000 shares.
- This move by Morgan Stanley, a major financial institution, reinforces the trend of big institutions scaling up their investment in the cryptocurrency sector.
Venezuela Shockwaves and the New Geopolitics of Markets
- A potential US invasion of Venezuela could disrupt oil flows, leading to a substantial spike in global oil prices.
- Investors can explore structured products like protected notes and buffered notes to gain upside exposure to oil while mitigating downside risk.
- For more aggressive investors, leveraged notes offer amplified gains in an oil price increase but also increased losses if oil prices fall.
The 2025 Bitcoin Year in Review
- 2025 saw significant regulatory advancements in the US, including the passage of the Genius Act for stable coins and the repeal of a DeFi data collection rule, alongside global regulatory harmonization.
- Institutional adoption exploded with increased SEC approvals for spot ETFs, leading to substantial inflows and Bitcoin reaching new all-time highs, despite market volatility.
- The year highlighted the growing intersection of AI and blockchain, with advancements in decentralized finance (DeFi) and the emergence of AI agents for direct on-chain payments, even as security risks and hacks continued to be a major concern.
Crypto Market Structure Slips to 2026
- The Federal Reserve's recent meeting was perceived as more dovish than hawkish by many, impacting market sentiment.
- Regulatory concerns, specifically surrounding the Clarity Act, are identified as a more significant threat to crypto than the usual four-year cycle FUD.
- The conversation touches upon the surprising rise of silver as a top asset and the ongoing debate about the AI bubble and its long-term implications.
The Five Most Important Stories in Crypto Last Week
- The Federal Reserve is exploring ways to integrate stablecoins and other fintechs directly into the Fed settlement system, signaling a significant shift in crypto's role within traditional finance.
- A proposed "gold to Bitcoin" capital rotation gained some traction but quickly fizzled out, highlighting the speculative and often fleeting nature of crypto market narratives.
- The pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) by Donald Trump is viewed by many as a boost for the crypto industry but also raises concerns about perceptions of corruption and future policy challenges.
The Fed Is Fracturing
- The current market is significantly overvalued and poised for a major bubble burst, comparable to 1929 and the early 2000s tech bubble.
- Falling oil prices are identified as the likely trigger for this bubble burst, which will likely lead to the collapse of the fracking debt sector and widespread high-yield bond defaults.
- The impending financial crisis is expected to be more severe than 2007-2008 due to higher global debt levels and weakening demographics, with stock markets potentially peaking in mid-to-late March.
Bitcoin Treasury Honeymoon Ends
- High-quality fixed income serves as a crucial hedge against equity market volatility, rather than solely for yield generation.
- Investors may misunderstand that total return in fixed income can stem from factors beyond just the stated yield, particularly when yield curves are steep.
- Considering moving out along the yield curve might be beneficial, though intermediate maturities are currently less favorable.