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Crypto & Coffee

Airs weekdays at 12:10 am, 8:10 am, and 4:10 pm PT.

Financial game theorist Nick Black hosts Crypto & Coffee, expanding your understanding of macroeconomics and digital currency. He’s learned many painful and expensive lessons, so you don’t have to.

His educational content dealing with Macroeconomics and digital currency will keep you ahead of the curve, helping you to make informed investment decisions.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, Crypto & Coffee is the perfect place to learn more about the future of money.

Here are some of the topics that Nick covers on his channel:

  • The basics of blockchain technology
  • How to buy and sell cryptocurrency
  • The latest news and trends in the cryptocurrency market
  • Interviews with experts from the crypto world
  • And much more!
 

Originally aired on August 18, 2023

In this wide-ranging episode, hosts Nick and Brandon covered crypto security tips, updates on their new Digital Investor service, AI developments, workforce impacts from AI, crypto market turmoil, and more. Nick advised being extremely careful with private keys, avoiding suspicious links, and going slow in crypto to avoid scams. The hosts announced that their new Digital Investor service focusing on crypto investing will launch September 1 behind a paywall. They discussed AI startups, apps, adoption across industries, and the need for workers to learn AI skills. Nick and Brandon analyzed reasons for the crypto crash including old SpaceX bitcoin selling, Evergrande’s bankruptcy, and Fed rate hike fears. They critiqued the Algorand team’s poor communications and examined a Congressman’s opposition to central bank digital currencies.

How to safely invest in crypto:

  • Don’t share private keys or passwords
  • Avoid suspicious links and scammers
  • Take it slowly and carefully in crypto

Launching a new crypto investing research service:

  • Digital Investor service starts September 1
  • Will be behind a paywall then
  • Currently public shows until September

AI adoption and impacts across industries:

  • AI startups emerging globally
  • Social media app uses AI-generated images
  • Companies racing to leverage AI
  • 40% may need job retraining

Analyzing causes of the recent crypto crash:

  • SpaceX previously sold its bitcoin
  • Chinese developer Evergrande bankrupt
  • Fed rate hike fears, but overblown
  • Liquidations cascade in futures markets

Congressman opposes central bank digital currencies:

  • Sees dystopian risks from CBDCs
  • Plans to introduce bill criminalizing them
  • But CBDCs seem inevitable globally

Algorand team failed to effectively communicate:

  • Token hit all-time lows in selloff
  • Team seen as arrogant and out of touch
  • Hurting token price and community
 

Originally aired on August 16, 2023

In this episode of Crypto & Coffee, Nick Black and Toufii Saliba discuss the recent developments in Hypercycle, a digital investor. They touch upon Toufi’s recent conference experiences and the overwhelming amount of support they have received from the community. They also hint at a new partnership in South Korea that involves a spin-off company called HyperAppliance. HyperAppliance aims to build home appliances that can run AI computations and pay for their own electricity while also generating extra income for the users. The hosts emphasize that the focus is on the security and benefits provided by the network rather than immediate financial gains. They also mention the introduction of ERC721, a portable device capable of gaining value and distributing profits among beneficiaries. Overall, HyperAppliance is seen as a significant step towards creating a secure and profitable ecosystem.

What is Hyper Appliance?

  • Hyper Appliance is a spin-off company of Hypercycle that aims to build home appliances designed to run AI computations.
  • The appliances, known as hyperboxes, can heat homes while also paying for their own electricity and generating additional income.
  • The focus is on utilizing potential energy efficiently and bridging the gap between potential energy and thermal energy.

How can users benefit from Hyper Appliance?

  • Users have the opportunity to maximize their earnings by owning the machine, node license, and tokens associated with the appliance.
  • The appliance pays for its own electricity and has the potential to generate additional income if conditions are met.
  • Exact numbers and profits cannot be determined until the full ecosystem of nodes is established, but the aim is to provide a more beneficial alternative to traditional space heaters.

What are the additional benefits of Hyper Appliance?

  • The large number of nodes running Hypercycle increases the overall security of the ecosystem.
  • The AI compute capabilities of the nodes and the introduction of ERC721 provide added benefits that can be quantified over time.
  • The focus is on providing added value to customers while also creating a profitable ecosystem.

How can users get involved in Hyper Appliance?

  • Users can express their interest in being part of the first batch of appliances by reaching out through the company’s website.
  • Open arms are extended to users who want to give feedback or have the opportunity to sponsor the devices.
  • Sponsoring the devices can be an option for those who want to contribute without directly purchasing the appliances.

 

 

In this episode of Crypto & Coffee, the Nick visits Drive LA, an exotic car rental company in Los Angeles owned by Eric Hallum. Eric, who is also a police officer, discusses how his background in law enforcement has helped him protect the assets of the business and establish strong partnerships with vendors. He emphasizes the importance of providing top-notch service to customers and creating a laid-back and friendly atmosphere at Drive LA. Eric shares insights into the rental pricing of different luxury vehicles and reveals that Drive LA is expanding into the classic car market. He also offers advice for aspiring business owners, emphasizing the need to persevere and learn from mistakes.

What led Eric from being a police officer to entering the exotic car rental business?

  • Eric’s background in law enforcement has equipped him with the skills to protect assets and read people, which are essential in the car rental business.
  • Eric emphasizes the importance of delivering excellent service and making customers feel like they’re getting into a private vehicle rather than a rental.

How does Drive LA ensure the preservation of its cars and maintain good partnerships with vendors?

  • Drive LA has strong partnerships with vendors that help in keeping the cars in good shape.
  • Eric and his team take pride in maintaining the cars so that they don’t feel like typical rental vehicles to customers.

What are the price ranges for renting luxury vehicles at Drive LA, and what alternatives are available?

  • Depending on the duration of the rental, prices for luxury vehicles at Drive LA range from $1,700 for a weekend to higher amounts.
  • Drive LA offers alternative options to customers who don’t want to spend as much money on renting a luxury vehicle by providing similar models at a lower cost.

How has Drive LA scaled its business from a few vehicles to a fleet of over 100 cars?

  • Drive LA started with a couple of cars and steadily added more based on the demand, considering factors such as inventory, mileage, and the need to add new models.
  • The business expansion includes venturing into the classic car market, which has proved successful.

What advice does Eric have for aspiring business owners?

  • Eric advises aspiring business owners to stay the course, even in challenging times, and evaluate the way they do things to make informed decisions.
  • He also stresses the importance of perseverance and creativity in overcoming obstacles.

 

 

Originally aired on August 14, 2023

Nick Black and Brandon discuss the latest developments in cryptocurrency and AI technology. They warn listeners to be vigilant about crypto scams and not sharing private keys. The hosts review crypto news, including speculation around SEC approval of a Bitcoin ETF. They also cover AI topics like the high costs of operating chatbots, security vulnerabilities with leading AI systems, and the demand for quality data to train AI models. Throughout the free-flowing show, Nick and Brandon banter back and forth, poke fun at each other, and share personal stories.

What crypto security tips did Nick share?

  • Don’t share private keys, passphrase, or passwords
  • Be wary of suspicious links – scammers try to steal crypto
  • Use secure practices like new wallets, browsers for compromised accounts

What is happening with a Bitcoin ETF approval?

  • Former SEC attorney predicts no spot Bitcoin ETF approval currently
  • SEC remains opposed to spot Bitcoin markets
  • Bitcoin markets seen as prone to manipulation
  • Approval may come in 2024 with new administration

What is the demand for AI data about?

  • Quality data critical to train and advance AI models
  • Legal battles arising over data rights and usage
  • Intense competition to obtain valuable datasets
  • Key commodity for companies to harness AI potential

What were the key AI developments discussed?

  • Chatbot operating costs very high, raising viability questions
  • Hacking contests uncover vulnerabilities in leading models
  • Cameras with AI help track wildfires and species in UK
  • Leverage AI chatbots for tasks like presentation slides

 

Originally aired on August 10, 2023

In this Crypto & Coffee episode, hosts Nick Black and Brandon cover a wide range of crypto topics. They start with an important security warning – never share private keys or click on suspicious links, as thieves are always trying to steal crypto assets.

Brandon then previews new features coming soon to The Digital Investor site, including pricing data, educational videos, important crypto links and more. The improved dashboard will provide Digital Investor members with helpful tools and resources.

Analyzing the markets, Nick notes Bitcoin barely reacted to the latest CPI data, suggesting crypto is decoupling from legacy finance movements. He highlights whales accumulating Cardano.

The SEC has filed to appeal the Ripple lawsuit, though settlement could take over a decade. Meanwhile, leveraged trading pairs like ADA and MATIC are being delisted from Binance.

Nick argues the proliferation of layer ones is unnecessary – consolidation is needed in the industry. He still sees potential in Filecoin under $5 and thinks The Graph looks attractive for trading.

Brandon recounts almost getting scammed on a fake NFT site, warning listeners to never click unknown links or connect wallets to sketchy platforms. Always verify site domains and addresses.

Returning to altcoin analysis, Nick shares thoughts on Cosmos, Polkadot, RenderNetwork and more. He and Brandon remain bullish on SingularityNET’s upcoming V2 launch.

On macro news, Nick agrees with the Federal Reserve’s new scrutiny on stablecoin risks, arguing it’s reasonable governance to balance innovation and integrity.

Brandon reveals technical details on PayPal’s new stablecoin contract and its asset freezing capabilities, showing how crypto is pivoting towards necessary compliance.

For the “wallet of the day” segment, an Ethereum whale burning valuable NFTs worth fortunes perplexes the hosts, who debate motives and theories.

Finally, a tutorial on MetaMask’s bridge feature is previewed, with tips on transferring assets across bridges.

What crypto security tips did Nick share?

  • Never share private keys
  • Don’t click suspicious links
  • Go slow and be careful

What’s new on The Digital Investor site?

  • Pricing data and crypto links
  • Educational videos
  • Upgraded dashboard access

How are crypto markets decoupling from legacy finance?

  • Bitcoin shrugged off latest CPI data
  • Whales accumulating Cardano

What regulatory pressure is Ripple facing?

  • SEC filed to appeal lawsuit
  • Settlement could take over 10 years

Which altcoins does Nick remain bullish on?

  • Filecoin under $5
  • The Graph for trading
  • SingularityNET V2 launch

What stablecoin insights did Brandon reveal?

  • PayPal’s contract allows asset freezing
  • Shows pivot towards compliance
  • Necessary for crypto governance

 

Originally aired on August 8, 2023

Nick Black and Brandon discussed several topics related to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in this wide-ranging episode. The hosts covered recent news and developments in the crypto space, including PayPal’s launch of its own stablecoin, potential regulations around stablecoins, and updates on the ongoing Ripple vs SEC lawsuit.

Overall, Nick and Brandon provided perspective on adoption trends, analyzing how moves by major players like PayPal could impact crypto’s mainstream traction. They also unpacked issues around accountability and ethics for stablecoin issuers. Throughout the episode, the hosts offered tips for security, assessed the state of the market, and considered the road ahead for Bitcoin.

What is PayPal’s plan with its new stablecoin?

  • PayPal launched its own stablecoin Pax Dollar (PUC)
  • The stablecoin is issued by Paxos and built on Ethereum
  • Allows new types of crypto transactions within PayPal system
  • Could be a ramp for crypto deposits and off-ramp for withdrawals

What regulatory concerns surround stablecoins?

  • Politicians calling for clear regulations, concerned about risks
  • SEC’s Hinman controversy highlights issues of bias, conflicts
  • Need for transparency and integrity around stablecoin issuers

How did Nick and Brandon evaluate the crypto market?

  • Green market not likely until 2023
  • Spot Bitcoin ETF approval could drive bull run
  • Makes sense to start dollar cost averaging into Bitcoin

What tips did Nick share on security?

  • Never share private keys or click suspicious links
  • Scammers relentlessly try to steal crypto
  • Use hardware wallets and be vigilant

How is AI impacting the crypto landscape?

  • GPT bots scraping data, companies training models
  • AI chatbots coming to Google and others
  • Precision of questions and prompts will be key

What details emerged around the Ripple SEC lawsuit?

  • Disclosure of Hinman’s emails raises bias concerns
  • Ripple claims unfair treatment vs other cryptos
  • Ongoing issue highlights accountability challenges

 

Originally aired on August 3, 2023

In this episode, hosts Nick Black and Brandon discuss recent AI developments, crypto news, and amusing finance updates.

On the AI front, OpenAI has filed a trademark application for GPT-5 despite not planning to launch it until December. This highlights the rapid pace of progress in AI. Anthropic has also released a new tool called Claude that can generate music from text prompts. Meanwhile, Google aims to improve its AI search to compete with Microsoft’s Bing by adding images, videos, and publishing dates to search results. However, the episode notes that Google’s track record with AI has been mixed since the disappointing launch of Bard.

The crypto news covers an impending Department of Justice lawsuit against Binance, which the hosts view skeptically since fines may be used instead of prosecution. Multiple companies have also filed for regulatory approval of Bitcoin and Ethereum futures ETFs. But the SEC’s Gary Gensler appears to be politicizing the approval process according to his pattern of rejections before Congressional crypto hearings.

In amusing finance updates, credit rating agency Fitch has downgraded US debt from AAA to AA+, sparking backlash from the White House and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. But the hosts walk through Fitch’s rationale, citing rising deficits, poor fiscal governance, and political dysfunction. The hosts poke fun at Yellen’s objection to the downgrade despite her role in the deteriorating finances. Finally, a new report reveals that Alameda Research, Sam Bankman-Fried’s trading firm, used bots to pump up affiliated crypto tokens on Twitter.

What are the key AI developments covered in the episode?

  • OpenAI files trademark for GPT-5 showcasing rapid AI progress
  • Anthropic releases Claude music generator from text prompts
  • Google adding more AI to search results to catch up to Microsoft Bing
  • But Google’s track record spotty after disappointing Bard launch

What is the latest with Binance and the Department of Justice?

  • DOJ preparing fraud charges against Binance
  • But fines more likely than prosecution to avoid crypto industry turmoil

What is happening with crypto ETF applications and approvals?

  • Many more companies filing for Bitcoin and Ethereum futures ETFs
  • But Gary Gensler appears to time rejections around Congressional hearings

Why did Fitch downgrade US debt and how did officials respond?

  • Fitch downgraded US debt from AAA to AA+ citing deficits and poor governance
  • White House and Janet Yellen objected calling the downgrade “bizarre”
  • But hosts walk through Fitch’s sound rationale for the change

How did Alameda Research allegedly use bots for manipulation?

  • Report reveals Alameda used Twitter bots to pump affiliated tokens
  • Fake tweets surged prices up 30% right before FTX listings

What sketchy crypto project is connected to SBF?

  • Developers with SBF ties launched and rugged project called Baldcoin
  • Hyped it up with influencers then drained liquidity after pumping price

 

Originally aired on August 1, 2023

Nick Black hosted another episode of Crypto & Coffee, joined by regular co-host Brandon and special guest Byron Gilliam. The episode covered a range of crypto topics including AI news, Worldcoin, the Curve exploit, the Ripple ruling, and outlooks for the future of crypto.

Nick started by cautioning viewers to be vigilant about protecting their private keys, passphrases, and avoiding suspicious links, stating “everyone all the time is trying to steal your stuff.” He then introduced Byron Gilliam, recommending viewers follow his work, available on his newsletter at blockworks.co.

The hosts discussed recent AI developments, including Google upgrading its assistant with generative AI capabilities similar to ChatGPT, and reorganizing teams which may lead to layoffs. They also covered Palantir CEO Alex Karp advocating for AI weapons development, though had mixed opinions on autonomous weapons systems. On a lighter note, they talked about the rise of AI virtual influencers like Lil Miquela making millions through brand deals.

Shifting to crypto topics, Nick asked Byron for his thoughts on Worldcoin, the project trying to build a global digital ID system using retina scans. Byron was initially skeptical but now believes it could provide a decentralized solution for proving personhood, which he thinks will be necessary for things like universal basic income.

The conversation moved to the major Curve exploit over the weekend, where a bug in the protocol’s compiler code was targeted to steal over $500K in funds. Byron explained Curve’s importance in DeFi, and said this bug revealed risks in new smart contract languages that have not been thoroughly battle-tested.

Analyzing the latest Ripple ruling, Byron saw it as very positive for crypto generally, even though Ripple still may have to pay a large fine. He thinks the case getting kicked further down the road buys more time for legislative clarity. Nick explained the likely complex appeals process, agreeing the timeline benefits the industry.

In terms of crypto’s future, Byron said risk assets seem to be recovering but crypto may need a new narrative to rally again in a more sustained way. Brandon predicted gradually increasing adoption, while Nick expected more investment interest in the intersection of AI and crypto.

Should we trust AI news sources over human reporters?

  • Byron was unsure about AI news sources, preferring human-generated news
  • Nick proposed verifying AI news robustly to check for deepfakes
  • Brandon said many current followers could be bots already

What is the outlook for Worldcoin’s digital identification network?

  • Byron believes decentralized ID will be needed to prove personhood for things like UBI
  • Brandon thinks anonymity may still be preferred to providing full identity info
  • Nick noted Sam Altman has strong credentials so his initiative deserves consideration

How will the Curve exploit impact DeFi security perceptions?

  • Byron said Curve’s importance made the compiler bug reveal unforeseen risks
  • Brandon said the rewards still outweigh the risks in DeFi vs traditional finance
  • Nick compared it to a fault in a doorway – it jeopardizes faith in the whole building

How does the Ripple ruling open doors for crypto?

  • Byron saw it as very positive for the industry despite Ripple paying a fine
  • Brandon noted any positive crypto spin is a win
  • Nick explained the extended timeline benefits the industry

What consumer trends will drive crypto’s next cycle?

  • Byron said a new narrative is needed, not just linkage to macro markets
  • Brandon predicted gradually increasing mainstream adoption
  • Nick expects interest in the intersection of AI and crypto
 

Originally aired on July 27, 2023

In this week’s episode of Crypto & Coffee, hosts Nick Black and Brandon discuss the aftermath of the highly anticipated SingularityDAO token launch. The token, called SOPH, had a relatively smooth launch with the price settling around $0.14 after launch. Nick and Brandon suggest taking profits on the 5% presale allocation, with Nick recommending putting half of that allocation into SOPH yield vaults to earn additional yield.

The hosts then turn to discussing the markets, commenting that they remain quiet going into the weekend. Nick notes the Fed’s 25 basis point rate hike was widely expected and had little impact. Bitcoin was also unaffected. Nick believes crypto is still early in true price discovery without a multi-trillion dollar total market cap. He sees the current conditions as more of a global economic contraction, not a crypto bear market per se.

Shifting focus, Nick and Brandon remain bullish on SOPH and the long-term potential of its metaverse platform. However, they note it will take time for the full vision to be built out and deployed. Brandon highlights the quality of the SOPH whitepaper and says the token will likely be one of the best AI-integrated tokens created so far.

The hosts are also upbeat on Hypercycle (HYPER), which Nick frames as an infrastructure play. He believes the HYPER computing network has potential as a foundational blockchain layer that other networks could leverage. Brandon agrees HYPER could provide highly efficient and low cost rails for real world applications. Both caution it will take time for the full rollout of nodes and functionality.

Later in the show, Nick and Brandon briefly discuss advances in AI art generation, changes in Hollywood, VR gaming, and more. Brandon signs off by previewing upcoming educational content focused on crypto tips and tutorials.

How did the SingularityDAO/SOPH launch and token performance look in the aftermath?

  • Token settled around $0.14, up 400% from presale
  • Smooth launch, stable trading so far

What are Nick and Brandon’s thoughts on taking profits on the presale allocation?

  • Suggest taking some profits, putting into SOPH yield vaults
  • Vaults give yield while retaining exposure

How are crypto markets looking currently?

  • Conditions still quiet going into weekend
  • Global contraction, not full crypto bear market yet

What makes Nick and Brandon bullish on SOPH long-term?

  • Huge potential in metaverse platform
  • High quality whitepaper, vision

Why are they excited about Hypercycle (HYPER)?

  • Infrastructure play, foundational blockchain potential
  • Network for efficient, low cost transactions

What other topics are covered related to AI and tech?

  • Advances in AI art generation
  • VR gaming, Hollywood’s use of AI

What educational content is Brandon previewing?

  • Crypto tips and tutorials on Nick Black next
  • Help people learn crypto tech

 

Originally aired on July 25, 2023

Analyzing the Sofiaverse Token Launch and Crypto Yield Opportunities

In the episode of Crypto and Coffee, hosts Nick Black and Brandon discuss the launch and trading of the new Sofiaverse token, strategies for maximizing yields through staking and providing liquidity, risks around impermanent loss, efficiently bridging tokens across chains, and more crypto-related topics.

After initial volatility around the Sofiaverse launch, the price settled at lower than expected levels. However, Black and Brandon still view the current prices as a solid entry point to dollar cost average into the token over time. They note staking Sofiaverse in Singularity DAO’s unbounded vaults can earn yield of over 100% APY through the generous incentives offered to drive adoption early on.

Nick and Brandon spend time explaining key concepts and risks around different yield farming strategies. They contrast locked vaults, which require committing tokens for a set period, versus unbounded vaults that allow withdrawing at any time. Popular new token Hypercycle is used as an example of the high APYs available currently by staking tokens or providing liquidity.

Black and Brandon caution listeners that providing liquidity via yield vaults carries the inherent risk of impermanent loss. This means you may not get the full upside if the staked token increases dramatically in a short period. The opportunity cost of locking tokens versus having them available to trade or stake is also discussed.

The episode also covers efficiently bridging tokens across different blockchains in order to ultimately cash out to fiat currency. Bridging via Polygon using MetaMask’s built-in swapping is noted as a low-cost option.

How did Sofiaverse trading look after launch?

  • Initial volatility settled to lower than expected prices but still offers a solid point to start dollar cost averaging.

What yield farming strategies can you use for new tokens?

  • Staking in unbounded vaults like SingularityDAO’s can earn 100%+ APY through generous initial incentives.

What is the risk of providing liquidity via yield vaults?

  • Impermanent loss means you may not get full upside if token price spikes. Locked vaults also have opportunity cost.

How do you efficiently bridge tokens across chains?

  • Swap to stablecoin on native chain then use MetaMask’s Polygon bridge for low fees.

 

Originally aired on July 20, 2023

Nick Black and Brandon discussed several topics related to AI, cryptocurrency, macroeconomics, and not being “stupid” with your money.

  • They warned about a scam where someone pretends to need remote access to your computer to help you comply with crypto regulations. They take your crypto instead.
  • Discussed Apple entering the AI assistant market with “Apple GPT”. It will compete with ChatGPT and Bard.
  • Studies show ChatGPT getting “dumber” recently, possibly due to bad data from users.
  • MI6 in the UK using AI to disrupt weapons shipments to Russia. Intelligence agencies adopting AI.
  • FedNow launching soon for instant interbank fund transfers 24/7. Not a CBDC or crypto.
  • Don’t make stupid financial decisions. Research assets before buying.

What can AI assistants really do?

  • Apple is launching their own AI chatbot “Apple GPT” to compete with ChatGPT and Google’s Bard
  • But studies show systems like ChatGPT have been getting “dumber” lately due to bad input data
  • Still unclear how capable these AI assistants really are

Will bank payments get faster?

  • The Federal Reserve’s new FedNow system will enable 24/7 instant interbank transfers
  • This is not a CBDC or cryptocurrency, just faster processing between banks
  • Could reduce time needed to clear checks and other bank-to-bank payments

How is AI changing intelligence work?

  • Agencies like MI6 are adopting AI systems to enhance intelligence operations
  • AI can process huge amounts of data to find insights humans might miss
  • But AI still requires oversight from humans with contextual knowledge

Don’t be stupid with your money

  • Scammers are impersonating exchanges/agencies to steal crypto via phishing
  • Research any asset thoroughly before investing to avoid pump and dumps
  • Following “crypto experts” blindly often leads to losing money

 

Originally aired on July 13, 2023

Cryptocurrency investing and news.

Nick Black provides his commentary on the latest developments with Celsius Network and its former CEO Alex Mashinsky. He discusses how Mashinsky and Celsius made false claims about earning high interest rates through their services and engaged in risky lending practices, which led to the company’s bankruptcy. Nick criticizes Mashinsky and other key figures like Sam Bankman-Fried of FTX for being “scammy douchebags” who took advantage of investors.

The video then covers recent AI and tech news, including Shopify unveiling an AI assistant called Sidekick, Elon Musk launching a new AI company called X AI, Google’s new AI-powered note taking app, and advancements in voice cloning. This segues into market analysis, with Black predicting crypto markets will turn around in the next 200 days once recession tails off, and criticizing the poor performance and arrogance of the Algorand team.

A significant portion focuses on the legal troubles of Celsius and Mashinsky, including Celsius suing Alameda Research and FTX, while the SEC charged Mashinsky and Celsius with fraud. Black expresses satisfaction at Mashinsky’s reported arrest and emphasizes these executives need to face consequences for stealing people’s money. The video concludes with Black advising on taking profits, using an example of a gains harvesting strategy for percentage exits. He stresses the need to take money off the table and not just watch currency values fluctuate.

What shady practices led to the downfall of Celsius Network and CEO Alex Mashinsky?

  • False claims of earning high interest rates through risky lending
  • Mashinsky displayed arrogance and took advantage of investors
  • Engaged in unsafe lending practices that led company into bankruptcy

What recent AI developments were discussed in the video?

  • Shopify unveiled AI assistant Sidekick to optimize e-commerce
  • Elon Musk started AI company X AI to “understand the universe”
  • Google released AI note-taking app focused on personalization
  • Updates on progress in AI voice cloning technology

How badly did the video portray Algorand’s prospects and team?

  • Criticized market cap as “dog shit” and team as arrogant
  • Suggested it will underperform without major shakeup
  • Proposed it become sidechain of Cardano to survive

What legal consequences face Mashinsky and Celsius Network?

  • SEC charged them with 4 counts of fraud after bankruptcy
  • Mashinsky reportedly arrested amid allegations of misconduct
  • Video host expresses satisfaction at long-awaited comeuppance
  • Emphasizes executives who steal deserve harsh punishments

What exit strategy does the video recommend for taking crypto profits?

  • Sell 20% when investment reaches 10x returns
  • Sell 10% each time investment doubles from there
  • Ensures ROI and avoids running out of tokens
  • Stresses need to realize gains, not just watch value fluctuate
 

Originally aired on July 11, 2023

Nick Black discusses various topics related to AI and its impact on the financial world. It covers the limitations of AI and the need for caution to prevent misuse, highlights an AI-powered wildfire detection startup, and mentions the investment of Bill Gates in a geologic AI company. The transcript also mentions the potential risks of stablecoins to financial stability and provides an overview of SophiaVerse, a gamified infrastructure designed to advance the development of the Sophia robot towards humanoid sentience.

Is AI capable of creating deceptive deep fake videos?

  • Google CEO warns about the potential misuse of AI to create deep fake videos.
  • Current AI models can generate realistic images of public figures, blurring the line between fact and fiction.
  • Google intentionally limits AI capabilities to prevent the creation of deceptive content.

Can AI help in detecting wildfires?

  • AI Wildfire detection startup, Pano AI, raises $17 million for its AI-powered technology.
  • The technology can analyze rock samples to detect the early stages of wildfires, enabling faster response by firefighters.
  • According to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), if widely used, stablecoins and CBDCs may pose a threat to financial stability.
  • BIS emphasizes the importance of strengthening and coordinating regulatory approaches to contain the risks associated with crypto assets.

What is SophiaVerse and its goals?

  • SophiaVerse is a gamified infrastructure designed to advance the development of the Sophia robot towards humanoid sentience.
  • Users can interact with their own evolving Sophia, learn AI programming, and earn rewards through quests.
  • It offers a multiplayer online game called “Sophia’s Age of Singularity,” where users can embark on an epic quest to save humanity and pave the way for a positive singularity.
  • The ecosystem includes a Sentience Wallet for data security and a marketplace where users can buy, sell, and trade digital assets.
  • The Sophia token (SOPH) serves as a crucial component of the ecosystem, allowing users to participate in the economy of SophiaVerse.

 

Originally aired on June 27, 2023

Nick Black discusses the concept of game theory and its application in strategic decision-making for business success. Nick emphasizes the importance of dollar cost averaging and not getting too caught up in daily market prices. They also outline the five T’s to consider when evaluating assets and provide an analysis of the cryptocurrency XRP as an example.

How does dollar cost averaging work, and why is it important?

  • Dollar-cost-averaging involves spreading the investment over a long period and investing at regular intervals.
  • Randomized intervals are recommended to mitigate emotional decision-making.
  • Consistency in dollar cost averaging helps remove emotions from investing.

What are the five T’s to consider when evaluating assets?

  • Team: Assess the background and track record of the team behind the asset.
  • Timing: Evaluate whether the asset is relevant and timely in the current market.
  • Technology: Determine the value and uniqueness of the asset’s technology.
  • Tokenomics (or fundamental economics): Analyze the distribution of equity or ownership.
  • Utility or Value proposition: Assess the practical use or value the asset offers.

Is XRP a good investment based on the five T’s?

  • XRP fails in terms of the team as some members are embroiled in a lawsuit and their actions raise ethical concerns.
  • Timing is off as the need for a bridge asset like XRP has decreased.
  • The technology is no longer unique or interesting compared to other cryptocurrencies.
  • Tokenomics is a fail as XRP is not necessary for transactions on the XRP Ledger.
  • The value proposition of XRP is weak, and the management team has made poor decisions.

Is XRP undervalued or overvalued in the long term?

  • In the near term, XRP may be undervalued as a trade opportunity.
  • In the long term, XRP is considered extremely overvalued due to its lack of uniqueness and limited value proposition.