Shows
Crypto Critics' CornerIs $TRUMP corrupt?Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss whether or not $TRUMP, the Donald Trump memecoin, constitutes corruption.Additional episodes mentioned:Episode 157 – Donald Trump, Justin Sun, and the grifts we missedEpisode 152 – Justin Sun is probably insolventEpisode 167 – What happened to the SEC? (feat. Corey Frayer)Episode 165 – Elon Musk’s Valentine’s Day MassacreAdditional resources: New York Times coverage"Potentially corrupt"Coverage of HTX being the entity that signed for Justin Sun
2025-05-1921 minCrypto Critics' CornerPut Congress on the Blockchain (Feat. Rohan Grey)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Rohan Grey to discuss his proposal to create a new digital fiscal regime. Rohan's paper can be viewed here. This episode was recorded on March 17th, 2025.
2025-04-291h 02Crypto Critics' CornerCryptocurrency funded American FascismBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the unlawful actions of the Trump administration, including unlawful deportations. Additional episodes mentioned in this episode:Episode 21 – BitcoinPlaylist of videos about El SalvadorAdditional resources: Reporting on the illegal deportationsThis episode was recorded on March 16th, 2025.
2025-03-2714 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe Realization™ (Elon Musk is a Fraud)Bennett and Cas discuss when they had their personal realization that Elon Musk was a deceiver.Additional episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 131 – Elon Musk’s ESG Con (feat. Eric Roesch the ESGHound)Additional resources: Bennett's video about robotaxisQuinn69TV video about Elon liesBonhoeffer's Theory of StupidityThis episode was recorded on February 14th, 2025.
2025-03-1813 minCrypto Critics' CornerEnd the FedBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss their fear that Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and DOGE will destroy the dollar by going after Federal Reserve independence.Additional resources: Coverage of Elon Musk imagining problems at Fort KnoxFederal Reserve AuditsAdditional episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 163 – What the Elon Musk coup means for FinanceEpisode 164 – CFPB RIP 🪦Episode 165 – Elon Musk’s Valentine’s Day MassacreEpisode 55 – Company Towns – Past, Present, and Future (feat. Dr. Ángela Vergara)This e...
2025-02-2015 minCrypto Critics' CornerElon Musk's St. Valentine's Day MassacreBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the gutting of the Southern District of New York by an illegal and unconstitutional order to drop charges against Eric Adams so he can better cooperate with the Trump Administration.Read more hereAdditional resources: Initial MemoDanielle Sassoon's ResponseEmil Bove's response to Danielle Sassoon's resignationHagen Scotten resignationReporting on additional resignationsAdditional episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 163 – What the Elon Musk coup means for Finance...
2025-02-1418 minCrypto Critics' CornerCFPB RIP 🪦Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the deteriorating situation in the United States, including the gutting of the CFPB and the attack on the full faith and credit of the United States.Read more here.Previous episodes mentioned in this episode:Episode 160 – CBDCs are Dead; Long Live $TRUMPEpisode 163 – What the Elon Musk coup means for FinanceAdditional Resources:Bloomberg Reporting on the DOGE takeover of CFPBBloomberg reporting on Pam Bondi memoReporting on threat of US d...
2025-02-1112 minCrypto Critics' CornerWhat the Elon Musk coup means for FinanceBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the deteriorating situation in the United States, including the press conference by David Sacks, the destruction of the SEC, the future of crypto legislation, and the ongoing takeover of the federal government by freaks.
Additional resources:
Wired reporting on the names
Reuters reporting on the SEC:
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/secs-republican-led-commission-tightens-oversight-probes-sources-say-2025-02-02/
Additional episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 161 – Is there one good regulator between the SE...
2025-02-0513 minCrypto Critics' CornerHumiliate your local billionaire (feat. Ed Zitron)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined again by Ed Zitron to discuss how the media and users can fight back against tech deterioration.
Additional resources:
Better Offline
Where's your Ed at?
Ed's Bluesky
The article by Ed discussed during the episode
This episode was recorded on January 3rd, 2025.
2025-02-031h 07Crypto Critics' CornerIs there one good regulator between the SEC and the CFTC? (feat. Sean Tuffy)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Sean Tuffy to discuss the theoretical basis of merging the SEC and the CFTC. Sean's BlueskyAdditional episodes mentioned in this episode: Episode 39 – Fuck the SEC, all my friends hate the SECEpisode 157 – Donald Trump, Justin Sun, and the grifts we missedEpisode 158 – How Tether avoids prosecution with this one simple hackEpisode 159 – What Donald Trump’s election means for Bitcoin (feat. Joseph Politano)This episode was recorded on December 2nd, 2024.
2025-01-2953 minCrypto Critics' CornerCBDCs are Dead, Long Live Trump Coin!Cas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin discuss the executive order signed by Donald Trump.
You can read the executive order yourself here.
This episode was livestreamed on January 24th, 2024.
2025-01-2551 minCrypto Critics' CornerWhat Donald Trump means for Bitcoin (Feat. Joey Politano)Bennett and Cas are joined by Joseph Politano to discuss what Donald Trump's election will mean for cryptocurrency.
This video was recorded on November 26th, 2024.
Read more: https://cryptocriticscorner.com/2025/01/06/episode-159-what-trump-means-for-bitcoin/
Where to find Joseph:
Apricitas
BlueSky
Twitter
Additional resources:
Pence opposes RFK Jr.
Bennett's newsletter about Justin Sun buying tokens
Joey's post from November 2022
2025-01-071h 00Crypto Critics' CornerTether wins, Skeptics lose: the end of an eraBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss Tether's ability to survive and grow, as well as how they have found safety in Donald Trump's future administration.
Read more here.
Additional resources:
Bloomberg reporting on Bank Fraud
Wall Street Journal reporting on Tether sanctions violation
This video was recorded on November 23rd, 2024.
2024-11-2621 minCrypto Critics' CornerDonald Trump, Justin Sun, and the grifts we missedBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss Donald Trump's new project, World Liberty Financial, as well as Justin Sun's shenanigans, the MakerDAO rebrand, and more.
This video was recorded on October 26th, 2024.
2024-11-1447 minCrypto Critics' CornerIs Bitcoin good for the world? (feat. Andrew Bailey)Cas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin are joined by Andrew Bailey, author of Resistance Money, to discuss Tether on Tron and Bitcoin.
This video was recorded on September 9th 2024.
Resistance Money
Patrick McKenzie and Tyler Cowen podcast
Cas Piancey and PJ Vogt podcast
Bennett's newsletter about Craig Wright
Bennett's article about Fei
Bennett's newsletter about Terra-Luna
2024-10-261h 05Crypto Critics' CornerTwo giant river boys and their missing $1,000,000,000: the Winklevoss Twins (Feat. Ed Zitron)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Ed Zitron to discuss how Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss portray themselves as the regulated alternative, but frequently flout the rules.
Additional resources:
Ed's newsletter about Gemini Earn
Better Offline
HTX is probably insolvent
This episode was recorded on March 12th, 2024.
2024-04-011h 11Crypto Critics' CornerRead, Write, Owned: Broken Web3 Promises (Feat. Molly White)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Molly White to discuss Andreessen Horowitz GP Chris Dixon's new book: Read, Write, Own.
Read Molly's review of Dixon's book here and check out her archival cryptocurrency news site here.
Read Protos' article about how a16z gamed the NYT Bestseller List here.
Read Motherboard's article about how many copies of Read, Write, Own were bulk purchased here.
This episode was recorded on February 10th, 2024.
2024-02-2159 minCrypto Critics' CornerTether: The $100,000,000,000 Problem in CryptoBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the history and present of Tether, the most important firm in all of cryptocurrency.
This video was recorded on February 4th, 2024.
2024-02-0842 minCrypto Critics' CornerWhy Crypto Will Never Fix Payments (Feat. Patrick McKenzie)Bennett and Cas are joined by Patrick McKenzie of Bits About Money to discuss why cryptocurrency is not a solution for the problems of payments.
Bits About Money
Patrick McKenzie Twitter
Protos coverage of Moonstone Cease and Desist
Federal Reserve Cease and Desist for Moonstone
Bennett's video about Cash App/Interchange Fees/Durbin Amendment
This video was recorded on October 12th, 2023.
2023-11-151h 13Crypto Critics' CornerCaroline Ellison Takes the Stand: the Sam Bankman-Fried Trial Week 2 (Feat. Nikhilesh De)Bennett and Cas are joined by Nikhilesh De of CoinDesk to discuss the ongoing trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, and specifically the testimony of Gary Wang and Caroline Ellison.
Additional resources:
CoinDesk coverage of the trial
https://www.coindesk.com/tag/sbf-trial/
Nik's newsletter about the trial
https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2023/10/13/things-sbfs-defense-lawyers-should-be-freaking-out-about/
Bennett's newsletter about the trial
https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=16a900a42513fb7998acad86d&id=4f3209dbfb
2023-10-1839 minCrypto Critics' CornerDid Sam Bankman-Fried's Defense Blow It? (Feat. David Z. Morris)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by David Z. Morris to discuss the trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, and the testimony against him so far. This includes longtime friend Adam Yedidia, FTX leader Gary Wang, and investor Matt Huang.
Additional resources:
Protos coverage of the trial
https://protos.com/sbftrial/
Bennett newsletter about opening statements
http://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=16a900a42513fb7998acad86d&id=4f3209dbfb
Semafor reporting on loans
https://www.semafor.com/article/12/07/2022/charity-money-launched-sam-bankman-frieds-empire
Tara Mac A...
2023-10-0938 minCrypto Critics' CornerJustin Sun and TrueUSD... AgainToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are discussing the weird shenanigans ongoing with the stablecoin TrueUSD (TUSD) and the numerous platforms and exchanges that Justin Sun has purchased over the years.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday, July 26th, 2023.
2023-07-2834 minCrypto Critics' CornerPrime Trust, TrueUSD, and Offshore Finance (Feat. Jonathan Reiter and Patrick Tan)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Jonathan Reiter and Patrick Tan of ChainArgos to discuss Prime Trust, TrueUSD, stablecoins, and offshore finance.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023
2023-07-011h 10Crypto Critics' CornerHow to attack Bitcoin (Feat. Micah Warren)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Dr. Micah Warren, a professor of mathematics, to discuss the game theory of Bitcoin and what it means for the security of Bitcoin.
This episode was recorded on June 8th, 2023.
2023-06-1753 minCrypto Critics' CornerBinance, Coinbase, and the SEC (Featuring Mike Burgersburg of Dirty Bubble Media)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined - yet again! - by Mike Burgersburg of Dirty Bubble Media to discuss the recent lawsuits brought against Binance and Coinbase by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
2023-06-0947 minCrypto Critics' CornerCrypto Critics Cope at Consensus ConferenceCas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin discuss their takeaways from Consensus 2023, the recent cryptocurrency conference put on by CoinDesk.
This video was recorded on April 30th, 2023.
2023-05-051h 01Crypto Critics' CornerThe Whistleblower Who Exposed WorldCom (feat. Cynthia Cooper & Daren Firestone)Cas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin are joined by Cynthia Cooper and Daren Firestone to discuss the history of one of the largest corporate frauds ever, Worldcom, and what it means to be a whistleblower.
This video was recorded on October 13th, 2022.
Additional resources:
Cooper Group
http://www.coopergroupllc.com/index.php
Extraordinary Circumstances
https://a.co/d/9O4C9Vz
Levy Firestone Muse
https://www.levyfirestone.com/
cryptowhistleblower.com
https://cryptowhistleblower.com/
Cynthia Cooper's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiaco...
Daren Firestone Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daren-fir...
2023-04-071h 41Crypto Critics' CornerBinance in Trouble (streamed live on March 27th, 2023)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the lawsuit filed against Binance and Changpeng Zhao by the CFTC.
This video was streamed live on March 27th, 2023.
Additional resources:
Complaint
https://www.cftc.gov/media/8351/%20en...
Coverage of the complaint
https://protos.com/cftc-lawsuit-again...
2023-04-0438 minCrypto Critics' CornerSEC sues Justin Sun, Coinbase, Celebrities; also Do Kwon arrested (recorded on March 23rd)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the lawsuit filed against Justin Sun alleging that Tron and BitTorrent token were illegal securities and that he engaged in market manipulation.
We also discuss the celebrities implicated in the promotion of these tokens including:
- Logan Paul
- Lindsay Lohan
- Lil Yachty
- Ne-Yo
- Akon
- Soulja Boy
- Austin Mahone
- Kendra Lust
This episode was recorded on March 23rd, 2023
2023-04-0447 minCrypto Critics' CornerToilet Apes and other NFT Exploitation (Feat. Ed Zitron)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Ed Zitron to discuss NFTs and why they became popular and why they are so empty.
This episode was recorded on February 1st, 2022.
2023-03-1647 minCrypto Critics' CornerTether Falsified Bank RecordsBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the recent Wall Street Journal report that reveals that Tether and Bitfinex falsified bank records in order to try to maintain access to banking.
WSJ article discussed on the show.
This video was recorded on March 3rd, 2023.
2023-03-0417 minCrypto Critics' CornerSatire in Cryptocurrency: West Ham (feat. Josh Cincinnati and Laurence [Insert Last Name Here])Cas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin are joined by Laurence and Josh Cincinnati to dis1cuss the value of satire in cryptocurrency, ordinals, Justin Sun and more.
This was recorded on January 30th, 2023.
2023-03-011h 23Crypto Critics' CornerThe El Salvador Volcano Token (feat. Domingo Flores)Cas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin are joined by Domingo Flores to discuss the Salvadoran Bitcoin Token being developed in partnership with Bitfinex.
Domingo's Website, Patreon, YouTube, and Twitter.
This video was recorded on January 20th, 2022.
2023-02-0652 minCrypto Critics' CornerNexo Raided, SBF Lies, and Genesis and Gemini ChargedBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the raid executed against Nexo, SBF's lies in his Substack, and the unregistered security charges brought against Genesis and Gemini.
Kentucky Cease and desist against Nexo
Protos On SBF's Lies
This video was streamed live on January 12th, 2022.
2023-01-1730 minCrypto Critics' CornerCryptocurrency Banks Give UpCas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin discuss Silvergate, Signature, Metropolitan, and other cryptocurrency banks in light of their massive deposit outflows and increasing regulatory issues.
American Banker Post about Silvergate using Home Loan bank advances: https://www.americanbanker.com/news/silvergate-bank-loaded-up-on-4-3-billion-in-fhlb-advances
OCC, Federal Reserve, and FDIC statement on risks to crypto banks: https://www.fdic.gov/news/press-releases/2023/pr23002a.pdf
This video was recorded on January 12th, 2022.
2023-01-1725 minCrypto Critics' CornerDid Satoshi run a drug cartel? The Paul Le Roux Story (Feat. Evan Ratliff)Cas Piancey and Bennett Tomlin are joined by Evan Ratliff to discuss Paul Le Roux, an international criminal who some believe may have been Satoshi Nakamoto. We also discuss Evan's new podcast Persona, and the similarities between the crimes of Gilbert Chikli and cryptocurrency hacks and scams.
Additional resources:
Persona podcast
The Mastermind
Vanish for one month
This episode was recorded on October 18th, 2022.
2023-01-0356 minCrypto Critics' CornerBinance Smart Chain is Dumb and Mango Markets, TooToday Bennett and Cas discuss two recent major cryptocurrency problems: one via Binance Smart Chain, a "DeFi" protocol built by CZ and the Binance team, that suffered a $100 million hack, and Mango Markets, a DeFi marketplace, that suffered a $100 million exploit. Another fun week in cryptocurrency.
Other resources mentioned in this episode:
Unchained Interview with CZ: https://youtu.be/J0XJesFkdl0
Chris Brunet revealing Mango Markets attacker: https://karlstack.substack.com/p/exclusive-the-man-who-may-have-milked
Bennett's newsletter about the BSC hack: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/protos/issues/cz-stopped-bsc-why-it-matters-1408029
This episode...
2022-10-1930 minCrypto Critics' CornerHigh Noon at Ooki Corral: CFTC Sues DAO ParticipantsToday Bennett and Cas talk about what's going on with the Ooki DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), why the CFTC is suing them, and why it's okay that Ooki DAO is not okay.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 and edited by Bennett Tomlin.
2022-10-0729 minCrypto Critics' CornerA Tale of Two Ponzis: Celsius and Luna, Alex Mashinsky and Do KwonToday Bennett and Cas discuss the best of times and the worst of times for two enormous Ponzi scemes: Celsius - a now bankrupt cryptocurrency lender - and Luna - an algorithmic stablecoin ecosystem once valued at nearly $60 billion, and the two individuals who ultimately led them to their respective downfalls: Alex Mashinsky and Do Kwon.
KeyFi lawsuit against Celsius: https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=RvF30Mz2IZW63s1mjjau2Q==
Celsius lawsuit against KeyFi: https://assets.law360news.com/1523000/1523691/complaint.pdf
Coverage of the Celsius countersuit: https://protos...
2022-09-3028 minCrypto Critics' CornerSaylor's Strategy: a MicroTragedyToday Bennett and Cas discuss Michael Saylor's reckless behavior, his departure as CEO of MicroStrategy, the tax fraud charges he faces, previous run-ins with the SEC for making up quarterly numbers, and why everyone should have seen this coming.
This episode used clips from Laura Shin's wonderful podcast, Unchained, which you can find here: https://youtu.be/cuRRVo2Cmsc
We also used clips from John Vallis' Bitcoin Rapid-Fire: https://youtu.be/hIZIXKTicw4
This episode was recorded on Monday, September 18th, 2022 and edited by Bennett Tomlin.
2022-09-2333 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe Good, the Bad, and the Bukele (Feat. Frank Muci)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by economist Frank Muci to discuss the challenging economic situation in El Salvador, including the need for austerity and the possibility of debt restructuring.
Follow Frank on Twitter @frankmuci.
A Spanish translation will be available on our website: https://cryptocriticscorner.com/
Para una traducción al español transcrita por favor visite https://cryptocriticscorner.com/
This episode was recorded on August 2nd and edited by Griffin Davis.
2022-09-1144 minCrypto Critics' CornerDraconian Financial Regulation and the Argument for Tether (Feat. Boaz Sobrado)We're back! Today Bennett and Cas are joined by Boaz Sobrado to discuss Tether's use in Cuba and why people turn to assets as volatile and risky as Bitcoin and stablecoins in sanctioned countries.
Follow Boaz @sobradob.
This episode was produced by Bennett Tomlin.
2022-09-0159 minCrypto Critics' CornerA Tether UpdateIn this episode Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss how Tether has been composing itself over the last several months.
Interview with Paolo Ardoino with Dierdre Bosa: https://twitter.com/CNBCTechCheck/status/1545472707374071808
This episode was recorded on July 10th, 2022 and produced by Asher Hirsch.
2022-07-2628 min
Crypto Critics' CornerNFTs, Frauds, and Algorithmic Stablecoins (Feat. Mark Cuban)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, to discuss NFTs, the proliferations of fraud, and whether or not algorithmic stablecoins are viable.
Follow Mark on Twitter @mcuban.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, and produced by Asher Hirsch.
2022-06-231h 07Crypto Critics' CornerBitcoin ETFs, the SEC, and Regulatory Clarity (Feat. James Seyffart)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by James Seyffart to discuss what has prevented a spot Bitcoin ETF, and what things may make it easier for that to finally happen.
This episode was recorded on May 23rd, 2022 and produced by Griffin Davis.
2022-06-2046 minCrypto Critics' CornerWe Never Wanted to Discuss Terra and Luna ever Again... and yetToday Bennett and Cas discuss Terra, an algorithmic stablecoin, again. This time they discuss its collapse in realtime (this episode was recorded live as Terra collapsed), what it could mean as far as contagion is concerned, and if other stablecoins need to begin to worry.
This episode was produced by Bennett Tomlin recorded on Wednesday, May 11th, 2022
2022-05-1338 minCrypto Critics' CornerTerra, Luna, and Algorithmic StablecoinsToday Bennett and Cas talk about Terra, a stablecoin that uses an algorithm to stay pegged to numerous currencies (mainly the US dollar). Recently, Do Kwon, the creator of Terra, and its token that buoys the stablecoins it supports, Luna, decided to spend $10 billion worth of Luna's reserves to buy Bitcoin.
What does this even mean? Let's figure it out.
Bennett's appearance on the Blockchain Debate Podcast to discuss algo stablecoins: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/motion-algo-and-fractional-stablecoins-are-flawed/id1493609456?i=1000530171560
The FUD Letter's discussion of Terra: https://bennettftomlin.com/2022/02/06/is-terra-stable-the-fud-letter/
2022-05-0531 minCrypto Critics' CornerTrying to Think like the SEC (Feat. John Reed Stark)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by John Reed Stark of John Reed Stark Consulting and formerly with the Securities and Exchange Commission for over two decades. We discuss our frustrations with the SEC, the perceived lack of action, and what John expects to see from them in the coming years.
Visit John's website: https://www.johnreedstark.com/digital-trust-watch/
Or, follow him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/johnreedstark?s=11
CORRECTION: John mentions Kik as having requested SEC staff disclose cryptocurrency holdings - this was actually requested by...
2022-03-221h 07Crypto Critics' CornerCities and the BlockchainToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about the proliferation of cities associated with blockchains, why the concept in and of itself is silly, and go through some historical and current examples.
If you'd like to listen to Bennett and Cas' other podcast, Innovated: Blockchain City, you can listen here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovated-blockchain-city/id1611390567
2022-03-0931 minCrypto Critics' CornerThis Man Murders Scams (Feat. ZachXBT)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are lucky enough to be joined by the "Batman of Cryptocurrency" - pseudoanonymous Twitter user ZachXBT (https://www.twitter.com/zachxbt).
We ask him what it's like uncovering every fraud and scam in crypto, why he does it, and whether the Cryptocurrency Batcave has a secret "nuke scam project" button.
Donate to Zach either at his ETH address: zachxbt.eth
Visit his website here: https://investigations.notion.site/
Here's a list of links that were discussed during the episode:
2022-03-0447 minCrypto Critics' CornerCompany Towns - Past, Present, and Future (Feat. Dr. Ángela Vergara)Bennett and Cas are joined by Dr. Ángela Vergara - an expert in company towns and co-author of Company Towns in the Americas. We try to address why they tend to fail, how they usually harm employees, and why they've never really gone away.
If you want to follow Dr. Vergara on Twitter, you can find her @vergara_angela.
The new podcast Bennett and Cas will be hosting is available here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovated-blockchain-city/id1611390567
Dr. Vergara's book is available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Company-Towns-Americas-Working-Class-Transformation/dp/0820333298)
2022-03-0139 min
Crypto Critics' CornerInflation, the Federal Reserve, and Bitcoin (Feat. Michael Green)Today Bennett and Cas are joined by the portfolio manager and chief strategist for Simplify Asset Management, Michael Green (on Twitter @profplum99).
In one of our most wide-ranging discussions, we had the opportunity to pick Mike's brain on what inflation means for the U.S. and the world, how the Fed should respond, the Canadian Trucker Convoy / Protest, and what all of it might mean for Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general.
Mike specifically mentions The Trades of March 2020, a book by Alex Gurevich, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Trades-March-2020-against-Uncertainty-ebook/dp...
2022-02-2152 minCrypto Critics' CornerCelebrities Love Cryptocurrencies - and it's lame (Feat. Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Ben McKenzie (star of Gotham, Southland, and The O.C.) and Jacob Silverman (author of Terms of Service and writer for The New Republic and Slate) who discuss the ideas behind their upcoming book about cryptocurrency, their issues with celebrity shilling of speculative assets, and how it really feels like corporate greed is eating our democracy.
Here are some of the books and movies mentioned during the interview:
Lying for Money by Dan Davies - https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Money-Legendary-Frauds-Workings-ebook/dp/B078WFT5...
2022-02-1759 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe Return of the Bitfinex Hack: $4.5 billion in Bitcoin is Found and SeizedToday Bennett and Cas will be talking about how $3.5 billion dollars (of $4.5 billion) worth of Bitcoin stolen 6 years ago was found and seized by the US Department of Justice.
We discuss Ilya Lichtenstein, Heather Reyhan Morgan, what this means for all the Bitfinex tokens, and if it's possible the funds won't be returned to Bitfinex at all.
This episode was record on February 12th, 2022.
2022-02-1223 minCrypto Critics' CornerOh, a thing called Wormhole ate $320,000,000? Are you surprised?Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about the recent incredible hack of the cryptocurrency bridge, aptly named, Wormhole. Did $320,000,000 worth of ETH evaporate? Yes. Did Jump Crypto 100% cover that? Also yes.
2022-02-0822 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe US Dollar, Inflation, and Recession (Feat. Travis Kimmel)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey have the opportunity to chat with THE BEAR LORD - or just Travis, if you prefer - about all things SCARY when it comes to the future of the dollar, yields, cryptocurrency, and the economy as a whole.
Follow Travis on Twitter @coloradotravis
(Recorded on Monday, January 31st, 2022)
2022-02-0348 minCrypto Critics' CornerMichael and Omar and 0xSifu, oh my!Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey bring you up to date on an old character in an old story: Michael Patryn - er, should we say Omar Dhanani? Or 0xSifu? It's all up for debate, because on January 27th, 2022, the cofounder of QuadrigaCX, a now defunct Canadian cryptocurrency exchange - reappeared in a big way: by being the chief financial officer and treasurer for one of the biggest decentralized protocols around today.
So now what?
Read the initial thread exposing Michael Patryn here: https://twitter.com/zachxbt/status/1486591682728673282?ref...
2022-01-2918 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe Complex History and Weird Transition of DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the long, complex, and fraught history of DAOs (or Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) and try to understand the current hype cycle.
2022-01-2731 minCrypto Critics' CornerBitcoin's Black Swans (Feat. Doomberg)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Doomberg - Twitter and Substack's favorite Little financial Chicken - to discuss Bitcoin's, and cryptocurrency in general's, biggest threats for maximum liquidations and pain (including, but not limited to: Microstrategy, El Salvador, and Tether).
Follow Doomberg on Twitter @Doomberg or subscribe to their Substack at doomberg.substack.com
If you'd like to subscribe to Bennett Tomlin's FUD Letter, please visit https://TheFUDLetter.com/#/portal/ for details.
Note: This episode was recorded on Friday, January 21st, 2022
2022-01-2446 minCrypto Critics' CornerPoker's Black Friday (Feat. Jason Bral)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss online Poker's Black Friday - April 15th, 2011 - and it's everlasting effects with Jason Bral, a semi-professional poker player.
2022-01-2031 minCrypto Critics' CornerEnergy Problem in Kazakhstan is an Energy Problem for BitcoinToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about how Bitcoin mining works, why the Bitcoin miners have (mostly) fled China, why the Bitcoin miners moved to Kazakhstan, and how Kazakhstan's spike in in fossil fuel prices and political upheaval has effected Bitcoin.
2022-01-1332 minCrypto Critics' CornerElizabeth Holmes, Theranos, and the Future of VC (Feat. Elizabeth Lopatto)Today Bennett and Cas are lucky enough to have the opportunity to discuss the Elizabeth Holmes trial with Elizabeth Lopatto, Deputy Editor of The Verge, who was present for the entirety of the trial.
Please read some of her eye-opening pieces written during and since the end of the trial here:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/5/22867505/elizabeth-holmes-guilty-fraud-investing
https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/9/22820995/elizabeth-holmes-theranos-trial-testimony-defense-abuse
Also worth listening to John Carreyrou's podcast, available here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-blood-the-final-chapter/id1575738174
2022-01-0746 minCrypto Critics' CornerCraig Steven Wright is a Crier and a Flawed (individual)Today Bennett and Cas talk about Craig Steven Wright, the self-proclaimed "Satoshi Nakamoto," and lawyer, doctor, ninja, and creator of Bitcoin Satoshi's Vision.
2022-01-0632 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe Silk Road, Bitcoin, and Ross (Feat. Nicholas Weaver)For the last episode of 2021 Bennett and Cas are joined by Nicholas Weaver (@ncweaver on Twitter) to discuss the history of the darknet marketplace The Silk Road, which was owned and operated by Ross Ulbricht, who is currently serving a double life sentence without parole, and its association with Bitcoin.
2021-12-3042 minCrypto Critics' CornerF*ck the SEC, all my friends hate the SECToday Bennett and Cas rant about the ineffectiveness of the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and its mostly failure fraught 87-year history.
2021-12-2324 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe World is a Ponzi Scheme, You just Live in ItBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about the history of Ponzi schemes, the definition of Ponzi schemes, and why they're both pretty tired of hearing everything described as a Ponzi scheme (hint: it's because most things aren't Ponzi schemes).
2021-12-1617 minCrypto Critics' CornerNFTs, the New Short Killer? No. Definitely Not.Today Bennett and Cas talk about an idea being passed around that NFTs or non-fungible tokens will ruin shorts and change the market forever.
The reality? No. Definitely not.
2021-12-0920 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe El Salvador Bitcoin - Volcano - Bitcoin City BondToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss a really interesting and weird idea: the El Salvador Bitcoin Volcano Bonds offered by El Salvador in collaboration with Tether, iFinex, and Blockstream.
2021-12-0221 minCrypto Critics' CornerStablecoins will Fork your Chain if they Want to ForkBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about the concept that maybe stablecoins play an intimate role in how successful a fork of a major cryptocurrency is or whether the cryptocurrency forks at all.
2021-11-1822 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe President's Working Group and Algo Stablecoin WoesIn today's episode Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the President's Working Group, which recently released a report on stablecoins, and the issues that the creator of TerraUSD (an algorithmic stablecoin) is facing.
2021-11-0724 minCrypto Critics' CornerTracking Tether and Working on Ethereum Layer 2 (with Daniel Goldman)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by a good friend and special guest Daniel Goldman, an engineer working on the Ethereum layer 2 solution called Arbitrum, but who is also a cryptocurrency critic. Daniel helped create a Twitter bot that allowed skeptics to follow any and all Tether prints for years, and without his work the chore of monitoring every large Tether print during the early days would've been an annoying errand.
2021-10-3051 minCrypto Critics' CornerDecentralization and Tribalism (featuring Oliver Beige)Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk with Oliver Beige, an engineer turned economist, who tell us whether decentralization is sustainable and how tribalism plays a role.
2021-10-2440 minCrypto Critics' CornerTaiwan and Tether (with Sam Reynolds)Today Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Blockworks author Sam Reynolds, a Taipei-based reporter, who discusses the early history of Tether in Taiwan and what can be implied by their issues with their early banking partners.
2021-10-1733 minCrypto Critics' CornerThe Pandora PapersBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about a huge investigative drop from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists: the Pandora Papers.
The leaks will help the public understand how the rich, famous, and politically connected are able to evade taxes and move money without anyone knowing.
If you'd like to read about the Papers yourself, please visit https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/
If you'd like to donate to the ICIJ, please visit https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=icij&installmentPeriod=monthly&amount=10&campaign=701f4000001A4kF
2021-10-1024 minCrypto Critics' CornerLiberty Reserve: the first stablecoinBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey review Liberty Reserve - the first stablecoin and the first stablecoin shutdown by US regulators.
2021-10-0323 minCrypto Critics' CornerEvergrande with David Z. MorrisBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined, once again, by David Z. Morris, the chief insights columnist at Coindesk, to discuss what's happening with Evergrande, why it matters for other regions and industries, and how the property market on the Chinese Mainland operates.
2021-09-2741 minCrypto Critics' CornerCryptocurrency Lending is Too Good to BelieveToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey explore the incredible interest rates offered by centralized cryptocurrency lenders, how they likely make their money, and whether or not any of them are "risk-free."
2021-09-1322 minCrypto Critics' CornerRemembering Fraud: WorldComBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey reflect on a fraud that began in the 1980s and ended when the Dot-Com Bubble burst: WorldCom. Are there applicable comparisons to cryptocurrency and securities markets of today? (Hint: Yes.)
2021-09-0622 minCrypto Critics' CornerC.R.E.A.M. Cumberland Rules Everything Around MeBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the history and importance of DRW/Cumerbland Global, one of the top liquidity providers in the cryptocurrency space, and speculate on the influence the company exerts on the industry.
2021-08-3026 minCrypto Critics' CornerBinance: the Tai Chi DocumentToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey talk about the Binance Tai Chi document (which you can read about here https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeldelcastillo/2020/10/29/leaked-tai-chi-document-reveals-binances-elaborate-scheme-to-evade-bitcoin-regulators/?sh=6dbafb302a92).
This was recorded *before* Binance introduced full-KYC (know-your-customer) practices, but highlights previous issues with Binance, Binance US, and other Binance affiliated companies.
If you're interested in the book by Evan Ratliff that we mention, it can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mastermind-Drugs-Empire-Murder-Betrayal/dp/0399590412
2021-08-2126 minCrypto Critics' CornerBitcoinBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the history, function, positives, negatives, flaws, and potential benefits of Bitcoin.
2021-08-0920 minCrypto Critics' CornerAlgorithmic stablecoins and regulation, Part II featuring Frances CoppolaThe second part of the two-part discussion with Frances Coppola. On this episode, Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey ask about algorithmic stablecoins, overcollateralized stablecoins, regulation, and historical precedent for pegged-currency failures.
2021-08-0523 minCrypto Critics' CornerInflation, deflation, and stablecoins with Frances Coppola (Part I)Frances Coppola - "infamous" nocoiner and author - joins Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey to teach everyone a thing or two about inflation, deflation, hyperinflation, and stablecoin regulation.
2021-08-0225 minCrypto Critics' CornerCrypto Charity - where you donate to random people making promises and get nothing in returnToday's episode is guest-less! Just Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discussing how particularly egregious cryptocurrency-based charities tend to be. Examples include Jacob Kostecki, Binance's Pink Care Token, and Deltec Cares.
2021-07-3016 minCrypto Critics' CornerFrom Skeptic to Believer: Preston Byrne on the cryptocurrency ecosystemLawyer Preston Byrne joins Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey for a wide-ranging discussion that goes from his own crypto journey (of skeptic to believer) to regulatory and legal risks for stablecoin operators.
Visit his Twitter to see more from Preston https://twitter.com/prestonjbyrne
2021-07-2641 minCrypto Critics' CornerStablecoins, CBDCs, and the STABLE Act with Rohan GreyBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by Assistant Professor of Law at Willamette University and one of the authors of the STABLE Act, Rohan Grey. We discuss how stablecoins operate, what he hopes to see from CBDCs and the problems he sees in all kinds of new(er) money markets.
Find him on Twitter @rohangrey
2021-07-2140 minCrypto Critics' CornerRevisiting Enron with David Z. MorrisToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey are joined by David Z. Morris to discuss what happened at Enron, the ramifications of its downfall, and how the climate during Enron relates to today.
If you'd like to hear more from David visit his website http://www.davidzmorris.com/
his twitter profile https://twitter.com/davidzmorris
or subscribe to his substack http://davidzmorris.substack.com
2021-07-1944 minCrypto Critics' CornerBehold the Brash Bunk from Bitfinex and BinanceToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss Cas' trip to Hong Kong in search of the ethereal Bitfinex headquarters, how and why exchanges continue to try to get away with existing nowhere, and what it means for consumers.
2021-07-1218 minCrypto Critics' CornerBitClout is Bad with David CanellisToday Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey bring on David Canellis, the director of news at Protos Media (https://protos.com) and long time journalist covering cryptocurrency and fintech, to discuss the "decentralized" social media platform BitClout.
We'll talk about its odd origin story, why David thinks it's probably destined to fail, and why it reminds us of so many other projects that never made it out of the 2017/2018 cryptocurrency bullrun.
2021-07-0541 minCrypto Critics' CornerRegulatory Capture and Regulatory Arbitrage: Sleeping with your EnemyIn this episode Bennett and Cas discuss the concepts of regulatory capture and regulatory arbitrage - systemic problems that aren't unique to any particular industry, but have helped dissolve public trust of regulators and enriched some of the worst companies and individuals.
2021-06-3014 minCrypto Critics' CornerEl Salvador and BitcoinBennett and Cas try to discuss an intensely complex and controversial topic: what Bitcoin being declared legal tender in El Salvador will mean for the small, Central American country.
2021-06-2820 minCrypto Critics' CornerThis one weird trick will stop you from ever having a bank run!! (never let anyone redeem)In this episode, Bennett and Cas discuss the confusing concept of what a "Tether redemption" would look like: an ever-shifting definition built on a stablecoin with an ever-shifting definition of what 1-1 backed by traditional fiat currency means.
Though we haven't seen an actual Tether redemption shown on Twitter, or otherwise, for the world to see, we look forward to someone coming forward with one shortly!
2021-06-2119 minCrypto Critics' CornerShillfluencers (and the unspoken financial epidemic)In this episode Bennett and Cas discuss what's being termed "shillfluencers," or influencers, celebrities, and other individuals with wealth and power, who use their "influence" to "shill" their investments. There's plenty of people - including billionaires (Elon) and has-beens (Soulja Boy) - who continue to take advantage of their ability to manipulate markets, to the point where it feels like a societal sickness.
But will there be consequences?
2021-06-1416 minCrypto Critics' CornerCoinbase Media and why Venture Capitalism Hates JournalismBennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss how Coinbase plans on creating a media company to confirm its own version of the facts and report its own version of the truth. Is journalism entering its final death spiral or are VC bros just losing their minds?
Read more here:
https://protos.com/coinbase-crypto-exchange-media-content-marketing-journalism/
https://bennettftomlin.com/2021/05/31/a-rant-about-coinbase-media-and-coinbase-fact-checking/
2021-06-0714 minCrypto Critics' CornerQuadrigaCX: the Canadian cryptocurrency exchange that just won't dieBennett and Cas dive into what happened at QuadrigaCX - once the largest Canadian Bitcoin exchange.
If you'd like to read a more detailed piece you can find "Death Fraud" here:
https://medium.com/coinmonks/death-fraud-6920cc93d0a7
2021-06-0114 minCrypto Critics' CornerTwo Pie Charts and a $60 billion StablecoinToday Bennett Tomlin and I go over the recent disclosure by Tether of the make up of its reserves.
If you'd like to read more, please visit:
"For Every $1 in Tether there are $0.03 in Cash"
https://bennettftomlin.com/2021/05/13/for-every-1-of-tether-there-are-0-03-in-cash/
or
"Inside the Great Pie Chart giving Tether its dollar value"
https://protos.com/tether-pie-chart-usdt-dollar-pegged-crypto-stablecoin-dollar-value/
2021-05-1519 minCrypto Critics' CornerZhao Dong: A SummaryThis episode, unfortunately, is absent Bennett. Quick summary of why Zhao Dong ended up being sentenced to prison time in China.
If you'd like to read more:
https://protos.com/renrenbit-zhao-dong-bitcoin-billionaire-pleaded-guilty-money-laundering/
https://medium.com/coinmonks/another-usecase-bites-the-dust-e64ba9b95c6
https://medium.com/coinmonks/zhao-dong-still-matters-heres-why-cff29d6089fd
https://thecaspiancey.medium.com/zhao-dong-the-final-word-e3417eea12f
2021-05-1311 minCrypto Critics' CornerTether Q&AAfter going through the history and red flags behind Tether and Bitfinex, Bennett Tomlin and I go through some questions from the listeners.
2021-04-1636 minCrypto Critics' CornerTether: A Stable Discussion Part IIIn this part of our discussion, Bennett Tomlin and I go over the later problems Bitfinex and Tether encountered, why the New York Attorney General filed an injunction, and what the settlement between iFinex and the NYAG means for the companies and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
2021-03-0940 minCrypto Critics' CornerTether: A Stable DiscussionIn this recorded conversation, Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss the early history of Bitfinex and Tether and why Tether has outpaced Bitfinex as a growing concern.
Another discussion concerning the NYAG settlement and ongoing skepticism will be addressed in the next conversation.
2021-03-0440 min