Episode Details

Hosts:

• RA George (Blockchain DXB)
• Markose Chentittha (Oort Foundation + Society X)

Episode Overview:
Join us for this week's Unfiltered Chat, where we dive into the most pressing topics in crypto, blockchain, and AI. This episode features a detailed discussion on CPI numbers, inflation, crypto market updates, regulatory insights, and groundbreaking industry developments.

1. CPI Numbers & Inflation

• Inflation increased to 2.9%, slightly higher than the expected 2.8%.
• Consumer prices show upward momentum, triggering discussions on potential Fed interest rate reductions.
• Analogy: The economy, like a weak patient, may need another dose of medicine (interest rate cuts). Will this happen on January 29 or in February?

2. Gary Gensler’s Exit Interview

• Advocated for Bitcoin as fundamentally strong, contrasting with sentiment-driven "shitcoins."
• Acknowledged broader SEC responsibilities like ESG, climate change, and DEI policies.
• Discussed the SEC's partial win in the Coinbase lawsuit and the lack of clear crypto regulations.

3. Ripple & SEC: The Trump and Obama Years

• Former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton sued Ripple, labeling XRP a security.
• Under Obama, the CFTC classified Bitcoin as a commodity in 2015.
• Should the CFTC take charge of crypto regulation?

4. Tether’s Relocation to El Salvador

• Tether aligns with El Salvador's Bitcoin-centric economy for innovation and operational flexibility.
• Is launching a UAE Dirham-backed stablecoin a good idea for expats? We explore its potential impact on expat communities from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

5. BlackRock Insights

• Bitcoin adoption is faster than mobile phones and the internet, achieving 300 million users in just 12 years.
• Blockchain DXB’s take: Compare Bitcoin adoption with rapid-growth metrics like ChatGPT, Threads, and TikTok for a balanced perspective.

6. Crypto Market Update

• DApps volume analysis from DappRadar shows mixed results. Raydium numbers are puzzling.
• Stablecoin volumes surged before CPI numbers, signaling increased crypto activity without selling pressure.
• Key Advice: Track stablecoin volumes and 24-hour trading volumes to gauge market trends.

7. Updates from Markose & RA George

• Markose: Oort Foundation’s upcoming Twitter Spaces and developments.
• RA George: Relai and DAMAC Group interviews on AI, tokenization, and more.

• Inflation Data: BLS CPI Numbers
• Gary Gensler’s Exit Interview: CNBC Video
• BlackRock Market Insights: Insights Publication
• DApp Statistics: DappRadar Rankings

Podcast Closing Notes
We appreciate our listeners for tuning into this week's Unfiltered Chat. Don’t forget to follow Blockchain DXB and Society X for more updates on crypto, blockchain, and AI!

To support this channel:

https://www.patreon.com/BlockchainDXB

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