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Artwork for Unchained

Unchained

Laura Shin
Bitcoin
Ethereum
Defi
Quantum Computing
Prediction Markets
Clarity Act
Artificial Intelligence
Iran
Openai
Ethereum Foundation
Cryptocurrency
CFTC
Solana
Hyperliquid
Aave
Kalshi
Regulation
Tokenization
Coinbase
Zcash

Crypto assets and blockchain technology are about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity to the Internet of Things. In this podcast, host Laura Shin, an independent journalist covering all things crypto, talks with industry pioneers about how crypto assets and blockchains will change the way we earn, spend and invest our money. Tune in to find ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1270Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for Unchained

Latest Episodes

Ran Neuner argues crypto has finally found product-market fit, and a BlackRock report on AI agents and blockchain rails convinced him the thesis may be much bigger than he thought.

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Thank you ... more

Kalshi's ETH perp did half a billion in volume on $3 million in open interest. Kain and Taylor lay out why that isn't necessarily wash trading. Plus, Austin joins as co-host.

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Thank you to our... more

📢 Bits + Bips has its own channel now — full episodes here: www.youtube.com/@Bitsandbips

• Quick favor: We're deciding what Unchained does next; new shows, stream times, what's worth paying for. Our listener survey takes five minutes, it'... more

Zcash and NEAR are both ripping this week, and Illia Polosukhin and Mert Mumtaz say privacy is the reason why. Is this how the “Bitcoin DeFi” vision comes true?

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Thank you to our sponsor!

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Recent Guests

Brett Redfearn
President of Securitize
Securitize
Episode: Should Stock Tokens Be Limited to KYC'd Users? Or Be Tradeable by Anyone?
Paul Erlanger
Co-founder of FOMO
FOMO
Episode: The Chopping Block: FOMO's Co-Founder Defends the Memecoin Trenches, Hunter Biden's $LAPTOP, and AMC vs Robinhood
Albert Castellana
Co-founder and CEO of GenLayer Labs
GenLayer Labs
Episode: How GenLayer Is Building a Court System for Disputes Between AI Agents
Cathy Yoon
Temporal (guest panelist)
Temporal
Episode: Why the Question Over How to Regulate Perps Has Turned Into a Fight
Jake Chervinsky
Hyperliquid Policy Center
Hyperliquid Policy Center
Episode: Why the Question Over How to Regulate Perps Has Turned Into a Fight
Tiffany Smith
WilmerHale
WilmerHale
Episode: Why the Question Over How to Regulate Perps Has Turned Into a Fight
Cory Klippsten
Founder and CEO of Swan
Swan
Episode: How Cory Klippsten Would Decide How to Secure Bitcoin Post-Coldcard
Alex Cutler
CEO and co-founder of Dromos Labs
Dromos Labs
Episode: How Tokenized Stocks Could Undercut Interactive Brokers' 77% Profit Margin
Peter Van Valkenburgh
Executive director of Coin Center
Coin Center
Episode: Treasury Puts DeFi On Notice as Roman Storm Trial Drags On

Host

Laura Shin
Lead host; investigative journalist covering crypto and blockchain.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Biased

    Biased reporting just chases hype brings on guests that spew nonsense u can skip this one

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    the_Night_King
    United States4 months ago
  • Unchained is my favourite crypto-first podcast channel, so many great podcasters in this excellent network; love Laura's in-depth interviews, the VCs' perspective on The Chopping Block and the builders take on Uneasy Money.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ATangy
    7 months ago
  • During a time of crisis, I came across what I thought was a legitimate charity online. They had a professional-looking website, emotional stories, and even testimonials from supposed donors. They claimed the funds were being used to support families in need, and it really tugged at my heart. I made a donation, then another, and soon after they kept reaching out with urgent appeals. Every message made me feel like I was directly helping vulnerable people, so I gave more than I could really afford... more

    Podchaser
    5
    gutmannaiden6
    a year ago
  • I've been investing for years, both in traditional markets and in crypto. I always considered myself smart enough to spot red flags, but the truth is, even experienced investors can fall victim to the right scam. That's exactly what happened to me. The platform I dealt with looked professional in every way. They had a sleek website, convincing support staff, and even showed me trading dashboards that looked legitimate. I tested them with a smaller deposit and was even able to withdraw at first. ... more

    Podchaser
    5
    hunkmuller0
    a year ago
  • Great show

    Unchained has kept its integrity much better than some others in the space. I love the roundtable format. Generally very high-quality discussion with much food for thought.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kfixbwhdisa
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-caliber guests and sharp questioning drive thoughtful crypto discourse.
Listener feedback highlights timely topics and practical relevance for professionals and investors.
Audience values rigorous, non-hype coverage with credible insights into crypto policy and security.
Roundtable format is praised for depth, though some listeners find it dense.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Cory Klippsten Would Decide How to Secure Bitcoin Post-Coldcard
Q: After all these cycles, how do you think about how to price Bitcoin, how to forecast where the price is going? Do you have certain metrics you track? What's your whole hypothesis around that?
The guest argues that trying to predict Bitcoin's price with historical data is misleading; models can fit past data but do not predict future moves. He emphasizes understanding Bitcoin itself, buying what you understand, and using risk-managed decisions rather than relying on cycle-based forecasts or complex models. He promotes a mental framework anchored in Bitcoin's enduring properties and long-term value, rather than short-term price predictions.
Sam MacPherson on Why Spark Benefited So Much From the KelpDAO Hack
Q: Why did Spark exit RS ETH before the KelpDAO attack, and what does this reveal about the decision process?
Spark exited RS ETH as part of a proactive risk reduction strategy; it was off-boarded from efficiency mode and not exposed to high-leverage looping. The process shows a disciplined risk management approach where assets are continually evaluated, and actions require governance vetting to ensure alignment with risk policies.
Sam MacPherson on Why Spark Benefited So Much From the KelpDAO Hack
Q: How does governance handle time-sensitive or imminent threats, and what emergency measures exist?
There are emergency multi-sigs and time-locked processes for fast, but controlled, protocol changes. In true emergencies, expedited emergency processes can implement changes within a day or two, but normally off-boarding follows a month-long governance cycle with risk council reviews and snapshots for voter approval.
Sam MacPherson on Why Spark Benefited So Much From the KelpDAO Hack
Q: What metrics or protocols does Phoenix Labs use to identify risks in DeFi before an asset is onboarded or off-boarded?
Phoenix Labs continuously monitors liquidity, usage, and risk exposure across assets, applying a conservative risk framework that favors off-boarding assets with low or waning usage to minimize scale risk, and employing a staged governance process before any on- or off-boarding decisions.
I Went Undercover to Interview a North Korean Crypto Hacker
Q: What was your experience with OpenSea's C port protocol, and how would you handle security in a marketplace for physical goods?
He admits not knowing the C port protocol initially but then pulls up documentation and analyzes it in real time, showing preparedness and deep technical capability.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Unchained

What is Unchained about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive into crypto policy, security, and markets featuring technical analyses and governance questions surrounding blockchain issuance, DeFi risk, and regulatory developments. Episodes frequently center on Ethereum economics, privateering and cyber operations, AI in crypto, hardware wallet vulnerabilities, and the governance challenges facing fast-moving crypto firms. Guests range from technologists and policy experts to founders and investors, creating a mix of rigorous critique, real-world case studies, and practical implications for builders, institutions, and traders. The show often surfaces nuanced debates about security budgets, centralization risks, and the balance between innovation and consumer protection, making it a valuable... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Unchained:

1. Bankless
2. Empire
3. On The Brink with Castle Island
4. CoinDesk Podcast Network
5. The DeFi Report

How many episodes of Unchained are there?

Unchained launched 10 years ago and published 1270 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Unchained?

Recent guests on Unchained include:

1. Brett Redfearn
2. Paul Erlanger
3. Albert Castellana
4. Cathy Yoon
5. Jake Chervinsky
6. Tiffany Smith
7. Cory Klippsten
8. Alex Cutler

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