Bell Curve

Hosted by Blockworks

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354

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Bell Curve breaks down the most important themes in crypto for people who, like us, are confined to the middle of the bell curve. Each season explores a different thesis that we'll test and refine through debate with crypto's best. If you're a crypto native, degen or investooor, this podcast is for you. Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ Join the Bell Curve Telegram group: https://t.me/+nzyxAvQ0Xxc3YTEx

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June 12, 202628 min

Blockworks Acquires Messari

In this special episode, Blockworks announces its acquisition of Messari and unpacks what it means for crypto’s next phase. Michael and Jason explore why Messari’s breadth of data, APIs, and research complement Blockworks’ deep on-chain analytics, investor relations, and disclosure products. They also address crypto’s trust problem, the need for standardized data and disclosures, and how Blockworks aims to become the trusted data layer connecting issuers, investors, exchanges, regulators, and AI agents in on-chain markets. Learn more: https://blockworks.com/insights/blockworks-acquires-messari Follow Blockworks on X: https://x.com/Blockworks Follow Messari on X: https://x.com/MessariCrypto Follow Michael on X: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_ Follow Jason on X: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz

June 12, 20261 hr 13 min

Inflection Point Cross-Post: Crypto Is Forcing Traditional Finance To Upgrade

The institutions are coming, but not where most crypto investors expect. As Wall Street adopts blockchain technology, the biggest opportunities may be shifting from Bitcoin itself to the infrastructure, applications, and market structures reshaping finance. This week, we discuss the arrival of perpetual futures in the U.S., the stablecoin battle with traditional banks, and why crypto is increasingly forcing legacy financial institutions to adapt. We also explore Coinbase and Deribit, Hyperliquid’s regulatory path, the debate over tokenized deposits, Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin strategy, and whether macro risks could keep markets under pressure. Enjoy! TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (02:43) Where Institutions See Opportunity (11:31) Stablecoins vs Tokenized Deposits (26:55) Perps Finally Come Onshore (32:58) Are Perps Futures Or Swaps? (44:28) Coinbase Opens The Offshore Door (51:30) Can Strategy Actually Sell Bitcoin? (01:04:23) Is The Bitcoin Bottom In? (01:08:41) Will The Fed Hike Again? FOLLOW THE SHOW › Inflection Point – https://x.com/BWInflection › Marc – https://x.com/marcarjoon › Matt – https://x.com/Matt_Hougan › David – https://x.com/dlawant › Michael – https://x.com/marcryptonio › Blockworks – https://x.com/Blockworks EVENTS › Join us at Digital Asset Summit 2026 Asia October 7th & Digital Asset 2026 London November 10-11th https://blockworks.com/events DISCLAIMER Nothing said on Inflection Point is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only. Any views expressed are opinions, not financial advice. Hosts and guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

June 5, 202635 min

NEAR Is Betting Everything On AI Agents | Roundup

This week, Mippo, and Xavier sat down to discuss emerging optimism in crypto, NEAR's recent momentum, agent adoption timing, privacy use cases, competitive positioning, and long-term outlook. Thanks for tuning in! Resources Venice Usage: https://x.com/KyleSamani/status/2060498893444354270?s=20 – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps (00:000 Introduction (00:57) Optimism For Crypto (05:47) Thoughts on NEAR (11:31) Token Value Accrual (15:18) NEAR’s Agent Adoption (18:15) The Value of Privacy (22:57) NEAR’s Focus Problem (26:06) Sovereign Agents (30:23) Agents Onchain —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

May 29, 202647 min

Is Crypto Broken? | Roundup

This week, Mippo, Myles, and Xavier sat down to discuss whether crypto's current slump reflects genuine stagnation or healthy maturation. They also unpack AI's near-term impact on DeFi security, the shifting VC fundraising bar, stablecoins reshaping crypto’s original thesis, and the US embracing onchain finance. Thanks for tuning in! Resources David Hoffman: Why I Sold My ETH: https://x.com/TrustlessState/status/2059371247163613489?s=20 OpenZeppelin Co-Founder on DeFi Security: https://x.com/maraoz/status/2059413451265441990?s=20 – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (02:40) Outlook on Crypto (10:22) Stablecoins Hurt L1s (15:47) The VC Bar Has Been Raised (20:17) Where’s the Creativity? (26:06) Crypto Needs More Coinbases (32:33) Crypto’s Maturation Phase (45:36) Closing Comments —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

May 22, 202633 min

Can Ethereum Still Win? | Roundup

This week, Mippo, and Myles sat down to discuss the recent talent exodus from the Ethereum Foundation, and Ethereum's declining market share against Solana and Hyperliquid. They debate the revenue meta, Dankrad Feist’s proposal for an economically aligned organization, leadership tensions, and more. Thanks for tuning in! – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (02:31) ETH Foundation Talent Exodus (10:57) Saving Ethereum (15:00) Can ETH Win Without Price Appreciation? (19:41) Building on Ethereum (28:53) Ethereum’s Two Paths (32:29) Closing Comments —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

May 15, 202656 min

Circle’s Arc: Bull & Bear Cases | Roundup

This week, Mippo, Myles, and Xavier sat down to discuss Circle's new Arc L1. They cover Arc's competition with Ethereum, Tempo, and Canton, token-versus-equity tensions, fee-based value accrual, US crypto momentum, and more. Thanks for tuning in! Resources Call your Senator: https://www.standwithcrypto.org/ Senate Banking Committee Passes CLARITY: https://x.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/2054968501861851383?s=20 Circle’s Arc: https://x.com/arc/status/2053852639943852178?s=20 – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:24) US Crypto Dominance (07:30) Circle’s Arc L1 (15:34) Leveraging USDC’s Distribution (21:14) Token vs Equity Tension (29:54) Where Does Value Come From? (40:50) Arc vs Tempo (47:32) Arc & Circle’s Challenge (50:35) Arc’s Sleeper Bull Case —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed

May 8, 202640 min

Can Neobanks Break Traditional Banking? | Roundup

This week, Mippo, Myles, and Xavier sat down to discuss Stripe Sessions, the merging of fintech and crypto, Tempo's role in agentic commerce, where AI agents will land onchain, sector-specific blockchains, and the rise of stablecoin neobanks. Thanks for tuning in! Resources Xave’s Thoughts on Stripe Sessions: https://x.com/0xave/status/2050211034338640091?s=20 Stripe’s Link: https://x.com/link/status/2049529099933348041?s=20 – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:22) Inside Stripe Sessions (09:21) The Two Sides of Crypto (13:46) The Funding Horse Race (17:57) AIs Impact on Crypto (26:43) Sector Specific Chains (29:20) The Neobank Opportunity —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

May 1, 202646 min

Why Investable Tokens Need Real Disclosures | Roundup

This week, Mippo, Myles, and Xavier sat down to discuss Blockworks' Token Transparency Framework, exploring why founder accountability and disclosure standards matter now, the relationship between regulatory clarity and token classification, token versus equity value accrual, optimal token launch timing, exchange listing incentives, protocol security, and the potential for onchain, real-time disclosures. Thanks for tuning in! Resources Vlad Tenev on Boring Earnings Calls: https://x.com/sourceryy/status/2049208276873581054?s=20 – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:30) The Token Transparency Framework (08:10) Why Disclosures, Why Now? (18:18) Token vs Equity Value Accrual (21:33) When Should You Launch a Token? (34:24) Protocol Security as a Differentiator (39:18) Future of Onchain Disclosures —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

April 26, 202655 min

What Brings Capital Back to DeFi? | Roundup

This week, Mippo, Myles, and Xavier sat down to discuss the brutal month for DeFi, North Korea's growing role in exploits, counterparty risk and curator models, the security-versus-speed tradeoff, and DeFi's path forward through stablecoins, agents, and fintech distribution. Thanks for tuning in! – Follow Myles: https://x.com/MylesOneil Follow Xavier: https://x.com/0xave Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (00:32) A Month of DeFi Disasters (05:44) Why Are Hacks Accelerating? (09:53) Lending Models Today (17:22) What Brings Capital Back to DeFi? (24:28) The Overhang From Mythos (28:44) Institutionalization of Crypto (38:51) The Money Legos Thesis (49:15) Closing Comments —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

April 24, 202655 min

Can DeFi Bounce Back? | Sam MacPherson & monetsupply

This week, we’re joined by monetsupply and Sam MacPherson to unpack the rsETH exploit, DeFi’s sentiment crisis, risk models, and Bitcoin's looming Q-Day decision around Satoshi's wallet. Thanks for tuning in! – Follow Sam: https://x.com/hexonaut Follow monetsupply: https://x.com/MonetSupply Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH —- Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (01:07) The rsETH Exploit (12:04) DeFi’s Sentiment Crisis (20:22) Risk Within DeFi (32:15) TradFi vs DeFi Tradeoffs (40:46) Q-Day & Satoshi’s Wallet —-- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Xavier, Myles, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.