Best Breaking Banks The 1 Global Fintech Podcasts (2025)

1
The Chopping Block: Tornado Cash on Trial, Crypto Privacy in Crisis, and Robert’s LQR House Takeover - Ep. 880 56:19

3h ago56:19

56:19

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, things get personal as Haseeb and Tom break their silence on the DOJ’s shocking threat to criminally charge Dragonfly over its early investment in Tornado Cash. With Roman Storm’…

1
In Q2 Earnings, MSTR Surges, and Coinbase Stumbles. But What's Next? - Ep. 879 51:39

1h ago51:39

51:39

Strategy posted a record $10 billion in net income. Coinbase missed estimates and stock dropped. But analysts say both tell a deeper story about how crypto companies are adapting. It’s earnings season in crypto—and the stories couldn’t be more different. Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) just posted $10 billion in net income, boosted by Bitcoin’s p…

1
10 Years In, Here's Why Aave's Founder Isn’t Done Betting on Ethereum - Ep. 878 1:15:26

4h ago1:15:26

1:15:26

Ethereum just turned 10, and Stani Kulechov, founder of Aave, one of the earliest and most influential lending protocols in DeFi, is more bullish on the OG layer 1 blockchain than ever. In this wide-ranging interview, he reflects on Ethereum’s resilience, explains why Aave is still laser-focused on it despite the rise of competitors like Solana, an…

1
As Ethereum Turns 10, Where Is the Foundation Focused Next? - Ep. 877 1:19:53

8h ago1:19:53

1:19:53

Subscribe to the new Bits + Bips channels! 📺 YouTube 🎧 Podcast → Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Fountain🐦 X / Twitter Ethereum turned 10 on Wednesday, capping off a decade of trials and travails — but also triumphs. After years of being the heart of crypto’s onchain economy, Ethereum stalled last year, losing mindshare and market share to B…

1
Happy 15th Dodd Frank! 1:01:30

3d ago1:01:30

1:01:30

In This Episode Today we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Dodd-Frank! Tune in as Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes), Kiah Haslett (writer and former banking and fintech editor at Bank Director), and Dara Tarkowski (Tech on Reg host and Partner at Actuate Law) join host Jason Henrichs. They dive deep into Dodd-Frank, discussing its successes and shortcom…

1
Bits + Bips: ETH Makes a Comeback While Crypto’s Animal Spirits Revive - Ep. 876 1:23:53

4d ago1:23:53

1:23:53

What’s fueling crypto’s market surge? This week on Bits + Bips, Ethereum’s rally has reignited market energy, triggering fresh questions about the return of alt season, and whether Bitcoin’s dominance will continue to fall. With special guests Katalin Tischhauser from Sygnum Bank and Wintermute’s Jake Ostrovskis, we dive deep into how corporate tre…

1
The Price of PUMP Is at Its Lowest Since the ICO. Will It Recover? - Ep. 875 1:11:57

6d ago1:11:57

1:11:57

Pump raised $600 million in 12 minutes. Then the token crashed… and sentiment with it. In this episode, Delphi’s Yan Liberman, Jason Pagoulatos, and Simon Smockey unpack what really happened, from the lack of investor lockups to the underwhelming post-ICO communication, and what Pump must do now to win back the market. We also get into whether the …

1
The Chopping Block: The Clarity Act, Stablecoins, and a $120K Bitcoin Boom - Ep. 874 1:07:30

7d ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew is joined by special guest Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal Officer at Jito Labs, to unpack the biggest legislative week in crypto history. The Clarity Act, Genius Act, and A…

1
Smarter Lending: Expanding Credit Access and Improving Risk Decisioning at Scale 49:56

8d ago49:56

49:56

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, join us as we explore how real-time data is helping lenders understand financial behaviors beyond traditional credit scores, as Plaid, the largest financial data network, and Experian, a leading data technology company join forces via their new partnership. Listen as Michelle Young, Credit Product Lead a…

1
Bits + Bips: Stablecoins Just Went Legit, but That’s Only the First Step - Ep. 873 1:02:51

9d ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Last week, the U.S. passed its first major piece of crypto legislation. Stablecoins now have a legal home, and that could open the floodgates for adoption, disruption, and regulation. But is this just the beginning? In this episode of Bits + Bips, Ram Ahluwalia, Noelle Acheson, Steve Ehrlich, and guest Cosmo Jiang of Pantera dive into what the stab…

1
Udi Wertheimer on Why Bitcoin Could Reach $400,000 by Year's End - Ep. 872 54:19

9d ago54:19

54:19

Bitcoin is up over 25% year-to-date, but what if this is still the beginning? Udi Wertheimer joins the show to share a thesis that’s grabbing attention across crypto: that we’re entering a generational Bitcoin rotation, where old holders are out, new institutional buyers are in, and price targets like $400K may arrive faster than anyone expects. He…

1
The U.S. Finally Has Stablecoin Legislation. Can Crypto Compete With Banks? - Ep. 871 42:25

13d ago42:25

42:25

After years of hostility toward crypto, the U.S. passed its first-ever federal law regarding the industry. The GENIUS Act, stablecoin legislation backed by both parties, was signed by President Trump’s desk after a last-minute showdown in Congress. Despite being seen as a sure thing, the bill’s path turned turbulent this week, with objections from …

1
The Chopping Block: Pump, Perps, and Policy: Crypto’s Multi-Front Bull Market - Ep. 870 55:12

14d ago55:12

55:12

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the crew breaks down the return of the ICO — but with a twist. Pump.fun’s $500 million token sale sells out in 12 minutes, sparking a heated debate about forward markets, new mar…

1
Is Open Banking Dying—or Just Growing Up? 52:56

17d ago52:56

52:56

In This Episode JPMorgan Chase has fired the first shot, announcing their plan to charge fintechs what some are calling exorbitant fees for access to customer data. It has the potential to shake the foundations of the open banking movement in the U.S. At the same time, the Section 1033 rule itself is under assault in the courts, and the future of c…

1
Bits + Bips: Who Wins If the GENIUS Act Passes, and Is Bitcoin’s Rally Over? - Ep. 869 1:16:02

16d ago1:16:02

1:16:02

Bitcoin broke its all-time high. Meanwhile, stablecoin legislation is about to pass. And the macro picture is a powder keg. In this episode of Bits + Bips, Steve Ehrlich, Ram Ahluwalia, and Noelle Acheson are joined by Austin Campbell to break down what’s really driving markets, and what could break them. From the GENIUS Act reshaping stablecoins t…

1
Pump.fun Just Raised $600M. What Does This Mean for DeFi, Solana & Social Media? - Ep. 868 1:05:48

16d ago1:05:48

1:05:48

The weeks leading up to Pump.fun’s ICO were contentious: accusations that it was extractive, debates over decentralization, and outrage over allocations. In the end, the company pulled off the third-largest ICO in crypto history, raising $600 million in 12 minutes. The day of, Solana barely flinched under the load, and onchain platforms like Hyperl…

1
The Chopping Block: Paul Grewal on Regulation, Tokenization, and Crypto’s Next Legal Frontier – Ep 867 42:22

20d ago42:22

42:22

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. In this episode, the gang is joined by Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, for a wide-ranging conversation on crypto’s next big frontier: tokenized stocks. From Robinhood’s controversia…

1
Why Phantom Is Launching Perps + Why Bit Digital Ditched BTC for ETH - Ep. 866 1:13:33

21d ago1:13:33

1:13:33

In the first half of this dual episode, Phantom co-founder Brandon Millman joins Unchained to break down why his Solana-first wallet is launching perpetual swaps, and why it chose to integrate with Hyperliquid over any Solana-native option. Then, Bit Digital’s Sam Tabar explains why the public company ditched its profitable Bitcoin mining business,…

1
Fintech Tribute: Her Song Lives On 43:42

24d ago43:42

43:42

In This Episode In June we lost a pillar of our community, Barb MacLean, a brilliant fintech mind and a beloved colleague. A guest turned co-host on Breaking Banks and an invaluable member of Alloy Labs. She was truly special, she never hesitated to pay it forward or to speak truth, albeit in the most polite Canadian way, whether on podcasts or the…

1
Bits + Bips: DATs Are Crypto's Biggest Trend. So Why Aren't They Boosting Markets? - Ep. 865 1:20:20

23d ago1:20:20

1:20:20

In this episode of Bits + Bips, we examine how rising global trade tensions could impact macro conditions, the Fed’s next move, and market stability. We also explore how investors should position themselves with inflation cooling and an uncertain policy path at the Fed. We then look at what’s happening on the crypto side: volume shifting to tokeniz…

1
Coinbase and Robinhood Are Converging, but Who Wins the Onchain Fintech War? - Ep. 864 1:25:39

23d ago1:25:39

1:25:39

The race to bring users onchain is heating up, but the competitors couldn’t be more different. Coinbase, a crypto-native giant with deep infrastructure and institutional partnerships, is going head-to-head with Robinhood, a retail-focused fintech now making aggressive moves into tokenized assets and blockchain rails. Their visions overlap (tokenize…

1
Why Arbitrum Won Over Robinhood + A $59 Million Polymarket Controversy - Ep. 863 1:14:21

28d ago1:14:21

1:14:21

Today, we’ve got two very different stories in one episode. First, Steven Goldfeder, co-founder of Offchain Labs, joins Unchained to explain why Robinhood is rebuilding its product on the Arbitrum tech stack, what it says about crypto’s evolution, and how this could finally bridge Web2 and Web3. Then, Calvin Hamilton breaks down the bizarre $59 mil…

1
The Chopping Block: Robinhood’s Tokenized-Stock Gambit, Solana’s ETF Splash & the Proof-of-Stake Reality Check - Ep. 862 1:12:07

1M ago1:12:07

1:12:07

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we’re joined by Jon Charbonneau and Ryan Watkins to unpack the bombshell news of Robinhood Chain—an Arbitrum-based network debuting tokenized U.S. stocks, 3× crypto perps, and that hea…

1
Bits + Bips: Why Crypto's Next Step Is Perps, Tokenized Stocks and Altcoin ETFs - Ep. 861 1:16:28

30d ago1:16:28

1:16:28

Crypto is bleeding into traditional finance faster than anyone expected. In this episode of Bits + Bips, the hosts dig into Robinhood’s move into tokenized stocks and perps, what’s actually holding back tokenized equities, and why perps might “eat the world.” Plus, they talk crypto ETFs, altcoin summer, and whether staking in ETFs is the next big u…

1
Does Lido's Dual Governance Now Make It the Safest Place to Stake ETH? - Ep. 860 57:41

1M ago57:41

57:41

Fill out our short Unchained survey and earn a chance to win a FREE one-year subscription to Bits + Bips Premium 😏 ------------------------------------------------- Lido just rolled out one of the most ambitious governance overhauls in DeFi: a dual governance system designed to give power back to stakers—and make it harder for malicious proposals t…

1
How Texas Got Bipartisan Support to Buy $10 Million Worth of Bitcoin - Ep. 859 55:39

1M ago55:39

55:39

Win a free one-year subscription to Bits + Bips Premium by completing our survey! The state of Texas just passed a law that creates a $10 million strategic Bitcoin reserve. Laura talks to Lee Bratcher, president of the Texas Blockchain Council, who helped drive this new law. He explains how bipartisan support made it possible, why this might be the…

1
Battling Fraud in Fintech: How Banks and Fintechs can Stay Ahead 40:38

1M ago40:38

40:38

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, we feature our sister podcast, Social Currency, powered by Sunrise Banks. Social Currency introduces us to some of the most innovative changemakers in finance, technology, and social impact—leaders who are dismantling barriers and reshaping their industries for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainabl…

1
CLOB Battles, Disclosure Fights, and the Meme-ification of Circle – The Chopping Block - Ep. 858 51:48

1M ago51:48

51:48

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we’re joined by Vlad, the leverage legend behind Lighter, a zk-powered DEX taking aim at Hyperliquid in the rising CLOB wars. We unpack the new Token Transparency Framework from Blockw…

1
Bits + Bips: Bitcoin Brushes Off Another War & Will Powell Relent on Rates? - Ep. 857 1:05:15

1M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

As tensions flare between Iran and Israel, investors are watching oil, gold, and, of course, crypto. In this episode of Bits + Bips, the panel digs into the market response to war risk, the chances the Fed will actually cut rates, and how Circle’s IPO is being treated more like a meme stock than a fintech play. Plus: Why Scaramucci says we’re all l…

1
Crypto and Fintech Are Colliding. Who Wins, and How? - Ep. 856 1:18:58

1M ago1:18:58

1:18:58

Take the Unchained 2025 survey! unchainedcrypto.com/survey ------- Cross-border payments. Mobile money. Stablecoins. Crypto. Elizabeth Rossiello has lived through every cycle, not from a trading desk, but the front lines of African markets. Now, the founder of AZA Finance is selling her company to global fintech giant dLocal, a signal that the line…

1
Why JPMorgan and Shopify Are Rolling Out New Products on Ethereum Layer 2 Base - Ep. 855 44:44

1M ago44:44

44:44

On Tuesday, JPMorgan announced that its blockchain unit is launching JPMD, a USD deposit token for institutional clients, on Base. That’s right: the world’s biggest bank by assets and the 12th largest company by market cap is putting real dollars onchain. JPMD isn’t quite a stablecoin, but it’s close. It represents actual dollar deposits at JPMorga…

1
Toxic Flow, Cancel Wars, and the Unstoppable Rise of Onchain Perps – The Chopping Block - Ep. 854 1:08:05

1M ago1:08:05

1:08:05

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we’re joined by Hyperliquid founder Jeff Yan, the quiet powerhouse behind DeFi’s fastest-growing exchange. With 75% of onchain perp volume, no VC money, and a $1B airdrop, Hyperliquid …

1
Fintech FMK: Hot Takes on the Regulatory Wild West 41:05

1M ago41:05

41:05

In This Episode Live from the main stage at American Banker’s Digital Banking 2025, this high-energy episode of Breaking Banks brings the regulatory heat. Host Jason Henrichs is joined by Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Dara Tarkowski (Actuate Law) for unfiltered, rapid-fire takes on the most urgent—and divisive—issues shaping digital finance regu…

1
Bits + Bips: Why Tron’s IPO Matters & How Crypto Exchanges Will Win - Ep. 853 1:08:41

1M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

In this week’s episode of Bits + Bips, the panel digs into why Tron’s rumored IPO is more than a headline, what Wall Street’s quiet shift into stablecoins signals, and how exchanges are racing to control token flow, even as regulation hangs in the balance. They also explore: What the Israel–Iran conflict means for global markets, oil prices, and cr…

1
Arthur Hayes and Hanson Birringer on Hyperliquid’s Success (And What Could Stop It) - Ep. 852 1:20:38

1M ago1:20:38

1:20:38

Hyperliquid is one of the most talked-about platforms in crypto right now. It’s an onchain perpetuals exchange that sidestepped VCs, built a deeply loyal user base, and launched with transparency most rivals avoid. But it’s also staring down some massive challenges—from incoming competitors like Coinbase and Robinhood, to the technical hurdles of d…

1
A Soon-to-Be $2 Trillion Stablecoin Market? Stripe, Shopify and Banks Want In - Ep. 851 48:16

2M ago48:16

48:16

Stablecoins are having a moment. From Stripe’s acquisition of crypto wallet startup Privy, to Shopify integrating USDC, to Plasma raising $500 million for its stablecoin-optimized sidechain, stablecoins are having a moment. And at the center of it all is Circle, which had one of the most successful IPOs in decades. But what’s really happening under…

1
Breaking Borders: Africa’s Digital Leap and the Future of Global Payments 26:17

2M ago26:17

26:17

This week we bring you more insights from Cape Town South Africa as we continue to explore some great startups on the African continent and beyond from Crossfin’s Circle of Fintech event. In our first segment, Brett speaks with Karl Westvig, CEO of TymeBank South Africa. Since receiving its banking license in South Africa in 2019, TymeBank has grow…

1
The Rise of Public Crypto, ICOs Make a Comeback, and Coinbase Wins Again – The Chopping Block - Ep. 850 55:59

2M ago55:59

55:59

Welcome to The Chopping Block – where crypto insiders Haseeb Qureshi, Tom Schmidt, Tarun Chitra, and Robert Leshner chop it up about the latest in crypto. This week, we’re joined by a special guest: Laura Shin, host of Unchained! The crew unpacks Circle’s explosive IPO, Tether’s threat to exit the U.S., and the meme-stock logic powering the rise of…

1
Bits + Bips: Elon vs. Trump, Bitcoin Supply Shock Brewing, Circle’s Wild Valuation - Ep. 849 1:08:12

2M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

This week on Bits + Bips, the panel tackles the biggest themes driving crypto: Circle’s triumphant IPO, ETH’s institutional tailwinds, and the fast-shrinking Bitcoin supply on exchanges. Plus, what Gemini’s IPO ambitions tell us about the state of exchanges, and whether Ram’s call for a BTC breakout is about to hit. Also on the docket: Is Circle re…

1
Jeff Park on Why Owning 1 Bitcoin Is Young People's American Dream - Ep. 848 1:10:16

2M ago1:10:16

1:10:16

In part 2 of Jeff Park’s interview with Unchained, he describes ways that both everyday investors and the U.S. government can use various crypto assets to come out on top as old models and strategies become outdated. He reveals the three personal stories that led him to develop his radical portfolio theory, puts himself in the shoes of Treasury Sec…

1
Africa’s Fintech Revolution: Mobile Money, Soft POS, and the Next Billion 34:08

2M ago34:08

34:08

In This Episode This week’s episode of Breaking Banks brings you insights from Cape Town, South Africa, and the Circle of Fintech event hosted by Crossfin. Africa accounts for a remarkable 70% of mobile money accounts globally, and over the past decade, fintech and mobile money have brought 1.1 billion Sub-Saharan Africans into the formal financial…

1
Pump.fun’s $1 Billion ICO Has Caused Controversy. Can It Succeed? - Ep. 847 57:20

2M ago57:20

57:20

On Tuesday, a pseudonymous X account claimed that Pump.fun, Solana’s breakout memecoin launchpad, would raise $1 billion via an ICO at a $4 billion valuation. The potential deal? Multiple CEX listings, a 10% community airdrop, and maybe even a launch by the end of the month. The community reaction? Not great. In this episode, Syncracy Capital’s Rya…

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