From Bitcoin to Index Funds: The New Era of Crypto Access

What does “investing in crypto” actually mean, and how do we make it feel less like rocket science?Host Nathan Jeffay chats with Ryan Rasmussen, head of research at Bitwise Asset Management, about how crypto is finally becoming accessible to mainstream investors. They unpack the tools, funds and strategies that make digital assets look less like magic internet money and more like a legitimate asset class.Rasmussen breaks down index funds for crypto, explains why Bitcoin under the mattress isn’t enough and how staking (even with the mess of US rules) lets people put skin in the game.From regulatory shifts to wrapped Bitcoin, this one’s all about building smarter bridges between traditional finance and the future of money. No jargon. No hype. Just straight talk from people who think about crypto all day, so you don’t have to. Produced by Tonal Media. (00:00) Welcome and mission of the podcast(01:36) Meet Ryan Rasmussen from Bitwise(02:25) What does investing in crypto actually mean?(05:47) S&P 500 analogy for crypto investing(07:17) How institutional investment fuels crypto ecosystems (12:29) Regulatory shifts and the institutional surge(14:10) What is staking, and why does it matter?(15:28) The regulatory maze of staking in the US(17:57) Learning paths and resources for crypto investorsFollow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.Follow StarkWare on X @StarkWareLtdCheck out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.Check out StarkWare at https://starkware.co/ If you like what you heard, rate us and leave a review!The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.