EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 58 MIN
In an AI Agent World, Do Money Markets Win Over Stablecoins? - Bits + Bips
from Unchained · host Laura Shin
USDC became Hyperliquid's stablecoin infrastructure, and the 30-year broke 5% for the first time since 2008. Austin, Ram, Chris, and Gordon Liao of Circle work through who wins. --- Thank you to our sponsor! Coinbase One: Get 20% off the first year of your Coinbase One annual plan at coinbase.com/unchained. Heads up! If you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe to Bits + Bips, since the show will migrate there in a few weeks. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, X, Unchained and wherever you get your podcasts. ---- Coinbase and Circle have moved into Hyperliquid, installing USDC as its aligned quote asset and taking over treasury and technical deployment. For Gordon Liao, Circle's Chief Economist and Head of Research, that is a liquidity supernova. For Chris Perkins, it is the moment every TVL-trapping platform was always going to arrive at. Meanwhile, the CLARITY Act has cleared the Senate Banking Committee on a bipartisan vote, but the ethics question — whether Democrats will vote for a bill that leaves Trump's family holdings untouched — remains unresolved. And as Kevin Warsh is confirmed as Fed chair, the 30-year yield breaks 5% for the first time since 2008. Hosts: Austin Campbell (@austincampbell) — Founder, Zero Knowledge Consulting; Adjunct Professor, NYU Stern Ram Ahluwalia, Co-Host, CEO of Lumida Chris Perkins, Co-Host, CEO of 250 Digital Asset Management Guest: Gordon Liao | Master of Coin, Circle Timestamps 🚀 00:00 Introduction 🟡 01:17 Why Coinbase and Circle moved into Hyperliquid and how every TVL trap will monetize its float 🌊 07:14 Gordon: USDC on Hyperliquid is a 'liquidity supernova' 🧑⚖️ 12:29 Even though Elon Musk lost, Ram explains why Sam Altman is still a villain 🏃 18:21 Where value will really accrue in the AI race ⛓️💳 24:48 Whether agents will use blockchain rails or just credit cards 🤖 30:59 Why Chris thinks money market funds might win out over stablecoins among AI agents 🏛️ 36:11 CLARITY clears Senate Banking — what's still blocking 60 votes 🧨 41:27 Why Austin thinks the ethics fight is the one problem with no clean answer 📈 46:01 Why, after Warsh's confirmation, the 30-year cleared 5% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
USDC became Hyperliquid's stablecoin infrastructure, and the 30-year broke 5% for the first time since 2008. Austin, Ram, Chris, and Gordon Liao of Circle work through who wins. --- Thank you to our sponsor! Coinbase One: Get 20% off the first year of your Coinbase One annual plan at coinbase.com/unchained. Heads up! If you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe to Bits + Bips, since the show will migrate there in a few weeks. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, X, Unchained and wherever you get your podcasts. ---- Coinbase and Circle have moved into Hyperliquid, installing USDC as its aligned quote asset and taking over treasury and technical deployment. For Gordon Liao, Circle's Chief Economist and Head of Research, that is a liquidity supernova. For Chris Perkins, it is the moment every TVL-trapping platform was always going to arrive at. Meanwhile, the CLARITY Act has cleared the Senate Banking Committee on a bipartisan vote, but the ethics question — whether Democrats will vote for a bill that leaves Trump's family holdings untouched — remains unresolved. And as Kevin Warsh is confirmed as Fed chair, the 30-year yield breaks 5% for the first time since 2008. Hosts: Austin Campbell (@austincampbell) — Founder, Zero Knowledge Consulting; Adjunct Professor, NYU Stern Ram Ahluwalia, Co-Host, CEO of Lumida Chris Perkins, Co-Host, CEO of 250 Digital Asset Management Guest: Gordon Liao | Master of Coin, Circle Timestamps 🚀 00:00 Introduction 🟡 01:17 Why Coinbase and Circle moved into Hyperliquid and how every TVL trap will monetize its float 🌊 07:14 Gordon: USDC on Hyperliquid is a 'liquidity supernova' 🧑⚖️ 12:29 Even though Elon Musk lost, Ram explains why Sam Altman is still a villain 🏃 18:21 Where value will really accrue in the AI race ⛓️💳 24:48 Whether agents will use blockchain rails or just credit cards 🤖 30:59 Why Chris thinks money market funds might win out over stablecoins among AI agents 🏛️ 36:11 CLARITY clears Senate Banking — what's still blocking 60 votes 🧨 41:27 Why Austin thinks the ethics fight is the one problem with no clean answer 📈 46:01 Why, after Warsh's confirmation, the 30-year cleared 5% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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In an AI Agent World, Do Money Markets Win Over Stablecoins? - Bits + Bips
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