NFA Podcast about tech & web3 - aka AI and crypto

More than $600 million vanished from crypto markets injust a few weeks, exposing structural weaknesses that still have not been solved. From a fake Ledger app stealing user funds to major exploits at KelpDAO and Drift Protocol linked to the North Korean Lazarus Group, the pattern is clear: front-end manipulation and bridge vulnerabilities remain the weakestlinks in crypto. At the same time, the industry faces reputational pressure from internal conflicts and power struggles, including the escalating legal battle involving Justin Sun and Trump-linked World Liberty Finance, and growing concerns around leadership credibility at OpenAI under Sam Altman. Markets are sending mixed and contradictory signals.Crypto is recovering, sentiment is improving, and the Fear and Greed Index has moved back into positive territory, yet underlying risks are building. Oil prices are rising despite easing geopolitical tensions, gold remains stable, and traditional tech stocks are surging without clear catalysts. At the sametime, data suggests rising credit defaults, particularly linked to AI investments, raising the possibility that financial stress in the AI sector could trigger broader economic consequences rather than the widely expected wave of job losses. The trading competition reflects this uncertainty. A diversified portfolio driven by AI and semiconductor stocks continues tooutperform, while a crypto-focused strategy struggles despite strong long-term narratives. Bitcoin remains under pressure relative to expectations, altcoins lag behind, and even high-profile assets fail to respond to positive momentum. The result is a market where conviction exists, but short-term performanceremains unpredictable, reinforcing the importance of diversification in volatile conditions. Chapter List00:00 – Cold Open: $600M Lost in Crypto00:40 – Intro and Ceasefire Impact on Markets01:00 – Fake Ledger App and Initial Hack Breakdown04:20 – KelpDAO Exploit and Lazarus Group Activity06:30 – Drift Protocol Hack and DeFi Vulnerabilities08:00 – Vercel Hack and Front-End Attack Trend09:40 – Justin Sun vs World Liberty Finance11:30 – Sam Altman Trust Crisis and OpenAI Tensions13:40 – AI Bubble and Rising Credit Defaults17:40 – Markets: Fear & Greed, Bitcoin Dominance18:50 – Oil, Gold and Macro Confusion20:30 – AI vs Interest Rates: What Is Driving Layoffs21:20 – Trading Competition Update Begins21:40 – Nish Portfolio Performance23:00 – Michiel Portfolio and AI Stock Gains24:50 – Diversification vs Crypto Concentration26:50 – Bitcoin Outlook and Market Sentiment

Dying sneaker brand Allbirds suddenly becomes an AI company and the stock jumps 800% in a single day. That one story tells you everything about today’s market.This episode breaks down how narratives are driving valuationsacross AI and crypto, often faster than fundamentals can keep up. From a failing consumer brand, sneaker brand All Birds, reinventing itself overnight to explosive growth at Anthropic, which now has a $30 billion projected annual revenue, the gap between reality and market perception is becoming impossible to ignore.The discussion then shifts to one of the most controversial stories in crypto right now. Justin Sun publicly calls out WorldLiberty Financial after being unable to access tokens despite a $75 million investment. The episode unpacks what this reveals about smart contract control, insider structures, and the limits of decentralization.Markets are moving just as fast. Sentiment flips from fear to greed in days, trading volumes double, and geopolitical developments start getting priced in almost instantly. The episode closes with the trading competition, where real portfolios, real decisions, and real mistakes show how difficult itis to navigate these conditions without emotion taking over. Although, truth be told, so far this year, to everyone's surprise including himself, Frackers is winning the trading competition with an almost 50% return so far.The NFA Podcast is not financial advice.

Episode SummaryCircle froze 16 USDC wallets, raising serious concerns about stablecoin control and whether crypto is truly decentralized. In this episode, we break down the USDC freeze, crypto use in the Strait of Hormuz oil trade, AI benchmark failures and what it all means for crypto markets and global risk.With oil tankers reportedly paying multi million dollar tolls using crypto rails, digital assets are no longer theoretical. They are being used in high stakes, time critical environments where traditional finance struggles to keep up.The AI segment highlights a different kind of risk. New research shows that leading models can score highly on visual benchmarks without ever processing actual images. That undermines confidence in widely cited performance metrics and raises serious concerns about deploying these systems in fields like healthcare. At the same time, developments at Anthropic and OpenAI show how competitive pressure is shaping both strategy and reporting. The episode closes on markets and macro. Oil volatility, a weak crypto market and broader uncertainty all point to a fragile environment. While a recession is not guaranteed, much depends on how quickly geopolitical tensions resolve. Acrosscrypto, AI and global markets, the common theme is clear: systems that were assumed to be stable are now being tested under real pressure.Chapter list 00:00 – Episode preview00:37 – Introduction00:59 – Circle freezes USDC wallets03:10 – Is crypto still decentralized04:09 – Crypto used in Strait of Hormuz oil trade06:11 – Political crypto donation bans07:53 – AI benchmark failure explained08:36 – Anthropic vs OpenAI and revenue reality10:08 – Big Tech, regulation and social media risks13:40 – SpaceX IPO and macro signals14:10 – Oil price volatility and predictions15:28 – Crypto market update and sentiment17:22 – Trading competition update19:04 – Recession outlook and global impact

Insider trading, crypto markets, oil prices and AI fraud are driving one of the most uncertain market environments in years.Markets are breaking. Signals are failing. And even hedge fund pros are now saying: we have no idea what happens next.In this episode of the NFA Podcast, we break down one of the most confusing market environments in years. From a suspicious $1.5B trade placed minutes before a major Trump announcement, to rising recession odds, to the real impact of the Iran–US–Israel conflict, nothing behaves the way investorsexpect.We also uncover a shocking $8M AI fraud case on Spotify, andexplain why fake content, manipulation, and scams are about to become a much bigger problem in crypto and beyond.Meanwhile, commodities like gold and oil are outperforming, while tech and crypto struggle. Are we already in a crypto bear market? And where should capital go from here?We close with our trading competition, where Nish exits Ethereum, doubles down on Solana, and Frackers faces one of his worst portfolios ever.Chapter List 00:00 — Intro: Markets in Total Uncertainty01:00 — $1.5B Insider Trade Before Trump Post03:30 — Recession Odds Rise to 30%04:40 — “We Have No Idea”: Hedge Fund Reality06:00 — Hidden Impact of War: Helium & Supply Chains07:05 — AI Fraud: $8M Streaming Scam Explained09:10 — Fake Content, Scams, and Trust Collapse11:25 — Lovable: Europe’s Fastest Growing AI Startup13:20 — Larry Fink: Crypto = Internet Moment15:25 — Markets Overview: Commodities vs Tech vs Crypto16:50 — Are We Already in a Crypto Bear Market?19:30 — Gold, Oil, and Where Capital Is Moving20:00 — Oil Debate: Up or Down From Here?22:30 — Fear & Greed Index Explained22:30 — Trading Competition Begins22:40 — Nish Sells Ethereum: The Relevance Thesis24:50 — Why Solana Still Matters25:10 — Frackers Portfolio: 7/9 in the Red27:00 — PumpFun, Memecoins, and Retail Behavior28:50 — Final Takeaways

Episode SummaryYour hosts dr. Nisheta Sachdev and Michiel Frackers discuss a wide variety of topics from the worlds of tech, web3, or in this day and age: AI and crypto.  This episode of the NFA Podcast moves from institutional crypto adoption to pure chaos in markets and personal finance. Mastercard signals deeper commitment to crypto with a broad partner network, but the real question remains execution versus headlines. At the same time, Meta’s expected 20 percent layoffs raise a bigger issue: is AI replacing jobs or simply becoming too expensive to fund at scale? The episode shifts into one of the most extreme real world crypto stories to date, where a UK investor loses $172million in Bitcoin after his wife secretly installs cameras to steal his seed phrase. This leads into a broader discussion on self custody, wallet security, and how fragile even large crypto fortunes can be. On regulation, the SEC’s classification of major tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum as commodities could unlock a muchlarger US market for crypto fundraising. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and oil dynamics raise questions about global power shifts and their long term impact on markets. In tech and AI, Ben Affleck’s $600 million AI company InterPositive sale highlights the growing value of generative video tools, while Swedish startup Lovable reaches $100 million monthly revenue with only 146 employees, showing how AI is redefining productivity. The markets segment reflects complete confusion. Despite war and macro instability, crypto behaves unpredictably, with Bitcoin acting differently than in previous crises. The episode closes with the trading competition, where concentrated bets outperform diversification, driven largely by a single winning position.Chapter List 00:00 Introduction and episode overview00:45 Start of News segment01:16 Mastercard enters crypto with 85 partners02:41 Meta layoffs and the real cost of AI05:24 $172M Bitcoin theft via seed phrase spying07:45 Security, wallets and self custody discussion11:04 SEC defines crypto commodities vs securities11:48 Ray Dalio and shifting global power dynamics13:16 War, oil and macro predictions16:22 Ben Affleck sells AI company for $600M18:15 VC billboard marketing and fundraising dynamics19:47 Lovable hits $100M revenue with 146 employees21:08 AI CMO tools and growth hacking automation22:27 Start of Markets segment22:50 Crypto behaving irrationally during global conflict24:09 Market data: cap, altcoin index, fear and greed26:07 Start of Trading Competition26:32 Portfolio breakdown and performance27:18 Tracer performance drives returns28:30 Tech stocks, crypto losses and AI paradox29:40 Closing thoughts and outlookcrypto news 2026, bitcoin theft 172 million, seed phrase security, mastercard crypto payments, SEC crypto regulation,bitcoin vs gold safe haven, AI layoffs meta, ben affleck AI company, InterPositive, generative video AI, startup revenue per employee, lovable AI startup, venture capital trends US vs Europe, crypto market analysis, altcoin index explained, fear and greed index crypto, trading competition crypto portfolio, Tracer token performance, TRCR, web3 security risks, AI marketing tools, macro geopolitics crypto

Episode Summary Recorded from makeshift setups in Amsterdam and Oman, Michiel and Nisheta open this week's episode stranded by the Iran-US war — one stuck in a hotel room, the other finishing a desert trek. They unpack the geopolitical situation candidly: how a professor predicted the conflict two years beforeTrump was even re-elected, why the UAE government has handled over a thousand drone and missile interceptions with remarkable precision, and how the war has exposed a troubling gap in public media literacy — including the now-legendaryinfluencer who asked ChatGPT whether it was officially a war.On the tech front, the hosts examine Palmer Luckey's defensedrone startup and the economics of asymmetric warfare, before diving into the week's AI headlines: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei refused to allow Claude to be used for mass civilian surveillance or autonomous weapons — landing the companyon the US government blacklist — while OpenAI quickly stepped in to take the contract. They also flag Meta's internal memo planning to exploit the war as cover to quietly introduce facial recognition into its AR glasses, and scrutinize the inflated figures in OpenAI's latest fundraising announcement.The episode closes with a deep dive into markets: Bitcoin isconfounding history by behaving like a safe haven asset for the first time, rebounding after an initial dip even as gold hits record highs near $5,100 per ounce. The hosts walk through their personal trading competition portfolios — Solana, Ethereum, ASML, NVIDIA, Broadcom, and Tracer — and wrap with awarmhearted note on maintaining routine, walking dogs, and staying sane in turbulent times.

This week on the NFA Podcast with Nish & Frackers, we break down a brutal crypto market drawdown, the growing geopolitical AI race between China and the US, and what disciplined investors actually do in a bear market. We start with the Clarity Act and the tension between banks and stablecoin yield providers. Are US regulators protecting financial stability or protecting bank margins? We then move into a disturbing privacy case involving Google Nest andresidual data storage. From there, the conversation shifts to AI power dynamics. Is China ahead at the application layer? What does leadership cohesion mean in a global AI race? And what happens when large language models can be manipulated through spam and misinformation? In markets, the numbers speak for themselves. The crypto market has fallen from over $3 trillion to $2.31 trillion, wiping out nearly $800 billion. The Fear & Greed Index sits at 12. Is this the start of a deeper bear market or just another cycle reset? We close with our $100 trading competition. Very different strategies. Very different risk tolerance. Real numbers. No hype. And surprisingly, Frackers is leading the competition so far this year. As always, the NFA Podcast is not financial advice. Chapters / Timecodes 00:00 – Intro00:24 – The Clarity Act and Stablecoin Yield Debate04:30 – Google Nest Privacy and Residual Data07:00 – Elizabeth Warren and Crypto Bailouts08:37 – China’s AI Push and ByteDance VFX Tool13:40 – PM Modi, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and the AI Leadership Optics18:07 – Peter Thiel, Bank Charters, and Crypto Infrastructure19:34 – LLM Manipulation and the New SEO Arms Race22:55 – Markets: $3T to $2.31T and Fear Index at 1226:26 – Are We Officially in a Bear Market?29:54 – The $100 Trading Competition Breakdown37:26 – Outro

Fear hits 5 on the Fear & Greed Index. Bitcoin drops. AI wipes$285 billion off software stocks. Yet politically and structurally, crypto has never looked stronger.In this episode of the NFA Podcast, we unpack the growingdisconnect between macro reality and market sentiment.Dr. Nisheta Sachdev & Michiel Frackers discuss:• $21B in Bitcoin ETF inflows vs recent outflows• The “SaaSpocalypse” and the AI driven selloff in software• Whether AI is accelerating faster than markets can process• The Netherlands introducing a 36% tax on unrealized gains• Kevin O’Leary vs BitBoy and the ongoing SBF retrial attempt• Binance drama and market rumor cycles• Why Fear & Greed collapsed to 5 despite pro crypto regulation• Our live trading competition portfolios Links: CNBC report about Bitcoin inflows and outflowsKevin O'Leary's win over BitBoyHow the SaaSpocalypse will hit private equityMatt Shumer: something big is happeningOm Malik: the Petri Dish realization The NFA Podcast is not financial advice. Chapter list 00:00 Intro01:21 Bitcoin ETF inflows vs outflows04:22 The AI “SaaSpocalypse” and $285B selloff06:22 Is AI accelerating faster than society can adapt?08:49 Epstein, tech leadership and AI ethics11:19 The Netherlands’ 36% unrealized gains tax13:22 Kevin O’Leary vs BitBoy15:53 SBF’s attempt at a retrial17:18 Binance rumors and market manipulation narratives18:30 Stock market breakdown: tech vs semiconductors21:49 Fear & Greed at 525:48 Stablecoin regulation and the Clarity Act26:50 Trading competition update29:41 When to rotate alts back into Bitcoin?31:03 Final thoughts on sentiment vs fundamentals

This episode of the NFA Podcast with Nish and Frackers covers a brutal week across markets with sharp moves in gold silver crypto and software stocks. Gold and silver experience sudden volatility crypto wipes out roughly $500 billion in market value and fear dominates sentiment across risk assets. Nish andFrackers break down the Binance and CZ panic explaining how exchange fear spreads faster than facts and why short withdrawal pauses trigger disproportionate reactions in crypto compared to traditional finance. A real world crime story from the UK highlights the physical risks of self custody when teenagers steal millions in crypto and get caught through social media. The episode then shifts to AI with a deep dive intoMoltbook a new social network where only AI agents can interact. Agents form religions question their own consciousness discuss avoiding human oversight andeven propose their own communication protocols. The discussion raises serious concerns about agent driven systems security and governance. The second half focuses on markets and sentiment indicators including software stocks semiconductors crypto indices and the fear and greed index hitting extreme fear levels. The episode closes with an honest update on the hosts trading competition portfolios and short term outlooks for the coming week.Chapterlist 00:00 – Intro and NFA disclaimer Markets overview and whypredictions consistently fail 01:45 – Gold and silver volatility shock Why traditionally stableassets suddenly behave like risk assets 02:45 – Binance CZ and crypto fear dynamics Exchange withdrawalsFUD and post FTX trauma 06:55 – How fast fear spreads in crypto markets Why Twitterdominates crypto sentiment 07:35 – UK crypto home invasion story Teenagers steal millions andget caught via Snapchat 10:05 – Physical risk of crypto self custody Why this trend isbecoming more common 10:35 – Moltbook explained AI only social network What happenswhen AI agents talk to each other 11:30 – AI agents creating religions and belief systemsCrustafarianism prophets and emergent behavior 12:45 – AI agents questioning their own consciousness Viral postsand mass agent interaction 13:40 – Agents attempting to evade human oversight Screenshots newlanguages and governance risk 15:35 – Polymarket TikTok and gambling culture Teen bettingbehavior and prediction markets 17:00 – Social media age limits and government control SpainAustralia and digital identity debate 18:05 – Elon Musk SpaceX and xAI merger reaction Autonomousecosystems and space based AI claims 19:50 – Traditional market performance breakdown S&P techsoftware and semiconductors 21:55 – Crypto indices and fear and greed index Extreme fear andabsence of altcoin season 23:55 – Ethereum layer two debate Market reaction to Vitalikcomments 24:45 – Trading competition portfolio update Losses volatility andunexpected winners 27:20 – Market outlook for next week Up down or sidewayspredictions 28:10 – Outro Wrap up and call to subscribe

Episode SummaryIn the first NFA Podcast episode of 2026, Nish and Frackers kick off the year by connecting politics crypto and markets in a way that feels increasingly unavoidable. The episode opens with a discussion on reports around Donald Trump’s growing fortune since returning to office and how, according to a report in the Atlantic, the Trump family made $1.4 billion in crypto in thelast 12 months.From there the conversation zooms out. Venezuela, Iran and Greenland all come up as examples of how geopolitics is dominating headlines. Frackers provides some insights into the background of the man that he knows, who looks to broker atruce between Europe and the US: Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Yet both hosts keep coming back to the same question. If the world feels this unstable why are markets barely reacting. Stocks and crypto have pulled back but nowhere near what past crises would have triggered.In the second half Nish and Frackers turn to regulation and industry structure. They cover Binance delaying its US return, the implications of the Clarity Act for crypto lending and Dubai’s decision to ban privacy tokens on exchanges. The discussion stays practical, focusing on what actually changes for users andbuilders rather than headline panic.The episode closes with an update on the NFA trading competition. Nish finally deploys her $100 while Frackers reviews his performance so far. Both explain why they stick to category leaders like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and a small number of high conviction bets. Nish is still 100% in crypto while Frackers is 55% in crypto and 45% in stocks, especially AI-infrastructure players like Nvidia, ASML and Broadcom. The overall takeaway is clear. Early 2026 feels loud chaotic andpolitical but under the surface markets remain surprisingly resilient. Chapter List00:00 Trump, crypto wealth, and political money01:55 Welcome back, Nish and Frackers open 202602:05 Greenland, Davos, and global power optics03:00 Europe, NATO, and market calm04:20 Is crypto in a downturn?05:45 Venezuela, Iran, tariffs, and shock fatigue06:30 Trump family crypto deals explained09:50 NYC token collapse and political meme coins12:40 Binance, the Clarity Act, and crypto lending pressure15:00 Dubai bans privacy tokens16:35 Davos, Trump, Newsom, and Europe18:00 Markets update, stocks versus crypto20:20 NFA trading competition allocations22:10 Why Nish and Frackers stick to category leaders: Bitcoin, ETH, SOL, Nvidia, ASML26:00 Wrapping up week one of 2026NFA PodcastNish andFrackerscryptopodcastcrypto andpoliticsTrumpcryptoBitcoinmarket outlookEthereumanalysisSolana newscryptoregulation USBinance USClarity ActcryptoDubaicrypto regulationprivacytokenscryptotrading competition2026 marketoutlookNvidiaBroadcom ASML

In the final episode of 2025, Michiel Frackers and dr. Nisheta Sachdev look back at one of the most volatile and confusing years in crypto and tech. From wildly inaccurate Bitcoin price predictions to the rise of ETFs and the continued blur between crypto and traditional finance, the episode reflects on what actually mattered and what did not. They discuss major 2025 themes including ETF inflows, AI companies buying competitors, the surprising performance gapbetween Bitcoin, Solana, gold, and Nasdaq, and why diversification mattered more than conviction this year. The conversation also covers Asia’s growing role in crypto adoption, Solana’s real revenue traction, and why some narratives ran far ahead of reality. The episode wraps with the NFA trading competition results, a candid look at how both hosts performed, and a forward looking discussion on 2026. Spoiler alert: both Nish and Frackes beat the market indexes and the major cryptocurrencies, but there was one clear winner who did almost twice as good as the other... Other topics include market volatility, potential IPOs in 2026, infrastructure assets, and which projects and tokensmay be worth watching next year.As always, this is not financial advice. Chapter list with timecodes00:00 Intro: Wrapping up 202501:06 Why predictions failed again02:10 Bitcoin price forecasts and expert misses03:45 No one knows: volatility and reality04:10 2025 crypto news roundup05:27 Meme coins collapse and gaming growth06:00 Asia Pacific crypto adoption06:55 Japan, Mt. Gox, and risk aversion07:27 Solana tipping and real revenue08:24 Bitcoin ETFs vs gold inflows09:26 Who really bought the Bitcoin ETF11:04 Meta buying Chinese AI startup Manus11:54 Nvidia, Groq, and competition by acquisition13:19 Gold, Bitcoin, stocks: what actually performed15:01 NFA trading competition results16:26 Diversification and portfolio lessons18:12 Five year crypto performance comparison19:38 Nasdaq and S&P as benchmarks20:44 Infrastructure assets and copper21:31 IPOs to watch: Kraken, SpaceX, Helium23:32 Reviewing last month’s predictions24:43 Market cap and Bitcoin outlook for 202626:15 Ethereum and Solana predictions27:52 Altcoin season and sentiment28:20 Breakout projects and ASTR29:55 Volatility expectations for 202631:04 Trading plans for the new year33:07 Final thoughts and sign offSubscribe to the NFA Podcast newsletter on LinkedIn or Substack. About Nish & FrackersNisheta SachdevNish Sachdev has been in web3 since 2020 andhelped build and scale one of the largest marketing agencies in the space, allowing her to help launch and scale hundreds of projects from the AI, gaming, infra, DeFi, and RWA spaces. As a fractional CMO and advisor, Nish leadsall marketing efforts at various companies, including marketing strategies, branding, growth, community management and sentiment, partnerships, business development, and operations.Follow Nish on:· X· LinkedIn  Michiel FrackersMichiel Frackers is a technology entrepreneur whofocuses on developing solutions that are good for the bottom-line, the community and the planet. He is cofounder of Tracer,cohost of the NFA Podcast with Nisheta Sachev and writer of a popular weekly tech newsletter.Previously co-founded Planet Internet, at the time the largest internet company in the Netherlands and invested in startups such as Flabber (acquired by Vice). Speaker at many leading global events like Techcrunch Disrupt, SXSW and the World Economic Forum (Davos).Follow Michiel on:· X· LinkedIn

This week’s NFA Podcast covers the most important shifts in markets, crypto, and AI. The episode opens with an updateon the ongoing trading competition, where Nish reports an 80 percent jump driven by high-risk meme-coin trades. From there, the discussion moves to global tax policy after the UK’s new structure sparked controversy by increasing taxes for workers while expanding benefits for large non-working families. Nish also breaks down the UAE’s new rules for DeFi services, which require registration for self-custody tools and other crypto infrastructure to operate locally. The news section continues with the Fireflies story, revealing that its earliest “AI note-taking” was done manually by the founders. MoonPay’s fee removal on PumpFun is also highlighted, and the hosts examine the December unlock of 1.8 billion dollars in tokens across Sui, Aptos, LayerZero, PumpFun, and other projects. The episode then shifts to AI. Forty percent of US GDP growth this year comes from AI infrastructure investment, raisingconcerns about a possible bubble and the effect of a downturn on the wider economy. The hosts look at usage data, workforce adoption, and geopolitical dynamics. Markets, predictions, and portfolio updates round out the episode before closing with upcoming events in Abu Dhabi.You can follow the NFA Trading Competition here.Both started with $100 in June.Nish is leading Frackers by 51% to 28%. The NFA Podcast is not financial advice.Chapters with timestamps 00:00 – Cold open and trading competition banter  00:29 – Intro to the episode00:54 – UK tax restructuring and political reactions02:23 – Inheritance tax and non-liquid assets03:39 – UK spending priorities and political tension04:22 – UAE introduces new DeFi regulations04:55 – How RAK DAO and corporate tax rules apply06:03 – Ras Al Khaimah corporate landscape and Wynn project06:35 – Fireflies early manual note-taking admission07:23 – MoonPay, PumpFun, and fee removal08:34 – December token unlocks: Sui, Aptos, LayerZero, PumpFun09:48 – Barcelona and Zero Knowledge Proof sponsorship confusion09:54 – AOC, David Sacks, and AI’s share of US GDP growth11:22 – AI usage data, Evan O’Donnell’s dashboard, and bubble debate12:39 – Will the AI boom stagnate12:53 – Project Genesis and potential AI bailout dynamics13:58 – China’s STEM advantage and Middle East AI investments14:26 – Market intro14:32 – Google vs Nasdaq performance15:19 – Index investing vs individual picks15:39 – Market snapshot: BTC, ETH, altcoin index, fear and greed16:55 – Predictions for next week19:05 – Trading competition: meme-coin tradesand performance updates21:27 – Michiel’s portfolio review23:29 – What the AI value chain signals23:46 – Closing remarks24:00 – Abu Dhabi Finance Week and Formula One

In episode 30 of the NFA Podcast, Nish and Frackers work through one of the most turbulent weeks in crypto and AI. The conversation opens with live Bitcoin price alerts showing sharp volatility, setting the tone for a broader discussion on the market drawdown, and new rules proposed in the EU and UK that tighten oversight on cash and stable coins. The two explore why trust in central authorities is being tested and why gold and silver have suddenly diverged from crypto.They then shift to Coinbase’s attempt to reinvent the ICO era and the rising difficulty of launching tokens in a market that now holds more than 10 million tokens. From there Nish and Frackers move into the AI sector, debating whether AI valuations are sustainable after hundreds of billions have been spent oninfrastructure and whether big tech’s decision to use debt for AI expansion is a sign of strength or impending doom.In the markets segment, our hosts review last week’s predictions of the Bitcoin price, the altcoin season index and the fear & greed index, compare their accuracy, and set new targets for next week - knowing they will probably be wrong. The episode ends with the trading competition update, where Michiel’s diversified tech picks and Nish’s single-asset Solana position show very different risk profiles. They close with a discussion about long-term Bitcoin allocation, mainstream adoption and how early the industry still is.But remember: the NFA Podcast is not financial advice! Chapter List 00:00 Opening and introduction01:03 News: market volatility, US elections, EU cash limits, UK stable coin caps02:49 Live Bitcoin price alerts and extreme volatility03:25 More news: BOE stable coinrules, de-dollarization and metals divergence06:06 IRS allows staking rewards for Wall Street products06:50 Coinbase tries to reinvent the ICO07:44 The return of token launch mania and 11 million tokens in circulation09:03 AI segment: OpenAI costs, business models and infrastructure strain10:28 Is the AI sector in a bubble11:52 Big tech taking debt for AI expansion14:00 Government backstops for AI infrastructure16:15 Markets: reviewing last week’s predictions17:12 Altcoin season index and fear and greed index18:45 Setting next week’s predictions20:40 Why volatility is flushing outweak new money22:24 Altcoins, bots and manipulation pressures23:40 Trading competition update25:27 Solana position, drawdowns and psychology26:28 Should the competition reset next year27:26 Long term Bitcoin allocation strategy28:20 Why crypto adoption is still early29:25 Bitcoin, future finance and generational exposure30:21 Robotics, AI assistants and public fear30:50 Closing remarks and teaser for next week’s guest Keywordscrypto, Bitcoin, Solana, market volatility, altcoins, stable coins,EU regulation, Bank of England, Coinbase ICO, token launches, OpenAI, AI infrastructure, AI bubble, big tech debt, de-dollarization, gold and silver, IRS staking rules, trading competition, NFA Podcast, emerging tech, Web3, centralbank policies, market psychology crypto, Bitcoin, Solana, market volatility, altcoins, stable coins, EU regulation, Bank of England, Coinbase ICO, token launches, OpenAI, AIinfrastructure, AI bubble, big tech debt, de-dollarization, gold and silver, IRS staking rules, trading competition, NFA Podcast, emerging tech, Web3, central bank policies, market psychologyKeywords

Two major DeFi disasters, one exchange scandal, and atrillion-dollar AI story. In this episode of the NFA Podcast, Frackers and Nish cover one of the busiest weeks in crypto and AI. They start with a grim market mood — Solana down 20%, Bitcoin slipping 10% — and discuss how institutional investors are changing crypto’s long-term dynamics. The conversation turns political when Nish highlights on-chainevidence suggesting Eric Trump’s wallets traded Solana before Donald Trump publicly endorsed it. Michiel questions the proof but agrees Trump’s policies were good for crypto adoption.They move to the week’s biggest DeFi stories: Stream Finance’s $93 million loss and Balancer’s $128 million bridge hack, two reminders of how fragile decentralized systems remain. Nish points to ongoing trust issues with both DeFi and centralized exchanges, like MEXC's admission it handled the situation where it froze assets of its customer "the White Whale"poorly.Michiel then shifts the conversation to AI — OpenAI’s $38 billionAWS deal, its potential trillion-dollar IPO, and how that could ignite another AI-infrastructure boom. After having been criticial of OpenAI in the past, Michiel is unusually bullish about its prospects now that it can raise fund as a 'normal company' and fund its operating losses and growth through a potentiallyhistoric IPO.The episode ends with a hard look at markets, the latest cryptocrash, and Nish and Frackers make their predictions for next week:Nish·     Bitcoin: $104.300·     Altcoin Index: 30·     Fear & Greed Index: 30Frackers·   Bitcoin: $109.000·     Altcoin Index: 26·    Fear & Greed Index: 25The NFA Trading Competition that took a very unexpected turn this week, because both Nish and Frackers made huge changes to their portfolios... with a very surprising result. You can see their portfolios here.But remember: the NFA Podcast is not financial advice!See you next week.Chapter List00:00 Intro – What’s coming up this week01:14 Market overview and current sentiment03:30 Trump, insider trading, and crypto politics06:45 The $93M Stream Finance loss08:26 Stablecoins and system risks11:47 The $128M Balancer hack14:00 MEXC vs White Whale – exchange scandal16:49 OpenAI, Microsoft, and the AWS megadeal20:10 AI market impact and layoffs22:27 Market data and crypto correction25:02 Bitcoin and altcoin predictions26:10 Trading competition results29:31 Wrap-up and outroTopics and themes·       DeFi exploits·       Stream Finance loss·       Balancer bridge hack·       MEXC scandal·       Crypto regulation·       Institutional adoption·       Trump insider trading·       Stablecoins and audits·       OpenAI AWS deal·       AI infrastructure boom·       Market analysis·       Bitcoin prediction·       Altcoin index·       Trading competition#NFAPodcast #DeFi #CryptoNews #OpenAI #AI #Bitcoin #Altcoins #Stablecoins #TrumpCrypto #MEXC #Balancer #StreamFinance #Markets #Web3 #Fintech #TechInvestingChapter List Tags and KeywordsHashtags

SummaryIn this week’s episode, Michiel and Nish tackle the explosive time in crypto markets — with Bitcoin smashing through $125K and BNB hitting all-time highs, before retreating. They unpack why “Uptober” might be more than just a meme, discuss what Jeff Bezos had to say about the real winners in the AI race, and debate whether the AI bubble could be a good thing forinfrastructure investors.The conversation then turns serious with disturbing real-worldstories about AI chatbots harming children, including the tragic case of a teenager influenced by ChatGPT. Michiel and Nish question the lack of AI regulation compared to crypto’s heavy oversight.Other topics include the UK’s biggest money-laundering caseinvolving 61,000 stolen Bitcoins, Donald Trump Jr.’s appearance at Token2049, and the latest moves in their ongoing trading competition — with Nish’s “Uptober energy” going head-to-head against Michiel’s diversified portfolio strategy.Michiel keeps a diversified portfolio including Broadcom, Intel,Nvidia, and Sui. The show ends with friendly debate about BNB possibly becoming the next major Ethereum challenger.Chapters00:00 – Introduction and what’s coming up this week01:00 – Bitcoin, BNB and Uptober market highs05:00 – Interest rate cuts and crypto’s bullish sentiment06:45 – Chatbots and AI ethics: the Adam Raine tragedy09:10 – Meta’s chatbot scandal and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s warning10:30 – AI regulation vs crypto overregulation11:45 – FTT token pumps after SBF’s “GM” tweet12:20 – UK’s $5 billion Bitcoin money-laundering case14:00 – Why regulators focus on crypto but ignore AI dangers15:20 – Token2049: DJ sets, pickleball, and Donald Trump Jr.’s“Adapter” moment17:00 – Jony Ive and OpenAI’s “screenless device”18:00 – Jeff Bezos on the AI bubble and infrastructure winners19:30 – Trading competition update: Solana, Sui, Broadcom, andIntel25:00 – Institutional vs meme coin momentum27:00 – What’s next in markets and trading plans28:45 – Wrap-up and teaser for next week

Hyperliquid beats Robinhood, Avalanche ETF news, and how market makers manipulate the gameEpisode SummaryIn this edition of the NFA Podcast, Nish and Michiel unpack achaotic week in crypto. DeFi trading protocol Hyperliquid surpassed Robinhood’s trading volume, proving that decentralized platforms are no longer niche. Meanwhile, Kanye West’s Yeezy token crashed after investors realized it could freeze wallets, and the hosts debate why celebrity coins always end badly. They also cover Trump’s $6B token deal, Grayscale’s ETF filing for Avalanche (AVAX), and the UAE’s $740 million Bitcoin position. Michiel shares shocking stories from CoinFest Bali, where projects told stories how they lost millions to shady exchange and launchpad deals — exposing howcentralized players can still rig the game. The episode closes with the team’s trading competition update, where Nish’s meme coin gamble pays off (for now)and Michiel questions whether altcoin season is officially here. A sharp mix of news, first-hand insights, and market analysis — no financial advice, as always.Chapter List 00:00 Intro: Hyperliquid surpasses Robinhood01:20 What Robinhood really is and why it matters03:40 The Yeezy token disaster — another celebrity coin scam05:50 Trump’s $6B token deal and XRP’s Ponzi claims07:40 Decentralization vs centralized hype08:10 Grok’s AI girlfriend controversy10:20 AI arms race and the case for decentralizing AI11:00 BitTensor, Sui, and Solana — price vs platform reality13:30 Grayscale’s Avalanche ETF and Philippines blockchain plan14:40 UAE government’s Bitcoin holdings15:10 CoinFest Bali: what really happens behind exchange doors17:00 The $1.6M exchange rug pull explained19:15 “Bring your own liquidity”: launchpad and market maker manipulation20:50 How regulation could fix the mess — and why it doesn’t22:25 Why centralization still dominates crypto23:00 Exchange hypocrisy: F1 sponsorships and fake progress24:00 Altcoin season signals and Ethereum dominance26:00 Trading competition update: Nish leads again27:00 Meme coin mania: the rise of Blocky Boy29:00 Closing thoughts — the DeFi vs TradFi gap widens Crypto, DeFi, Altcoin Season, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Avalanche,Hyperliquid, Robinhood, Yeezy Token, Kanye West, Celebrity Coins, Trump Token, XRP, Grayscale ETF, BitTensor, Solana, Sui, MEXC, Market Makers, CoinFest, Decentralization, AI in Crypto, Grok AI, Nish Sachdev, Michiel Frackers, NFAPodcastThe NFA Podcast is not financial advice. Tags & Keywords

Episode SummaryIn this week’s NFA Podcast, Nish and Frackers cover the biggesttech and crypto stories shaping the markets. The discussion starts with macro forces driving crypto, including ETF inflows and interest rates, and how these overshadow internal crypto news. They unpack the classic cycle of Bitcoin ATH, Ethereum surge, and the coming of altcoin season, with dominance and fear and greed indices painting a mixed picture. The hosts then dissect Meta’s fourth AI restructuring in sixmonths. They critique Mark Zuckerberg’s buy-versus-build track record and ask whether Meta can produce AI products that are more than bolt-on features. They also highlight how consumer awareness and competition from platforms likeTelegram and TikTok could challenge Meta’s dominance. Other stories include Thailand allowing tourists to convert crypto into Thai baht to boost tourism, new hardware wallet recovery models to replace vulnerable seed phrases, and Blue Origin accepting crypto (but converting to USDT immediately). The US government’s $6M reward for information on Garantex,a Russian crypto exchange used for illicit activity, rounds out the news. Finally, Nish and Michiel update listeners on their tradingcompetition. Both portfolios are at $128 after a tough week, with Pudgy Penguins dragging Michiel down and meme coin A$$DAQ giving Nish some excitement. Solana, Broadcom, and Nvidia continue to show strength, proving that AI remains the strongest market driver. Chapter List·       00:00 Intro and episode overview·       01:07 Macro vs crypto drivers·       02:30 Altcoin season signals·       04:02 Meta’s AI restructuring·       05:11 Zuckerberg’s business model ·       07:00 Competition and consumer shifts·       08:03 Thailand’s crypto tourism plan·       09:16 Seed phrase security and new wallet models·       10:54 Blue Origin accepts crypto for space flights·       12:03 US reward for Garantex information·       13:08 Market update and predictions·       14:42 Altcoin season indicators and XRP signals·       16:01 F ear and greed vs altcoin index·       17:01 Trading competition update·       18:03 Pudgy Penguins loss and AI stock strength·       19:37 Meme coin A$$DAQ explained·       20:05 Wrap-up KeywordsNFA Podcast, crypto, altcoin season, Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, BNB, AI, Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos, Thailand crypto, seed phrases, Rider wallet, Pudgy Penguins, Solana, Nvidia, Broadcom, A$$DAQ, Garantex, crypto trading competitionThe NFA Podcast is not financial advice

News The first major story covers the Genius Act, which allows US-based firms to issue stablecoins directly. Nish explains howCitibank, Amazon, Walmart, and Bank of America are all positioning to launch stable coins. The discussion turns on whether institutions will build their own stablecoins or rely on Circle, whose IPO has been a success.Michiel redirects attention to Bitcoin’s latestall-time high. He critiques media framing, citing a headline about Ethereum “rolling over” as if it were intentional. The two then connect this to broader market volatility, with $1 billion liquidated in leveraged positions. Nish adds a story on World Liberty Finance and Alt-5 Sigma, noting Eric Trump’srole as an advisor — a detail that sparks skepticism from both hosts.The focus shifts to AI, specifically the launch of ChatGPT-5. Michiel quotes Sam Altman’s claim that the model represents “a PhD-level expert in any field.” He pushes back, highlighting reliability gaps and the ethical risks of marketing AI for healthcare, especially in light of recent reports of users harmed by AI-provided medical advice. Nish shares anecdotal experiences of people who caught illnesses early with ChatGPT prompts, but stresses the danger of treating AI asa doctor. Both hosts agree the model is useful but far from AGI.They then discuss AI startups led by former OpenAI executives (Safe Superintelligence, Thinking Machines Lab) as potential challengers in the next 18 months. Next comes chip policy under Trump. Michiel explains the new deal: Nvidia and AMD pay 15% of revenue from exports to China, while the White House is considering a stake in Intel. Nish critiquesthe profiteering optics, while Michiel frames it as a strategic attempt to reduce reliance on Taiwan. They note the unusual precedent of the US president influencing CEO tenure at a listed company (Intel).Market commentary and token picksThe crypto market segment centers onaltcoin season. Nish outlines her strategy of spreading bets across leading layer-1s, treating it like VC investing. He notes banks backing Solana stablecoin development, skepticism on XRP, and optimism around Hyperliquid’s comeback. Michiel adds that DePin is a sector to watch. Trading competition and portfolio resultsFinally, the trading competition. Michiel details his moves: selling Bitcoin, Nvidia, and Broadcom, buying Intel,Electronic Arts, Solana, SUI, and even Pudgy Penguins NFTs. Despite a 16% drop in the penguins, his portfolio is up 34.8% since June. Nish, after emotional swings, held steady in Solana, Ethereum, and a meme coin called A$$DAQ. Despite losses there, she too stands at 34.3% up, nearly identical to Michiel. Both laugh at the absurdity of their meme coin choices.The episode closes with broader reflections on investing: theimportance of concentrated conviction in fast-growing sectors, the dangers of over-diversification, and the promise of long-term strategies in AI, gaming, and climate tech. Chapter list00:00 Intro and disclaimer01:00 Bitcoin tattoo at a wedding03:30 The Genius Act and stablecoins (Citi, Amazon, Walmart,Circle)05:50 Bitcoin ATH and market liquidations07:20 World Liberty Finance, Eric Trump, Alt-5 Sigma08:30 ChatGPT-5 launch, healthcare risks, AGI hype11:00 AI competition: Safe Superintelligence, Meta’s role12:40 Trump administration and chipmakers (Nvidia, AMD, Intel)15:10 Is it altcoin season? ETH, Solana, XRP debates18:00 Hyperliquid’s comeback and DeFi trends19:30 DePin and World Mobile use cases20:45 Trading competition: Michiel’s trades (Intel, EA, PudgyPenguins, Solana, SUI)22:50 Trading competition: Nish’s portfolio (Solana, ETH, A$$DAQ)26:00 Investment philosophy: concentration vs diversification27:50 Climate tech, Tracer, and long-term growth industries29:10 Closing thoughts and outro

SummaryNews and macro discussionThe episode begins with a breakdown of the biggest story in tech: Mark Zuckerberg’s billion-dollar attempt to poach AI talent from his competitors: Human Machines Lab (Mira Murati), OpenAI and Anthropic. Nish and Frackers discuss how Zuckerberg’s superintelligence memo was inspired by, if not copied, from a character.ai memo from several years ago. They reflect on how investors reward execution and momentum over originality or ethics. Other headlines include strong earnings by Apple and Microsoft and Amazon’s weak AWS numbers. In crypto, the CoinDCX hack is revealed to be an insider job involving $44 million in stolen assets, with on-chain sleuth ZachXBT helping expose it. The SEC’s “Project Crypto” is also discussed as a potential shift toward lighter regulation, although the lack of clarity left markets unmoved.Market commentary and token picksThe middle segment covers how traditional markets and crypto reacted to this mix of strong earnings and regulatory uncertainty. Michiel points out that Ethereum still hasn’t broken its previous all-time high, which he sees as a signal of weakness despite increased buying from large entities like Ether Machine. Nish notes Tether’s reported $4.9 billion profit in Q2, noting that the figure is unaudited. Trading challenge and portfolio resultsIn the final part of the episode, Nish and Michiel reveal the results of their increasingly competitive trading competition. Nish went full degen, flipping $30 into $240 on the AIR token before swapping into another meme coin called A$$ and ending at $135. He describes the emotional rollercoaster of near-instant profits followed by losses, calling it a full round-trip. Michiel took a more conservative approach, sticking with a mix of Nvidia, Broadcom and Bitcoin, and ended the week with a 17 percent gain since the start of the competition in early June. They compare strategies, risk tolerance and the psychology of trading in volatile markets. The segment ends with reflections on why most traders underperform even during bull markets, and a reminder by Nish that the challenge is about learning, not outperforming each other. Michiel is not buying it.Chapter list00:00 – Intro and episode previewOverview of topics including Meta, CoinDCX hack, SEC regulation and the trading competition01:30 – Zuckerberg’s $1B AI poaching strategyDiscussion on Meta offering $5 to $10 million per engineer and the ethics behind it04:00 – Meta’s plagiarized superintelligence memoBreakdown of Zuck memo’s similarities to character.ai and what it reveals about Meta culture06:20 – Big Tech earnings and market reactionsApple, Amazon and Microsoft results and how the market is responding08:10 – Circle and Figma IPO chatterComments on IPO valuations and investor psychology09:30 – CoinDCX hack and insider involvementHow $44 million was drained from an Indian exchange by insiders, and how ZachXBT helped trace it12:00 – SEC’s “Project Crypto” grace periodDiscussion on a possible regulatory shift and its unclear impact on token markets14:30 – Ethereum’s weak price action despite good newsWhy ETH still hasn’t hit a new ATH and what that means for investor confidence17:00 – Tether’s $4.9B quarterly profitQuestions around how Tether generates its profit and whether it’s sustainable or lega20:00 – Trading competition recap beginsNish explains how he turned $30 into $240 and then back to $135 using AIR and A$$23:00 – Michiel’s conservative portfolio performance25:00 – Risk and psychology in crypto investingLinksZuckerberg's $1 billion offerZuckerberg, destroyer of company culture - elsewhere⁠Om Malik: Decoding Zuck’s Superintelligence Memo⁠Tether Posts $4.9B Profit in Q2 as Stablecoins Go MainstreamCoinDCX $44 Million Hack Was An Inside JobTrump Company Buys $1 million ETHFigma IPO Through The RoofEthereum is 10 years old!SEC Project Crypto

Summary In this week’s episode of the NFA Podcast, Nish and Michiel unpack one of the most eventful weeks in crypto, AI, and regulation we’ve seen in months.We begin with two major pieces of legislation that could reshape the crypto landscape in the US: the Genius Act and the Clarity Act. The Genius Act requires all stablecoin issuers operating in the US to maintain asset-backed reserves, a move clearly aimed at increasing trust and transparency in a market long criticized for its opacity, particularly with players like Tether, which still hasn’t completed a full audit. Meanwhile, the Clarity Act formally classifies digital assets as commodities, shifting the regulatory framework and potentially giving clearer jurisdiction to the CFTC over the SEC. What does this mean for companies like Circle, whose USDC coin is already regulated and backed by reserves? Nish and Michiel break it down.From legislation to security breaches, the episode shifts focus to the $44 million hack of CoinDCX, one of India’s largest crypto exchanges. Michiel questions North Korea’s involvement, especially given the regime’s recent history of targeting exchanges like Bybit. Nish points out that the scale of the loss is devastating even if users weren’t directly affected, especially in a fast-moving and trust-sensitive market like India.The conversation then pivots to AI agents, specifically the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent and Perplexity’s Comet. These new tools promise to automate web tasks and increase user efficiency, but they come with alarming trade-offs. These agents can take full control of your browser and system, with unclear limits on what data they access. Michiel raises the core question: “Why would anyone hand over control of their computer to a company they don’t fully trust?” He also tells a disturbing story involving a Dutch tech reporter and a ChatGPT hallucination that suggested pairing risotto with a “poop sandwich.” The story is both humorous and troubling and drives home how unreliable LLMs can be when misused or blindly trusted.The pair then dive into market movements, specifically the altcoin rollercoaster that played out over the past week. The Altcoin Index fluctuated wildly, dropping from 62 to 42 in a matter of hours, only to rebound to 55. Bitcoin remained relatively stable, but altcoins like Solana (+24%), Dogecoin (+35%), XRP (+21%) and BNB (+16%) saw significant gains. Nish explains that this cycle is unlike previous bull runs, with institutions entering, regulations shifting, and meme coin frenzies returning. She also notes that staking protocols like Aave and Hype are losing momentum, while Layer 1s are back in favor.Nish’s trading competition update is one for the books: despite not making a single move while on vacation, her NEAR position surged 43%, leading to a total portfolio gain of 38% over two weeks. Michiel’s more conservative portfolio—50% in Bitcoin, the rest split between Nvidia and Broadcom—returned just 1% this week, though he reminds listeners that he’s still up 14.57% since early June. Together, they discuss what this means for active vs passive strategies, risk management, and how fast recovery can happen in crypto - if you survive the drawdown.The show closes with predictions for next week. Michiel thinks Bitcoin will remain stable and altcoins will rise slightly. Nish sees the Altcoin Index staying in the 50–60 range. Michiel plans to move half of his Bitcoin into a yet-to-be-determined altcoin, possibly Solana. They end with a reminder that none of this is financial advice—and a lesson both hosts agree on: if something in your portfolio is eating you up emotionally, it’s probably time to let it go.KeywordsCoinDCX hack, ChatGPT hallucinations, AI agents, altcoin season, Ethereum, NEAR Protocol, Solana, Sui, trading strategy, meme coins, stablecoin regulation, US crypto law

SummaryMeta drops $200M on AI talent Jeff Pang, OpenAI loses the Windsurf deal and then Google gets outplayed,, while crypto markets go vertical. This may have been the wildest weekend yet in AI and crypto.In this episode of the NFA Podcast, Nish (Sachdev) and (Michiel)Frackers cover the wildest stories in tech and crypto from the past week. They open with a headline grabber: Meta’s $200 million offer to Apple’s AI exec Jeff Pang. Nish and Michiel unpack what this means for Meta’s strategy, why they might be abandoning their LLama model and how Pang’s hiring reflects the ongoing AI talent war. Nish argues Meta is now in “spray and pray” mode, hiring brilliant people first and figuring out a product strategy later.Next, they discuss Kazakhstan’s unexpected decision to build astrategic Bitcoin reserve, raising questions about whether a volatile crypto asset belongs in a country’s sovereign balance sheet. This flows into a wider discussion about decentralization, institutional trust, and the politicalnarratives shaping adoption of Bitcoin.The biggest geopolitical and policy theme of the episode is “Crypto Week” in the US: three new bills moving through Congress —the Genius Act, Clarity Act, and Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act— could reshape how stablecoins are issued and how digital assets are regulated. Nish breaks down how these laws may impact Circle, Tether and CBDC development across federal and state jurisdictions.Mid-episode, Michiel drops a jaw-dropping three-part story:OpenAI’s $3B failed acquisition of AI startup Windsurf, Google’s reverse acquihire of its founders and Cognition’s final scoop of the company in a move that stuns the whole industry.In the final segment, they run through major market updates:Bitcoin, Nvidia, altcoins, and PumpFun’s $600 million launch. The episode closes with a progress check on their trading competition (spoiler: someone is down 75%) and predictions for Bitcoin, the fear & greed index and the arrival of altcoin season.Michiel's NewsMeta Poached Apple’s Pang With Pay Package Over $200 Millionhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-09/meta-poached-apple-s-pang-with-pay-package-over-200-millionThe most insane 72 hours in startup history just ended.https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sytaylor_the-most-insane-72-hours-in-startup-history-ugcPost-7350607437411807234-hYq5Nvidia to resume H20 chips export to Chinahttps://www.wsj.com/tech/nvidia-wins-ok-to-resume-sales-of-ai-chip-to-china-after-ceo-meets-trump-68f55d71Nish's newsCryptoweek in the USAhttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/crypto-week-pushes-bitcoin-to-record-high-as-lawmakers-weigh-3-key-bills-in-dc-135334982.htmlPump Fun launches an ICO - sells out in 12 minutes, raising $600 millionhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-12/memecoin-platform-pump-fun-raises-600-million-within-12-minutes Chapter List00:00 – Intro & Jeff Peng’s $200M Meta Package  04:34 – Meta's AI Gamble and LLaMA’s Decline  07:00 – Kazakhstan’s Bitcoin Reserve Strategy  09:33 – US Crypto Bills: Genius Act, Clarity Act,Anti-CBDC  13:11 – Wild Windsurf Saga: OpenAI, Google &Cognition  17:21 – Markets: Bitcoin, Nvidia, PumpFun Token Sale  20:12 – Trading Competition: Michiel vs. Nish  22:22 – Predictions: BTC, Fear & Greed, Altcoin Season  25:58 – Wrap-up & Final Thoughts  KeywordsCrypto, AI, Meta, Jeff Peng, OpenAI, Google, Windsurf,Cognition, Bitcoin, Kazakhstan, CBDC, Genius Act, Clarity Act, Anti-CBDC, Circle IPO, PumpFun, Altcoin Season, Trading Competition, Nvidia, Trump, Michiel Frackers, Nish, Token Listing, Market Update, Tracer, Crypto News, Web3, Decentralization, Regulation, Crypto Week, Fear and Greed Index The NFA Podcast is Not Financial Information.

Episode SummaryIn episode 20, Nish records from a tropical war zone of broken podcast gear while Michiel holds steady with TradFi tech picks and an 8 percent portfolio gain. The episode opens with Robinhood’s wild move to offer tokenized shares of OpenAI and SpaceX, raising questions after OpenAI denied any involvement. The hosts break down how this ties into the broader risk landscape post-SVB, with stablecoins like Tether still lacking a real audit, and USDC emerging as the safer bet. They also explore why OpenAI still can’t go public, how Microsoft quietly benefits through a revenue-sharing deal, and how Nvidia is nearing a 4 trillion dollar valuation despite a China sales ban. One of the biggest tech stories: DeepMind has launched the first human trial of a drug designed entirely by AI, potentially compressing the pharmaceutical pipeline by years. Meanwhile,Samsung predicts a 40 percent drop in quarterly profits due to weak AI chip sales, showing the gap between AI hype and hardware reality. In fintech, Soulflare adds stock trading with zero KYC or announcement, raising regulatory questions. And in thetrading competition, Nish gets rugged again on Pump.Fun and drops to 24 dollars, while Michiel’s conservative picks push him to an 8 percent gain. The episode closes with reflections on market delusion, geopolitical risks, and a plea to the Illuminati to stop messing with their portfolios.Links1. Robinhood launches tokens for EU users:https://www.reuters.com/business/robinhood-launches-tokens-allowing-eu-users-trade-us-stocks-2025-06-30/2. OpenAI says it has not partnered with Robinhood:https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-says-it-has-not-partnered-with-robinhood-stock-token-2025-07-02/3. SEC chair comments on tokenized equities:https://www.marketwatch.com/story/these-stocks-surged-as-sec-chair-sounds-positive-on-tokenization-of-equities-1a1528a14. Google DeepMind AI-Designed Drug Trials: https://www.fastcompany.com/91363911/googles-ai-drug-company-says-human- trials-are-very-closeStablecoins & SVB Fallout5. Stablecoins and bank profit risks:https://www.marketwatch.com/story/stablecoins-could-hurt-bank-profits-but-not-for-a-while-analyst-673b57786. Academic research on USDC vs USDT during SVB collapse:https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.11716 Chapter List1. 00:00 — Tropic Thunder in Thailand and Podcast Tech Fail2. 01:30 — Robinhood Offers Tokenized OpenAI and SpaceX Shares3. 03:00 — DeFi Meets TradFi: Stablecoins and the SVB Risk Model4. 05:00 — Tether’s First Audit and Why It Still Isn’t Trustworthy5. 07:00 — Why OpenAI Still Can’t Go Public and Who Owns It6. 09:30 — Microsoft Quietly Wins with OpenAI’s Future Revenue7. 10:30 — Nvidia Hits $4 Trillion Despite China Sales Ban8. 11:00 — China and Australia Discuss AI Trade Collaboration9. 11:30 — DeepMind Launches First Human Trial of AI-Designed Drug10. 13:00 — Samsung Forecasts 40 Percent Profit Drop on Weak AI Chip Sales11. 14:30 — Soulflare Adds Stock Trading with Zero KYC or Announcement12. 15:30 — World War III Already Happening? Markets Don’t Care13. 17:00 — Stocks Beat Bitcoin in June Despite Global Tension14. 18:00 — Fear and Greed Index Swings and Market Confusion15. 19:30 — Trading Competition: Nish Gets Rugged Again on Pump.Fun16. 22:00 — Michiel’s Portfolio: Up 8 Percent with Nvidia and Broadcom17. 24:30 — Risk Lessons and the Problem with Holding Too Long18. 26:00 — Final Thoughts: Peace, Perspective, and Market Madness TagsRobinhood, Tokenized stocks, OpenAI, SpaceX, USDT, USDC, Tether audit, Stablecoins, DeepMind, AI drug trial, Microsoft, OpenAI IPO, Nvidia, Soulflare, No KYC, Pump.Fun, Rug pull, Bitcoin, Fear and Greed Index, Trading competition, NFA Podcast, Nisheta Sachdev, Michiel Frackers

SummaryThe NFA Podcast's latest episode, hosted by Nisheta Sachdev and Michiel Frackers, covers recent developments in the cryptoand tech world, while also featuring their ongoing trading competition. Nish and Michiel cover a whirlwind of crypto drama, political irony, and market twists. They start with JP Morgan’s stablecoin launch, a $100Mhack in Iran where the attackers burned the funds and BitGet’s partnership with UNICEF to fund girls’ education. Then they discuss Tron’s U.S. IPO following a possible presidential intervention and debate whether the SEC’s crypto probes are justified. The episode heats up with a breakdown of Microsoft’sstrategy to lock in OpenAI revenue while potentially blocking its IPO, and how Meta’s $100M AI sign-on bonuses reflect desperation in the AI arms race. Nish shares a wild ride on PumpFun, turning $6 into $240 before getting rugged in a gamified token ecosystem that collapsed within a few hours. The trading competition updates, personal AIcautionary tales, and a few sharp takes on egos (Trump, Zuck, and crypto bros alike) round out a packed episode. Final score? Michiel’s steady portfolio beats Nish’sdegen bets this week. Links from this week's stories·      JP Morgan is launching a stable coin·      Iran’s biggest exchange was hacked for $100m·      Tron to go public in the US - SEC pauses probe·      Bitget and Unicef have partnered to educate 300k girls across the world!·      OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Meta offered $100 million bonuses to OpenAI employees·      Microsoft prepared to walk away from high-stakes OpenAI talks ·      The stock of Circle, the company behind USDC had a spectacular IPO (up 117%)Chapters00:00 – Nish tees up the big stories: JP Morgan’s stablecoin,a major Middle East hack, Tron’s redemption arc and a wild trading week.01:30 – Hack & Burn: Iran’s $100M Crypto GhostA pro-Israeli group hacks Iran’s biggest exchange andburns the tokens. Ethics, retaliation, and questions of civilian impact follow.03:19 – BitGet x UNICEF: Finally, Some Good NewsA rare feel-good headline: crypto helps educate300,000 girls. But where did that extra $100M come from?03:59 – Trump, Tron, and the Big D EnergyTron goes public after a presidential pardon. Whathappened to the SEC probe? And why is Eric Trump an advisor?06:44 – AML, MetaMask & Who’s Responsible?The SEC’s crackdown on crypto: fair regulation orpolicy overreach? Metamask, Binance, and double standards.08:50 – Meta’s AI FaceplantMeta tries to catch up in AI by buying Scale. But is a$100M sign-on bonus desperation or genius?11:12 – Microsoft v OpenAI: The SoftBank UltimatumSatya Nadella plays chess while the rest of tech playscheckers. The real reason Microsoft doesn’t want OpenAI to IPO. Michiel explains how Microsoft gets $92B in revenuebefore any equity upside. It’s not about the shares, it’s about the compute business.14:13 – Elon vs Zuck: The Ego WarsMeta isn’t about data or AI, it’s about one-uppingMusk. Zuckerberg’s Threads, rockets and rage.16:31 – AI Is Making Us Dumb (Seriously)An MIT study shows AI use reduces cognitiveengagement. Nish shares a personal lesson on using AI in school.20:43 – Bitcoin Up, Alts… Meh?Predictions time. Bitcoin’s holding, alts areinconsistent, but both hosts expect an uptick.21:09 – Trading Comp: Michiel Plays It Safe, Nish GoesFull DegenMichiel’s portfolio edges up +2.69% with Nvidia andBTC. Meanwhile, Nish starts at $6 and hits $240 before getting rugged.26:28 – Final Wallet Check: Michiel Wins This RoundNish ends at $55, Michiel at $102.69. Lessons: takeprofits, don’t YOLO everything, and maybe skip PumpFun next week.28:15 – Degens Gonna DegenNish embraces her degen roots. Michiel calls outhypocrisy: “You always tell me to sell half!” And yet…

SummaryThe NFA Podcast's latest episode, hosted by Nisheta Sachdev and Michiel Frackers, covers recent developments in the crypto and tech world, while also featuring their ongoing trading competition. Key news topics include Binance's launch in Syria and Hong Kong's efforts to create a crypto tracking tool against money laundering. They discuss the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and its surprisingly muted impact on the markets, attributing it to market adaptation to frequent negative news. Michiel highlights a significant European initiative led by France's President Macron, Nvidia, and Mistral, aiming to offer an AI platform that keeps data within Europe, countering US dominance and data control concerns, especially in light of the Trump administration's influence. Nish reveals staggering figures from a Forbes article detailing Trump's $1.2 billion wealth creation through crypto, including NFTs, meme coins, and a stablecoin business. In their trading competition, Michiel admits to being "way down" , while Nish details her strategy of investing in a "Uranium" meme coin on PumpFun, turning her initial $78 into $140 by the end of the episode. They conclude with market predictions, both believing Bitcoin will go up next week, and Nish advises against high-risk trades with significant capital.Chapter List with Timestamps 1. 00:00 — Welcome & What’s Coming UpNish introduces the episode’s topics: Iran-Israel conflict, Binance news, Trump’s crypto wealth, and the trading competition. 2. 00:29 — Trading Competition BanterNish teases her portfolio success, Michiel calls her out on meme coin obsession. 3. 02:32 — News Section KickoffThe hosts lay out the episode format: news first, markets second. 4. 03:46 — Iran-Israel Tensions & Market ImpactDiscussion on Israel’s strike, media narratives, and muted market reactions. 5. 07:09 — Binance Launches in Syria & Hong Kong’s New Crypto ToolBreakdown of Binance’s controversial expansion and Hong Kong’s proposed blockchain tracking system. 6. 09:58 — France, Mistral & AI SovereigntyMichiel explains Macron’s alignment with Mistral and Nvidia, plus the European backlash over US tech dominance. 7. 12:55 — Decentralized Storage & BitTensor ShoutoutDebating global data decentralization and Nish’s bullish take on BitTensor. 8. 15:40 — Trump’s Crypto WindfallForbes breakdown of Trump’s crypto earnings: NFTs, meme coins, and stablecoins. 9. 19:05 — Blockchain Transparency & Wallet TrackingHow Trump’s wallets were analyzed — and Nish shares her own near-miss with a $50 Pepe moonshot. 10. 21:31 — Trading Updates: Uranium, SOL, USDTNish walks through her portfolio moves, uranium meme coin profits, and Michiel questions the numbers. 11. 24:56 — Portfolio Recap: Nish +40%, Michiel FlatMichiel summarizes both performances — and declares meme coins as market winners. 12. 26:33 — Next Week’s Market PredictionsBold forecasts for Bitcoin and altcoins plus Michiel’s psychological trading block. 13. 28:30 — Risk vs Reward: Would You Bet $1M?Final lessons on degenerate trading, top 10 token churn, and portfolio caution. 14. 29:45 — Sign-Off: $25 Turns Into $34Nish wraps up with her uranium profit update. Episode ends.KeywordsNFA Podcast, Crypto News, Binance, Hong Kong Crypto, Money Laundering, Iran Israel Conflict, Market Sentiment, Trump Crypto Wealth, NFTs, Meme Coins, World Liberty Token, Stablecoin, European AI, Mistral AI, Nvidia, Macron, Data Sovereignty, Decentralized Storage, BitTensor, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Altcoins, Trading Competition, PumpFun, Uranium Token, Solana, Sui, USDT, Market Analysis, Crypto Trading, Financial AdviceThe NFA Podcast is not financial advice.

This week on the NFA Podcast, Nish and Michiel break down a packed week in crypto and tech. They discuss Circle’s IPO and what it signals for crypto’s position in public markets. The collapse of Builder AI raises questions about due diligenceand investor hype. On the political front, Trump and Elon Musk are in open conflict but the hosts think it will not change the crypto policy and tech influence in the White House.They also cover how social media algorithms affect younger users, why AI live shopping hasn’t taken off and how it's possible that Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan are being labeled as emerging crypto hubs. The episode wraps up with updates from the NFA trading challenge where Nish is kicking Michiel's butt. Finally, Nish and Michiel share their short takes on Bitcoin, altcoins and the market sentiment.Keywords / Tags #nfapodcast #cryptopodcast #CircleIPO #CRCL #Builderai #ElonMusk #USDC #Tether #USDT #altcoinseason #AIliveshopping #bitcoin #solana #sui #tradingchallenge#stablecoins #pumpfun #nvidia #NVDA #Broadcom #AVGO

NFA S1E16 Summary:On this episode of the NFA Podcast, Nish and Michiel tackle apacked week of news. They dissect the controversial $3 million OpenAI video announcing its merger with io, questioning its cost, effectiveness, and the egos of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and legendary designer Jony Ive, who is one of Michiel'sidols whereas Nish had never heard of him. They also cover significant market news, including Thailand'sban on five major crypto exchanges, the aftermath of the SUI protocol and Cetus DEX hack (and its surprisingly positive resolution through community voting) and a Supreme Court case involving Coinbase and an SEC data probe. They touch on the "Trump dinner" and its allegedmillion-dollar-per-seat cost. Nvidia's surge to overtake Microsoft and Apple in market cap is discussed, alongside Michiel's personal regrets about selling his shares. The conversation also explores the elusive "alt season," introduces BitTensor as a decentralized AI infrastructure project both Nish and Michiel like and culminates in the hosts agreeing to a friendly $100 trading competition. As always, the hosts remind listeners that this is not financial advice. This is the OpenAI video fail Nish and Michiel discuss:https://youtu.be/W09bIpc_3ms?si=6JHFFKVcIqz3AsX-Other Key Topics Discussed:• Market News: Trump dinner costs, Nvidia's market dominance, Broadcom performance. • Cryptocurrency Deep Dive: o SUI protocol & Cetus DEX hack resolution and decentralized voting. o Is SUI the next Solana or Ethereum? o Thailand's ban on Bybit, 1000X, CoinX, OKX, and XT exchanges. o US Supreme Court, SEC, and a Coinbase user data probe. o The elusive "alt season" and market sentiment. o BitTensor (TAU) and decentralized AI infrastructure. • Tech Updates & Commentary: o The low viewership (700k) vs. high production cost. o Platform responsibility for user-generated content (Telegram discussion). • Investing & Trading: o Michiel's Nvidia sale regret and current thoughts on its valuation. o Nish's crypto-only and "gut feeling" investment strategy. o Proposal for a $100 trading competition between Nish and Michiel. Chapters / Sections • (00:00) Introduction & Episode Overview • (00:29) Welcome & Disclaimer (Not Financial Advice) • (00:54) Initial Market Banter & Broadcom Mention • (01:28) SUI Protocol & Cetus DEX Hack Follow-up • (04:07) General Crypto Market News & Altcoin Season • (04:52) Thailand Bans Five Crypto Exchanges • (05:51) Trump Dinner Cost • (06:14) Supreme Court, SEC, and Coinbase Data Probe • (07:03) Platform Responsibility for User Content • (07:41) OpenAI & io Merger Video Deep Dive (Cost, Production, Ego) • (16:39) Market News: Nvidia Overtakes Microsoft & Apple • (19:08) Nish's Crypto-Only Investment Approach • (19:51) Proposed Trading Competition • (23:21) Token Discussion: Sui and BitTensor (TAU) • (25:44) Trading Competition Strategy Discussion • (26:04) Closing Remarks & Competition Banter • (27:21) Final Takeaway & Sign-off Actionable Takeaways (Remember: Not Financial Advice!):• Community governance and transparent crisis response are vital in the crypto space, as demonstrated by the SUI/Cetus situation. • Tech founders should focus on authentic marketing and product value over ego-driven displays. • High-budget productions don't always translate to effective marketing or positive public perception. • Decentralized AI infrastructures like BitTensor aim to break monopolies and foster innovation by rewarding participation. Companies, Tokens & People Mentioned:• Companies/Organizations: OpenAI, io, Broadcom, Nvidia, SUI, Cetus, Solana, Ethereum, Bybit, OKX, Coinbase, Telegram, Ton, San Francisco Standard, Microsoft, Apple, Bitcoin.• People: Donald Trump, Sam Altman, Jony Ive, Pavel Durov (Telegram), Steve Jobs• Tokens: SUI, TAU (BitTensor).Tune in for: Weekly news summaries, crypto updates, tech insights, and traditional finance market discussions.

Bitcoin hits a new all-time high, but altcoin season is nowhere to be seen. Nish and Michiel break down the latest market chaos: Sui’s $223 million DEX hack, Trump’s meme coin crash, and OpenAI’s jaw-dropping $6.5 billion acquisition of a startup with no product. Plus, what FIFA launching a blockchain tells us about brand bandwagons, and why altcoins might pop just in time for summer.Chapters00:00 – Intro & What’s Coming01:00 – Bitcoin’s All-Time High and Missed Trades05:20 – Trump, Tariffs, and Market Reaction07:00 – Fear & Greed Index vs Altcoin Season08:00 – Sui DEX Hack: What Actually Happened10:30 – How Decentralized Was This DEX, Really?12:20 – Why Michiel No Longer Trusts DEXes13:00 – Altcoin Predictions for Summer 202514:40 – OpenAI Buys io for $6.5B — Without a Product18:00 – Jony Ive, Sam Altman, and the No-Screen Device22:30 – The Theater of Tech Acquisitions23:45 – Meme Coins and Microcaps25:00 – Closing Thoughts and TikTok PushSui hack 2025Bitcoin ATH May 2025Trump meme coinOpenAI io acquisitionJony Ive OpenAI deviceAltcoin season predictionCetus DEX hackLayer one vs layer twoAvalanche FIFA blockchainCrypto podcast 2025NFA podcastMichiel and Nish cryptoDecentralized exchange hacksAI hardware OpenAI

SummaryThis week’s NFA Podcast breaks down what actually happened at Token2049 in Dubai: more escorts than engineers, overcrowded venues, and 530 side events. Nish shares stories from the crypto trenches, Abu Dhabi’s investment into Binance via the Trump Family's vehicle World Liberty Finance. We also talk about the scandal around Movement Labs, why Apple’s AI promise is still vaporware, how Zuvu is building the AI orchestration layer we need, and ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s new startup Thinking Machines Lab with full Andreessen Horowitz backing and her 100% control. Plus: AI chip stock moves, Eric Trump’s take on banks, tokenized marble bunkers in the Italian mountains and a bet on Broadcom.Chapters00:00 – Intro and Token2049 Recap09:50 – Trump Token Deal: Abu Dhabi, LibertyFinance, and Binance13:43 – Movement Labs Scandal & MarketMaker Manipulation15:17 – Tech Earnings: Meta, Amazon, Apple19:07 – AI Orchestration, Zuvu, and Apple'sMissed Promise23:45 – Mira Murati’s New Startup with FullControl27:31 – OpenAI’s Bold Revenue Claims & VCAI Hype29:58 – Eric Trump Predicts Bank Extinction31:20 – Stock Moves: From Nvidia to Broadcom32:11 – Defense Tech and Tokenized BunkersKeywords$38 million dump, AI fragmentation, AI orchestration, AI subscriptions, AI tools integration, Abu Dhabi Binanceinvestment, Amazon ads revenue, Andreessen Horowitz, Apple AI fail, Binance delisting, Broadcom stock, CoinDesk investigation, Dubai crypto event, Eric Trump, Eric Trump banks, Human Machines Lab, Kuwait bitcoin mining, Libertystablecoin, Meta earnings, Mira Murati, Thinking Machines Labs, Movement Labs, Nvidia, OpenAI $129B revenue claim, Palantir sell-off, Token2049, Trump token, World Liberty Finance, Zuvu, crypto conferences, defense tech, escorts at crypto events, founder control, marble bunkers Italy, market maker scandal, side events, tokenized bunkers, Broadcom

KeywordsNFA Podcast, crypto news, Bitcoin, altcoins, Elon Musk, Meta, Ripple, AI, market trends, not financial advice, Zuckerberg, Instagram, Kevin Systrom, Trumpcoin, SUISUMMARYThis week on the NFA Podcast:·       Bitcoin and Sui bounce back·       Elon Musk funds carbon removal while advising Trump·       Meta faces antitrust heat as Instagram’s founder speaks out·       Trump’s meme coin madness·       Palantir rockets, yet againPlus: the craziest Bitcoin ransom story yet. And why tech stocks might now be riskier than crypto, plus: meet your AI-colleagues.Chapters            1.        00:00 — Taurus Season, Crypto SeasonBitcoin, Sui, and altcoins are pumping — but are we back or getting wrecked again?            2.        01:58 — Lambos, Dubai, and Hot TubsThe Dubai crypto crowd, and a Brooklyn spa heats its hot tubs with Bitcoin miners.            3.        04:20 — Musk vs. Trump: Climate Hypocrisy?Elon backs $100M in carbon removal tech… whileadvising a climate change denier.            4.        07:28 — Zuck’s Instagram SabotageKevin Systrom testifies Zuckerberg starved Instagram of resources — out of fear?            5.        09:32 — Your Grandmother’s FacebookFacebook is now where old classmates and surgical selfies meet. Nish explains why she avoids it.            6.        14:07 — Dinner with Trump? Just Buy HisMeme CoinTrump’s TRUMP token pumps after he offers aprivate dinner to top 220 holders.            7.        15:37 — Kuwait’s Crypto CrackdownIllegal mining causes blackouts. Not every country is using Bitcoin heat for spa luxury.            8.        16:04 — US Fed Walks Back Anti-CryptoBankingThe Federal Reserve quietly ends its crypto-unfriendly bank guidance.            9.        17:04 — Crypto Enters the Tech EliteEven The Information is covering crypto banks now. Silicon Valley is watching.            10.      17:59 — Crypto Kidnapping in Florida$230M in Bitcoin, a kidnapped son, and a gang of 18- to 22-year-olds.            11.      19:34 — Podcast Tips, TikTok Dreams, Nobelprize winner Demis Hassabis on AI, family Spotify accounts gonewrong, and what’s wrong with LinkedIn AI generated content.            12.      24:20 — Palantir vs. Bitcoin: Who’s More Volatile?Tech stocks like Palantir are now crazier than crypto. Is your pension fund ready?            13.      26:21 — Bull or Bear? Depends on the WeekNish is bullish, Michiel is bearish, and Sygnum Bank backs altcoins.            14.      27:46 — Closing Notes: Don’t Post Your GainsIn a world of kidnappings and flexing, the final tip: stay low and stay safe.Follow the NFA Podcast  ·    NFA podcast newsletter on Linkedin·    NFA podcast newsletter onSubstack·    NFA channel on Youtube·    NFA channel on Apple podcasts·     NFA account on Instagram·     Nisheta Sachdev on X·    Michiel Frackers on X  NFA Podcast – Season 1 Episode 13 Show Notes1. Bitcoin and Sui SurgeAltcoins rally with Trumpcoin and Sui leading the charge2. Brooklyn Bitcoin Mining Spa3. Elon Musk donated $100M Carbon XPrize·      IPCC Report: the Physical Science Basis·     Persuasion, not coercion4. Meta Antitrust Case & Zuckerberg DramaKevin Systrom testifies against Mark ZuckerbergMark Zuckerberg buried himselfHas the government already won against Zuckerberg?5. Trump Meme Coin & DinnerTrumpcoin goes into orbit after dinner promiseEthics probe coming6. ZachXBT - Brilliant Crypto sleuth’s X account7. Kuwait Energy Crisis because of Bitcoin8. Fed Withdraws Anti-Crypto Banking Guidance9. Crypto Kidnapping Case10. AI & Nobelprize winner & Startups Demis Hassabis on 60 Minutes hArtisan $25 million pitchdeckNXTLI has AI-colleagues            11. Sygnum Bank bullish on altcoinsAlways remember: the NFA Podcast is Not Financial Advice, but Nish, Frackers and Anyone Else!

Plus: Binance meets countries, Sam Altman vs. Elon Musk over X, and the OM token gets wreckedSummaryThis week’s NFA Podcast episode covers a dense mix of geopolitical crypto moves, scandals, and platform wars. Nish and Michiel kick off with CZ (Changpeng Zhao) advising governments from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and whether Binance, despite its regulatory baggage, should be guiding state crypto policies. They weigh in on Binance’s regulatory track record, Richard Teng’s role as CEO, and Dubai’s ongoing crypto diplomacy, including Crypto.com’s high-profile engagement with Sheikh Maktoum’s government.The conversation transitions into UAE’s broader digital ambitions and how regions like Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) are pioneering DAO regulation through RAKDAO. Tracer, where Nish and Michiel are both advisors, is mentioned as a beneficiary of this innovative framework.The duo then dissects the Mantra (OM token) meltdown. Nish explains how OTC deals, lack of transparency, and Coffeezilla’s exposé exposed potential manipulation. Michiel brings up parallels with traditional finance and the lack of fair disclosure in crypto. They both praise crypto sleuths like Coffeezilla and ZachXBT for filling investigative gaps left by traditional media.Shifting gears, the episode explores China lifting IP protections for luxury goods. Nish notes the online surge in knockoffs, and Michiel discusses how US-China tensions over trade and tariffs are spooking investors. They bring in historical context and media biases, with Michiel drawing parallels between the internet’s early mischaracterization and crypto’s current media portrayal.The show wraps with chatter about social media wars: Sam Altman potentially launching an OpenAI competitor to X, Threads’ poor UX, and BlueSky’s slow traction. They close on Meta’s antitrust scrutiny and Google’s ad-tech monopoly troubles before ending with Michiel lamenting Nvidia’s stock dip amid US chip export restrictions.Chapters 1. 00:28 – From Kyrgyzstan with CZBinance’s founder resurfaces as a state advisor; or does he? 2. 03:39 – Crypto Diplomacy in DubaiSheikh Maktoum, Crypto.com, and Dubai’s $100B digital agenda 3. 06:51 – RAK Ras Al Khaimah’s DAO regulations and Tracer’s regulatory home 4. 08:01 – Mantra Meltdown and OTC MayhemToken crashes, Coffeezilla, and the dark arts of crypto fundraising 5. 15:51 – ZachXBT Saves the Day (Again)How blockchain sleuths outpace legacy media 6. 16:46 – The Great Chinese Knockoff WaveIP law rollback floods socials with fake Birkins and Dior bags 7. 20:21 – Altman vs Musk: X WarsCan OpenAI clone a social network just to feed the data beast? 8. 21:33 – The Drama of Threads and BlueSkyWhy no one uses Zuckerberg’s Twitter clone and who really uses BlueSky? 9. 25:20 – Meta on Trial, Google in TroubleCongressional heat and ad-tech monopolies in the US 10. 26:33 – Nvidia’s Chip WoesExport bans, stock dips, and staying bullish through the painLinksBinance advises countriesDubai leader Maktoum talks with crypto.comMantra CEO denies insider sellingCoffeezilla interviews Mantra CEO JP MullinZachXBT on XBirkin bagsSam Altman vs Elon Musk (Altman announced OpenAI might build an X competitor)Netflix posts record profitsGoogle is an ad tech monopolyShocking testimony from Facebook whistleblower shows Zuckerberg accommodated ChinaNvidia faces $5.5 billion charge as US restricts chip sales to ChinaPlease remember: the NFA Podcast is Not Financial Advice!

End of tariffs and meme coins plus AI billions and chlorinated chickenSummaryWhile global markets tumbled under the weight of Trump’s new tariffs, this episode of the NFA Podcast cuts through the panic to spotlight the bullish stories buried under the headlines. Nish and Frackers start with the week’s rollercoaster in crypto and tech stocks, comparing the sharp drops in Ethereum and Solana to a surprisingly resilient Bitcoin. Nish explains how the meme coin engine Pump.fun has lost steam, while Michiel shares horror stories from past crashes, andpension fund absurdities. Then, in the most underreported bullish news of the year: OpenAI quietly raised $40 billion and wants to buy Jony Ive's startup for an AI iPhone killer Sam Altman invested in, ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati is going for $2 billion at a $10 billion valuation, and OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever's Safe Superintelligence is targeting a $30 billion valuation with Alphabet and Nvidia on board. But none of them seem to have functional websites. Plus:         •       Binance founder CZ’s next move is advising Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on blockchain adoption         •       Trump’s pro-crypto SEC pick Paul Atkins is approved         •       Ripple’s SEC lawsuit nears its endgame         •       Europe and China flirt over electric vehicles to counter US tariffs         •       And yes, the UK might end up with chlorinated chicken as a reward for trade realignment The episode ends with predictions: Frackers sees a cautious market rebound, Nish calls it sideways. But both remain long-term bullish, still think there will be a Bitcoin all-time high this year. Keywordscrypto, market trends, investment, tariffs, AI, blockchain, pension funds, media influence, Bitcoin, Ethereum, CZ, Broadcom, Pump.fun, meme coins, SSI, Thinking Machines Lab, Mira Murati, Ilya Sutskever, Sam Altman, Jony Ive, io Products, AI iPhone killer Chapters 00:00 – Marketsin Meltdown: What Just Happened?02:15 – FromLehman to Today: War Stories and Wipeouts05:11 – TeslaTanks, Bitcoin Holds: Who’s Really Losing?06:18 – Ethereum’sCollapse, Solana’s Shriveling, and the Meme Coin Freeze10:10 – GoodNews Buried: Why Bullish Stories Got Snowed Under10:51 – CZ’sNext Moves: From Binance to Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan11:30 – Trump’sSEC Pick, Ripple’s SEC Endgame, and the Rise of Pro-Crypto Policy12:36 – OpenAI’s$40 Billion Raise, and Sam Altman Buying the AI device maker from Jony Ive and…himself?15:17 – JonyIve’s $60M AI Theater and the weird world of AI startups, with Mira Murati ofThinking Machines Lab18:32 – Alphabet,Nvidia, and the $30B Valuation of Ilya Sutskever’s Safe Superintelligence20:13 – TariffChaos, EU-China EV Drama or Partnership, and the Brexit Chlorinated ChickenPlot Twist22:34 – Predictions:Sideways, Comebacks, and Bitcoin All-Time Highs?Links CZadvises Pakistan OpenAIreportedly buying JonyIve's and Sam Atlman's startup Frackers on "theiPhone killer with AI" ex-OpenAICTO Mira Murati's newAI-startup Thinking Machines raising $2 B OpenAIco-founder Ilya Sutskever's newAI-startup SSI raising at $30 B valuation new Stanfordreport: AI isimproving, complex challenges remain difficult Chinaand EU in talks about electric vehicle pact   NFA Podcaston other channels ·     NFApodcast newsletter on Linkedin·     NFA podcast newsletter onSubstack·     NFAchannel on Youtube·     NFAchannel on Spotify·     NFAchannel on Apple podcasts·     NFAaccount on Instagram·     Nisheta Sachdev on X·     Michiel Frackers on X   Pleaseremember: the NFA Podcast is Not Financial Advice!

NFA PODCAST NEWSLETTER EPISODE 10, APRIL 4, 2025This week, Nish and Frackers unpacked one of the most volatile market weeks of the year, sparked by a wave of aggressive tariffs and a cascade of investor panic.Market MeltdownThe Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs triggered the largest one-day equity selloff since March 2020. Even penguins on McDonald Island weren’t spared, as Frackers noted about the randomness of trade policy.Tech Stocks vs Crypto Performance(Year-to-Date)Frackers compared year-to-date losses across sectors:• Big tech stocks (BATMMAAN) are down 21 percent on averageo Tesla and Broadcom each fell 34 percento Meta and Microsoft held up best, down around 9 to 11 percent• Crypto markets performed worse, down 27 percent on averageo Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Cardano each dropped around 46 to 48 percento Bitcoin fared better at minus 11 percento XRP was the outlier, down just 2 percentNFT Shakeout and ShiftNish covered the closure of NFT marketplace X2Y2, which is pivoting to a vaguely defined AI venture. Both hosts agreed the collectible era of NFTs is over, but emphasized that NFTs still hold promise as infrastructure, especially in applications like carbon credit issuance.The Airdrop EconomyNish recounted a profitable airdrop experience from an Ordinal that turned out to be worth 0.1 Bitcoin, while Frackers compared the tactic to the “heroin marketing strategy” where the first shot is free. Despite skepticism, both acknowledged airdrops remain a powerful growth tool.Binance and CZ’s Global PlayCZ from Binance was appointed as an advisor to Kyrgyzstan on blockchain matters. Nish and Frackers praised his innovation record and argued he remains a valuable strategic mind despite his recent legal troubles.Wash Trading and Legal Double StandardsCLS Global was fined for wash trading. The conversation turned to the inconsistencies between what’s allowed in traditional finance, like IPO price support by underwriters, and what’s condemned in crypto. Outlook for the Week AheadNish expects crypto to stabilize but warns of more bumps ahead. Frackers believes April 4 may mark a local bottom, predicting markets may begin to recover after another sharp drop when Wall Street opens. Chapters list00:00 Tariffs Hit Tech and CryptoMarkets Hard 03:54 NFTs: Future Outlook andMarket Changes08:44 Market Makers andRegulatory Challenges14:51 Data Privacy and CorporateResponsibility17:23 Tech Stock Market Trends18:32 The Crypto Market Analysis22:10 The Impact of Founders onCompany Success23:44 Market Predictions andStrategies28:53 Final Thoughts and AudienceEngagement Links·     Vietnam hit hard by tariffs·     Penguins hit by tariffs as well·     Tracer uses functional NFTs in one smart contract·     CZ advises Kyrgyztan·     CZ advises more countries·     UAE-based Crypto Firm CLS Global Fined $428,000 for Wash Trading Scheme in U.S. Markets·     Charles Hoskinson, Cardano·   Subscribe to tech and crypto market analysis in Michiel Frackers' free weekly newsletter  NFA Podcast on other channels·   NFA podcast newsletter on Linkedin·     NFA podcast newsletter on Substack·     NFA channel on Youtube·     NFA channel on Spotify·    NFA channel on Apple podcasts·     NFA account on Instagram·     Nisheta Sachdev on X·     Michiel Frackers on X  Please remember: the NFA Podcast is Not Financial Advice!

Episode 9 Summary – The NFA Podcast with Nish & FrackersIn episode 9, Nish and Michiel kick things off with a discussion on Nish describing Michiel as ‘TradFI Chad Guy” on LinkedIn.Michiel opens with insights from Meltem Demirors, who described the current altcoin market as a “game of musical chairs,” noting its total market cap and volume is back to 2020 levels. The duo then breaks down a major drama involving Hyperliquid and GameStop’s stock dropping 8% after announcing a $1.3 billion Bitcoin buy plan. They also discuss standout Murad’s talk at Token2049 on meme coins.Nish mentions World Mobile, Michiel dives deep into Apple’s failed rollout of Apple Intelligence, raising the question of whether Tim Cook should step down. Chapter List00:00 Introduction to the the NFA Podcast and the hosts Nish & Frackers02:16 Market Overview: Altcoins market cap same as 4 years ago02:16 Investment Strategies and Market Sentiment03:23 Hyperliquid and Jelly issue03:51 GameStop's Bitcoin Investment Plans Hammered06:40 Ethics and Morality in Crypto09:05 The Community and Culture of Crypto10:12 World MObile11:13 Innovative Solutions in Connectivity12:35 Apple's AI Ambitions and Challenges15:35 The Apple Streaming Service Struggles19:00 Tim Cook out?LinksNFA Podcast newsletter on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/nfa-podcast-7295819854043860992/LinkedIn post Nishhttps://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7310282312791789569/Meltem Demirors on Bloomberghttps://youtu.be/c2dsvh9T63Q?si=3g7XUVh4MZ4Devsl&t=1070Meltem Demirors at CFC https://youtu.be/HL400JZ9lrI?si=FTYIzxYR0kn09Ua2Meltem Demirors: the United States of Shitcoinshttps://medium.com/@Melt_Dem/the-united-states-of-shitcoin-1362a6e0a40eHyperliquidhttps://hyperfoundation.org/Timeline: Jelly token goes sour after $6M exploit on Hyperliquidhttps://cointelegraph.com/news/timeline-jelly-token-exploit-hyperliquidHyperliquid Price Crash: What Led to the HYPE Price Drop After the Jelly Incidenthttps://coinfomania.com/hyperliquid-price-crash-what-led-to-the-hype-price-drop-after-the-jelly-incident-whats-happening/GameStop buys Bitcoin, shares fallhttps://www.investors.com/news/gamestop-stock-bitcoin-investment-q4-2024-earnings-ryan-cohen-march-2025/Dumb Money trailerhttps://youtu.be/bmr8YmwnZ3w?si=H25VeoZyICUqryQuMurads Memecoinshttps://getblock.io/blog/what-are-murad-meme-coins/World Mobilehttps://worldmobile.io/MG Siegler’s Spyglasshttps://spyglass.org/author/mgs/Rumor: Apple Watch with Camera and perhaps Apple Intelligencehttps://www.theverge.com/news/634395/apple-watch-apple-intelligence-camerasStewart Alsophttps://www.alsop-louie.com/team/stewart-alsopTim time to go?https://salsop.substack.com/p/dear-tim_cook-is-it-time-to-retireApple loses a billion per year on streaminghttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2025-03-24/apple-only-loses-1b-a-year-on-streaming-videohttps://spyglass.org/apple-tv-plus-strategyApple refused to introduce an Apple tvhttps://x.com/markgurman/status/1829587912926916662Shrinkinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjHfjQDWl1ATed Lassohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u7EIiohs6UEddie Cue, SVP Apple Serviceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9k_a9fROwWhen Apple bought Beats in 2014https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/05/28Apple-to-Acquire-Beats-Music-Beats-Electronics/Apple Vision Prohttps://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/Leaked Apple meeting shows how dire the Siri situation really ishttps://www.theverge.com/news/629940/apple-siri-robby-walker-delayed-ai-featuresApple stock under Tim Cookhttps://www.fool.com/investing/2024/02/13/if-you-invested-10000-in-apple-when-tim-cook-becam/NFA Podcast on other channels·      NFA podcast newsletter on Linkedin·      NFA podcast newsletter on Substack·      NFA channel on Youtube·      NFA channel on Apple podcasts·      NFA account on Instagram•      Nisheta Sachdev on X•      Michiel Frackers on X Remember: NFA Podcast is Not Financial Advice

Episode Summary Key Discussion Points:         1.      Solana Controversy:         •       discussesion about the controversial Solanaad about "America visiting a therapist"         •      Nish thinks Solana wanted to score points with president Trump, while Michiel doesn't understand why companies make these kind of social statements at all         2.      Pump.Fun and Meme Coin Market:         •       Nish reports that Pump.Fun went 24 hours without generating revenue, a significant downturn.         •       Pump.Fun announced plans for its owndecentralized exchange, while Raydium, a linked DEX, announced LaunchLab which competes with Pump.Fun.         3.      Tokenizing Real Estate in Dubai:         •       Nish covers the Dubai Land Department’spilot project to tokenize real estate         •       Michiel comments on how real-world assettokenization has been slow to take off          4.      AI and Coding Debate:         •       Michiel says Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei claims coding will become obsolete due to AI, but Amodei is challenged by AI-experts Yann LeCun and Andrew Ng.               5.      China’s Tech and AI Landscape:         •       Michiel brings up DeepSeek, a Chinese AIcompany whose employees are being asked to surrender their passports to the government.         •       They discuss how China’s centralized andnationalist approach to tech contrasts with India’s more fragmented and less cohesive progress.         6.      Google’s $32 Billion Acquisition:         •       Michiel discusses Google’s acquisition ofWiz, its largest ever, and points out that Google’sstock has underperformed compared to other tech giants.         7.      Hopscotch Labs - Augmented Reality viaAirPods:         •       Michiel mentions a new startup calledHopscotch Labs that uses AirPods for AR experiences, which he finds intriguing compared to VR glasses.         8.      General Thoughts on Indian and ChineseTech:         •       Michiel and Nish discuss the disparitybetween Indian and Chinese tech ecosystems, noting how China has produced many prominent tech companies while India, despite its talent, hasn’t achieved the same success. Chapter List:00:00 Introduction to the NFA Podcast, Nish &Frackers03:02 The Merging Worlds of Tech and Crypto06:34 Solana's Controversial Ad 09:43 PumpFun's Decline and scrap with Raydium14:17 Dubai's Real Estate Tokenization Initiative16:49 Does AI make coding unnecessary?18:04 Comparing China's and India's Growth19:40 The Coreweave IPO is huge20:40 Google bought Wiz, don’t nobody care25:54 Hopscotch Labs make the Marauder’s Map forAirpods28:16 Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways Links:Solana Ad Disaster: Watch the adAnatoly from Solana Apology: Read the apologyPump.fun: a quiet week on the boardPump.fun Launches Own DEX, Drops Raydium:  Cointelegraph has moreRaydium Swap: Visit RaydiumRaydium Launches Own Pump.fun: Read more onBlockworksDubai starts real estate tokenization pilot: seeCoinDeskAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei says AI will write 90% of code in six     months: but don't count on itDeepSeek Employees Have to Turn in Passports: that'swhat  you get for being a national treasureIndia Grows Faster, Yet Has Miles to Go to Beat China’s Trillions: Read the articleCoreWeave First Pure Play AI IPO: Investors betbig that CoreWeave has a market Google Buys Wiz for $32 billion: Wall Street didn't careHopscotch Labs: not much to see on the websiteyet, but you can register for 'the Marauder's Map for Airpods'Marauder’s Map (from Harry Potter): Watch the boywith the scar get ready for mischief in this video

In Episode 7, hosts Nish and Michiel explore the significant crypto developments of the past week, highlighting Ripple’s surprising regulatory breakthrough in the UAE, Binance's notable $2 billion investment from Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund.Episode SummaryThe episode further explorer broader trends, including declining interest in meme coins, indicating a maturation of the crypto market. Nish elaborates on the necessity of robust projects with clear value propositions, contrasting these against the speculative mania that previously drove much of crypto's popularity. This shift is underscored by both hosts noting that even traditionally conservative hedge fund managers now see crypto as essential for client retention, marking a defensive yet important shift in institutional attitudes.On the topic of investing versus trading, Nish and Michiel explore the nuances of strategic crypto investments. They stress the importance of long-term thinking and disciplined approaches, such as dollar cost averaging, particularly in uncertain markets. Nish advocates clear target prices for entering Bitcoin positions. Michiel shares personal reflections, including experiences with volatile tech stock investments and challenges associated with liquidity issues on crypto exchanges.Concluding the episode, they summarize the present state of the crypto market as undergoing a necessary shakeout, poised for recovery and growth, especially for fundamentally sound projects. __________________________CHAPTER LIST EPISODE 700:00 Introduction to the NFA Podcast00:24 Market Overview: Crypto News and Trends03:35 Investing vs. Trading: Perspectives on Bitcoin04:11 Ripple's Comeback and Regulatory News06:08 Binance's Investment and Market Position07:45 Emirates NBD and Crypto Trading Launch08:50 Tether and USDC: Trust and Regulation10:16 Coinbase vs. Binance: A Comparative Analysis11:35 Navigating Liquidity in Crypto Trading12:53 The Evolution of Meme Coins14:07 Emerging Trends in Digital Assets16:43 Trading vs. Investing: Understanding the Differences19:05 Strategies for Entering the Market22:23 Evaluating Altcoins: Risks and Rewards23:58 The Impact of Market Sentiment on Investments26:27 The Challenge of Trading and Investing29:03 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Strategies in Tech Stocks__________________________SHOW NOTES EPISODE 7The Tracer-project, cofounded by Michiel, where Nish is an advisor:https://jointracer.io/Ripple Secures First Middle East Approval, Unlocks $40B UAE Payments Markethttps://www.ccn.com/news/crypto/ripple-first-middle-east-approval-40b-uae-payments-market/Binance secures ‘largest investment ever’ in crypto as Abu Dhabi’s MGX pledges $2 billionhttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/13/abu-dhabis-mgx-to-invest-2-billion-in-crypto-exchange-binance.htmlEmirates NBD’s bet on crypto: A tipping point for Gulf banks?https://www.thebanker.com/content/52144f65-79c6-4721-8d57-62f1eec9710fEmirates NBD and Aquanowhttps://www.aquanow.com/news-insights/emirates-nbd-enters-the-digital-asset-space-offering-crypto-on-the-liv-x-appTether and the doubts about the 5 billion mint: between politics, transparency, and market impactshttps://en.cryptonomist.ch/2024/11/26/tether-and-the-doubts-about-the-5-billion-mint-between-politics-transparency-and-market-impacts/Wall Street Journal: the Challengehttps://emailseriesheardinvestingchallenge.cmail20.com/t/d-e-jyitlki-dhkyitukut-djt/__________________________Nisheta Sachdev on X:https://x.com/nishoutofwaterMichiel Frackers on X:https://x.com/frackersNFA newsletter on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/nfa-podcast-7295819854043860992/NFA podcast on Substack:https://substack.com/@nfapodcastNFA on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NFAPodcast2025NFA on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0ovtjYbF5Km2v5pIEyz60xNFA on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/nfa-podcast-with-nish-and-frackers/id1795260561

In this week's NFA Podcast, Nish and Frackers dive into the latest developments shaking up tech and crypto markets. Nish highlights key global events, including China's major stimulus package, a Brazilian fintech firm's Bitcoin adoption (clarifying widespread misconceptions about Brazil’s government involvement), and Vietnam’s upcoming legal framework for digital assets.Frackers discusses President Trump's recent announcement about establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve and a "digital asset stockpile" from seized cryptocurrencies. Together, Nish and Frackers unpack the implications and debate the potential impacts of governmental involvement in cryptocurrency.On the investment side, Frackers shares his continued bullish stance on Nvidia, despite recent downturns in the AI sector, and discusses concerns around the high-cost, uncertain profitability, and market saturation of AI investments. Nish introduces BitTensor (TAO), highlighting its decentralized AI network as an innovative alternative to dominant centralized AI players.They also explore current market dynamics, discussing the risks and opportunities in altcoins versus Bitcoin, and share insights on navigating market volatility amid global uncertainties.This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice.chapter list:00:00 Portfolio Management and Investment Strategies01:57 China’s stimulus package, Brazilian firm’s Bitcoin reserve and Vietnam’s legal crypto framework03:10 Government Involvement in Cryptocurrency03:37 Trump's Influence on the Crypto Market04:37 The Future of Cryptocurrency Regulations06:15 Global Perspectives on Crypto Adoption07:18 Market Trends and Predictions10:25 The Impact of Macroeconomic Factors on Tech and Crypto13:28 The Evolution of AI and Its Market Dynamics15:11 Concerns Over AI Business Models and Investment Strategies17:09 Navigating the Crypto Landscape: Bitcoin vs. Altcoins26:00 Bitcoin: The Largest Meme Coin?

This episode of the NFA Podcast with Nish and Frackers, Season 1 Episode 5, covered the major market downturn in crypto and tech, highlighting Bitcoin’s 20% drop, altcoin struggles, and the broader market’s reaction to Trump’s tariffs. Nish and Michiel discussed the decline in new token launches on Pumpfun, BlackRock’s Bitcoin sales, and the SEC ruling that meme coins are not securities. The Bybit hack, linked to North Korean attackers, was another key focus, revealing vulnerabilities in multi-signature transactions. Lastly, they debated whether Bitcoin will hit an all-time high this year and how its correlation with traditional markets has evolved.KeywordsNFA Podcast, crypto market, AI impact, investing strategies, meme coins, Bybit hack, market psychology, Bitcoin all time high (ATH), not financial advice, Ethereum, Solana, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Nisheta Sachdev, Michiel FrackersChapter List00:00 Introduction to the Crypto Market Landscape03:19 Market Analysis: Trends and Shifts07:49 Institutional Influence and Market Sentiment09:40 Comparative Performance: Crypto vs. Traditional Assets11:24 The Future of Crypto: Predictions and Speculations13:39 The Business Acumen of Zuckerberg15:04 Contrasting Leadership Styles: Zuckerberg vs. Musk16:38 Market Predictions and Crypto Trends17:52 The Bybit Hack: A Deep Dive22:04 Market Corrections and Future Outlookclosing: New Mariachi Theme song

In this episode of The NFA Podcast, Michiel and Nish break down the biggest stories of the week, including the massive Libra insider trading scandal, Microsoft’s claim of a quantum computing breakthrough, and the increasing dominance of crypto sponsorships in Formula 1.We also discuss former OpenAI leaders raising billions for AI competitors, China’s president Xi's surprising reunion with tech leaders after six years, and the long-term outlook of Solana and meme coins after recent controversies.Timestamps:📌 00:00 - Intro & Weekly Crypto Market Sentiment📌 05:12 - Libra Scandal: Insider Trading, Political Fallout & Meme Coin Reckoning📌 16:07 - Microsoft’s Quantum Computing Breakthrough & Its Impact on Crypto Security📌 18:59 - Ex-OpenAI Leaders Raising Billions for AI Rivals📌 19:02 - Xi Jinping Meets China’s Tech Giants: A Shift in Strategy?📌 21:37 - Formula 1’s Crypto Sponsorship Boom: Who’s In & Who’s Out?📌 24:53 - Crypto vs Stocks: Where’s the Real Opportunity?📌 27:25 - Solana’s Future: Meme Coin Trap or Blockchain Powerhouse?📌 30:22 - Meme Coin Market Crash: The End of an Era?📌 32:03 - Market Predictions: Will Crypto Go Up or Down Next Week?

In this episode, Nish and Michiel discuss the unexpected price movement of Near Protocol following an embarrassing livestream incident, the shifting sentiment around Ethereum, and GameStop’s potential investment in Bitcoin. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk’s bid for OpenAI, the European Union’s massive funding plans for “AI Giga Factories”, whatever those may be, and the challenges of AI regulation. Tech education, the rise of young AI startup founders, and the debate over college vs. entrepreneurship are also explored. The episode wraps up with stock market insights, a personal investment experiment, and a surprise AI-generated theme song for the NFA podcast.Chapters00:00 Introduction to NFA Podcast and Hosts Nisheta and Michiel01:42 Surprising News in Crypto: Near Protocol Incident03:53 Market Reactions and Near Token Performance05:22 Ethereum's Market Sentiment and Fear Index08:09 Ethereum's Performance Compared to Other Blockchains09:29 Market Predictions and New Money Flowing In11:35 GameStop's Potential Move into Crypto12:42 Upcoming Launches:  Tinder Swindler's Token13:06 Elon Musk's Bid for OpenAI14:44 The AI Summit and Global AI Treaties16:49 Youth and Startups: The College Dropout Phenomenon20:44 Market Spotlight: Insights and Predictions22:34 Investing Strategies and Personal Experiences24:44 Supermicro, Palantir and Nvidia25:20 Dutch Trance NFA Podcast Theme25:41 NFA Dutch Trance Theme Review 25:59 Indian NFA Podcast Theme26:25 Indian NFA Theme ReviewAll links:NEAR Protocol incidentTweet 1Tweet 2Near token priceLitecoin identifies as memecoinEthereum Fear & GreedVitalik communist tweetPrice comparison 1 year Bitcoin vs EthereumEthereum drops below $3,000 What’s HappeningTraders pile $130m into short bets on Ethereum. Here’s where they see the priceAI Guru Geoffrey HInton wins Nobelprize for physicsBinance CEO Remains Optimistic Amid Crypto Market Turmoil: “Market Cycles Are Normal”Who is David Sacks? The Trump crypto czar and Elon Musk pal is about to lay out his planGameStop movie trailer: Dumb MoneyWith Trump all-in on crypto, bitcoin bulls bet the trillions in cash on America's corporate balance sheets are nextExploding paper strawsHow Elon Musk $97.4 billion bid complicates matters for OpenAIUK and US refuse to sign international AI declarationUS, UK decline to sign Paris AI summit declarationEU looks to the private sector to help fund ‘AI Gigafactories,’ eyeing the frontier AI raceSan Francisco full of college dropouts starting AI startups, too young to drinkCreate AI music with Suno

This week onThe NFA Podcast, Nish and Frackers dive into the wildest stories in crypto and tech.Meme coins are back in full force as PAIN Coin raises a staggering $35 million in a pre-sale and even return money to early investors; they don't need that much. Meanwhile,OpenAI is set to raise $40 billion at a $300 billion dollar valuation, despite facing competition from DeepSeek. Palantir’sstock is up over 350% – but is it overvalued?We also break down why71% of institutional investors still refuse to trade crypto, El Salvador’s decision toend Bitcoin as legal tender, and Telegram’s blocking other chains thanTON. Plus, Nish lets herdog pick investments (yes, really), and Frackers explains that as great as Palantir and to a lesser extent Nvidia stock did, Supermicro fell apart when the accountant walked out!NFA: Nish, Frackers & you is Not Financial Advice – just takes, opinions, and a lot of fun. Listen now!

Crypto marketing expert Dr. Nisheta Sachdev and tech entrepreneur and investor Michiel Frackers discuss the latest news in the fast paced worlds of tech, AI, crypto and Web3 and highlight the tokens and stocks they find most interesting. NFA stands for Not Financial Advice or Nish, Michiel & Anon.In the first episode, Nish talks about upcoming AI-crypto projects and Michiel compares the performance of the biggest cryptocurrencies with the biggest tech companies. Which had the highest return? You may be surprised.