Bits + Bips: Is Crypto the Only Asset That Works When Geopolitics Breaks Down?

Hosts unpack how geopolitical shocks, AI and crypto regulation collide — market resilience, stablecoin battles, and tech's policy limits.

Key Takeaways

Regional strikes drove energy outperformance while markets and Bitcoin proved resilient; left-tail risks remain (insurance, Strait of Hormuz transits), so expect episodic volatility.
24/7 trading and platforms like Hyperliquid delivered critical weekend price discovery; institutional 24/7 participation could reshape liquidity—monitor continuous venues for early signals.
Stablecoin clarity is stalled by OCC rules and banking interests; bipartisan progress requires industry consensus—engage representatives, vote, and support pragmatic compromise.
Crypto's public reputation is poor; focus on demonstrable utility, security, and UX improvements and partnerships with community banks to rebuild trust—Coinbase's US posture is instructive.
AI hype is driving layoffs and strategic narratives; AI will improve wallet UX but raises military ethics (lethal autonomy, mass surveillance)—enforce legal guardrails while preserving operational capability.
Iran change likely must be grassroots; educated youth could adopt crypto and decentralized money, but repression and potential fragmentation create severe political and humanitarian risks.