Crypto Critics' Corner

Episode 10 – This one weird trick will stop you from ever having a bank run!! (never let anyone redeem)

This one weird trick will stop you from ever having a bank run!! (never let anyone redeem) – Crypto Critics' Corner

In this episode, Bennett and Cas discuss the confusing concept of what a "Tether redemption" would look like: an ever-shifting definition built on a stablecoin with an ever-shifting definition of what 1-1 backed by traditional fiat currency means. Though we haven't seen an actual Tether redemption shown on Twitter, or otherwise, for the world to see, we look forward to someone coming forward with one shortly!

In this episode Cas and I discuss what is a Tether redemption, what’s a Bitfinex redemption, and why all this talk about redemptions even matters.

Episode 9 – Shillfluencers (and the unspoken financial epidemic)

Shillfluencers (and the unspoken financial epidemic) – Crypto Critics' Corner

In this episode Bennett and Cas discuss what's being termed "shillfluencers," or influencers, celebrities, and other individuals with wealth and power, who use their "influence" to "shill" their investments. There's plenty of people – including billionaires (Elon) and has-beens (Soulja Boy) – who continue to take advantage of their ability to manipulate markets, to the point where it feels like a societal sickness. But will there be consequences?

In this episode Cas and I discuss the epidemic of shills in crypto. People getting free tokens or paid to promote tokens in what effectively is a pump and dump scheme.

I wrote about the reasons I dislike these tactics from venture capitalists here:

Why I Have Zero Faith in Crypto Venture Capitalists

Episode 8 – Coinbase Media and Why Venture Capitalism Hates Journalism

Coinbase Media and why Venture Capitalism Hates Journalism – Crypto Critics' Corner

Bennett Tomlin and Cas Piancey discuss how Coinbase plans on creating a media company to confirm its own version of the facts and report its own version of the truth. Is journalism entering its final death spiral or are VC bros just losing their minds? Read more here: https://protos.com/coinbase-crypto-exchange-media-content-marketing-journalism/ https://bennettftomlin.com/2021/05/31/a-rant-about-coinbase-media-and-coinbase-fact-checking/

In this episode Cas and I dive into the recent reporting surrounding Coinbase launching a new media arm and fact checking situation. We also talk more broadly about what we think the future of media might look like.

Cas wrote about this at Protos.

Coinbase is hunting top editorial talent — for journalism or marketing?

I wrote about this here:

A Rant About Coinbase ‘Media’ and Coinbase ‘Fact’ ‘Checking’

Episode 7 – QuadrigaCX: the Canadian cryptocurrency exchange that just won’t die

In this episode Cas and I dive into QuadrigaCX, the ill-fated exchange who was using Crypto Capital, lost client funds, got their start in ponzi schemes, may have faked their own death, and more.

Cas wrote an in-depth piece on Cotten’s death fraud.

Episode 6 – Crypto Capital Corp: the quiet billion dollar cryptocurrency scam

In this episode Cas and I take a look at the payments processor for Bitfinex, Tether, Kraken, Quadriga, and Bitmex. They’re implicated in money laundering for the cartels, wire fraud, bank fraud, embezzlement, and more.

I covered it here:

What is Crypto Capital Corp?

Cas discusses tracking Ravid Josef using her Google reviews here.

He also discusses Crypto Capital Corp and the web around it more broadly here.

Episode 5 – Two Pie Charts and a $60 Billion Stablecoin

Two Pie Charts and a $60 billion Stablecoin – Crypto Critics' Corner

Today Bennett Tomlin and I go over the recent disclosure by Tether of the make up of its reserves. If you'd like to read more, please visit: "For Every $1 in Tether there are $0.03 in Cash" https://bennettftomlin.com/2021/05/13/for-every-1-of-tether-there-are-0-03-in-cash/ or "Inside the Great Pie Chart giving Tether its dollar value" https://protos.com/tether-pie-chart-usdt-dollar-pegged-crypto-stablecoin-dollar-value/