POD99: Recent Episodes
Wealth99
POD99 is a podcast by Wealth99 that helps the 99% unlock new wealth opportunities and take control of their financial future.
In this episode of POD99 Andy discusses two key narratives related to Bitcoin: the upcoming Bitcoin halving and the potential approval of BlackRock's Bitcoin Spot ETF.
What is the Halving?
Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that enables instant payments to anyone, with no central authority. The Bitcoin network is secured by miners. Miners are specialized computers that use a consensus mechanism called “proof of work” to verify each block of Bitcoin transactions.
Miners are rewarded for their work with newly-created bitcoins. This is called the block reward. This is how new bitcoins are released into the system. A new block of transactions is added to the Bitcoin blockchain approximately every ten minutes. The miner that verifies each block receives the block reward. The current block reward is 6.25 bitcoins per block.
The number of new bitcoins that are created via the block reward is reduced by half every four years. This is known as the Bitcoin Halving. The next halving will be the Fourth Bitcoin Halving. This is when the current block reward of 6.25 bitcoins will reduce by half to 3.125 bitcoins.
The next halving will occur in March or April 2024. As we get closer to this date, media attention will focus on the halving as in the past, the halving has marked the beginning of a new Bitcoin bull run.
BackRock's Bitcoin ETF
Meanwhile, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager has filed for a Bitcoin Spot ETF. If the SEC approves this, it would open the floodgates for U.S. investors and give them an easy way to invest in Bitcoin.
Andy looks at expert commentary that suggests it is a matter of "when, not if" for approval of BlackRock's ETF.
https://www.wealth99.com/podcast
https://www.youtube.com/@wealth99global/videos
Andy is joined by Jamie Finn, the co-founder, and president of Securitize, a platform for issuing and trading digital asset securities. Securitize aims to democratize access to alternative assets for smaller investors who were previously locked out of such opportunities. Securitize has users from over 150 countries.
Jamie explains the process of tokenization and the benefits of smart contracts and blockchain technology in ensuring compliance and efficient operations. He highlights changing investor demographics and the need for firms like Hamilton Lane to adapt and reach the new generation of digitally savvy investors. Overall, there is a significant opportunity in retail investment in private capital markets, with $3 trillion of new AUM expected. Jamie expresses his preference for alternative assets over public markets due to information asymmetry and better returns over time. Finally, he shares his bullish view on Bitcoin as a hedge against traditional currencies and its ease of use compared to gold.
https://securitize.io/
https://www.wealth99.com/
In this podcast episode, Andy speaks with futurist Ross Dawson about his book "Thriving on Overload" which addresses the challenges of managing information overload in a world where technology has created more data than can be consumed. They discuss strategies for processing information effectively and making better decisions, including metacognition and visual frameworks for thinking. They also touch upon various topics related to the future such as AI and its implications for society, wealth creation through finding ventures that create value for others, and the role of humans plus AI in creating value together.
Rossdawson.com
https://www.wealth99.com/podcast
Andy is joined by Mark Yusko. Mark is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Morgan Creek Capital which has 2 billion in assets under management. Mark is one of the most brilliant and insightful investors on the planet and he was one of the first traditional hedge fund guys to publically embrace the potential of Bitcoin. Mark discusses the importance of alternative assets, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence. Mark talks about the four pillars of blockchain technology and how they can unlock the next generation of the internet. He also touches on the importance of truth versus trust in the digital age and how blockchain can provide a technological solution. The conversation also covers the importance of exponential growth, fear, and the ability to overcome it, and the need to learn from successful people.
https://www.morgancreekcap.com/
https://www.wealth99.com/
In this podcast episode, Andy speaks with Colin Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Freeport, a platform for fractional investment in fine art. They discuss how the company aims to tear down the barrier that has made investing in fine art available only to the wealthy. The first collection will be launched in May and includes four iconic pieces by Andy Warhol. Through Regulation A exemption, investors do not need to be accredited but can only spend up to 10% of their annual income or net worth. Each artwork is an individual offering and works through a Series LLC. Freeport fractionalizes artwork by issuing shares in a series LLC and then tokenizing these shares on the Ethereum blockchain. This increases access to blue-chip artwork for everyday people and unlocks liquidity in fine art, which historically has been illiquid. The long-term vision of Freeport is to be a platform that brings all assets not currently on the blockchain into one place, allowing people to invest in them and experience them virtually. Colin also discusses how rare, expensive collectibles tend to perform well over time and highlights the potential benefits of tokenizing these types of assets.
https://freeport.app/
Andy interviews Joshua Scigala, founder of The Standard. The Standard is a next-generation monetary system that allows users to generate stablecoins called "Standard euros" by locking up their crypto or physical gold as collateral via smart contracts. This stablecoin protocol aims to unlock stored value and provide stability amidst global inflation and economic turmoil. Joshua Shigala discusses the importance of hard money and saving in rare assets like cryptocurrency or precious metals to combat inflation. The conversation then shifts to AI, its potential impact on society, and the need to build and save wealth as we enter an exponential age caused by rapid technological advancement.
https://www.thestandard.io/
https://www.wealth99.com/
Andy talks with early Bitcoin investor Danny Oyekan. They discuss Danny's introduction to the crypto industry in 2012, his early investment in Bitcoin, and venture investing in the space. Danny co-founded Blockfinex, a Binance-powered exchange that offers spot trading with plans to add more features soon. They also talk about the growing interest in Bitcoin from emerging markets like Africa where it's mostly used for cross-border remittances but is expected to grow as internet penetration increases. Dubai is becoming another crypto hub due to its pro-innovation policies and regulatory clarity.
Oyekan encourages people to learn about self-custody wallets, seed phrases, and blockchain technology to understand the importance of financial literacy from a young age. His most contrarian view on building wealth is that it takes time and patience over 5-10 years or more. The bull case for Bitcoin is finally here due to recent events such as the US banking crisis highlighting the need for self-custody assets.
Oyekan believes that a banking crisis and geopolitical issues are making alternative assets such as Bitcoin and gold more attractive. He thinks that the fiat Ponzi scheme is dead and encourages people to invest in either Bitcoin or gold. He believes that tokenized precious metals will coexist with Bitcoin as forms of money.
https://www.blockfinex.com/
https://www.wealth99.com/
Alexandra DaCosta is the CEO and a founding member of Aspen Creek Digital Corporation, whose mission is to catalyze the decarbonization of power generation by creating the world’s leading renewable Bitcoin mining operator.
ACDC designs, develops, builds, owns and operates its own data centers that are powered by renewable energy sources such as solar fields.
Alexandra and Andy discuss the Bitcoin Mining industry and the various initiatives promoting clean, green Bitcoin mining for a more sustainable future for the most important alternative asset - Bitcoin.
The conversation touches on the perception of Bitcoin mining as an energy consumer but emphasizes the value that cryptocurrencies bring to society.
DaCosta also addresses concerns about Bitcoin mining's energy consumption, pointing out that it is not as significant as some may believe and that miners are often using renewable energy sources. He suggests that Bitcoin miners could be a valuable asset in promoting grid flexibility and transitioning towards more sustainable power sources.
The podcast discusses the future of renewable energy in the US and the role of bitcoin mining in clean energy. Alexandra believes that there is a bright future for renewables, and it's important to focus on standing up new renewable power sources rather than debating who should be in charge. She also sees a place for nuclear power and thinks batteries will be a game-changer for grid stability.
https://www.wealth99.com/
https://acdigitalcorp.com/
Dave The Wave is a pseudo-anonymous investor, trader, and technical analyst. A contrarian, Dave has a unique insight into Bitcoin, its chart history, and its potential chart future.
Dave is the author of the Bitcoin Logarithmic Growth Curve chart, one of the only accurate predictive models of Bitcoin's price. Bitcoin is currently in the buy zone of the LGC and has recently turned bullish. As global central banks start to wobble, and the threat of inflation looms, investors are turning to Bitcoin as a hedge. Dave and Andy discuss what Bitcoin might do next, and when a new all-time high might be achieved.
https://www.wealth99.com/
https://www.davthewave.com/
Dave The Wave is a pseudo-anonymous investor, trader, and technical analyst. A contrarian, Dave has a unique insight into Bitcoin, its chart history, and its potential chart future.
Dave is the author of the Bitcoin Logarithmic Growth Curve chart, one of the only accurate predictive models of Bitcoin's price. Bitcoin is currently in the buy zone of the LGC and has recently turned bullish. As global central banks start to wobble, and the threat of inflation looms, investors are turning to Bitcoin as a hedge. Dave and Andy discuss what Bitcoin might do next, and when a new all-time high might be achieved.
https://www.wealth99.com/
https://www.davthewave.com/
Jason Cozens is the founder and CEO at Glint - a platform where users can digitally buy, sell, send, and use gold as everyday money. As inflation continues to eat away at the savings of everyday people, alternative assets such as gold and tokenized precious metals provide a possible solution. https://www.wealth99.com/ https://glintpay.com/
On this episode of POD99 we talk with Stefan Rust, the founder of Laguna Labs, a cutting-edge blockchain development house that has launched truflation.com, and nuon.fi.
Inflation has been a major issue around the world for the last 12 months, with consumer prices rising and the cost of everyday goods such as petrol and groceries jumping significantly.
Truflation is an independent and censorship-resistant inflation dashboard based on census-level price information from more than 30 data sources in real-time. Nuon is the world's first decentralized flatcoin. A flatcoin is a stablecoin pegged to a basket of goods, shielding holders against loss of value from inflation.
https://truflation.com/
https://www.wealth99.com/
On this episode of POD99 we talk with Darcy Ungaro, the founder of Ungaro & Co, a boutique firm of financial advisers.
We discuss the role of alternative assets such as crypto and precious metals in a diversified investment portfolio and the advantages of tokenization.
Darcy says that while the global macro outlook remains uncertain, the opportunities for the 99% to build wealth have never been greater.
https://www.wealth99.com/