Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll

Tokenized Deposits and the Regulated Liability Network Concept vs. Stablecoins as digital Cheques In this episode of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, hosts Manuel Klein and Stefan Grasmann welcome Tony McLaughlin – a leading voice in the future of digital finance. Formerly known for his work on the Regulated Liability Network (RLN), Tony shares the story behind his dramatic pivot toward public blockchains and stablecoins. What changed his mind? A post-election “Thanos snap” moment, as he calls it. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of payments, from travelers checks to programmable digital money. Tony draws bold parallels between stablecoins and historical instruments, discusses the challenges of adoption in traditional finance, and explains the mission behind his new initiative: Ubix, a stablecoin clearing network. Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast, fintech strategist, or policymaker, this episode will challenge your assumptions and expand your view on the intersection of blockchain and traditional finance. Highlights: • Why stablecoins are more than digital cash • The fallacy of private blockchain adoption • The “Pokemon strategy” for banks • Stablecoins as the general-purpose technology for money • How public infrastructure could reshape the financial system Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website [https://www.bfrr.de/] Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel [https://t.me/+jA3nMkERPtc5YjQ0] ---------------------------------------- Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here [https://relai.ch/rock/]. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce tSransaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here [https://fountain.fm/show/wNv0vSPWzu8Gh7bZTorB] Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here [https://www.bfrr.de/disclaimer/] ---------------------------------------- All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

Which role academia should play in crypto and the role of the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center In this thought-provoking episode of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll (BFRR), hosts Jonas and Alex dive deep into the future of digital finance with special guest Co-Pierre Georg, Professor of Practice in Digital Finance and Technology at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and the new Director of the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center. Co-Pierre shares his journey from physicist to economist, central banker to academic innovator—touching on systemic risk, interbank markets, and his early fascination with blockchain technology. The discussion spans his work across continents, including a transformative fintech program in South Africa aimed at empowering underrepresented students and incubating real-world blockchain startups. As the new director of the Blockchain Center, Co-Pierre outlines a bold, academically rigorous vision for the future—pivoting the center toward deeper research while maintaining strong ties with the industry. He outlines three core research themes: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), blockchain-based digital property rights, and systemic risks in crypto markets. The episode sheds light on key developments, such as Frankfurt School’s upcoming MSc in Financial Technology and the rethinking of flagship programs like Web3 Talents. The latter half of the episode sparks a candid and critical debate around Bitcoin’s role as a payment system, store of value, and speculative asset. Co-Pierre explains why he views Bitcoin’s use case as fundamentally flawed—from systemic liquidity concerns, Tether-related risks, and inequality of ownership, to its suitability as a societal instrument of value. Jonas and Alex counter with insights on Bitcoin’s resilience, digital scarcity, and potential as a decentralized hedge or digital gold. Whether you’re a crypto skeptic, advocate, or curious thinker, this episode delivers a rich, nuanced perspective on the tensions between academic rigor, market hype, and technological promise in the evolving world of digital money. Tune in to challenge your assumptions—and help shape the future of money. Website Co-Pierre Georg [https://cogeorg.github.io/] LinkedIn Co-Pierre Georg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/co-pierre-georg-841074325/] Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website [https://www.bfrr.de/] Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel [https://t.me/+jA3nMkERPtc5YjQ0] ---------------------------------------- Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here [https://relai.ch/rock/]. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce tSransaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here [https://fountain.fm/show/wNv0vSPWzu8Gh7bZTorB] Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here [https://www.bfrr.de/disclaimer/] ---------------------------------------- All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

Former central banker reveals divergent US-EU stablecoin policies. 🎧 EPISODE: Transatlantic Rifts – US vs EU Crypto Regulation with Jón Helgi Egilsson Welcome back to Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll, where monetary theory meets blockchain innovation. In this episode, host Michael Blaschke dives into the diverging regulatory landscapes shaping the future of digital finance. The U.S. and the EU are carving different paths in regulating cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and blockchain infrastructure—an ideological and practical split with global consequences. Joining us is Jón Helgi Egilsson, Executive Director and co-founder of Monerium, whose unique vantage point spans central banking, fintech entrepreneurship, and both sides of the Atlantic. With a PhD in economics, leadership roles in central banking, and nearly a decade running a European blockchain finance company, Jón breaks down the core philosophical and strategic differences between the U.S.’s market-driven approach and Europe’s sovereignty-first stance. We unpack how Europe's MiCA regulation contrasts with the U.S.’s Genius Act and forthcoming Stablecoin Act, revealing different views on innovation, risk, and monetary control. John offers a candid critique of the ECB's competitive role in retail digital currencies and explains why requiring non-bank issuers to route through 12 intermediaries may contradict the very ethos of blockchain. Whether you're a policymaker, bank executive, fintech innovator, or investor, this episode delivers essential insights into how today’s decisions around CBDCs, stablecoins, and bank integration will shape tomorrow’s financial system. Trump's Stablecoin Strategy To Reinforce U.S. Dollar Dominance [https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonegilsson/2025/03/27/trumps-stablecoin-strategy-to-reinforce-us-dollar-dominance/] ECB exec renews push for digital euro to counter US stablecoin growth [https://cointelegraph.com/news/digital-euro-limit-stablecoin-use-europe-ecb]Commission livid as ECB warns of crypto apocalypse under Trump [https://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-livid-ecb-warn-crypto-apocalypse-donald-trump/] Monerium – From central banking to stablecoins with co-founder Jón Helgi Egilsson [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tSzmTSAlgeC0481221WHB] ---------------------------------------- Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here [https://relai.ch/rock/]. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here [https://fountain.fm/show/wNv0vSPWzu8Gh7bZTorB] Digital Euro Conference Partnership: BFRR partners with the Digital Euro Conference 2025 taking place on March 27 in Frankfurt. DEC25 brings together leading voices shaping the financial landscape, covering topics around retail and wholesale CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenized money in general. As an official event partner, BFRR gives away one free ticket for physical participation in Frankfurt. If you are interested, please write us an email to info@bfrr.de by January 31st. If you are not the “lucky winner”, you get 20% off the ticket prices with the code “BFRR20”. To buy your ticket go to the official website Click here [http://digital-euro-conference.de] and insert the code “BFRR20”. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here [https://www.bfrr.de/disclaimer/] ---------------------------------------- All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

April's stablecoin surge signals a new era for institutional finance. In this special May edition of Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock’n’Roll (BFRR), we dive deep into April’s most explosive developments in crypto — from Bitcoin dominance and Ethereum’s narrative struggles to the evolving global stablecoin landscape. Hosts Alex and Michael are joined by Simon Seiter, CFO & CPO of AllUnity, one of Europe’s most ambitious euro stablecoin projects, for a timely conversation about the latest market dynamics, policy shifts, and business models shaping the digital currency ecosystem. The episode kicks off with a sharp analysis of Bitcoin and Ethereum's price action throughout April. Bitcoin showed strength amid traditional market turbulence, outperforming equities and absorbing institutional capital through record-breaking ETF inflows. Meanwhile, Ethereum lagged behind, raising new questions about its long-term value proposition — especially compared to emerging alternatives like Solana. Our focus then shifts to the rapidly evolving stablecoin sector. The team breaks down Circle’s newly filed IPO and uncovers key financial figures — revealing a growing, but heavily subsidized business model with distribution costs exceeding 60% of revenue. Simon offers behind-the-scenes insight into the economics of issuing regulated stablecoins in Europe and how the market is shaped by both U.S. dominance and European regulatory uncertainty. We also discuss PayPal’s attempt to pay interest on stablecoin holdings, the SEC’s formal declaration that USDC and USDT are not securities, and growing signs of institutional engagement — including Bank of America’s hint at entering the stablecoin space. The episode also covers Circle’s new global payment network, Revolut’s record crypto profits, Ripple’s acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road, and the birth of 21.co — a Bitcoin-native company backed by Bitfinex, Tether, and SoftBank. Finally, the episode touches on widening policy gaps between the U.S. and Europe, as U.S. regulators embrace stablecoins as a geopolitical tool, while the ECB warns against them in defense of the digital euro. We unpack what this divergence means for the future of payments, monetary sovereignty, and innovation. 🎧 Tune in for sharp takes, honest analysis, and an uncensored look into crypto’s most important financial and political battlegrounds. Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website [https://www.bfrr.de/] Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel [https://t.me/+jA3nMkERPtc5YjQ0] ---------------------------------------- Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here [https://relai.ch/rock/]. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce transaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here [https://fountain.fm/show/wNv0vSPWzu8Gh7bZTorB] Digital Euro Conference Partnership: BFRR partners with the Digital Euro Conference 2025 taking place on March 27 in Frankfurt. DEC25 brings together leading voices shaping the financial landscape, covering topics around retail and wholesale CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenized money in general. As an official event partner, BFRR gives away one free ticket for physical participation in Frankfurt. If you are interested, please write us an email to info@bfrr.de by January 31st. If you are not the “lucky winner”, you get 20% off the ticket prices with the code “BFRR20”. To buy your ticket go to the official website Click here [http://digital-euro-conference.de] and insert the code “BFRR20”. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here [https://www.bfrr.de/disclaimer/] ---------------------------------------- All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!

Given its advantages and disadvantages: What is our recommendation for national Bitcoin Reserves? Welcome to another episode of BFRR – Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll, the podcast where traditional finance, digital assets, and digital money meet! This time, hosts Jonas and Alex dive deep into one of the hottest and most debated topics in the digital asset world: Bitcoin reserves. Following earlier episodes that explored bullish and bearish perspectives with guests like Frank Schäffler (German Liberal Party) and Jürgen Schaaf (European Central Bank), Jonas and Alex now take the stage themselves. After much community interest in hearing their own views, they tackle the question head-on: Should countries build up Bitcoin reserves? The discussion kicks off with a look at the groundbreaking move by Donald Trump, who initiated the formation of a U.S. Bitcoin reserve using confiscated Bitcoins — a step that could have major implications for global crypto policy. The hosts compare U.S. strategies to Germany’s recent Bitcoin sales and explore various ideas being floated to expand the reserve without burdening taxpayers, including revaluing U.S. gold holdings and issuing Bitcoin bonds. Throughout the episode, Jonas and Alex structure the concept of "Bitcoin reserves" into three distinct types: Strategic reserves for crisis supply management (like oil or medical stockpiles) Reserves to foster monetary and financial stability (such as central bank gold holdings) Sovereign wealth fund investments (aimed at long-term financial returns) They thoughtfully weigh arguments for and against Bitcoin fitting into each model, referencing insights from their past guests and digging deep into questions like: Is Bitcoin too volatile to be a reliable reserve asset? How does it compare to gold? Can Bitcoin’s scarcity and network effects justify its inclusion in national reserves? Is the U.S. move a strategic geopolitical chess play against nations like China and Russia? Ultimately, the episode provides a well-rounded, critical yet forward-looking perspective on Bitcoin's potential role in the future of global finance. Join the debate, share your thoughts in our community, and subscribe to BFRR to stay updated on how the world of digital assets is evolving! Note: This podcast reflects the personal views of the hosts and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always do your own research before making financial decisions. BFRR-Episode with Dr. Jürgen Schaaf (ECB) on the disadvantages of a Bitcoin Reserve) [https://bfrr.info/2025/03/10/downsides-of-a-bitcoin-reserve-with-ecb-advisor-dr-juergen-schaaf/] BFRR-Episode with Frank Schäffler (FDP) on the advantages of a Bitcoin Reserve - German) [https://bfrr.info/2025/02/09/why-the-fdp-demands-a-bitcoin-reserve-german/] BFRR-Episode on the fundamental value of Bitcoin - German) [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bVSVtSlhJNZt8AnW1ndsA?si=ec698f347eba4e4c&nd=1&dlsi=8aa0e1c8b6894e19] FAZ article on the fundamental value of Bitcoin – English [https://alexanderbechtel.com/what-is-the-fair-value-of-bitcoin/] Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Website [https://www.bfrr.de/] Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll Telegram Channel [https://t.me/+jA3nMkERPtc5YjQ0] ---------------------------------------- Relai*: Buy Bitcoin with Relai – you can do a one-time purchase or savings plan: Click here [https://relai.ch/rock/]. Use the referral code "ROCK" to reduce tSransaction fees by 0.1% while supporting Bitcoin, Fiat & Rock'n'Roll. Value4Value Podcast Streaming: Support our podcast by listening to our episodes on the Fountain Podcast App. This way, if you wish, you can support us "Value4Value" while listening to the podcast. You can find us on the Fountain Podcast App here: Click here [https://fountain.fm/show/wNv0vSPWzu8Gh7bZTorB] Disclaimer: The content of this podcast reflects the private opinions of the hosts, serves exclusively for general information purposes and does not constitute investment advice. Always remember: Do your own research - inform yourself before making any investment decisions, such as buying Bitcoin. First try to understand what Bitcoin is and how to store it. This podcast does not provide financial advice. Note that the co-hosts might be invested in crypto assets. Read more on our website: Click here [https://www.bfrr.de/disclaimer/] ---------------------------------------- All links marked with "*" are affiliate links. If you use these links for purchase, the podcast receives a small share of the revenue without any additional costs to you. On the contrary, affiliate links often include discount promotions, so you can even save money. We would appreciate it if you use these links to support us. Thank you very much!