Early Riders Media

Iran Just Turned the World's Most Important Waterway Into a Bitcoin Market

Show Notes: Connect with Early Riders - https://www.earlyriders.com/contact [https://www.earlyriders.com/contact] Connect with Onramp — https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/ [https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/] Presented collaboratively by Early Riders & Onramp Media… Final Settlement is a weekly podcast covering capital markets, dealmaking, early-stage venture, bitcoin applications and protocol development. This week Liam, Brian, and Michael cover OnRamp's $12.5M Series A, Iran's Bitcoin-denominated Hormuz Safe insurance platform, the Clarity Act's passage through the Senate Banking Committee, Hyperliquid's USDC pivot and partnership with Coinbase, Standard Chartered's acquisition of Zodia Custody, Gemini's mounting losses, and Prime Trust's $970M lawsuit against Swan Bitcoin. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Current Events 01:58 - On-Ramp's Series A and Market Positioning 05:54 - Bitcoin's Role in Global Transactions 10:21 - Iran's Adoption of Bitcoin for Payments 15:14 - The Clarity Act and Its Implications 20:23 - Stablecoins and Their Future 31:36 - Hyperliquid's Partnership with Coinbase 34:37 - The Future of Stablecoins and Bitcoin Adoption 39:50 - Standard Chartered's Strategic Moves in Crypto Custody 44:22 - Building vs. Buying: The Path of Traditional Finance 47:18 - Gemini's Financial Struggles and Market Positioning 50:58 - Pre-IPO Trading and Market Speculation 54:03 - Prime Trust's Legal Challenges and Custody Concerns If you found this valuable, please subscribe to Early Riders Insights for access to the best content in the ecosystem weekly: https://www.earlyriders.com/research [https://www.earlyriders.com/research] Keep up with Michael: https://x.com/MTanguma [https://x.com/MTanguma] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/] Keep up with Liam: https://x.com/Lnelson_21 [https://x.com/Lnelson_21] https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/] Keep up with Brian: https://x.com/BackslashBTC [https://x.com/BackslashBTC] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/]

The Clarity Act Isn't Priced In: BNY, Morgan Stanley, & the End of Coinbase's Moat

Show Notes: Connect with Early Riders — https://www.earlyriders.com/contact [https://www.earlyriders.com/contact] Connect with Onramp — https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/ [https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/] Presented collaboratively by Early Riders & Onramp Media… Final Settlement is a weekly podcast covering capital markets, dealmaking, early-stage venture, bitcoin applications and protocol development. This week Liam, Brian, and Michael cover Coinbase's recent earnings report, the degradation of their competitive moat, the American Banking Association's panic due to the Clarity act, the implications of Circle's new token, and the significant moves made by institutions like BNY Mellon and Kraken. Chapters 00:00 - Coinbase's Earnings and Layoffs 02:59 - Market Position and Competition 06:11 - The Future of Coinbase and Leadership Challenges 09:03 - Circle's New Token and Relationship with Coinbase 12:10 - The Clarity Act and Stablecoin Regulations 14:53 - The Role of Traditional Banks in Crypto 18:11 - Tokenized Securities and Market Innovations 33:17 - Tokenization and Financial Evolution 36:02 - The Risks of Over-Collateralization 39:35 - Institutional Moves in Crypto Custody 42:50 - Kraken's Strategic Acquisition 47:54 - The Future of Crypto Funds 51:09 - Emerging Financial Products and AI Integration If you found this valuable, please subscribe to Early Riders Insights for access to the best content in the ecosystem weekly: https://www.earlyriders.com/research [https://www.earlyriders.com/research] Keep up with Michael: https://x.com/MTanguma [https://x.com/MTanguma] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/] Keep up with Liam: https://x.com/Lnelson_21 [https://x.com/Lnelson_21] https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/] Keep up with Brian: https://x.com/BackslashBTC [https://x.com/BackslashBTC] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/]

Stablecoins Are The Most Bullish Thing For Bitcoin

Connect with Early Riders — https://www.earlyriders.com/contact [https://www.earlyriders.com/contact] Connect with Onramp — https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/ [https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/] Presented collaboratively by Early Riders & Onramp Media… Final Settlement is a weekly podcast covering capital markets, dealmaking, early-stage venture, bitcoin applications and protocol development. This week Liam, Brian, and Michael cover the latest developments in bitcoin and stablecoins. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the evolving landscape of digital money, focusing on Bitcoin and stablecoins. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Market Overview 03:09 - The Clarity Act and Its Implications 06:05 - Stablecoins: The Future of Financial Transactions 09:10 - Stripe's Major Announcements and Acquisitions 11:50 - Agentic Commerce and Payment Innovations 14:54 - Comparing Stripe and Lightspark's Approaches 18:08 - Liquidity Solutions and the Future of Stablecoins 28:18 - The Evolution of Digital Money and Bitcoin Adoption 31:13 - Stablecoins: The Future of Bitcoin Liquidity 34:12 - Custody Challenges in the Digital Asset Space 40:33 - Innovations in Bitcoin Wallets and Payment Solutions 47:06 - The Rise of Bitcoin-Backed Financial Products 53:24 - Mergers and Acquisitions in the Bitcoin Ecosystem If you found this valuable, please subscribe to Early Riders Insights for access to the best content in the ecosystem weekly: https://www.earlyriders.com/research [https://www.earlyriders.com/research] Keep up with Michael: https://x.com/MTanguma [https://x.com/MTanguma] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/] Keep up with Liam: https://x.com/Lnelson_21 [https://x.com/Lnelson_21] https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/] Keep up with Brian: https://x.com/BackslashBTC [https://x.com/BackslashBTC] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/]

Block Size Wars II: Quantum & The Battle Over Satoshi's Coins

Connect with Early Riders — https://www.earlyriders.com/contact [https://www.earlyriders.com/contact] Connect with Onramp — https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/ [https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/] Presented collaboratively by Early Riders & Onramp Media… Final Settlement is a weekly podcast covering capital markets, dealmaking, early-stage venture, bitcoin applications and protocol development. This week Liam, Brian, and Michael cover the latest developments in digital assets, DeFi, and macroeconomic trends. The hosts analyze recent events like tether freezes, DeFi exploits, and India's CBDC pilots, providing insights into the evolving landscape of digital finance. Chapters 05:00 - The Role of Tether in Global Finance 08:10 - Decentralization vs Centralization in Crypto 11:01 - The Fragility of DeFi and Recent Exploits 17:20 - The Impact of AI on Employment 22:39 - Economic Conditions and Corporate Layoffs 31:28 - Digital Asset Roundup: Trends and Innovations 37:28 - The Role of Stablecoins in Transactions 43:09 - Integrating Bitcoin Payments in India 47:19 - AI Investments and the Future of Tech Funding 52:51 - Democratizing Access to Private Companies 58:43 - The Debate on Freezing Coins and Market Dynamics If you found this valuable, please subscribe to Early Riders Insights for access to the best content in the ecosystem weekly: https://www.earlyriders.com/research [https://www.earlyriders.com/research] Keep up with Michael: https://x.com/MTanguma [https://x.com/MTanguma] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/] Keep up with Liam: https://x.com/Lnelson_21 [https://x.com/Lnelson_21] https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/] Keep up with Brian: https://x.com/BackslashBTC [https://x.com/BackslashBTC] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/]

Onramp Finance, Schwab, Morgan Stanley — Who Wins?

Connect with Early Riders — https://www.earlyriders.com/contact [https://www.earlyriders.com/contact] Connect with Onramp — https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/ [https://onrampbitcoin.com/contact-us/] Presented collaboratively by Early Riders & Onramp Media… Final Settlement is a weekly podcast covering capital markets, dealmaking, early-stage venture, bitcoin applications and protocol development. Chapters 00:00 - Big Announcement: Onramp Finance 03:55 - Bridging Bitcoin and Traditional Finance 10:14 - The Future of Financial Services 15:27 - Convergence of TradFi and Bitcoin Services 17:56 - Introducing the Genesis Program 28:05 - DeFi Hacks and Security Concerns 33:31 - The Security Landscape of AI and Blockchain 35:51 - Traditional Finance's Entry into Crypto 39:07 - Institutional Adoption and Market Sentiment 47:20 - Kraken's IPO Journey and Market Dynamics 58:24 - Innovations in Financial Services and User Experience If you found this valuable, please subscribe to Early Riders Insights for access to the best content in the ecosystem weekly: https://www.earlyriders.com/research [https://www.earlyriders.com/research] Keep up with Michael: https://x.com/MTanguma [https://x.com/MTanguma] https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtanguma/] Keep up with Liam: https://x.com/Lnelson_21 [https://x.com/Lnelson_21] https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-nelson1/] Keep up with Brian: https://x.com/BackslashBTC [https://x.com/BackslashBTC] https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cubellis-00b1a660/] Links Discussed:  https://onrampbitcoin.com/finance [https://onrampbitcoin.com/finance] https://x.com/Jeremybtc/status/2045588919362990431?s=20 [https://x.com/Jeremybtc/status/2045588919362990431?s=20] https://x.com/waleswoosh/status/2046147450394890680?s=20 [https://x.com/waleswoosh/status/2046147450394890680?s=20] https://x.com/tatie_bree/status/2045972538606415992?s=20 [https://x.com/tatie_bree/status/2045972538606415992?s=20] https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/kraken-reportedly-confirms-ipo-filing [https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/kraken-reportedly-confirms-ipo-filing] https://blog.kraken.com/news/payward-acquires-bitnomial [https://blog.kraken.com/news/payward-acquires-bitnomial] https://pressroom.aboutschwab.com/press-releases/press-release/2026/Charles-Schwab-Announces-Details-of-Spot-Crypto-Trading-Launch/default.aspx [https://pressroom.aboutschwab.com/press-releases/press-release/2026/Charles-Schwab-Announces-Details-of-Spot-Crypto-Trading-Launch/default.aspx] https://www.theblock.co/post/397764/morgan-stanley-amy-oldenburg-crypto-daily-business-operations-across-firm?utm_source=telegram1&utm_medium=social [https://www.theblock.co/post/397764/morgan-stanley-amy-oldenburg-crypto-daily-business-operations-across-firm?utm_source=telegram1&utm_medium=social] https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/crypto/articles/bitcoin-meets-income-goldman-sachs-013104679.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/crypto/articles/bitcoin-meets-income-goldman-sachs-013104679.html] https://tether.io/news/tether-launches-tether-wallet-the-peoples-wallet-extending-its-global-financial-infrastructure-directly-to-billions-of-users-left-behind-by-the-traditional-financial-system/ [https://tether.io/news/tether-launches-tether-wallet-the-peoples-wallet-extending-its-global-financial-infrastructure-directly-to-billions-of-users-left-behind-by-the-traditional-financial-system/] https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/slash-a-ramp-competitor-founded-by-teenagers-raises-100m-at-1-4b-valuation/ [https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/16/slash-a-ramp-competitor-founded-by-teenagers-raises-100m-at-1-4b-valuation/] https://fortune.com/2026/04/14/anthropic-mythos-reveals-security-gap-ai-finds-flaws-far-faster-than-companies-can-patch-them/?j=112229&sfmc_sub=22516093&l=1227_HTML&u=8898615&mid=546014653&jb=1178&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NL_fortune-500-digest_2026-4-18_112229&utm_term=fortune-500-digest&sfmc_id=22516093 [https://fortune.com/2026/04/14/anthropic-mythos-reveals-security-gap-ai-finds-flaws-far-faster-than-companies-can-patch-them/?j=112229&sfmc_sub=22516093&l=1227_HTML&u=8898615&mid=546014653&jb=1178&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NL_fortune-500-digest_2026-4-18_112229&utm_term=fortune-500-digest&sfmc_id=22516093] https://velo.xyz/news/1817 [https://velo.xyz/news/1817]