Former CFTC chairman Christopher Giancarlo talks about how his experience of the financial crisis piqued his interest in blockchain technology, why the CFTC thought the introduction of Bitcoin futures would help pop the 2017 Bitcoin bubble, and how "there's no simple answer" to explain when a token goes from being a security to a commodity. He discusses why he believes there needs to be a "refresh" of regulations written decades ago that are difficult to apply in a digital world, why he thinks Libra represents a fundamental generational change and why he thinks the project should be allowed to go forward. We also cover the Chinese digital yuan, why the USD should not assume that its global dominance today will translate into global dominance tomorrow, and his own proposal for a digital dollar, which he dubs "Zelle + JPMorgan Coin." Plus, he gives the behind-the-scenes look at why he decided to speak "as a dad" in the Congressional hearing that made him an overnight crypto celebrity.
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Episode links:
Christopher Giancarlo: https://twitter.com/giancarloMKTS
https://www.cftc.gov/About/Commissioners/JChristopherGiancarlo/index.htm
CFTC: https://www.cftc.gov/
Chamber of Digital Commerce: https://digitalchamber.org/
Let the technology evolve before regulating/CFTC is behind on regulating: https://www.coindesk.com/cftc-chair-says-regulator-is-behind-on-blockchain
Popping the Bitcoin bubble: https://www.coindesk.com/trump-administration-popped-2017-bitcoin-bubble-ex-cftc-chair-says
Talks with Facebook pre-Libra launch: https://www.coindesk.com/facebook-holds-talks-with-cftc-over-globalcoin-cryptocurrency-report
The introduction of Bitcoin futures helping to pop the crypto bubble: https://www.frbsf.org/economic-research/publications/economic-letter/2018/may/how-futures-trading-changed-bitcoin-prices/
Wall Street Journal op-ed proposing a digital dollar: https://www.wsj.com/articles/we-sent-a-man-to-the-moon-we-can-send-the-dollar-to-cyberspace-11571179923
Initial confusion over LedgerX not receiving approval or disapproval within 180 days to launch Bitcoin futures: https://www.coindesk.com/what-happened-why-the-first-us-physical-bitcoin-futures-contracts-havent-launched
CoinDesk article with emails from LedgerX on CFTC dispute: https://www.coindesk.com/ledgerx-claims-personal-animus-drove-ex-cftc-chair-to-stall-approvals
Commodity Exchange Act: https://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/Commodity%20Exchange%20Act.pdf
Emails sent from LedgerX to the CFTC: https://static.coindesk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/19-00104-FOIA-Records.pdf
Paul Chou’s blog post summarizing what happened: https://blog.ledgerx.com/let-me-set-the-record-straight/
More context from Noelle Acheson on the dispute: https://www.coindesk.com/derivatives-drama-the-unintended-consequences-of-crypto-regulation
Ex-CFTC Commissioner Berkovitz Says ‘DeFi Should Be Regulated’ – But How? - Ep. 496
The Chopping Block: Wizards vs. Laser Eyes for the Future of Bitcoin - Ep. 495
The Ugly Tradeoffs of Ledger’s New Recovery Service - Ep. 494
Bitcoin’s BRC-20 Mania: Is It Sustainable? - Ep. 493
The Chopping Block: Do Aragon Association Members Get 'Fat Salaries' With 'Zero Accountability'? - Ep. 492
The IRS Wants $44B From Bankrupt FTX. How Is That Possible? - Ep. 491
Writing the Book on FTX’s Downfall: ‘It Was All Just Sam’ - Ep. 490
$630M Due Next Week: Is DCG at Default Risk? - Ep. 489
Do You Need to Think Twice Before Restaking Your Assets? - Ep. 488
The Chopping Block: Why Are We Still Building Layer 1s? - Ep. 487
Coinbase's Legal Action Against the SEC: How It Will Likely Unfold - Ep. 486
Gary Gensler vs. Crypto: What Will the SEC Attack Next? - Ep. 485
The Chopping Block: Are Layer 2s Stealing Ethereum’s Thunder? - Ep. 484
‘Is ETH a Security?’ Why Gary Gensler Couldn’t Give Congress a Straight Answer - Ep. 483
Why MEV Will Always Be Controversial - Ep. 482
The Chopping Block: Are VCs Bad for Crypto? - Ep. 481
Laura’s 10-Year Anniversary of Self-Employment: A Personal Message
Shapella in the Rearview: After Major Upgrade, What’s Next for Ethereum? - Ep. 480
Are DAOs Strong Enough to Survive the Regulators? - Ep. 479
Rep. Emmer on Why He Believes Gary Gensler Is a ‘Bad-Faith Regulator’ - Ep. 478
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