Why Bitcoin's Lack of Yield Keeps Straining Its Treasury Companies
David Lawant, Head of Research at Anchorage Digital, breaks down why Bitcoin's lack of native yield puts constant pressure on treasury companies, and makes the case that Michael Saylor's playbook is evolving rather than breaking.
Host:
Steven Ehrlich, Host of Bits + Bips: The Interview and Head of Research at Sharplink
Guest:
David Lawant, Head of Research at Anchorage Digital
This clip is from a longer conversation on Strategy's Stretch rescue plan and Bitcoin's options market. Full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/VwBxQTcJeXc
New Bits + Bips interviews are posted regularly - subscribe to catch the next one.
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Chapters:
🎙️ 00:00 A new Citi report reveals why retail's crypto excitement has quietly collapsed
📉 00:17 Retail's bet on the Mag Seven just hit a multiyear low
😨 01:15 The unsettling reason retail fears Saylor becoming Bitcoin's buyer of last resort
🃏 01:44 Revisiting Saylor's infamous "sell your organs before your Bitcoin" line
🪙 02:34 The yield problem: why Bitcoin generates nothing, while Ethereum and Solana pay
📈 03:06 David on covered calls and the fast rise of synthetic yield strategies
🏛️ 04:39 Saylor, the OG who wrote the playbook on institutional Bitcoin accumulation
⚓ 06:28 Why David says Strategy is quietly weathering the storm better than anyone
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Quadrillions: You’re Already Late | Mike Belshe, Justin Peterson & Eric Saraniecki
In this episode, we cover institutional crypto adoption, stablecoins’ interplay with treasuries and 24/7 repo financing on Canton, the risks associated with wrapped assets and stablecoin fragmentation, and 2026 expectations for broader, client-driven OTC and onchain activity.
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Quadrillions brings together the voices defining the next era of finance. From institutional rails to stablecoins and privacy, the series dives into how traditional markets, crypto innovation, and regulatory frameworks are converging to bring the full force of capital markets onchain.
Join hosts Jason Yanowitz, Yuval Rooz, and Eric Saraniecki for deep dives with special guests Shaul Kfir, Don Wilson, Mike Belshe, Justin Peterson, Acting Chair Caroline Pham, Eli Ben-Sasson, and more.
Produced by Blockworks and Canton Network. For more information, check out https://quadrillionspod.com/
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:38) Tradeweb's Origin Story
(3:58) The State of Institutional Crypto Adoption
(8:23) Where is the Most Growth Right Now?
(10:26) Consolidating Stablecoins
(15:23) Tradeweb's Crypto Strategy
(18:32) What Does Crypto Solve Today?
(23:37) The Next 100x Growth Opportunity
(27:56) Bringing RWAs Onchain
(31:25) The Role of Custodians
(35:03) Canton's Go-to-market Strategy
(38:31) Tokenized Equities
(44:02) The Need For Privacy
(49:23) Crypto Adoption Going Forward
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Disclaimer: “Quadrillions” is a mini-series produced by Blockworks, and is sponsored by Canton Network. Nothing on this show is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. It’s for informational purposes only, and the views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice or necessarily the views of Blockworks.
Our hosts, guests, and the Blockworks team may hold positions in companies, funds, or projects discussed, including those related to Canton Network.
How Venture Is Navigating Crypto IPOs Featuring Rob Hadick & Diogo Mónica
This week, Jason and Santi are joined by Rob Hadick (Dragonfly), and Diogo Monica (Anchorage/Haun Ventures) to dive into the evolving crypto venture landscape.
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Start your day with crypto news, analysis and data from Katherine Ross. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts--
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Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJh
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SKALE is the next evolution in Layer 1 blockchains with a gas-free invisible user experience, instant finality, high speed, and robust security. SKALE is built different as it allows for limitless scalability and has already saved its 50 Million users over $11 Billion in gas fees. SKALE is high-performance and cost-effective, making it ideal for compute-intensive applications like AI, gaming, and consumer-facing dApps. Learn more at https://skale.space and stay up to date with the gas-free invisible blockchain on X at @skalenetwork
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Marinade Labs develops staking technologies that strengthen Solana.In 2021, our protocol was the first to bring liquid staking to the network; today, our sophisticated, high-performance staking delegation platform brings billions in liquidity and security to the SOL market. We have solutions for both DeFi and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations.Our best-in-market features include user downside protection (through protected staking rewards) and optimized delegation (via our automated auction marketplace). Crypto asset investors worldwide, from individual traders to global institutions, use Marinade to earn rewards on their SOL treasuries and holdings. We are headquartered in New York, with offices in the European Union, including Prague. To learn more about Marinade, visit https://www.marinade.finance.
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Crypto never sleeps. So we built an Al analyst that never blinks.Meet Focal by FalconX: a GenAI insights engine built for institutional crypto. Already used by 80+ funds managing $10B+ in AUM. Screen, chart, and analyze 1300+ tokens. Summarize market-moving news instantly. Integrates data from CoinGecko, Kaito, Token Terminal, Tokenomist, The Tie. Get started today: https://askfocal.com
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Petra Earn was designed to make DeFi more accessible for everyone—from seasoned pros to DeFi beginners. Manage your balance, claim rewards and deposit directly from the app.By supplying USDT to Aries lending pools, users have the potential to earn a higher yield compared to some traditional methods.Not financial advice. Participating in Defi carries risks. To learn more visit https://petra.app/earn
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Ledn is the leading platform for Bitcoin-backed loans, offering a secure and transparent way to unlock liquidity without selling your Bitcoin. Ledn has issued over $9 billion in loans since 2018 and has never lost a single satoshi of client assets, earning a reputation as the name you can trust in the crypto space. Visit https://www.ledn.io to learn more.
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Chapters:
(00:00) Intro
(02:50) Current State of Venture
(11:29) Ads (Skale Marinade)
(13:07) Crypto Company IPOs
(26:15) Crypto Treasury Companies
(36:06) Ads (Skale Marinade)
(37:44) How Does Hyperliquid’s Success Impact Venture?
(41:27) Exploring PumpDotFun’s Raise
(48:05) Ads (Falcon x, Aptos, LEDN)
(50:36) Crypto’s Most Exciting Opportunities Today
(01:01:42) X & Polymarket Join Force
(01:04:42) Ripple’s Strategy
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
The Hidden Costs of USDC | Nathan McCauley & Charles Cascarilla
In today's episode Charles Cascarilla from Paxos and Nathan McCauley from Anchorage reveal why today's stablecoin giants keep billions in yield that could be flowing to users. They unpack USDG's approach through the Global Dollar Network, exploring why major companies might choose collaboration over competition. The conversation spans Tether's surprising resilience, USDC's challenging relationship with crypto builders, and bold predictions for stablecoin regulation and adoption in 2025. Thanks for tuning in!
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GEODNET’s native token, GEOD, can be easily mined with a GEODNET Satellite Miner, presenting a unique opportunity to generate passive income. By setting up a GEODNET base station, you can join this groundbreaking Web3 ecosystem that is powering the future of AI and robotics.
Join the revolution today and learn more at https://geodnet.com.
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Unichain is a fast, decentralized L2 that’s built to be the home for DeFi and liquidity across chains.
To stay updated on news including the upcoming launch of Unichain, visit www.Unichain.org or follow @Unichain on X.
- -
Petra Earn was designed to make DeFi more accessible for everyone—from seasoned pros to DeFi beginners. Manage your balance, claim rewards and deposit directly from the app.
By supplying USDT to Aries lending pools, users have the potential to earn a higher yield compared to some traditional methods.
Not financial advice. Participating in Defi carries risks. To learn more visit petra.app/earn
- -
Get up to speed on the biggest stories in crypto each week. In five minutes. Get the Bitwise Weekly CIO Memo delivered directly to your inbox at bitwiseinvestments.com/ciomemo/empire .
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Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction
(02:28) Paxos & Anchorage Business Model
(05:45) Stablecoin Landscape
(14:38) USDC's Vampire Effect
(24:53) Economics of USDG
(39:03) Geodnet Ad
(40:01) Uniswap Ad
(40:48) Aptos Ad
(41:31) Bitwise Ad
(42:21) Dynamics of Consortium
(49:35) Market Share of Stablecoins
(55:36) Ethena's Business Model
(59:13) Stablecoin Legislation Outloo
(01:02:14) Bullish Predictions
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Diogo Mónica on building company 'cult-ure' and lessons for startup founders
Diogo Mónica is the founder and executive chairman of Anchorage Digital, and a general partner at Haun Ventures.
In this episode, Chaparro and Diogo discuss how culture and intensity are crucial in building successful teams and companies in the crypto industry.
OUTLINE
00:00 Introduction
03:44 Macro & Geopolitical Risks
04:39 Buying the Dip
06:20 VC Conviction
09:20 Mónica's Background
18:19 Startup Culture
23:58 Building Crypto Companies
26:13 Advice for Founders
33:44 2024 VC Landscape
38:19 Consumer Crypto Apps
41:31 Crypto x AI
47:11 Predictions
This episode is brought to you by our sponsor Polkadot
Polkadot is the blockspace ecosystem for boundless innovation. To discover more head to polkadot.network
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How Anchorage is helping hedge funds custody hundreds of millions of dollars in NFTs
As the market for non-fungible tokens continues to court interest from mainstream corporates, investors, and celebrities, Anchorage co-founder Diogo Mónica reveals how his firm is managing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of these assets.
As Mónica explained during an interview on The Scoop with host Frank Chaparro, there are two main reasons he believes institutions are expressing interest in NFTs:
“The first one is that it’s free marketing. You buy an NFT or you do something in crypto and for a few hundred thousand dollars you get tens of millions of dollars of mainstream press. The second reason, which is probably the major reason for the ones who want to build products, is they want to try it out… if you’re going to build a product in NFTs, you have to own one.”
Indeed, institutional interest in developing NFT products is accelerating. This month alone, Softbank, Gamestop, and Instagram all announced NFT products slated for release in the near future.
Still, Mónica noted that NFTs only represent a small portion of the digital assets of which Anchorage holds custody. “I would say it probably maps in the hundreds of millions. But the business is obviously measured in the tens of billions which makes it not significant enough yet." The core of Anchorage's business is its institutional custodian services, which have been growing since its inception in 2017. Last year, Anchorage became the first federally chartered digital asset bank in the US and has now expanded its operations to lending and trading services.
One particularly interesting NFT play that aligns with this narrative was Visa's acquisition of a CryptoPunk NFT last summer, which Anchorage Digital helped to facilitate.
Episode 21 of Season 4 of The Scoop was recorded remotely with The Block’s Frank Chaparro and Diogo Monica, Co-Founder and President of Anchorage Digital.
Listen below, and subscribe to The Scoop on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Email feedback and revision requests to podcast@theblockcrypto.com.
This episode is brought to you by our sponsors Fireblocks, Coinbase Prime & Chainalysis
Fireblocks is an enterprise-grade platform delivering a secure infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets. Fireblocks enables exchanges, lending desks, custodians, banks, trading desks, and hedge funds to securely scale digital asset operations through the Fireblocks Network and MPC-based Wallet Infrastructure. Fireblocks serves over 725 financial institutions, has secured the transfer of over $1.5 trillion in digital assets, and has a unique insurance policy that covers assets in storage & transit. For more information, please visit www.fireblocks.com.
About Coinbase Prime
Coinbase Prime is an integrated solution that provides institutional investors with an advanced trading platform, secure custody, and prime services to manage all their crypto assets in one place. Coinbase Prime fully integrates crypto trading and custody on a single platform, and gives clients the best all-in pricing in their network using their proprietary Smart Order Router and algorithmic execution. For more information, visit www.coinbase.com/prime.
About Chainalysis
Chainalysis is the blockchain data platform. We provide data, software, services, and research to government agencies, exchanges, financial institutions, and insurance and cybersecurity companies in over 60 countries. Our data powers investigation, compliance, and market intelligence software that has been used to solve some of the world’s most high-profile criminal cases and grow consumer access to cryptocurrency safely. Backed by Accel, Addition, Benchmark, Coatue, Paradigm, Ribbit, and other leading firms in venture capital, Chainalysis builds trust in blockchains to promote more financial freedom with less risk. For more information, visit www.chainalysis.com.
Anchorage Digital: Serving Institutional Crypto Needs - [Web3 Breakdowns, EP. 12]
Today's episode was originally featured in our Web3 Breakdowns feed. For listeners unfamiliar with Web3 Breakdowns, the concept was inspired by Business Breakdowns but intended to be a place fully dedicated to the emerging ecosystem around blockchains, crypto assets, and everything that makes up Web3. This Breakdown of Anchorage Digital has a foot in both camps, by diving into a business that’s enabling traditional institutions to participate in and profit from digital assets. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to Web3 Breakdowns and enjoy our growing catalog of episodes.
My guest today is Diogo Monica, co-founder and President of Anchorage Digital. Diogo started Anchorage in 2017 to meet the growing institutional need to custody and use crypto assets. The business has since grown into a full-service financial platform for institutions, allowing them to securely participate in web3. Our discussion breaks down Anchorage’s business, explores what great digital security looks like, and reveals what new behaviors web3 is unlocking for traditional institutions. Please enjoy this breakdown of Anchorage Digital.
For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
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This episode is brought to you by Coinbase Prime. Coinbase Prime combines advanced trading, battle-tested custody, financing, and prime services in a single solution. Clients have used our comprehensive investing platform to execute some of the largest trades in the industry because we are the only publicly-traded company with experience trading and custodying crypto assets at scale. Get started with Coinbase Prime today at coinbase.com/prime.
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Web3 Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Web3 Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.
Follow us on Twitter: @Web3Breakdowns | @ericgoldenx | @patrick_oshag
Show Notes
[00:02:40] - [First question] - Why he got into the crypto space and what set him down the path that would to founding Anchorage
[00:05:53] - An overview of digital security, state of it today, and where people should spend their time learning about it
[00:09:16] - A future of perfect authentication and data protection being so core to this space
[00:13:29] - How custody should be considered in the modern world and with digital assets
[00:18:59] - What it means to be a great qualified institutional custodian
[00:25:17] - The business and unit economics of Anchorage
[00:28:07] - What it was like working with their first big institutional client
[00:30:52] - Speed as a component of digital security and its implications writ large
[00:35:51] - How they’re differentiated from their competitors by expanding beyond custody
[00:39:46] - Different challenges between securing NFTs versus currencies and tokens
[00:42:43] - New behaviors he finds most interesting about institutions due to Anchorage
[00:48:46] - Breakdown of what players and services contribute to and create Anchorage’s clients today
[00:51:24] - The best case scenario for the future of the business
[00:53:37] - What would worry him about Anchorage’s development if it swayed from their original mission
[00:55:55] - Opportunities he finds most interesting that haven't materialized yet
[00:57:46] - Will we need a public blockchain to create the infrastructure needed to bring the world to a more crypto-fluid place
[01:00:07] - The kindest thing anyone has ever done for him
93 - Crypto Payments and the DeFi Mullet | Visa's Cuy Sheffield and Anchorage's Diogo Mónica
The DeFi Mullet is a classic Bankless thesis that we've begun to watch play out right in front of us. This week, we bring on Cuy Sheffield from Visa and Diogo Mónica from Anchorage to explain the DeFi mullet from the Fintech side of things.
This episode explores how crypto payments are extending beyond retail and into institutions, and how Fintech platforms like Visa are leveling up with the utilities provided by Anchorage to support crypto. Blurring the lines between the two worlds is shaping up to be a fascinating corner of our industry, and there's a ton of new concepts to dive into throughout this conversation.
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------ Topics Covered:
0:00 Intro 6:30 Visa & The DeFi Mullet 15:03 Anchorage & The DeFi Mullet 18:55 Volatility & Engagement 25:52 Crypto Rewards 34:13 How Payments Work 41:08 Settlement Layers 46:22 What Anchorage Does 50:30 Stablecoins & Bridging 1:00:09 Teaching Visa About Crypto 1:06:10 Immutable Transactions 1:13:22 Visa CryptoPunk 1:22:09 Central Bank Digital Currencies 1:28:04 Trusting Institutions? 1:31:52 Closing & Disclaimers
----- Not financial or tax advice. This channel is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. This video is not tax advice. Talk to your accountant. Do your own research.
Disclosure. From time-to-time I may add links in this newsletter to products I use. I may receive commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. Additionally, the Bankless writers hold crypto assets. See our investment disclosures here: https://newsletter.banklesshq.com/p/bankless-disclosures
Understanding the regulatory hurdles in crypto with Anchorage General Counsel Katie Biber
Crypto custodian Anchorage emerged from stealth in January 2018, unveiling a new type of custody solution aimed at toppling incumbents like BitGo and Coinbase.
Backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Blockchain Capital, the firm has locked down $57 million in venture capital to build out a faster alternative to cold storage solutions. Leading the firm's regulatory and policy efforts is Katie Biber, a legal professional who once served as the GC for Romney's presidential campaign.
On this episode of The Scoop, The Block's Frank Chaparro and Bieber explore:
Anchorage's review process in determining whether or not to list an asset
The importance of transitioning from state by state regulatory framework to a unified federal framework
Why the absence of enforcement action has made it harder for companies understand what law is, or is not
Why Anchorage expected major regulatory pushback against The Libra Association, and why this is not necessarily a bad thing
Episode 6 of Season 2 of The Scoop was recorded on January 21 at The Block offices with Frank Chaparro and Katie Biber, General Counsel at Anchorage. Listen below, and subscribe to The Scoop on Apple, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Email feedback and revision requests to podcast@theblockcrypto.com