Brock Pierce: Crypto Is Back: Government Joins the Movement

Summary

Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour
Episode: Brock Pierce: Crypto Is Back: Government Joins the Movement | DSH #1424
Release Date: June 29, 2025

Digital Social Hour, hosted by Sean Kelly, delves into unfiltered conversations with influential and often controversial figures. In episode #1424, Sean Kelly interviews Brock Pierce, a prominent entrepreneur and cryptocurrency advocate. This episode explores the evolving relationship between the crypto community and government, recent developments in the crypto space, Brock's initiatives, and his perspectives on AI and data ownership.

1. Crypto's Growing Legitimacy and Government Collaboration

Brock Pierce opens the discussion by highlighting a significant shift in the crypto landscape: the government's newfound support for the crypto community. He recounts Vice President J.D. Vance's impactful speech at the recent Bitcoin Conference, emphasizing the rekindled energy within the community.

Brock Pierce [00:55]: "Vice President J.D. Vance did the opening speech at the conference yesterday. His last statement is like, we gotta keep on fighting. This isn't over... the sleeping giant is awake."

Pierce underscores the importance of this collaboration, noting that the government is now "working with us" rather than opposing, which marks a transformative era for cryptocurrency.

Brock Pierce [04:02]: "We now have a government working with us. It's like we've had... we're now on the other side of that. We now have a government working with us."

2. Recent Conferences and Events

Brock details his active participation in multiple conferences, including organizing support for Vivek Ramaswamy's gubernatorial campaign in Ohio and coordinating events with high-profile figures like Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City.

Brock Pierce [00:37]: "The big one was organizing for Vivek Ramaswamy and his run for Ohio governor... we had the mayor of New York City."

He also introduces his latest TV venture, Crypto Nights, a show available on Amazon Prime, which showcases web3 projects in a familiar format reminiscent of "Shark Tank."

Brock Pierce [02:10]: "We've filmed a TV show yesterday, Crypto Nights, which just came out on Amazon Prime. It's, you know, web three projects, Crypto projects come in and present to the knights."

3. Overcoming Regulatory Challenges

Pierce reflects on the turbulent past where the crypto industry faced significant "lawfare," including bank account closures and regulatory investigations. He emphasizes that the current administration's approach contrasts sharply with previous antagonistic stances.

Brock Pierce [02:55]: "Anybody that's in crypto has probably had their bank accounts closed, maybe been fully debanked... we now have a government working with us."

He attributes this turnaround to the resilience and pioneering spirit of the crypto community, drawing parallels to shifting from "fighting to survive" to striving "to thrive."

Brock Pierce [04:02]: "We're fighting to thrive rather than fight to survive... The Department of Justice isn't looking after everybody. They've been... something more important than stopping innovation."

4. The 20% Foundation: Reducing Incarceration Rates

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Pierce's 20% Foundation, an initiative aimed at reducing the United States' incarceration rate from 20% to 10%. He discusses the multifaceted approach of the foundation, which leverages AI and modern tools to identify nonviolent offenders and rectify wrongful incarcerations.

Brock Pierce [18:01]: "The idea is to take it from 20% to 10%, very similar to what Doge was doing in trying to find efficiency... how do we use AI and tools to start figuring out, you know, how do we cut that number in half."

Pierce criticizes the for-profit prison system, highlighting its inherent conflict of interest where incarceration rates are incentivized for profit rather than societal well-being.

Brock Pierce [20:22]: "It's funny, you see similar things in healthcare too... treating people because it's more profitable. How do we align the incentives so that we can all win together?"

5. Embracing AI and Decentralization

Transitioning to technology, Pierce shares his involvement in the AI sector, particularly focusing on decentralized AI. Through his company DNA, he invests in projects like Bittensor, advocating for AI systems owned collectively rather than by centralized entities.

Brock Pierce [25:34]: "At DNA, I think we've deployed almost $50 million this year in the AI space. We're very active in where AI meets decentralization or blockchains."

He contrasts decentralized AI with centralized models like ChatGPT, emphasizing data ownership and equitable value distribution.

Brock Pierce [26:14]: "Everything I did was about building utility and technology... community marketing, messaging, that's a big part of what makes these things what they are."

6. Data Ownership and Privacy Concerns

Pierce expresses concerns over data ownership, particularly in the genomics sector. He laments the acquisition of 23andMe by a pharmaceutical company, arguing that individuals should have control over their genomic data.

Brock Pierce [27:17]: "I'd like you to own your digital DNA... put that into a wallet and then give people the permissions, the ability with informed consent to say I'll share my data."

He envisions a future where data is personally controlled, allowing individuals to benefit economically and contribute to societal advancements on their terms.

7. Personal Insights and Future Endeavors

Reflecting on his diverse career, Pierce touches upon his early days in acting and his transition to entrepreneurship and activism. He shares his commitment to continual involvement in the crypto space and his dedication to projects that align with his vision of innovation and societal benefit.

Brock Pierce [17:08]: "I'm living my purpose and my passions. It doesn't feel like work when it's what you are."

Looking ahead, Pierce mentions upcoming events and projects, including a new movie with Jon Voight and ongoing initiatives in the healthcare sector aimed at preventative medicine.

Brock Pierce [17:31]: "Just so excited about what's possible right now with Maha... empirical data that there were things in our food that cause cancer."

8. Conclusion

Brock Pierce concludes the conversation with an optimistic outlook on the future of cryptocurrency, AI, and societal reforms. He underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and responsible technology use to ensure a prosperous and equitable future.

Brock Pierce [29:50]: "Technology is amoral. It's neither good or bad. It's a tool. How we use it determines the impact it has."

Key Takeaways:

Government Collaboration: The crypto industry's relationship with the government has shifted from adversarial to collaborative, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and growth.
Regulatory Progress: Recent regulatory changes have reduced antagonism towards crypto, providing clarity and support for further advancements.
Social Initiatives: The 20% Foundation exemplifies how technology can address systemic issues like mass incarceration, advocating for humane and efficient reforms.
AI and Decentralization: Embracing decentralized AI models promotes data ownership and equitable value distribution, challenging centralized tech monopolies.
Data Ownership: Empowering individuals to control their data, especially sensitive information like genomic data, is crucial for privacy and economic participation.
Continuous Innovation: Brock Pierce remains committed to driving forward projects that align with his vision of a technologically advanced and socially responsible society.

This episode of Digital Social Hour provides an insightful look into Brock Pierce's multifaceted endeavors and his optimistic vision for the intersection of technology, government, and societal well-being.