Rich Habits Podcast: "Crypto Treasuries, Amazon's Same-Day Grocery Delivery & Chinese Chip Sales"

Hosts: Austin Hankwitz & Robert Croak
Date: August 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this "Rich Habits Radar" Friday episode, hosts Austin and Robert break down the top headlines affecting personal finance, investing, and business in mid-2025. Their discussions cover:

• The boom in crypto treasury strategies and major companies betting on cryptocurrencies.
• A landmark revenue-sharing agreement between Nvidia/AMD and the US government for AI chip sales to China.
• Amazon’s massive push into same-day grocery delivery and its implications. The rapid-fire section offers quick takes on the week’s hottest stories, while the Q&A features actionable advice for business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of Crypto Treasury Companies

[01:37–05:47]

• MicroStrategy's Bitcoin Bet

  • Since 2020, MicroStrategy has acquired 628,946 Bitcoin (approx. $75B). Their market cap is now $84B, despite annual revenue of just $500M.
  • The company’s value is being driven more by crypto holdings than by core business operations.

• BitMine Immersion Technologies: Ethereum Play

  • Tom Lee (well-known Wall Street bull) appointed as chairman in June 2025.
  • BitMine aims to become the “MicroStrategy of Ethereum” with plans to acquire 5% of total ETH supply.
  • Current holdings: 1.15M ETH (>$5B). This aggressive acquisition is fueling Ethereum's surge close to all-time highs.

• CEA Industries: Binance Coin Bet

  • Launched with NASDAQ ticker BNC.
  • Private placement to amass Binance Coin (BNB); first purchase: 200,000 BNB ($160M). Potential to scale up to $1.25B.
  • Their CEO, David Namdar, sees a major opportunity due to BNB’s lack of Western investor attention.

• Institutional Adoption & Advice

  • Multiple publicly traded firms now hold BTC, ETH, BNB.
  • Major investment houses (Fidelity, BlackRock) recommend allocating 1–3% of net worth to crypto.
  • Quote (Austin, 05:00):
    "If you don't already just have 1%, 1%, just go put 1% of your assets into this stuff. Let it ride. See what happens in the future."
  • Robert suggests an even higher allocation for bullish investors.

2. Nvidia & AMD: 15% Revenue Share With The US Government

[07:28–10:52]

• The Deal

  • Nvidia & AMD struck an unprecedented agreement: give the US govt. 15% of all AI chip revenue from China (chips: H20 for Nvidia, Mi308 for AMD).
  • In return, they regain access to the Chinese market, previously blocked due to US-China tensions.
  • Billions unlocked in new sales; immediate stock response sees AMD up 10%, Nvidia flat.

• Strategic Significance

  • For the US:

    • Maintains leverage over China via export controls/approvals.
    • "Monetizes" trade licensing to offset national debt.
    • Quote (Robert, 10:36):
      "Nvidia and AMD didn't just sell chips to China, they bought a permission slip from Washington to do so. And in the process they have rewritten the rules for how US Companies navigate geopolitics, trade policy and multibillion dollar market."

  • For companies:

    • Prove willingness to play by Washington's new rules for global growth.
    • Set a precedent for “permissioned” revenue sharing that other high-tech industries could follow (biotech, quantum, green tech).

3. Amazon’s Nationwide Same-Day Grocery Delivery

[11:22–14:01]

• Expansion Details

  • Service live in 1,000+ cities, expanding to over 3,300 by year-end.
  • Prime: Free delivery on $25+; Non-members: $13 per order.
  • Poses direct threat to traditional supermarkets (Kroger, Walmart stocks slide) and new competition to delivery apps (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart).

• Strategic Impact

  • Amazon targets the “recurring revenue” of weekly grocery baskets, not just holiday surges.
  • Their logistics infrastructure gives a speed and pricing edge.
  • Potential to dominate US grocery market, a $1 trillion opportunity.
  • Quote (Robert, 13:18):
    "Amazon just signaled they're coming for your fridge, your freezer, and maybe even your favorite local store. And they've got the infrastructure to do it faster than anyone else."
  • Both hosts are bullish on Amazon shares as this “missing puzzle piece” falls into place.

Rapid-Fire Headlines Section

[14:15–19:47]

Austin’s Picks:

• Perplexity’s $34.5B Google Chrome Bid:
  • AI startup throws an audacious acquisition offer, despite being worth only ~$18B itself. Timing linked to DOJ’s antitrust moves against Google.
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant Pushes for Rate Cuts:
  • Advocates for aggressive Fed cuts in response to weak jobs data and low inflation; “95% chance” of a September cut.
• Kava Stock Tanks 20% After Earnings Miss:
  • Lower guidance and earnings; down 40% YTD. Valuation seemed outlandish at its peak.

Robert’s Picks:

• Bullish Crypto Exchange IPO:
  • Priced at $37/share, raised $1B. Major backers include BlackRock, Ark. Robert is cautious about newly listed IPOs due to recent volatility.
• StubHub Eyes September IPO:
  • Planned after delay caused by Trump-era tariffs. Faces tough competition but still targets high valuation.
• FHA Loan Delinquencies Spike:
  • 40% of FHA-backed mortgage holders missed payments in Q2 2025, raising red flags about broader economic stress.

Q&A: Advice for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

[20:40–39:18]

1. Balancing Growth With Personal Life:

[20:40–27:28]

• Question: How to scale a healthcare business from $10M to $100M and still have time for family & health? When to get a personal assistant?

• Robert:

  • Scaling vs. personal life are often at odds:
    "You have to ask yourself why... Is it family and health, which I think is always the most important one because we can always make more money, but we only get one body and one family." (21:57)
  • Hire A+ executives sooner; use technology and assistants for life balance.
  • Distinguish between admin (think: Donna from Suits) vs. personal assistants.

• Austin:

  • Tactically, the only way to 10x revenue is by hiring, sacrificing margin but gaining real profits.
  • Hire a full C-suite to scale without burning out.
  • The best assistants do both business and life management, and are paid accordingly ($200K+).

2. Building a Sustainable Bookkeeping Business as a New Mom:

[27:28–33:22]

• Problem: Difficulty gaining and retaining clients in a remote accounting business.
• Robert’s advice:
  • There’s likely an issue in either service, delivery, or pricing if clients don’t stay.
    "Eyeballs, eyeballs, eyeballs." (29:04)
  • Analyze feedback from lost clients, invest in social media advertising and differentiation.
• Austin:
  • Consider working with an established remote firm for flexibility (if entrepreneurship isn’t working).
  • Explore therapy/support to build networking confidence.
  • Above all: Content/marketing to gain “eyeballs” and convert leads. It’s a numbers game.

3. Should I Buy an Edible Arrangements Franchise?

[33:38–38:19]

• Situation: $175K for a top-10% Edible Arrangements location in Florida, well-known to the would-be buyer.
• Robert:
  • Find out the actual owner’s profit (request 3 years’ books), as edible arrangements can be highly seasonal with variable profit.
  • Consider all costs: delivery vehicles, lease terms (hidden charges may lurk), and potential for SBA/small bank loans.
  • Seasonality and margins are key. Make sure the net income is close to your target ($80–100K).
• Austin:
  • Use business cards like Zena to track every expense (especially high-mileage vehicle costs) to maximize write-offs and stay profitable.
  • Always have a professional review leases and contracts.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Austin, on crypto exposure: "If you don't already just have 1%... go put 1% of your assets into this stuff. Let it ride." [05:00]
• Robert, on the Nvidia/AMD deal: "They bought a permission slip from Washington to do so. And in the process they have rewritten the rules for how US Companies navigate geopolitics, trade policy and multibillion dollar market." [10:36]
• Robert, on business scaling:
  "We can always make more money, but we only get one body and one family." [21:57]
• Austin, on hiring for scale:
  "The only way that you can 10x your output as a small business owner... is by hiring the right people." [24:17]
• Robert, on franchise buying:
  "Sales don't mean anything if the profits aren't there." [36:55]

Timeline Index

| Segment | Timestamps | Topic | |---------|-------------|-------| | Crypto Treasuries | 01:37–05:47 | MicroStrategy, BitMine, CEA, Institutional adoption | | Nvidia/AMD Revenue Share | 07:28–10:52 | Chip sales to China, US policy, investments | | Amazon Grocery Push | 11:22–14:01 | Same-day delivery, market disruption | | Rapid-Fire Headlines| 14:15–19:47 | IPOs, macro news, economic warnings | | Q1: Growth & Work-Life| 20:40–27:28 | Scaling business, hiring assistants | | Q2: Bookkeeping Biz | 27:28–33:22 | Client retention, marketing, flexibility | | Q3: Franchise Buying| 33:38–39:18 | Edible Arrangements deal analysis |

Summary

This episode delivers a wealth of actionable insight, mixing news breakdowns with hard-earned business wisdom and candid takes. Financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and adapting to 2025’s fast-changing markets are front and center, making this essential listening for ambitious professionals, investors, and business owners ready to build their own “rich habits.”