🔥 “Hot People Only” — Secret Influencer apps. Colbert’s Last Show. Crypto Week’s Roman Empire.

Summary

The Best One Yet Podcast Episode Summary Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell | Released on July 21, 2025

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Episode Title: 🔥 “Hot People Only” — Secret Influencer Apps. Colbert’s Last Show. Crypto Week’s Roman Empire.

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Jack Crivici-Kramer and Nick Martell bring listeners an engaging 20-minute deep dive into three pivotal business stories shaping the pop-biz landscape. This episode, dubbed “the best one yet,” explores the unexpected cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show, the rise of a clandestine influencer app, and significant advancements in cryptocurrency regulation.

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1. The Demise of Late Night TV: Stephen Colbert’s Last Show

Overview: CBS's shocking decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has sent ripples through the entertainment industry. Jack and Nick dissect the multifaceted reasons behind this move, extending beyond mere business and political motivations.

Key Points:

• Financial Struggles: CBS cited pure financial reasons for the cancellation (05:00). The high production costs and declining cable TV viewership have made sustaining such shows increasingly untenable.

  Nick: “CBS formally announced it is canceling the Late Show for, as they put it, purely financial reasons.” (05:10)

• Political Interference: The timing coincides with Paramount’s legal tussle with the federal government, adding a layer of political complexity to the cancellation.

  Jack: “Paramount paid Donald Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit, probably thinking it's the only way Trump will approve their merger.” (07:06)

• Shift to Podcasts: The hosts argue that the traditional late-night format is evolving into the podcast realm, where content mimics the monologue and interview segments with reduced production costs.

  Jack: “Late night hosts are becoming podcast hosts.” (08:06)

  Nick: “The economics of late night TV just don't work anymore.” (08:59)

Conclusion: The cancellation signifies a broader shift in media consumption, highlighting podcasting's rise as a cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional late-night television.

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2. Neon Coat: The Secret Influencer App

Overview: Neon Coat emerges as a clandestine platform revolutionizing influencer marketing by offering free services exclusively to individuals with significant social followings.

Key Points:

• Exclusive Access: The app connects influencers with businesses, allowing them to receive complimentary services in exchange for promotional posts.

  Nick: “It's called the Neon Coat and it's powering the whole influencer industry.” (01:08)

• Business Model: While the app is free for influencers (provided they have 5,000+ followers on Instagram or TikTok), businesses pay $1,000 monthly to join, covering the cost of the free services offered.

  Jack: “Businesses must pay $1,000 a month to be on the platform. Plus, those businesses have to cover the cost for the influencer to use their actual service.” (11:37)

• Impact and Reach: Neon Coat has facilitated approximately 350,000 pieces of content, significantly boosting businesses' online presence through influencer endorsements.

  Nick: “Influencers have created 350,000 pieces of content from this app.” (12:50)

• Regulatory Concerns: The Wall Street Journal highlighted that posts made via Neon Coat should be declared as promoted, yet the FTC’s lax enforcement leaves many unaware of the underlying promotional intent.

  Jack: “Do they have to be declared as promoted posts? Technically, but the FTC does not enforce this at all.” (12:39)

Conclusion: Neon Coat underscores the evolving dynamics of influencer marketing, emphasizing engagement over follower count and spotlighting the need for greater transparency in sponsored content.

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3. Crypto Week’s Roman Empire: Pioneering Cryptocurrency Regulations

Overview: Crypto Week marks a significant milestone with Congress passing three pivotal crypto bills, echoing the foundational regulatory developments akin to Rome's establishment of financial institutions.

Key Points:

• Three Major Bills Passed:

  1. GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins)

     Nick: “It creates a framework for stablecoins, the digital equivalent of the US dollar.” (17:12)

  2. Clarity Act

     Nick: “This one clarifies what regulatory agency regulates crypto and how crypto will be overseen by the CFTC, which is a lighter touch.” (17:40)

  3. Ban on Central Bank-Created Stablecoins

     Nick: “It simply bans our central bank from creating a stablecoin, a digital equivalent of the US dollar.” (18:06)

• Executive Order: President Trump’s executive order proposing the inclusion of crypto investments in 401(k) retirement accounts adds another layer to the regulatory framework.

  Nick: “An executive order from President Trump to let 401k retirement accounts invest in crypto.” (18:28)

• Historical Parallel: The hosts draw parallels between the current regulatory actions and the early 20th-century establishment of the Federal Reserve, SEC, and FDIC, suggesting that crypto regulation is just the beginning.

  Jack: “Regulation is like building a city. Takes many years, many eras.” (19:11)

Conclusion: Crypto Week signifies the nascent stages of cryptocurrency regulation, setting the groundwork for future legislative actions. The analogy to Rome emphasizes that these foundational laws will evolve, shaping the future of digital currencies.

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Takeaways

1. Late-Night TV is Evolving: The cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert highlights the shifting landscape from traditional television to podcasting, driven by economic and technological factors.

   Jack: “Late night hosts are becoming podcast hosts.” (08:06)

2. Influence Over Numbers: Neon Coat demonstrates that in influencer marketing, engagement trumps follower count, as brands seek authentic interactions rather than sheer numbers.

   Nick: “It's not the size that counts, it's how you engage with it.” (13:05)

3. Regulation is Just the Beginning: Crypto’s regulatory journey has only commenced, with the current laws laying the foundation for more comprehensive frameworks in the future.

   Jack: “Rome was not built in a day, and neither are regulations.” (19:01)

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Additional Highlights

• Industry Insights:

  • Bluey emerges as the most streamed show in early 2025, overshadowing other popular series and underscoring the lucrative nature of family-oriented content.

    Jack: “Family content is the profit puppy of streaming.” (05:29)

• Substack’s Growth: The newsletter platform Substack raises $100 million, emphasizing the growing market for independent publishing and content monetization.

  Nick: “Substack, the newsletter startup, has raised 100 million bucks for its newsletter business, a valuation of $1.1 billion.” (20:44)

• Corporate Funding Shifts: Republicans in Congress retract $1.1 billion allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, reflecting ongoing tensions over media bias and funding allocations.

  Jack: “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and why are they taking this money away?” (21:05)

• Entertainment News: Christopher Nolan's upcoming Odyssey movie is already selling IMAX tickets a year in advance, demonstrating his potent influence in the film industry without relying on established franchises.

  Nick: “Christopher Nolan's Odyssey movie is already selling IMAX tickets one year in advance.” (21:36)

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Celebrations and Shout-Outs: Jack and Nick extend heartfelt birthday wishes to listeners, congratulate new parents, and acknowledge community members' achievements, fostering a sense of camaraderie among their audience.

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Conclusion: This episode of The Best One Yet masterfully navigates through the evolving realms of entertainment, influencer marketing, and cryptocurrency, providing listeners with insightful analysis and thought-provoking discussions. Jack and Nick's dynamic conversation offers clarity on complex topics, making it a must-listen for those seeking to stay informed and engaged in today's fast-paced business environment.

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For more updates and engaging discussions, subscribe to "The Best One Yet" on your preferred podcast platform and join Jack and Nick in celebrating the ever-changing landscape of business and pop culture.

Transcript

[Nick]

This is Nick.

[Jack]

This is Jack.

[Nick]

Welcome back. It is Monday, July 21, and today's pod is the best one yet. This is a T boy, the top.

[Jack]

Three pop business news stories you need to know today.

[Nick]

Yetis, the after party is set. Mark your Google Maps for Sheffield's beer and wine garden.

[Jack]

Nick and I are headed to Sheffield's after the live show in Chicago this week to hang with any yeti or bestie who wants to.

[Nick]

And we expect to be up way past our bedtimes. We're putting the PM in podcasting, baby.

[Jack]

True. There's still some tickets left if you want to see us in Chicago, snag your tickets.

[Nick]

But in the meantime, Jack and I whipped up. Honestly, this is the best pod we've ever done. Jack, three stories for today's T. Boy. What do we got on the show?

[Jack]

For our first story, CBS shockingly canceled the Late show with Stephen Colbert generating tons of hot takes.

[Nick]

But Jack and I have a surprise reason for the fall of the late night TV business podcasts.

[Jack]

For our second story, Happy crypto week. Last week we went from zero federal laws governing crypto to three.

[Nick]

But as Caesar once told us, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither were regulations.

[Jack]

And our third, third and final story, There is a secretive app that gives you free stuff, but only if you're hot.

[Nick]

Okay. Did you get the app? Did we download the app? Do we have this app? Jack?

[Jack]

I haven't tried. I'm nervous that I'll get rejected.

[Nick]

It's called the Neon Coat and it's powering the whole influencer industry.

[Jack]

But Yetis, before we hit that wonderful.

[Nick]

Mix of stories, fantastic mix of stories.

[Jack]

To kick off the week.

[Nick]

Love the mix.

[Jack]

Jack, it's Monday morning.

[Nick]

Yeah.

[Jack]

Flying to Chicago this week. I need a coffee to start the week.

[Nick]

Okay, but Jack, not a cup of coffee. Not a glass of coffee. What about a bucket of coffee?

[Jack]

Get this. Yetis. The latest trend in coffee is to serve it in 34 ounce plastic buckets equipped with straws.

[Nick]

These giant buckets are being used for morning iced coffees. You gotta lift with your legs, not your back.

[Jack]

These single serve coffee buckets are so big, they come with handles.

[Nick]

Definitely doesn't fit in a cup holder. They're so big you need three hands.

[Jack]

It looks like the bucket of balls your little league baseball team used to carry the balls in, you know.

[Nick]

Hey, Darlene, what's going on over there?

[Jack]

Folgers had it all wrong. The best part of waking up is Folgers in your bucket.

[Nick]

All right, let's jump in T boy style here. Jack, what exactly is going on? According to the New York Times, local.

[Jack]

Coffee shops nationwide have started serving coffee in buckets.

[Nick]

To differentiate, because Dunkin has an xl, Starbucks has a Venti.

[Jack]

But only a local small business will do what Starbucks corporate never would.

[Nick]

A 6 inch tall 34 ounce plastic bucket with handles. It just hits different.

[Jack]

And if you walk into the office with that thing, oh yeah, you just got the boss's attention.

[Nick]

And you just got a promotion. Cause there are probably two straws in that bucket.

[Jack]

That's a statement piece. All I know is the morning after our Chicago show, I'm gonna need a bigger bucket.

[Nick]

Make it a pail. Make it a pail.

[Jack]

Yetis, let's hit our three stories.

[Unknown]

Fifteen years before this song, two boys from the Northeast met in the dorm. They had an idea to cause a cultural storm. It's the best one yet, but the best is the norm. Jack. Nick, that's it. I don't even think they need to practice. 50%. That's a fat tip. T Boy City on your @ Liz, if you know, you know. Cause we read to go. We can't wait no more. So just start the. Start the show.

[Nick]

Start the show. First, a quick word from our sponsor.

[Jack]

Airbnb.

[Nick]

Yetis, there is nothing more powerful in life or in business than the double dip.

[Jack]

Dip that chip twice and don't end.

[Nick]

It with the ultimate money. Double dip. Hosting on Airbnb. Jack's talked so much about being a host, his friends are asking him about it. I'm getting asked about it all the time.

[Jack]

One buddy is about to get married. No kids yet. He wants to travel the country dink style with his new wife. How is he gonna pay for it? He's gonna list his house on Airbnb.

[Nick]

So, Basties, if you're going on vacation this summer, join the millions who host on Airbnb.

[Jack]

Host your whole space. Host your extra space. Host any space.

[Nick]

The income from putting your home on Airbnb could pay for your whole vacay.

[Jack]

I've been doing it for three different properties now.

[Nick]

And it's easy to set booking availability. And then when the booking comes in, Jack, you always say it just shows up in your Google calendar.

[Jack]

And if you're not sure what to price your place at, check Airbnb and look at similar listings. It's very easy.

[Nick]

You can double dip that chip.

[Jack]

Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host and now.

[Nick]

A word from our sponsor, Netsuite tariff.

[Jack]

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[Nick]

You need total visibility from global shipments to tariff impacts to real time cash flow. And that's NetSuite by Oracle, your AI powered business management suite. Trusted by over 42,000 businesses.

[Jack]

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[Nick]

How to pivot fast if your revenues are at least in the seven figures. Download the free ebook Navigating Global Trade. Three insights for [e-mail] tboy for our first story, CBS shockingly canceled the Late show with Stephen Colbert. Maybe because of business, maybe because of politics.

[Jack]

But we have a third reason for the fall of late night podcasts.

[Nick]

But yetis, in order for us to tell this story, how about we talk about the big winner in media last week, Jack, who was it?

[Jack]

Nielsen reported that Bluey, the kids TV show about a family of Australian dogs, was the most streamed show in the first half of 2025.

[Nick]

We repeat, Americans watch twice as much Bluey as we watched White Lotus Friends or Squid Game.

[Jack]

Family content is the profit puppy of streaming.

[Nick]

Yes it is, Jack.

[Jack]

But Nick, what's the opposite of Bluey?

[Nick]

Well, Jack, while daytime kids TV is thriving, late night adult TV is dying.

[Jack]

Including officially, the Late show with Stephen Colbert.

[Nick]

Because on Friday, CBS formally announced it is canceling the Late show for, as they put it, purely financial reasons.

[Jack]

The Late show. It's an Institution. For 32 years it's been on TV. David Letterman for the first 22 years, Stephen Colbert for the last 10.

[Nick]

CBS even bought the Ed Sullivan Theater in Manhattan to be the home of the Late Show.

[Jack]

It's the flagship show of cbs, which is a flagship channel of American television.

[Nick]

There is nothing quite like the live laugh track at 11pm of a bunch of adults screaming because a band goes badum. Psst.

[Jack]

But now that legendary show has been canceled and we gotta say, the timing is quite awkward.

[Nick]

And the timing's awkward because Paramount, which owns cbs, which owns the Late show, is in a high stakes legal standoff with the President.

[Jack]

Here's the bigger context, Yetis Paramount, which owns cbs, desperately wants to sell itself to Skydance.

[Nick]

Yeah, they announced the deal like a year ago, but it is still pending approval by President Trump's fcc.

[Jack]

At the same time, Donald Trump sued another CBS show, 60 Minutes, for the way they handled the Kamala Harris interview.

[Nick]

Now, besties legal experts have called the lawsuit frivolous, but Paramount still needs approval of Trump's Federal Communications Commission in order to sell itself.

[Jack]

So earlier this month, Paramount paid Donald Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit, probably thinking it's the only way Trump will approve their merger.

[Nick]

Okay, but then things got juicy and they got spicy, didn't they, Jack?

[Jack]

On the next episode of the Late show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert satirically described that settlement payment as a big fat bribe.

[Nick]

And here's why we said the timing is funny.

[Jack]

Just four days after Colbert called the settlement a bribe, CBS announced they're canceling his show after the season ends in May.

[Nick]

Now, maybe CBS is canceling this because cable cable TV is a dying business with viewership declining each and every year.

[Jack]

Or maybe CBS is firing the big Trump critic on their staff to sweeten the deal and try to finally get that merger approval.

[Nick]

We can only speculate it's probably both. But Jack and I think there's also a third reason here for the cancellation of Late Night tv.

[Jack]

Yes, we do.

[Nick]

So, Jack, what's the takeaway for all our buddies watching late night?

[Jack]

Late night hosts are becoming podcast hosts.

[Nick]

Yeah, what's the formula for late night tv? Well, we think it's three parts. Monologue, couch interview, and a band for the studio audience.

[Jack]

The monologue and the couch interview, 100% can be podcasts.

[Nick]

I mean, Jack, you could just listen with headphones on or watch on YouTube, social media. Boom. You get those two variables.

[Jack]

The band can't really be a podcast. But that was an awesome treat for the in studio audience. That probably just doesn't make financial sense anymore.

[Nick]

And that's why Conan o', Brien, Jon Stewart, and Trevor Noah, all former late night hosts, have all now launched podcast.

[Jack]

The economics of late night TV just don't work anymore. Cable TV is dying. And look at the costs to put on one of those late night shows.

[Nick]

Okay, this is wild. Stephen Colbert's late night show requires 200 people to produce.

[Jack]

It's an amazing show, amazing show, but it just doesn't work with today's media environment.

[Nick]

On the other hand, a podcast with the same content that would just need 10 people to produce.

[Jack]

We expect Colbert to create a podcast that's 80% the same as late night with 80% fewer people.

[Nick]

And that is why late night hosts are becoming podcast hosts. For our second story, there's a stealthy app that's only for hot people. If they let you download it, you get anything for free.

[Jack]

It's called Neon Coach.

[Nick]

Neon Coach.

[Jack]

And for eight years, it has secretly powered the influencer economy.

[Nick]

And I think Jack is secretly on it more on that in a bit. More on that in a bit. I got a suspicion here. But besties. Over the weekend, you tried to get that 8pm reservation prime time at Dorcia, but you failed.

[Jack]

You tried to get a top spot at that Pilates studio and you failed.

[Nick]

You spent three hours scrolling resi OpenTable Class Pass, and all you did was get stuck with a 5pm dinner and a guest pass to Planet Fitness.

[Jack]

Trick question. Planet Fitness will let anyone in for free.

[Nick]

You see, Besties, us regular looking people, we compete for limited spots in daily life, for services and experiences.

[Jack]

But there's a wonderful place in the digital world. It's a stealthy app where everything is free.

[Nick]

But here's the catch. It's only for models, influencers and hot people.

[Jack]

The Wall Street Journal last week exposed Neon Coat. Yes, a platform that connects restaurants, gyms and salons with people who have big followings on social the business model.

[Nick]

Restaurants let influencers dine for free on one condition. And what is it, Jack?

[Jack]

You post about it.

[Nick]

You're not paying because you're posting. And again, I think you do you have this on your phone.

[Jack]

I'm so flattered you think I'm. I think you're just joking, though.

[Nick]

I've got evidence. I've got evidence and I'll get to.

[Jack]

It in a bit, Jack.

[Nick]

But Yetis, let's sprinkle on some context here to this wild concept. The most popular apps out there are platform apps.

[Jack]

Airbnb, Uber, Instagram. What they do is connect one side with another side in a little marketplace in the middle.

[Nick]

Well, Neon Coat also connects two sides, but Neon Coat doesn't want to be a popular app like all those others.

[Jack]

This platform is eight years old, but you've never heard of it, and it's nowhere on the rankings.

[Nick]

It was founded in 2017 by a Slovenian model who wanted it to be easier for her to access perks.

[Jack]

And Today there are 1500 restaurants, clubs and gyms that are users. And then on the other side, there's 12,500 models and influencers who are users.

[Nick]

And now I know you're wondering who qualifies. Well, we should point out, hotness is not actually a technical qualification.

[Jack]

The technical qualification is you must have 5,000 followers on either Instagram or TikTok.

[Nick]

And here's the key to the business model. Influencers don't pay to use the app. The app is free for them, but.

[Jack]

Businesses must pay $1,000 a month to be on the platform.

[Nick]

Plus, Jack, those businesses have to cover the cost for the influencer to use their actual service.

[Jack]

So a restaurant using the Neon Coat app might dole out 40 free meals a month to influencers using Neon Coat.

[Nick]

Okay, so let's follow the numbers here.

[Jack]

Let's say it's $150 per free meal that they give out.

[Nick]

Nice.

[Jack]

That's 6,500 bucks a month in free meals to influencers.

[Nick]

And in exchange, that restaurant got exposed to at least 200,000 followers.

[Jack]

Not only do those tagged posts create buzz for the restaurant, they're definitely gonna convert at least some customers.

[Nick]

Now, get this. The Wall Street Journal tracked one influencer who uses this Neon Coat app, and what did they discover? Jack?

[Jack]

She got a free berries workout in the morning, a free mangia smoothie after that, a free mani pedi in the early afternoon, and then dinner with buddies, all covered by businesses on the app.

[Nick]

That Tribeca restaurant footed the whole bill for the meal. Hundreds of dollars of value in one day.

[Jack]

Must be nice. Must be nice.

[Nick]

Says the guy who every time you're in San Francisco, you want to get that aperol spritz at Catonia. Jack, now I know why you want to always get that.

[Jack]

I wish they were free, Nick. I wish they were free.

[Nick]

If you think about it, Yetis, it's wild. Influencers have created 350,000 pieces of content from this app. And you've probably seen those aperol spritzes in your Instagram feed.

[Jack]

Do they have to be declared as promoted posts? Technically, but the FTC does not enforce this at all, so.

[Nick]

And you didn't even know about this app. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddy is over at Neon Coat?

[Jack]

Size doesn't matter. Engagement does.

[Nick]

Yeti's effective influencer marking isn't the size of the following, but the engagement.

[Jack]

Plenty of celebrities have millions of followers. Big, big, big followings.

[Nick]

But brands are realizing that the real value is micro influencers who have engaged followings.

[Jack]

That 5,000 follower requirement, not that high a bar.

[Nick]

No, that's basically what we have right now, Jack. Personally, on our handles, we can tell you this, but what restaurants on the other side really care about is does the following like, share and comment on the content?

[Jack]

Because an influencer with 10,000 engaged followers is more valuable than another influencer with a million not engaged followers.

[Nick]

So Bastille's engagement not following Size is the true measurement of trust that followers might actually buy the thing you're posting about.

[Jack]

It's not popularity that sells, it's trust that sells.

[Nick]

Now a quick word from our sponsor.

[Jack]

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[Nick]

Ah, speed and quality. Not typically a combo you get together.

[Jack]

I mean, Nick, you can get a fast food hamburger, but we hope you like it well done.

[Nick]

Or Jack, you can get a 10 second haircut, but we hope you like bangs.

[Jack]

Well, there is an exception to this unwritten rule. If you're hiring, you can find candidates fast who are also extremely qualified for your job.

[Nick]

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[Jack]

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[Nick]

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[Jack]

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[Nick]

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[Jack]

And if you go to ZipRecruiter.com, right now, you can try it out for free.

[Nick]

Again, that's ZipRecruiter.com tboy ZipRecruiter the smartest way to hire. Yes, it is. Audible T Boy Trivia. Here we go. Yetis. What is the biggest thing you can pack for vacation but not have to check your luggage?

[Jack]

I think it's a leading question based on my Audible. I just said a second ago.

[Nick]

Yeah, yeah. The answer's the Audible app. It's the Audible app.

[Jack]

Audible has the deepest selection of audio books, podcasts and Audible originals all in one app.

[Nick]

You gotta stick all your clothes in a suitcase, but you get that. Thousands of audio titles in your pocket.

[Jack]

Right now I'm on a World War II kick. I'm listening to Doris Kearns Goodwin on FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt and how we.

[Nick]

Created the arsenal of democracy. It is Jack's Roman Empire right now.

[Jack]

Now, when we're packing for our summer vacation, we don't forget our toothbrush and we don't forget our Audible.

[Nick]

There's more to imagine when you listen.

[Jack]

Sign up for a free 30 day Audible trial and your first audiobook is free.

[Nick]

Visit audible.comtboy that's audible.comtboy for our third and final story, last week the crypto industry took a giant leap forward. Three bills all passed Congress.

[Jack]

Crypto Week reminds us about a lesson from the Roman emperors. It's the first crypto regulation, not the last Yeties.

[Nick]

Jack and I have been keeping track. And Bitcoin was actually invented 17 years, 6 months, 18 days, 4 hours and 16. Sorry, 17 minutes ago.

[Jack]

But it took all this time for Congress to pass its first ever crypto law.

[Nick]

That's right. All at once. We had three crypto laws passed just last week, plus a surprise big executive order.

[Jack]

It was called Crypto Week.

[Nick]

And a happy Crypto week to all those who celebrate.

[Jack]

But Nick, what is crypto? It's an asset now with a combined value of $4 trillion.

[Nick]

That is a, a lot of lifts and B, bigger than the economy of the United Kingdom.

[Jack]

But crypto has also become an entire industry, with thousands of companies eager to know what are the rules of this industry.

[Nick]

And after massive political donations and industry lobbying and a lot of billboards all across Washington D.C. crypto just got three big laws.

[Jack]

The first crypto law passed week is called the genius act.

[Nick]

Genius stands for guiding and establishing national innovation for US stablecoins act.

[Jack]

I think you just basically described it all.

[Nick]

I don't need to say anything else. Basically, it creates a framework for stablecoins, the digital equivalent of the US dollar.

[Jack]

Instead of slow and old school payment systems full of fees, which is the status quo we all live in, with stablecoins, we could use the blockchain to move dollars fast and potentially free of fees.

[Nick]

Now, the second law is the Clarity act, which is not a fun, cool acronym.

[Jack]

Well, this one does clarify what regulatory agency regulates crypto and how crypto will.

[Nick]

Now be also overseen by the cftc, which is a smaller regulatory agency. That's not as intense, it's lighter touch.

[Jack]

After a harsh Biden era of SEC regulation, crypto feels like they can flourish under this new, clarified setup.

[Nick]

And now the final bill, the third bill, it doesn't have a cool nickname like Genius or Clarity like the other two.

[Jack]

No acronym here. It simply bans our central bank from creating a stablecoin, a digital equivalent of the US dollar.

[Nick]

And why does the government want to ban this type of stablecoin, Jack?

[Jack]

Well, crypto, people say, is to prevent government surveillance of us through the movement of our digital dollars.

[Nick]

But pause the pod, because we're also getting a surprise crypto bonus announcement as well.

[Jack]

An executive order from President Trump to let 401k retirement accounts invest in crypto.

[Nick]

So when you hit 70, you can pay for your senior citizens condo down in Del Boca Vista with all your gains from Ethereum.

[Jack]

Now, as of this recording on Friday afternoon, none of those had been signed by the President yet, but they are all expected to be.

[Nick]

And add it all up, and we just got the first set of crypto rules in its 17 year history.

[Jack]

But it won't be the last.

[Nick]

Because of our takeaway. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for all our buddies looking at crypto?

[Jack]

Rome was not built in a day, and neither are regulations.

[Nick]

Yetis many people assume that with three big bills, our government's crypto rules are boom, done, so set for life.

[Jack]

The reality is that regulation is never one and done.

[Nick]

Nope.

[Jack]

Regulation is like building a city. Takes many years, many eras.

[Nick]

It's like building Rome. Surprising example of this. Just look at our Federal Reserve bank, which was established in 1914, but it.

[Jack]

Wasn'T until 1933, 19 years later, that we got the two other crucial parts.

[Nick]

Of our financial system right, the SEC and the FDIC. Well, 2025's crypto moment, it's a lot like 1914's financial moment. The way we see it.

[Jack]

It's just step one. It's not done.

[Nick]

So our prediction, a 2030 crypto bill will probably happen. One that fixes everything that these three bills didn't fix.

[Jack]

We'll see how these next X number of years go, and then Congress is going to come back and finish the job of regulating crypto.

[Nick]

Because as Caesar once said, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are regulations. Jack, could you whip up the takeaways for us for the huge week?

[Jack]

For our first story, the Late show with Stephen Colbert has been cancelled, partly because of business, partly because of politics.

[Nick]

And partly because late night hosts are becoming podcast hosts.

[Jack]

For our second story, Neon Coat is an app for influencers to get free restaurant meals, free gym passes, and more for influencer marketing.

[Nick]

It's not the size that counts, it's how you engage with it.

[Jack]

And our third and final story, Congress passed three crypto bills last week, and a big executive order came too.

[Nick]

Like Rome, regulation isn't built in a day. This is just the start.

[Jack]

But yetis, this pod's not over yet. Here's what else you need to know today.

[Nick]

First, Substack, the newsletter startup, has raised 100 million bucks for its newsletter business, a valuation of $1.1 billion.

[Jack]

Very simple business model. You can make a newsletter and publish it on our platform, but if you make money, we get a 10% cut.

[Nick]

Beautifully simple business model. If your newsletter is free, then Substack is free for you to use.

[Jack]

If you charge 10 bucks per subscriber, Substack takes a buck of that 10.

[Nick]

And Andreessen is into it. And second, Republicans in Congress were busy last week. They also clawed back $1.1 billion that had already been allocated to the CPB.

[Jack]

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and why are they taking this money away? Perceived liberal bias of NPR and PBS.

[Nick]

Now we should point out NPR only gets 1% of its budget from the federal government. So who this really hurts is local.

[Jack]

News businesses, 1500 radio and TV stat across the country just lost a major funding source.

[Nick]

And finally, where are you sitting, Jack? Because Christopher Nolan's Odyssey movie is already selling IMAX tickets one year in advance.

[Jack]

Unlike with Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan doesn't have Barbie to rely on to drive hype. So he's driving his own hype with a 12 month pre sale window.

[Nick]

And I'm besties. Jack and I are very excited for any Christopher Nolan movie. He is our Roman Empire after all.

[Jack]

Although the Odyssey is the Greek empire.

[Nick]

Good point, Homer, good point.

[Jack]

Speaking of the Odyssey, you know who plays Odysseus?

[Nick]

Oh yeah, Who? Wait, who? I don't know.

[Jack]

Matt Damon.

[Nick]

Is that a spoiler? Do people know that yet? Oh, did you find that out in your influencer app? Is it?

[Jack]

Doesn't everyone read Deadline Hollywood like I do?

[Nick]

Now time for the best fact yet. Which because it's Monday means T boy Trivia.

[Jack]

Here's the trivia question. What is the most valuable franchise of all time?

[Nick]

It's a simple but hard question. What fictional universe has made more money than any other?

[Jack]

Is it Harry Potter, Star Wars, Pokemon, Marvel Universe, or hello Kitty?

[Nick]

I like that we're doing multiple choice on this one. Brings me Back to the SATs. Here we go. What do you think? A little bit. You wanna drop a hint? You got a hint, Jack.

[Jack]

Here's my hint. It's not the Lord of the Rings.

[Nick]

Here's another hint. Hermione, you're not gonna get this.

[Jack]

Whoa, that's a huge hint, dude.

[Nick]

Unless you think about that answer, Jack.

[Jack]

To repeat the options, it's Harry Potter, Star Wars, Pokemon, Marvel Universe, or hello kids.

[Nick]

Yeti. Yetis. You look fantastic to start the week. Jack, you are looking glowing with that fresh haircut for the big show in Chicago.

[Jack]

I'm ridiculously excited for this live show.

[Nick]

I can't wait to see you. Jack. We gotta use your influencer app to get us a reservation at one of these places. Can you get us a burger at Eau Cheval? You think you can pull that off?

[Jack]

I would love a free meal. Dude, I heard brunch is huge in Chicago. We should get brunch.

[Nick]

Each day we're there they say no one does a bloody like the loop. Jack and I will see you there. Snag your tickets and celebrate the wins. And before we go. A happy 41st birthday to Yeti Philip Hanks from Oak Ridge, North Kakalacky. Happy birthday, Phillip.

[Jack]

Happy 50th birthday to David Chen in Walnut Creek, California.

[Nick]

And happy 88th birthday to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, which Jack was selling 88 cent donuts, which is not good for your Krispy Kreme stock. I got, I gotta point out, take.

[Jack]

It easy on the promotions.

[Nick]

Krispy Kreme Cassidy Torres has a new job in Marietta, Georgia. Congratulations, Cassidy.

[Jack]

Congratulations to Matt Wolterink from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who just had a new baby girl, Halle.

[Nick]

Welcome, Hallie. And Anthony Prudencio from rio Rancho, New Mexico has sent us some fantastic YouTube recs. Hey, thank you, Anthony.

[Jack]

And a shout out to Rachel Hower, who is making us do a triathlon. Apparently when we hit 100,000 followers on.

[Nick]

Instagram, did we sign anything? Have we signed anything for this?

[Jack]

I don't know, but it's. But if you want to see us wearing Slammin Salmon Spandex, follow us at D Boypod.

[Nick]

We've been trading our whole lives for it.

[Jack]

And to anyone else celebrating something today, make it a T, boy.

[Nick]

Celebrate the wins.

[Jack]

This is Jack. I own stock and Krispy Kreme. Nick and I both own stock of Airbnb. We both own some Bitcoin and Nick owns some Ethereum. If you like the best one yet, you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery and the Wondery app or on Apple Podcast Prime.

[Nick]

Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Jack]

And before you go, tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey we want to.

[Nick]

Get to know you.

[D]

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