The Wolf Of All Streets – Podcast Summary

Episode: Bitcoin PANIC At $87K As Lower Highs Set In! What's Next?
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Scott Melker
Guests: Andrew, Tillman, Tom Levy (VC/crypto investor)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Melker and guests Andrew, Tillman, and Tom Levy dissect the current state of the crypto and Bitcoin markets, focusing on Bitcoin’s sharp decline below $87,000, surging fear (with the Fear and Greed Index at historic lows), and the evolving dynamics between institutional adoption and retail investor sentiment. The conversation weaves through VC fundraising, regulatory uncertainty, product innovation, and future cycles—all within a candid, sometimes humorous, and deeply analytical atmosphere.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Sentiment: Fear at $87K

Bitcoin’s Price Action:
Bitcoin’s price is under $87,000, with the Fear and Greed Index at 11, signaling "extreme fear."
- Scott: “I mean… the fear and greed index is at 11... we rarely ever get below 10. So sitting here at 87,000… where’s this extreme fear at this point coming from?” (12:18)
Broad Disconnection:
Despite institutional adoption news, retail sentiment remains deeply pessimistic; panelists suggest this disconnect offers opportunities for mid- and long-term investors.

2. Venture Capital Trends in Crypto

VC Capital Collapse:
- Tom highlights:
  - 2021: $20B raised
  - 2022: Almost $40B
  - 2023-2025: Less than $5B annually
  - Tom: “All those vintage 21/22 funds have really shot their load... They can’t raise again. If you’re still deploying, there’s opportunity, but valuations are still high—just less competition.” (02:13)
Shift to Safer, Larger Bets:
VC activity is consolidating into big Series A/B bets on “sure things,” while seed-stage capital is sparse.
Traditional VC vs. Crypto VC:
VC funding has flowed into AI, causing additional drawdown in crypto fundraising.
- Andrew: “You could… chart the increase in AI commitment by VCs and see it correlates to the fall in crypto VC funding.” (09:34)

3. Startups, Utility, and Speculation

Fewer New Startups:
Speculative interest (especially in meme coins) has drained energy and trust, leaving the market “bored” and cautious.
- Andrew: “Everybody’s sitting on go, waiting until there’s a real signal. The VCs are bored too. It’s a buyer’s market.” (07:10)
Real World Assets (RWA) and Prediction Markets:
Tom lists promising sectors: RWAs, asset-backed products, on-chain prediction markets, and vault products—all begin to show real utility.
Changing Nature of Launches:
Example of Monad and market reactions:
- Tom: “Everyone’s lost here.” (09:26)

4. Institutions, Mainstream Integration, and Adoption

Unprecedented Institutional Moves:
- Nation states buying BTC (per Larry Fink).
- Major brokerages (Charles Schwab, JP Morgan, Vanguard) offering Bitcoin and Solana futures and collateralized loans.
- SEC commentary on full market migration to blockchain infrastructure within two years.
- Retail brokerage access expanding rapidly.
Scott: “Everything we asked for, we’ve gotten… were we just spoiled?” (14:26)
Institutional Flows Are Slow:
- Tom: “Those institutional flows move quarterly, not at crypto speed. I think Q1 and Q2 will be fantastic, but takes a few more quarters.” (15:07)
Effect on Cycles:
Wall Street’s methodical accumulation and structured product innovation mean the traditional 4-year cycles may be obsolete.
- Andrew: “Waves of adoption are coming... the inflows are now systematic, reshaping market cycles.” (21:11)

5. Regulation, Fragility, and the Senate Roadblock

Legislation Delays:
- Senate Banking Committee delays crypto market structure bill until at least 2026.
- Concerns: stablecoin yields, DeFi AML/KYC, regulatory jurisdiction, and presidential conflicts of interest.
- Tom: “The genie’s out of the bottle. Even if we don’t get clarity, innovation can’t be stopped. But that makes the current environment fragile.” (32:53)
Global Innovation Will Continue:
Regulation delays just shift competitive advantage abroad; U.S. can't put the genie back.

6. Automation and Risk in Crypto Investing

Automated Accumulation Strategies (Arch Public):
Scott and team discuss employing automated trading strategies to DCA (“dollar cost average”) into positions, especially during volatile or declining periods.
- Makes accumulation and profit harvesting discipline easier than manual trading.
- Automation snipes bottoms, takes profits on spikes, and sidesteps emotional biases.
- Scott: “I top-ticked this strategy to the day at $4,800 ETH and was in profit last week. That’s the power of automation.” (48:22)
Managing Volatility:
Automation treats volatility as an asset; avoids buying big green candles and focuses on discounted entries.

7. Macro and Near-Term Predictions

2026 Outlook:
- Panel generally bullish on medium/long term; less convinced about “cycle” dogma.
- Market movement now depends more on macro factors: elections, legislation, institutional flows, global liquidity.
- Tom: “If we go down next year, it’s not due to the cycle but due to politics, policy, and macro. Once clarity comes, look for hundreds of billions waiting to flow in.” (35:16)
Speculation and Social Commentary:
Younger generations treat crypto and high-leverage trading as modes of survival, expecting windfalls in a flat job/housing environment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Tom Levy on VC Funding:
“All those vintage 21/22 funds have really shot their load... They can’t raise again. If you’re still deploying, there’s opportunity, but valuations are still high—just less competition.” (02:13)
Andrew on Institutional Disconnect:
“Larry Fink is out there saying nation states are buying the dip… that would have sent the market vertical three years ago. Now, retail is in panic despite institutions buying.” (12:23)
Scott on Cycle Skepticism:
“2026 is going to be amazing. Yay, crypto. But the four-year cycle is dead if we go down next year—it will be macro and politics, not halvings.” (35:16)
Andrew on Adoption and Cycle Change:
“Inflows are now systematic — it’s attached to the inflation curve. We’re seeing a rising tide. That will change… everything we know about the four-year cycle.” (21:11)
Tom on Regulatory Uncertainty:
“We’re at the finish line... but the Senate crypto bill is getting punted again. The further it’s pushed, the more fragile the current Goldilocks phase becomes.” (31:58)
Scott on Automation:
“Automation helps do what you as a manual trader are not going to be able to do—it gets you disciplined about keeping powder dry and only buying on big red candles.” (42:47)
Andrew on Product Maturity:
“It’s always been hard to do crypto, everything used to be a pain. Now, it’s integrated, user-friendly, and provides systematic buy pressure. That changes the market landscape.” (21:11)

Timestamps: Noteworthy Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |--------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | [00:01] | Bitcoin price panic, Fear and Greed Index at 11 | | [01:48] | Tom on declining number of startups and VC funding | | [07:10] | “Bored market” - meme coins, burnout, and confusion | | [09:34] | AI taking VC oxygen from crypto | | [12:18] | Institutional vs. retail sentiment, Fink’s comments | | [14:09] | Major institutions’ crypto integration | | [21:11] | Systematic flows, changing 4-year cycles, ETF impacts | | [25:14] | 24/7 stock markets, crypto’s unique value proposition | | [31:58] | Senate crypto bill delays, fragility of new market phase | | [35:16] | Macro politics vs. cycles, bullish/neutral outlook | | [42:47] | Automation in trading, psychology, profit strategies | | [48:22] | DCA automation, outperforming manual trading |

Closing Thoughts

The episode paints a nuanced, forward-looking picture of the crypto market. While headlines scream panic, underlying adoption, institutional flows, and maturing infrastructure point to robust foundations for the future—once the broader regulatory and macro environment catches up. Meanwhile, automation, discipline, and systematized strategies are replacing the emotional churn of prior cycles. The hosts’ playful banter keeps the discussion grounded and relatable, even as they dive into complex financial mechanisms and big-picture predictions.

Participants for Follow:

Scott Melker (@scottmelker)
Tom Levy (@sunlevy89)

For more resources:

archpublic.com
Upcoming: Bitcoin Investor Week, NYC, February (details in episode)

End of summary. For any crypto investor navigating 2025’s volatility, this episode is essential listening—and even more essential, reading.

The Wolf Of All Streets – Podcast Summary

Episode: Bitcoin PANIC At $87K As Lower Highs Set In! What's Next?
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Scott Melker
Guests: Andrew, Tillman, Tom Levy (VC/crypto investor)

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Sentiment: Fear at $87K

Bitcoin’s Price Action:
Bitcoin’s price is under $87,000, with the Fear and Greed Index at 11, signaling "extreme fear."
- Scott: “I mean… the fear and greed index is at 11... we rarely ever get below 10. So sitting here at 87,000… where’s this extreme fear at this point coming from?” (12:18)
Broad Disconnection:
Despite institutional adoption news, retail sentiment remains deeply pessimistic; panelists suggest this disconnect offers opportunities for mid- and long-term investors.

2. Venture Capital Trends in Crypto

VC Capital Collapse:
- Tom highlights:
  - 2021: $20B raised
  - 2022: Almost $40B
  - 2023-2025: Less than $5B annually
  - Tom: “All those vintage 21/22 funds have really shot their load... They can’t raise again. If you’re still deploying, there’s opportunity, but valuations are still high—just less competition.” (02:13)
Shift to Safer, Larger Bets:
VC activity is consolidating into big Series A/B bets on “sure things,” while seed-stage capital is sparse.
Traditional VC vs. Crypto VC:
VC funding has flowed into AI, causing additional drawdown in crypto fundraising.
- Andrew: “You could… chart the increase in AI commitment by VCs and see it correlates to the fall in crypto VC funding.” (09:34)

3. Startups, Utility, and Speculation

Fewer New Startups:
Speculative interest (especially in meme coins) has drained energy and trust, leaving the market “bored” and cautious.
- Andrew: “Everybody’s sitting on go, waiting until there’s a real signal. The VCs are bored too. It’s a buyer’s market.” (07:10)
Real World Assets (RWA) and Prediction Markets:
Tom lists promising sectors: RWAs, asset-backed products, on-chain prediction markets, and vault products—all begin to show real utility.
Changing Nature of Launches:
Example of Monad and market reactions:
- Tom: “Everyone’s lost here.” (09:26)

4. Institutions, Mainstream Integration, and Adoption

Unprecedented Institutional Moves:
- Nation states buying BTC (per Larry Fink).
- Major brokerages (Charles Schwab, JP Morgan, Vanguard) offering Bitcoin and Solana futures and collateralized loans.
- SEC commentary on full market migration to blockchain infrastructure within two years.
- Retail brokerage access expanding rapidly.
Scott: “Everything we asked for, we’ve gotten… were we just spoiled?” (14:26)
Institutional Flows Are Slow:
- Tom: “Those institutional flows move quarterly, not at crypto speed. I think Q1 and Q2 will be fantastic, but takes a few more quarters.” (15:07)
Effect on Cycles:
Wall Street’s methodical accumulation and structured product innovation mean the traditional 4-year cycles may be obsolete.
- Andrew: “Waves of adoption are coming... the inflows are now systematic, reshaping market cycles.” (21:11)

5. Regulation, Fragility, and the Senate Roadblock

Legislation Delays:
- Senate Banking Committee delays crypto market structure bill until at least 2026.
- Concerns: stablecoin yields, DeFi AML/KYC, regulatory jurisdiction, and presidential conflicts of interest.
- Tom: “The genie’s out of the bottle. Even if we don’t get clarity, innovation can’t be stopped. But that makes the current environment fragile.” (32:53)
Global Innovation Will Continue:
Regulation delays just shift competitive advantage abroad; U.S. can't put the genie back.

6. Automation and Risk in Crypto Investing

Automated Accumulation Strategies (Arch Public):
Scott and team discuss employing automated trading strategies to DCA (“dollar cost average”) into positions, especially during volatile or declining periods.
- Makes accumulation and profit harvesting discipline easier than manual trading.
- Automation snipes bottoms, takes profits on spikes, and sidesteps emotional biases.
- Scott: “I top-ticked this strategy to the day at $4,800 ETH and was in profit last week. That’s the power of automation.” (48:22)
Managing Volatility:
Automation treats volatility as an asset; avoids buying big green candles and focuses on discounted entries.

7. Macro and Near-Term Predictions

2026 Outlook:
- Panel generally bullish on medium/long term; less convinced about “cycle” dogma.
- Market movement now depends more on macro factors: elections, legislation, institutional flows, global liquidity.
- Tom: “If we go down next year, it’s not due to the cycle but due to politics, policy, and macro. Once clarity comes, look for hundreds of billions waiting to flow in.” (35:16)
Speculation and Social Commentary:
Younger generations treat crypto and high-leverage trading as modes of survival, expecting windfalls in a flat job/housing environment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Tom Levy on VC Funding:
“All those vintage 21/22 funds have really shot their load... They can’t raise again. If you’re still deploying, there’s opportunity, but valuations are still high—just less competition.” (02:13)
Andrew on Institutional Disconnect:
“Larry Fink is out there saying nation states are buying the dip… that would have sent the market vertical three years ago. Now, retail is in panic despite institutions buying.” (12:23)
Scott on Cycle Skepticism:
“2026 is going to be amazing. Yay, crypto. But the four-year cycle is dead if we go down next year—it will be macro and politics, not halvings.” (35:16)
Andrew on Adoption and Cycle Change:
“Inflows are now systematic — it’s attached to the inflation curve. We’re seeing a rising tide. That will change… everything we know about the four-year cycle.” (21:11)
Tom on Regulatory Uncertainty:
“We’re at the finish line... but the Senate crypto bill is getting punted again. The further it’s pushed, the more fragile the current Goldilocks phase becomes.” (31:58)
Scott on Automation:
“Automation helps do what you as a manual trader are not going to be able to do—it gets you disciplined about keeping powder dry and only buying on big red candles.” (42:47)
Andrew on Product Maturity:
“It’s always been hard to do crypto, everything used to be a pain. Now, it’s integrated, user-friendly, and provides systematic buy pressure. That changes the market landscape.” (21:11)

Timestamps: Noteworthy Segments

Closing Thoughts

Participants for Follow:

Scott Melker (@scottmelker)
Tom Levy (@sunlevy89)

For more resources:

archpublic.com
Upcoming: Bitcoin Investor Week, NYC, February (details in episode)

End of summary. For any crypto investor navigating 2025’s volatility, this episode is essential listening—and even more essential, reading.

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Bitcoin PANIC At $87K As Lower Highs Set In! What's Next?

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Summary

The Wolf Of All Streets – Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Sentiment: Fear at $87K

2. Venture Capital Trends in Crypto

3. Startups, Utility, and Speculation

4. Institutions, Mainstream Integration, and Adoption

5. Regulation, Fragility, and the Senate Roadblock

6. Automation and Risk in Crypto Investing

7. Macro and Near-Term Predictions

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps: Noteworthy Segments

Closing Thoughts

Summary

The Wolf Of All Streets – Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Sentiment: Fear at $87K

2. Venture Capital Trends in Crypto

3. Startups, Utility, and Speculation

4. Institutions, Mainstream Integration, and Adoption

5. Regulation, Fragility, and the Senate Roadblock

6. Automation and Risk in Crypto Investing

7. Macro and Near-Term Predictions

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps: Noteworthy Segments

Closing Thoughts