Podcast Summary: The Wolf Of All Streets – "Bitcoin Set To Explode As AI, ETFs, And Trump Shake The Markets"
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host: Scott Melker
Guest: Iago
Additional Guest: Dan from Chart Guys
1. Introduction to Episode's Theme
In this episode of "The Wolf Of All Streets", host Scott Melker engages in a deep dive discussion with Iago, exploring the multifaceted dynamics influencing Bitcoin's trajectory. The conversation extends to include insights from Dan from Chart Guys, providing a comprehensive analysis of Bitcoin’s resilience, the impact of ETFs, geopolitical influences, and emerging developments within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
2. Bitcoin's Resilience Amid Geopolitical Turmoil
Scott Melker opens the discussion by highlighting Bitcoin's "tremendous strength even in the face of geopolitical wobbles" (00:00). Despite transient drops below $100,000, Bitcoin has swiftly rebounded to near all-time highs, underscoring robust demand.
Scott Melker shares his recent experience in New York City, where he interviewed Mayor Eric Adams at Permissionless. The mayor, a controversial figure with socialist leanings, has emerged as a significant supporter of crypto, challenging the traditional financial landscape of the city — a global financial hub previously unfriendly to cryptocurrency businesses.
Iago adds depth to the conversation, emphasizing the cyclical nature of political trends and their implications for Bitcoin. He asserts, “Every single generation needs to go through the process of voting in populists and socialists in order to learn the lesson. Don't vote in populists and socialists.” (02:27). He draws a parallel between political polarization, driven by real estate dynamics, and Bitcoin’s enduring growth, suggesting that Bitcoin's ascent is intertwined with broader societal shifts.
3. Bitcoin ETFs and Mainstream Acceptance
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Bitcoin ETFs and their role in legitimizing Bitcoin as an asset class. Scott notes a "historic move with ETFs, Bitcoin ETFs 12 day net inflow streak nears 4 billion as Bitcoin gains amid dollar slump" (13:29). He questions the temporary price dip below $100,000 despite substantial ETF inflows, attributing it to market delays and sustained underlying demand.
Iago counters by pointing out external factors such as asset sales by entities like FTX, contributing to short-term price volatility. However, he remains optimistic, stating, “I feel like we're just on the cusp of a very significant move.” (14:50).
The conversation shifts to Fannie Freddie’s initiative to count crypto as an asset for mortgages. Scott underscores the importance of this development: “Anybody in the United States who holds bitcoin or any asset and has tried to get a mortgage knows how absolutely important this is and what an endorsement it would be for bitcoin as a legitimate asset class.” (07:18). Currently, holding crypto hinders mortgage eligibility, but this shift could substantially legitimize Bitcoin in traditional finance.
4. Barclays' Ban on Crypto Transactions and Implications for Stablecoins
Scott brings up a recent move by Barclays to ban crypto transactions on credit cards, raising concerns about the volatility and fraud associated with crypto purchases. Iago provides a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the ban is likely a response to increased fraudulent activities, such as chargebacks and credential theft.
Iago explains, “Bitcoin or crypto are transactions that settle, so they're final and these are not. And that creates a huge opportunity for fraud.” (09:15). This distinction between reversible credit card transactions and final crypto settlements poses challenges for traditional financial institutions.
The discussion further explores the future of credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, with Iago envisioning these giants adapting by integrating stablecoins into their payment systems to mitigate fraud and reduce administrative costs associated with chargebacks. “The existing networks are going to become Rails for stablecoins.” (12:16).
5. Bitcoin Price Movements and Trading Strategies
Scott and Iago delve into the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin's price movements. Despite a booming ETF inflow, Bitcoin's price exhibited volatility, temporarily dipping below a significant threshold before rebounding. Iago attributes this to short-term trading behaviors and asset sales by major players like FTX, contributing to what he describes as a “near panic” (10:30).
Iago proposes a novel trading strategy based on geopolitical events: “Every single time there's geopolitical chaos does exactly the Same thing. It drops sharply and then shoots up by every time.” (15:22). By monitoring prediction markets on platforms like Polymarket, traders can anticipate Bitcoin's response to global events, capitalizing on its sharp price movements in times of uncertainty.
Scott echoes this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for buying Bitcoin during dips: “I just love when bitcoin goes down. Right. I want to buy more and I'm, I know I did.” (14:50). This buy-the-dip strategy aligns with their shared confidence in Bitcoin's long-term upward trajectory.
6. Developments and Projects Building on Bitcoin
Shifting focus to the technological advancements within the Bitcoin ecosystem, Iago highlights unprecedented excitement and development activity. He cites significant Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) on Bitcoin-based platforms, including a "50 million dollar ICO for a platform being built as a roll-up on Bitcoin to host stablecoins" (17:19).
Iago elaborates on the growing integration of Bitcoin into decentralized finance (DeFi): “The number of BTC being activated in defi grinding up by hundreds of millions of dollars every month.” (18:59). This surge in Bitcoin utilization for yield generation and collateralization signals a reintegration of Bitcoin into broader financial applications.
The conversation touches upon Sway, Avalanche, Solana, and Cardano, all making strategic moves to incorporate Bitcoin into their ecosystems. Iago anticipates that 2026 will witness the maturation of these integrations, leading to "breakout killer app successes" built on Bitcoin (23:36).
Scott inquires about the progress of projects like Bitcoin OS and the upcoming milestones. Iago responds with optimism, detailing that parts of the system are already on mainnet and v1 is expected by the end of summer, setting the stage for significant advancements in the second half of 2025.
7. Crypto Stocks and Market Dynamics
In the latter segment, Scott introduces Dan from Chart Guys to discuss the interplay between Bitcoin and crypto-related stocks. Dan analyzes recent market movements, noting that Bitcoin's brief dip below $100,000 was a "classic liquidity grab right under a key level of support" and underscores the bullish indicators such as positive geopolitical headlines and strong broader market performance (29:31).
Dan assesses the performance of Ethereum (ETH), emphasizing its crucial role as a market indicator: “I just want to see less than 50% retracement, get back less than half of that move.” (32:48). He indicates that Ethereum’s performance often influences the broader altcoin market, serving as a bellwether for upcoming trends.
The discussion transitions to crypto stocks like Coinbase (COIN) and Circle (CRCL). Dan observes that profits are circulating from Circle into Coinbase, a dynamic that indicates shifting capital within the crypto ecosystem. Scott expands on this by highlighting Coinbase’s significant revenue generation from USDC, noting that Coinbase "makes more money on USDC than Circle does" (35:16).
They also discuss the performance of crypto miners like CLSK, and the strategic moves of Mastercard, Visa, and other financial giants in adapting to the evolving crypto landscape. Dan remains cautious yet optimistic, focusing on long-term opportunities while acknowledging the volatility inherent in the crypto market.
8. Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the episode draws to a close, Scott reiterates his belief in Bitcoin's foundational role in the future of finance while acknowledging the parallel development of other blockchain networks. He emphasizes the importance of technological advancements and strategic integrations in positioning Bitcoin as a central pillar in the evolving digital economy.
Scott also highlights recent announcements, such as Aptos' launch of Shelby, a decentralized, monetizable storage solution for data-rich applications, underscoring the rapid innovation within the crypto space.
The conversation concludes with Scott thanking his guests and inviting listeners to stay tuned for future episodes, reinforcing the episode’s overarching theme: Bitcoin is poised for explosive growth driven by technological advancements, institutional acceptance, and navigating complex geopolitical landscapes.
Notable Quotes:
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Scott Melker: “Bitcoin has shown tremendous strength even in the face of geopolitical wobbles.” (00:00)
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Iago: “Every single generation needs to go through the process of voting in populists and socialists in order to learn the lesson. Don't vote in populists and socialists.” (02:27)
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Scott Melker: “Anybody in the United States who holds bitcoin or any asset and has tried to get a mortgage knows how absolutely important this is and what an endorsement it would be for bitcoin as a legitimate asset class.” (07:18)
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Iago: “The existing networks are going to become Rails for stablecoins.” (12:16)
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Iago: “Every single time there's geopolitical chaos does exactly the Same thing. It drops sharply and then shoots up by every time.” (15:22)
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Iago: “The number of BTC being activated in defi grinding up by hundreds of millions of dollars every month.” (18:59)
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Dan from Chart Guys: “If weekly EMA 12 is support, it's a bull flag.” (29:31)
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Scott Melker: “I'm all in that.” (38:08)
Conclusion
This episode of "The Wolf Of All Streets" offers a multifaceted exploration of Bitcoin's current standing and future prospects. Through insightful discussions on geopolitical influences, financial innovations, and market dynamics, Scott Melker and his guests provide a comprehensive understanding of the forces propelling Bitcoin towards an explosive future. Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to the crypto landscape, this episode delivers valuable perspectives on navigating the evolving world of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
