The Wolf Of All Streets — CryptoTownHall

Episode: SEC Approves Listing Standards For Crypto ETFs

Date: September 18, 2025
Host: Scott Melker

Overview

In this dynamic CryptoTownHall episode, Scott Melker and an array of industry heavyweights dissect the monumental SEC decision to approve new listing standards for crypto ETFs, signaling transformative change for both markets and retail investors. The panel delves into macroeconomic context, with a lively review of the Fed's tepid policy moves, speculation on coming shifts in U.S. monetary leadership, and deep-dive analysis of how new ETF pathways will unleash a tidal wave of crypto index and meme coin products. The latter half spotlights CoinStats, an innovative portfolio management tool, with a comprehensive AMA exploring how advanced analytics and AI can help users “manage the chaos” of the evolving crypto landscape.

Main Themes and Discussion Points

1. Fed Rate Cut, Inflation, and Economic Uncertainty

(00:37–16:19)

• Fed's Lukewarm Move: Broad frustration over the Fed’s rate cut amidst rising inflation. Panelists unanimously see it as ineffectual, aligning with market forecasts and failing to move crypto asset prices.

  • Scott Melker: “The flaccid Fed and their lukewarm attempts to have any effect on the economy... absolutely nothing happened.” (00:37)

• Job Market vs. Inflation:

  • Dave: “It’s very clear unemployment trumps inflation and will do every time unless inflation gets to a level where people are screaming about it far more.” (03:08)

• Abandoning the 2% Inflation Target:

  • Scott Melker: “Did he abandon the 2% target?... Have we just gotten a passive admittal that now we're at a floating rate?” (04:15)
  • Dave: “He said that he hopes to get back to it in 2028, which will be over two years after he’s out of the position.” (04:38)
  • C.J.: Emphasizes the risk of the market de-anchoring from the 2% expectation, potential for a Japan-style environment, and likely further rate cuts.

• Prediction: Lower For Longer Rates:

  • C.J.: “I think we’re going much lower than 3%. I wouldn’t be surprised if we went back to 0 to 0.25.” (06:20)

• Inflation and Money Supply:

  • Andrej: Links money supply growth (M2) to an expectation that headline inflation will “grind towards 5% again... probably by 2026,” with Fed rate cuts fueling it. (08:12)
  • Dave: Pushback – asset inflation matches money supply growth, but improved technology/productivity has muted consumer prices. (09:23)

• Market Impact and Politics of Appointments:

  • Broad agreement Powell will not be reappointed. Panelists see coming changes in central bank leadership as pivotal.

2. SEC Crypto ETF Approval: Game Changer for Markets

(16:19–38:13)

Why Crypto Index ETFs Matter

• Dave: “The ability to have index funds in crypto will be perceived as a very, very big deal.” (17:57)

  • Historically, dynamic index funds have dramatically outperformed static baskets (75% more since 1990 in S&P example).

• Passive Exposure:

  • C.J.: “A lot of people... don’t have the time, energy or understanding to pick the winners. Getting an index allows for passive investing.” (20:11)

• Alts & Meme ETFs Incoming:

  • Surge in altcoin prices is seen as a direct response to institutional access to index funds. (21:01)
  • Andrej (Bitwise): Predicts “a watershed moment” and a dramatic increase in ETF issuances—up to triple the pace, with approvals sped from 240 to 75 days. (22:32)

Generic and Fast-Tracked ETF Approvals

• Scott Melker: SEC’s new “generic litmus test” will allow fast-tracking ETF approvals, primarily for tokens with established futures on platforms like Coinbase. “Welcome to the party.” (24:34)

• Meme Coin & Exotic ETFs Predicted:

  • Carlo: “You’re absolutely going to see meme index funds… a top 10 meme index fund coming out, no question.” (25:45)
  • James: In six months, likely Shib and Doge ETFs and—eventually—index products built from multiple memes. Expects “100-plus products related to crypto come to market in the next six months… I’d bet a lot of money on that.” (26:38)

• Behind-the-Scenes of Approval Processes:

  • Explains how ETF issuers have leveraged legal workarounds (e.g., European ETF holdings in US funds) to fast-track launches, thus pressuring the SEC to accelerate broad approval standards. (27:51)
  • James: Solana and Litecoin may be first up for imminent ETF approval due to existing futures. (29:52)

• Skepticism Over Fundamental Value:

  • Concerns around valuation of new ETF constituents, particularly with meme coins & low value-prop altcoins. Traditional finance models struggle to ascribe value beyond speculative trading. (31:01)

• Regulatory Freedom – Double-Edged Sword:

  • Bruce: Rails against ancient regulatory frameworks (“the people who wrote the 1933 Act went to school on horseback, screw these idiots"), celebrates increased freedom of choice, but claims “99% of these things are stupid... they’re going to go down to zero”. (33:43–38:13)
  • Notable quote: “Go ahead and trade your stupid coins and your stupid gift certificates… but yeah, whatever. I mean, yeah, there’ll be a bunch of ETFs and maybe a couple will make it, but most of this stuff is junk and that’s great. Junk should be allowed to be traded. It’s called freedom. And I’m all for any, any freedom that we have.” (38:13)

3. AMA: CoinStats — Mastering Portfolio Chaos with AI & Automation

(39:28–55:16)

• CoinStats Elevator Pitch (39:28)

  • Narek (CoinStats): “Managing crypto today has been a nightmare… what CoinStats does is unify all your blockchains, wallets, and exchange accounts into one place, giving real-time tracking, AI-driven insights, and full visibility over your portfolio.” (39:28)

• What Sets CoinStats Apart:

  • Supports 130+ blockchains, deep analytics (profit/loss, transaction history, buy prices), CSV export. (41:06)
  • Unique features: “Time Machine” (track holdings at any point in history); AI-driven portfolio insights; “Wallet Analyzer” to clarify on-chain activity; fee and gas tracking; enhanced DeFi support across 1,500 protocols.
  • J: “...A feature that even myself I would definitely use on CoinStats because Etherscan is just… not doing it for me when it comes to accounting.” (42:00)

• AI-Enhanced Insights:

  • Personalized news and risk analysis based on assets held and user behavior.
  • Upcoming “AI Time Machine” for powerful retroactive portfolio audits.
  • Narek: “The main aspect is automatically pulling data from any blockchain or wallet, with deep dive analytics… including historical analysis down to the hour.” (41:06, 43:05)

• Security Feature — Token Risk Analysis:

  • Partnership with Hexaes brings “Token Risks API” — scans and scores smart contracts for ~20 different vulnerabilities, claims 80% higher accuracy than competitors. (46:05)

• Addressing Retail Users’ Pain Points:

  • Retail loses money by buying late, selling poorly, and poor money management; CoinStats aspires to change user behavior through actionable, AI-powered education.
  • Narek: “If you can bring that tutoring and education with the power of AI to an average CoinStats customer, that would be a deal breaker for them... generate long-term wealth with crypto with the right investments.” (50:23)

• Scale:

  • 800,000 monthly active users, $100 billion in assets tracked. (52:14)

• Call to Action:

  • Download CoinStats app (App Store/Google Play), onboard wallets (no email required), and start receiving personalized notifications and analytics. (52:53)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the SEC’s New Standards:

  • "You can expect a lot of trading in it. It'll be highly speculative and highly volatile." — James (31:01)
  • “There will be a bunch of ETFs and maybe a couple will make it, but most of this stuff is junk and that’s great. Junk should be allowed to be traded. It’s called freedom.” — Bruce (38:13)

• On Crypto Investing Simplicity:

  • “I don’t know who’s going to win, but I know this industry is going to grow and I want some exposure to it.” — Dave (20:11)

• On Retail User Behavior:

  • “Significant percentage of our customers lose money because they don’t apply basic financial rules... if you can bring that tutoring and education ... in a secure way... that would be a deal breaker.” — Narek (50:23)

Key Timestamps

• Fed & Inflation Segment: 00:37 – 16:19
• SEC ETF Approval & Market Implications: 16:19 – 38:13
• CoinStats AMA with Narek: 39:28 – 55:16

Episode Tone and Style

• Forthright, lively, and at times irreverent, with blunt dismissals of financial orthodoxy and regulatory bureaucracy.
• Mix of high-level industry insight, technical detail, and witty banter (“You sound like a boomer who doesn’t live in the trenches and doesn’t understand the value of live streaming yourself?” — Scott, 33:00).
• Practical, accessible explanations for users navigating the new ETF and portfolio management landscape.

For Listeners

This episode is essential listening for anyone wrestling with what the SEC’s ETF action really means for crypto, concerned about macroeconomic forces, or looking for tangible ways to manage accumulating portfolios in a rapidly evolving market. The CoinStats AMA closes with easy onboarding steps, underscoring the shift toward consumer-oriented crypto management tools enabled by regulatory, technical, and product innovation.