Regulation vs Innovation: The Future of Cryptocurrency in Politics and Markets

In the latest episode of Chain Train, we explore Bitcoin’s rise above $100,000, driven by Trump’s pro-crypto stance and increased institutional adoption. Trump's pro-crypto policies, including appointing Paul Atkins as SEC chair, align with the growing interest in digital assets, though some critics warn of risks like fraud. Meanwhile, North Korea’s Lazarus Group, known for funding the country’s nuclear program through stolen crypto, was behind a $16 million hack of Rain.com. On the regulatory front, Jerome Powell downplayed Bitcoin’s role as a competitor to the U.S. dollar, calling it a speculative asset like gold. The episode also covers the fall of Celsius Network, with founder Alexander Mashinsky admitting to fraud and market manipulation. Finally, a massive Russian-led money laundering network using crypto for illicit activities has been exposed, further showcasing the dark side of the digital currency landscape.