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The Block Runner is your final source for cryptocurrency technology, explanations and news.

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January 8, 2026

Summary

First episode of 2026 and we’re setting the frame for what matters this year: AI is hitting escape velocity, “creation” is getting commoditized, and that changes everything from business models to the metaverse thesis.

We talk through the cultural shift (the 2025 existential turn), why low-sentiment periods are when you should be paying the most attention, and how social media incentives reward overreaction. Then we zoom out to the macro: metals ripping, Bitcoin lag dynamics, and what a “real” 2026 setup could look like.

On the crypto side, we dig into the creator coin debate and why the fan-to-investor switch breaks expectations, using the Nick Shirley Zora post as a live case study. Finally, we share our north star: a world where CoinGecko has an “NAT” tab, non-arbitrary tokens become a real market category, and miners distributing NAT becomes the moment the market can’t ignore.

129

Summary

Everyone asks what is the metaverse and especially after Facebook’s Meta unveiled tons of technology for the metaverses future, people need to know what it is. We break down what we think the true definition and expectations of the metaverse should be. What needs to happen for this vision of the metaverse to become reality. Are the existing open web3 metaverses building their virtual worlds the right way? Or is there a fundamental misunderstanding of how to create the value mechanics that will lead to a multi-trillion dollar metaverse economy. To end it off, we introduced Hyperfy as the spotlight Verse of the week. The team building Hyperfy are implementing a lot of useful features like “apps” that allow asset creators to incorporate customizable code for the owners to manipulate. How big can Hyperfy get? We discuss this and more…

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128

Summary

According to all the traditional Bitcoin models we have shown in the past, Bitcoin is as low as it gets within the accumulation zone. Can the price still go lower despite this fact given the macroeconomic situation showing all signals of more downside for the stock market? Also, there are several new layer 1 blockchains emerging looking to challenge Ethereum as the go-to development platform to build web3 apps. The biggest most recent one is Aptos which is made up of ex-meta employees who were working together on the Libra project. Is this silicon Valley big entrance to the web3 space and what will the impact of this new chain have on the entire web3 ecosystem? What are the most important factors to consider for producing good blockchain-based services and products for the masses to consume?

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127

Summary

We discuss the increased tension in the macro economic situation and how this will all impact the web3 market. More economic indicators for a full blown recession and possibly a depression are coming into the picture. Also, talks of nuclear war from Russia are causing wide spread panic. How are we to react to these existential threats to secure the future and hedge against these worst case scenarios. Also, looking at the NFT market shows a massive decline in NFT trading volume in comparison to 8 months ago. What caused this drop off and what will reinvigorate the market to bring it back.

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126

Summary

We interview Publius, one of 3 founders of the Bean stablecoin. Bean Stalk Farms has a growing community that reached out to us for an interview to go over the stablecoin landscape and what Bean is doing different. Publius goes over the origin story of $Bean stablecoin, how it works, and how the fiat monetary system is responsible for the last 100 years of innovation. We discuss how society can determine success of a currency. Can there actually be a sustainable currency? What about the connection between DeFi and the metaverse? Can society have a sustainable governance system where a global population can leverage? We go all over this on today’s podcast. Enjoy.

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125

Summary

With so much bear market FUD entering the market, the SEC is becoming the main center stage threat to the stability of the cryptocurrency markets. We debate on whether or not the SEC should be of concern for the future of web3, also if it does become one, should there be changes to the rules and regulations to now hamper innovation and ecosystem participation. Also, we get into a heated debate on the threshold the SEC has set for being an “accredited investor”.

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