**Welcome back to episode 279 of The Block Runner Podcast. As always, we have your host William talking with your cohost I-man as we discuss cryptocurrency developments while we make this new technology relatable to you. You can watch the full episode on YouTube AND stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter at TheBlockRunner.com.
Here are some of the topics they discuss today:**
First up, revisit Bitcoin DeFi through the lens of this cycle’s emerging “industry cook”: digital-asset treasury companies.
Next, Do we really need native Bitcoin primitives, or will off-chain/custodial routes—UTXO time-locks and loan products be enough to make BTC productive?
and Finally, we pressure-test trench metas like Pokémon “phygital” and map where the music could stop.
Alright, let’s listen in!
In this episode, we sit down with Jake, one of the minds behind Agent Hussle—a top 5 DeFAI project reshaping the crypto landscape with AI-driven usability. Born during the early wave of AI-crypto innovation in late 2024, Agent Hussle has quickly outpaced many early contenders by building a loyal user base reporting real, tangible benefits.
Agent Hussle is a DeFi-focused AI agent designed to act on behalf of users, executing on-chain tasks through natural prompts. It’s built with contextual awareness of crypto tools, market signals—both social and on-chain—and aims to make intelligent predictions that help users stay ahead.
From launching meme coins at just the right moment to navigating complex DeFi strategies, Agent Hussle brings a new layer of smart automation to crypto. We explore Jake’s vision for the future of DeFAI, how the market can adapt, and why this could be the beginning of crypto’s fourth major onboarding wave.
Six years ago, we launched our podcast with a strong focus on the emerging Ethereum ecosystem, which led us to uncover groundbreaking opportunities early on—DeFi, NFTs, the Metaverse, and more. Back then, Ethereum was widely regarded as the epicenter of innovation, attracting cypherpunks eager to experiment with smart contracts and drive a digital revolution.
Since then, that initial spark has faded, and with it, Ethereum’s dominance in the crypto market, reflected in the price of $ETH. In this episode, we breakdown the factors behind this shift and share our insights on how the 2025-2026 bull market could unfold beyond the era of tariff scares. We also discuss Bitcoin’s evolving role in the ecosystem and how it fits into the bigger picture.
Global markets are in turmoil as major macro events trigger a widespread stock sell-off, fueled by uncertainty around Trump’s economic policies and global tariffs. In this episode, we break down how this economic turbulence could shape the crypto market narrative—especially Bitcoin’s chances of hitting its projected ATH above $120K this year.
We also explore key differences between this cycle and the last, particularly how the market is reacting to paid vs. free token launches. Which model delivers the best value for users, and which is more likely to dominate long-term adoption? This question has been central to our development objectives as we work to support the creator ecosystem on Bitcoin.
Additionally, we dive into the growing concerns around sustainable Bitcoin mining amid declining on-chain transactions. With $NAT emerging as a potential solution, we discuss how to raise awareness and contribute to solving these pressing challenges—both for Bitcoin’s long-term viability and the DMT ecosystem we aim to build.
Tune in for a deep dive into these critical topics and their impact on the future of crypto!
We delve into several updates regarding the $NAT token, outlining a value thesis that suggests the token's potential market cap could reach into the trillions of dollars. This discussion is a response to community members who have asked about the likelihood of $NAT’s success. Additionally, we provide an update on Mscribe, the DMT ecosystem platform designed to help creators deploy non-arbitrary tokens. Mscribe’s mission is to prioritize creator sustainability by introducing innovative mechanics, inspired by successful meme platforms like pump.fun. This will foster a stronger environment for DMT Ordinals creation and offer creators more flexible, sustainable monetization options. Finally, we wrap up by reflecting on Bob Burnett's recent podcast discussion, sharing our thoughts on his thesis that block space may become a more valuable commodity for nation-states and institutional finance than Bitcoin itself.
Barefoot Mining: Bitcoin's Future, Block Space, and Sovereignty
Bitcoin mining isn’t just about earning rewards—it’s about controlling the future of money. In this episode, we sit down with Bob Burnett, CEO of Barefoot Mining, to uncover the hidden power struggle behind Bitcoin mining and why nation-states, financial institutions, and intelligence agencies are eyeing control over block space.
Bob shares his journey from Ethereum mining to Bitcoin and explains why he believes that in the future, controlling who gets to transact will be more valuable than simply holding Bitcoin. We explore the shift from mining incentives to block space dominance, the implications of nation-state mining operations, and how Bitcoin's scarcity is fueling a new geopolitical battleground.
We also dive into how the U.S. government’s stance on Bitcoin is shifting, why major banks like Fidelity and BlackRock are already mining, and what this means for the decentralization of the network. Could Bitcoin mining become a new form of economic warfare? And what can everyday users do to protect Bitcoin’s ethos?
We sit down with Bob Burnett, founder and CEO of Barefoot Mining, to explore the evolving landscape of Bitcoin mining and financial sovereignty. Bob shares his journey from the early days of personal computing to Ethereum mining, and ultimately, his deep conviction in Bitcoin as the superior monetary system.
The conversation delves into the political and economic forces shaping Bitcoin mining, including the growing interest from nation-states and financial institutions. Bob explains why he believes the real value of mining is shifting from earning Bitcoin to controlling block space, and what that means for the future of decentralization.
We also break down the economic realities of mining, the impact of halvings, and why transaction fees are becoming the backbone of miner incentives. As institutional players enter the space, how can Bitcoin remain true to its ethos? This is a must-watch for anyone invested in the future of Bitcoin