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.
We analyze key macroeconomic trends currently shaping market sentiment and influencing the price of Bitcoin, and we connect these broader forces to the growing movement of companies adopting Bitcoin as a treasury asset. A unique alignment of macro conditions—rising inflation concerns, weakening fiat credibility, and increased investor appetite for alternative stores of value—is creating a compelling case for struggling companies to pivot toward Bitcoin as a strategic hedge.
In this discussion, we explore the potential ripple effects of this trend, including how it might play out if widely adopted. Could the entry of well-known, high-profile stocks—such as GameStop—into the Bitcoin treasury space spark a wave of speculative enthusiasm among retail investors? And if so, could that enthusiasm push the sector into full-blown bubble territory?
We also examine how such a scenario could impact broader crypto markets and what it might ultimately mean for on-chain value. If this trend accelerates, we could be witnessing the early stages of a feedback loop between corporate adoption, market speculation, and Bitcoin’s long-term valuation.
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First up, exploring the rise of Riot Culture, a movement powered by fast-building, “vibe coding,” AI agents, and meme-driven experimentation
Next, diving into how platforms like @virtuals_io, Doppler, and others are accelerating this new creative economy.
and Finally, why capital is now tied directly to culture, and how the Internet Capital Market thesis is maturing in real time.
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Pump.fun just announced plans to raise $1 billion at a $4 billion valuation through an upcoming ICO—news that’s sent ripples through the crypto world. Is this another massive value extraction scheme, or a pivotal growth moment for crypto’s next breakout unicorn?
In this episode, we unpack our initial skepticism and how our perspective has shifted. We explore why Pump.fun may actually be catalyzing a broader inflection point in on-chain market design, bringing new energy and viability for creators and users alike. We break down how its model resembles a modern form of market making—one with the potential to revive crypto activity across all levels, in a way we haven’t seen since the 2021 bull run.
We also touch on breaking news from Yuga Labs, which is dissolving the Ape DAO—the governing body behind Bored Ape IP, ApeChain, and Otherside. Is this the final nail in the coffin for DAOs as a sustainable model for web3 governance? Tune in for our thoughts.
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We’re back — and while we took an unexpected two-week break from recording, the crypto world didn’t stop moving. We catch up on everything that happened while we were away and unpack the trends shaping the market right now.
Bitcoin quietly crossed new all-time highs, but something felt off. Unlike past cycles, this rally wasn’t fueled by retail euphoria — it was eerily quiet. We dive into why retail investors seem disengaged, how institutional and protocol-level actors are shaping the market instead, and what that could mean for altcoins and future innovation.
We also explore the rise of non-arbitrary assets in the DMT ecosystem and what it means to build culture-driven, protocol-native value on Bitcoin. From meme aesthetics to metadata-rich NFTs, we talk about the evolution of digital artifacts that go beyond hype and aim to last.
One of the biggest shifts happening right now is the emergence of the InfoFi meta. Platforms like Kaito, Cookie, and now LOUDIO are quantifying social influence on Crypto Twitter and turning it into a new kind of token economy — one where your content, consistency, and community impact can earn you real rewards. We break down how it works, what the incentives look like, and where this is all headed.
Finally, we recap a recent conversation with an AI developer and explore how DMT’s pattern-driven design could power future generations of AI agents, NFTs, and on-chain identities. As always, we’re connecting the dots between culture, tech, and crypto’s evolving narrative.
If you’re building, watching, or just trying to make sense of it all — this one’s for you.
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Solana is winning back developers, Ethereum is fighting to stay relevant, and Bitcoin just hit $100K—but somehow it all still feels underwhelming. We unpack why Ethereum’s once-solid foundation is now shaky, how new platforms like Boop.fun and Auto.fun are taking aim at Pump.fun’s meme-launch dominance, and why AI Agents and builder-driven projects might be the real winners of this cycle.
We also share major updates from the DMT and NAT ecosystems, and reflect on the emotional cycles that come with building through the chaos. As we shift into full builder mode, we’ll be taking a short break from content—just one week—to lock in and execute. In the meantime, this episode lays out the key trends to watch while we’re away.
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