136: Cryptocurrencies: Ill-Advised Speculation or an Alternative Asset Class? With Nic Cary, Co-Founder and Vice Chair at Blockchain.com

Back in September 2021, we met with Nic Cary of Blockchain.com, which was already well on its way to becoming one of the world’s leading digital asset platforms.  Since then cryptocurrency volatility has been extraordinary, and witness to wild gyrations, the imprisonment Sam Bankman-Fried, SEC action, regulatory hand wringing and then this year, BlackRock’s launch of one of several crypto ETFs (approved by the SEC), and Bitcoin's halving last weekend. In this conversation Nic makes the case for crypto to a sceptical Simon, discussing the importance of blockchain technology, the growth of the crypto markets, scarcity, risk, speculation, institutional versus retail participation, and of course, the merits of gold vs crypto. Blockchain has now grown to be one of the world’s largest crypto infrastructure providers, enabling both institutions and individuals to buy, sell, utilise, understand and exchange crypto products. Since being co-founded by Nic in 2011, they’ve facilitated about a third of all bitcoin network transactions, processing over $1tn in transaction volume for 37m users. Also joining this conversation was Will Campion of Campion Capital (who set up the podcast with Simon), making his debut appearance on the show! ​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, and IFM Investors.  Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube