Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology seem to be popping up in the news every day, yet they remain mysterious to many people. Luckily, podcasts offer an easy way to start wrapping your head around this complex subject from the comfort of your phone.
As a technology writer who has spent the last few years diving deep into the world of Bitcoin, Ethereum and beyond, I‘ve come to rely on podcasts to keep me informed. There‘s simply too much happening in this space for any one person to stay on top of. Great podcasts distill things down into an accessible audio format you can listen to anywhere.
In this post, I share my top podcast picks for getting up to speed on crypto and blockchain. I aim to cover beginner-friendly shows as well as those best suited to more advanced learners. For each podcast, I highlight standout episodes from the past year that showcase why it made my list.
Coin Bureau – The Best for Crypto Curious Newbies
For an entertaining and extremely understandable overview of hot topics in the cryptocurrency landscape, Coin Bureau is my top recommendation. It‘s perfect if you‘re completely new to this space. British host Guy provides explainer-style deep dives into crypto terms you need to know and popular digital assets making headlines right now.
What sets Coin Bureau apart is how effectively it breaks complex ideas down without ever feeling condescending. Guy has a knack for anticipating exactly where listeners might get confused and addressing potential questions. His explanations of how transactions work on the blockchain or the difference between proof-of-work and proof-of-stake consensus models leave me feeling like I truly understand these concepts rather than just memorizing definitions.
The recent episode Why is ETH Crashing? does an excellent job covering the weaknesses in the Ethereum network that led to plummeting prices this past summer. However, Guy still remains enthusiastic about Ethereum‘s potential based on planned upgrades. His balanced perspective contrasts with more maximalist crypto commentators who insist that only their preferred blockchain has merit.
a16z Podcast – Best Venture Capital Insights
For a higher-level industry view, Andreessen Horowitz‘s (a16z) podcast provides unparalleled access to insights from venture capital power players investing heavily in the blockchain space. The firm‘s partners have funded many crypto projects you‘ve likely heard of like Coinbase, MakerDAO, Celo and Teleport.
I particularly appreciate that a16z goes beyond the usual Bitcoin and Ethereum discussions to spotlight trends like NFTs, DAOs, Web3 and more. For instance, an interview with the founder of OpenSea gave me a much clearer sense of the vision behind NFTs and where this technology might progress long-term. The conversation touched on use cases beyond digital art into areas like representing property rights.
While a16z can get technical at times, host Sonal Chokshi asks great questions to ensure even crypto newcomers will find value despite any unfamiliar terms. I always come away from each episode with new crypto projects and founders to watch.
What Bitcoin Did – Best for Bitcoin Maximalists
Host Peter McCormack dives heavily into the philosophy behind Bitcoin on What Bitcoin Did. As you might guess from the name, it focuses on why Bitcoin matters above all other digital currencies and chains. Listen in to hear the acolytes and skeptics of "digital gold" hash things out.
Episodes range from evergreen beginner topic introductions like What is Bitcoin? to heated debates on controversial network changes. Long-time Bitcoiners will especially appreciate the discussion with Adam Back on improving privacy features.
McCormack plainly states upfront this show is not for altcoin supporters. While I personally invest in other blockchain projects besides Bitcoin, I still always walk away with new nuggets of wisdom after listening. McCormack just has such access to OG Bitcoiners like Erik Vorhees and Gavin Andresen. This podcast constitutes what is essentially an oral history of the early days of crypto told through characters who lived it.
Crypto 101 – Best Variety of Guests
For the most diversity of perspectives on blockchain matters, Crypto 101 is unmatched. Recent guest interviewees range from Congressional leaders shaping regulatory policy to founders of DeFi protocols actually coding the future of finance. Hosts Mick and Dan provide thoughtful debate around recent news that keeps the discussion lively.
I found episodes covering outside reaction to ongoing developments in the space particularly eye-opening. It fascinated me to hear Kevin Werbach from Wharton Business School’s view on how carbon-intensive crypto mining discredits environmentalist ideals supposedly behind blockchain technology. I also valued the rare chance to hear how everyday small business owners assess if crypto payments make sense for them.
Closing Recommendations
I hope sharing the podcasts I keep queued up provides a helpful starting point to others seeking to become better informed blockchain citizens. With more awareness in Congress and even at the White House, policies stand likely to shape the direction of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology adoption nationwide. We all benefit by boosting our comprehension around how this revolutionary space functions at both a high level and technical level through resources like podcasts.
