Uneasy Money: In a World of AI, Are Dino Privacy Coins a Good Bet? - Unchained Recap

Podcast: Unchained

Published: 2026-01-18

Duration: 54 minutes

Guests: Kay Morwick

Summary

This episode explores the resurgence of privacy coins like Monero and Zcash as potential hedges in a rapidly advancing AI world. It also examines Ethereum's evolving infrastructure, the impact of algorithm changes on X (formerly Twitter), and the resilience of crypto scams.

What Happened

Monero has experienced a notable surge, crossing $780 and reaching an all-time high. Analysts like Peter Brent have compared its chart structure to silver's consolidation before a breakout, suggesting a promising future for the cryptocurrency. Hosts Kain Warwick, Luca Netz, and Taylor Monahan discuss how privacy coins such as Monero and Zcash are gaining traction as potential safeguards in an AI-dominated landscape, though they face significant regulatory scrutiny.

Ethereum's founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed the 'walkaway test' for Ethereum, envisioning a blockchain that operates independently of human intervention. The idea is to make Ethereum secure, censorship-resistant, and final, regardless of the presence of maintainers. The hosts debate whether this vision is too aspirational, given the rapid pace of Ethereum's technical advancements.

The episode delves into the resurgence of crypto scams, exemplified by the failure of Eric Adams' NYC token due to liquidity issues. Despite the transparency of these scams, they continue to attract investors, highlighting a persistent problem in the crypto market. Kain Warwick shares a personal story about losing nearly $250K in a risky coding experiment, illustrating the volatile nature of the crypto space.

The discussion turns to social media, particularly the changes at X (formerly Twitter) under Elon Musk's ownership. These changes include algorithm shifts that have affected engagement for crypto content, as well as the removal of NFT profile picture features. Musk's plans to open-source the algorithm are seen as a move towards transparency, but the impact on crypto content remains a hot topic.

The potential for altcoin season is explored as X considers allowing crypto purchases directly on its platform. This could democratize access to tokens and potentially lead to a surge in altcoin activity. The hosts discuss how this integration could change the landscape of cryptocurrency trading, making it more accessible to a broader audience.

Lastly, the episode touches on the future of the blockchain race, with Ethereum and Solana being key players. Despite Ethereum's recent advancements, Luca Netz argues that Solana still offers the best user experience, particularly with the Phantom wallet. The competition between these blockchains continues to evolve, with no clear winner yet.

Key Insights