The Node

The Node

Opinion

What Does the Debt Limit Showdown Mean for Bitcoin?

A U.S. debt default could catapult the cryptocurrency onto the international stage.

Political theatrics over the internecine debt ceiling debate on the U.S. Capitol Hill risks the international economy. Bitcoin could ascend as a global reserve and trade asset if the U.S. dollar loses status. (Strobridge Litho. Co., Cincinnati & New York/U.S. Library of Congress)

Opinion

Sam Bankman-Fried's Ties to George Santos Are Just the Beginning

Donations to the lying congressman were just a grace note in FTX's symphony of alleged corruption.

U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY)(Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Opinion

What’s the Reality of Crypto in Crime?

The DOJ's Eun Young Choi said the agency is constantly finding crypto connections in its criminal investigations. But how deep does the problem go and how much should we blame the blockchain?

(Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash)

Opinion

If Bitcoin Can’t Handle a Few JPEGs, How Can It Handle the World?

Network congestion from ordinals and BRC-20s is a stress test – and Bitcoin is failing.

(Getty Images)

Opinion

A Eulogy for a Day Trader's Exchange

Bittrex, a popular exchange during the initial coin offering (ICO) boom, offered users and the crypto industry invaluable lessons in economics and regulatory affairs.

(Hannah Wernecke/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

Fractional Reserve Banking Is a Fraud (but It's Genius)

The modern financial system is built on banks risking customer deposits – and the U.S. government has blocked safer alternatives.

Federal Reserve Board Building (AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia)

Opinion

Pump the BRCs: The Promise and Peril of Bitcoin-backed Tokens

A new way of issuing tokens on Bitcoin is growing fast. So why did their creator warn that they “will be worthless?"

Piggy bank bent forward change money coins (Andre Taissin/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

The Reactionary Political Theater of CBDC Bans

The jury is out on whether the benefits outweigh the risks of central bank digital currencies, but stymying research and passing premature legislation comes with its own harms.

(Mackenzie Marco/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

I Owe Brian Armstrong an Apology

With Coinbase under pressure from Gary Gensler's scattershot enforcement, it's time to reassess the most boring cryptocurrency exchange on the planet.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (Coinbase)

Opinion

Coinbase Grew Quickly by Working With U.S. Regulators. Will It Expand Even More by Disregarding the SEC?

After its IPO in 2021, the largest U.S. crypto exchange had reason to think it was in the SEC’s good books. Then came Gary Gensler and now the exchange is going overseas with its new business.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong (CoinDesk)