logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2022
26m 2s

Tether’s path to the spotlight

Financial Times
About this episode

We’re diving back into the world of stablecoins for part 2 of 2 in our miniseries on crypto. This time, it’s a story filled with troubled companies and a real life fire that sends a business up in smoke. With the help of FT reporters Kadhim Shubber and Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan, we dig into the professional histories of two executives who sit atop two of crypto’s most important businesses: stablecoin issuer Tether and exchange Bitfinex. 


Clips courtesy CSPAN


For further reading: 

Tether’s CEO: from IT sales to calling the shots in crypto land

Tether: the former plastic surgeon behind the crypto reserve currency

The week that shook crypto


On Twitter, follow FT reporters Kadhim Shubber (@Kadhim), Siddharth Venkataramakrishnan (@SVR13) and Ethan Wu (@EthanYWu


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
KKR, Bain and private equity’s push into Japan
<p>When international private equity groups first entered Japan at the turn of the 21st century, newspapers criticised them as vulture funds and politicians steered clear of public contact. Today, it’s a different story. Dozens of buyout groups have set up in the country and the ... Show More
21m 43s
Nov 24
Coming soon from Tech Tonic: Defying death
<p>Investors are spending billions of dollars on novel ways to extend human life through inventive treatments, therapies, and even manipulating our genes. And increasingly, it seems as though anti-ageing efforts have moved from the super rich to a mass market consumer industry. I ... Show More
1m 30s
Nov 19
What’s the deal with OpenAI's deals?
<p>OpenAI is entering a new era. It's restructured to add a for-profit arm to its business and has signed more than a trillion dollars’ worth of deals to secure chips and build out data centres. But those huge financial commitments also raise massive questions: How will a heavily ... Show More
26m 5s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2022
Behind the Money: Tether’s path to the spotlight
<p>Behind the Money, our in-depth business podcast, has just relaunched! We wanted to share one of our most recent episodes. Follow the show on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/behind-the-money/id1376303362" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podca ... Show More
26m 2s
Jun 2022
Crypto Update 6/16/22 | How the Feds Are Prosecuting NFT Insider Trading Scheme as Wire Fraud
With a small run in bitcoin leading positive sentiment in the broader crypto market before slumping back to yesterday's levels, plus a look at the first-ever federal case of NFT insider trading, CoinDesk’s “Markets Daily” is back with the latest news roundup. This episode is spon ... Show More
12m 13s
Jan 2022
Crypto Update 1/28/22 | Simpin' Ain't Easy: The Business Sense Behind IreneDAO
With bitcoin breaking below crucial support and a look at how influencers are using crypto to engage more actively with their fans, CoinDesk’s Markets Daily is back with the latest news roundup. This episode is sponsored by Kava.  Today's Stories: Bitcoin Worth $670M Leaves Cen ... Show More
9m 9s
Jun 2022
Crypto Update | SEC’s Gensler Reiterates Bitcoin Alone Is a Commodity. Is He Right?
With bitcoin suffering its worst monthly returns yet, and a more nuanced look at how the SEC views crypto, CoinDesk’s “Markets Daily” is back with the latest news roundup. This episode is sponsored by Kava and BCB Group. Today's Stories: Bitcoin Drops to Nearly $19K as Fed Rene ... Show More
10m 37s
May 2022
Crypto Update 5/5/22 | Otherside and the Future of NFT Consolidation
With the dollar's recovery keeping bitcoin under $40,000, a deeper dive into Wednesday’s Fed policy announcement and a look at what a bunch of apes can tell us about the NFT market, CoinDesk’s "Markets Daily" is back with the latest news roundup. This episode is sponsored by Kav ... Show More
15m 31s
Sep 2023
Big win for Big Crypto
<p>Grayscale Investments manages funds of digital assets – cryptocurrency – for investors. They just won a case against the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which could eventually let it, or another manager, offer an ETF that holds bitcoin. US Financial Editor Brooke Master ... Show More
15m 54s
Jan 2022
Crypto Update 1/25/22 | Who Writes the Story of the Metaverse?
With crypto markets seeing a slight rebound (before a potential further drop) and a look at how narratives and memes shape our online future, CoinDesk’s Markets Daily is back with the latest news roundup. This episode is sponsored by Kava.  Today's Stories: Bitcoin-Ether Ratio H ... Show More
10m 45s
May 2022
Crypto Update 5/27/22 | Martin Shkreli Is Back. He Loves Crypto
We’re talking about bitcoin, when Skreli met Crypto, Ether is closing in May at 35% down, as investors look to safer risk profile investments. CoinDesk’s Markets Daily is back with the latest news roundup.  This episode is sponsored by Kava and BCB Group. Today's Stories...Read ... Show More
19m 27s
Apr 2022
Crypto Update 4/28/22 | Ethereum’s Dark Underbelly Shows That Even in Crypto, Trust Matters
With bitcoin trading relatively flat, plus a peek behind the curtain at Ethereum’s beginnings, CoinDesk’s Markets Daily is back with the latest news roundup. This episode is sponsored by Kava, BCB Group and Koinly. Today's Stories: 24 Hour Stock Market and Forex Data - After-Hour ... Show More
15m 28s
Mar 2023
THE HASH: Crypto Industry's Banking Crisis; 'Vitalik' NFT Collection Takes Top Spot on OpenSea
The most valuable crypto stories for Thursday, March 9, 2023.  The digital asset industry is in the middle of a banking crisis with the collapse of crypto-friendly Silvergate Bank, and Crypto.com hasn’t been spared. "The Hash" team discusses the latest developments. Plus, a non-f ... Show More
23m 47s