Trump Media is now a crypto heavyweight, shifting billions into Bitcoin as part of a sweeping pivot into financial services (0:59). But it’s not alone. A new company, the Ether Machine, is making a massive bet on Ethereum with over $1.5 billion in assets and backing from Kraken, Blockchain.com, and others (2:16). Meanwhile, Morocco tests its first CBDC pilot with cross-border ambitions (3:48), and Hungary enacts a law that might have criminalized crypto trading overnight (5:15).
This is your essential update on the forces shaping what’s next in money.
More on stories and articles discussed or referenced in this episode:
Act C of 2012 on the Criminal Code, Hungary. https://njt.hu/jogszabaly/en/2012-100-00-00.
Breuninger, Kevin. “Trump Media Builds $2 Billion Bitcoin Hoard, as Cryptocurrency Swells President’s Net Worth.” CNBC, 21 July 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/21/trump-djt-bitcoin-net-worth.html.
Okoya, David. “New Law in Hungary Could Send Crypto Traders to Jail – What's Behind the Crackdown?” Benzinga, 21 July 2025, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/law-hungary-could-send-crypto-163015619.html.
Thomas, Lauren and Ben Glickman. “Blank-Check Company Strikes Cryptocurrency Deal.” Wall Street Journal, 21 July 2025, https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/blank-check-company-nears-cryptocurrency-deal-9c99c714.
Toutate, Issam. “Morocco’s Central Bank Tests Digital Currency for Cross-Border Payments.” Morocco World News, 21 July 2025, https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/07/231832/moroccos-central-bank-tests-digital-currency-for-cross-border-payments/.
The music in this episode was composed by Liborio Conti, and you can find more of his fantastic work at his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/liborioconti
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!