Welcome to Nofinity

In this conversation with Kendall Cole, co-founder of Proximity Labs, the focus is on NEAR's vision to make all of crypto feel like one app. Key topics include:

Stablecoins and Chains

• There will be more stablecoins, but only a few branded ones (USDC/USDT) will dominate. Most will be issued by institutions without branding, used simply as 'USD' (like a database entry).
• Kendall sees only a few new chains succeeding (e.g., Tempo, Arc, Plasma). Most are too tied to a specific issuer to be credibly neutral.

Chain Abstraction: NEAR Intents and NEAR.com

• NEAR Intents is infrastructure for chain abstraction: users don't need to know which chain they're on. It connects over 35 chains and enables non-custodial swaps and interactions with any protocol.
• NEAR.com is the end-user product: a simple, non-custodial interface that shows only assets, not chains. It supports all major chains and partners like Infinex.
• The goal is to let users trade assets like on a brokerage platform (e.g., Robinhood) without seeing the underlying blockchain.

MiCA and the Future of On-Ramps

• MiCA regulation in the EU has pushed many major exchanges (Binance, Bybit) out of the market, creating a gap that NEAR Intents can fill.
• Regulated euro stablecoins like EUR:E from Monerium are integrated. Users can deposit euros via SEPA into NEAR.com and instantly swap into any crypto asset – without worrying about gas fees or chain complexity.
• NEAR Intents is non-custodial, so it's not directly affected by MiCA. The combination of regulated on-ramps and decentralized infrastructure bypasses restrictions.

Confidential Intents: Privacy for Everyone

• Confidential Intents enables private transactions on NEAR. A special shard runs in a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), preventing validators from seeing transaction details.
• Users can create viewing keys for compliance, but by default all transactions are private. Zcash (Zodl) has integrated this to allow private swaps from USDC on Solana to Zcash.
• This serves both privacy-conscious retail users and enterprises that need to protect sensitive business data.

Value Capture: The Exchange Approach

• NEAR Intents takes a fee (10–20 basis points) on every swap. This flows into the NEAR treasury and is used for buybacks.
• The business model is essentially that of an exchange: volume is the North Star. NEAR aims to be the platform where all assets and chains converge.
• With the explosion of Real-World Assets (RWA) and AI agents, volume is expected to grow further.

Bitcoin: Full Bull Market? 📈 + Nvidia's 30x Performance 🚀

This analysis covers current market movements and technological developments. The tone is informative but with a touch of humor and critical notes.

Macroeconomic Challenges 🏚️

• Brain Drain at OpenAI: Key personnel are leaving despite an upcoming IPO – an alarming sign.
• US National Debt: Over $40 trillion, exceeding GDP. The ratio is 124-126% – a historically high value that implies more money printing and inflation.
• Housing Crisis: Compared to 10 years ago, mortgage rates have risen from 3.4% to 6.7%, and average home prices from $243,000 to $434,000. The monthly payment is 160% higher (from $862 to $2,240).
• Diesel Shortages: Russian diesel exports are collapsing, threatening global supply chains.

Crypto Market: From Bear to Bull 🐂

• Massive Inflows: $600 billion in new crypto market cap created in just 8 days. The Fear & Greed Index exploded from extreme fear (8-12) to 74 (near extreme greed).
• Bitcoin Rally: Over 30% gain in 9 days, currently around $79,000. The price broke through the 200-day moving average and is testing the 365-day line at $83,200.
• Altcoin Awakening: Altcoin trading volume (excluding BTC/ETH) surged by $135 billion – the "altcoin casinos" are open again. Solana (SOL) and Hype (HYPER) lead the gainers.
• Bitcoin ETFs: Attracted $2.4 billion in 6 days, led by BlackRock (IBIT). Every billion drives Bitcoin's price up by roughly 3%. Fidelity alone bought $104.8 million yesterday.
• Forecast: The CEO of CryptoQuant declares: The bear market is over, the early bull market is over too – the full bull market is on.

Tech & Stock Highlights 🤖

• Nvidia (NVDA): Reports tomorrow. New chip "Vera Rubin" offers 30x more performance than its predecessor. 30-40% of chips are said to be bought by Elon Musk (Tesla/SpaceX). The focus on AI agents will explode demand.
• Tesla: The "Semi" truck and the humanoid robot "Optimus" are reportedly entering mass production in September. The "Cybercab" launch event is expected in 9 days.
• Marvel (MRVL): Reports on DRAM bottlenecks – working on creative solutions like DDR4 recycling.
• Surprise: Victoria's Secret: Stock price doubled, driven by GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. People with less weight buy more lingerie – an unexpected domino effect.

Commodities & Strategy 💡

• Copper: New all-time high. The "easiest macro trade ever" due to AI demand. Forecast: Rising until 2030-2035.
• Reminder: Study history! Capitalism creates wealth and solves problems (e.g., SpaceX creating 10,000 jobs in Louisiana). Socialism/Communism leads to poverty and death.

Conclusion

The crypto market is in full bull mode, driven by ETFs and altcoin volume. In the tech sector, AI, Nvidia, and Tesla dominate. The biggest risks lie in national debt, inflation, and geopolitical bottlenecks. Smart investors bet on hard assets like Bitcoin and copper.

Introduction and Context

In this interview, Bitcoin expert Roman Reer (Blogtrainer) and Mario Lochen discuss the current state and future of Bitcoin. Topics: bear market, cycles, geopolitical influences, and Bitcoin's role as a store of value.

Current Market Situation and Four-Year Cycle

• Bear market end? October 2024 as a possible low point, based on historical four-year cycles. However, the recent rally could shift the cycle.
• Strongest Bitcoin week ever in dollar terms (+$14,300–14,500) – a sign of new momentum.
• Self-fulfilling prophecy? The cycles might break due to mass expectations.

Bitcoin as a Reserve Asset vs. Means of Payment

• Roman moves away from Bitcoin as everyday payment. Instead: reserve asset – similar to the gold standard, but digital.
• Stablecoins are no competition, as they depend on the dollar and share its trust issues.
• Bitcoin as a global reserve asset could allow the dollar to remain as a 'credit layer' above it.

Geopolitical Influences and Debt Crisis

• US debt of $40 trillion drives demand for hard assets.
• High interest rates vs. debt problem: A dilemma that benefits Bitcoin in the long run.
• Geopolitical tensions (Iran, BRICS) are often expressions of the fight over the monetary system. Bitcoin offers independence from the dollar and renminbi.

Role of States and Institutions

• Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (Trump): Not necessarily state-owned, but through companies like BlackRock, Strategy. The US already has a high Bitcoin concentration.
• States buying secretly? Speculations about Intel's mining division and Putin's statements.
• Bitcoin is not centrally controllable – unlike the crypto sector as a whole.

Michael Saylor and Strategy

• No danger to Bitcoin – even a collapse of Strategy would have only short-term effects.
• Criticism: Too aggressive debt issuance and contradictory communication ('never sell Bitcoin' vs. actual sales).

Quantum Computer Risk

• No acute threat: Dangerous quantum computers would need millions of error-free qubits; today we have ~100.
• Bitcoin can upgrade – e.g., quantum-safe addresses. The risk is relevant in 10–20 years but solvable.

Tax Holding Period and Germany as a Location

• Planned change to the holding period (abolishing tax exemption after 1 year) will not generate additional revenue, but will drive capital outflows.
• Alternatives: Loans against Bitcoin (no tax event) or moving abroad.
• Austria as example: Minimal tax revenue from similar reforms.

Outlook 2027

• Positive: Bitcoin as a reserve asset, less volatility, AI as a new use case (agents paying each other).
• Risks: Wars and high interest rates short-term, but long-term, loss of trust in fiat strengthens Bitcoin.

Conclusion

Roman sees Bitcoin as a root solution to the problem of currency debasement and state control. Freedom and decentralization are core values. The path is long, but the direction is clear.

Overview of the 18-Year Real Estate Cycle

• The current US real estate and economic cycle started around 2011/2012 and is now at its peak.
• Based on 220 years of US real estate data, the cycle has three phases: first half, second half, and peak collapse.
• First half (approx. 2012–2018): Characterized by skepticism, fear, and recession concerns (e.g., European debt crisis).
• Second half (approx. 2020–2024): Marked by a "Winner's Curse" – rising euphoria, leverage, and overinvestment.

Current Position in the Cycle

• The peak is expected around 2025/2026, with a potential trough by 2029/2030.
• Cycle severity varies: Not every cycle is as severe as 2008; for example, the 1989–1992 downturn was milder.
• Leading indicators: US homebuilders like D.R. Horton (DHI) often weaken before the stock market as the real estate market softens.

Impact on Other Markets

• Order of peaks: Real estate peaks first, then stocks, then precious metals, and finally commodities.
• Bitcoin & Crypto: A significant rally is possible in the coming years, but returns may be lower due to diminishing returns (100–200%, not 1000%).
• The crypto market may be left-translated – peaking earlier in the cycle than expected.
• Precious Metals: Gold could rise until 2027 but then pause for an extended period; silver is more uncertain.

Practical Tips

• Real estate investing: Focus on undervalued regions (e.g., Melbourne, Australia) where prices are below construction costs.
• Timing for beginners: Even if the market falls in the coming years, organize your finances now, as credit is hard to get at the bottom.
• REITs often underperform direct real estate or the S&P 500.
• Bitcoin strategy: Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) in the second half of the midterm year has historically worked well; expect diminishing returns.

Fed & US Dollar

• The Fed may raise rates once more before the cycle ends to cool overheating.
• The US dollar tends to decline in the second half of the real estate cycle – it is currently consolidating in a range since mid-2023.
• A break below 97 would be a bearish signal, potentially starting a new downtrend.

📊 Prosus: Tencent at a Huge Discount

Prosus is a holding company that owns approximately 23% of Tencent – offering a cheap way to gain indirect exposure to Tencent. Its stock trades at a 30–50% discount to net asset value (NAV), making it attractive for value investors.

🔍 Valuation & Key Metrics

• P/E ratio: ~8 (much lower than Tencent directly)
• Market cap: ~$90B vs. NAV of ~$153B (realistically ~$130B after deductions)
• Debt: low, high interest coverage

💼 Holdings & Value Drivers

• Tencent: core business, growing dividend
• Other listed stakes: Meituan, Delivery Hero, DoorDash, Udemy, etc.
• Unlisted stakes: Management estimates $32B (value investors assume ~$16B)
• EBITDA & Free Cash Flow: turned positive for the first time – other businesses become self-sustaining

🔄 Share Buybacks & Value Creation

• Prosus has bought back 40% of shares, increasing NAV per share by 80%
• Buybacks are funded by selling Tencent shares, raising the Tencent exposure per Prosus share
• Dividend multiplier effect: buybacks amplify dividend yield

⚠️ Risks & Criticism

• Holding discount persists due to management's unexpected acquisitions (e.g., Alan – a French AI platform for $460M, or $460 per customer)
• Tax implications if Tencent shares were distributed directly
• New CEO's AI strategy may distract from the buyback program

🎯 Conclusion

• Prosus is a value opportunity: you get Tencent at a discount and all other holdings for free.
• If the discount narrows or the non-Tencent businesses grow, there is upside potential.
• Ideal for investors wanting Tencent exposure plus a side bet on AI and tech.

Coinbase Launches Tokenized Stocks on Base

In this podcast episode, Jesse Pollock, Founder and Lead of Base at Coinbase, introduces Coinbase Tokenized Stocks – a product designed to bring the world's largest asset class, equities, onto the Base blockchain and into the programmable economy.

Key Product Features

• 1:1 Backing: Each tokenized stock represents a real share with a direct claim for the holder. Built in collaboration with Abu Dhabi (ADGM) and Alpaca.
• Dividends & Governance: Dividends are distributed via a rebasing model – the token balance increases automatically. Governance rights are included as well.
• Permissionless & KYC-Free: The tokens are publicly available and freely tradable on Base. US users are only restricted at the interface layer.
• Launch Stocks: Starting with Nvidia, Meta, Apple, and Google, followed by eight more – with plans to scale to thousands over time.

DeFi Integration & Ecosystem

• Aerodrome provides deep liquidity from day one.
• Morpho and AB are building borrowing and lending products around the tokenized stocks.
• This creates a flywheel of lending, borrowing, and yield generation – aiming to grow Base's DeFi TVL from ~$5 billion to over $100 billion.

The Neo-Broker Opportunity

• The product is especially aimed at neo-banks worldwide, enabling them to offer stock trading, credit, and yield products without costly legacy integrations.
• Coinbase envisions Base as the backend for a global financial super app: one API for saving, spending, investing, and borrowing.

Vision & Outlook

• Long-term goal: bring all world currencies on-chain. Base already supports 22–23 non-dollar stablecoins and hosts the largest FX markets on-chain.
• Further building blocks include portfolio lines of credit, seamless on-ramps, and the ability to tokenize stocks directly from traditional brokerages.
• Jesse's key message: "We have all the pieces now – we just have to put them together." The next wave of innovation will be driven by combining AI, programmable assets, and global payment networks.

Market Sentiment & Altcoin Outlook

• Sentiment echoes a new bull market with strong upward price action, especially for Bitcoin, which is approaching the $80,000 region.
• The weekly trend reversal is confirmed as price has broken above the 200-day moving average.
• Caution is advised, however, as price enters a resistance zone between $80,000 and $82,000. A retest of the $60,000 area is possible.
• Analysts expect consolidation before a potential further move higher.

Specific Trade Ideas (Alpha)

• Zcash (ZEC): Strong upward momentum; focus on breakouts after a sweep of a base/low. Potential price target: over $1,000.
• Pump.fun: Waiting for consolidation to find a long entry.
• ENA: Potential entry after a pullback into the $13-14 zone.
• Hyperliquid (HYPE): Waiting for a retest of the $70 level, then looking for a reclaim and continuation of the uptrend.
• Memecoins (Robin Hood Ecosystem): The rotation is extremely fast. Currently, Cash Cat is the favorite, but the strategy is to buy dips after a breakout.

Risk Management & Strategy

• Caution: A pure uptrend is not guaranteed. The trader employs a long-term strategy (accumulation) combined with short-term momentum trades.
• Risk Management: Stop-loss is essential. Every trade is defined with a clear invalidation (e.g., a close below a previous low).
• Focus: Currently focusing on a small basket of 5-6 assets to avoid information overload.
• Portfolio Building: The best entries are during periods of calm and stability, not after a strong pump. Bitcoin is seen as a long-term asset (target: $500,000).

Macroeconomic Influences

• Treasury Bond buybacks (Scott Bessant) are driving Bitcoin and Gold as non-yielding assets.
• Equities (stocks) are correcting, however, due to higher interest rate expectations and valuation issues.
• Bitcoin ETFs show strong inflows, supporting demand.
• MicroStrategy did not buy this week, suggesting a natural upswing without artificial demand.

Conclusion & Actionable Advice

• The market shows real strength, but entering a resistance zone requires discipline and stops.
• Momentum trades (breakouts) and dips can be profitable.
• Important: No blind buying at highs; wait for good entries with clear risk parameters.