Birdies, Bogeys, and Blockchain Booms

Katie Randall

Hey everyone, welcome back to Birdies and Blockchain! I’m Katie Randall, and I’m here with my co-host, the one and only Crypto-Dan. Dan, you ready to talk some wild golf drama?

Crypto-Dan

Always, Katie. I mean, this US Open at Oakmont? That was, uh, just bonkers. J.J. Spaun—man, what a finish. That 65-foot birdie putt on 18? I still can’t believe it. He went from five bogeys early on to the only guy under par. That’s, like, movie stuff.

Katie Randall

Seriously! I was glued to the screen. Spaun’s whole back nine was just pure resilience. And to do it at Oakmont, with all that pressure, and after a rain delay that lasted, what, almost two hours?

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, it was, like, an hour forty, I think. That kind of break can totally mess with your rhythm. But Spaun just came out swinging after. And now he’s world number eight, people are already talking Ryder Cup. I mean, that’s a career-changer.

Katie Randall

And then Victor Perez with the hole-in-one on the 6th in round two! Only the second ace ever at Oakmont in US Open history. The last one was, what, 1983? I always mix up the year, but it’s been decades.

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, you’re right, 1983. That’s the kind of moment that gives everyone hope, even if you’re, like, ten shots back. It’s just pure magic. And then, on the LPGA side, Carlota Ciganda—she finally broke her nine-year drought at the Meijer Classic. Tied as the most-winning Spanish woman on the LPGA now. That’s huge for Spanish golf.

Katie Randall

Absolutely. And Paula Martín just won the British Amateur, too. It feels like Spanish women’s golf is having a real moment. You know, watching Spaun’s comeback, I couldn’t help but think back to my own pitching days. I mean, obviously, softball isn’t golf, but that feeling when you’re down early and have to claw your way back? I remember this one game—regional finals, bases loaded, no outs, and I’d already walked in a run. My coach just looked at me and said, “You got this.” And somehow, I did. It’s that mental reset, you know?

Crypto-Dan

Totally. I mean, I never pitched, but I’ve been there in basketball—down double digits, knees screaming, and you just gotta find something. Spaun did that. It’s what makes sports so addictive to watch. Oh, and quick shoutout—the Travelers Championship is coming up next, right? Spaun, McIlroy, Scheffler, all the big names. That’s gonna be fun.

Katie Randall

Yeah, and the TGL tech league is rolling out in January, hosted by Tiger and Rory. Indoor golf, big tech, big names. But, okay, let’s not get too sidetracked. Should we switch gears to the other half of our show?

Crypto-Dan

Let’s do it. Time to talk blockchain booms.

Crypto-Dan

Alright, so, crypto’s been on a wild ride lately. Bitcoin’s trading above $105,000, which, I mean, still feels surreal to say out loud. And the market’s got this bullish vibe—Fear & Greed Index is, like, hovering around 70. That’s pretty optimistic.

Katie Randall

Yeah, and Ethereum’s been on a tear too. The spot Ethereum ETFs have had, what, a 19-day inflow streak? Almost $1.4 billion coming in. That’s a lot of new money, and it’s the first green monthly candle for ETH this year. Feels like institutions are finally waking up.

Crypto-Dan

For sure. And you’ve got Metaplanet in Japan—they just bought over a billion dollars’ worth of Bitcoin. That’s, like, 1100 Bitcoin. And then Societe Generale, the French bank, launching their own dollar-backed stablecoin, USD CoinVertible. First major bank to do it, and they’re putting it on Ethereum and Solana. That’s a big deal for mainstream adoption.

Katie Randall

And don’t forget the GENIUS Act in the Senate. It’s moving forward, and if it passes, it’ll set up clear federal rules for stablecoins. That’s something the industry’s been begging for. Oh, and Trump Media filed for a Bitcoin-Ethereum ETF, too. I mean, I don’t know if that’s gonna get approved, but it’s wild to see how much crypto is in the headlines now.

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, and, uh, I gotta say, this all reminds me of my first real bull run in crypto. I think it was, what, 2017? Prices were going nuts, and I thought I was a genius—until the crash. I learned real quick that volatility is, like, the name of the game. You gotta have a plan, or you’ll get wrecked. I mean, I still get a little twitchy when things move this fast.

Katie Randall

I hear you. I got into crypto a bit later, but I remember thinking, “Oh, I’ll just buy some Bitcoin and forget about it.” Next thing I know, I’m checking prices every hour and reading about ETFs and stablecoins. It’s a lot to keep up with, but it’s exciting. And now, with all these big players—banks, asset managers, even politicians—it feels like we’re in a new era.

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, and the top cryptos are still the big names—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, Solana, XRP, all that. But there’s always some new altcoin making waves. Just, you know, don’t go all-in on the latest meme coin. Not financial advice, but…

Katie Randall

Yeah, definitely not financial advice! But it’s wild to see how fast things are moving. And with all this institutional action, I wonder how it’s gonna change the landscape for regular folks like us.

Katie Randall

So, let’s talk stablecoins for a sec. SocGen’s new USD CoinVertible is a big step—first major bank to launch a dollar-backed stablecoin, and it’s gonna be regulated under Europe’s MiCA rules. They’re using BNY Mellon as the custodian, and it’s supposed to be used for everything from trading to cross-border payments. That’s, like, a real-world use case finally coming to life.

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, and Tether’s still the giant—over $150 billion in tokens out there. But the difference is, Tether isn’t regulated in the EU, while SocGen’s stablecoin is. That’s a big deal for institutions that want something with more oversight. And in the US, the GENIUS Act would require stablecoins to be fully backed, with strict rules on reserves and audits. It’s all about trust, right?

Katie Randall

Exactly. But even with all this progress, a lot of financial advisors are still hesitant. They’re worried about volatility, regulation, and, honestly, some old-school concerns about criminal activity. But the conversation’s shifting. Now it’s more about, “How does crypto fit in a portfolio?” instead of just, “What is this stuff?”

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, and the environmental debate has kind of faded a bit. Now it’s more about compliance and risk. But stablecoins are, like, the first “killer app” for crypto. They make cross-border payments way easier. SocGen’s stablecoin, for example, can be used for FX, collateral, and cash management. And BNY Mellon’s involved, so you know it’s not just some random startup.

Katie Randall

And Bank of America’s CEO even hinted they might launch a stablecoin, too. It feels like we’re seeing a real shift—banks, regulators, and big institutions all moving in. But there are still hurdles. Regulation’s evolving, and mainstream adoption isn’t automatic. Advisors are still cautious, and, honestly, I get it. It’s a lot to process.

Crypto-Dan

Yeah, but the utility is there. Cross-border payments, instant settlement, transparency—it’s all stuff the old system struggles with. I think, over time, more people will see the benefits. But, like, do your homework. This space moves fast, and not everything is as safe as it sounds.

Katie Randall

Couldn’t agree more. Alright, I think that’s a good place to wrap for today. We covered wild golf comebacks, crypto surges, and the new stablecoin landscape. Dan, always a pleasure.

Crypto-Dan

Right back at you, Katie. Thanks to everyone for tuning in. We’ll be back next week with more birdies, bogeys, and blockchain booms. Take care, Katie!

Katie Randall

See you, Dan. And thanks to all our listeners—don’t forget to subscribe and send us your questions. Catch you next time on Birdies and Blockchain!