Picking the right crypto podcast can be a tricky task, knowing that the subject matter covers a relatively nascent industry.
With over 120 million podcast listeners in the United States alone, it is easy to see why more content creators are joining the podcast bandwagon. And now that we have over 1 million podcasts, it is increasingly difficult for listeners to choose the right match, particularly for those looking for resources about technical subjects like crypto and blockchain. Picking the right crypto podcast can be a tricky task, knowing that the subject matter covers a relatively nascent industry and it involves elements that are still at the formative stage.
This is why we have compiled a list of some of the most interesting crypto podcasts, thereby making it easy for you to choose the one that best suits your current need.
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What Is a Crypto Podcast?
Crypto podcasts are crypto-themed audio or video recordings that are in digital format and available to be downloaded or streamed online. Specifically, the host of the podcast creates episodic content that will appeal to crypto and blockchain enthusiasts. Here, you will find hot takes on the latest news about cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Apart from the popular cryptocurrencies, crypto podcasters often build their channels around themes associated with blockchain technology and the macroeconomics of related concepts. Some blockchain themes that fall into this category are DeFi, NFT, stablecoins, metaverses and Web 3.
Having highlighted the basic requirements of a crypto podcast, have at the back of your mind that there are no written rules when determining what makes a podcast great. At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preferences, which is why we took a variety of factors into account. In particular, we have prioritized podcasts that are ideal for individuals still trying to find their feet in the crypto market.
The question is: what makes a crypto podcast beginner-friendly?
What Is the Best Crypto Podcast for Beginners?
The main goal of most crypto podcasts is to dissect or discuss subject matters associated with cryptocurrency and its underlying technology. And knowing that there are lots of emerging concepts in the world of crypto that fall within this scope, podcasters have access to a wealth of ideas and topics that they can play around with.
While a plethora of topics is a given, the best podcasters know that it is risky to adopt a crypto-themed model without considering several factors, including the type of people that make up the target audience. As a podcaster, you need to figure out who you are trying to reach and the kind of content that best suits them.
So, when talking about beginner-friendly crypto podcasts, these shows are usually created to appeal to newbies. In other words, they do away with all of the jargon and technicalities that may frustrate the viewing or listening experience of the audience. However, this does not mean that these podcasts do not tackle complex crypto topics. Instead, they ensure that all of the technicalities are adequately broken down to ensure that listeners are carried along.
As such, contrary to popular belief, it is not just crypto fundamental topics that you will find on beginner-friendly podcasts. Instead, a beginner-focused podcast can still explore complex subjects without making listeners or viewers feel like they are being led into a rabbit hole of jargon. It all boils down to the language style of the host and the supporting casts and whether they can use analogies that the average listener is familiar with to explain convoluted processes.
With that said, there are other peculiarities associated with beginner-friendly podcasts. Since newly initiated crypto users often start as crypto investors and traders, it is no surprise that most beginner-friendly crypto podcasts tend to focus on investment-related topics as well as subjects that will help listeners navigate the world of crypto trading seamlessly.
In essence, part of what to expect from a great beginner-focused cryptocurrency podcast is insightful takes on topics about crypto technology and the ways users can profit off them. Naturally, this involves an analytic look at the latest cryptocurrency news that will help listeners form informed crypto investing decisions.
Furthermore, while researching the degree of beginner-friendliness of crypto podcasts, you should note that these channels sometimes stick to a specific crypto theme. For instance, some podcasts restrict their discussions to topics impacting the world of Bitcoin.
Best Cryptocurrency Podcasts in 2022
Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for, below are some of the best crypto podcasts out there.
1. CoinMarketRecap Podcast
Ever since it launched in 2013, CoinMarketCap has set the standards as regards delivering crypto metrics in an unbiased and transparent manner. Notably, very few crypto websites can boast the wealth of information and data housed on CoinMarketCap's website. Over time, the website has evolved into a more robust resource where users track live price trends and access beginner-friendly crypto educational materials.
In line with its penchant for providing timely and unbiased information, CoinMarketCap launched its own podcast, named CoinMarketRecap. This daily podcast explores the latest events and developments in the crypto and blockchain scene, albeit in a beginner-friendly manner. In other words, the goal is to provide all of the backstories and information, which will help listeners grasp the essence of each story covered on the podcast. Also, the channel, which has over 100 episodes and counting, occasionally invites guests to share more insight into trending topics and breaking news.
2. Unchained
Unchained is a weekly podcast channel hosted by Laura Shin, a former senior editor at Forbes and one of the first traditional journalists to cover crypto-related stories. However, rather than being an exposition of Shin's take on the blockchain industry, Unchained operates an interview-based model where pioneers, experts, CEOs and attorneys share their thoughts on the latest developments, events or trends in the crypto space.
For instance, Unchained was one of the first shows that dived deep into the intricacies that caused UST to lose its peg. It also dedicated at least three more episodes to explain the impact of the Terra collapse on algo stablecoins and who the culprit was. Notably, how Unchained goes about informing its listeners on everything blockchain has earned the hour-long weekly podcast some serious reputation in the crypto space. Some prominent figures who have appeared on the show include the CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao and the co-founder of Ethereum, Vitalik Buterin.
3. Unconfirmed
In contrast to what she does on Unchained, Laura Shin takes a more compact and flexible look on Unconfirmed at the latest trends in the cryptosphere. Here, Shin tries to update her listeners by tracking and discussing the most recent events and developments in 20-minute long episodes that air weekly. These episodes feature industry experts as they react to the biggest headlines of the week. In some cases, the episodes utilize an expository model featuring a quick guide on crypto processes and concepts.
4. The Pomp Podcast
When it comes to crypto education, very few do it better than Anthony Pompliano, popularly known as Pomp. In addition to being a remarkable crypto educator, Pomp manages a portfolio worth hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to investments in some of the largest companies in the blockchain industry. As such, he has the pedigree and experience required to treat crypto investment-related topics. Pompliano claims that the Pomp Podcast has been downloaded up to 20 million times, making it one of the most engaged crypto podcasts today.
It can be argued that this high engagement is due to Pompliano's knack for interviewing some of the most polarizing and interesting personalities in fintech, Bitcoin and the business world. Some of the previous guests of the Pomp Podcast are Mark Cuban, a crypto proponent and the owner of NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Chamath Palihapitiya, founder and CEO of Social Capital, and Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad. Also, it is worth mentioning that Pompliano is an ardent believer in Bitcoin. Hence, the podcast generally focuses on Bitcoin. However, it occasionally discusses blockchain technology in general.
5. Crypto 101
From its name, it is clear that Crypto 101 targets people new to the crypto industry. Hosted by Bryce Paul, the co-founder and investment partner of a crypto hedge fund, and Aaron Malone, a serial entrepreneur and crypto advisor, Crypto 101 delves into the intricacies of cryptocurrency in a jargon-free manner. In essence, it tackles complex topics with the aim of inducting new entrants into the cryptoverse. As such, there is a lot of explaining involved, particularly when discussing the processes associated with crypto trading.
Other than explaining complex processes, Paul and Malone also interview thought leaders and blockchain practitioners. In some episodes, crypto executives are invited to break down the importance of their projects and how they will impact everyday users. Launched in 2019, Crypto 101 has over 450 episodes under its belt.
6. The Stephan Livera podcast
The Stephan Livera Podcast takes an in-depth look at concepts and processes that exist within the Bitcoin universe, which is why it has become a reputable source of information for both new and experienced bitcoin users. Not only does Stephan Livera, a Bitcoin educator and influencer with working experience in the accounting and finance field, have a knack for taking on inherently complex bitcoin topics, he also knows how to translate technicalities into digestible information. Like most podcasts on our list, SLP has featured some prominent figures, including Jack Dorsey, founder of Twitter, Ron Paul and Joseph Salerno.
Other interesting facts about this weekly Bitcoin podcast are that it ranks among the leading 0.5% of podcasts worldwide and has been downloaded more than 4 million times.
7. Coindesk podcast network
Coindesk remains one of the most reputable sources of news and information in the crypto industry due to its penchant for offering highly researched, quality and timely articles. From all indications, this media platform has replicated this winning formula on its podcast channel as listeners can access hot takes on a wide variety of topics, including bitcoin, NFTs, DeFi and altcoins. Two popular podcasts powered by Coindesk are The Breakdown, hosted by Nathaniel Whittemore, and Money Reimagined, a weekly podcast co-hosted by Michael J. Casey, the chief content officer at Coindesk, and Sheila Warren, CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI).
On The Breakdown, Whittemore explores economic and policy shifts around the globe and how they impact the crypto industry as a whole. Occasionally, this daily podcast sheds the spotlight on emerging crypto terminologies with the sole aim of educating listeners on the technicalities involved and how these concepts will shape the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. On the other hand, Money Reimagined adopts a weekly podcast format with Casey and Warren wittingly dissecting trending topics and technologies.
8. What Bitcoin Did
Launched in 2017, What Bitcoin Did episodes air three times a week and focuses on the nuances of Bitcoin, its underlying technology, and its economies.
What makes this Bitcoin podcast special is how it has evolved over the years. It has moved from discussing beginner-focused topics to taking on more sophisticated concepts. The host, Peter McCormack, was relatively new to Bitcoin when the podcast launched. This is why his personal growth in the Bitcoin landscape reflects in the systemic shift of WBD's topics from crypto fundamentals to complex subjects. In other words, there is progressive sophistication of WBD that makes it easy for new users to expand their understanding of bitcoin and related concepts.
Notably, there are 17 episodes on WBD specially dedicated to crypto beginners. In these episodes, McCormack enlists the help of bitcoin experts like Stephan Livera and Andreas M. Antonopoulos to declutter core Bitcoin terminologies.
9. The Bad Crypto Podcast
Joel Comm, a New York Times bestselling author, and Travis Wright, a marketing technologist, combine humor and unconventional methods to demystify crypto and blockchain technology. With two episodes airing every week, Comm and Wright have a knack for creating content that appeals to newbies, particularly those who wouldn't mind a light-hearted approach to crypto topics.
After five years of sharing their experience and educating newbies, Comm and Wright now have over 600 episodes on their podcast. To celebrate this feat, the hosts did an episode to summarize the things they have learned in the crypto world in the last five years.
10. Tales from the Crypt: A Bitcoin Podcast
By naming his podcast Tales from the Crypt, Marty Bent pays homage to a popular TV horror series of the same name, which aired from 1989 to 1996. While the naming decision might be controversial to some, Bent has markedly mastered the art of creating captivating crypto-related content for newbies. Like all of the hosts of the podcasts on our list, Bent has a flair for deconstructing complex crypto topics. He sits with fellow experts to discuss the latest trends in the blockchain industry. However, as the name of the podcast implies, Bent focuses on everything Bitcoin. For those looking to listen to weekly recaps of the top events in the Bitcoin ecosystem, you can tune in to the podcast's "Rabbit Hole Recap" episodes.
11. Bankless
Unlike most of our top picks, Bankless is a relatively new podcast. However, it has quickly climbed the rankings to become one of the most trusted podcast channels for everything crypto. Co-hosted by Ryan Sean Adams, founder of Mythos Capital, and David Hoffman, Bankless takes its listeners through the convoluted world of crypto, albeit with a beginner-friendly approach. Some of the topics on the podcast include the emerging DeFi market, NFTs and underlying processes and concepts of Ethereum.
Conclusion
As stated earlier in this article, there are no written rules when gauging the suitability of crypto podcasts. The most important thing is to know where you are in terms of crypto experience and understand what you need to improve your knowledge of crypto.
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