Governments vs. Networks: The Battle for the Soul of Finance
Governments have significant discretion over economics and finance today, but decentralized network-driven alternatives threaten that control.

Governments have significant discretion over economics and finance today, but decentralized network-driven alternatives threaten that control.
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This episode is sponsored by Crypto.com, Bitstamp and Nexo.io.
Today on the Brief:
- Kraken is the first crypto exchange to become a U.S. bank
- FTC preparing antitrust lawsuit against Facebook
- Gold-standard fan Judy Shelton doesn’t have the votes to be confirmed as Federal Reserve governor
Our main discussion: The battle for the soul of finance.
In this episode, NLW looks at the power competition between governments on the one hand and the decentralized network-driven finance alternatives that would reshape that power. Interestingly, in this competition corporations may play a role that benefits both sides at different times and in different ways.
See also: The Decade of the Living Dead: How Zombie Companies Are Robbing Tomorrow’s Economy
For more episodes and free early access before our regular 3 p.m. Eastern time releases, subscribe with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Stitcher, RadioPublica, iHeartRadio or RSS.
Note: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinDesk, Inc. or its owners and affiliates.
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