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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.

Updated Sep 14, 2021, 9:57 a.m. Published Sep 16, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
(@dotjpg/Unsplash, AnuStudio/Getty Images)
(@dotjpg/Unsplash, AnuStudio/Getty Images)

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.comBitstamp 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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