Back
Introduction
The crypto ecosystem moves very quickly. New projects launch daily, regulations shift overnight, and market dynamics change faster than most people can refresh their portfolio apps. Many have turned to podcasts to stay informed by listening to experts.
The quality and variety of crypto podcasts have reached new heights. Whether you're a complete newcomer trying to understand the basics of blockchain technology or a veteran investor looking for alpha, there's a show tailored to your needs and experience level. This article goes through the best Bitcoin and crypto podcasts out right now, analyzing their unique strengths, target audiences, and what makes them essential listening.
Why Crypto Podcasts Are Essential
The crypto industry's complexity has grown exponentially since Bitcoin's early days. Today's landscape includes not just digital currencies, but also smart contracts, decentralized finance protocols, stablecoins, layer-2 scaling solutions, and emerging concepts like real-world asset tokenization.
Moreover, podcasts offer something traditional media cannot: real-time access to the people building and shaping the industry. Where else can you hear a casual conversation between a founder and an experienced investor, complete with off-the-cuff insights that would never make it into a formal interview or press release?
The audio format also fits perfectly into our increasingly busy lives. You can absorb market analysis while stuck in traffic, learn about new projects during your morning jog, or catch up on regulatory developments while doing household chores. This accessibility has made podcasts an indispensable tool for anyone serious about cryptocurrency.
The Best Bitcoin & Crypto Podcasts
For Bitcoin Enthusiasts
What Bitcoin Did
Peter McCormack has built What Bitcoin Did into the definitive podcast for Bitcoin maximalists and anyone interested in deep dives into Bitcoin culture, technology, and economics. McCormack's journey from complete Bitcoin novice to knowledgeable advocate mirrors many listeners' experiences, making his perspective particularly relatable.
The podcast covers every aspect of Bitcoin, from technical discussions about Lightning Network development to philosophical debates about Bitcoin's role as digital gold. McCormack's interview style is conversational rather than combative, allowing guests to explain their positions thoroughly while occasionally challenging assumptions.
What Bitcoin Did has featured virtually every major figure in the Bitcoin space, from early adopters like Andreas Antonopoulos to newer voices in mining, development, and adoption. McCormack's own evolution as a Bitcoin advocate provides an interesting backdrop to the show's development over time.
Recent episodes have explored Bitcoin's institutional adoption and the technical roadmap for Bitcoin's future development. The show also regularly addresses Bitcoin critiques, providing balanced responses rather than dismissing concerns outright.
The "What is Money?" Show
Robert Breedlove's "What is Money?" Show takes a unique philosophical approach to understanding Bitcoin and monetary systems. Rather than focusing on price movements or technical developments, Breedlove explores the deeper questions about money's nature and Bitcoin's potential to revolutionize human economic relationships.
The podcast's intellectual depth sets it apart from more news-focused shows. Breedlove regularly features economists, philosophers, and thinkers who can articulate Bitcoin's significance beyond its function as a digital asset. Episodes often run two hours or more, allowing for thorough exploration of complex topics.
The show is particularly valuable for listeners who want to understand the "why" behind Bitcoin advocacy. While other podcasts focus on what Bitcoin does, "What is Money?" explores why those functions matter and how they might reshape society.
For Business and Investment Perspectives
View from the Arch
View from the Arch brings a refreshing founder-to-founder perspective to the crypto podcast landscape. Hosted by Dhruv Patel and Himanshu Sahay, co-founders of Arch, this show offers intimate conversations with industry leaders and innovators about their personal and professional journeys in the digital asset space.
The co-host dynamic creates a unique interview style where guests often feel more comfortable sharing candid insights they might not reveal in more formal settings. Episodes frequently uncover the behind-the-scenes decisions, mistakes, and pivotal moments that shaped successful crypto ventures. This insider perspective is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs and aspiring founders in the space.
The podcast appeals to a broad audience beyond just crypto natives. By focusing on entrepreneurial journeys and the evolution of the digital landscape, View from the Arch offers insights relevant to anyone interested in innovation, technology adoption, and building companies in emerging markets. The conversational style makes complex topics accessible without sacrificing depth.
Recent episodes have featured discussions about building crypto infrastructure, navigating regulatory uncertainty as a startup, and the rise of stablecoins. The show's emphasis on personal growth alongside professional success resonates with listeners who see cryptocurrency as part of a broader technological and social transformation.
Empire
Jason Yanowitz and Santiago Santos have created Empire as a window into the business side of cryptocurrency, featuring conversations with builders, investors, and operators who are shaping the industry's future. Their insider perspective, backed by Blockworks' industry connections, provides access to voices and insights often unavailable elsewhere.
Empire focuses on the strategic thinking behind cryptocurrency projects and investments. Rather than just discussing what projects do, Yanowitz and Santos explore why they exist, how they plan to capture value, and what challenges they face in execution. This business-focused approach makes the podcast valuable for entrepreneurs and investors thinking about the industry strategically.
The hosts' different backgrounds – Yanowitz in media and Santos in investing – create interesting dynamics in their conversations. They often approach the same topics from different angles, providing listeners with multiple perspectives on industry developments. Their regular market analysis segments help listeners understand the forces driving price movements beyond technical analysis.
The Pomp Podcast
Anthony Pompliano has leveraged his background in finance and investing to create one of the most successful cryptocurrency podcasts, though The Pomp Podcast has evolved to cover broader topics in business and entrepreneurship. Pompliano's interviewing style and ability to attract high-profile guests have made the show a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of crypto and traditional business.
What sets The Pomp Podcast apart is Pompliano's ability to connect cryptocurrency developments to broader economic and business trends. His guests range from crypto natives to traditional finance executives to entrepreneurs in other industries who are incorporating blockchain technology into their businesses.
Pompliano's own journey from traditional finance to crypto advocacy provides an interesting perspective on how institutions and high-net-worth individuals approach cryptocurrency investments. His questions often focus on practical implementation challenges and real-world applications rather than theoretical possibilities.
The podcast's evolution beyond pure cryptocurrency content reflects the mainstreaming of digital assets. Episodes might cover crypto adoption by corporations, regulatory developments affecting institutional investors, or entrepreneurship lessons that apply beyond the crypto industry.
The a16z Podcast
Andreessen Horowitz's venture capital perspective on cryptocurrency provides unique insights into which technologies and business models sophisticated investors believe will succeed. The a16z Podcast covers not just crypto but all the industries where the firm invests, providing context for how blockchain technology fits into broader innovation trends.
The podcast's access to portfolio companies and industry leaders creates opportunities for conversations that wouldn't happen elsewhere. When a16z backs a project, listeners often get detailed explanations of the thesis behind the investment and the challenges the company faces in execution.
Beyond individual company spotlights, the a16z Podcast excels at thematic episodes that explore broad trends like the evolution of social media, the future of work, or the implications of artificial intelligence. These discussions often include cryptocurrency and blockchain technology as components of larger technological shifts.
The production quality and research depth reflect the firm's resources and commitment to thought leadership. Episodes are well-structured, thoroughly researched, and feature hosts who understand both the technical and business implications of the topics they discuss.
For Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Focus
Bankless
Ryan Sean Adams and David Hoffman have positioned Bankless as the essential guide for "going bankless" – using cryptocurrency and decentralized finance as alternatives to traditional financial systems. Their enthusiasm for Ethereum and DeFi is infectious, making complex protocols accessible to listeners at all levels.
The podcast combines news analysis, educational content, and strategic thinking about the future of finance. Episodes typically include market updates, protocol reviews, and interviews with DeFi builders and users. The hosts' chemistry and shared vision create a cohesive narrative about how decentralized finance might reshape the global economy.
Bankless excels at explaining DeFi protocols beyond surface-level descriptions. When covering a new yield farming opportunity or governance token launch, Adams and Hoffman dig into the mechanics, risks, and broader implications. Their "DeFi Education" series provides particularly valuable primers on complex topics.
The show's community aspect is equally important. Bankless has spawned NFT collections, a DAO, and various community initiatives that extend the conversation beyond the podcast itself. This ecosystem approach helps listeners stay engaged with the content and each other.
Tokenized
Tokenized stands alone in the crypto podcast landscape as the definitive source for stablecoins, tokenization, and real-world assets (RWAs). With three decades of combined experience in finance, payments, and blockchain technology, the show delivers institutional-grade analysis that bridges traditional finance and emerging crypto applications.
What sets Tokenized apart is its laser focus on the intersection between traditional financial systems and blockchain technology. While other podcasts might touch on stablecoins or tokenization as side topics, Tokenized treats these subjects with the depth they deserve, exploring regulatory frameworks, technical implementations, and business models that make these technologies viable for mainstream adoption.
Recent episodes have explored central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the regulatory landscape for asset tokenization, and how traditional financial institutions are building stablecoin strategies. The show's ability to explain complex regulatory and technical concepts in accessible terms makes it essential listening for anyone serious about understanding crypto's integration with traditional finance.
The Defiant
Camila Russo brings both journalistic credibility and deep DeFi knowledge to The Defiant, creating one of the most authoritative sources for decentralized finance news and analysis. Russo's background in traditional finance and her early recognition of DeFi's potential provide unique insights into how these protocols might impact broader financial markets.
The Defiant focuses specifically on DeFi, covering everything from new protocol launches to governance disputes to regulatory challenges. Russo's interviews with protocol founders, researchers, and users provide multiple perspectives on the same developments, helping listeners understand different viewpoints within the DeFi community.
The podcast's strength lies in its technical depth combined with clear explanations. Russo can discuss the technical architecture of a lending protocol while making the implications clear to non-technical listeners. Her coverage of DeFi governance issues is particularly valuable, as she explains not just what decisions were made but why they matter.
For Technical and Developer Content
Epicenter
Epicenter has established itself as the go-to podcast for technical discussions about blockchain technology and cryptocurrency protocols. With a rotating cast of hosts who bring different areas of expertise, the show consistently delivers in-depth conversations about the technical challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.
Unlike podcasts that focus on market movements or investment strategies, Epicenter dives deep into the technology itself. Episodes explore topics like consensus mechanisms, scalability solutions, privacy technologies, and interoperability protocols. The hosts' technical backgrounds allow them to ask informed questions and challenge guests on implementation details.
The podcast attracts some of the brightest minds in blockchain development, from protocol researchers to startup founders to academic researchers. These conversations provide insights into the technical trade-offs and design decisions that shape cryptocurrency projects, information that's often missing from more general-interest shows.
Epicenter's format typically includes detailed discussions about how technologies work, why certain approaches were chosen, and what challenges remain unsolved. For developers and technically-minded investors, these insights are invaluable for understanding which projects have solid technical foundations.
For Beginners and General Knowledge
The Bad Crypto Podcast
Despite its self-deprecating name, The Bad Crypto Podcast consistently delivers some of the clearest explanations of complex cryptocurrency concepts available anywhere. Hosts Joel Comm and Travis Wright have mastered the art of making the intimidating world of digital assets accessible to newcomers.
What sets this podcast apart is its deliberately beginner-friendly approach. Comm and Wright never assume their audience has prior knowledge, defining terms and explaining concepts that other shows take for granted. They're not afraid to admit when something confuses them, which actually helps listeners realize that confusion is normal in this complex space.
The show's format typically includes market updates, educational segments, and interviews with industry figures who can explain their projects in plain English. Episodes usually run 30-45 minutes, making them perfect for commutes or workout sessions. The hosts' chemistry and humor make even dry topics engaging.
Their Bitcoin basics series remains one of the best introductions to cryptocurrency available in podcast form. Recent episodes have covered everything from NFT utility beyond art to practical DeFi strategies for small investors.
Unchained
Laura Shin brings a journalist's rigor to cryptocurrency reporting with Unchained, delivering weekly deep dives into the biggest stories shaping the industry. As a former senior editor at Forbes, Shin combines traditional journalism skills with genuine curiosity about blockchain technology.
Unchained excels at investigative reporting, often breaking news or providing exclusive insights that other outlets miss. Shin's interviews are particularly valuable because she asks the questions that matter – not just softball queries designed to let guests promote their projects, but probing inquiries that reveal the real story behind the headlines.
The podcast's weekly format means listeners can rely on it for comprehensive updates without feeling overwhelmed by daily news cycles. Episodes typically run 45-60 minutes and focus on a single major topic or feature an extended interview with a key industry figure.
Shin's coverage of major incidents like exchange failures, regulatory actions, and protocol exploits provides essential context that helps listeners understand not just what happened, but why it matters for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. Her series on crypto crime and regulatory developments are particularly enlightening.
Our Selection Methodology
Our selection process went beyond download numbers and social media clout. We evaluated each podcast based on long-term educational value, entertainment quality, and overall credibility.
Host expertise was key. We prioritized podcasts with knowledgeable, clear communicators who explain complex topics well and show intellectual honesty by admitting mistakes or gaps in knowledge.
We also weighed guest quality and diversity. Top shows feature a range of articulate guests—from industry veterans to emerging voices—offering broad and nuanced perspectives.
In a fast-moving space like crypto, consistency matters. We chose podcasts that publish regularly and maintain high standards, not sporadic episodes of mixed quality.
While content is king, production quality can’t be ignored. Clear audio and organized delivery significantly improve the listening experience.
Lastly, we looked at community engagement and educational value. The best podcasts don’t just inform—they build communities and empower listeners to make smarter decisions.
Choosing the Right Podcast for Your Needs
With so many excellent options available, selecting the right crypto podcasts for your interests and experience level requires some strategic thinking. The key is matching your current knowledge level with content that challenges you without overwhelming you completely.
If you're just starting your cryptocurrency journey, begin with The Bad Crypto Podcast to build foundational knowledge, then add Unchained for broader industry context. These shows will help you develop the vocabulary and conceptual framework needed to understand more specialized content.
Intermediate listeners might combine a general news source like Unchained with a specialized show matching their interests – Bankless for DeFi enthusiasts, What Bitcoin Did for Bitcoin maximalists, or Empire for those interested in the business side of crypto. This combination provides both breadth and depth without requiring excessive time commitment.
Advanced listeners can afford to be more selective, choosing shows that align with their specific interests or provide new perspectives. Technical professionals might prefer Epicenter, while investors might gravitate toward The Pomp Podcast or the a16z Podcast. The key is avoiding echo chambers by occasionally listening to shows that challenge your existing beliefs.
Consider your time availability when choosing shows. Daily podcasts like The Wolf of All Streets require significant time investment but keep you current with market movements. Weekly shows like Unchained and Bankless provide regular updates without overwhelming your schedule. Long-form shows like "What is Money?" are perfect for longer commutes or dedicated listening sessions.
Conclusion
The cryptocurrency industry's complexity and rapid pace of change make high-quality podcasts essential for anyone serious about understanding this space. Whether you're a complete beginner trying to grasp basic concepts or an experienced professional looking for edge in your decision-making, the right podcast combination can significantly accelerate your learning.
The podcasts we've highlighted represent some of the best crypto podcasts, each offering unique perspectives and valuable insights.
Remember that the best podcast strategy is a diversified one. Don't limit yourself to shows that confirm your existing beliefs or focus only on your current interests. The most successful people in cryptocurrency maintain curiosity about all aspects of the industry, and their podcast consumption reflects that breadth of interest.
About Arch
Arch is building a next-gen wealth management platform for individuals holding alternative assets. Our flagship product is the crypto-backed loan, which allows you to securely and affordably borrow against your crypto. We also offer access to bank-grade custody, trading and staking services.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and risky. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.