Mike Novogratz on BTC, Immigration, and the Ayahuasca Trip That Inspired Billions | Spotlight

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Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, Dlt, Tokenization, Coindesk, Distributed Ledger, Blockchain, Tech News, Business News, Ethereum, Bitcoin, News, Digitalassets, Daily News, Decentralization, Defi, Crypto, Business

4.8 • 689 Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Insights into the past, present and future of crypto with Mike Novogratz. Follow the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Galaxy Digital founder and CEO Mike Novogratz joins "CoinDesk Spotlight" to discuss why the $38 trillion national debt has created a "golden era" for crypto. Novogratz breaks down the power of the XRP Army, his timeline for a $1 million bitcoin, and Galaxy's IPO journey. Plus, he shares his concerns about a "bull market in populism" and the story of how his ayahuasca trip inspired a scene in the show Billions. - This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes. - Break the cycle of exploitation. Break down the barriers to truth. Break into the next generation of privacy. Break Free. Free to scroll without being monetized. Free from censorship. Freedom without fear. We deserve more when it comes to privacy. Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design. Break free with Midnight, visit midnight.network/break-free - Genius Group has partnered with CoinDesk for Bitcoin Treasury Month, launching the Genius x CoinDesk Quest. Participants can join the Bitcoin Academy, complete free microcourses from experts like Natalie Brunell and Saifedean Ammous, and enter to win 1,000,000 GEMs (worth 1 BTC) promoting bitcoin education and adoption. Learn more at: ⁠https://www.geniusgroup.ai/coindesk-bitcoin-treasury-month/⁠ - Need liquidity without selling your crypto? Take out a ⁠Figure Crypto-Backed Loan⁠, allowing you to borrow against your BTC, ETH, or SOL with 12-month terms and no prepayment penalties. They have the lowest rates in the industry at 8.91%, allowing you to access instant cash or buy more Bitcoin without triggering a tax event. Unlock your crypto’s potential today at Figure! ⁠https://figuremarkets.co/coindesk - Timestamps: 01:42 - When Did Novogratz First Know Money Mattered?07:26 - “What’s Cool About Bitcoin Is There’s No CEO”12:44 - XRP's Fierce Community and Success14:32 - How Did We Get Here: America's Financial "Tale of Two Cities"15:47 - How Sustainable Are Crypto Communities?17:49 - Novogratz's Take on Mamdani and Crypto in NYC22:15 - Would He Ever Run for Office?25:38 - Is Crypto at Risk of Replicating Same Challenges From TradFi?29:26 - His Work on Criminal Justice Reform33:32 - How Novogratz's Upbringing Shaped Him37:10 - On Immigration Policy and Where America is Headed43:16 - Galaxy's IPO45:19 - Top Crypto Asset Picks47:33 - On D.C. and When Market Structure Legislation Will Pass49:43 - "Crypto Is a Report Card on How the Country Is Doing"52:03 - Can a BTC Treasury Address National Debt? "It’s Kind of Smoke and Mirrors"53:35 - Novogratz's Most Rewarding Project57:28 - Advice to His Younger Self59:36 - Where Did His Intense Risk Appetite Come From?01:01:14 - The Ayahuasca Journey That Inspired 'Billions' - This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “CoinDesk Spotlight” is produced by Sam Ewen, Jennifer Sanasie, Taylor Fleming and Victor Chen.

Transcript

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0:00.0	It is a tale of two cities in this country. It is a tale of two city in this city. It's the best of times. It's the worst of times. The wealthier doing spectacular and everyone else is having a hard time. Why we're going to see Mondami get elected in New York, why we see Trump get elected. Populism is surging, bull market in populism because we're debasing currencies.
0:23.6	And so crypto plays perfectly, like we are in the golden air of crypto.
0:31.6	Break the cycle of exploitation, break down the barriers to truth, break into the next generation
0:37.8	of privacy, break free.
0:39.7	Free to scroll without being monetized, free from censorship, freedom without fear.
0:44.1	We deserve more when it comes to privacy.
0:46.2	Experience the next generation of blockchain that is private and inclusive by design.
0:50.7	Break free with midnight, visit midnight.net.net.net.
0:52.4	Network, forward slash slash break dash free.
0:54.8	Coin desk Bitcoin Treasury Month is brought to you by Genius Group, a Bitcoin treasury
0:58.2	company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GNS. Genius is building toward
1:03.2	a 10,000 Bitcoin Treasury and just launched Genius Academy featuring courses from Safe,
1:08.4	Edina Moose and more. Start learning for free today at Geniusacademy.AI.
1:13.2	Genius Group, Genius isn't measured in IQ.
1:15.7	It's measured in Bitcoin.
1:17.4	Looking for the best way to unlock your crypto's liquidity,
1:20.2	whether you're funding a major purchase like a down payment on a home,
1:23.0	investing in new opportunities,
1:24.6	or even buying more Bitcoin,
1:26.2	figure makes it straightforward and transparent.
1:28.9	Take out our crypto-backed loan in the Figure app today.
1:31.7	Mike Novigratz, welcome to Coin Desk Spotlight.
	...

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