Crypto, Explained by the National Cryptocurrency Association

Episodes

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  5 Things Nobody Tells You About Stablecoins 22.07.2026 14m

  Splitting a dinner bill, paying a freelancer for work they just finished, sending money to someone across the world. The payment usually gets where it needs to go, but rarely as easily as it should, slowed down by fees, delays, and banking hours. Even the apps that feel instant, like Venmo, are really just moving IOUs behind the scenes, and the money is not always yours to use the moment it lands.In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager breaks down stablecoins, the digital dollars designed to hold a steady value and move like a text message, clearing in seconds for pennies at any hour of any day. She walks through the five things everyone should understand before they hear the word in the news again.Ali starts with what a stablecoin actually is, a digital asset pegged to one US dollar and issued by a regulated company required to hold real reserves behind every token, which she compares to a coat check where the dollars are your coat and the token is your ticket. From there she reframes how to think about them, as a tool for moving and holding value rather than something you buy hoping it grows, and explains why they are suddenly everywhere, driven by real adoption from payment companies and banks and by the Genius Act, the first federal law written specifically for payment stablecoins.The episode also slows down for the fine print. Not every stablecoin is built the same way, and Ali walks through the four main types and why the algorithmic ones have proven the most fragile, pointing to the 2022 collapse of TerraUSD as the cautionary tale the new rules are meant to guard against. She is also clear about what a stablecoin is not: it is not printed by the government, and it is not an insured bank deposit.It closes on a practical note. Before using one, do a few minutes of homework, check that the issuer is regulated, confirm the reserves are real and audited, make sure you can redeem it, and start small. For anyone who wants to see how it works first, Ali points to the free NCA Crypto Simulator at nca.org, which lets you practice sending and holding a stablecoin without any real money involved. The goal, she reminds listeners, is stability, not returns.What We Discuss:0:00 Digital dollars, explained0:22 Why stablecoins now1:04 The Venmo problem2:17 Coat check analogy4:00 Not for growing money5:42 Genius Act rules7:42 Two big stablecoin news stories9:04 4 types of stablecoins11:22 Due diligence checklist13:05 Recap & final tipsLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  38: 7 Things Nobody Tells You About Prediction Markets 15.07.2026 16m

  If you have watched the news lately, you have probably seen a percentage tucked in the corner of the screen next to the polling numbers, pulled from a place called Polymarket or Kalshi. Most people glance at it, wonder for a second where it came from, and move on. But that small number sits on top of one of the fastest-growing corners of finance, where billions of dollars now move every month on the outcomes of real-world events.In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager breaks down prediction markets, walking through what they are, how they are built, and why some of the biggest names in finance have started paying attention. At their simplest, these are platforms where people trade contracts tied to a future outcome, and the price of each contract reflects what the crowd collectively thinks the probability is.From there, Ali unpacks why the structure matters, how these markets run more like a stock exchange than anything else, and how the two biggest platforms, Polymarket and Kalshi, are built very differently under the hood. She digs into the part most people miss, that prediction markets have turned out to be surprisingly good at forecasting, accurate enough that researchers and even the Federal Reserve have taken note. And she connects it back to crypto, framing prediction markets as one of the clearest real-world examples of blockchain solving a practical problem today, running on-chain, settling automatically, and staying transparent around the clock.The episode closes on a structural takeaway: knowing what prediction markets are, how they are built, and where they fit is the difference between watching the news and understanding it. The same, Ali points out, goes for crypto more broadly. We do not get to opt out of technology that is already part of how the world works, but we do get to choose how informed we are about it.What We Discuss:0:00 – Intro2:15 – 7 Things to Know2:31 – What's a Prediction Market3:43 – Markets Work Like Exchanges6:01 – Polymarket vs Kalshi7:12 – Are They Accurate?9:29 – Taylor Swift Wedding Bets10:30 – Blockchain Use Case12:05 – Integrity Rules12:50 – Legal Battle ExplainedLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  37: Real Estate Tokenization Explained with Brandon Frans 08.07.2026 46m

  Real estate has long been one of the clearest ways for everyday people to build something lasting, but getting started can come with a high price tag. Down payments, financing, paperwork, closing timelines, and the challenge of managing property from far away can make ownership feel out of reach before the process even begins.In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with Brandon Frans to unpack real estate tokenization, a new lane that lets people buy smaller pieces of investment properties instead of purchasing the whole thing. Brandon shares how he went from traditional real estate investing in Nebraska to owning slices of property across 26 states, and why the ability to spread smaller amounts across more places changed the way he thinks about access, diversification, and risk.From there, Ali and Brandon walk through how the process actually works, from choosing a platform and reviewing properties to completing onboarding steps and receiving rent distributions. They also slow down for the fine print: what ownership means when the deed is usually held by an LLC or SPV, why tokenized real estate is not the same as buying the home you live in, and why regulation, liquidity, offering documents, and platform research all matter.The episode closes with a practical reminder that tokenization does not replace traditional real estate or remove the need to do your homework. It adds a smaller on-ramp, faster settlement, and a clearer record of ownership, while still requiring people to understand what they are buying, start small, read the documents, and think carefully about whether the opportunity fits their goals.What We Discuss:0:00 Owning Real Estate Fractions0:43 What Is Property Tokenization2:35 Meet Brandon Franz, Realtor4:35 Owning Property In 26 States21:50 How To Buy Tokenized Real Estate25:00 Blockchain Property Records Explained26:54 Tokenization Vs Fractionalization36:34 Is Your Name On The Deed?41:03 Selling Tokenized Property SharesLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  36: Memecoins: Fact vs. Fiction 01.07.2026 13m

  Memecoins are one of the loudest, funniest, riskiest, and most misunderstood corners of crypto. They can start as jokes, spread through online communities, and suddenly show up everywhere in your feed, but that does not mean they work like major crypto tokens, stocks, or traditional investments.In this solo episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager breaks down what memecoins actually are, why people buy them, and what makes them different from other parts of the crypto world. She starts with the biggest misconception, that memecoins are “just a joke,” and explains how internet culture, community, attention, and belief can create real market activity even when a token is not built around a specific job it is meant to do.From there, Ali unpacks who actually buys memecoins, why cheap per token does not mean low risk, and why viral is not the same as verified. She explains how copycat tokens can use familiar names and logos, why checking the contract address matters, and why a token that everyone is talking about still needs to be verified before you touch it.The episode closes with a practical framework for approaching memecoins safely: treat them like fun money, use reputable platforms, verify what you are buying, make a small test purchase first, be careful with suspicious airdrops, and decide your exit plan before the moment starts making decisions for you. By the end, listeners will have a clearer way to look at the next memecoin lighting up their feed and understand the joke, the community, the attention, the risk, and the difference between enjoying something and betting on it.What We Discuss:0:25 – What Are Meme Coins? Crypto Explained1:39 – Myth #1: Meme Coins Are Just a Joke With No Real Value3:46 – Myth #2: Only Get-Rich-Quick Gamblers Buy Meme Coins4:58 – Myth #3: Meme Coins Are Cheap So You Have Nothing to Lose6:16 – Myth #4: If a Crypto Is Going Viral, It Must Be Legit7:38 – Myth #5: Meme Coins Are Just Like Stocks or Bitcoin9:21 – How to Buy Meme Coins Safely: Crypto Risk Management TipsLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  35: Making Sense of Crypto Finance Terms 24.06.2026 7m

  Market cap. Cost basis. Realized gains. Dollar cost averaging. For a lot of people, the vocabulary around crypto can feel like it requires a finance degree just to follow along. In this solo episode, host Ali Tager makes the case that it doesn't, and breaks down five personal finance terms you will hear in crypto so you can make sense of a chart and follow a conversation about the market without getting lost.Ali starts with dollar cost averaging, or DCA, the practice of buying a fixed dollar amount at regular intervals no matter the price, and compares it to filling up your gas tank on the same day every week, or to the way a 401(k) quietly does the same thing in the background. From there she unpacks market cap, showing how a coin trading at two dollars with a hundred million coins in circulation carries a two hundred million dollar market cap, and why that number tells you more about the size of a project than the price of a single coin.The conversation turns to volatility, framed through the weather, with crypto markets sitting on the stormier end of the spectrum, and why understanding that the swings run in both directions is one of the most important mental shifts for anyone getting started. Ali then clears up the difference between realized and unrealized gains, the fifty dollars you hold on paper when a hundred dollar buy climbs to one fifty, versus the gain that only becomes real, and in most places taxable, the moment you sell. She closes on cost basis, the hundred and two dollars you actually paid once a two dollar fee is folded in, and why good record keeping there saves a lot of headaches come tax time.What We Discuss:0:00 – Intro: Why most people get shaken out of crypto0:35 – Why understanding crypto feels overwhelming1:18 – Term 1: Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) explained1:53 – DCA in everyday life (gas tank analogy)2:11 – How your 401k is already DCA2:31 – Term 2: Market Cap explained2:53 – Why price alone is misleading3:19 – Term 3: Volatility explained4:10 – Term 4: Realized vs. Unrealized Gains5:42 – Term 5: Cost Basis explainedCrypto Taxes with guest, Trish Turner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCU3gaX61mILearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  34: A New Way to Access Crypto: Digital Asset Treasuries with Asheesh Birla 17.06.2026 49m

  For more than a decade, blockchain has come with a lot of promises about what it could do someday. This episode is about what it is actually doing right now.In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with Asheesh Birla, CEO of Evernorth, a digital asset treasury focused on XRP that is preparing to go public. Asheesh has spent 13 years at the intersection of blockchain infrastructure and institutional finance, including a long run at Ripple, so he has watched this shift happen from the inside.Ali and Asheesh start with what blockchain actually delivers today once you strip away the theory. Asheesh explains the core idea in plain terms, that the technology lets you remove the middleman and trust the network instead, then walks through tokenization, the standardizing of real-world assets like bonds, equities, and property so they can move freely. He notes there is now roughly 300 billion dollars in stablecoins circulating, with more than half of it sitting outside the US, mostly in emerging markets where financial access is harder to come by.The heart of the conversation is digital asset treasuries, or DATs. Ali builds the picture from the original story most people know, Michael Saylor's company converting its corporate treasury into Bitcoin in 2020, and Asheesh explains what a DAT actually is: a regulated, audited, publicly traded way to get exposure to an asset like XRP without buying and custodying it yourself. He draws the line between passive treasuries and what Evernorth is building, an active treasury meant to be a steward of the XRP ecosystem, putting its balance sheet to work through lending and liquidity rather than just letting it sit.The throughline is what all of this means for everyday people. Ali cites the NCA's 2026 State of Crypto Holder report, which found that a quarter of American adults now hold crypto, up from one in five last year, and that the share actively using it roughly doubled. The takeaway is simple. This shift is not theoretical anymore. It happens quietly, in filings and boardrooms, and then one day a category that did not exist is just a normal part of the markets we already use.What We Discuss:0:00 – Intro: What is blockchain actually doing today?1:04 – Stablecoins, tokenized assets & real-world impact2:35 – Blockchain benefits most people don't understand5:47 – What are digital asset treasuries (DATs)?14:44 – What is a tokenized asset in plain English?27:09 – Why XRP? Aashish's 13-year thesis43:09 – Traditional treasury vs. digital asset treasury47:04 – The DAT category explained: passive vs. activeLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  33: Crypto Policy Explained: What You Need to Know with Zunera Mazhar 10.06.2026 53m

  For a long time, the honest answer to "how is crypto regulated in the United States?" was some version of "it's complicated, it's evolving, the rules aren't clear yet." That answer is finally starting to change.In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with Zunera Mazhar, VP of Policy and Government Affairs at The Digital Chamber, to make sense of where crypto policy actually stands right now. Zunera spent more than two decades across banking and government, including serving at the FDIC as its first Deputy Chief Innovation Officer, so she has watched this shift happen from the inside.Ali and Zunera start with the headline most people have missed: real legislation is moving. The CLARITY Act, the market structure bill that aims to settle who regulates what, cleared the Senate Banking Committee in a bipartisan 15 to 9 vote, and the industry is hopeful it will pass. They also cover the news that crypto derivatives are coming back onshore, and what that means for the billions in liquidity that returns to the U.S.From there, Zunera takes on the biggest misconception she hears, that crypto does not want to be regulated. Coming from a regulator background, she explains why the opposite is true, and why the industry has been asking for clear rules all along. The conversation breaks down why the SEC and the CFTC treat crypto so differently, why Bitcoin gets classified as a commodity while many other tokens look more like securities, and how a tokenized money market fund is closer than you think.The throughline is what all of this means for everyday people. Ali and Zunera talk through the nearly 20 percent of U.S. adults who are unbanked or underbanked, how blockchain solved real access problems overseas before regulation ever caught up, and how someone nervous about getting started can take it slow. The takeaway is simple. Crypto policy in the U.S. is evolving, not disappearing. The space is maturing, not fading. And the people who take the time to understand what is actually happening are the ones who will feel most confident navigating it.What We Discuss:⁠0:00⁠ - Intro & Clip: The Crypto Industry DOES Want Regulation ⁠1:01⁠ - The State of Crypto Policy in America ⁠2:29⁠ - Guest Intro: Zunera Mazar, VP of Policy at the Digital Chamber ⁠3:11⁠ - Zunera's Background & The Digital Chamber ⁠5:09⁠ - What Is MiCA? (EU Crypto Regulation Explained) ⁠6:01⁠ - Where US Crypto Regulation Stands Today (May 2026) ⁠8:18⁠ - Perps Coming Onshore: Historic CFTC Move ⁠14:07⁠ - Biggest Misconceptions About Crypto Regulation ⁠14:07⁠ - SEC vs. CFTC: What's the Difference? ⁠16:57⁠ - What Everyday Crypto Holders Need to Know ⁠30:14⁠ - Are Policymakers Informed or Playing Catch-Up? ⁠31:16⁠ - How Policy Will Impact Everyday People (Not Just Institutions) ⁠36:34⁠ - Crypto Risks & Benefits Often Overlooked ⁠42:40⁠ - Will the CLARITY Act Bring Innovation Back to America? ⁠45:32⁠ - Global Crypto Regulation Progress ⁠47:52⁠ - Where We're Over-Complicating Crypto Policy ⁠49:36⁠ - One Piece of Advice for Crypto NewbiesLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA):Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  32: Decoding the 5 Most Common Crypto Assets 03.06.2026 8m

  If you've ever sat through a crypto conversation feeling like everyone else got handed a glossary you didn't, you're not alone. Terms like altcoin, memecoin, NFT, and ETF get tossed around constantly, but the truth is they're all just different flavors of the same world.In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager pulls together five of the most common digital asset types and lines them up side by side so you can finally see the full picture. We start with the difference between a coin and a token, two terms that get used interchangeably but actually describe different things. A coin runs on its own blockchain, like Bitcoin on the Bitcoin network or XRP on the XRP Ledger, while a token lives on top of an existing one, more like an app running on an iPhone's operating system.From there, we unpack NFTs, the one-of-a-kind digital assets that can't be swapped one-for-one, and why their use cases now stretch far beyond digital art into tickets, credentials, ownership records, and in-game items. We also dig into memecoins, a more volatile and culture-driven corner of crypto, and why they are often a first introduction to the space but also the area where new holders need to be the most careful.The conversation rounds out with altcoins, the catch-all term for any cryptocurrency that isn't Bitcoin, and ETFs, which aren't actually a type of crypto at all but a traditional investment product that holds crypto on your behalf. By the end, you'll have a clear mental map of how these assets relate to one another, and the confidence to keep up the next time these terms come up in conversation.What We Discuss:[0:00] Intro[0:32] What is a crypto asset?[1:37] Today's 5 terms overview[1:37] Term 1: Token vs. Coin[2:41] Term 2: NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)[3:43] Term 3: Meme Coins[4:52] Term 4: Altcoins[6:09] Term 5: ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)[7:24] RecapLearn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.orgX: @natcryptoassocInstagram: @natcryptoassocTikTok: @natcryptoassocLinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency AssociationFacebook: National Cryptocurrency AssociationDisclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  31: The Surprising Way Ranchers Are Using Blockchain 27.05.2026 55m

  When you think about crypto, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn't cattle ranching. But that is exactly where some of the most interesting real-world blockchain use cases are happening right now. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with Rob Jennings, President and Co-founder of CattleProof Verified, and Dr. Evan Whitley, Executive Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. CattleProof Verified is the first and only USDA-certified Process Verified Program that uses blockchain tech to create a trusted, audit-ready digital record of an animal's full story, from the pasture it was born into to the grocery store it ends up in. Rob and Evan walk through the problem blockchain technology actually solves. For decades, ranchers in the "cattle breadbasket" of America have been paid commodity prices for premium cattle because their story could not be verified at scale. Now by logging each animal's data onto a blockchain through tamper-resistant electronic ID tags, CattleProof creates an immutable, individual record for every animal, not just a group certificate that anyone could photocopy. From there, the conversation goes deeper into what changes on the ground. Choctaw Nation runs seven ranches across 65,000 acres and 2,500 cows, and Evan explains why adopting the system added almost no friction to their existing workflow. We also dig into the broader implications: faster disease traceability for food safety outbreaks, new export opportunities for small and medium producers, and how blockchain-based payments could eventually help ranchers settle faster, access better loan rates, and finally get paid what their work is worth. Rob and Evan close on a bigger idea. Blockchain is not just for finance or speculation. It is a railroad that can carry value and information for any industry, and cattle ranching is one of the clearest, most grounded examples of that already working in the real world. What We Discuss: (0:00) – Intro & episode teaser (0:19) – Welcome to Crypto Explained (1:09) – From ranch to grocery store: the blockchain journey (1:49) – Ranchers as unexpected blockchain pioneers (2:30) – Meet the guests: Rob Jennings & Dr. Evan Whitley (5:01) – What is provenance & why does it matter? (18:44) – Consumer trends: transparency & trust in beef (26:07) – How fraud enters the supply chain (33:08) – Day-to-day impact on ranchers (50:18) – Lightning round & key takeaways Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  30: Crypto Safety Explained: What the FBI Wants You to Know 20.05.2026 1h

  Most online safety advice falls into one of two camps. It is either too vague to be useful, or so overwhelming that you tune it out before you can act on it. The truth sits somewhere in the middle. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with Patrick Wyman, Chief of the Virtual Assets Unit at the FBI, and Travis Wiehn, Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI, for a candid conversation about what online scams actually look like in 2026 and the small set of habits that protect against most of them. The Virtual Assets Unit was established in 2022 as the FBI's dedicated team for crypto and digital asset cases, and Patrick and Travis walk through what their work really looks like, from tracing illicit value on the blockchain to freezing assets and returning them to victims. The conversation gets practical fast. Travis lays out three foundational habits anyone can build: delete the suspicious wrong-number texts, ignore unsolicited investment DMs, and always go directly to your platform rather than clicking links in emails. Patrick reinforces it with the FBI's Take a Beat campaign, built around the simple act of pausing before reacting to anything urgent. We also dig into how AI is reshaping the threat landscape, from deepfakes and voice cloning to grandparent emergency scams that sound real. From there, the conversation turns to the harder topics: how to talk to aging parents and kids about scams, the value of a family code word, and what the Internet Crime Complaint Centers (IC3) 2025 report reveals about where these crimes are headed. Patrick and Travis explain why reporting still matters even when results take time. What We Discuss: (0:00) - Intro & teaser (deepfake/LinkedIn story) (0:30) - Welcome & episode overview: Crypto scams (2:37) - Introducing guests: FBI's Virtual Asset Unit (2:38) - What is the FBI Virtual Asset Unit? (Patrick) (9:18) - Day-to-day casework at the VAU (Travis) (14:47) - What do you wish more people knew about this work? (20:47) - What does staying safe online actually look like? (22:05) - Top 2-3 foundational habits to stay safe online (28:48) - Social media & AI deepfake risks (37:07) - Protecting aging parents & family conversations (42:22) - IC3 Annual Report & scam data breakdown (48:07) - #1 most common scam: Investment/crypto fraud (55:02) - Closing on an optimistic note Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  29: Who Uses Crypto, Really? with Stu Alderoty 13.05.2026 50m

  Two years ago, the picture of a typical crypto holder was a 25-year-old guy in his mom's basement, chasing meme coins and dreaming of a Lambo. The data today tells a very different story. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager sits down with returning co-host Stu Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, to unpack the brand new 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report. Last year's headline was 1 in 5 American adults. This year it is 1 in 4, with more than 67 million U.S. adults holding crypto. Ali and Stu walk through who these new holders actually are, and the picture is nothing like the common stereotype. Construction workers outpace finance professionals, more than a quarter of holders earn under $75,000 a year, and 28 percent are 55 or older. We also dig into what they are doing with their crypto, from sending money to friends and family to paying for everyday goods, and why the data shows people are using it, not just holding it. From there, the conversation turns to the why behind the shift. Financial independence, personal growth, and the excitement of being part of something innovative are all up year over year, signaling that the motivation has moved from getting rich quick to building something for yourself. Stu also draws on his decades in traditional finance to explain why the line between TradFi and crypto is blurring, and why regulation may be the last domino for the crypto-curious still on the sidelines. What We Discuss: (0:00) – Intro: Crypto's normalization moment (cell phones vs. crypto comparison) (0:32) – The old image of crypto: who people thought was using it (1:44) – "Something is happening" – not a craze, a structural shift (2:36) – Interview begins with Stu Alderoty (NCA / Ripple) (2:52) – The big headline: 1 in 4 Americans now own crypto (12:55) – Who actually owns crypto? The surprising demographic breakdown (17:01) – Manufacturing workers & blue collar crypto usage data (20:18) – How people are actually using crypto (sending, spending, businesses) (23:45) – Why people use crypto: financial independence up to 54% (36:21) – Crypto holders see it as established & integrated into traditional finance (39:13) – The biggest hurdles before crypto becomes truly seamless (41:15) – Access, education & confidence: what needs to happen next (46:17) – "Knowledge equals trust" – how to get started with crypto Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  28: Behind Every Transaction: How Crypto Really Works 06.05.2026 8m

  Ever nodded along when someone mentioned gas fees or layer twos, secretly hoping no one would ask you to explain? You are definitely not alone. The truth is, once you understand how crypto actually moves from one person to another, a lot of the mystery disappears. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, host Ali Tager walks through the four concepts that explain how crypto moves under the hood, giving you the vocabulary to follow along in any conversation. We start with gas fees, the small cost of asking a global network of computers to process and verify your transaction, and why those fees go to the people running the network rather than any middleman or company. From there, we unpack on-chain versus off-chain transactions, using a simple bar tab analogy to show why some transactions are recorded permanently on the blockchain while others happen faster and cheaper outside of it. We also explore layer two networks like Lightning, Arbitrum, and Optimism, which sit on top of the main blockchain to move transactions faster and at a lower cost, and why this is where a lot of the real crypto innovation is happening today. Finally, we cover block explorers, the free public search engines that let anyone look up any transaction, wallet, or block in real time. By the end, you will have a clearer picture of what actually happens when crypto goes from point A to point B, and the confidence to keep up when these terms come up in conversation. What We Discuss: (0:00) Intro (1:20) Gas Fees (2:55) On-Chain vs Off-Chain (3:56) Layer Two (5:38) Block Explorer (6:57) Recap & Outro Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  27: The Latest In Crypto: Breaking Down Recent Headlines 29.04.2026 17m

  Crypto headlines can feel overwhelming, full of noise, strong opinions, and confusing signals. This episode breaks them down into simple, clear takeaways so you can understand what is actually happening and what is worth paying attention to. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we unpack the biggest crypto headlines shaping the space right now. We break down media skepticism through the Ben McKenzie documentary, PayPal expanding its PYUSD stablecoin globally, banks like Wells Fargo exploring digital dollars, and how companies like Mastercard are integrating blockchain into everyday payment systems. We also explore what these stories signal about where crypto is heading, from stablecoins becoming part of global financial infrastructure to the early connection between AI and crypto through automated payments and new digital systems. Ali is the approachable, curious voice behind Crypto, Explained, helping beginners make sense of crypto in plain English so they can feel confident, capable, and included as they learn how crypto can fit into everyday life. What We Discuss: (00:45) Breaking Down Crypto Headlines in Plain English (01:40) Headline 1: Media Skepticism and the Benjamin McKenzie Documentary (04:26) Headline 2: PayPal Expands PYUSD to 70 Markets (07:14) Headline 3: Wells Fargo and the WFUSD Digital Dollar Signal (09:15) Headline 4: Mastercard Crypto Partner Program (12:08) Headline 5: AI and Crypto with Agentic Payments (15:24) Headline 6: Tether Expands Beyond Crypto (16:49) The Big Shift: Crypto Moving Into the Mainstream    Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  26: Inside the NCA: How Crypto, Explained Was Built with Ant Lillingston | VP of Marketing, NCA 22.04.2026 43m

  Crypto can feel confusing when the story behind it is missing. Many people hear about crypto through headlines, trends, or opinions, but rarely understand who is building it or why it exists in the first place. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Ant Lillingston, VP of Marketing at the National Cryptocurrency Association, to unpack why the NCA was created and how Crypto, Explained came to life. We break down how crypto inherited a culture of complexity and exclusion, why that created a gap for everyday people, and how the NCA is working to make crypto more accessible through real stories, simple education, and practical tools. We also explore how real crypto users across the country are using it in everyday ways, what the NCA learned from its first year of research and storytelling, and why the biggest barrier to adoption comes down to understanding rather than trust. Ant Lillingston is the VP of Marketing at the National Cryptocurrency Association, where he leads brand strategy, storytelling, and education efforts focused on helping everyday people understand and use crypto with confidence. What We Discuss: (00:40) Why the NCA Exists and the Mission Behind Crypto, Explained (03:03) Why Crypto Feels Confusing and Who It Was Built For (9:47) Real Stories: How Everyday People Actually Use Crypto (16:53) Why Most Crypto Use Cases Are Simple and Practical (23:32) What the Data Reveals About Crypto Users in America (26:14) The Real Barrier: Understanding, Not Distrust (27:25) How the NCA Is Making Crypto Easier to Learn (33:25) The Impact of Negative Narratives on Adoption (38:21) Scams, Safety, and Personal Responsibility (41:41) How to Take Your First Step Into Crypto Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association   Learn more about Ant Lillingston: Linkedin: Ant Lillingston  Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.  
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  25: The 5 Biggest Cryptocurrencies Explained 15.04.2026 11m

  Crypto includes a wide range of digital assets, each built for a specific function within the broader ecosystem. Understanding what each one does is key to making sense of how crypto works in practice. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we walk through five of the most widely used cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano, and break down what each one is designed to do. We cover how they differ in purpose, from storing value to enabling payments, powering applications, and supporting scalable networks. We also highlight a few additional cryptocurrencies to give you a broader view of how different tools fit into the crypto landscape. In this episode, Ali Tager, your crypto confidence coach, walks you through each concept step by step, making it simple to understand how crypto actually works in the real world. What We Discuss: (00:49) Why Not All Cryptocurrencies Are the Same (03:01) Bitcoin as a Store of Value (04:45) XRPL and Fast Global Payments (06:36) Ethereum and Programmable Applications (07:39) Solana and Speed at Scale (08:39) Cardano and Long Term Infrastructure  Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  24: The Next Wave of Crypto Participation with PayPal + Karin | SXSW Panel 08.04.2026 29m

  Crypto can feel overwhelming when it lives in headlines, hype, and technical language. But behind all of that, it is increasingly becoming something people and businesses use in real, practical ways. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Smitha Purohit, Sr. Director of Crypto Product at PayPal, and Karin Kusano, Crypto Market Strategist, to unpack how crypto is entering the mainstream through real use cases and everyday infrastructure. We break down how stablecoins are changing the way money moves, how companies like PayPal are integrating crypto into payments, and how financial autonomy and access are showing up for real people. We also explore how crypto is already being used for cross border payments, merchant transactions, and financial access, and why the biggest barrier today is not access but understanding. Smitha Purohit leads crypto products at PayPal, where she focuses on building payment infrastructure powered by digital assets, while Karin Kusano, a crypto market strategist, brings a personal and practical perspective on how crypto can create financial independence and real world impact. What We Discuss: (01:18) Crypto Moving from Niche Technology to Mainstream Use (03:52) Financial Autonomy and Real Life Use Cases (07:27) Crypto as an Asset Class vs Stablecoins for Payments (13:46) Why Businesses Care About Faster and Cheaper Money Movement (16:52) The Biggest Barrier: People Do Not Understand Crypto (19:28) Real World Use Cases: Payments, Remittances, and Access (27:07) Crypto as the Future Infrastructure of Money Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association   Learn more about Smitha Purohit: LinkedIn: Smitha Purohit    Learn more about Karin Kusano: Website: cryptomommi  Website: karinkusano  LinkedIn: Karin Kusano    Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  23: Reacting to Crypto Hot Takes with Ali Tager | Crypto Confidence Coach 01.04.2026 13m

  Crypto often gets reduced to headlines, hype, or fear, leaving many people unsure what to actually believe. For most, the biggest barrier is not access, but understanding what crypto is and how it fits into real life. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, Ali Tager, your crypto confidence coach, reacts to real, unfiltered opinions about crypto from everyday people. She breaks down common misconceptions around whether crypto is real, how it gets its value, and why it can feel confusing or intimidating at first. We also explore key concerns around security, including wallets and seed phrases, how to think about scams versus the underlying technology, and the simple rules that can help you stay safe. Finally, we highlight how crypto is already being used in practical ways, from payments to business adoption, and how confidence grows once people move from headlines to real understanding. Ali Tager is the host of Crypto, Explained and a leading voice in making crypto simple, approachable, and usable in everyday life. What We Discuss: (00:40) What People Really Think About Crypto: Confusion, Skepticism, and Curiosity   (02:53) Why Crypto Feels Complicated and How to Make It Simple (05:10) Security and Control: Wallets, Seed Phrases, and Getting Started Safely (07:47) Scams vs Technology: How to Stay Safe in Crypto (10:50) Real-World Use Cases and How Confidence Builds Over Time   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.  
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  22: 5 Easy Ways to Start with Crypto with Stu Alderoty | President, National Cryptocurrency Association 25.03.2026 45m

  Crypto can feel intimidating when you are not sure where to start. Many people assume they need technical expertise or a large investment before exploring digital assets. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Stu Alderoty, President of the National Cryptocurrency Association and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, to unpack five simple ways beginners can explore crypto. We break down how crypto ETFs work through traditional brokerage accounts, how stablecoins introduce people to digital finance, and why buying a small fraction of a cryptocurrency can help people learn the crypto space step by step. We also explore how receiving crypto can sometimes be easier than buying it, how wallet addresses function similarly to bank routing and account numbers, and how crypto payments already appear in everyday tools used for shopping, sending money, and paying businesses. Stu Alderoty is President of the National Cryptocurrency Association and Chief Legal Officer at Ripple, where he focuses on advancing clear policy, responsible innovation, and broader public understanding of digital assets. What We Discuss: (00:40) Why Exploring Crypto Does Not Have to Be Complicated (01:51) What a Crypto ETF Is and How It Works (04:00) Why Crypto ETFs Can Be an Easy Entry Point (10:00) What Stablecoins Are and Why They Matter (11:00) Stablecoins for Payments and 24/7 Digital Money (18:52) Buying a Small Amount of Crypto on Major Platforms (20:24) Why You Do Not Need to Buy a Full Coin (28:58) Receiving Crypto Through Wallet Addresses (33:31) How to Set Up a Wallet and Send a Test Transaction (36:23) Using Crypto for Payments, Shopping, and Everyday Transactions (42:17) Optionality: Using Crypto as Both a Tool and a Learning Step   Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
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  21: Crypto Taxes Made Simple with Trish Turner, Crypto Tax Girl | Former IRS 18.03.2026 43m

  Crypto taxes can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear terms like capital gains, 1099 forms, and reporting requirements. The good news is that once you understand the basic rules, crypto taxes become much more manageable. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we sit down with Trish Turner, crypto tax expert and former head of the IRS digital asset division, to unpack how crypto is actually taxed and what that means for everyday holders. We break down when crypto is treated like property, what triggers a taxable event, how the new 1099 DA form works, and which key forms like 8949, Schedule D, and Schedule 1 matter most. We also explore common misconceptions like thinking you only owe taxes when you cash out to dollars, how losses and wash sale rules apply, what happens with NFTs and gifting, and why tracking every move across wallets and exchanges can save you serious stress later. Trish Turner is the founder of Crypto Tax Girl, where she helps individuals and businesses navigate complex digital asset tax situations with clarity, strategy, and practical guidance. What We Discuss: (00:54) Why Stablecoins Are Suddenly Everywhere in the News (02:25) The Washington Debate Over Stablecoin Rewards and the Clarity Act (04:50) Polygon's $250M Bet on Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure (07:30) Why Stablecoins Do Not Automatically Make Global Payments Cheaper (09:50) YouTube Creator Payouts Using PayPal's PYUSD Stablecoin (11:51) Visa Expands Into Stablecoin Infrastructure for Banks and Businesses (13:43) Key Takeaways From This Week's Stablecoin Headlines Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: National Cryptocurrency Association Facebook: National Cryptocurrency Association   Learn more about Trish Turner Website: https://cryptotaxgirl.com Instagram: @cryptotaxgirl  Threads: Crypto Tax Girl Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.  
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  20: Stablecoins in the Headlines: What the Latest News Actually Means 11.03.2026 14m

  Stablecoins are appearing in crypto headlines across policy, payments, and technology. From Washington regulation to global finance infrastructure, new developments are shaping how digital dollars can move through everyday financial systems. In this episode of Crypto, Explained, we break down the biggest stablecoin headlines shaping the conversation right now. We unpack the policy debate around rewards on dollar backed stablecoins and the proposed Clarity Act, the growing tension between banks and crypto companies, and why companies like Polygon, PayPal, YouTube, and Visa are building new payment systems around stablecoins. We also explore how stablecoins are moving into other financial lanes, from creator payouts to cross border payments and payment networks used by millions of people every day. Ali Tager, host of Crypto, Explained and the voice behind the show's plain English approach to crypto education, helps listeners understand the news shaping digital assets so they can feel confident navigating the crypto space. What We Discuss: (00:41) Intro, Why Stablecoins Are Suddenly Everywhere in the News (01:36) The Washington Debate Over Stablecoin Rewards and the Clarity Act (04:50) Polygon's $250M Bet on Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure (07:28) Why Stablecoins Do Not Automatically Make Global Payments Cheaper (09:51) YouTube Creator Payouts Using PayPal's PYUSD Stablecoin (11:52) Visa Expands Into Stablecoin Infrastructure for Banks and Businesses (13:43) Key Takeaways From This Week's Stablecoin Headlines  Learn more about the National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA): Website: https://nca.org X: @natcryptoassoc Instagram: @natcryptoassoc TikTok: @natcryptoassoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natcryptoassoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natcryptoassoc/   Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.