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Block Climbing: A crypto and web3 podcast by Finder

Blockchain without the BS

Block Climbing is fortnightly podcast exploring the impacts of crypto and web3 on our lives - from the good, to the bad, to the fungible.

This is a Crypto Bro free zone where beginners, skeptics and everyone in between are welcome to learn, question and have a lol.

Hosted by seasoned journalists Tegan Jones and Tim Bennett, Block Climbing aims to be a trusted source of information that won't try to sell you on a new NFT drop. Promise.


Episode #19: How crypto ETFs really work

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are nothing new in the world of stocks and investing. But they work a little differently when it comes to investing in crypto. So in this episode Finder's investments editor, Kylie Purcell, joins the show to offer an explainer on the different types of crypto ETFs.

Meanwhile, the real estate market in Australia continues to be horrifying. So we're taking the opportunity to see what's going on in the world of digital real estate, such as Decentraland and Earth 2. What is it? How does it work? And can you rent it out?

Sponsored by Koinly - Make Crypto Less Taxing. Koinly is a crypto tax tool with over 700+ integrations across the top crypto exchanges, wallets and blockchains. Koinly generates reports consistent with ATO guidance, incorporating all your crypto trades, staking, airdrops, and NFTs.
Use code FINDERYT22 for 30% off your first tax report! T&Cs apply.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Sponsored by Koinly - Make Crypto Less Taxing. Koinly is a crypto tax tool with over 700+ integrations across the top crypto exchanges, wallets and blockchains. Koinly generates reports consistent with ATO guidance, incorporating all your crypto trades, staking, airdrops, and NFTs.
Use code FINDERYT22 for 30% off your first tax report! T&Cs apply.


Episode #18: Crypto wallets explained

We talk a lot about crypto wallets here at Block Climbing, and we know it can be a little confusing. So in this episode we deep-dive into the different types of crypto wallets and the pros and cons between them.

Meanwhile, Tim buys one of those Reddit NFTs and lives to tell the tale.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #17: How's Australia's crypto regulation going?

Things are heating up in the crypto regulation space here in Australia. The Labor government has spoken up about some of its plans, particularly in relation to token mapping.

So in this episode Tegan and Tim bring in a special expert guest, Lisa Wade - the CEO of DigitalX. Having been in the finance industry for decades, Wade has fantastic insight into the topic and what we may see unfold in the sector in the coming years.

And at the top of the episode we unpack the idea of decentralised identity: a world where you are in control of your data and personal information rather than trusting it with third parties.

Sponsored by Koinly - Make Crypto Less Taxing. Koinly is a crypto tax tool with over 700+ integrations across the top crypto exchanges, wallets and blockchains. Koinly generates reports consistent with ATO guidance, incorporating all your crypto trades, staking, airdrops, and NFTs.
Use code FINDERYT22 for 30% off your first tax report! T&Cs apply.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

Listen on Spotify Image: Supplied Listen on Apple Podcasts Image: SuppliedListen on Google Podcasts Image: Supplied

Sponsored by Koinly - Make Crypto Less Taxing. Koinly is a crypto tax tool with over 700+ integrations across the top crypto exchanges, wallets and blockchains. Koinly generates reports consistent with ATO guidance, incorporating all your crypto trades, staking, airdrops, and NFTs.
Use code FINDERYT22 for 30% off your first tax report! T&Cs apply.


Episode #16: Australian crypto taxes explained:

Crypto taxes are incredibly complicated and because Tegan and Tim aren't experts, they thought it best to bring one in. This week they're joined by Koinly's head of tax, Danny Talwar to delve deeper into how crypto tax works in Australia and to demystify the topic.

It might seem scary, but it doesn't have to be. They look at everything from the difference between investors and traders to what counts as a taxable crypto event. Spoiler alert: unlike fiat currency, paying for goods and services with crypto can be taxable.

We're not tax experts here at Finder, and the information found in this article is no substitute for professional advice. Consider your own situation and circumstances before relying on the information laid out here.

And at the top of the episode they visit the new permanant digital Frida Kahlo exhibition that recently opened up in Decentraland. It includes never-before-seen artworks, correspondence and digital trinkets from Kahlo's life and family. This leads into an interesting discussion around how metaverses can be utilised by museums and art galleries to showcase more of their works.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Sponsored by Koinly - Make Crypto Less Taxing. Koinly is a crypto tax tool with over 700+ integrations across the top crypto exchanges, wallets and blockchains. Koinly generates reports consistent with ATO guidance, incorporating all your crypto trades, staking, airdrops, and NFTs.
Use code FINDERYT22 for 30% off your first tax report! T&Cs apply.


Episode #15: How to make a cryptocurrency

One of the biggest questions people ask about cryptocurrency is how to actually make one. So this week Tegan and Tim delve into the logistics, including the very big difference between making a cryptocurrency and a token. Spoiler alert, they're absolutely not the same thing.

On the news front, the official YouTube account of the South Korean government was hacked recently. Not only that, it was rebranded as SpaceX Invest and filled with fake videos of "Elon Musk" talking about crypto. Meanwhile, crypto scam watchdog Rug Pull Finder (no affiliation to us!) kinda got crypto scammed. Whoops.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #14: The environmental impact of the Ethereum merge

The Ethereum merge chat continues this week with Dr Peter Howson, Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Northumbria University. Dr Howson has a fantastic body of work around the environmental impact of crypto and has some great insights into the merge and beyond.

Elsewhere this week Labor finally had something to say about crypto regulation, and it's starting with token mapping. But what does that actually mean? Meanwhile Adam Neumann (infamous founder of WeWork) is pushing hard into blockchain startups, including a crypto carbon offset play and Goddess Nature Token.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #13: The Ethereum merge explained and why it really matters

After years of promises, Ethereum is finally about to merge in September. It's moving from a proof of work model to proof of stake, which is a huge deal for the crypto community. But what does this actually mean and why is it important?

In this ep we break down the Ethereum merge so it's easy to understand. We dive into proof of work vs proof of stake (and what that means), the new Beacon Chain the network is moving over to and the hopefully positive environmental impact.

We also take a look at the potential cons and misconceptions, like changes to gas fees and how much money you need to be a validator rather than a miner.

Elsewhere in the episode we discuss Tiffany & Co getting into the NFT game and the Sports Chain crypto scam that has been plaguing Sri Lanka.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #12: A short and spicy history of Elon Musk and Bitcoin

Tesla CEO Elon Musk wasn't a super early adopted of cryptocurrency. At least not publicly. But the last couple of year have seen him become one of the biggest crypto influencers in the world. His tweets can and have sent the price of Bitcoin through both the roof and the floor. And his support of Dogecoin saw it go from meme status to having one of the best market caps in the industry.

Musk and Tesla's history with Bitcoin has been short but full of intrigue, backflipping and SEC filings. So in this episode Tegan and Tim take a look at what's happened in this twisted narrative so far.

Elsewhere in the episode they dive into Square Enix releasing Final Fantasy VII NFTs and a Texan heatwave messing with its crypto mining.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #11: The Bitcoin short & BAYC alt-right accusations


Episode #10: The Bitcoin short & BAYC alt-right accusations

The markets may still be bearish but there's still plenty of wild crypto news this week. First up, a new ETF called ProShares is launching that lets you actually short Bitcoin. Too bad it popped up after the market crashed.

Meanwhile, Tegan travels to Hobart for Dark Mofo and checks out an exhibition where the artist minted her own reproductive cell as an NFT. And yes it's absolutely for sale.

Meanwhile, Bored Ape Yacht Club has been accused of Nazi links in their imagery in a YouTube video that us blowing up. But this isn't the first time this has happened. Similar accusations had already been made by artist Ryder Ripps... Who BAYC is also suing for alleged intellectual property infringement.

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Episode #9: Zero degrees Celsius

The crypto market continues to be a flaming hot pile of garbage! While token prices continue to plummet, large boi CeFi platform Celsius has paused transactions on its network. This means that, at least for now, 1.7 million customers are left sitting on their hands.

But on the flip side, the downturn of the market is leading to some Bitcoin miners peacing out, which is a good thing for the environment.

And in some wholesome news, old mate Seth Green has been reunited with his Bored Ape, after it was phished from his account.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #8: Is the crypto bear market actually bad?

The past few weeks have seen crypto markets plummet across the board. So in this episode Tim and Tegan take a look and what kicked off this bear market. Spoiler alert - it's not just Terra and Luna. Some Finder experts also jump on board to offer their insights on what it all means and what the future might have in store.

But it wouldn't be an episode of Blocking Climbing without a lol story to kick off with. And this time around it's all about Seth Green's Bored Ape being stolen right before it debuted in its own TV show.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #7: Madonna's spicy NFTs


Episode #6: A short history of meme coins

The world of crypto is rife with meme coins, and a few have even made it big. But where did meme coins come from and why? It all goes back to Dogecoin and unsurprisingly involves Elon Musk.

Elsewhere in the episode Tegan and Tim debate over reports that NFT markets are collapsing and provide an update on the massive 2022 North Korean crypto hack.

Tegan also gets upset when she discovers that the NFT500 and NFT Blue Chips are very real things.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #5: North Korean crypto hacks and the Venezuelan Petro explained

If you thought that cryptocurrency was designed to be decentralised, you'd be absolutely right. At least, that was the original aim. But that didn't stop Venezuela from trying to solve its severe economic troubles and creating its own coin called the Petro.

In this episode, Tegan and Tim deep dive into the Petro, the dictatorial government that drove it and the ironically anti-government coder behind it all. Strap yourself in for a wild ride.

They also chat about Universal launching a Bored Ape NFT band (yes you read that correctly) and the allegedly state-funded North Korean crypto hackers.

Or you can go ahead and listen on your favourite podcast app of choice:

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Episode #4: WTF is Web3?

The term 'Web3' is being thrown around a lot lately - but what actually is it?

In this episode of Block Climbing, Tegan and Tim take a look at how Web3 aims to differ from previous generations of the internet. This includes people's somewhat Utopian hopes for it, the problems it could solve and the big issues its facing. But perhaps the reality of Web3 will be found somewhere in the middle.

Elsewhere in the episode they take a look at privacy coins and set sail on OpenSea to dig into NFTs that allegedly contain coordinates to stolen Russian tanks in Ukraine.

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Episode #3: Yes crypto tax is a thing in Australia

Crypto tax sure is a real thing in Australia. So in this episode Tegan and Tim take the time to explore its complexities, especially the parts that seem to be contradictions.

So if you're someone that has or is thinking about buying cryptocurrency in Australia, you might want to have a listen so you know what to look out for.

Meanwhile, Yuga Labs (the team behind Bored Ape Yacht Club) creates a new utility token called ApeCoin and a Satoshi Island in Vanuatu is being positioned as a crypto paradise in the making.

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Episode #2: NFTs aren't what you think they are

If you've been anywhere near the internet over the past few months, you probably haven't been able to escape the NFT discourse. And we're very sorry about that.

But here's the thing. Most people are wrong about what they are and what they actually own when they drop fat stacks on one.

So this week, Tegan & Tim tear popular NFT views apart while also offering a fresh perspective on what the technology could offer the world beyond apes and MS Paint job art.

Elsewhere in the episode, they look at Joe Biden's cryptocurrency executive order, Australian crypto regulation and LimeWire (yes, the pirating site) rebranding as an NFT marketplace.

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Episode #1: Ukrainian crypto scams & blockchain true crime

What a week to launch a crypto podcast! In the inaugural episode of Block Climbing, Tegan and Tim talk about the impact crypto has had on Russia's invasion of Ukraine - from helping Russian oligarchs to get around sanctions to allowing Ukrainian citizens to access critical supplies.

But this week has also seen plenty of war-related crypto scams pop up. So we deep dive on how to spot one and what you can do to protect your coins.

And if you're after something a little spicy, Tegan also tells the story of how the blockchain was used to solve a crime...

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Credits

This podcast is powered by Finder. Follow Tegan and Tim on Twitter.

Tegan Jones's headshot
Written by

Editor

Tegan Jones is the global reviews editor at Finder and the host of our crypto and Web3 podcast, Block Climbing. An award winning journalist, she has been reporting on consumer tech, gaming and telecommunications for the past 10 years. She won best reviewer and best consumer tech coverage in the 2021 IT Journalism Awards. She regularly appears on ABC News, A Current Affair, The Project, Triple J and other mainstream media channels as an expert tech commentator. Her previous roles include editor and deputy editor of Gizmodo Australia, as well as commercial editor of Business Insider, Lifehacker, Kotaku and Gizmodo Australia. She is also the co-host of one of the top technology podcasts in Australia, Queens of the Drone Age. See full bio

Tim Bennett's headshot
Co-written by

Insurance expert

Tim Bennett is a Finder insurance & utilities expert. For over 10 years he's reported on news, politics, finance and other topics as a journalist and radio presenter. Tim's roles have included radio news reader and breakfast at the ABC, news producer for SBS and producer for Fairfax Media. Tim regularly appears as a health insurance expert on programs like Sunrise and SBS news, as well as in the Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. See full bio

Tim's expertise
Tim has written 118 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Financial comparison
  • Health insurance
  • General insurance
  • Life insurance
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