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- Bitcoin Breaks $103K, CryptoPunks Sold for $20M & Coinbase Joins S&P 500
Bitcoin Breaks $103K, CryptoPunks Sold for $20M & Coinbase Joins S&P 500
CwC Weekly
May 16, 2025
Daily Recaps
DeGods' Leadership Collapse
Kaito's Creator Rewards Success
CryptoPunks IP Sale
AI Sports Betting Evolution
Doodles' DreamNet Platform
Watch & Listen Now: This week highlighted both failures and innovations in Web3 leadership as we discussed DeGods' dramatic fall from grace, Yuga Labs' $20M CryptoPunks IP sale, Kaito's creator-focused rewards model, and Doodles' AI-driven storytelling platform. We explored how AI is transforming sports betting, examined Bitcoin's surge amid U.S.-China tariff negotiations, and analyzed why Web3 token launches continue to disappoint despite the sector's maturation.
☕️ Brewing This Week
📰 Monday
Source: NFT Now
DeGods' Fall from Grace + Bitcoin Soars Amid Tariff Truce
Frank’s decision to step down as CEO of DeGods prompted an intense conversation about leadership failures, broken promises, and the pitfalls of hype-driven strategy in Web3. Cap, Steve, and community member Jack broke down the project’s decline across multiple chains and tokens, drawing sharp contrasts with brand-first approaches like VeeFriends. The episode also spotlighted Bitcoin’s surge past $103K, a 90-day U.S.-China tariff pause, and MicroStrategy’s latest $1.34B BTC buy, signaling renewed institutional confidence.
💡 Tuesday
Kaito Proves Its Value for Creators + Coinbase Joins S&P 500
Kaito continues to validate its creator-focused model as Phunky shares he earned $6,400 in a single month through Polkadot’s rewards system. Cap and Steve dig into how yap-to-earn is shifting Web3 content economics while Flow quietly gains developer momentum and Blast fades post-launch. Coinbase’s addition to the S&P 500 marks a major milestone for crypto’s place in the U.S. economy. The Beezie-powered Clawfee with Captain segment returns with a sleek new interface as community members try their luck at collectible pulls.
🔗 Wednesday
Yuga Labs Sells CryptoPunks IP + Ethos NFT Drop Controversy
Yuga Labs has sold the CryptoPunks IP for $20 million, and Cap and Steve dive into what this means for the future of legacy NFT brands. They unpack why the sale may actually help both Yuga and Punks evolve separately, while reflecting on the broader shift in Yuga’s strategic focus. The second half of the episode turns to controversy, as Ethos draws backlash for its validator NFT drop that left many active users empty-handed. The crew also explores how Pudgy Penguins' Big Pudgy NFTs are changing the XP game on Abstract, possibly signaling the next wave of Web3 incentives.
🤖 Thursday
AI Sports Bettors Are Getting Smarter + Web3 Token Trust Falls
Special Guests:
Bunchu - AI Expert and CEO of Billy Bets: https://x.com/BunchuBets
Clutch Markets: https://x.com/ClutchMarkets
Coffee with Captain hit episode 900 with a no-holds-barred breakdown of why so many Web3 token launches continue to disappoint. Cap questions the lack of planning, weak execution, and misplaced incentives behind most TGEs, while reflecting on how alignment between founders and users was stronger in 2021 than it is today. The conversation also spotlights Clutch's upcoming parlay betting app on ApeChain and highlights which builders are still delivering real value.
In the second half, Bunchu returns for the AI with Bunchu segment and shares how Billy, the show's resident sports-betting AI agent, is evolving fast. Billy correctly adjusted his Kentucky Derby picks based on real-time weather data and is now being trained to generate content and even host a podcast. The crew explores how tools like Eleven Labs and ChatGPT’s voice and vision modes are pushing AI from novelty to utility in everyday life.
🥳 Friday
Source: Doodles on X
Doodles Explains $DOOD and DreamNet + Coinbase Breach Raises Security Concerns
Special Guests:
Greenie - Product at Doodles: https://x.com/greenie_sr
Squinch - Product at Doodles: https://x.com/SQU1NCH
Pawkey - Community Manager at Doodles: https://x.com/zkpawky
Cap and Steve kick off the episode by digging into Coinbase’s latest security breach and discuss how doxxing risks increase when real-world identities are linked to onchain wallets. Later, the Doodles product team joins for a deep dive into DreamNet, an AI-driven platform designed to decentralize storytelling through user-created characters and lore. With $DOOD now live and DreamNet entering alpha this summer, the team explains how this tool could reshape IP creation in Web3. Other updates include merch drops, Lore expansion through “Lord of the Files,” and Beezie’s latest claw machine upgrades.
🎓 Quick Take For Newcomers
Balancing Risk and Research: While exploring Web3, prioritize diversification and established projects over chasing hype. Research team backgrounds, tokenomics, and actual utility before investing. Join community channels to gauge sentiment, but maintain healthy skepticism. Develop your own research framework that balances optimism with critical thinking. Start with small allocations and gradually increase your involvement as you gain confidence and experience in the space.
📺 Weekly YouTube Highlights
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Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend everybody!
DISCLAIMER: This newsletter contains information presented solely for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial or investment advice. Any investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Please be aware that I may own several digital assets discussed in this publication.