Hey everyone, welcome back to Crypto Dugout! I’m Katie Randall, and I’m here with my co-host, the one and only Crypto-Dan. Dan, you ready for some clutch plays and crypto moves today?Always, Katie. I mean, after that LSU–Coastal Carolina Game 1, how could you not be fired up? A 1-0 shutout in the College World Series finals—Kade Anderson was just lights out. Ten strikeouts, complete game, and against a team on a 26-game win streak? That’s wild.Yeah, Coastal Carolina was basically untouchable all season, and then LSU just comes in and says, “Nope, not today.” I gotta say, as a former pitcher, watching Anderson work under that kind of pressure—every pitch, every inning, knowing one mistake could end it? That’s the stuff you dream about and have nightmares about at the same time.You know, I always think about how much mental toughness it takes. Like, you’re not just facing hitters, you’re facing the weight of the moment. And then you’ve got the drama—Arkansas’ error in the semis, that was brutal. Charles Davalan’s miscue basically handed LSU the ticket to the finals.Oh, totally. And then you’ve got Murray State, the Cinderella story. First-ever appearance, and they just kept finding ways to win. I love seeing those underdog runs. Reminds me of, what was it, Murray State’s basketball run a few years back? I always mix up the years, but you get what I mean.Yeah, it’s that March Madness energy, but on the diamond. And speaking of energy, did you see the social media buzz after Game 1? Livvy Dunne’s comment—she’s dating Paul Skenes, right?—just blew up online. It’s wild how much off-field stuff can go viral and add to the whole spectacle.It’s like, the game’s not just on the field anymore. You’ve got fans, influencers, everyone chiming in. I mean, I love it, but sometimes I’m like, “Can we just talk about the pitching duel?” But hey, it’s all part of the show now.And honestly, that’s what makes the College World Series so fun. You get the high-stakes games, the behind-the-scenes drama, and then the viral moments that just take on a life of their own. It’s like, every year there’s something new. And, uh, speaking of high stakes, let’s talk about Texas making some moves off the field—like, way off the field.Here's a little public service announcement. When we discuss cryptocurrency, we are not providing financial advice. We are not financial advisors, so please do your own research before investing in anything! I hope that we made that clear. So, Texas just became the first state to set up a state-run Bitcoin reserve. I mean, they’re literally putting public funds into Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation. That’s Senate Bill 21, right? And House Bill 4488 keeps it separate from the general fund, so it’s not just gonna get swept away if the budget changes.Yeah, and only assets with a market cap over $500 billion are allowed, which basically means it’s just Bitcoin for now. I think it’s fascinating—Texas is treating BTC as a long-term strategic asset. They’ve got an advisory committee, regular reports, the whole deal. It’s not just a headline, it’s a real commitment.It’s wild to think about how far we’ve come. I remember, like, six years ago, people laughed at the idea of companies putting Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Now you’ve got states doing it. And it’s not just Texas—Arizona and New Hampshire have laws, but Texas is the first to actually commit public money and set up a separate structure.And it’s not just about buying Bitcoin, either. The reserve can grow through airdrops, forks, even donations. They’re really thinking about this as a dynamic asset, not just something you buy and forget. I mean, I’m not saying every state should jump in, but it’s a bold move.Yeah, and it’s not just states. Public companies are still piling in. I saw Nakamoto Holdings just raised over $50 million to buy more BTC, and The Blockchain Group in Paris added another 182 Bitcoin. It’s like, the dominoes keep falling. And, you know, we talked about institutional adoption in previous episodes—this is that next level.Exactly. And I think it’s gonna force other states and maybe even the federal government to rethink how they approach digital assets. Like, if Texas is reporting on their Bitcoin holdings every two years, that’s a level of transparency you don’t always see. It’s almost like a playbook for others to follow—or at least watch closely.And, I mean, with Bitcoin still trading around $100,000, give or take, there’s a lot of debate about where it goes next. Some folks are calling for $114K, others think it could dip below $100K. But the fact that big players are still buying, even with all the volatility, says something about the long-term view.Yeah, and it’s not just about price. It’s about resilience, right? Texas is basically saying, “We want to be ready for whatever comes next.” That’s a mindset you see in sports, too—always preparing for the next inning, the next game. Speaking of next moves, there’s a whole new play happening in DeFi, and it’s coming straight to your phone.So, TAC just raised $11.5 million to bring DeFi to Telegram’s billion-plus users. They’re building a blockchain that lets Ethereum dApps run inside the Telegram and TON ecosystem. That’s a massive audience, and they’re already working with big DeFi names like Curve and Morpho.Yeah, and they’re not just talking about it—they’ve got over $700 million locked up in their “Summoning” campaign before the mainnet even launches. That’s a ton of liquidity ready to go. And with these Mini Apps, you can use DeFi protocols right inside Telegram. It’s like, DeFi for the masses, not just the crypto diehards.It’s kind of like building a sports dynasty, honestly. You need the right players—here, it’s the protocols like Curve and Morpho. You need the fans, which is Telegram’s user base. And you need a game plan, which is what TAC’s phased rollout is all about. You can’t just show up and expect to win; you’ve gotta build the foundation first.And the timing is interesting, too. We’ve seen in past episodes how institutional money is flowing into crypto, and now you’ve got this push to make DeFi accessible to everyday users. It’s like, the lines between pro-level and grassroots are blurring—just like in sports, where you see college stars making the leap to the big leagues.Yeah, and with all these protocols building Mini Apps, it’s not just about trading or yield farming anymore. It’s about making financial tools available to people who might not even know what DeFi is. That’s how you get real adoption—meet people where they already are.Exactly. And, you know, we’ve talked about how both sports and crypto are about adapting to new challenges. Whether it’s a pitcher facing a hot lineup or a protocol launching in a new ecosystem, it’s all about execution under pressure. TAC’s got a shot to change the game, but we’ll have to see if they can deliver when it counts.Alright, that’s gonna do it for this episode of Crypto Dugout. We covered some clutch plays on the field and some bold moves in the crypto world. Dan, always a pleasure breaking it down with you.Same here, Katie. Can’t wait to see what happens next—on the diamond and on the blockchain. Thanks for tuning in, everyone. We’ll catch you next time!See ya, folks! Stay clutch, and keep your eyes on the next big play—whether it’s in the dugout or the DeFi world. Bye!

Episodes

Clutch Plays and Crypto Moves