241 - Can Bitcoin Buy You A Home?

Welcome back to Crypto Curious. Joining us in the studio this week is a very special guest, James Coombes, Chief Commercial Officer at Block Earner. James has helped lead one of Australia's biggest crypto success stories, with Block Earner launching Bitcoin-backed home loans, securing its Australian Credit Licence and taking home the 2026 Finnies Award for Excellence in Consumer Lending.

👉🏽 On the show today, we start by going behind the scenes at Block Earner to explore how Bitcoin-backed home loans actually work, what they've learnt navigating Australia's regulatory landscape, and why more Australians are choosing to put their crypto to work rather than sell it.

👉🏽 Then we unpack a rare moment of humility in crypto, as the creator of Coinbase's Base network publicly admits he got a major strategy wrong, before handing the reins to one of the industry's most respected and influential voices, Cobie.

👉🏽 And finally, remember Robinhood's new blockchain we spoke about last week? Well, the memecoin frenzy has already descended into fake wallet leaks, rug pulls and a spectacular collapse that raises some uncomfortable questions about where the industry still has work to do.

It's a fascinating conversation that spans everything from regulated lending to crypto culture, and where this industry is really heading next.

Let’s get into it 🚀

TIMESTAMPS

1:46 Block Earner turns 5!

5:38 Will CGT changes incentivise more people to borrow against their crypto?

7:00 Jesse Pollak falls short...and admits it publicly!

12:12 Robinhood's cash cat?? What?

16:00 Short, sharp news bites