Benjamin Schiller

Ben Schiller is CoinDesk's managing editor for features and opinion. Previously, he was editor-in-chief at BREAKER Magazine and a staff writer at Fast Company. He holds some ETH, BTC and LINK.

Recent

Opinionated

China

Is China Opting Out of Crypto? Feat. Dovey Wan

China is getting serious about banning crypto.The market responded with another downfall starting June 21, Chinese miners are reportedly relocating to other countries, includi...

By Ben Schiller Anna Baydakova Danny Nelson

Jun 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. UTC

Jun 28, 2021

ChinaBlockchainBitcoinMinersPodcastsOpinionated

Facts and Misinformation About ‘Green Bitcoin,’ With Jonathan Koomey

Opinionated

Bitcoin mining

Facts and Misinformation About ‘Green Bitcoin,’ With Jonathan Koomey

How much electricity does bitcoin actually consume? Is it a lot, and compared to what? Is buying carbon offsets a good way to make your bitcoin “green”? Listen as Anna, Ben...

By Ben Schiller Anna Baydakova Danny Nelson

Jun 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. UTC

Jun 21, 2021

Bitcoin MiningCoinDeskBitcoinGreen EnergyBitcoin MinersPodcastsOpinionatedGreen Bitcoin

Ransom and Legal Tender: Bitcoin's Diverging Paths on the Global Stage

Opinionated

Coindesk

Ransom and Legal Tender: Bitcoin's Diverging Paths on the Global Stage

This week, “Opinionated” co-hosts Ben Schiller, Anna Baydakova and Danny Nelson address two recent and opposing news pieces: the ransomware attacks and El Salvador’s decision...

By Ben Schiller Anna Baydakova Danny Nelson

Jun 12, 2021 at 3:53 p.m. UTC

Jun 12, 2021

CoinDeskRansomwareBitcoinRansomDollarOpinionatedEl Salvador

Markets

Cathie wood

Ark’s Cathie Wood Blames Crypto Crash on ‘ESG Movement’

“A lot of institutional buying went on pause” due to concerns about mining’s environmental impact, the influential fund manager said at Consensus 2021.

By Ben Schiller

May 27, 2021 at 11:20 p.m. UTC

May 27, 2021

Cathie WoodConsensus 2021

Markets

Bitcoin

Som Seif: 'Rational' for SEC to Approve Crypto ETFs

The founder of Purpose Investments, one of the first companies to offer bitcoin and ether ETFs in North America, chats ahead of Consensus 21.

By Ben Schiller

May 20, 2021 at 7:44 p.m. UTC

May 20, 2021

BitcoinSecurities and Exchange CommissionEtherOpinionETFsRegulaionConsensus 2021Som Seif

Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Finance

Opinion

Foundry's Mike Colyer on US-China Mining Rivalry and Why Clean Bitcoin 'Makes No Sense'

The New York miner says, "We're seeing a lot of hashrate start to come to the U.S." and many states have friendlier regulations these days.

By Ben Schiller

May 18, 2021 at 10:58 a.m. UTC

May 18, 2021

OpinionFoundryConsensus 2021Mike Colyer

Asset Manager, Once Downgraded, May Soon Lead Rivals Into Crypto

Opinionated

Coindesk

Asset Manager, Once Downgraded, May Soon Lead Rivals Into Crypto

Emerald is an asset manager that previously focused on community banks but, unlike many of its peers, could not stay away from the lucrative business of crypto. This week, “Op...

By Ben Schiller Anna Baydakova Danny Nelson

May 15, 2021 at 2:42 p.m. UTC

May 15, 2021

CoinDeskAsset ManagementCryptoCBDCsOpinionated

Opinionated

China

Do We Really Need CBDCs?

The global race for leadership in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) started with China charging forward with its digital yuan project and all other nations rushing to ca...

By Ben Schiller Anna Baydakova Danny Nelson

May 8, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. UTC

May 8, 2021

ChinaCoinDeskBitcoinAccentureUSACryptoCBDCsDigital DollarOpinionated

Opinionated

Coindesk

The Future of Money Is Bitcoin and CBDCs, Feat. Nik Bhatia

Nik Bhatia, author of the best-selling book Layered Money, explains why Bitcoin will be worth $1 million and why asset managers have a fiduciary duty to invest.

By Ben Schiller Anna Baydakova Danny Nelson

May 1, 2021 at 7:50 p.m. UTC

May 1, 2021

CoinDeskBitcoinOpinionated