David Z. Morris

David Z. Morris is CoinDesk's Chief Insights Columnist. He has written about crypto since 2013 for outlets including Fortune, Slate, and Aeon. He is the author of "Bitcoin is Magic," an introduction to Bitcoin's social dynamics. He is a former academic sociologist of technology with a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Iowa. He holds Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and small amounts of other crypto assets.

Recent

After Silicon Valley Bank's Failure, Regional Banks Face Greater Scrutiny (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Consensus Magazine

Opinion

The Reality Behind the Crypto Banking Crackdown: ‘Operation Choke Point 2.0’ Is Here

Banking enforcement targeting legal crypto businesses appears to violate the FDIC's mandate. It may also be amplifying financial contagion.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 22, 2023 at 5:23 p.m. UTC

Mar 22, 2023

OpinionFDICBanking RegulationOperation choke pointRegulation

The Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C. (Helene Braun/CoinDesk)

Consensus Magazine

Opinion

Does Bitcoin’s Rally Vindicate the ‘Inflation Hedge’ Thesis – or Is Risk Back on the Menu?

Two views on why bitcoin's price rose by so much this month amid bank runs and uncertainty on whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 21, 2023 at 4:33 p.m. UTC

Mar 21, 2023

OpinionBitcoinInflationinflation hedgeFederal ReserveFOMC

Crypto Crooks

Podcast

Lunacy Episode 4: Our Twisted Hero

In the season finale, we look at the man behind the curtain – and tease out just how many crimes he committed.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. UTC

Mar 21, 2023

PodcastDo KwonTerra

Consensus Magazine

Opinion

The Truth About Artificial Intelligence and Creativity

Artificial intelligence allows creators to be creative, but even sophisticated AIs are really just an advanced form of copying, says David Z. Morris. This feature is part of CoinDesk's Culture Week.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 17, 2023 at 7:41 p.m. UTC

Mar 17, 2023

OpinionAIArtcopyright infringement

Sam Bankman-Fried leaving court on February 16, 2023 (Liz Napolitano/CoinDesk)

Consensus Magazine

Opinion

How Effective Altruism Power Brokers Helped Make Sam Bankman-Fried

Academic philosophers covered for Sam Bankman-Fried’s moral failings as long ago as 2018 – and reaped the rewards.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. UTC

Mar 17, 2023

OpinionSam Bankman-FriedFTXPhilosophy

Consensus Magazine

Opinion

NBA vs NFL: What Dapper Labs’ Big-League Collectibles Say About Launching NFTs for Sports

Dapper’s NBA Top Shot experienced a wild price bubble during the NFT boom. The followup NFL All Day collection has had a more modest rollout - and collectors think that's good news.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 17, 2023 at 2:54 p.m. UTC

Mar 17, 2023

OpinionNFTsDapper LabsNBA Top ShotNFL All Day

Fed Chair Powell Testifies Before The House Committee On Financial Services

Consensus Magazine

Opinion

Don’t Get Your Hopes Up: SVB's Demise Won't Bring Interest Rates Down

The Federal Reserve’s new Bank Term Funding Program is a backstop for banks, and a license to let interest rates rip.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 15, 2023 at 4:33 p.m. UTC

Mar 15, 2023

OpinionSilicon valley bankSilvergate BankFederal Reserve

Crypto Crooks

Podcast

Lunacy Episode 3: Legends of the Fall

This week we delve into the underlying mechanisms of terraUSD and how they incentivized experienced investors to drive the stablecoin into a death spiral.

By David Z. Morris

Mar 14, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. UTC

Mar 14, 2023

Podcast