Rate-Hike Fears, AI's Pull on Miners & Crypto's Capitulation

This episode was recorded live via X Spaces - audio quality varies in places.Recorded June 4, 2026, the latest CF Benchmarks live X Space finds Head of Research Gabe Selby, CFA joined by Research Analyst Mark Pilipczuk, Kraken Chief Economist Thomas Perfumo, CFA, and CF Benchmarks Product Manager Jen Wang, with special guest John Todaro, Managing Director of crypto and AI/HPC equity research at Needham.With Bitcoin near $63,500 after thirteen straight days of ETF outflows, the panel works through what a tightening capital markets backdrop, renewed rate-hike risk, and an unresolved US-Iran oil shock mean for digital assets. The conversation turns to why public Bitcoin miners are racing to become AI infrastructure landlords, how MicroStrategy and the new wave of treasury companies are faring under pressure, and where genuine fundamentals are still separating the winners from the noise.00:00 – Intro & Team Welcome 01:09 – Meet the Guest: Needham's John Todaro02:48 – Data Check: Bitcoin Near $63.5K as the BVX Spikes04:23 – Are Fed Rate Hikes Back on the Table?06:50 – Looking Through the Oil Shock: The Hormuz Premium08:25 – How Rates Hit Crypto Equities vs. AI Infrastructure11:37 – Is Bitcoin Mining a Dying Business?14:11 – Supply Constraints: GPUs, IREN–Nvidia & the Power Bottleneck18:10 – Public vs. Private Miners: The Great HPC Bifurcation22:47 – MicroStrategy's First BTC Sale Since 2022 & the Capital Markets Squeeze27:39 – Why Institutions Want Operating Cash Flows, Not Just Treasuries30:36 – BitMine's 9.5% Preferred: Does Staking Yield Change the DAT Math?33:14 – Crypto's Strangest Chart: Hyperliquid, Its ETF & "Fundamentals Not Vibes"36:29 – The Echo Chamber: Is This Really Capitulation?38:27 – Bitcoin's Technical Setup & the $59–60K Demand Zone41:19 – HYPE Joins the CF Capitalization Series (Jen Wang)42:58 – Reading the Vol Surface: Where the Protection Bid Sits44:48 – CME BVX Futures Go Live: A Hedging Playbook & the ETN Pipeline49:58 – Week Ahead: Clarity Act, ERCOT, FOMC & Friday Payrolls56:16 – Closing RemarksThe information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell any of the underlying instruments cited including but not limited to cryptoassets, financial instruments or any instruments that reference any index provided by CF Benchmarks Ltd. This communication is not intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. Please contact your financial adviser or professional before making an investment decision.Note: Some of the underlying instruments cited within this material may be restricted to certain customer categories in certain jurisdictions.