ZachXBT says a suspected heist hit a victim in the EU for more than $106 million, and he's highly confident Lazarus Group wasn't behind it.
https://t.co/JuNlt9q7CM
Unchained
Crypto journalism site and podcast network founded by former Forbes editor Laura Shin
4.2/ 5
Our score
Very good
Format
NewsPodcastNewsletter
Coverage
BitcoinEthereumDeFiRegulation+3
Access
Free
Languages
English
Newsletter
Yes
Publishing frequency
Daily
What is Unchained?
Unchained is an independent crypto news publication and audio network established in 2016. It focuses on investigative reporting, technical post-mortems, regulatory developments, and market mechanics without hype or token promotional content.
Ownership and leadership
The publication is owned and operated by Laura Shin Media LLC. Founder Laura Shin serves as host and editorial lead. Shin previously worked as a senior editor at Forbes, where she became one of the first mainstream journalists to cover digital assets full-time, and authored The Cryptopians in 2022.
Editorial coverage and formats
Unchained distributes free editorial material across written articles, email newsletters, and multiple weekly podcast shows. Regular podcasts include the flagship Unchained interview show, The Chopping Block panel series, and Uneasy Money, which examines protocol security and supply-chain vulnerabilities with co-host Taylor Monahan. The Unchained Daily newsletter delivers weekday morning digests featuring curated reads and technical breakdowns.
Monetization and pricing
All core reporting and podcast episodes are free to access without subscription paywalls. Unchained monetizes primarily through commercial advertising and corporate sponsorships. This includes dedicated classified placements starting from $500, podcast sponsor segments, and third-party press release syndication powered by wire networks like Chainwire.
Reach and track record
Across its podcasts and video channels on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, Unchained has accumulated 30 million downloads and views as of October 2026. The Unchained Daily newsletter counts more than 20,000 subscribers. Notable reporting includes detailed post-mortems of major security breaches, such as the Drift Protocol compromise and hardware wallet supply-chain implants.
Risks and editorial trade-offs
Unchained runs third-party paid press releases and sponsored segment advertisements, which carries the typical risk of commercial messaging appearing near independent editorial reporting. The outlet does not offer terminal-style data tooling or proprietary onchain analytics, focusing instead on narrative journalism, executive interviews, and audio discussions.
Founders
Laura ShinFounder & Host
Former senior editor at Forbes and author of The Cryptopians.
Best for:Readers tracking crypto policy and securityLong-form podcast listenersProfessionals wanting hype-free market reporting
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free access to all news articles, daily newsletters, and podcast feeds
- Led by experienced financial journalist and author Laura Shin
- Over 30 million lifetime podcast downloads and video views
- Regular coverage of technical security vulnerabilities and forensic post-mortems
Cons
- Hosts commercial wire press releases that readers must distinguish from independent news
- No proprietary market data terminal or live onchain metrics tooling
- Podcast ad reads and sponsored classifieds run throughout shows and newsletters
Our review
4.2/5
Very good
Unchained provides respected, independent crypto journalism and in-depth podcasts from veteran reporter Laura Shin, though its focus favors narrative and policy over real-time market data.
Unchained is an independent crypto news outlet and podcast network operated by Laura Shin Media LLC. Founded in 2016 by Laura Shin, a former senior editor at Forbes and author of The Cryptopians, the outlet has grown from a solo podcast into a full digital newsroom. Its coverage spans blockchain technology, decentralized finance, crypto legal battles, and regulatory policy.
The outlet differs from conventional crypto outlets by emphasizing technical depth and rigorous interview formats. Shows like The Chopping Block and Uneasy Money (co-hosted by Taylor Monahan) offer analytical post-mortems on major security exploits and code vulnerabilities. Editorial articles run alongside podcasts, delivering timely reporting on CFTC enforcement actions and ETF filings without hype.
Content across the site, including audio shows and the daily newsletter reaching over 20,000 subscribers, is free to access. Revenue relies on sponsorships and classified advertisements. The site hosts third-party press releases via Chainwire, which are separated under their own heading to prevent native editorial confusion. However, sponsored classifieds run directly inside newsletters and podcast segments.
Unchained suits investors and developers seeking grounded analysis and primary-source interviews. Active day traders looking for live order books or token screeners will need dedicated analytical terminals instead.
Specs
| Format | News, Podcast, Newsletter |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, Regulation, Business, Tech, NFTs · unverified |
| Access | Free · unverified |
| Languages | English · unverified |
| Newsletter | Yes |
| Podcast | Yes |
| Publishing frequency | Daily · unverified |
| Owned by | Laura Shin Media LLC · unverified |
| Labels sponsored content | Yes · unverified |
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Unchained interview podcast
Hosts long-form interviews with protocol developers, founders, and security researchers across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
The chopping block
Delivers weekly roundtable discussions debating technical moats, market structure, and recent crypto controversies.
Uneasy Money audio series
Focuses on supply chain exploits, hardware vulnerabilities, and practical wallet security with co-host Taylor Monahan.
Unchained Daily newsletter
Delivers breaking headlines, regulatory filings, curated articles, and market recaps to over 20,000 subscribers every weekday morning.
Self-serve classified advertising
Allows crypto businesses to book text ads in newsletters and podcast outro slots online starting at $500.
Wire press release syndication
Hosts partner press releases from networks such as Chainwire in a dedicated section separate from main news.
Inside Unchained
News
Daily reporting and written analysis covering cryptocurrency regulation, legal filings, institutional adoption, and security incidents.
Podcasts
The media network's audio and video roster, including the flagship Unchained interview show, The Chopping Block, and Uneasy Money.
Unchained Daily
A free morning newsletter that delivers top crypto headlines, podcast episode links, market updates, and recommended reads.
Press Releases
A wire section featuring syndicated company announcements and sponsored commercial updates from external networks like Chainwire.
Unchained screenshots
What users say about Unchained
Unchained is primarily referenced across discussions as a source for news reporting, podcast interviews, and regulatory coverage.
Based on 38 Reddit posts and comments from the last 12 months, checked Oct 20, 2026. These are posts by users on other sites, not reviews submitted on CryptoReview.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Unchained? Share your experience below.
FAQ
Who founded Unchained?
Unchained was founded in 2016 by Laura Shin, a former Forbes senior editor and author of The Cryptopians.
How much does Unchained cost?
Unchained is free to read and listen to, with no paywall on its news articles, podcasts, or daily email newsletter.
Who owns Unchained?
Unchained is owned and operated independently by Laura Shin Media LLC.
Does Unchained have its own crypto token?
No, Unchained is an editorial media publication and does not issue or operate a cryptocurrency token.
Where can you listen to Unchained podcasts?
Episodes stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and directly on the unchainedcrypto.com website.
Latest from Unchained on X
Onchain investigator ZachXBT says the actor behind a suspected $106 million theft from an EU entity has been converting funds to Monero through Wagyu and moving them via instant exchanges including Kyrrex and WellWallet.
https://t.co/JuNlt9q7CM
https://t.co/JuNlt9q7CM
Roughly $3B frozen within hours. Another $2.4B in ETH and BTC beyond anyone's reach. @laurashin asks @tanuki42_ and @pablosabbatella whether the industry can actually beat North Korea at this game.
Mon 3pm ET
Join us live on our platform: X - https://t.co/MVfPvjb0Gr https://t.co/0M3cw22enq
Mon 3pm ET
Join us live on our platform: X - https://t.co/MVfPvjb0Gr https://t.co/0M3cw22enq
Strive's 8-K shows it paid roughly $80,526 a coin for 124 BTC in the week to Oct. 30, taking its treasury to 43,124 BTC. A week earlier it added 6,182 BTC.
https://t.co/KhXjJ2MMz5
https://t.co/KhXjJ2MMz5
BREAKING: Trade[xyz], which runs stock and commodity perps on Hyperliquid, says it found unauthorized activity on its GitBook docs Monday morning and is telling users not to click any links in them while it investigates.
https://t.co/QV221oRbD0
https://t.co/QV221oRbD0
Recent public posts from @Unchained_pod, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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