Alts Innovators: Joseph Kelly on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

After a year that put digital assets back in the headlines, long-term Bitcoin adoption is quietly compounding beneath the noise. Unchained reports helping “many thousands” of clients secure roughly $12B in Bitcoin via collaborative custody, while on-chain “HODL waves” data shows that ~60% of all Bitcoin typically hasn’t moved in a year or more, signaling growing conviction among holders. For family offices, entrepreneurs, and advisors navigating the alternative asset landscape, that combination of institutional-grade controls and patient capital is reshaping how Bitcoin is owned and used.

So the big question becomes: If Bitcoin is maturing as a monetary asset, what does “responsible” Bitcoin finance actually look like—and who will build it?

On this first episode of our four-part mini-series on the alternative asset market, Tuesdays with Morrisey host Adam Morrisey welcomes Joseph Kelly, Co-founder and CEO of Unchained, to explore Bitcoin’s evolution from tech curiosity to durable balance-sheet asset. In this episode, they discuss the founding story of Unchained, cryptocurrency as an alternative asset class, and emerging practical applications of blockchain technology. Their conversation also covers the market cycles that shaped Unchained’s strategy, why collaborative custody redefines the risk equation, and how real-world applications—like payments, lending, and estate planning—are being built on Bitcoin’s unique foundation.

Key takeaways from the episode…

1. Amidst the noise of rises and falls, meme-coins and YOLO bets, it’s an overlooked fact that roughly 60% of Bitcoin is held by people or businesses that have never sold more than 25% of their portfolio.

2. Joe Kelly and his co-founders at Unchained saw an opportunity in 2016 to launch a financial services company to serve long-term holders of Bitcoin, growing to help thousands of clients secure over $12B of assets.

3. The underlying technology of Bitcoin and Blockchain is strong. However, despite its promise, it is still relatively untested in terms of practical application and largely remains a store of value, considered by many to be an essential part of a balanced financial portfolio.

4. The future for Bitcoin is unclear, but many believe it will rise to more commonplace relevance in an increasingly digital, interconnected and global world as massive investments in stablecoins and other applications take center stage.

The episode also covers…

• Joseph’s path from tech entrepreneur to Bitcoin builder

• Lessons learned living aboard a sailboat with his family

• Founding Unchained in 2016 and early challenges

• The philosophy behind collaborative custody

• Why lending against Bitcoin matters for long-term holders

• Building advisory, IRA, and inheritance planning tools

• The role of lightning, stablecoins, and emerging layer-2s

• Why education and usability are key to mass adoption

• Trust, reputation, and long-term positioning in financial services

Joseph Kelly is the Co-founder and CEO of Unchained, a Bitcoin-focused financial services and technology firm known for collaborative custody. A second-time founder who previously built and exited an enterprise data company, Kelly blends technical rigor with conservative risk management. Under his leadership, Unchained has scaled to secure billions in client Bitcoin, offer dollar lending against BTC collateral, deliver IRA and advisory services, and launch a trust company for advanced estate needs.