At the Reporters Roundtable, Zac Guzman - founder of Coinage and former journalist at Yahoo Finance and CNBC - shared a candid look into the realities of reporting in the crypto space. From headline mistakes to evolving market sentiment, his perspective highlights a quieter but important shift in how stories are being told.

The Headline Mistake That Stuck

For Zach, one of the biggest lessons came from a story that went viral for the wrong reasons. What was meant to be a nuanced take on tipping culture ended up being interpreted - largely due to the headline - as an argument against tipping altogether. The backlash was immediate and intense.

The takeaway is simple but often overlooked: most people read headlines, not full articles. That makes headlines one of the most powerful - and risky - parts of journalism. For reporters, pushing back against misleading or overly click-driven headlines isn’t just editorial preference; it’s a responsibility.

Why Nuance Still Wins (At Least at Coinage)

While much of crypto media is driven by speed and clicks, Zach takes a different stance. At Coinage, the focus is on nuance - connecting dots rather than just reporting them.

He points to their early coverage of the Terra collapse and interviews with Do Kwon as examples of this approach. Instead of chasing headlines alone, the goal is to help audiences understand patterns, trends, and the bigger picture.

In a space flooded with rapid updates, that deeper context can be what actually builds trust.

Market Sentiment: Cautious, Then Bullish

Zach’s outlook on the market reflects a measured approach. Earlier in the year, after hearing bearish perspectives, his team adjusted their positions and reduced exposure. But as the market appears to stabilize, sentiment is shifting back toward optimism.

What’s driving that confidence?
A continued belief in tokenization.

Whether it’s media platforms, financial assets, or broader applications being explored by Wall Street, tokenization is gaining traction. For Zach, it’s not just about the concept - it’s about where it delivers real value.

What PR Gets Wrong (and How to Fix It)

When it comes to working with PR professionals, Zach highlights two recurring issues.

First, embargoes. Too often, they’re assumed rather than agreed upon. That lack of clarity can create friction before a conversation even starts.

Second, and more importantly, is the quality of the story itself. Many pitches focus on “crypto for crypto’s sake” - tokenization or blockchain integration without a clear benefit to the end user.

What actually stands out is simple:
Explain why this is better than what already exists.

If a project can’t answer that clearly, it’s unlikely to resonate - no matter how trendy the narrative.

Final Thoughts

Zac Guzman's perspective cuts through a lot of the noise in crypto media. While the industry often leans toward speed and hype, his approach emphasizes clarity, context, and credibility.

In a landscape where headlines can mislead and trends can shift overnight, the real edge isn’t just being first - it’s being understood.