Ethereum Is Running Away With DeFi | Roundup

May 16, 2025

The podcast dives into Ethereum's impressive momentum in the DeFi space alongside its solid institutional adoption. It contrasts Ethereum's finance-first approach with Solana's consumer-focused model. The hosts analyze how innovative funding models are changing venture strategies, while also navigating the regulatory landscape affecting cryptocurrencies. They address the implications of political uncertainty on market dynamics and explore recent security challenges within the crypto ecosystem.

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INSIGHT

Ethereum Leads DeFi, Solana Leads Consumer

Ethereum is dominating DeFi while Solana focuses on consumer applications like meme tokens.
Ethereum's financial services strength contrasts with Solana's cheaper, easier-to-use consumer base.

INSIGHT

Tech Stack Drives Use Case

Ethereum’s tech stack and trustworthiness support mission-critical financial services reliably.
Solana sacrifices some reliability but offers cheaper, faster consumer app experiences, leading to different use cases.

INSIGHT

Venture Expects Big Scale

Venture capital expects multi-billion dollar outcomes to justify large investments.
Many startups that succeed won't meet this scale, so alternative funding methods are needed.

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In this episode, we break down Ethereum’s momentum in DeFi, and its sustained institutional adoption. We also discuss Ethereum’s finance-first identity versus Solana’s consumer focus, and explore how emerging funding models and regulatory shifts are reshaping the venture landscape.Thanks for tuning in!

Arkham is a crypto exchange and a blockchain analytics platform. Arkham allows crypto traders and investors to look inside the wallets of the best traders, largest funds and most influential players in crypto, and then act on that information.

Eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Users residing in certain jurisdictions will be excluded from onboarding.

Marinade is the premier staking delegation platform on Solana, bringing billions in liquidity and security to the Solana network, and connecting SOL holders to the best staking rates.

Since launching in 2021, Marinade has expanded their suite of products to provide solutions for both DeFi users and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations.

To learn more about Marinade, follow the link below: https://marinade.finance/?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=podcast

Citrea is the first zero-knowledge rollup to enhance the capabilities of Bitcoin blockspace and enable Bitcoin applications (₿apps). Citrea is optimistically verified by Bitcoin, offering the most Bitcoin-secured and native way to extend BTC’s utility to DeFi.

Learn more about Citrea: https://citrea.xyz/?utm_source=bellcurve&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=website_promo

Follow Citrea on X/Twitter for the latest on its journey to mainnet: https://x.com/citrea_xyz

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Timestamps:

(0:00) Introduction

(2:24) Crypto Markets Rebound & ETH's New Era

(10:17) Ethereum is Running Away with DeFi

(18:36) Ads (Arkham & Marinade)

(19:10) Believe vs VC Funding

(26:52) XRP & ETH's Fight For Institutional Market Share

(31:21) Ads (Arkham & Marinade)

(32:34) Updates on the GENIUS Act

(41:13) Citrea Ad

(41:42) Coinbase's Data Leaks

(50:06) The State of Venture Today

Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Jason, Michael, Vance and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.