Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, and Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius, share insights on Solana's transformative growth in 2024. They discuss its burgeoning developer interest and ambitions to emerge as a 'decentralized Nasdaq.' The pair debate competition with Layer 2 solutions like Base and why they view it as a non-threat. Their conversation also delves into innovative approaches to network extensions and MEV challenges, as well as how the new Solana mobile phone aims to reshape user experiences in crypto.

Mert Mumtaz, co-founder of Helius Labs and a pivotal figure in the Solana ecosystem, shares his bullish outlook on Solana's future. He believes Solana will soar to over $1,000 while revealing the critical role Helius plays in enhancing developer efficiency. Mert discusses the unexpected opportunities arising from the FTX collapse and reflects on personal resilience shaped by early losses. He also candidly talks about how he turned his baldness into a source of empowerment and emphasizes the transformative power of decentralized systems.

Mert Mumtaz, a Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of Helios, dives into the innovative world of Solana's blockchain. He discusses its high-speed, low-cost transactions that challenge traditional models. The Pudgy Penguins launch is a highlight, showcasing community involvement despite hiccups in the claim process. Mert also explores ZK compression, scalability challenges as AI demands grow, and the complexities of Miner Extractable Value in Solana. His insights reveal the exciting technical advancements shaping the future of blockchain.