The Index Podcast

What if smart contracts could manage keys, secure assets, and run AI agents autonomously?This week on The Index podcast —Host Alex Kehaya sits down with David Sneider, co-founder of Lit Protocol, to dive into decentralized key management, threshold cryptography, and the future of AI in Web3.David shares his journey from building in the Bay Area tech scene to launching Lit Protocol, with stops along the way that include the acquisition of his SaaS startup by LinkedIn and working alongside crypto pioneer Chris Cassano. The two get into how threshold cryptography is powering the next wave of secure computation and enabling new use cases for AI and smart contracts.You’ll hear how Lit is rethinking identity recovery and asset security through multi-party computation (MPC)—with real-world examples like the Fuse Wallet, where managing crypto feels more like using a banking app. Alex and David also explore how smart accounts, MPC, and AI agents are coming together to shape the next-gen developer stack.Later in the episode, they look ahead to decentralized AI frameworks, the role of open-source models in avoiding centralized AI control, and why community-owned infrastructure matters.If you’re building at the edge of crypto and AI, this one’s for you.Website: https://www.litprotocol.com/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What if launching your own Layer 1 blockchain was as fast and seamless as spinning up a cloud server? In this episode of The Index, Jin Kwon, Co-founder of Saga.xyz, shares how Saga is redefining how developers scale in Web3. Rather than relying on rollups or months of coordination, Saga lets you launch your own Layer 1 chain—called a chainlet—in just minutes.Jin explains how his computer architecture and finance background helped shape Saga’s vision and why automation is key to building scalable blockchain infrastructure. He breaks down how Saga’s validator system works, how pricing is dynamically optimized through competition, and how chainlets come pre-integrated with bridges and liquidity—all with minimal developer effort.The conversation also explores the future of application-level sharding, using Uniswap as a real-world example of how splitting liquidity across multiple chainlets could unlock massive throughput without compromising user experience.If you’re a developer looking for faster, cheaper, and more modular ways to build in Web3, this episode is packed with insights into where blockchain infrastructure is headed.Connect with Jin Kwon and the Saga team:Saga: https://www.saga.xyz/Follow on X: https://x.com/sagaxyz__Follow us:The Index  (https://www.podpage.com/the-index-podcast/) X Channel (https://x.com/theindexshow) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP-VGLfPNwianYhY-oqq5zg)Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

Bidhan Roy, Founder of Bagel, dives into the realm of decentralized AI, sharing insights from a bustling Builder’s Breakfast at ETHDenver. He discusses the critical challenge of verifiability in AI and how Bagel’s innovative ZK LoRa technology is changing the game. The conversation highlights the value of structured public data over proprietary datasets, fostering collaboration. Bidhan champions a shift towards building-driven innovation, urging listeners to join the open intelligence movement and transform data into valuable contributions.

The Future of Finance: How Blockchain is Bringing Real-World Assets On-ChainThis week on The Index, Alex Kehaya joins Eli Cohen, General Counsel at Centrifuge, to break down how crypto is transforming traditional finance by bringing real-world assets (RWA) on-chain.Eli’s blockchain journey began in 2017 at CME Group, where he helped launch Bitcoin futures, exposing him to the inefficiencies of legacy markets. Municipal bonds take ten days to settle. FX swaps carry days of currency risk. Mortgages still rely on paper. These bottlenecks lock up trillions—tokenization is the solution.Centrifuge started with trade receivables for small businesses and has since scaled into institutional finance, launching a $40M US Treasury pool in 2023. The shift is clear: on-chain assets are going mainstream.Regulation remains a battleground. Eli unpacks the SEC’s aggressive stance, the "chokepoint" banking restrictions, and why the post-election landscape could reshape global policy.With BlackRock entering tokenized treasuries, the crypto-finance crossover is accelerating. This isn’t just digitization—it’s a full-scale reinvention of how assets move and who gets access.Whether you're a crypto investor, builder, or just watching the space, this episode reveals why RWA tokenization is the next big thing.Centrifuge: https://centrifuge.io/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

Greg Osuri, Founder of Akash Network, talks about revolutionizing cloud computing through decentralized infrastructure. He highlights how smaller, agile teams can outshine larger, overfunded organizations in AI innovation. The conversation dives into the power of Zero Knowledge Proofs in validating AI models and the advantages of constraints in driving better engineering decisions. They discuss community-driven development and the critical role of transparency and engagement in the evolving landscape of open-source technology and decentralized networks.

What if internet memes were the new crypto luxury brand, driving financial speculation with the same fervor as high-end fashion? This week on The Index, we take a deep dive into everything crypto with Ben Huh, the co-founder of Orange DAO. Ben offers a unique perspective on how meme coins like Bonk are not just digital jokes but significant players in the evolving participatory financial system. He discusses the speculative nature of these coins, which operate more on sentiment than tangible utility, and the critical role of community and brand affinity in anchoring their value.While meme coins are on the rise, launching a successful crypto project demands more than just a catchy name. It's a strategic dance through distribution channels and realistic market expectations. Ben sheds light on the careful planning behind token launches, stressing the importance of grounding them in stable valuations and widespread distribution rather than hype. He also shares insights on current trends, such as the minimal use of venture capital allocations in bootstrap companies and the psychological waves caused by token unlocks on platforms like Solana.For those building the future of blockchain, choosing the right ecosystem is a make-or-break decision. Ben reveals the intricacies of selecting between Polkadot's high barriers and Solana's allure of accessibility. He also offers guidance for crypto founders pitching to investors, emphasizing the craft of compelling storytelling over the common reliance on credentials. The discussion touches upon the dynamic experience of accelerator programs, the art of succinct pitching during demo days, and the power of networking—essential tools for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs aiming to make their mark.Orange DAO: Follow on X: Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

How can developers monetize open-source AI while preserving ownership and privacy?In this episode of Everything Bagel, co-hosts Alex Kehaya and Bidhan Roy, Founder of Bagel Network, dive into the revolutionary role of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in open-source AI monetization.Bidhan shares how Bagel Network is transforming the AI landscape by enabling developers to earn from their contributions while maintaining full control and privacy. They discuss the game-changing breakthrough of ZK LoRa, a zero-knowledge proof system that slashes AI training verification times from weeks to under two seconds—paving the way for scalable, decentralized AI.The conversation explores how community-driven ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) can evolve through modular AI models, making decentralized AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) more accessible and cost-effective. Plus, they unpack how The Bakery, Bagel’s latest product, empowers developers to stack AI components like LEGO bricks for greater scalability and efficiency.🔥 Key Topics Discussed:✅ How zero-knowledge proofs are reshaping AI ownership and monetization✅ The impact of Bagel Network’s ZK LoRa verification system✅ The rise of domain-specific ASI models and real-world applications✅ How The Bakery fuels decentralized AI development at scale✅ The potential for community-built AGI running on crypto rails🔗 Learn More & Join the Community:🌐 Website: Bagel Network🐦 Follow on X (Twitter): @BagelOpenAI📺 YouTube: @bagelnetShow LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

What if building a blockchain was as easy as deploying a smart contract? On this episode of Everything SVM on The Index, co-hosts Alex Kehaya and Omar Zaki, CEO of Mantis, sit down with Nick White, Vice President of Celestia Labs, to explore how modular blockchain architectures revolutionize scalability and innovation. Nick breaks down Celestia’s groundbreaking approach, which separates execution from consensus and data availability, providing developers with unprecedented flexibility. This paradigm shift is key to overcoming the bottlenecks that have long-constrained networks like Ethereum and Solana.The conversation ventures into the rapidly evolving landscape of DeFi protocols and application-specific chains, where innovation is reshaping how developers build decentralized applications. With Solana’s high-speed block times pushing the limits of transaction efficiency, we examine how modular solutions like roll-ups could unlock even faster confirmations and tailored scalability. The AppChain thesis takes center stage as we explore Celestia-based projects that exemplifies the potential for customizable and private transactions.They discuss the next evolution of blockchain development, where deploying roll-ups on Celestia might soon be more accessible than launching a smart contract. As we unpack the challenges of modular ecosystems and the solutions emerging to address them, we paint a vision of the ultimate end game for blockchain scalability—a future where modular chains provide unmatched flexibility, efficiency, and innovation.Celestia: https://celestia.org/Mantis: https://mantis.app/Show LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube

Join Nick Emmons, CEO of Allora Labs, and Bidon Roy, founder of Bagel, as they dive into the revolutionary world of decentralized AI. Nick discusses how Allora is reshaping machine intelligence by enabling collaborative networks instead of isolated competition. They explore the potential of decentralized systems in media and finance, the challenges of monetizing open-source contributions, and the importance of community-driven progress for AI's future. Discover how decentralized AI could emerge as a public utility and enhance collective intelligence!

Crypto has the potential to revolutionize finance—but how do we make it truly accessible? In this episode of The Index, we sit down with Ryne Saxe, CEO of Eco, to explore the future of payments, stablecoins, and the evolving role of blockchain in everyday transactions.Ryne shares his journey from the traditional banking world to the fast-paced San Francisco crypto scene, where he saw an opportunity to build a better financial system. We dive into how Eco is tackling the complexities of crypto adoption, simplifying user experiences, and creating seamless payment solutions that benefit both users and merchants.We also discuss the shift away from traditional credit card networks, the potential cost savings of stablecoins and Bitcoin, and the growing role of crypto wallets in mainstream adoption. From Ethereum rollups to Solana integration, Ryne breaks down the key innovations shaping the next era of Web3 payments.Join us for an insightful conversation on the road ahead, the challenges still to be overcome, and why the future of finance might be closer than we think.Website: https://eco.com/Follow on X: https://x.com/ecoShow LinksThe Index X ChannelYouTube