Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake created a unique set of conditions (i.e. lack of protocol-level delegation, 32 ETH requirement, long exit queues, etc.) that led to Lido’s liquid staking model to gain huge traction, significantly eclipsing other LSD providers on native PoS chains. stETH added on-demand liquidity, bypassing withdrawal windows, while also increasing DeFi utilization and increasing yields. Moreover, by allowing users to stake any amount of ETH in pools, it removed the requirement for 32 ETH increments, ultimately improving decentralisation through long tail distribution of individual stakers. Lido V3 introduces modular stVaults which enable staking customization. This allows professional actors, such as institutional stakers, to have granular control over validators, MEV and other parameters, diversifying their investment strategies.Topics covered in this episode:Hasu’s backgroundDiscovering LidoLiquid staking and the early days of LidoWhy liquid staking gained traction on EthereumThe evolution of LidoInitial decentralisation concerns and the importance of dual governanceRestakingLido V3 and vaultsInstitutional staking & ETFsEthereum’s ‘crisis’ and its valuesEpisode links:Hasu on XLido on XSponsors:Gnosis: Gnosis builds decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem, since 2015. This year marks the launch of Gnosis Pay— the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Get started today at - gnosis.ioChorus One: one of the largest node operators worldwide, trusted by 175,000+ accounts across more than 60 networks, Chorus One combines institutional-grade security with the highest yields at - chorus.oneThis episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain.

Jeff Zirlin, co-founder of Ronin and Sky Mavis, shares insights into the explosive success of Axie Infinity and its impact on blockchain gaming. He explains how Axie created a sustainable economy by merging NFTs with gameplay, attracting millions of players. Zirlin discusses the inception of Ronin as a tailored Ethereum sidechain to support gaming scalability and the vital role of community in driving engagement. He also delves into the future of crypto gaming, the role of AI, and what makes a successful play-to-earn model.

Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, dives into the scalability and unique features of his blockchain platform. He shares insights on the journey of Solana, from tackling bottlenecks to its vibrant community post-FTX. The discussion covers controversial topics like miner extractable value (MEV), concurrent block leaders, and advancements like the Firedancer upgrade. Yakovenko also explores Solana’s economic proposals and the upcoming Seeker phone, which aims to redefine the smartphone market for crypto enthusiasts.

Bitcoin’s security and reliability as a store of value are undeniable. However, its liquidity remained untapped for too long due to a lack of trustless bridges and native smart contract capabilities. As BTC is only native to Bitcoin’s L1, any attempt to include it in DeFi relies on the trust assumptions of third party custodians that wrap it. Build On Bitcoin (BOB) aims to expand Bitcoin’s functionality by integrating it with Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities. BOB operates as an OP Stack L2 with a hybrid design incorporating ZKPs, Bitcoin staking, and Ethereum for data availability. By functioning as a rollup, BOB processes transactions off-chain and batches them for settlement on Bitcoin and Ethereum, significantly improving transaction speed and reducing costs compared to Bitcoin’s base layer.Topics covered in this episode:Alexei’s backgroundSetbacks for Bitcoin DeFiBitcoin bridgesBitVMBOB operators and trust assumptionsBOB architecture & Bitcoin stakingBitcoin LSTsThe future of Bitcoin DeFiEpisode links:Alexei Zamyatin on XBuild on Bitcoin on XSponsors:Gnosis: Gnosis builds decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem, since 2015. This year marks the launch of Gnosis Pay— the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Get started today at - gnosis.ioChorus One: one of the largest node operators worldwide, trusted by 175,000+ accounts across more than 60 networks, Chorus One combines institutional-grade security with the highest yields at - chorus.oneThis episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain.

Puja Ohlhaver, a researcher and lawyer, dives into how blockchain and AI can revitalize communities through decentralized governance. She explores the concept of community currencies designed to create a fairer power distribution, critiquing current oligopolistic structures. The conversation covers the dual-token system that balances economic engagement and voting rights, the importance of localized governance, and innovative funding mechanisms. Puja also discusses how these currencies can combat societal polarization and enhance community-driven innovation.

Even though current LLM providers usually charge flat rates regardless if the subscriber is a ‘power user’ or not, as AI agents become the workhorses of the online economy, a dynamic AI-to-AI payments infrastructure would prove crucial for proper remuneration. Nevermined proposes a blockchain-agnostic, AI-agnostic credit system, that each builder can use to implement custom pricing strategies for their users. As the next trillion transactions will be mostly performed by AI agents, a universal payment system would help streamline integrations and economic interactions.Topics covered in this episode:Don’s backgroundIntegrating payment systems in the agentic economyMarketplaces vs. payment systemsAI agentic economyFixed vs. variable pricing strategiesLicense tokenizationSettlement and payment for AI agentsEstimating price and avoiding overchargesNevermined’s tech stack and integrationsValue propNevermined metricsEpisode links:Don Gossen on XNevermined on XSponsors:Gnosis: Gnosis builds decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem, since 2015. This year marks the launch of Gnosis Pay— the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Get started today at - gnosis.ioChorus One: one of the largest node operators worldwide, trusted by 175,000+ accounts across more than 60 networks, Chorus One combines institutional-grade security with the highest yields at - chorus.oneThis episode is hosted by Friederike Ernst.

As more and more protocols compete for marketshare, user acquisition represents one of the most important elements of the GTM strategy. Web3 projects, through their governance tokens, can incentivise users directly to participate in meaningful activities for each protocol, subsidising their revenue generation through vested upside in the project. Turtle Club built the first distribution protocol of Web3, helping its users maximise their rewards they get for meaningful on-chain activities that help bootstrap projects.Topics covered in this episode:Esfandiar’s backgroundThe evolution of DeFiYield sustainability in DeFiDeFi vs. TradFiQuantifying riskMain blockers for DeFi adoptionOn-chain transparency or privacy?What is missing in DeFi?Genesis story of Turtle ClubHow Turtle Club users accrue rewardsEpisode links:Esfandiar Lagevardi on LinkedInTurtle Club on XSponsors:Gnosis: Gnosis builds decentralized infrastructure for the Ethereum ecosystem, since 2015. This year marks the launch of Gnosis Pay— the world's first Decentralized Payment Network. Get started today at - gnosis.ioChorus One: Chorus One is one of the largest node operators worldwide, supporting more than 100,000 delegators, across 45 networks. The recently launched OPUS allows staking up to 8,000 ETH in a single transaction. Enjoy the highest yields and institutional grade security at - chorus.oneThis episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain.

Jason Zhao, Co-founder of Story Protocol and a former DeepMind and Stanford researcher, dives into the evolving landscape of intellectual property (IP) in the age of AI. He reveals current IP pain points and discusses how Story Protocol aims to democratize IP management through blockchain, enabling creators to tokenize their work. The conversation highlights innovative applications, the importance of transparency, and the legal frameworks necessary for IP enforcement. Jason also shares future plans for community engagement and collaboration in this transformative journey.

Fernando Martinelli, Co-founder of Balancer Protocol, dives into the evolution and innovation of automated market makers (AMMs) in DeFi. He discusses Balancer's unique features, including the shift to a developer-centric approach and the game-changing launch of Balancer V3. The conversation covers fungible vs non-fungible liquidity strategies, enhanced developer tools, and the innovative hooks for customizable AMMs. Martinelli also addresses MEV mitigation and how Balancer aims to protect users while scaling efficiently.

Laszlo Szabo, co-founder of Kiln, transitions from hospitality to revolutionizing digital assets with his staking-as-a-service platform. He discusses Kiln's impressive achievements, securing over $13 billion in assets without slashing events. Laszlo sheds light on the intricacies of liquid staking and the growing institutional interest in decentralized finance. The conversation also highlights Kiln's mission to simplify staking for businesses through innovative solutions, making value creation more accessible in the crypto space.