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

David Minarsch, co-founder of Valory, discusses the Autonolas stack and its Open Autonomy framework for creating off-chain autonomous economic agents. The protocol is overseen by the Governatooorr, an AI-powered governor. Topics include agentic AI systems, multi-agent systems, collaborative agent economy, DAO optimization, and potential attack vectors.

Andreas Tsamados and Vijay Krishnavanshi, co-founders of Fileverse, discuss their decentralized file sharing solution to disrupt the centralization of Web2 file storage. They cover topics such as the advantages of P2P internet, Web2 vs. Web3 user experience, business models for data, decentralizing data, costs of data storage, managing file updates and permissions, use cases of Fileverse, their business model, improving UX, and their future roadmap.

Fully homomorphic encryption, also known as the Holy Grail of cryptography, allows for computation to be performed on encrypted data, without the need for prior decryption. Its blockchain applications would enable programmable, institutional-grade, compliant privacy. With the addition of fhEVM libraries, solidity developers don’t have to worry about the complex cryptography and only decide what layers of the UX should be private.We were joined by Guy Itzhaki & Guy Zyskind, to discuss fully homomorphic encryption and how Fhenix plans to leverage it to build an end-to-end encrypted Ethereum L2 with compliant privacy.Topics covered in this episode:Guy(s)’ backgrounds and why they chose FHEThe differences between TEE, MPC, ZK and FHEThreshold decryptionThe challenges with FHE. Hardware acceleration. Zama’s fhEVMFhenix architecturefhEVMUse cases for FHE & composabilityCompliant privacyFhenix roadmapEpisode links:Guy Zyskind on TwitterGuy Itzhaki on TwitterFhenix on TwitterEncryption Day @ ETH Denver (Feb. 28, 2024) registrationSponsors: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 Felix Lutsch. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/530

Illia Poloshukhin, founder of Near Protocol, discusses the journey from AI to high-throughput blockchain, the scalability of large language models, Near's abstraction of the blockchain for decentralized development, and the role of account aggregation and interoperability.

Isidoros Passadis, co-founder of Lido DAO, discusses Ethereum's liquid staking landscape, Lido's governance model, stETH bridging, and Lido's approach to MEV. They also explore the benefits of distributed validator technology, dual governance, upcoming protocol changes, restaking, and the expansion of Lido to other chains.

The 10-year anniversary livestream of Epicenter featured special guests and friends sharing favorite moments. Topics included the early days of Epicenter, the DAO hack, zk proofs, privacy, and AI in podcasting. The hosts also discussed sponsors, cloud mining, and the lack of privacy options in the crypto space.

gnosis.ioUnlike Ethereum ‘programmable money’, Bitcoin lacks native smart contracts by design. In an attempt to expand Bitcoin past its store of value narrative, wrapper contracts provided wBTC on other chains for DeFi applications. However, wBTC does not directly represent the native asset and it is, therefore, subject to potential exploits. DLC Link introduces a novel approach, by allowing entities to self-wrap dlcBTC.We were joined by Aki Balogh, co-founder of DLC Link, to discuss discreet log contracts, their trust assumptions and what they mean for Bitcoin’s use cases and liquidity.Topics covered in this episode:Aki’s background and switching from AI to cryptoDiscrete Log Contracts (dlc)Trust assumptions in dlcBTC bridges and dlc attestersThe non-fungibility of dlcBTCPotential regulationsCurrent status and roadmapOther BTC bridgesEpisode links:Aki Balogh on TwitterDLC Link on TwitterEpicenter's 10-year anniversary live streamSponsors: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 Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/526

When it comes to NFTs and blockchain gaming, very few companies can rival with Animoca Brands’ early conviction, investment thesis and time horizon. They understood early on that community building and network effects are the core pillars for a true paradigm shift in gaming. However, culture and narratives transcend the boundaries of gaming, becoming social phenomena. Animoca’s latest undertaking, the Mocaverse, aims to unite communities in a truly open metaverse.We were joined by Yat Siu, chairman of Animoca Brands, to discuss the importance of digital culture in our modern-day lives and how NFT ownership unlocks community building in the open metaverse.Topics covered in this episode:Yat’s background and Animoca Brands’ interest in NFTsDigital culture & narrativesAnimoca Brands’ investment thesisBlockchain & NFT adoption by Web2 brandsFinancial inclusion & financial literacyOwnership & play-to-earn gaming: East vs. WestNFT use cases & IP rightsInteroperabilityDecentralisation & the value of ownershipMocaverse Long-term vision & the open metaverseEpisode links:Yat Siu on TwitterAnimoca Brands on TwitterSandbox on TwitterAxie Infinity on TwitterThis episode is hosted by Sebastien Couture. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/525

Marek Olszewski & Rene Reinsberg of Celo discuss building a mobile-first blockchain with low fees and high throughput. Topics covered include: Celo's design principles, scalability, mobile compatibility, stablecoins as gas tokens, optimising mobile accessibility, transition to Ethereum OP L2, sequencer decentralisation, lowering costs with EigenDA, Credit Collective, and Mento DAO.

Rand Hindi, CEO of Zama, discusses fully homomorphic encryption solutions, how they differ from ZKPs & MPC, and how they can be leveraged to ensure compliant programmable privacy. Topics include Rand's background, Zama's products, multi-key homomorphic encryption, potential applications of FHE in blockchain technology, and staying connected with Zama.