Bankless

In this conversation, Vance Spencer, a renowned expert in crypto markets, shares insights on five key assets under the S.M.E.L.L acronym, likening them to the FAANG stocks of DeFi. He examines rising trends like SocialFi and platforms such as Friend.Tech. The discussion dives into Synthetix's revival, Maker's governance innovations, and Ethereum's pivotal role in shaping DeFi. Vance also explores the competitive landscape with Uniswap and contrasts Solana's unique attributes, offering a comprehensive look at the evolving crypto market.

David Marcus, CEO of Lightspark and former VP at Facebook, shares insights from his involvement in the ambitious Libra project. He discusses why it ultimately failed, implicating government resistance and banking lobby pressures. Marcus argues that the West struggles to innovate in banking systems and explains why SuperApps may not work. He suggests that the future of money on the internet is rooted in crypto, particularly Bitcoin, and highlights the lessons learned from navigating congressional scrutiny.

David and Anthony delve into the unpredictable crypto meta, analyzing price swings and the nature of investments amid market volatility. They explore the cyclical behavior of cryptocurrencies, particularly within Ethereum and DeFi, while emphasizing the importance of community engagement behind technical advancements. The contrasting identities of Solana and Ethereum communities are debated, showcasing cultural differences. Furthermore, myths around fraud proofs are debunked, and the challenges of daily content creation in the crypto sphere are highlighted.

Discover the rise of Friend.tech, a revolutionary app allowing users to buy shares in influencers. Unpack the legal troubles of Sam Bankman-Fried, who faces jail time for witness tampering. Explore the SEC's battle with Coinbase over regulatory waters and hear about the promising economic outlook based on the Atlanta Fed's GDP forecasts. Dive into innovations in Ethereum Layer 2 solutions and the importance of community-driven airdrop hunting. This episode is a fast-paced journey through the Bitcoin and crypto landscape, filled with insights and controversies.

Dive into the captivating metaphor of Ethereum as an ocean of liquidity, where innovative off-chain strategies navigate the depths of decentralized finance. Discover how 'Intents' reshape relationships between swappers and MEV bots, fostering collaboration. Explore off-chain signed orders, Dutch auctions, and the unique dynamics of MEV bots in optimizing transactions. The discussion shines a light on the future of cross-chain liquidity and what lies ahead for DeFi trading as it adapts to the evolving landscape.

Boris Dyakov, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, Mikey Fischer, a recent Stanford PhD in computer science, and Alok Tayi, founder of Vibe Bio, dive into the transformative realm of Decentralized Science (DeSci). They discuss how blockchain can revolutionize traditional scientific practices, making research more transparent and collaborative. Alok shares how Vibe Bio is addressing underfunded diseases, while the group explores the role of DAOs in funding clinical trials, highlighting groundbreaking opportunities for community-driven scientific innovation.

Tim Beiko, a Core Ethereum developer, and Justin Drake, a research scientist at the Ethereum Foundation, dive into Ethereum's expansive roadmap. They uncover insights about EIP-4844 and Proposer-Builder Separation while discussing statelessness and the influence of quantum computing on security. The duo emphasizes the role of venture capital in fueling Ethereum’s R&D and explores innovations like enshrined rollups and trustless mempools, revealing a future where fewer honest actors are needed for trustless operations.

Join Nick Tomaino and Richard Chen from 1Confirmation, a forward-thinking VC fund in crypto, as they unpack the intriguing topic of why VCs often get a bad rap. They discuss the shifting dynamics between VCs and retail investors, highlighting the importance of transparency and market understanding. Listeners will learn about cyclical trends in crypto, the impact of venture capital on retail investors, and key strategies for navigating future market cycles. Plus, they share insights on the evolving landscape of token distribution and the promise of Web3 innovations.

Join Patrick Linden, author of 'The Case Against Death,' advocating fiercely for longevity research, Sergio Ruiz, an epigenetic reprogramming authority, and Michael Greer, founder of the innovative Humanity app. They dive into the captivating yet contentious realm of living forever. Discussions include the urgent need for longevity research, the transformative potential of AI-driven health tracking, and the ethical dilemmas that arise when pursuing immortality. Explore the promising future of extending healthy lifespans and rethinking societal attitudes towards aging.

The discussion kicks off with a look at potential bull market signals for 2024, driven by innovations in Layer 2 solutions. The launch of PayPal's stablecoin raises eyebrows on its market impact. Exciting insights arise from Coinbase's IPO and its role in decrypting Layer 2 data. The new Arbitrum BOLD protocol enhances security, while debates over ethics in code attribution reveal tensions in the crypto world. Investment highlights include a hefty backing for Puffer Finance's unique LSD protocol.