The Defiant - DeFi Podcast

On this episode of the Defiant Podcast, Charlie Hu, co-founder of Bit Layer, discusses the evolution of Bitcoin beyond its role as a store of value. The conversation addresses trends in Bitcoin programmability, the development of layer two networks, liquidity in DeFi, and adoption by institutions. Cami and Charlie discuss technical distinctions among Bitcoin scaling solutions and the integration of Bitcoin with other blockchain ecosystems. Then, they conclude by exploring practical considerations for developers and users interested in these changes.Chapters:00:00 - 00:17 Introduction; Bitcoin’s binary narrative debated 00:17 - 00:28 Potential impacts of low network activity 00:37 - 00:59 Bitlayer overview and recent platform developments 00:59 - 01:26 Bitcoin’s price rally and changing role 01:26 - 02:09 Guest background: early experiences in Web3 02:09 - 03:15 Lessons from Ethereum and cross-chain growth 03:15 - 06:06 Founding Bitlayer; motivations and industry context 06:06 - 09:59 Network sustainability and security considerations 09:59 - 16:00 Bit Layer’s technology focus and design choices 16:00 - 30:08 Bitcoin Virtual Machines and cross-ecosystem cooperation 30:08 - 45:00 Unlocking Bitcoin liquidity; DeFi adoption and risks 45:00 - 52:00 Institutional involvement and new use cases 52:00 - End Onboarding, governance, and next steps for the ecosystem

Jordan Jefferson, CEO of MyDoge and DogeOS, dives into Dogecoin's exciting transformation from meme to movement. He discusses the immense potential for building infrastructure on this once-joking currency, highlighting how the passionate Doge community drives innovation. Jefferson also unveils DogeOS as a versatile app layer that could revolutionize gaming and decentralized finance. He addresses the unique challenges of leveraging a meme coin while envisioning a future where Dogecoin empowers users with financial tools and engaging experiences.

On the 10th anniversary of Ethereum's genesis block, we sit down with Joe Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and CEO of ConsenSys, for an exclusive deep dive into the past, present, and future of the Ethereum ecosystem. From the concept of 'digital oil' to Ethereum's role as the foundation of a decentralized global economy, Joe shares his vision for the next decade of blockchain innovation. Tune in to hear his thoughts on staking strategies, the rise of DeFi, and why Ethereum is poised to become the substrate for the world's financial system.Chapters00:00 Introduction – Setting the stage for Ethereum’s 10th anniversary.01:00 Joe Lubin’s Vision – Ethereum as civilization-scale infrastructure.02:19 Staking Strategies – Insights into ConsenSys’ ETH accumulation and staking.05:08 Overcoming Challenges – Scalability, usability, and regulatory hurdles.10:08 Decentralized Stablecoins – The need for ETH and BTC to support DeFi growth.15:11 DeFi and TradFi Convergence – How Ethereum is reshaping finance.22:08 Ethereum’s Role in the Global Economy – Becoming the substrate for trust.30:00 Multi-Chain Future – Why Ethereum will remain foundational.40:00 The Next Decade – Joe’s predictions for Ethereum’s growth and impact.45:00 Closing Thoughts – Celebrating Ethereum’s 10th birthday.

In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Sam MacPherson, CEO and co-founder of Phoenix Labs, to discuss Spark (SPK)—the DeFi protocol making waves in the cryptocurrency world. From its groundbreaking subDAO model to its recent $10 billion TVL milestone, Spark is reshaping decentralized finance. We dive into the latest developments, including the Ignition Airdrop and institutional adoption. Tune in to explore how Spark is bridging the gap between traditional finance and DeFi, and what the future holds for this rapidly evolving ecosystem.Chapters00:00 - IntroductionMeet Sam Macpherson, CEO of Phoenix Labs, and the vision behind Spark.01:23 - Spark’s Rapid GrowthHow Spark became one of the biggest DeFi protocols with $10B TVL.05:10 - The SubDAO ModelBalancing decentralization and nimbleness to scale effectively.08:05 - Why Decentralization MattersSam’s passionate defense of decentralization as a core principle for global infrastructure.12:00 - Challenges of Traditional DAOsThe limitations of flat governance structures and how Spark overcame them.15:30 - Ignition Airdrop and Overdrive PhaseHow staking incentives are driving SPK adoption and price action.20:00 - Institutional AdoptionSpark’s partnerships with Coinbase, BlackRock, and the rise of tokenized RWAs.24:00 - Spark Liquidity LayerEnhancing governance and liquidity.27:16 - Spark Token LaunchGovernance, staking, and how SPK empowers the community.30:00 - Transparency in DeFiSpark’s commitment to making every layer of its ecosystem visible.35:00 - The Future of StablecoinsWhy scaling stablecoins requires diverse collateral types.38:00 - Bitcoin-Backed LoansTapping into new markets with OTC Bitcoin loans and institutional interest.42:00 - Bridging DeFi and Traditional FinanceHow Spark is integrating with fintechs and creating seamless user experiences.45:00 - Ethereum’s Role in DeFiSam’s thoughts on Ethereum’s evolution and its renewed optimism.

Diane Magince, Senior Marketing Officer at Biconomy.com, and Breno Sperandio, VP of Partnerships at Biconomy.com, dive into the recent Genius Act, highlighting its transformative impact on stablecoins and crypto exchanges. They discuss how this legislation fosters legitimacy and trust within the industry. The duo explores market trends, the convergence of Web3 and traditional finance, and the rising importance of mobile DeFi solutions. Their insights on innovative marketing strategies in a regulated environment also shed light on engaging users in this evolving landscape.

Jeff Garzik, Co-Founder of Hemi and a pioneer in the Bitcoin space, shares his insights into the evolving landscape of digital currency. He discusses the macroeconomic shifts driving Bitcoin's rise as a global reserve currency. Jeff explores innovative scaling solutions and the features of Hemi, emphasizing its unique security measures and integration with Ethereum. The conversation also highlights Bitcoin's potential in decentralized finance (DeFi) and the challenges it faces in programming and scalability, painting an optimistic future for BTCFi.

Join Hasu, a strategic advisor to Lido and Flashbots, as he dives into groundbreaking developments in Ethereum staking. Discover Lido's new dual governance system that enhances security and engagement among stakers. He explains the revolutionary Lido V3 upgrade, aimed at fostering decentralization and providing customizable staking options for both individuals and institutions. The conversation also covers Ethereum's pivotal role in DeFi and how innovations in staking can shape the future of programmable money.

Georgi Koreli, co-founder and CEO of Hinkal Wallet, dives into Web3 privacy solutions after his unique journey from professional wrestler to crypto innovator. He discusses the necessity of privacy in digital finance and introduces the concept of invisible wallets. The conversation covers the regulatory landscape in Europe, the importance of compliance, and the challenges posed by data breaches. Georgi highlights decentralized coordination as a path to enhancing privacy, pushing for innovations that protect user data while embracing the future of finance.

In this episode of the Defiant Podcast, we sit down with Michael Bentley, co-founder and CEO of Euler Labs, to explore one of the most remarkable comeback stories in DeFi history. From a devastating $200M exploit in 2023 to surpassing $1B in outstanding loans, Euler Labs has redefined resilience and innovation in the crypto space.Michael shares the emotional and technical challenges of navigating the exploit, the process of recovering funds, and the lessons learned along the way. We also dive into the evolution of Euler Labs, the launch of V2, and their groundbreaking innovations in DeFi lending, borrowing, and stablecoins.Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, a DeFi builder, or just love a good comeback story, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look at the future of decentralized finance.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:27 - Meet Michael Bentley: CEO of Euler Labs02:03 - The Early Days: From PhD to Crypto04:02 - Founding Euler Labs: Hackathon Beginnings08:10 - Innovations in DeFi Lending13:00 - The 2023 Exploit: What Happened?20:33 - Recovering $200M: Negotiating with the Hacker33:04 - Picking Up the Pieces: Team Resilience36:41 - Launching V2: A New Chapter42:29 - Differentiating Euler Labs in DeFi45:24 - The Future of DeFi: Institutional Adoption50:43 - Lessons for Founders: Resilience and Security52:24 - Closing Thoughts: The Hard Things Are Worth It

Steven Goldfeder, co-founder and CEO of Offchain Labs, shares insights on Arbitrum's success as a leading Ethereum Layer 2 solution. He discusses his journey from academia to pioneering blockchain, emphasizing the role of optimistic rollups in enhancing Ethereum's scalability. AJ Warner highlights the exciting partnership with Robinhood and the seamless integration of Arbitrum's technology. The duo engages in intriguing debates about ZK and optimistic rollups, the future of decentralized finance, and how Ethereum's Layer 2 solutions can significantly bolster the ecosystem.