The Defiant - DeFi Podcast

Amira Valliana, Head of Deepin at the Solana Foundation, discusses her background in policy from the White House to the blockchain space. She highlights how decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) can revolutionize real-world applications and reshape traditional business models. Valliana explores the intersections of blockchain and policy, the Helium project for improved internet access, and the incredible potential of decentralized AI in overcoming big tech challenges. Tune in for valuable insights into the future of decentralized infrastructure.

Lending and borrowing onchain has quickly become one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing sectors in Decentralized Finance (DeFi). Among the leaders in this space is Maple Finance, a platform that has already facilitated over $800M in assets, showcasing the growing adoption and practicality of tokenized private credit for institutions. By bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralized systems, Maple Finance is demonstrating how institutions can leverage blockchain technology for more efficient and transparent lending solutions.In an insightful conversation, Camila Russo sat down with Maple Finance’s CEO, Sid Powell, to delve into the potential of real-world assets (RWAs) within DeFi, the evolving role of stablecoins in this ecosystem, and strategies to unlock new lending markets onchain. Their discussion highlights the rapid innovations taking place in the DeFi space and sheds light on the future of decentralized credit markets.

Explore the future of intellectual property on the blockchain in this insightful interview with Jason Zhao. Discover how Story Protocol is revolutionizing the way creators protect, share, and license their work. By bringing IP and copyright onchain, the protocol streamlines the process, ensures compliance with state and national laws, and secures rights in an innovative, transparent manner. Perfect for Web3 creators and blockchain developers ready to push boundaries and unlock new possibilities.Chapters00:00 - Intro: Jason Zhao, Co-founder and Chief Protocol Officer at Story Protocol 00:45 - How Story Protocol is revolutionizing IP management on blockchain 01:16 - Case study: Acquiring Justin Bieber's "Peaches" song rights 02:34 - The vision: Making IP as programmable as stablecoins 05:15 - Jason's background: From AI at DeepMind to blockchain 08:58 - Story's technical architecture: Custom Layer 1 blockchain 11:13 - Proof of Creativity Protocol explained 13:15 - Storing full IP rights and metadata (beyond NFTs) 18:47 - Legal framework and enforceable IP licenses 21:36 - Mainstream IP vs. native Story Protocol IP 24:07 - DeFi integration: Royalties and liquid IP markets 27:31 - How creators monetize their work on Story 29:50 - Tokenomics and the Big Bang staking event 33:51 - Roadmap: IP Portal and future upgrades 37:23 - David Goyer (Dark Knight trilogy) launching new IP on Story 38:28 - Fraud prevention and attestation services 45:02 - Staking mechanics and validator system 49:08 - Meme coins and IP-backed tokens 54:20 - The long-term vision: "HTTP for IP"✨ Check out our new website ✨https://thedefiant.io/🚀 Sign up to our newsletter 🚀https://thedefiant.io/go-premium#pric...🤑 Find DeFi investment opportunities & educational primers herehttps://thedefiant.io/promo?utm_sourc...✊ Follow The DefiantTwitter:  / defiantnews  Discord:  / discord   Instagram:  / thedefiant.io  Telegram: https://t.me/DefiantNews📬 Contact our Newsroomeditorial@thedefiant.io🤝 Sponsorships & Partnershipssponsors@thedefiant.io#TheDefiant​ #DeFi​ #Decentralized​ #Finance​ #Blockchain #Web3

Will Robinson, VP of Engineering at Coinbase, shares insights on bridging centralized and decentralized finance. He discusses the launch of Bitcoin-backed USDC loans via Morpho, a game changer for Bitcoin holders seeking liquidity. Robinson introduces cbBTC as a new alternative to WBTC, explaining its advantages and mechanics. He emphasizes the significance of cross-chain interoperability and safety in lending. The conversation also touches on Coinbase's mission to democratize finance and the evolving role of meme coins in the crypto landscape.

Bill Barhydt, Founder and CEO of Abra, shares his expertise on the crypto landscape, covering macroeconomic influences on Bitcoin and the trend of companies holding it on their balance sheets. He discusses the challenges faced by Ethereum and the future of DeFi, suggesting it may replace traditional banking. Barhydt expresses optimism about upcoming U.S. regulations for stablecoins and digital assets, while predicting Bitcoin could reach $350,000, and highlights the rising interest in alternative cryptocurrencies.

Kain Warwick, founder of Synthetix and Infinex, dives into the evolution of decentralized finance. He discusses Infinex’s user-friendly interface that balances accessibility and decentralization. Warwick shares insights on the recent governance changes at Synthetix and the competition with Hyperliquid. He emphasizes the need for regulatory clarity and improved infrastructure to drive DeFi growth. Looking ahead, he hints at future integrations with Bitcoin, XRP, and Doge, while also reflecting on liquidity strategies and the lessons learned from past stablecoin initiatives.

Preston Van Loon, an Ethereum core developer and plaintiff in the Tornado Cash lawsuit, discusses the implications of recent court rulings on privacy and cryptocurrency. He highlights how sanctions on Tornado Cash affected legitimate users and the significance of treating smart contracts as property under U.S. law. Van Loon envisions a friendlier regulatory environment that could boost crypto innovation. He also explores governance challenges within the Ethereum community, emphasizing the need for decentralization and transparency as the ecosystem evolves.

Sam Kazemian, founder of Frax Finance and innovator in decentralized stablecoins, discusses the vision behind FraxUSD. He explains its unique design combining features of both traditional finance and DeFi, with partnerships that bolster user appeal. Kazemian highlights the role of custodians like BlackRock to enhance redeemability and the strategy for maximizing yield amidst market fluctuations. He envisions a future where stablecoins could seamlessly integrate into traditional banking, reshaping economic activity through new financial models.

Zhouxun Yin, the Co-Founder of Magic Eden, joins The Defiant Podcast to discuss the evolution of one of the largest NFT marketplaces. In this episode, he shares the story behind Magic Eden’s founding, their decision to focus on Solana early on, and their multi-chain expansion strategy. Z dives into the challenges of navigating the bear market, enforcing royalties, and launching a token to unite their ecosystem. He also explores the future of NFTs, their integration with AI, and Magic Eden's ambitious shift toward becoming an all-encompassing on-chain trading platform. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Founding Magic Eden 03:40 - Surviving FTX and Solana’s Challenges 07:20 - Navigating the NFT Bear Market 12:00 - The Bitcoin Ordinals Bet 16:00 - Multi-Chain Expansion 24:30 - Launching the $ME Token 32:00 - Addressing Airdrop Challenges 46:50 - The Royalty Debate 54:10 - Long-Term Vision for NFTs 01:03:00 - On-Chain Trading and Future Goals 01:10:35 - Closing Thoughts Our sponsors https://node.icn.global/?utm_source=TheDefiant&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=node_sale_live https://kelpdao.xyz/gain/growth-vault/?utm_source=Defiant https://betteron.stellar.org/ https://www.goat.network/ ✨ Check out our new website ✨ https://thedefiant.io/ 🚀 Sign up to our newsletter 🚀 https://thedefiant.io/go-premium#pricing?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=signup 🤑 Find DeFi investment opportunities & educational primers here https://thedefiant.io/promo?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=alpha ✊ Follow The Defiant Twitter: https://twitter.com/defiantnews Discord: https://discord.com/invite/3SdRdEs5ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedefiant.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/DefiantNews 📬 Contact our Newsroom editorial@thedefiant.io 🤝 Sponsorships & Partnerships sponsors@thedefiant.io #TheDefiant​ #DeFi​ #Decentralized​ #Finance​ #Blockchain #Web3

Sandy Peng, co-founder of Scroll, tells us the journey of building one of the most anticipated Ethereum Layer 2s, their focus on ZK rollups for scalability, and the unique value proposition of high security, decentralization, and low costs. Sandy discusses Scroll's transition from general purpose chain design to supporting specific use cases driven by ecosystem builders and founders. They explore challenges and lessons from Scroll's recent token airdrop, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, equitable distribution, and fostering a vibrant community. Sandy highlights the Scroll Open initiative and their long-term vision to create a thriving "city" for innovation and talent in the blockchain space. Chapters 00:00 - Sandy Peng on Scroll's Rise 00:30 - Scroll’s Evolution and 2025 Vision 01:30 - The Founding Story of Scroll 02:30 - Why ZK Rollups? 04:00 - Scroll's Unique Edge in the L2 Space 07:00 - Transition to Use Case-Specific Chains 09:00 - Scroll's Vision for Builders and Founders 11:00 - Sub-Cent Costs and High Security Explained 15:00 - Decentralization: Scroll’s Progress and Plans 20:00 - Governance and the Role of Scroll Tokens 25:00 - Airdrop Lessons and Community Feedback 35:00 - Reflections on Token Distribution Trends 46:00 - Layer 2s and Ethereum’s Value Narrative 50:00 - Scroll Open: Building the Future Economy 58:00 - Scroll's Big Picture Vision Our sponsors https://node.icn.global/?utm_source=TheDefiant&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=node_sale_live https://kelpdao.xyz/gain/growth-vault/?utm_source=Defiant https://betteron.stellar.org/ ✨ Check out our new website ✨ https://thedefiant.io/ 🚀 Sign up to our newsletter 🚀 https://thedefiant.io/go-premium#pricing?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=signup 🤑 Find DeFi investment opportunities & educational primers here https://thedefiant.io/promo?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=alpha ✊ Follow The Defiant Twitter: https://twitter.com/defiantnews Discord: https://discord.com/invite/3SdRdEs5ag Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedefiant.io/ Telegram: https://t.me/DefiantNews 📬 Contact our Newsroom editorial@thedefiant.io 🤝 Sponsorships & Partnerships sponsors@thedefiant.io #TheDefiant​ #DeFi​ #Decentralized​ #Finance​ #Blockchain #Web3