The Defiant - DeFi Podcast

Bloomberg Analyst discusses the potential approval of Bitcoin ETFs and the impact on Bitcoin's value and adoption. The podcast explores the history of ETF applications, the involvement of BlackRock, and the optimism surrounding approval. It also explores retail and institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs, the new Bumper protocol and Ethereum messaging, allocation of Bitcoin in investment portfolios, safest portfolio construction and the return of active investing, and the potential of package trades in ETFs and DeFi.

Beniamin Mincu, founder of MultiversX, introduces xDay conference in Romania. Topics discussed include crypto adoption, Universal zkRollups, upcoming trends, challenges for MultiversX, and building bridges for technology adoption. The podcast also explores Romania's crypto-friendly environment, growth potential, advancements in the network's ecosystem, innovation in DeFi lending protocols, and the future of crypto adoption.

Darren Langley, general manager of Rocket Pool, discusses the benefits of liquid staking on Ethereum, the issue of centralization among liquid staking protocols, and the potential risks and safeguards in Ethereum staking. The podcast also explores the role of ICOs in decentralized protocols, the impact of decreased queue to stake on staking growth, and the integration of liquid staking tokens with the DeFi ecosystem.

Lucas Vogelsang, Founder of Centrifuge, discusses the growing sector of Real World Assets (RWAs) in DeFi, bridging the gap between tradfi and DeFi. They explore the process of connecting business borrowers and lenders and the implications of putting securities on-chain. The podcast also touches upon incorporating real-life legal systems in lending protocols and the importance of oracles in real world asset pricing.

Alex Shevchenko, CEO of Aurora Labs, discusses the intricacies of Aurora Labs, the difference between Aurora Cloud and the Aurora EVM, and his vision of Ethereum Layer 2s and an AppChain future. Topics also include interoperability, Aurora EVM in the gaming industry, bringing Web 2 businesses into blockchain, and the importance of user experience in driving adoption.

Spencer Bogart, partner at Blockchain Capital, shares their investment thesis, including the controversial WorldCoin. They discuss their recent $580 million funding news for two new funds. They also explore the growth of DeFi, the future of Bitcoin, the appeal of digital displays and NFTs, and the challenges of WorldCoin distribution.

This week, we were joined by Christian Montoya, Senior Product Manager for Metamask Snaps Weekly Recap is your one-stop show for the most compelling news of the week, brought to you by the writers at The Defiant. This series delves deeper into our reports, revealing further insights and perspectives that help you make sense of the latest developments. Every Friday, we go live on our YouTube channel, offering a unique mix of analysis and commentary. Stay informed and ahead of the curve by tuning into our weekly broadcasts. Don't forget to visit our YouTube channel for a regular dose of content that keeps you in the loop!

Erik Marks is the director of product for permissionless innovation at MetaMask. MetaMask, the popular non-custodial wallet owned by Consensys, has been in the spotlight following the launch of Snaps on open beta. You can think of Snaps as plugins that allow developers to add new and different apps that we can use in MetaMask. One of the biggest implications of this is that Snaps will connect MetaMask to non-Ethereum chains, including Bitcoin and Solana. In our conversation, we dive deep into the vision and the broader implications of Snaps.

Sean Li, CEO and Co-founder of Magic Labs, talks about their wallet solution enabling passwordless login, onboarding mainstream brands like Mattel and 7-Eleven, and growing adoption of Web3 technology. They discuss white label solutions, layer one and layer two solutions, innovation with NFTs and digital collectibles, collaboration with mainstream brands, enterprise growth, and the importance of perseverance and trust in the blockchain industry.

Weekly Recap is your one-stop show for the most compelling news of the week, brought to you by the writers at The Defiant. This series delves deeper into our reports, revealing further insights and perspectives that help you make sense of the latest developments. Every Friday, we go live on our YouTube channel, offering a unique mix of analysis and commentary. Stay informed and ahead of the curve by tuning into our weekly broadcasts. Don't forget to visit our YouTube channel for a regular dose of content that keeps you in the loop!