Unchained

Ryan Watkins, co-founder of Syncracy Capital and crypto investor, teams up with Sunny Shi, a keen analyst from the same firm, to explore the fierce rivalry between decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and centralized giants like Binance. They discuss the implications of new competitors like Aster, the dynamics of on-chain order books, and what Hyperliquid's growth means for traditional exchanges. Their insights on Solana's potential role and the evolving market landscape shed light on the future of trading in crypto.

Austin Federa, the co-founder of DoubleZero, discusses groundbreaking advancements in blockchain networking. He reveals how DoubleZero is developing a dedicated fiber network to enhance crypto transactions across five continents. The conversation dives into the implications of the SEC’s no-action letter for crypto and decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN). They also explore how contributors can earn 2Z tokens, why speed is crucial for traders, and what a successful DoubleZero could mean for crypto’s future.

Zach Abrams, Co-founder and CEO of Bridge, introduces OpenIssuance, a platform empowering companies to create their own stablecoins. He discusses the end of the stablecoin duopoly, how these coins could work with AI for financial innovation, and the importance of multiple issuers to minimize risks. Kenny Li, Co-founder of Manta Network, shares insights on shifting from a pure L2 infrastructure toward application-driven products, advocating that the future lies in focusing on application layers rather than competing in overcrowded infrastructure battles.

Bill Barhydt, Founder and CEO of Abra, and Robert Leshner, Co-founder of Compound and CEO of Superstate, join the discussion on the shifting landscape of crypto markets. They debate whether the current bull run has momentum, the implications of SWIFT’s move to build on Ethereum’s Linea, and the emergence of decentralized perpetual swaps. The duo examines concerns over transparency in DAC fundraising, market valuation of Binance and Tether, and predicts DeFi billionaires could eventually surpass their CeFi counterparts.

Join Farooq Malik, the fintech founder and CEO of Rain, as he tackles the cutting-edge world of stablecoins and decentralized exchanges. He discusses the intense competition between Aster and Hyperliquid, questioning if Aster's rapid volume surge represents true demand or mere hype. The conversation shifts to Tether's provocative $500B valuation and the strategic advantages of stablecoins in emerging markets. You'll also learn how Rain's innovative payment solutions are bridging fiat and crypto, making financial services more accessible globally.

Seth Ginns, Managing Partner at CoinFund, shares insights on the launch of Plasma, a stablecoin-centric chain poised to compete in a growing market. Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, argues why revenue should become the primary metric for success in crypto, challenging the traditional emphasis on TVL. James Parillo of Figment Capital explores Pump.fun, discussing how creator tokens could revolutionize streaming and financial participation for audiences, while drawing parallels to gambling behaviors in trading.

In this discussion, Jon Charbonneau, Co-founder and General Partner at DBA, delves into innovative tokenomics. He proposes slashing Hyperliquid's token supply by nearly half and critiques the common misinterpretation of FDV as a valuation measure. Jon reveals how outdated token models hinder project growth and advocates for more accurate assessments of token supply. He also explores the implications of removing max supply caps and the need for transparent community allocations, making a compelling case for a reformed approach to crypto valuations.

Austin Campbell, Founder of Zero Knowledge Consulting, and Vinny Lingham, Co-founder of Praxos Capital, dive deep into the crypto landscape. They discuss the recent $1.5 billion in liquidations and what it could mean for the market. The duo explores how tokenized stocks might provide insider advantages and debates the merits of gold even at record highs. Additionally, they provide a bearish outlook on liquidity risks and the implications of DAT proliferation, raising important questions about market fragility.

In this insightful discussion, Haonan Li, CEO of Codex, advocates for building a stablecoin-focused Ethereum L2 aimed at enhancing user experience in payments, while Justin Bons, founder of Cyber Capital, pushes for alternative L1 strategies emphasizing decentralization. They explore the role of Stripe’s Tempo, the importance of neutrality in blockchain, and the potential risks of fragmentation for stablecoins. The conversation also dives into the future of rollups, sequencer power, and the rise of protocol-native stablecoins in the ever-evolving blockchain landscape.

Gordon Liao, Chief Economist at Circle, joins the discussion on the rising trend of stablecoin-native chains like Circle's ARC and Stripe + Paradigm's Tempo. They delve into the complexities of FX markets and how on-chain solutions could revolutionize costs. The conversation shifts to Solana's ambitions for a native stablecoin and the dynamics of ecosystem bargaining as exchanges negotiate their own stable options. Finally, they ponder whether 'stablecoin-as-a-service' is the future breakthrough or just another liquidity trap.