Unchained

Sreeram Kannan, founder of EigenLayer, and Olaf Carlson-Wee, founder of Polychain Capital, dive into the explosive growth of EigenLayer, likening it to the early days of Ethereum. They discuss how EigenLayer's innovative restaking mechanism could enhance security and functionality for various protocols. The duo explores the potential applications of actively validated services, the transformative effects on smart contracts, and the intertwining future of EigenLayer with AI. They also touch on risks associated with restaking and the ongoing quest for blockchain interoperability.

Explore the potential impact of Uniswap's fee switch on the DeFi landscape and liquidity providers. Dive into the intriguing world of meme coins like Geo Bowden, which mix humor and chaos while challenging traditional investment perceptions. Discuss the promising yet complex relationship between decentralized AI and cryptocurrency, highlighting issues in decentralized inference and training. Join the conversation on current crypto market dynamics, investor mindsets, and practical innovations shaping the future of digital currencies.

Eric Balchunas, a Senior ETF Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, shares insights into the astonishing success of Bitcoin ETFs since their launch. He discusses how these ETFs achieved inflows in weeks that took gold ETFs years to reach. With a surge in retail interest, Balchunas attributes this to the 'ETF effect' and predicts BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF will lead the pack. He also touches on the potential for spot Ether ETFs while expressing skepticism about their future success compared to Bitcoin. Expect a fascinating dive into the evolving ETF landscape!

In this discussion, Alex Pack, managing partner at Hack VC and Web3 investment guru, shares insights on raising $150 million despite a challenging bear market. He highlights the importance of security in crypto and the future of DeFi, while exploring the intersection of AI and blockchain technology. Alex critiques FTX's downfall, shares his philosophy of backing hackers, and hints at a bright future for decentralized applications. With a focus on scalability and early-stage innovation, he emphasizes that the crypto landscape is just getting started.

In this discussion, Alex Thorn, the Head of firmwide research at Galaxy, breaks down Bitcoin's recent price surge and the vital role of ETF inflows. He explores behaviors of long-term vs. short-term holders and reveals insights into the market value to realized value Z-score, vital for assessing Bitcoin's valuation. Alex discusses major banks like Merrill and Wells Fargo entering the Bitcoin ETF space and speculates about an upcoming 'altcoin season,' predicting Bitcoin could soar past $100,000 by year-end.

In this engaging conversation, Samczsun, a renowned white hat hacker and CEO of the Security Alliance (SEAL), reveals the inception of SEAL, a pioneering organization offering immediate responses to crypto security threats. He shares insights on the art of noticing bugs, the intriguing origins of his online persona, and the significance of the Safe Harbor Agreement for ethical hackers. Sam also discusses the valuable role of War Games in preparing for incidents in Web3 and emphasizes crucial security measures everyone in the crypto space should adopt.

Muneeb Ali, co-creator of Stacks, dives deep into Bitcoin's vibrant evolution fifteen years post-launch. He discusses the surge of innovation in Layer 1 and the potential of Layer 2 solutions, like BitVM, which he predicts could revolutionize the network. Muneeb shares his thoughts on Ordinals Inscriptions, addressing heated debates among core developers. He emphasizes the importance of smart contracts on Bitcoin and explores how recent advancements could enhance its role in decentralized finance and institutional adoption.

Dive into the world of Starknet's airdrop controversies, where distribution mechanics spark heated debates. Discover the mental toll on founders facing public scrutiny and explore the innovative Ethena project that aims to revolutionize crypto finance. Examine the impact of airdrops on user engagement and the challenges of maintaining quality on platforms like GitHub. Plus, navigate the complexities of token generation and legal frameworks, all while assessing market dynamics and risks in the evolving crypto landscape.

Mustafa Al-Bassam, co-founder and CEO of Celestia Labs, and COO Nick White join to unveil the vision behind Celestia, a revolutionary data availability layer for blockchains. They discuss the concept of '10,000 roll-ups' and how modular blockchains enhance scalability, especially for gaming and NFTs. Mustafa explains data availability sampling and its crucial role in ensuring reliable data for validators. The duo also explores the potential for Celestia to serve as a data layer for Bitcoin, comparing its architecture with Solana, highlighting a new era in decentralized applications.

Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder and CEO of Starkware, dives into the details of StarkNet's unprecedented airdrop in this engaging discussion. He explains the rationale behind the allocation of $STRK tokens, particularly the significant share to Ethereum solo stakers. Eli addresses criticisms regarding token distribution and the timing of the Token Generation Event, asserting that even with an imminent unlock, incentives remain aligned. Listeners gain insights into Starkware's commitment to community engagement and the evolving landscape of decentralized networks.