Unchained

Anatoly Yakovenko, the Tsar of Solana, dives into the intriguing world of Solana's use cases and its unique scaling strategies. He addresses controversial claims about Solana's blockchain legitimacy and the challenges of network downtime. The conversation highlights the innovative SAGA phone, tailored for Web3, and the competitive landscape with other blockchain technologies. Yakovenko discusses the importance of the execution layer for fostering innovation and shares key lessons from building Solana that resonate with aspiring crypto entrepreneurs.

Ryan Berckmans, an Ethereum investor and community member, joins Bitcoin investor Alex Bergeron to dissect Lido's impressive hold on liquid staking derivatives. They explore the implications of Lido's potential monopoly on Ethereum's decentralization, uncovering the mechanics of stETH and its uses. The conversation touches on the challenges posed by miner extractable value, dual governance proposals for Lido, and the ethical dilemmas of a centralized staking ecosystem. Can other competitors challenge Lido’s dominance? Tune in to find out!

In this episode, Amir Haleem, CEO of Nova Labs and founder of Helium, reveals how decentralized internet infrastructure powered by crypto transforms connectivity. He discusses the network's growth after introducing crypto tokens and the unique users leveraging Helium. The conversation dives into the challenges of IoT, the exciting launch of 5G networks, and the implications for traditional telecom. Haleem also shares insights on proof of coverage, the role of community, and plans for the future, making it a compelling listen for tech enthusiasts.

Hasu, strategy lead at Flashbots and advisor to Lido, teams up with Tarun Chitra, founder of Gauntlet, to dissect the world of staked ETH (stETH). They discuss Lido's impact on liquid staking, unraveling its market dominance. The duo explains why stETH isn't mispriced and the risks it faces, especially during liquidity crises. They also delve into the implications of the Ethereum Merge for stETH liquidity and the complex governance needs as Lido grapples with market fluctuations. Insightful and engaging, this conversation navigates the intricate landscape of decentralized finance.

Badiucao, a Chinese artist and activist, uses NFTs to combat censorship and promote political change through his art, satirizing the Chinese government. He discusses his journey from teaching preschool in Australia to becoming a prominent dissident artist after learning about Tiananmen Square. The conversation reveals how NFTs allow artists to preserve protest messages permanently on the blockchain. Niki Selkin, Director of Creative Development at Gray Area, joins Badiucao to explore the transformative potential of blockchain technologies for human rights activism.

Taylor Monahan, a pioneer in crypto UX and security, shares insights on the fallout from Three Arrows Capital’s risky strategies. She discusses the chaotic lending landscape where firms used customer funds unsafely and reflects on the parallels between current crypto turmoil, the 2008 crisis, and previous collapses like Mt. Gox. Monahan emphasizes the crucial need for user-centric design in crypto and how DeFi may offer solutions to the systemic issues plaguing traditional finance, advocating for resilience and responsible governance in the shifting market.

Shaun Maguire and Michelle Bailhe, partners at Sequoia Capital, bring a wealth of experience in crypto investments. They delve into their long-term vision for the crypto industry, discussing how decentralized technology could reshape our lives in the coming decades. The conversation covers the critical distinction between investing in tokens versus the entities behind projects, the balance of venture capital's role in decentralization, and the lessons learned from previous market failures like Terra. They also emphasize the significance of product-market fit and the implications of macroeconomic trends on the crypto landscape.

Derek Hsue, co-founder at Reverie and a decentralized finance expert, dives into the recent controversies surrounding Solend and Bancor. He discusses Solend's drastic governance decision amid a liquidity crisis and the backlash it faced for straying from decentralization principles. Hsue calls it the 'nuclear option' and debates whether the protocol's handling could have been different. The conversation also covers Bancor's challenges with Impermanent Loss Protection and its unilateral decision-making, highlighting the complexities faced by DAOs in times of crisis.

Caroline Pham, a Commissioner at the CFTC focusing on crypto asset regulation, shares her journey into the world of cryptocurrency and effective regulatory strategies. She emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with oversight, especially after the Terra collapse. Pham advocates for transparency in regulation and the need for collaboration between the SEC and CFTC. She discusses the role of crypto in the financial system, the importance of self-determination, and her views on regulation as a path to maintaining the US's financial leadership.

Mika Honkasalo, an independent crypto researcher, dives deep into the troubling situations of Celsius and Three Arrows Capital. He explains the critical significance of Celsius pausing withdrawals and the implications of staked ETH on its financial stability. Mika analyzes how the Terra collapse sparked a contagion in the industry and warns investors about potential risks linked to centralized crypto lenders. He also discusses the challenges of risk management and who could be impacted if 3AC faces insolvency, urging scrutiny in these turbulent times.