The Edge Podcast

Introducing Revenue Meta—a new series by The Edge Podcast spotlighting DeFi protocols that actually generate cashflows and return value to tokenholders.There aren't many protocols that can answer the simple question: How does your business make money? We're starting with Maple Finance, where CoFounder & CEO Sid Powell breaks down their revenue model, treasury management, and path from $30M to $100M ARR.In this episode:+ How Maple generates revenue through over-collateralized lending+ Revenue allocation: treasury management, buybacks, and building strategic reserves+ The roadmap to $100M ARR and how they grow their loan book* Why Maple is a pure token play, no hidden equity, all value flows to SYRUP holders------💎 THIS EPISODE'S PARTNERS♉︎ TOROS | Exponential gains with leveraged tokens🌅 NEUTRL | The next generation of crypto-native yield🛡️ ACCOUNTABLE | Real-time financial verification🕛 NOON | The highest and safest stablecoin yield, built for the long term⚔️ KATANA | Deep liquidity & real yield🔊 DECIBEL | The new sound of trading🏦 MANTLE | Innovating the future of onchain finance🐡 PUFFER INSTITUTIONAL | ETH staking solutions for scale⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | Onchain lending reimagined------⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 - Intro5:16 - How Maple generates revenue7:20 - Maple revenue allocation and treasury management9:59 - Building Maple’s strategic reserve12:23 - How big must the book of loans grow to reach $100M ARR?13:29 - Strengthening Maple's balance sheet16:04 - Maple’s business is very scalable18:01 - The napkin math on Maple’s ARR growth from syrupUSDT21:40 - Operating under pro-crypto regulation24:30 - New products and innovations coming to Maple29:04 - SYRUP, one token for the Maple ecosystem30:39 - Closing------🔗 GUEST LINKS► Maple website: https://maple.finance/► Maple on X: https://x.com/maplefinance► Sid on X: https://x.com/syrupsid► Maple Dune dashboard: https://dune.com/maple-finance/maple-finance------🎙️ MORE FROM THE EDGE PODCAST AND EDGE NEWSLETTER► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------DISCLAIMER: Nothing said on The Edge Podcast is a recommendation to buy or sell tokens or securities. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Nothing shared here is financial advice. Any views expressed by hosts or guests on the show are solely their opinions. Always do your own research. DeFi Dad, Nomatic, and guests may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast.

Explore the fascinating trends from 2025, highlighting Bitcoin's dominance and the unexpected surge in institutional adoption. Discover predictions for 2026, including stablecoins potentially reaching $1 trillion and Ethereum's continued outperformance. Dive into the impact of the Clarity Act on digital asset rules and how DeFi is maturing as it values revenues over traditional metrics. The discussion also touches on the emerging role of agentic finance and the revolutionary potential of tokenized real-world assets.

Rob Hadick, a General Partner at Dragonfly, dives into the evolution of crypto beyond the Bitcoin 4-year cycle. He emphasizes the shift toward institutional adoption and the necessity for real fundamentals in market dynamics. Rob discusses the bullish outlook for 2026, highlighting opportunities in stablecoins and decentralized finance. He addresses challenges with transparency in DeFi and advocates for improved risk management. With insights on zero-knowledge tech and the potential for new financial products, Rob paints a picture of an evolving crypto landscape.

Kaledora Fontana Kiernan-Linn, Co-founder and CEO of Ostium, shares her unique journey from professional ballerina to leader in the DeFi space. She discusses how Ostium aims to bring traditional markets like commodities and equities onchain, addressing the accessibility gap in crypto. Kaledora highlights the need for transparency with CFD-style trading and explains Ostium's innovative platform design, including leverage options and a model for deep liquidity. With plans to enhance their service and scale operations, she invites listeners to engage with Ostium.

Kevin Lepsoe, founder of ETHGAS and an expert in fintech, dives into how blockspace futures could revolutionize Ethereum by enabling gasless and real-time execution. He discusses the benefits for DeFi protocols like Uniswap, the impact on MEV elimination, and the potential for more efficient liquidity flow. Kevin also highlights challenges such as risks of centralization and the need for robust revenue models. Overall, he envisions a seamless Ethereum experience that dramatically enhances user engagement.

William Mougayar is an author, entrepreneur, investor, and Ethereum advocate.In this episode, we explore why Ethereum shouldn’t be valued like a stock, but instead understood as a public good infrastructure, more like the Internet valued through the lens of dependence, economic flow, and trust.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources♉︎ TOROS | EXPONENTIAL GAINS WITH LEVERAGED TOKENS♦️ REDSTONE | THE LEADING MODULAR BLOCKCHAIN ORACLE🌅 NEUTRL | THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRYPTO-NATIVE YIELD🌞 SOLSTICE | PERMISSIONLESS INSTITUTIONAL YIELD⚔️ KATANA | DEEP LIQUIDITY & REAL YIELD🔊 DECIBEL | THE NEW SOUND OF TRADING🥞 SYRUPUSDC BY MAPLE | DEFI'S PREMIUM YIELD ASSET🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER INSTITUTIONAL | STAKING SOLUTIONS FOR SCALE🌊 RIVER | A CHAIN-ABSTRACTION STABLECOIN SYSTEM⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED------Timestamps0:00 - Intro2:10 - William’s background and Ethereum’s genesis6:13 - Sponsor break8:45 - Crypto’s next era will be driven by fundamentals15:31 - Why the Internet is the right valuation comparison23:33 - Why Ethereum should be valued as a public good31:28 - The layers of the Internet vs Ethereum34:19 - How the Internet has been valued39:27 - Valuing Ethereum based on Internet valuation frameworks45:51 - What do we blame ETH’s mispricing on?58:20 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► William's Ethereum report: https://ethmrc.com/the-internets-blueprint-for-ethereum-a-trillion-dollar-public-goods-valuation-framework/► William's blog: https://wamougayar.xyz/► Ethereum Market Research Center on X: https://x.com/ethereum_mrc► William Mougayar on X: https://x.com/wmougayar------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. DeFi Dad, Nomatic, and William all hold ETH. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Wojtek Pawlowski and Ioan Moldovan are the CoFounders of Accountable.In this episode, we explore how real-time financial verification could help surface risk earlier across DeFi, CeFi, and even TradFi. The team behind Accountable explains how a new standard in verifiable, privacy-preserving reporting can change the way markets assess solvency, performance, and trust before problems escalate.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources♉︎ TOROS | EXPONENTIAL GAINS WITH LEVERAGED TOKENS♦️ REDSTONE | THE LEADING MODULAR BLOCKCHAIN ORACLE🌅 NEUTRL | THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRYPTO-NATIVE YIELD🌞 SOLSTICE | PERMISSIONLESS INSTITUTIONAL YIELD⚔️ KATANA | DEEP LIQUIDITY & REAL YIELD🔊 DECIBEL | THE NEW SOUND OF TRADING🥞 SYRUPUSDC BY MAPLE | DEFI'S PREMIUM YIELD ASSET🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER INSTITUTIONAL | STAKING SOLUTIONS FOR SCALE🌊 RIVER | A CHAIN-ABSTRACTION STABLECOIN SYSTEM⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED------Timestamps0:00 - Intro7:38 - Founders’ backgrounds14:38 - The problem with “trust me bro” DeFi23:00 - Building for real-time financial verification25:18 - How Accountable preserves privacy32:53 - Real-time reporting for TradFi40:02 - What is a Data Verification Network?49:07 - Examples of Proof of Solvency dashboards56:42 - Marketplace for verifiable yields 1:00:16 - Live verifiable yield vaults on Accountable1:03:07 - How teams can get started with Accountable1:06:48 - Accountable business model1:08:43 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► Accountable website: https://accountable.capital/► Accountable on X: https://x.com/AccountableData► Wojtek on X: https://x.com/VVojtek_P------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. Since recording, DeFi Dad has invested in Accountable. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Nick van Eck is the CoFounder and CEO at Agora.In this episode, Nick explains why he believes stablecoins are entering their "second inning," how enterprises are beginning to adopt stablecoins at scale, and what it actually takes to build payment infrastructure that operates at the speed of the internet.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources♉︎ TOROS | EXPONENTIAL GAINS WITH LEVERAGED TOKENS♦️ REDSTONE | THE LEADING MODULAR BLOCKCHAIN ORACLE🌅 NEUTRL | THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRYPTO-NATIVE YIELD🌞 SOLSTICE | PERMISSIONLESS INSTITUTIONAL YIELD⚔️ KATANA | DEEP LIQUIDITY & REAL YIELD🔊 DECIBEL | THE NEW SOUND OF TRADING🥞 SYRUPUSDC BY MAPLE | DEFI'S PREMIUM YIELD ASSET🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER INSTITUTIONAL | STAKING SOLUTIONS FOR SCALE🌊 RIVER | A CHAIN-ABSTRACTION STABLECOIN SYSTEM⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED------Timestamps0:00 - Intro4:56 - History of Nick’s family in finance13:15 - Pitching crypto and stablecoins to friends17:39 - Seeing early opportunity in DeFi and stablecoins23:22 - Has crypto lost its magic?26:19 - Where are we in the adoption curve for stablecoins?29:33 - How Agora fits into the payments landscape34:25 - What does Agora actually do for clients37:31 - How Agora clients earn revenue40:05 - How Agora makes money43:07 - Competitors46:57 - Considerations for enterprises launching stablecoins49:04 - Opportunities in the stablecoin boom53:15 - Fundraising54:15 - What’s next55:26 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► Agora website: https://www.agora.finance/► Agora on X: https://x.com/agorafinance► Nick on X: https://x.com/nick_van_eck------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.

Join Johann Kerbrat, Crypto General Manager at Robinhood, as he shares insights into the company's innovative Ethereum L2, designed to enable 24/7 trading of tokenized stocks and digital assets. He discusses the vision behind tokenization, reducing barriers for private investments, and the potential impact on liquidity. Johann also explores the role of advanced trading features and the integration of prediction markets. With an eye on the future, he envisions a financial ecosystem merging DeFi and traditional finance, bolstered by AI and seamless user experiences.

David Schamis is the Founding Partner and CIO of Atlas Merchant Capital and now CEO of Hyperliquid Strategies.In this episode, David breaks down how serious seasoned investors think about valuing Hyperliquid, from the bull case for HYPE to the economics behind running the largest HYPE DAT in the world. We discuss what's unique about Hyperliquid, navigating mNAV dynamics as a DAT , and why Hyperliquid is well positioned to become financial infrastructure for bringing RWAs and Wall Street onchain.------🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗► Newsletter: https://the-edge.xyz► Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DeFiDad► Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod► Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify► Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod► Follow DeFi Dad: https://x.com/DeFi_Dad► Follow Nomatic: https://x.com/Nomaticcap► Learn DeFi: http://defidad.com/------The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources♦️ REDSTONE | THE LEADING MODULAR BLOCKCHAIN ORACLE♉︎ TOROS | EXPONENTIAL GAINS WITH LEVERAGED TOKENS🌅 NEUTRL | THE NEXT GENERATION OF CRYPTO-NATIVE YIELD🌞 SOLSTICE | PERMISSIONLESS INSTITUTIONAL YIELD⚔️ KATANA | DEEP LIQUIDITY & REAL YIELD🔊 DECIBEL | THE NEW SOUND OF TRADING🥞 SYRUPUSDC BY MAPLE | DEFI'S PREMIUM YIELD ASSET🏦 MANTLE | INNOVATING THE FUTURE OF ONCHAIN FINANCE🐡 PUFFER INSTITUTIONAL | STAKING SOLUTIONS FOR SCALE🌊 RIVER | A CHAIN-ABSTRACTION STABLECOIN SYSTEM⚙️ GEARBOX PROTOCOL | ONCHAIN LENDING REIMAGINED------Timestamps0:00 - Intro5:59 - David and Bob Diamond’s careers8:16 - How did they learn about Hyperliquid?14:02 - The bull thesis for valuing HYPE19:57 - Are regulators ready to embrace DeFi?25:04 - Sponsor break26:20 - Growing trade volume in HIP-3 markets30:23 - What is Hyperliquid Strategies?33:11 - Navigating market dynamics with mNAV44:52 - Sponsor break46:39 - Staking considerations for Hyperliquid Strategies49:47 - Operating expenses behind running a DAT52:02 - Merger + new PURR ticker53:26 - Insights into Jeff’s vision58:16 - Closing------🔗 Guest Links 🔗► Hyperliquid Strategies on X: https://x.com/hypestrat► David Schamis on X: https://x.com/dschamis------All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions. Podcast guests and hosts may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. Nomatic holds HYPE. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research. This is not a recommendation or endorsement to buy any token(s) related to any platform(s) discussed.