The Edge Podcast

Marco Cora is the Head of Business Development at Matter Labs (zkSync). In this episode, we talk about the imminent launch of zkSync's zkEVM! This Ethereum L2 will significantly increase the throughput of the Ethereum network, reduce transaction costs, and improve overall efficiency. We talk with Marco about why they believe an EVM-compatible zkRollup-based L2 is better technology for scaling Ethereum long term and why we as users should care. Given the launch of optimistic rollup-based L2s like Arbitrum and Optimism, we were eager to discuss the ongoing process of onboarding DeFi and Web3 teams to zkSync Era, how they will bootstrap liquidity, and if zkSync launches a token, how it will work in decentralizing their L2. Given zkSync is solely run and operated by the zkSync team's servers, it is currently centralized, but this is expected to be transitioned to a decentralized system this year or some time in early 2024. Find out how to get ahead for what is anticipated to be the next biggest L2 launch since Arbitrum! THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT TO BUY ANY TOKEN OR NFT RELATED TO ANY PLATFORMS DISCUSSED. ------ 🙏 The Edge Podcast is produced by 4RC Labs. If you're a DeFi/Web3 builder, contact our team at: https://fourthrevolution.capital/ 🙋‍♀️ Interested to sponsor episodes of The Edge? Fill this out: https://hl6pu9d99u5.typeform.com/to/E3NY5Mqn ------ 🌲 LINKTREE FOR THE EDGE PODCAST: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod 🔎 DISCOVER DEFI & WEB3 BLOG POSTS, PODCASTS, TUTORIALS: http://defidad.com/ ✅ FOLLOW DEFI DAD ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DeFi_Dad ✅ FOLLOW NOMATIC ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Nomaticcap ------ The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources 📈 GTRADE | DECENTRALIZED LEVERAGE TRADING https://gains.trade/ 🌊 STADER | MULTICHAIN LIQUID STAKING https://staderlabs.com/ 🔔 PUSH PROTOCOL | WEB3 COMMUNICATIONS https://app.push.org/ ⛩️ UTOPIA | PAYROLL AND EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FOR DAOS https://www.utopialabs.com/ ------ Topics Covered 00:00 - Intro 03:25 - History of zkSync & Gitcoin Grants 04:00 - Background on Matter Labs and zkSync 07:25 - Defining a zkRollup and zkEVM 15:50 - What will a zkEVM enable for users 23:15 - zkSync suite of products 29:30 - Hyperchains and Hyperscaling 33:50 - How near is Hyperscaling 37:50 - Why CEXs may opt to run on a zkEVM 41:55 - What do we know about a zkSync token 46:00 - Lessons from other L2 launches 50:15 - Projects to launch on zkSync Era 55:50 - What's least understood about L2s 01:00:10 - Advice for crypto newbies 01:01:30 - Scaling Ethereum security and values 01:03:55 - Closing ------ Guest Links Marco Cora on Twitter https://twitter.com/Be1garat zkSync on Twitter https://twitter.com/zksync Learn about zkSync Era https://zksync.io Learn about Matter Labs https://matter-labs.io/ ----- All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and not necessarily those of Fourth Revolution Capital. Podcast guests and 4RC may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. 4RC invested in the Series B round for zkSync. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. Do your own research.

Sam Kazemian is the Founder of Frax Finance. In this episode, we go deep with one of DeFi's most accomplished builders. Sam launched Frax Finance in 2020, being one of the earliest stablecoins to launch in the new era following DeFi Summer. We talk with Sam about how Frax has managed to thrive in such a competitive sector of DeFi, while leveraging a positive-sum strategy to not only grow Frax stablecoins but also some of their fiercest competitors. We also discuss their newest stablecoin pegged to 1 ETH called frxETH, which as of this recording, is #4 in total staked ETH among LSTs just behind Rocket Pool (even though frxETH isn't intended as an LST)! THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT TO BUY ANY TOKEN OR NFT RELATED TO ANY PLATFORMS DISCUSSED.   ------  🙏 The Edge Podcast is produced by 4RC Labs. If you're a DeFi/Web3 builder, contact our team at: https://fourthrevolution.capital/ 🙋‍♀️ Interested to sponsor episodes of The Edge? Fill this out: https://hl6pu9d99u5.typeform.com/to/E3NY5Mqn ------  🌲 LINKTREE FOR THE EDGE PODCAST: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod 🔎 DISCOVER DEFI & WEB3 BLOG POSTS, PODCASTS, TUTORIALS: http://defidad.com/ ✅ FOLLOW DEFI DAD ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DeFi_Dad ✅ FOLLOW NOMATIC ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Nomaticcap ------ The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources 🌊 STADER | MULTICHAIN LIQUID STAKING: https://staderlabs.com/ 🔔 PUSH PROTOCOL | WEB3 COMMUNICATIONS: https://app.push.org/  🌿 LENS | DECENTRALIZED SOCIAL GRAPH: https://lens.xyz/  ⛩️ UTOPIA | PAYROLL AND EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FOR DAOS https://www.utopialabs.com/  ------ Topics Covered   00:00 - Intro 02:50 - Sam's background 06:30 - The origin of Frax Finance 10:40 - The Frax suite and The DeFi Trinity 16:25 - Stablecoin Maximalism 23:30 - Frax positive-sum strategy 33:45 - Why Sam and Frax bet on Curve and Convex 44:30 - How FRAX could be backed by Fed deposits 52:30 - Why the Frax Price Index (FPI) exists 53:30 - frxETH and backing it with other LSTs 57:45 - What's next for Frax 01:00:30 - frxETH as a WETH replacement 01:05:20 - Closing ------ Guest Links   Sam Kazemian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamKazemian Frax Finance on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FraxFinance Learn about Frax Finance: https://frax.finance/  Frax Facts: https://facts.frax.finance/  Frax Convex Booster: https://frax.convexfinance.com/  ----- All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and not necessarily those of Fourth Revolution Capital. Podcast guests and 4RC 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.

Sreeram Kannan is the Founder of EigenLayer. He is also an associate professor at University of Washington Seattle, where he runs the UW Blockchain Lab. In this episode, we cover everything you need to know about one of the most talked about projects in crypto. Getting to know EigenLayer in 2023 will be like getting a head start on liquid staking back in 2020. Sreeram walks us through how he came upon the idea that Ethereum could eventually export its trust to other blockchains, apps, and protocols through restaking ETH via EigenLayer. EigenLayer is a marketplace for decentralized trust. Similar to how venture capital decouples the need for entrepreneurs to have both innovative ideas and the capital to execute on their vision, EigenLayer decouples the need for a coincidence of both innovation and trust, so that blockchain builders with expertise to build new Web3 products can simply leverage the trust/security of Ethereum.   THIS IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT TO BUY ANY TOKEN OR NFT RELATED TO ANY PLATFORMS DISCUSSED. ------  🙏 The Edge Podcast is produced by 4RC Labs. If you're a DeFi/Web3 builder, contact our team at: https://fourthrevolution.capital/ 🙋‍♀️ Interested to sponsor episodes of The Edge? Fill this out: https://hl6pu9d99u5.typeform.com/to/E3NY5Mqn ------  🌲 LINKTREE FOR THE EDGE PODCAST: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod 🔎 DISCOVER DEFI & WEB3 BLOG POSTS, PODCASTS, TUTORIALS: http://defidad.com/ ✅ FOLLOW DEFI DAD ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DeFi_Dad ✅ FOLLOW NOMATIC ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Nomaticcap ------ The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources   🌊 STADER | MULTICHAIN LIQUID STAKING: https://staderlabs.com/ 🔔 PUSH PROTOCOL | WEB3 COMMS INCLUDING NEW PUSH GROUP CHAT: https://app.push.org/ 🌿 LENS | DECENTRALIZED SOCIAL GRAPH: https://lens.xyz/ 🤖 UTILITI.AI | ALL-IN-ONE PLATFORM TO LAUNCH DAPPS AND GAMES: https://www.utiliti.ai/ ⛩️ UTOPIA | PAYROLL AND EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FOR DAOS: https://www.utopialabs.com/  ------  Topics Covered 00:00 - Intro 02:20 - How Sreeram committed to building on Ethereum 06:00 - What's the state of teaching crypto in universities 10:00 - Accelerated social mobility made possible by crypto 14:30 - What is the status quo in a world where EigenLayer doesn't exist 23:00 - What is EigenLayer 26:30 - Why EigenLayer is a marketplace of decentralized trust  34:30 - DeFi Dad and Nomatic dumb down EigenLayer 36:00 - Sreeram's mental models for explaining EigenLayer 43:00 - The future UI/UX and applications built on EigenLayer 48:45 - How EigenLayer will work with liquid staking protocols 54:00 - How will EigenLayer establish trust to restake ETH 58:00 - What happens when an EigenLayer restaker gets slashed 01:04:30 - How would protocol tokens work with EigenLayer 01:10:00 - Will EigenLayer have a token? 01:10:55 - How will EigenLayer accrue value 01:13:00 - What is least understood about EigenLayer 01:18:11 - When will EigenLayer go live 01:19:00 - Closing ------ Guest Links   Sreeram on Twitter https://twitter.com/SreeramKannan EigenLayer on Twitter https://twitter.com/eigenlayer Learn about EigenLayer https://www.eigenlayer.com/ ----- All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and not necessarily those of Fourth Revolution Capital. Podcast guests and 4RC 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.

Jasper is a prominent member of the Rocket Pool community, as the former Treasurer of the Protocol DAO and currently known as the Community Advocate, serving on the Incentives Management Committee and as a member of the oDAO. In this episode, Jasper walks through why Rocket Pool is poised to take over in 2023. He breaks down Rocket Pool's edge as a decentralized liquid staking protocol for ETH. Our conversation includes everything to know about Rocket Pool including their LST, rETH, the design choice to prioritize home stakers, why Ethereum values are Rocket Pool values, and how Rocket Pool is rapidly scaling the largest network of permissionless node operators. ------ 🔗 Essential Show Links 🔗 ► Subscribe on Youtube: https://youtube.com/@defidad ► Subscribe on Apple: https://tinyurl.com/edgepod ► Subscribe on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/edgepodspotify ► Subscribe on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/edge_pod ► Follow DeFi Dad: https://twitter.com/DeFi_Dad ► Follow Nomatic: https://twitter.com/Nomaticcap ► Learn about DeFi and Web3: http://defidad.com/ ------ The Edge Podcast Sponsor Resources 🌊 STADER | MULTICHAIN LIQUID STAKING 🌿 LENS | DECENTRALIZED SOCIAL GRAPH 📱 ORB | IOS/ANDROID MOBILE APP FOR LENS SOCIAL MEDIA 🤖 UTILITI.AI | ALL-IN-ONE PLATFORM TO LAUNCH DAPPS AND GAMES 📊 PUSH PROTOCOL | WEB3 COMMS PROTOCOL ⛩️ UTOPIA | PAYROLL AND EXPENSE MANAGEMENT FOR DAOS 🙋‍♀️ Interested to sponsor The Edge Podcast? Fill this out! ------ Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 03:15 - Jasper's background 05:25 - How Jasper found a home at Rocket Pool 08:00 - What is Rocket Pool as a protocol 10:30 - Why does Rocket Pool have over 2000 node operators 12:30 - How rETH works and accrues yield 14:30 - Understanding the risks of LSDs 19:50 - The expected impact of lowering bond requirement to 8 ETH 22:15 - Why RPL is integral to Rocket Pool 25:30 - How more validators = more buy pressure on RPL 28:00 - Growth struggles for Rocket Pool during initial launch 31:20 - Liquidity incentives and future strategies for Rocket Pool 36:00 - Values of Ethereum are values of Rocket Pool 43:15 - Pros and cons of rETH token design 45:15 - Why Rocket Pool voted to self-limit its share of LSD market 48:45 - What happens to RPL if ETH exits rETH and moves to other LSDs 53:25 - How EigenLayer will impact Rocket Pool and other LSDs 57:00 - Catalysts for LSDs in an "exalted new category" 58:30 - Jasper's alpha on Rocket Pool 59:30 - Closing ------ 🔗 Guest Links 🔗 ► Jasper on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jasper_ETH ► Learn about Rocket Pool: https://rocketpool.net/ ► Jasper's paper "Why Paradigm Was Wrong: How rETH Will Flip stETH:" https://mirror.xyz/jasperthefriendlyghost.eth/pnaLyH6W4j58vfypsOKHciF_BM5HFvTkouTd9uThesM ----- 🙏 The Edge Podcast is produced by 4RC Labs. If you're a DeFi/Web3 builder, contact our team at: https://fourthrevolution.capital/ All opinions expressed by hosts and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and not necessarily those of Fourth Revolution Capital. Podcast guests and 4RC may have positions in the assets or other matters discussed in this podcast. As of this recording, DeFi Dad and Nomatic hold RPL. 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.