Talking Tokens

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Lorien Gabel, co-founder and CEO of Figment, a leading non-custodial staking provider supporting over a thousand institutional clients. Figment works with asset managers, custodians, exchanges, foundations, and wallets, helping institutions securely access crypto yield.Lorien shares his journey from building internet infrastructure companies to founding Figment in 2018. They discuss how staking has evolved, why distribution is Figment’s moat, what institutions want from staking, and how regulation is reshaping the industry. Lorien also breaks down misconceptions about custody, the rise of liquid staking, global adoption trends, and why staking may soon become as common as dividends or savings accounts.This episode is sponsored by Across Protocol.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro: Who is Lorien Gabel? (00:57) - Figment overview: one of the largest non-custodial staking providers (02:10) - Founding story: co-founders & early staking with Tezos (03:47) - Differentiation: focusing on institutions & distribution (05:24) - Lessons from Microsoft/Intel: distribution as a moat (06:24) - Traits of successful founders: stoicism in volatile markets (08:47) - Figment’s $1.4B valuation & growth journey (10:27) - Defining staking clearly: protocol security vs DeFi rewards (13:10) - Institutions adopting staking via ETFs and treasuries (15:30) - Why storytelling and scale matter (Saylor effect) (19:20) - Regulation shifts & U.S. institutions re-entering staking (22:10) - Liquid staking: benefits, risks & institutional appetite (24:40) - Global adoption: Europe, Asia, and emerging markets (27:10) - Future outlook: staking as common as savings accounts (29:00) - Final advice: treat crypto like a game, stay steady, enjoy itYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On this episode of Talking Tokens, Jacquelyn sits down with John Darsie, CEO of SALT and managing partner at SkyBridge Capital, best known for connecting Wall Street, Washington, and the crypto industry. They unpack the evolution from the exuberant Crypto Bahamas era in 2022 to today’s Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, how institutions and policymakers are engaging crypto, why narrative and PR are more important than ever, and the secret behind attracting actual capital allocators (not just the crypto echo chamber) to conferences. John shares firsthand insights on the Trump administration’s approach, regulatory progress, bipartisan outreach, and what it will take to propel the next wave of adoption. Plus: event philosophy, why fun matters, and wild stories from Jackson Hole.This episode is sponsored by Across Protocol.⏱️ Timestamps(00:00) - Crypto’s PR Problem: Misconceptions, narratives, and industry unity (00:49) - Why the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium? The journey from SkyBridge to Bahamas to Jackson Hole (05:04) - Learning from the Bahamas era: From FTX parties to regulatory focus (06:32) - Creating “the adults’ conference”: Curation, institutions, and escaping the echo chamber (09:16) - Genius Act, Circle IPO, Bitcoin rally: The tipping point for institutional adoption (11:10) - Real change: Word-of-mouth, inbound interest, and what’s different this year (12:22) - Bridging government and tech: Fed, SEC, Treasury—roundtables and candid talks (14:10) - Fireside chat takeaways: U.S. crypto policy, Bitcoin as a strategic reserve, and regulatory progress (17:00) - Federal vs. state regulation: Wyoming vs. New York and long-term policy debates (18:52) - How the Trump administration and key hires have altered crypto’s future (22:10) - The American Bitcoin project, Eric Trump, and what public/private engagement looks like (26:38) - What still holds U.S. crypto adoption back? Due diligence, regulatory clarity, and industry PR (32:08) - Making crypto bipartisan, persistent misconceptions, and event strategy (33:36) - Event philosophy: Why “fun” is as important as networking and policy (34:57) - Lessons from Jackson Hole: Moose sightings, bear run-ins, and the “intimate” advantage (35:39) - What’s next: SkyBridge as a crypto bridge, future SALT events, and the golden age of alternative assets📢 Subscribe & FollowSubscribe on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, leave us a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141 Follow on X: Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek | Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed assets or companies. Not investment advice.

On this episode of Talking Tokens, Jacquelyn welcomes Hart Lambur, co-founder of Across Protocol, back to the show to break down Across’s next big move: live, fast bridging between Solana, Ethereum, and major L2s. Hart explains why true chain interoperability matters for all users and devs, how open intents and a “two-second bridge” are setting new speed standards, and why fragmentation, not maximalism, is the challenge stopping web3’s next phase of growth. You’ll get the inside story on why Across expanded to Solana, the real tradeoffs behind non-EVM integration, cost and speed advantages, and what cross-chain UX should look like in 2025. Hart also gives a candid take on rival bridges, open intents, the path toward unified standards, and why loving your team is the most important lesson in crypto.This episode is sponsored by Across Protocol.⏱️ Timestamps(00:00) - Introduction: Hart Lambur, Across Protocol, and Ethereum to Solana fast bridge (03:08) - Why bridges matter: fragmentation, interoperability, and user experience (07:05) - Choosing Solana: user demand, technical lift, and why Solana came next (14:12) - Two-Second Bridge UX: Solving for speed, no more “wait a minute” (18:17) - What makes Across different: cost, hooks, and EVM vs Solana smart contracts (22:15) - The Open Intents Framework: past progress and future standards (27:28) - Fragmentation vs. unification: where the multi-chain UX breaks down (30:05) - What seamless cross-chain means for app builders and users (34:12) - Technical surprises and lessons from bridging EVM ↔ SVM (36:00) - Macro market trends, Bitcoin, stablecoins, and digital asset sovereignty (37:50) - Hart’s advice: Love your team, trust each other, and building for the long haul📢 Subscribe & Follow Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, leave us a review! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141 Follow on X: Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinekTalking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed assets or companies. Not investment advice.

In this engaging conversation, Joseph Onorati, CEO of DeFi Development Corp, shares insights from his journey in cryptocurrency, including nearly a decade at Kraken. He explains why DeFi Dev Corp focuses on Solana over Bitcoin and Ethereum, emphasizing its superior treasury strategies. Joseph discusses the advantages of issuing in-house validators and how they can outperform traditional ETFs. Additionally, he delves into the importance of decentralized finance within Solana and the company's strategic acquisitions, painting an optimistic picture for the future.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Arianna Simpson, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) crypto, one of the most influential firms in tech and crypto.Arianna shares her journey from Facebook to founding her own venture fund, and eventually joining a16z. They discuss how the firm approaches early-stage web3 investments, what they look for in founders, and the sectors she’s most excited about, including stablecoins and decentralized AI infrastructure. She also talks about global adoption trends, navigating regulation, and why the next wave of blockchain innovation will be more user-focused than ever.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro: Who is Arianna Simpson? (01:20) - From Facebook to founding a crypto venture fund (04:10) - Joining a16z crypto and early-stage investment focus (07:15) - How a16z chooses which founders to back (10:05) - Key sectors on a16z’s radar: stablecoins, DeFi, infrastructure (13:00) - Why user experience will drive the next wave of adoption (15:45) - Global adoption trends and emerging markets (18:40) - Navigating regulation and policy changes (21:20) - Advice for founders entering the space now (24:15) - The role of storytelling in raising capital (27:10) - How founders can stand out to top investors (30:25) - Building resilience through market cycles (33:45) - Common mistakes early-stage founders make (36:40) - Final thoughts: stay adaptable, mission-driven, and boldYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with AJ Warner, Director of Strategy at Offchain Labs, the team behind Arbitrum, one of Ethereum’s top layer-2 blockchains with over $4B in TVL.AJ shares his journey from real estate lawyer to crypto strategist, and how a college connection led him to help build Arbitrum from the ground up. They discuss the unique "barbell" strategy powering both Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Orbit, why liquidity and composability are critical for growth, and how Arbitrum balances being a top public chain with enabling enterprises to launch custom blockchains.He also dives into the recent Robinhood partnership - from launching tokenized stocks on Arbitrum One to designing a dedicated Robinhood chain - and why powering fintech products with crypto rails might be the fastest path to mass adoption. Plus, AJ breaks down why some projects shouldn’t launch their own chain, how Arbitrum’s governance gives token holders real control over upgrades and revenue, and where L2 innovation is headed next.Timestamps(01:12) - From law to crypto via a college connection (04:04) - Building Arbitrum’s "barbell" product strategy (07:40) - Liquidity, composability & Arbitrum’s public chain advantage (10:19) - Stablecoin liquidity leadership: USDC, USDT, PayPal USD (12:48) - Arbitrum Orbit: Launching custom L3 chains (16:21) - Why Uber-style incentive models fail in crypto (20:59) - Who should (and shouldn’t) launch their own chain (24:44) - MEV, operating costs & economics of L2 ownership (28:50) - Opinionated blockspace: making the chain part of the product (33:09) - Governance, token holder control & the Arbitrum treasury (37:31) - Designing Robinhood’s on-chain strategy (39:16) - Why fintech products powered by crypto rails matter (42:52) - Making blockchain invisible (in a good way) (44:52) - Final advice: No shortcuts, just hard workYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Emmett Hollyer, General Manager at Solana Mobile — the team behind Saga and now Seeker, crypto’s most ambitious attempt at a mobile-native device and ecosystem.They discuss how Solana Mobile went from 20K Saga phones to 150K Seeker phones sold, why web3 apps need a crypto-friendly App Store, and how mobile can fix broken user onboarding through tools like Seed Vault, Seeker ID, and in-phone token rewards. Emmett also explains how they’re battling bots, supporting new dApps, and preparing to launch a new token $SKR.This episode is a part of the Solana Sessions campaign that Token Relations and the Talking Tokens podcast are doing, diving into founders’ journeys and startups building on Solana.Timestamps(00:00) - Solana Seeker: New Phone, New Vision (01:00) - From Saga to Seeker: 20K to 150K Phones Sold (03:11) - Why Solana Took Mobile Seriously Early (05:22) - Challenging the Duopoly: Apple vs Solana Mobile (07:20) - Secondary Device to Primary Phone: The Shift (08:23) - Seeker Season: Weekly App Incentives & Rewards (09:53) - Crypto-Friendly App Store With Zero Fees (12:01) - Will Non-Solana DApps Be Supported? (14:28) - Seeker ID: Unique Identity & Anti-Sybil Tools (18:46) - Will Seeker Tools Expand to Other Phones? (20:12) - Seed Vault & Key Vault Wallet Explained (24:10) - Global Shipping & Target Markets (26:42) - Tokenized Stocks in Wallet (xStock Feature) (30:57) - The SKR Token: When, Why, and How (34:42) - Seeker Flywheel & Ecosystem Growth Strategy (41:50) - Final Advice: Stay Small, Stay NimbleYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube.If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on XJacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinekTalking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on InstagramTalking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sits down with Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, one of the world’s top crypto exchanges. Under her leadership, Bitget has grown to 100M+ users across 150+ countries, with over $3 billion in daily trading volume and a thriving token ecosystem built around BGB.Gracy opens up about her journey from broadcast journalism to fintech and eventually crypto. She breaks down Bitget’s strategy for global growth, how BGB could be more than just an exchange token, and what they're building beyond trading — including wallets, partnerships, and education. They also discuss AI, regulation, token utility, and more women entering web3 leadership.Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:44) - From TV anchor to fintech investor to Bitget (04:39) - How Bitget grew to 100M+ users & 150+ countries (07:53) - How BGB aims to be more than an exchange token (10:12) - Bitget Wallet, education, and expanding access (13:31) - Gracy’s early investments: BTC, ETH & XRP in 2015 (16:58) - Why she left traditional finance for Web3 (20:47) - How she became CEO after investing in Bitget Wallet (24:09) - Women in Web3: representation, storytelling & risk-taking (28:46) - Brand building, community trust & emerging markets (33:17) - The future of BGB & Bitget’s next big bets (37:52) - Final advice: be visible, lead with mission, tell your storyYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube.If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on XJacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinekTalking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on InstagramTalking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On today’s Talking Tokens episode, Jacquelyn sat down with Hong Sun, head of institutions at Core. Core is a bitcoin-secured, EVM-compatible L1 powering a new wave of BTCFi apps, stablecoin adoption, and yield primitives without requiring bitcoin to leave holders’ wallets.Hong walks through how Core uses bitcoin time locks to enable staking and yield generation, what "dual staking" means for institutional safety and returns, and how Core partners with firms like Maple Finance, Copper, and DeFi Technologies to operationalize BTCFi. He breaks down the rise of liquid staking for bitcoin, how spot ETFs paved the way for the next wave of bitcoin adoption, and what new builders can expect from Core’s Rev+ model.They also discuss how BTCFi is changing institutional strategies, bitcoin-as-treasury dynamics, and the future of composable bitcoin collateral in both DeFi and traditional finance.Timestamps(0:00) - Who is Hong Sun & what is Core? (0:54) - From Paxos to BTCFi: Hong's journey (2:01) - Why bitcoin yield matters for adoption (2:34) - Yield without custody risk: Time locks explained (4:03) - LSD-BTC and tokenizing yield (5:44) - ETF buyers vs. yield seekers: the next wave (6:51) - How institutions are thinking about BTC yield (8:12) - Why time locks minimize risk (10:25) - Tax efficiency & regulatory clarity (11:08) - From gold to fixed income: Bitcoin's new narrative (13:14) - Allocating bitcoin in portfolios (15:01) - Is bitcoin the new real estate? (17:14) - Growth of BTCFi across L1s (19:28) - Core as infra for Bitcoin utility (21:30) - New products: wBTCY, Rev+ (23:29) - Sharing gas fees with builders (24:37) - The stablecoin connection to BTCFi (26:28) - Monetizing distribution for issuers (27:27) - Incentives for builders & devs on Core (29:33) - Educating institutions on safe BTC yield (32:24) - BTCFi: treasuries, ETFs & traders (34:08) - Positive carry for market makers (35:25) - What dual staking unlocks (38:13) - BTCFi TAM & billion-dollar upside (40:23) - Composable Bitcoin in traditional finance (42:15) - Liquidity, volatility & macro impacts (44:14) - Hong’s advice: think big, build aligned systemsYou can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow us on X Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensFollow us on Instagram Talking Tokens: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note that this podcast is for informational purposes only and any views shared by anyone on the show are opinions, not financial advice. The host or guests may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this episode.

On this episode of Talking Tokens, Jacquelyn sits down with Simon Davis, co-founder and CEO of Mighty Bear Games, and Martin Masser, head of growth at TON Foundation. The two combined forces to shape the future of gaming and digital collectibles inside Telegram. Simon breaks down the story behind Mighty Action Heroes and why his studio pivoted to build on TON. Martin shares how TON-powered Telegram apps are quietly onboarding millions, often without users realizing they’re even interacting with crypto. The discussion covers the new wave of airdrop farming games, why collectibles and mini-apps matter, and what mass adoption in web3 could look like. Plus: advice on growth, why frictionless UX beats hype, and practical tips for breaking into crypto.⏱️ Timestamps(00:00) - Intro (01:08) - What’s the REAL connection between Telegram and TON? (03:30) - How Simon and Martin got started in web3 & gaming (05:34) - What actually makes a good web3 game? Audiences, fun, yield, and “crypto speculators” (08:05) - Why onboarding is broken—and how Telegram/TON plan to fix it (09:08) - Using Telegram Collectibles as social and onboarding gateways (13:16) - Users don’t care about chains or tech. They just want fun, easy games (16:05) - Growth hacks: using AI bots and community agents for user acquisition (18:07) - Social apps, sticker NFTs, and why “crypto” is better hidden behind the scenes (22:09) - The next wave: Brand partnerships, new utility, and sticker store innovations (27:14) - Challenges: Airdrop farmers, awareness gaps, and what still needs building (36:14) - Lessons & advice: Stay curious, get into the weeds, and “provide value” if you want in (43:04) - Final tips for security, jobs, and how to really impress in crypto📢 Subscribe & FollowSubscribe on Spotify, Apple or YouTube. If you like the show, leave us a review!Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0LOgWxIQ0NnNUD5eXsSuoZApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-tokens/id1743669141Follow on X: Jacquelyn: https://twitter.com/jacqmelinek | Talking Tokens: https://twitter.com/_TalkingTokensInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_talkingtokens/Note: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Guests may have a financial interest in discussed assets or companies. Not investment advice.