

Lightspeed
Blockworks
Lightspeed is a podcast for those interested in how crypto can solve real problems and create products users love. It's a callback to the garage days of Silicon Valley, where builders pushed the limits of hardware and software to build world-changing products. We interview the projects and founders that will make this same impact today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 56min
Are DATs Bullish For Solana? | Carlos Gonzalez Campo
Carlos Gonzalez Campo from BlockWorks Research joins to discuss the latest on Solana's decentralized autonomous tokens (DATs). He unpacks the impact of DATs compared to their Ethereum counterparts, noting evolving perceptions at the Solana Foundation. They explore the VanEck JitoSOL ETF filing and how Solana is bridging traditional finance with decentralized finance. The conversation also delves into competitive dynamics among blockchain projects and the strategic innovations of new launchpads in the rapidly changing crypto landscape.

Aug 22, 2025 • 57min
The Future Of DeFi On Solana | Kash Dhanda & Samyak Jain
Kash Dhanda, Cat herder at Jupiter, and Samyak Jain, Co-founder of Fluid, dive into the innovative Jupiter Lend, a new BorrowLend product aimed at revolutionizing DeFi on Solana. They discuss the strategic partnership behind this initiative and its aspiring vision for decentralized finance. The duo also explores improving capital efficiency, enhancing user experience, and integrating new technologies to foster a more accessible DeFi landscape. Their insights into the future of DeFi will leave you curious and inspired!

8 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 55min
SOL Needs More Than DAT | Anna Yuan
Anna Yuan, founder of Perenna and former Stablecoin lead at the Solana Foundation, dives into the crucial need for a digital asset treasury (DAT) strategy within Solana. She discusses the lessons Solana can learn from Bitcoin and Ethereum, and why its DATs are lagging behind. Yuan also examines the role of institutional liquidity for stablecoins and the nuances of collaboration in the DeFi landscape. The conversation highlights Solana's journey from a meme coin perception to a serious player in the blockchain space, emphasizing the importance of innovative financial products.

11 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 59min
Solana's Breakout DeFi Lending Protocol | Mary Gooneratne
Mary Gooneratne, Co-founder of LoopScale, a Solana-based lending protocol, unpacks the innovative landscape of DeFi lending. She discusses how LoopScale's order book system is set to revolutionize decentralized finance. Mary delves into the advantages of building on Solana, emphasizing scalability and cost-effectiveness. She also addresses challenges like security breaches and shares insights on competing in the DeFi lending market. The conversation highlights the potential future of lending and the importance of user-friendly design in this rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Next Chapter For Phantom | Brandon Millman & Sam Rosenblum
Brandon Millman, CEO of Phantom, and Sam Rosenblum, Vice President of Operations, dive into the dynamic landscape of Solana's DeFi. They discuss Phantom's vision for a super app that enhances user experience and the importance of owning direct relationships with end users. The pair also analyze Phantom's aggressive acquisition strategy and the complexities of navigating the crypto IPO market. With insights into on-chain finance and integrating innovative solutions, their conversation highlights the future of smart crypto engagement.

29 snips
Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Solana Seeker Phone Is Here | Emmett Hollyer
Emmett Hollyer, General Manager of Solana Mobile, discusses the exciting launch of the Solana Seeker phone after 18 months of development. He shares key lessons from past projects and the innovative T-Pin architecture that enhances mobile security. Emmett highlights the new Dapp Store designed for crypto users and the community-driven approach to app submissions. Looking ahead, he envisions a decentralized mobile ecosystem that thrives, even amid regulatory challenges, setting the stage for groundbreaking mobile trading solutions.

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Internet Capital Markets Roadmap | Lucas Bruder, Max Resnick & Austin Federa
Max Resnick is leading initiatives at Anza, focusing on Solana's strategy for internet capital markets, while Austin Federa, formerly of Solana Labs, is building innovative projects at DoubleZero. They discuss Solana's ambitious roadmap to democratize finance and enhance app development. The conversation highlights market microstructure, the advantages of asynchronous execution, and the competition with Ethereum. They also explore the potential for blockchain-based IPOs and the increasing importance of validator performance in optimizing the Solana ecosystem.

Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 1min
This Is How Solana Wins With Lucas Bruder
Lucas Bruder, CEO of Jito Labs, shares insights on BAM, a game-changing upgrade to Solana's transaction architecture. He discusses the Jito origin story and its evolution in the Solana ecosystem. The conversation dives into toxic order flow and how BAM enhances transaction speed and security. Bruder also explores the rollout of innovative plugins and the importance of community feedback. With a focus on future developments, he outlines Jito's role in creating a sustainable and dynamic Solana network.

9 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 48min
The State Of Solana With Carlos Gonzalez Campo
Carlos Gonzalez Campo, an analyst at Blockworks Research and a Solana expert, delves into the fascinating dynamics of crypto markets. He discusses whether Ethereum will continue to outperform Solana amidst a surprising rise in Solana's prices. The conversation touches on stablecoin network effects and competitive dynamics between Solana and Ethereum. Additionally, Carlos explores innovations like the new encrypted mempool engine, enhancing transaction security and privacy, and shares insights on the challenges and opportunities within Solana's evolving architecture.

5 snips
Jul 25, 2025 • 47min
The State Of Firedancer, Building Thru & How To 10x Performance | Liam Heeger
Join Liam Heeger, co-founder of Unto Labs and former core engineer at Firedancer, as he dives into the fascinating world of blockchain development. He discusses the unique challenges faced when building Firedancer, including maintaining network performance amidst competition. Liam also explores the implications of decentralization in Solana and the innovative features of the new Thru blockchain. Tune in for insights on 10x performance strategies, the future of blockchain tokens, and how to tackle network spam effectively!