

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

Sep 16, 2025 • 58min
Collector Crypt: Onchain Capital Markets On Solana | Tuomas Holmberg
Tuomas Holmberg, Co-founder of Collector Crypt, discusses the future of onchain collectibles built on Solana. He dives into the innovative features of Collector Crypt, including its randomized card lottery and the emotional ties collectors have with their cards. The conversation also covers integrating DeFi with trading cards, the evolution of trading culture, and the advantages of Solana over other platforms. Lastly, Holmberg touches on the future of live streaming in digital card gaming and its potential to engage new audiences.

Sep 12, 2025 • 59min
Sanctum Founder: Solana's Liquid Staking Future | FP Lee
FP Lee, co-founder of Sanctum and innovator in liquid staking on Solana, dives into the future of DeFi. He discusses how Sanctum is carving out its niche in the liquid staking market and the economic benefits of BN Sol. Learn about the challenges and opportunities within the evolving landscape of staking, touching on topics like innovative governance models and the launch of Sanctum V2. FP also highlights the potential for new products and a trading bot for meme coins, showcasing the dynamic nature of the Solana ecosystem.

Sep 9, 2025 • 54min
SEC Commissioner: A New Era For Crypto In The U.S | Hester Peirce
Hester Peirce, known as CryptoMom, is an SEC Commissioner advocating for clearer crypto regulations. She discusses the current state of U.S. crypto regulation and the challenges of balancing innovation with investor protection. The conversation touches on the SEC's collaboration with the CFTC, novel DeFi solutions like Katana, and the need for open dialogue in the crypto community. Peirce emphasizes the importance of flexible regulations to foster marketplace growth while addressing issues raised by centralized entities.

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 4min
Solana's Next Big Catalyst | Brandon Potts
Brandon Potts, a partner at Framework Ventures and crypto investment expert, dives into the future of Solana's ecosystem. He explores opportunities surrounding decentralized autonomous tokens (DATs) and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as potential catalysts for growth. The conversation touches on the transformative power of stablecoins in modern finance and their impact on liquidity, while also discussing the relationship between DeFi and digital asset tokens. Potts emphasizes the importance of innovative branding and effective storytelling in attracting investment to the evolving crypto landscape.

Sep 2, 2025 • 60min
Solana DeFi Summer Is Coming | Sang Kim
Sang Kim, Co-founder of Fragmetric and a key player in the Solana DeFi ecosystem, shares insights on the future of decentralized finance. He explains the innovative liquid restaking protocol and its components, as well as the potential of decentralized autonomous tokens (DATs) to reshape yield generation. Sang also discusses crypto culture in Korea, the phenomenon of the 'kimchi premium,' and how local dynamics differ from the U.S. market. He offers a glimpse into upcoming innovations, including yield-bearing stablecoins to enhance user experience.

Aug 29, 2025 • 58min
Prop AMMs Are Solana's Biggest DeFi Innovation | Chris Hermida
Chris Hermida, co-founder of Switchboard, dives into the innovative world of proprietary Automated Market Makers (prop AMMs) on Solana. He discusses their rise, functionality, and the critical role of order flow in decentralized finance. The episode explores how prop AMMs enhance market efficiency and transparency, marking a shift from traditional models. Hermida also highlights the competitive dynamics within the DeFi landscape and the influence of advanced technologies like oracles on price discovery, promising an exciting future for users.

18 snips
Aug 29, 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.