

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

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!

9 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
The Truth Behind Crypto Market Makers | Matt Jobbé-Duval
Matt Jobbé-Duval, Co-founder and CEO of CoinWatch, dives into the intricate world of crypto market making. He clarifies the differences between traditional finance and crypto structures. The discussion reveals how market maker deals are crafted and the challenges of pricing during token launches. Matt also highlights the need for transparency in market making and shares insights from Solana's ICO experience. Tune in for valuable perspectives on managing volatility, risk, and the ethical dilemmas in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 8min
Breaking Down the PUMP Launch
Ryan Connor, a guest from Zerac's Research, dives into the exciting launch of the PUMP token. He discusses the advantages of decentralized platforms like Solana over traditional exchanges for ICOs. The conversation highlights innovative revenue-sharing models and the competitive landscape with projects like Bonk and Raydium. Predictions for PUMP's post-launch valuation and insights into market dynamics are shared, providing listeners with a thrilling perspective on the future of cryptocurrency.

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 17min
Jump Crypto: The State Of Firedancer | Michael McGee
Michael McGee, a software engineer at Jump Crypto, dives into the world of Firedancer, a new validator client aimed at optimizing Solana's performance. He discusses the challenges of blockchain innovation and stability, highlighting the impact of Alpenglow on consensus mechanisms. McGee explores transaction processing efficiencies, current obstacles like delays and bugs, and strategies for enhancing user adoption of Firedancer. The conversation reveals insights into the future of blockchain technology and the delicate balance between immediate performance needs and long-term vision.

11 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 1h 13min
Is Pump Fun's Token Launch Bullish For Solana?
Ryan Conner, from BlockWorks Research, discusses Pump's ambitious $4 billion token generation event and the various strategies involved. Boccaccio shares insights on how this launch could shift dynamics within the Solana ecosystem. They dive into the fierce competition among launchpads, explore the importance of mobile-first crypto apps, and dissect the evolving landscape of airdrops in crypto. The conversation is laced with curiosity about the implications for creators and user engagement in live streaming.

Jul 8, 2025 • 58min
How Hivemapper Will Compete With Google Maps | Ariel Seidman
Ariel Seidman, the CEO and co-founder of Hivemapper, shares insights into their groundbreaking decentralized mapping service. He discusses Hivemapper's origin story and its innovative strategies for competing with industry giants like Google Maps. The conversation covers strategic partnerships with companies like Lyft and Volkswagen, emphasizing their role in the robo-taxi industry. Seidman also dives into the challenges of decentralized infrastructure and the importance of attracting developers tocrypto by focusing on real-world applications.

Jul 5, 2025 • 56min
How To Improve Solana's Market Structure | Eugene Chen
Eugene Chen, co-founder of Ellipsis Labs, shares his insights on improving Solana's market structure. He discusses innovative projects like Atlas, Phoenix, and SolFi, emphasizing the need for quality product development. The conversation dives into the complexities of market dynamics, exploring market-making innovations and the impact of Miner Extractable Value (MEV) on retail investors. Eugene also highlights the strategic advantages of perpetual contracts and new automated market makers aimed at enhancing token launch efficiency. Tune in for fresh ideas on boosting user experience!