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Ben Leventhal, co-founder of Blackbird and former co-founder of Resi, joins Jesse Walden, a partner at Variant, to discuss how Blackbird is transforming restaurant loyalty with cryptocurrency. They share insights on the challenges in the restaurant industry, emphasizing the need for direct customer engagement without middlemen. The duo explores the subtle integration of crypto in consumer apps and the innovative dual-token system of Blackbird. Personal anecdotes highlight their journeys and the potential of blockchain in revolutionizing loyalty programs.

Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol and a pioneer in AI research, joins Bowen Wang, a key contributor to NEAR's scaling efforts. They dive into how NEAR is revolutionizing blockchain with AI and improving scalability through sharding innovations. The duo discusses unlocking cross-chain liquidity and the challenges and opportunities in decentralized systems. They also explore the fascinating intersection of smart contracts and AI, predicting an exciting future for user experience in the crypto space.

Rebecca Rettig, Chief Legal Officer at Gito Labs and former legal lead at Polygon Labs, dives into the shifting landscape of cryptocurrency regulations. She discusses her recent entrance into Gito and the evolving relationship with the SEC, especially concerning Solana's classification and staking policies. The conversation highlights the need for updated regulatory frameworks to foster innovation while protecting consumers. Rebecca also addresses the complexities of maximal extractable value (MEV) and the push for transparency within the crypto industry.

Dan Smith, a crypto analyst and expert, dives into the controversial launch of the LIBRA token and its fallout, sparked by Argentine President Javier Milei. He discusses allegations of insider trading and the public's frustration towards repeated scams in the crypto space. The conversation highlights how meme coins like LIBRA impact established projects such as Solana, examining potential market manipulations and the need for ethical standards. Finally, they weigh the merits of long-term projects against the rising trend of meme coins.

Santiago Santos, Founder of Inversion Capital and co-host of the Blockworks podcast Empire, dives into the crucial moment for crypto adoption. He shares insights on his evolving Solana thesis and the future of meme coins and user retention. The conversation highlights the importance of financial education and programmable money in reshaping finance. Santiago also addresses the complexities of risk management in crypto investing, emphasizing caution in volatile markets while calling for innovative strategies to ensure long-term success.

Armani Ferrante, the founder and CEO of Backpack, shares his insights on the future of crypto wallets and exchanges. He explores the clash between centralized and decentralized exchanges, weighing their market impacts. Armani critiques current wallet designs, highlighting user-friendly innovations needed to prevent lost funds. He also reflects on lessons from the FTX fallout and discusses the unique features of new crypto models like 'Mad Lads,' providing a fresh perspective for aspiring entrepreneurs in the rapidly evolving space.

Ilja Moisejevs and Richard Wu, co-founders of Tensor and Vector, discuss their innovative pivot from NFTs to Vector, a social meme coin trading app. They explore the rise of social trading, blending aspects of platforms like Twitter and Robinhood. The duo delves into the unique challenges of trading volatile micro-cap assets and the importance of user retention through community engagement. They also emphasize the integration of Tensor's token within Vector, focusing on decentralization and the evolving dynamics of tokenomics in the crypto landscape.

This week, crypto data expert Dan Smith joins the discussion. He dives into the recent weekend liquidation event and highlights Solana's biggest opportunity in 2025. Dan shares insights on market dynamics, including reactions to regulatory changes and the rise of meme coins. They also debate the impacts of the Trump token launch on stablecoins. The conversation rounds out with thoughts on crypto gaming and SocialFi, emphasizing the importance of community and governance in enhancing the Solana ecosystem.

Kyle Samani, co-founder of Multicoin Capital and an early investor in Solana, shares his insights into the potential of Solana as a foundational layer for internet capital markets. He discusses the concept of bringing traditional finance on-chain and the innovative idea of conditional liquidity. Kyle highlights the challenges of democratizing finance and critiques outdated technologies in traditional systems. He also explores the evolving crypto venture landscape, emphasizing the need for new investment strategies in a changing market.

Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins and a pioneer in the NFT space, shares insights on building a strong NFT brand. He discusses launching the PENGU meme coin on Solana and the challenges of fostering emotional connections within the community. Luca explores marketing strategies, emphasizing the role of memes and physical products in enhancing engagement. He envisions Pudgy Penguins as a major player in the crypto ecosystem, focusing on creating relatable, fun experiences to attract newcomers and expand their audience.