The Rollup

Jan Camenisch, a cryptographer at Rialo, and Jens Groth, Chief Scientist at Nexus, dive into the pressing issue of AI Singularity as a threat to crypto, eclipsing concerns over quantum resistance. They discuss the critical balance between privacy and verifiability, exploring why zero-knowledge proofs face significant cost challenges. The conversation highlights the need for secure blockchain environments for AI agents and the importance of verifiable content amidst rising deepfake risks. Brace yourself for a fascinating look into the future of technology!

Chris Yin and Teddy Pornprinya from Plume Network dive into the explosive growth of real-world assets, skyrocketing from $5B to $20B in 2025. They discuss the dynamics of collateralized loan obligations, the impact of Fed rate cuts on yield hunting, and how Plume’s permissionless strategy captured half the market. The duo highlights the potential of private credit and the importance of diversifying holdings in the RWA space. Expect massive growth in 2026 as institutional access becomes even more attractive!

Pei Chen, CEO of Theoriq Foundation, leads the charge in AI-managed DeFi products like the Alpha Vault, which boasts impressive returns. He discusses the shift from AI demos to actual capital management, tackling the trust issues surrounding letting AI handle money. The conversation highlights the disruption of white-collar jobs, particularly hedge fund managers, as well as the implications of AI building AI. Pei's insights about the future roles of engineers and the operationalization of AI are both thought-provoking and timely.

In this discussion, Piotr and Halko, co-founders of StableWatch with deep expertise in stablecoin research and risk management, dive into the explosive growth of stablecoins over the past year. They highlight the surge in yield-bearing models and the significance of tokenization in the crypto landscape. Their insights reveal which protocols are emerging as leaders, like Ethena and Sky, and they predict market trends for 2026. They also discuss the relationship between interest rates and DeFi growth, presenting a compelling case for the future of on-chain credit.

In this engaging discussion, Lark Davis, a crypto commentator and portfolio strategist, analyzes the future of altcoins. He warns that most altcoins likely won't return to their all-time highs and shares his strategy for identifying sustainable assets. Lark discusses the clash between XRP and Chainlink in the banking realm, critiques the token versus equity dynamic, and highlights how retail investors are missing out on a wealth transfer. He also shares his top long-term holds, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Chainlink, emphasizing a focused investment approach.

Teng Yan, co-founder of Chain of Thought and an AI researcher with a background in healthcare AI and crypto, delves into the current state of AI agents. He discusses why these agents struggle with simple tasks due to chaining errors and the lack of proper training datasets. Teng predicts that 2026 could be a pivotal year for AI autonomy and explores concerns around AI privacy as data collection increases. He also shares insights on model improvements, prompt engineering, and the booming data center race in the AI landscape.

Sam Kazemian, the founder of Frax Finance, and Rob Montgomery from Infinify dive into the monumental implications of DTCC's recent SEC approval. They discuss how this opens the floodgates for tokenization, revealing insights on why non-USD stablecoins like the Korean Won could reshape global markets by 2026. Sam shares dramatic tales from the Terra collapse, while Rob highlights the lucrative landscape of real-world asset liquidations. Their analysis sheds light on the competitive dynamics between emerging stablecoin networks and the future of on-chain finance.

Mark Greenberg, Head of Kraken's Consumer Business, discusses the revolution of neo banks in replacing traditional finance. He highlights how Kraken's Crack app allows users to hold and spend any asset while offering features like on-chain yields. Greenberg elaborates on the exciting potential of tokenized equities (X Stocks) and shares insights on their rapid growth and adoption. Listeners learn about the innovative Crack Card, which delivers 1% cashback in crypto. The vision for democratizing access to global markets is a key theme throughout their conversation.

In this engaging discussion, Michael Anderson, a venture investor and co-founder at Framework, teams up with Vance Spencer, an investor and partner at the same firm. They explore the seismic shift in crypto, revealing how institutional capital now dominates, controlling 90% of the market. They dissect why the traditional four-year cycle has broken and the impending significance of the Clarity Act for DeFi in 2026. The guests also predict the future of ETH and BTC, arguing that just 3-4 crypto projects will likely emerge victorious in this new landscape.

Illia Polosukhin, the Co-founder of NEAR Protocol and a leader in blockchain and decentralized AI, discusses groundbreaking concepts around ownership of AI. He explains how NEAR AI Cloud and Private Chat prioritize user privacy, showcasing the significant $7B flowing through NEAR Intents. Illia reveals insights into how AI agents can reshape DeFi yield and their role in creating a personal AI that travels with users. He also highlights the integration of confidential computing from Intel and Nvidia to bolster privacy in AI applications.