The Rollup

In this engaging discussion, Avi Patel, founder of Kled, tackles controversy around AI tools and token economics. Will Clemente shares macro insights affecting cryptocurrencies, while Brian Crain highlights early-stage ventures in crypto AI. Nick White delves into high throughput blockchain innovations at Celestia Labs, and Douglas Colkitt discusses his L1 chain, FOGO. Sean Li elaborates on token launches from the Newton Foundation. The conversation also covers Bitcoin reserves in Texas, CLOB infrastructure debates, and the evolving landscape of decentralized finance.

Sid Powell, CEO and Co-Founder of Maple, shares insights into the future of decentralized finance. He discusses the evolving stablecoin landscape and how institutional capital is shaping its growth. The conversation uncovers the blurred lines between centralized and decentralized finance and the impact of strategic partnerships on innovation in DeFi. Sid also offers advice for navigating the crypto ecosystem during bear markets and highlights the importance of strong business models over mere token valuation.

Josh Benaron, CEO of Irys, dives into the transformative world of decentralized data storage. He explains how data chains are evolving beyond S3 and discusses the importance of an ecosystem that adds value to stored data. Josh shares insights on what will make a successful token launch in 2025, emphasizing community over hype. He also reveals his top three controversial token picks, all linked to the accelerating significance of data in the AI-driven future. This conversation connects cutting-edge blockchain technology with the booming value of data.

Join Sid Powell, CEO of Maple Finance, Regan Bozman of Lattice Capital, Bobby Ghoshal from Dupe, and Jake Ostrovski of Wintermute for an enlightening discussion on the crypto landscape. They delve into the explosive growth of stablecoins and their potential to reshape payments globally. Cybersecurity issues like the a16z Twitter hack highlight the industry's vulnerabilities. The experts also analyze market trends, the impacts of AI on commerce, and the evolution of decentralized finance, offering valuable insights into future trading strategies.

TraderMayne weighs in on the changing landscape of liquid crypto markets as we edge toward 2025. He spills the tea on who truly influences market movements and how to distinguish skill from sheer luck in trading. The conversation takes unexpected turns with takes on quirky tokens like Fartcoin and highlights the dispersion in altcoin performance. TraderMayne shares fascinating anecdotes from his prop firm, Breakout, and his ambition to nurture new traders, making for a lively and thought-provoking discussion.

Bobby Beniers from CoinFund, a prolific panel moderator, joins the discussion on the intersections of crypto and military sponsorship, specifically the backlash against Coinbase's collaboration with the U.S. Army. They delve into the rise of Hyperliquid and innovations like Eigenlayer, alongside market analysis influenced by geopolitical tensions. The duo explores AI's impact on content creation, shifting public sentiments, and the emergence of decentralized exchanges while sharing insights on monetizing crypto ventures and evolving trading strategies.

Guests include DC Builder, a research engineer focused on AI and ZK technologies, Himanshu Tyagi, co-founder of Sentient working on decentralized AI, Zagabond, co-founder of Azuki aiming to revolutionize anime culture in Web3, Jonah Burian from Blockchain Capital, and Robbie Rollup, an analyst at Dragonfly Capital. They dive into the convergence of AI and crypto, tackle the challenges of decentralized identity, explore Bybit's new DEX launch, and share insights on innovating within the creator economy, emphasizing the importance of user verification and privacy in an AI-driven world.

Rune Christensen, co-founder of Sky Ecosystem and former MakerDAO leader, dives into the transformation of DeFi. He shares insights on generating substantial revenue, with Sky's impressive $99M in Q1. The conversation also covers the remarkable growth of the USDS stablecoin, now at $8 billion in circulation. Rune discusses Sky's innovative staking options that provide real yield, and how community-driven frameworks boost USDS accessibility, setting the stage for a prosperous future in decentralized finance.

Pranav Kanade, a VanEck veteran since 2017, delves into the myth of institutional money flooding into crypto. He dissects the shift from traditional financing to a focus on liquid tokens, arguing that the future of crypto hinges on legitimate business models versus mere speculation. Pranav also highlights the evolution of institutional engagement and the vital need for sustainability in investments. With insights on navigating altcoins and revenue generation, he paints a compelling picture of the crypto landscape's potential growth.

Nick White, VP of Celestia Labs, shares insights on modular blockchains, while DeFi Dad discusses Ethereum's resilience and innovative financial primitives. Shiv Shankar, CEO of Boundless, explores regulatory shifts and their implications for the industry. Omer Goldberg of Chaos Labs delves into oracle problems and market risks. Camila Russo highlights the dynamic landscape of crypto media, and Dmitriy Berenzon offers a deep dive into the venture capital trends in the digital asset space. They also touch on the rise of Zero-Knowledge technology and its potential impacts.