The Rollup

Join Tim Beiko, a protocol engineer focused on Ethereum layer-1, Josh Stark, who enhances user experience and adoption, and Dankrad Feist, a researcher working on ZK integration and danksharding. They dive into Ethereum's shift back to layer-1 strategy, explore the challenges of scaling for institutional adoption, and discuss the intricacies of zero-knowledge technology. The trio also tackles the dilemma of maintaining neutrality amidst increasing centralized competition and the roadmap for danksharding. Get ready for a deep yet engaging discussion!

This discussion features an awesome lineup, including Dan Ellitzer, a venture investor at Nascent, sharing insights on token launches and stablecoins. Amrit Kumar, from AltLayer, introduces the Rumor app for trading early crypto information. Dankrad from the Ethereum Foundation dives deep into dank sharding and zk tech. Alex and Will discuss Aerodrome's innovative MetaDEX model and community-driven token launch. The Ethereum Foundation team also covers L1 scaling and enhancing user experience while maintaining neutrality.

Illia Polosukhin, co-creator of the Transformer architecture and CEO of NEAR, dives into the future of AI and the challenges of centralized systems. He discusses the pressing issues of bias and censorship, likening current scenarios to the AOL monopoly. Illia unveils NEAR's innovative approach with private verifiable AI solutions, including encrypted model weights and user-owned data. The conversation highlights the importance of blockchain for building trust in AI, paving the way for a new era of sovereign technology.

In a riveting discussion, Sam Kazemian, CEO of Frax and stablecoin innovator, dives into the intricate world of stablecoins. He breaks down the two main types that will thrive and how Tether's USAT could disrupt the landscape. Kazemian shares insights on Frax's unique dual-token strategy and the ongoing competition in the stablecoin arena. He also explores how stablecoins could alleviate America's debt crisis, emphasizing the geopolitical implications and the future of the dollar in global finance.

Guests Paul and Cosmo from Pantera dive into crypto venture insights, highlighting their $500M Helios Solana DAT and market strategies. Frank Chaparro shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of crypto media, regulation, and ETFs. Benji from Pump Science discusses decentralized funding for longevity research, showcasing innovative experiments. Lastly, Ilya Polosukhin outlines NEAR’s vision for decentralized AI and warns against centralized control in the AI space, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality in machine learning.

Mark Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, shares insights on how Polygon aims to become crypto's go-to payment network with lightning-fast transaction speeds. He discusses the importance of real-world asset tokenization and specialized chains over generic platforms. Excitingly, Mark hints at a significant upcoming integration with a major payment processor, enhancing customer experiences at point-of-sale. Plus, he details advancements in consumer UX and interoperability, making crypto payments more accessible and efficient.

Join Paul Kohlhaas, CEO of Bio and DeSci innovator, as he dives into tokenized IP models and funding challenges in biotech research. Ram Kumar, founder of OpenLedger, shares insights on decentralized AI infrastructure and the recent token launch. RJ from Aligned discusses the significance of DevCon in Buenos Aires and their advances in Ethereum's ZK technology. Sam from Frax tackles the evolving landscape of stablecoins and their geopolitical implications, sparking lively discussions on the future of finance.

Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder and CEO of Circle, dives into the exciting world of USDC and its role in the burgeoning Hyperliquid platform. He discusses why Circle chose to stick with USDC rather than launching a new ticker. The conversation also covers Circle's commitment to becoming a key stakeholder in Hyperliquid through HYPE purchases and validator roles. With insights into USDC's global liquidity strategy and the importance of multi-chain interoperability, Jeremy paints a vibrant picture of the future of digital currency.

Jeremy Allaire, co-founder of Circle, discusses the transformative role of blockchain in traditional finance. Fabrice Chang shares insights on why ETHER stands out in blockchain's landscape. Ellie Bensison emphasizes the importance of privacy in decentralized solutions, while Mark Boyron highlights Polygon's plans for enhancing transaction speeds and payment integration. They also delve into the evolution of stablecoins, the significance of USDC, and the competitive dynamics of the crypto ecosystem, all while navigating the future of decentralized finance and payment networks.

Justin Drake, a researcher from the Ethereum Foundation, dives into the transformative potential of ZK-SNARKs for Ethereum's future. He envisions a 'Giga Gas Frontier' with insane transaction capacity and discusses how privacy wormholes can enhance anonymity. The conversation also covers the importance of collaborative proving networks for improving throughput and security. Justin highlights Ethereum's appeal to institutions, emphasizing post-quantum advancements and the need for diversity in Zero-Knowledge Virtual Machines to tackle security challenges.