Bell Curve

In this discussion, Ryan Berckmans, an ETH OG and crypto investor, joins Tom Dunleavy, Head of Venture at Vibra Capital, to dive into the bullish potential of Ethereum. They explore Ethereum’s pivotal shifts, the intricate role of Layer 1 versus Layer 2 solutions, and the impact of the new Etherealize team on its competitiveness. The duo also highlights the importance of capital flow, community engagement, and innovation for Ethereum's future in a rapidly evolving crypto landscape.

Tomasz Stańczak, Co-Executive Director at the Ethereum Foundation, sheds light on Ethereum's evolving culture and ambitious goals. He discusses the dominance of Ethereum in DeFi and the importance of scaling through innovative solutions. The conversation delves into real-time proving breakthroughs and how Ethereum can adapt to institutional challenges. Stańczak also highlights the need for community collaboration and engagement in shaping a user-friendly future for the platform.

Austin Federa, co-founder of Double Zero and former Solana Labs member, joins Mateo Ward, co-founder of Malbec Labs, to explore crucial bandwidth limits in blockchain technology. They discuss how DoubleZero aims to enhance network performance and scalability. The conversation dives into validator economics, innovative incentive models, and the importance of decentralized data routing. They also touch on the competitive landscape of blockchain and the technological advancements necessary to optimize performance and drive the evolution of decentralized networks.

The podcast dives into Ethereum's impressive momentum in the DeFi space alongside its solid institutional adoption. It contrasts Ethereum's finance-first approach with Solana's consumer-focused model. The hosts analyze how innovative funding models are changing venture strategies, while also navigating the regulatory landscape affecting cryptocurrencies. They address the implications of political uncertainty on market dynamics and explore recent security challenges within the crypto ecosystem.

Jeff Yan, Co-founder of Hyperliquid and a veteran in market making, shares insights on building a decentralized exchange. He discusses Hyperliquid's push to create an L1 and the innovative trading tech designed to enhance usability. The conversation touches on the evolution of perpetual DEXs and the integration of spot markets, alongside strategies to mitigate miner extractable value (MEV). Jeff also emphasizes the importance of empowering builders in DeFi, fostering a collaborative and sustainable ecosystem for innovative project development.

This week, the hosts tackle a critical bug fix in Solana linked to zero-knowledge proofs and its implications for security. They dive into Ethereum's ambitious pivot towards improving Layer 1 scalability, discussing the intricate balance between decentralization and performance. Insights into the evolving DEX landscape on Solana reveal competitive dynamics, particularly with newcomers like 1inch challenging established players. The conversation emphasizes how aligned incentives among node operators can shape the future of blockchain technology.

In this discussion, Hasu, a crypto researcher and strategist, joins Robert Leshner, CEO of Superstate, to delve into the evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi). They explore the trend of vertical integration within protocols like Aave and MakerDAO. The duo dives into the complexities of stablecoins and their economic implications, especially in shifting banking paradigms. Their insights on the future of DeFi, including real-world asset integration and innovative stablecoin designs, shed light on the transformative potential of the blockchain landscape.

The discussion kicks off with insights on the U.S. Treasury’s stablecoin report and the supportive growth trends for stablecoins, aiming for a $2 trillion market. The revival of San Francisco’s tech scene post-COVID is highlighted, alongside the evolving relationship between traditional finance and crypto. Ripple's acquisition strategy is explored, emphasizing transparency challenges. With Ethereum's strategic repositioning and Vitalik's ground-breaking proposal, the conversation probes the future of blockchain dynamics against a backdrop of shifting market sentiments.

In this episode, Bell Curve kicks off its new season with Mippo and monetsupply outlining the major DeFi themes they’ll be exploring. They dive into institutional adoption of DeFi, the increasing vertical integration by leading DeFi players, stablecoins and real-world assets, and the growing financialization of crypto, setting the stage for our best season yet! Thanks for tuning in! -- Namada is the shielded asset hub rewarding you to protect the multichain. Enabling data protection for any existing asset, app, or chain, Namada introduces shielded cross-chain actions and rewards for shielding your assets, which strengthens data protection guarantees for everyone. Namada is currently entering phase 3 of its mainnet launch — follow along on https://namada.net/ -- Ledger, the global leader in digital asset security, proudly sponsors Bell Curve! As Ledger celebrates 10 years of securing 20% of global crypto, it remains the top choice for securing your assets. Buy a LEDGER™ device now, and build confidently, knowing your BTC, ETH, SOL, and more are safe. Buy now on https://shop.ledger.com/?r=1da180a5de00. -- Citrea is the first zero-knowledge rollup to enhance the capabilities of Bitcoin blockspace and enable Bitcoin applications (₿apps). Citrea is optimistically verified by Bitcoin, offering the most Bitcoin-secured and native way to extend BTC’s utility to DeFi.  Learn more about Citrea: https://citrea.xyz/?utm_source=bellcurve&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=website_promo  Follow Citrea on X/Twitter for the latest on its journey to mainnet: https://x.com/citrea_xyz -- Join us from June 24th-June 26th at Permissionless IV! Use Code BELL10 at checkout for 10% off! Tickets: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Follow MonetSupply: https://x.com/MonetSupply Follow Mike: https://x.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ Join the Bell Curve Telegram group: https://t.me/+nzyxAvQ0Xxc3YTEx -- Timstamps: (0:00) Introduction (2:50) What's Exciting About DeFi Today? (6:46) Fragmentation & Reaggregation in DeFi (14:03) Ads (Namada & Ledger) (14:37) Morpho vs Aave's Architecture (18:44) Counterparty Risks With Modular Designs (25:09) Vertical Integration in DeFi (34:35) DeFi Outside of Ethereum's Ecosystem (45:41) Ads (Namada & Ledger) (46:51) RWAs and Stablecoins (1:01:32) Citrea Ad (1:02:01) The Financialization of DeFi (1:12:50) How Does Stablecoin Growth Impact the L1? (1:18:25) The Cold Start Problem -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Jason, Michael, Vance and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

In this episode, Santi joins us to break down current crypto market sentiment, crypto valuation frameworks, and the evolving challenges of utilizing onchain data. We also debate Zora’s token launch, the future of creator economies, and whether crypto can disrupt traditional media and content platforms.Thanks for tuning in! -- Resources Chopping Block - Is Bitcoin a Safe Haven?: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6n8HWZQ36S5rOoBMi9r6RO?si=viOVZTlGT2uYtBUU8fS-ew Storm’s Data: https://x.com/notnotstorm/status/1915439259630317995 Vance’s Critique on Crypto Data: https://x.com/pythianism/status/1915435394663162231 -- Aries Markets is the largest lending protocol on Aptos by TVL, and among the top 10 lending protocols across all blockchains! Since launch, Aries has expanded its product suite to become a fully integrated DeFi hub combining lending, borrowing, and more to its community of 738,000+ unique users.  To learn more about why Aries Markets deployed on Aptos, visit ariesmarkets.xyz -- Marinade is the premier staking delegation platform on Solana, bringing billions in liquidity and security to the Solana network, and connecting SOL holders to the best staking rates. Since launching in 2021, Marinade has expanded their suite of products to provide solutions for both DeFi users and TradFi, including liquid and native staking, as well as direct enterprise integrations.  To learn more about Marinade, follow the link below: https://marinade.finance/?utm_source=blockworks&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=podcast -- Traders, AI enthusiasts, and degens—listen up! The game is changing, and DESK is leading the charge. Welcome to the next generation of perpetual trading—where cutting-edge technology meets AI-driven automation. Trade today at https://desk.exchange/?register-channel=BWpodcast and follow @TradeOnDESK on X! -- Missed DAS? Join us from June 24th-June 26th at Permissionless IV! Use Code BELL10 at checkout for 10% off! Tickets: https://blockworks.co/event/permissionless-iv -- Follow Santi: https://x.com/santiagoroel Follow Mike: https://twitter.com/MikeIppolito_ Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9 Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmD Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXH Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/ Join the Bell Curve Telegram group: https://t.me/+nzyxAvQ0Xxc3YTEx -- Timestamps: (0:00) Introduction (4:35) How Do You Value Crypto Assets? (15:39) Ads (Aptos & Marinade) (16:07) Issues With Crypto's Data Analytics (25:10) Ads (Aptos & Marinade) (26:21) Stages of Growth For Companies (34:45) Zora's Token Launch & Business Model (49:01) Desk Ad (49:26) Can Crypto Disrupt Traditional Media Platforms? -- Disclaimer: Nothing said on Bell Curve is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Mike, Jason, Michael, Vance and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.