Bell Curve
Blockworks
Bell Curve breaks down the most important themes in crypto for people who, like us, are confined to the middle of the bell curve. Each season explores a different thesis that we'll test and refine through debate with crypto's best. If you're a crypto native, degen or investooor, this podcast is for you.Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R1D1D9Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/3pQTfmDSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3cpKZXHGet 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
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 20, 2024 • 60min
Who Is Bharat Ramamurti? | Alex Thorn & Nic Carter
Join Bharat Ramamurti, a key player in U.S. crypto policy, alongside Alex Thorn from Galaxy Research and Nic Carter of Castle Island Ventures. They dive into Operation Choke Point 2.0 and its chilling effects on crypto banking. Discover how different political climates—like a Harris or Trump presidency—could shape regulatory landscapes. The discussion also touches on the motivations behind anti-crypto sentiments among politicians and the pressing need for clearer frameworks. Tune in for insights on navigating the evolving crypto legislative terrain!
4 snips
Aug 16, 2024 • 1h 11min
The Conflicts of Interest in Crypto | Roundup
Jim Parillo, affiliated with Figment Capital, shares insights into the crypto landscape. He discusses the intriguing world of prediction markets and the ethical murkiness surrounding airdrops, emphasizing conflicts of interest that plague the industry. The conversation dives into crypto's transparency issues compared to traditional finance and the evolving nature of advisory roles. Personal anecdotes highlight the importance of real-world connections amid rapid innovation, advocating for self-policing to bolster the industry's credibility.
Aug 13, 2024 • 1h 32min
Aavenomics: Making DeFi Great Again | Marc Zeller
Marc Zeller, founder of the Aave-Chan Initiative and a DeFi expert, dives into the dynamic world of decentralized finance. He discusses Aave’s innovative safety module and its impact on user protection. The conversation touches on the competition within DeFi protocols, concerns about Wrapped Bitcoin, and revenue distribution challenges. Marc also shares insights on Aave's potential shift to the Solana blockchain, highlighting the ever-evolving landscape of yield opportunities in DeFi and the significance of collaboration within the ecosystem.
Aug 9, 2024 • 46min
Are L1s Converging on the Same Design? | Roundup
Dive into the political shifts affecting crypto as Kamala Harris rises in prediction markets. Discover Ripple's pivotal SEC victory and what it means for the industry. Explore the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation and the future of Layer 2 solutions. Hear insights on the internal debates within the Ethereum community and whether crypto opportunities are running dry. Plus, reflections on the market’s transformation as institutional investment takes center stage.
Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 4min
Restaking’s Impact on the Future of Crypto | Season 8 Recap
The discussion dives into the transformative potential of restaking and how its perception has shifted throughout the season. Use cases for restaking take center stage, showcasing its diverse applications. The hosts also unravel the complexities of pre-confirmations in blockchain, raising questions about their practicality. They explore the significance of StakeSure and the evolving customer base in the restaking landscape. Future predictions focus on new platform launches and the essential role of real-world applications for performance testing.
Aug 3, 2024 • 1h 2min
Can Crypto Survive a Recession? | Roundup
Myles O’Neil is a cryptocurrency expert who dives deep into the rapidly changing market landscape. He discusses a recent governance attack on Compound Finance and the implications of Ethereum ETF trading. The conversation turns to the political dimensions of crypto, exploring whether it has become a bipartisan issue. Myles also addresses governance challenges in decentralized organizations and debates strategies for token unlocks. Finally, he speculates on potential economic recession signals and their impact on cryptocurrency.
Jul 30, 2024 • 1h 20min
How Jito is Unlocking Restaking for Solana | S8 Finale | Lucas Bruder
Lucas Bruder from Jito, an expert in blockchain solutions, shares insights on their innovative restaking platform for Solana. He discusses how Jito's flexible design stands apart from Ethereum's systems, allowing for governance tokens and various asset uses. Lucas highlights the challenges of liquidity management and the evolving dynamics of operators within Solana’s ecosystem, such as keepers and oracles. The conversation also touches on the future of restaking across different blockchains, emphasizing its potential for decentralized finance.
Jul 27, 2024 • 51min
Is Crypto Ready for the Big Leagues? | Roundup
The discussion heats up with Ethereum ETF flows and the impact of Jito's restaking on Solana's future. There's buzz about the AAVEnomics update that aims to tackle bad debt in decentralized finance. Speculation about the Fed’s rate cuts and Trump's anticipated Bitcoin speech adds political spice. The hosts dive into the potential direction of crypto policy under a Harris presidency. With fresh insights on blockchain strategies, they explore how to foster a crypto ecosystem that truly serves users.
Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 22min
The Bear Case for Shared Security | S8 E8 | Sunny & Toghrul
Sunny, co-founder of Osmosis, and Toghrul from Scroll tackle the complexities of shared security in blockchain. They discuss the limitations of Proof of Stake, emphasizing the implications of slashing on validator responsibilities. The duo dives into the innovative concept of restaking and its potential to enhance security while navigating economic challenges. They also explore the risks surrounding liquid staking tokens and the need for synchronized APIs to improve user experience in decentralized environments.
7 snips
Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 18min
Deep Dive: The CAKE Framework & Building a One Click Experience | Hart Lambur & Stephane Gosselin
Hart Lambur and Stephane Gosselin discuss the CAKE Framework, HFT dynamics in crypto, UX in OneBalance world, impact on L2 business models. Topics include solver layer economics, evolution of solvers, HFT vs TradFi debate, cross-chain interoperability, evolving business models in blockchain, trust in building applications, and L2 sequencing discussions.
