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
6 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 23min
Unlocking Undercollateralized Lending | Laurence Day
In this discussion, Laurence Day, Co-founder of Wildcat Finance, sheds light on the complex world of undercollateralized lending within DeFi. He highlights the limitations of traditional models versus innovative on-chain solutions. The conversation delves into the importance of transparency and the role of privacy technologies like zero-knowledge proofs. Day also emphasizes the potential for these lending mechanisms to support underserved borrowers and the necessity of compliance in this evolving landscape. Discover the future of decentralized lending!
9 snips
Nov 1, 2024 • 50min
Coinbase Earnings, Jito Restaking, Memecoin Durability, and Saylor’s Big Announcement | Roundup
The hosts tackle the latest in crypto as the election looms, diving into Jito Restaking and its innovative synergies. They dissect Coinbase's recent earnings report and its implications for the broader market. The discussion shifts to the future of Solana's DeFi ecosystem, highlighting the critical need for robust lending solutions. Additionally, Michael Saylor's ambitious $42 billion capital plan sparks interest, alongside explorations of Bitcoin's rising fortunes and shifting revenue models in trading platforms.
Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 18min
Multiple Concurrent Proposers on Solana and Ethereum | Anatoly & Max
Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, and Max Resnick, an Ethereum researcher, dive into the intriguing concept of Multiple Concurrent Proposers (MCP) in blockchain. They discuss how MCP can challenge the proposer monopoly in proof-of-stake systems, potentially enhancing efficiency and decentralization. The conversation also touches on the geographic distribution of proposers and trade-offs in blockchain design, ultimately posing the question: is Ethereum's biggest threat Solana or its own Layer 2 solutions?
10 snips
Oct 26, 2024 • 1h 8min
AI Memes on the Rise, Stripe’s Major Acquisition, and Kraken’s New L2 | Roundup
Explore the fascinating world of AI as it shapes the crypto landscape, including the rise of AI memes and chatbots in the crypto space. Discover Stripe's strategic acquisition of Bridge and what it means for stablecoins. Learn about Maker's branding challenges and the essence of community in DeFi. The discussion also covers Kraken's upcoming L2 solution and Jito's innovative governance proposal. Don't miss insights into the vibrant tech revival in San Francisco and the intertwining of politics, market trends, and golf stories!
Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 17min
Delta: Breaking Tradeoffs in Blockchain Architectures | Myles O’Neil & Ole Spjeldnæs
Myles O’Neil, head of product at Delta, and co-founder Ole Spjeldnæs share their insights into innovative blockchain architectures. They discuss Delta's unique design and leaderless consensus mechanisms, which enhance scalability and decentralization. The duo delves into transaction life cycles, exploring finality and interoperability challenges. They also examine how state diffs optimize efficiency in the settlement process, and reflect on governance dynamics, paralleling them with the U.S. Constitution, highlighting the balance between collaboration and competition in blockchain systems.
Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 26min
Deep Dive: Token Design | Guy Young & Kain Warwick
Guy Young, Founder of Ethena Labs, and Kain Warwick, Founder of Infinex, dive into the complexities of token design. They discuss whether tokens represent products or equity, explore the role of meme culture in value perception, and analyze BNB’s unique token structure. Guy and Kain tackle regulatory challenges faced by crypto startups, the nuances of token supply and redistribution strategies, and the balance between innovation and compliance. Their insights shed light on how market dynamics shape cryptocurrency value and investor expectations.
Oct 12, 2024 • 42min
Unichain’s Launch, Election Season’s Influence on Crypto, and Unveiling Satoshi’s Identity | Roundup
Michael Anderson, a crypto enthusiast and expert, discusses the launch of Unichain and its significant impact on the Uniswap protocol. He delves into the innovative Layer 2 technology it brings to DeFi, including improvements in liquidity and fee structures. The conversation also touches on how the upcoming US presidential elections might affect the crypto markets, highlighting the dynamics of polling versus prediction markets. Finally, they speculate on the elusive identity of Satoshi Nakamoto and its potential implications for Bitcoin.
Oct 9, 2024 • 2h 10min
L1 & L2 Token Value Capture | Jon Charbonneau
Explore the dynamic world of L1 and L2 tokens with insights into value capture and profitability. Discover how taxation impacts staking and the contrasting models of proof of stake and proof of work. Delve into the complexities of measuring network sustainability, especially between Ethereum and Solana. Learn about the importance of metrics like Total Economic Value and the implications of issuance for token holders. Finally, ponder whether any cryptocurrency can surpass Bitcoin's dominance in the future.
Oct 5, 2024 • 54min
The Continued Institutional Adoption of Crypto | Roundup
The hosts dive into the latest VP debate and its implications for crypto legislation. They discuss the evolution of crypto lending markets and the complexities of token vesting schedules. Visa's new tokenization platform sparks conversation about institutional crypto adoption. The panel reflects on the interplay between traditional and decentralized finance. They also tackle trading vs. long-term investing strategies, along with the impact of potential SEC leadership changes on the crypto landscape.
Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 16min
Sky Aave Force and the DeFi Renaissance | Stani Kulechov & Rune Christensen
Stani Kulechov, a DeFi innovator behind the Aave protocol, and Rune Christensen, co-founder of MakerDAO, dive into the dynamic world of decentralized finance. They discuss the rise of Sky Aave Force and the importance of collaboration in DeFi, highlighting how institutional interest is reshaping the landscape. The duo explores innovative product designs and brand strategies that appeal to younger audiences, signaling a cultural shift in the crypto realm. They also share insights into the ongoing 'DeFi Renaissance' defined by community engagement and sustainable economic models.
